I have no idea who you are. This was the first video Google suggested. I'm not really a gamer these days. That was a masterclass in narrative story telling. Excellent work.

Paper family gave me the feels

That ending though. . . . I felt that deep down in my soul.

my favorite memory of old video games was the Christmas I got my NES. My mom told me she wasn't going to be getting us one that year even though we really wanted one. On Christmas day we opened up our presents, and she had wrapped these little handheld pinball or ring toss Mario handheld little toys, and we opened them up, and she said "look I got y'all that Nintendo y'all wanted" we were kind of sad but kept opening the other stuff...then she goes to her room and comes out of the room with one more big present. My brother and I ripped it open to find a shinny new NES. Crazy thing is, she probably played the NES as much as we did (she loved Zelda.)

dude this is the MOST wholesome video you've ever made. all the little skits hit me so close to home. i love retro games. appreciate your videos. keep kicking ass. and if you haven't heard it enough... I'm proud of you and how far you've come.

No one is perfect, and no one can be a perfect parent. That said, this really hearkens back to a time when fathers were hands-off parents while still having the expectations of a hands-on parent. Like wanting their child to have the same interests and see what was special in life that they themselves saw was special, without actually spending the time with them to do that. Expecting their child to be a certain way, without raising them that way nor being interested in what their kids were interested in, learning about it, spending time on their own terms, etc.

Damn it. That ending skit with your mom playing with you. I teared up TechDweeb. I came here for a review and stayed for the feels.

Thanks for letting us into your world, TechDweeb! I adored the drawings/ puppets- it really tapped into that feeling about how we all felt when we first got into gaming. I was in town for a weekend visiting family and my uncle got me an atomic purple Gameboy Color, Pokemon yellow, and Wario Land 3 after he saw that I was the only kid among my cousins who couldn't relate. I felt alienated in so many ways but when he got me that that afternoon- I felt like my world opened up so much.

I really appreciate for something like a tech review, someone actually taking the time to communicate feelings, vibes, why you *love* something, not just a bunch of numbers. And, idk, I think it's even a bit brave to share something that reflects on the sadder parts of those times that we're, regardless of those parts, still really nostalgic for.

I really like how you used your creativity to talk about your relationship with your dad. My relationship with my father was "meh"... at best. Stay always strong TD 💪

Your videos have become a source of comfort for me and this one is probably the most comfortable so far. It reminds me that I bought my first emulator console just so I could remember what it was like to play Pokemon Emerald on the couch by the lamp next to Mom and Dad. Thanks so much for all your efforts Tech dweeb!

Best retro gaming memory was when I was 9, I wanted a Gameboy Color and Pokemon Yellow soooo bad, but we were poor and I couldn't have it. A kid from school let me borrow his, so I could play through Pokemon. 2 days into the game, the kid was hit by a car and he died, I felt really bad, but I kept his stuff and named all my Pokemon after him.

Please tell me that the Gameboy at the end is the original one your mom gave you as a kid. That makes the ending so much more impactful...what a great video TechDweeb! Engaging story, great editing, fantastic production, you killed it with this one. I literally own every RP device, except for this one. Ordering it next paycheck now, thanks to you lol

The family story really hit me in the heart man... your an amazing guy that does so much to inform and help people. You never stop being you and living your dream!!

This video brought a tear to my eye. Reminded me of the time I asked my dad to play streets of rage 2 with me. I was so disappointed when he refused. I just wanted to bond with him. That memory will always be stuck in my head…

As someone who has a complicated relationship with their parents, this one was really relatable. I cried at the end. Hug your mom for me.

I love the story and its actually very Well drawn please continue with that

This dude LITERALLY CANNOT MISS! Every Single Upload is a banger! 10/10 Also, this video had me choking up and I ended up calling my mom to say hi and catch up.

Thanks for your work man. Your channel has always given a level of originality and quality that is a rare thing, but this one was especially wonderful. You’re a talented guy. Thanks for all your hard work.

