I just want to gush about the AYN Odin 2 Portal

When it comes to handheld gaming devices, finding one that truly stands out as the most complete and enjoyable experience can be a challenge. After trying countless devices, I’ve found myself completely captivated by one in particular: the AYN Odin 2 Portal. Over the past three months, this handheld has become my absolute favorite, surpassing every other device I own, including the ROG Ally X, which I previously held in very high regard.

In this article, I want to share my in-depth experience with the Odin 2 Portal — what makes it so special, why it has completely changed how I play games, and why I believe it’s the most complete handheld you can buy today. Whether you’re a seasoned handheld enthusiast or just curious about the latest tech, this post will give you a thorough look at the Odin 2 Portal’s strengths and why it might just be the perfect device for you.

Table of Contents

• 🎮 First Impressions and Changing Perspectives
• 🕹️ Controls That Elevate Your Gameplay
• 🤲 Comfort and Grip: A Must-Have Accessory
• 🔋 Battery Life That Keeps Up With You
• 📺 Stunning 7-Inch 1080p 120Hz AMOLED Display
• 🌐 Streaming and Performance: Built for Modern Gaming
• ⚙️ A Device That Just Works
• 🔟 The Easiest Recommendation in Years
• 📢 Join the Community and Stay Connected

🎮 First Impressions and Changing Perspectives

Before I received my review unit of the Odin 2 Portal, I wasn’t particularly excited about it. In fact, I wasn’t even interested at all. The device seemed like just another incremental update, and I was content with my existing handhelds, particularly the ROG Ally X. I didn’t see the need for a larger handheld, and the price point seemed close to that of the Steam Deck, which made me skeptical about its value proposition.

But everything changed once I started using the Odin 2 Portal. My review unit blew me away, and I eagerly awaited the arrival of my retail unit. Since then, I haven’t put it down. The device has completely replaced every other handheld I own, which is a rare feat for me because I’m usually a minimalist when it comes to handheld gaming devices.

What really flipped my perspective was how the Odin 2 Portal excelled in every area—not just one or two. This isn’t a device that specializes in a single feature and compromises elsewhere. Instead, it performs exceptionally well across the board, from its screen and battery life to controls and performance.

🕹️ Controls That Elevate Your Gameplay

One of the biggest complaints about the original Odin 2 was the size and range of the analog sticks. They were smaller than what you’d find on a typical controller, which affected the overall feel, especially when playing modern, demanding games. The Odin 2 Portal addresses this with some smart improvements.

• Larger Stick Caps: The new retail units come with bigger stick caps that feel more like normal controller sticks. This was a game-changer for me, especially after using the review unit without them. The added range of movement and the more substantial caps made navigating modern games much more precise and comfortable.
• Improved Stick Range: The sticks now have increased range of motion, which further enhances control fidelity.

But the real surprise was the D-pad. The Odin 2 Portal’s D-pad is, hands down, one of the best I’ve ever used on a stick-top handheld. It even surpasses many handhelds that focus primarily on D-pad quality. The D-pad is larger than the original Odin 2’s, with better pivot and accuracy. The offset control layout means the D-pad is perfectly comfortable to reach and use, even for D-pad-intensive retro games.

Since getting the Portal, I’ve played countless retro titles that rely heavily on the D-pad, and not once did I feel like the experience would be improved by having a D-pad top layout instead. The combination of offset controls and a larger, well-designed D-pad is a subtle but transformative improvement.

🤲 Comfort and Grip: A Must-Have Accessory

Comfort is a critical aspect of any handheld device, and the Odin 2 Portal is no exception. Personally, I find the official grip accessory to be an absolute must-have purchase. However, it’s not just about comfort for me—it’s also about practicality.

The plastic used on the Odin 2 Portal’s body is a bit slippery compared to other devices like the Retro Pocket 5, which uses a more textured, non-slippery plastic. Without the grip, I found myself constantly worried about the device slipping out of my hands during long gaming sessions.

The grip not only improves comfort but also provides a much-needed secure hold. That said, the grip isn’t perfect out of the box. I had to modify mine by cutting off the top part to ensure easy access to the power and volume buttons, which were otherwise difficult to press with the grip fully intact. Despite this DIY fix, the grip fits snugly and doesn’t allow the handheld to move inside it, giving me confidence during use.

It’s a bit disappointing that manufacturers, including AYN, don’t put more thought and effort into producing well-designed grips that don’t require modification. The grip I use even covers some ventilation areas on the back of the device, though I haven’t noticed any heat issues from this so far.

🔋 Battery Life That Keeps Up With You

Battery life is one of the most important specs for any portable device, and the Odin 2 Portal excels here as well. Featuring an impressive 8,000mAh battery, this handheld lasts for hours and hours of uninterrupted gameplay. I never find myself worrying about running out of juice, even during extended gaming sessions or streaming marathons.

Whether you’re playing retro games, emulating modern titles, or streaming content, the Odin 2 Portal keeps going strong without the need to constantly recharge. This reliability is a huge plus for anyone who values mobility and convenience.

📺 Stunning 7-Inch 1080p 120Hz AMOLED Display

One of the standout features of the Odin 2 Portal is its gorgeous 7-inch, 1080p AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. While you might have seen this screen in videos or reviews, nothing truly prepares you for the experience of using it daily.

Three months in, I’m still regularly blown away by how vibrant and sharp games look on this display. Recently, I’ve been playing Pokemon Emerald Seagalass, an incredible Pokémon ROM hack, and it looks absolutely stunning on this screen. The colors pop, the contrast is deep, and the overall visual clarity is unmatched.

The OLED panel isn’t just about beauty; it also offers practical advantages. The screen size and resolution provide plenty of room for playing a variety of systems:

• Nintendo DS and 3DS Games: The large screen allows you to display both screens side by side comfortably.
• Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Titles: Integer scaling options let you play these games crisply, even in black and white mode, making everything pop.
• Modern Consoles: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor inside means you can emulate or stream games from Switch, Wii U, PS3, PS2, GameCube, and more without compromise.

The 120Hz refresh rate is another game-changer. If you haven’t experienced gaming at 120Hz on a handheld, you’re missing out on incredibly smooth animations and more responsive gameplay. Once you have it, there’s no going back.

🌐 Streaming and Performance: Built for Modern Gaming

Streaming has become my primary use case for the Odin 2 Portal, and it excels here more than any other handheld I’ve used. The combination of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, Wi-Fi 7 support, and the high-quality screen makes streaming games a seamless experience.

For those unfamiliar, Wi-Fi 7 is the latest wireless networking standard, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and better stability. I was so impressed with the Odin 2 Portal’s networking capabilities that I upgraded my entire home network to Wi-Fi 7 to fully leverage its potential.

On the PC side, I’ve also upgraded to a high-end setup with an Intel 9800 X3D CPU and an NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti GPU to ensure the best streaming performance possible. With this setup, I’ve been playing through modern games like Assassin’s Creed Shadows entirely via streaming, and the experience is fantastic.

Streaming isn’t limited to just GeForce Now, either. I use local streaming solutions like Apollo and Artemis, and the Odin 2 Portal handles everything without hiccups. The device supports the latest and most demanding emulators on Android, such as RPCS3 and CEMU, with no hardware or software limitations.

⚙️ A Device That Just Works

One of the most refreshing things about the Odin 2 Portal is how much it just works out of the box. Unlike some other devices on the market that require cooling mods, software tweaks, or suffer from compatibility issues with popular services like GeForce Now, the Portal delivers a smooth, hassle-free experience.

This reliability is rare in the handheld gaming niche. You can pick up the Odin 2 Portal and confidently know that it will perform well with no weird bugs or limitations holding you back. That peace of mind is invaluable, especially when you’re investing in a premium device.

🔟 The Easiest Recommendation in Years

After three months of daily use, I can honestly say the Odin 2 Portal is the easiest handheld recommendation I’ve given in years. It’s a 10 out of 10 device in every way that matters. Whether you want to play retro games, stream modern AAA titles, or just enjoy a beautiful, comfortable handheld experience, this device has you covered.

There are no caveats, no compromises, no “but”s. If you have any interest in a device like this, just go for it. The Odin 2 Portal is simply fantastic.

So, whether you call it gushing, loving, or just genuine excitement, that’s exactly what this post is all about. The Odin 2 Portal has completely transformed my gaming routine, and I hope it can do the same for you.

📢 Join the Community and Stay Connected

If you’re interested in learning more about the Odin 2 Portal, sharing your experiences, or just chatting about handheld gaming, I highly recommend joining the Discord community dedicated to the Portal. It’s a great place to connect with other enthusiasts and get tips, updates, and support.

Also, if you want to support further content and reviews like this, consider checking out my Patreon. Your support helps me continue exploring and sharing the best handheld gaming experiences out there.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you all have a great time with your Odin 2 Portal!