Definitely my favorite video of yours that Ive seen so far. You express so beautifully what these handhelds and games mean to you, and it is something that all of us geeks and dweebs can relate to. Thank you for you work and for sharing your story. 👏👏👏

This video hit me right in the feels! I love your artwork and the family segments were brilliant. My first home gaming experience was a Commodore 64 as I had begged my parents for ages after playing games at my friends house. I nearly exploded with joy when I actually got one for my Christmas in 1984. I think my poor parents put themselves in debt to get it for me but I had it for years. I especially loved the SID music and would sometimes just load games to hear the chiptunes. Happy days 🥰

I hope TD makes more stories like this. There's a hundred channels doing straight reviews. I prefer this format. More squishy!

Came for the review. Stayed for the paper story 🥲

Came for a tech review, stayed for the moving family drama. That was unexpected, and I dig it!

Man I saw several videos of you, but I did not subscribe. But this video has made me subscribe without hesitation. I have the RP2S, after looking at several devices I decided to buy the 2S for exactly the same reasons you comment in the video and it transmits me the same sensations and experiences you comment. On the family side, although my parents are also divorced, I was luckier. My father was the one who taught me and got me into the world of video games (he worked in an arcade and bought me an Amstrad CPC 464). And my mother showed me the videoclubs in my city, bought me videogame magazines, etc. I had no problems in this matter (and I thank my parents because thanks to this hobby I was encouraged to learn programming and work happily). Thanks for the video (very well put together by the way) and from now on I will follow you more often :)

Dude, this is one of my favorite vids you have done. Great storytelling! Glad I stuck to the end. Your vids are therapeutic and I can't get enough of your attention to quality TechDweeb A+++!

I dont often comment on KZfaq videos, but this upload really touched my soul and made me smile, your paper family clips were so original and relatable. I will get a Retroid Pocket 2S on the strength of your video. Great work T.D! 👏 🎮 👌😊

This is by far your best video. I got all teary eyed. Much love to you, thanks for the memories!

This is your best video yet! That's saying a lot. Love the emotion you went for that described not only nostalgia, but expressed how it felt to play this!

Got mine yesterday in Retro color, what a beautiful little device 😊

Ive been watching some of your videos lately and been getting back into retro again. The device is awesome and I loved the cartoon skit you did even more, it brought back memories of my childhood I forgot about and brought some tears. Some good memories, and some bad. But im glad this video helped me to remember! You are awesome man!! Indefinitely subscribed!!!

this video is so awesome to me , i love it the strytelling aspect with your stylised paper drawings and your simple voice acting totaly takes me there , omg , beautiful ☺☺☺

Loved this review. Was getting tired of review after review on the same devices but then you come along.

This is perfect. We don't need every little detail, including a micrometer that measures button travel, or fps or benchmarks. There are enough videos and sites out there for that. You answered the question about how this is different and why it deserves to exist and who should buy it. The family stuff was a bit heavy, I think I need to go hug my son...

To me, retro gaming has always been about *creating* that "simpler time". The games are new to me, and my real childhood was anything but simple, but in the safety of adulthood, I can stop, relax, and fall in love with this artform I missed the first time round.

Great video! A retro gaming memory... Me and my brother used to sneak out of our bedrooms at night and turn the sound all the way down and also turn the brightness down on the TV in the living room while playing Super Mario Bros. on NES or Donkey Kong Jr. on the ColecoVision so that it wouldn't wake our mom up. Good times.

I have no words to say, absolutly amazing video and feelings, thanks for that! No way you have 37k subs, you should have 1M at least! Great content!

I just ordered a Miyoo Mini Plus after watching a lot of these videos on KZfaq and your channel stands out. This video especially is really well done and the emotional beats are perfect. Your channel is destined for greatness, keep going.

I found this video by accident. Watched it, it touched deeply. I subscribed to your channel and ordered an retroid pocket 2s. Thank you!

Man, last video I credited your channel growth and content as being awesome. Now, you get this one out days later and it is even better and more poignant?! By far, this is your best video to date! The paper characters made me remember when I was 11 in 1989 and felt this way. I never got an NES or Gameboy. I had Atari's and a Game Gear. I now have every game from all those systems, and I love the flashbacks in time as an adult, but I haven't bought a handheld yet. I just can't pinpoint one. For nostalgic reasons, and this video, I may have found the one I need to buy.

I got them feels for a different reason, I was born autistic in Mexico in the 80's, not much knowledge about it. My parents were super supportive even though thet never fully understood my hobbies. Now they are old and i get to listen and support them and seeing this makes me thankful to have such parents. I sent you guys a heartfelt hug, big bear hug for all your woes of being misunderstood.

There's a lot of other channels out there that I go to when I want the nitty gritty technical details, BUT you're the one I subscribed to because your videos are fun, unique, and just beautiful

My mom gave me a treasure hunt where I kept searching for notes and clues through the house and under the bed was Kirby's Dream Land for Game Boy. Still one of my games of all time.

Man, you touched my heart with your story! Awesome video!

Oh man this has really made me want one of these. One of my favorite retro game memories is with my dad actually. As a little kid I often cuddled up with him and watched him play a Final Fantasy, 8 is the one I remember the most, and he'd read the dialogue till I fell asleep. Definitely miss those simpler days when I just had my little CRT, game cartridges and vhs tapes, and my family still together.

Loving this channel. I've watched at least a few episodes a day since finding it. I'm excited to see what retro handheld I end up buying.

Man, I love your videos so much. The paper skit was awesome and it reminded me of being younger and discovering emulation back on my computer with a 28K modem. I remember I could just about run the first game I ever emulated (Chrono trigger) at about 30 frames a second but loved every minute of it.

Dude, the pathos of the embedded narrative in this, unexpected emotions. Beautifully done.

My oldest gaming memory is probably the time my dad got me a Gameboy. We were at a birthday for someone at a park and he told me he had a suprise for me if I behaved myself. Well, when we got home, he opened up his work van and gave me a Gameboy and Super Mario Land. It's why I'll always love handhelds just cause of that moment

This is the cutest video Tech Dweeb. I actually teared up a bit, haha. You've quickly become one of my favorite channels to watch, so glad I stumbled upon your stuff! 😊

I’ve watched this video three times but somehow I always moved to the next video during your closing thoughts. When I saw your final skit this time I seriously got the same excitement when i first discovered the MCU extra credit scene! Totally hit me in the feels

I feel bad for missing this one after seeing so many of your other videos. Without a doubt this is easily one of the greatest videos I've ever seen. The memories it brought back and your statement about why it made you feel like it did is exactly how I feel playing on my current retro handheld. I still have a crt tv with my consoles and all that and the comfort I get from just sitting on the floor and looking up at the TV and holding my super Nintendo control makes me feel some sort of way everytime.

This is everything I have wanted. ❤️ I'm 27 and for a decade, have been keeping tabs on emulation and emulation handhelds. I got a Retroid Pocket 2 because it's everything I wanted from a handheld, but we live in a time now where I don't just want it to be able to run the games, but make them *look* like they originally did, too. If I had the money, I'd totally get this. Amazing. The shaders are why I wanted an Analogue Pocket, but got a GameBoy Pocket and GameBoy Color instead!

I seriously love your videos so creative and informative and just plane fun to watch!!

I actually just got this last week, after lots of research. been loving it a lot!

Wow this brought up some long forgotten bittersweet memories. I came for a little tech review and somehow left like I just had a break through session with my therapist. It really made me look at myself and my dad and how I interact with my son. I’m not perfect and that’s ok but I can do better. Seriously thank you for making this.

There’s nothing better than waking up on Christmas morning when you were a kid opening up a Nintendo 64 with your brother that came bundled with Super Mario 64 and Pokémon snap. My aunt had to buy an expansion pack just so I can play Zelda majora’s mask an extra game that my parents got me. I would do anything just to go back just one more time to relive that moment. 😢😊

your videos have been stumbling in my feed. I like them so far. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Dweeb, you made me realized there are many little souls every where in this world that have same situation when they were little, I'm one of them. I could only see the kids in my neighborhood played NES, Sega, SNES and dreamed to have those consoles because at that moment my parents couldn't afford such luxuries. Thanks to Retro games community I can go back to the past and satisfy the little soul in me.

One damn creative video so far. Specially with the paper it really pulls you into the video. And a damm great review. I've seen alot video's and wasn't sure enough but this pulls me over... My best memories are quite simple. Laying in bed playing pokemon on my brand new sp in the night that i had from my birthday and aventaly falling a sleep with it till morning. And often today when I've hard day i repeat that.

Your channel gives me the feeling I got when I watched Blues Clues as a child. I can't believe I've only just discovered you, I've watched so many of your videos this past week! I've even ended up ordering a RG353V.

Great video! Who would have thought we'd have so much power to play any of the games we grew up with in a handheld? Back in the 90's this was just a fever dream... I remember back in the mid 2010's when I bought an AtGames Sega Genesis portable device and was amazed I could put my own ROMs on it... fast forward to today and as someone who got into emulation back in the NESticles days I am still blown away by the current emulation market and community. You're quickly becoming one of my favorite channels!

Man you brought me so much of memory of simpler time back then. Nice one, keep on going

This review is so wholesome ;-; really hit me in the feels. I feel very similarly to you, even though I had my experiences with later generation systems. I'm born in 2002, and when the Wii released, my neighbor got one for Christmas and I got their old GameCube as a hand me down birthday present a few weeks after. I remember playing GameCube at my cousin's house, at my neighbors, and then at home when I finally got it for myself. I didn't have many games, but it's undoubtedly the foundation of what's probably my biggest hobby today. I remember getting a DSi XL for Christmas, alongside Pokemon Black and a few other games. That little thing has been with me to Mexico, Europe, so many different places I've honestly lost count, and since then, I always dreamed of being able to play my GameCube in a handheld format. When I first got my Steam Deck and booted up Double Dash, I teared up a little. Life isn't what I thought it was going to be, and I've changed so much, but I know that childhood me would be losing his mind. I remember not being able to play Minecraft for years because I didn't have a PC until I eventually got a cheap laptop, which I played so many games on and finally was able to play some Minecraft. The Steam Deck, compaed to brigning around my old laptop with a controller to friends houses for multiplayer 2D games, is insane. Being able to just always have my latest favorite games with me is mind blowing. I went from playing Minecraft at 22fps with no shaders on a full laptop to playing with heavy shaders, mods and whatever else I want on Deck, all in under 10 years. While the tech and the performance is cool, I do think I've gotten myself a bit too focused on how things perform and a lot less on how they make me feel, and I really think I need to start changing that. Thanks Tech Dweeb for a surprisingly touching video ❤

welp, I wasn't expecting to cry at a TechDweeb video, but well here we are. I would love if you revisited this kind of content more often. You have such an insane talent for storytelling. As for a gaming memory... my mom and i were playing Final Fantasy on the NES. We would switch off who would play and who would backseat game. I kept looking at my watch and it was waaaay past my bedtime, but my mom didn't say anything. Finally at like 11, i said "mom, you do know it's 11 o clock right? I don't have to go to sleep?" And my mom said "so? It's New Years Eve silly". I had no clue for some reason, i was just lost in the game with my mom and didn't Even realize. Every New Year in my adult life, I've sat home and played one of the Final Fantasy games in honor of that memory that had stuck in my head forever.

Hey Techdweeb, thanks a bunch for this lovely gem of a video! I used to collect plenty of emulation handhelds back then up to the Anbernic 350 era, but after a while I decided to call it quits with Emulation Handhelds and sold them all, because it was just FOMO getting the best of me (and my wallet). So I also stopped watching videos on new devices. That was until I found your channel like one year ago. Your videos are a prime example, that it's not necessarily about the handhelds and the devices, it's about the love to retro gaming, because they bring up the nostalgia and help us reminisce about the good (and not so good) times of the past. Of course all the other channels that focus on specs, device performances etc do rightfully have their place, but I'm glad that there is still someone out here able to provide a different, creative and touching angle on all the retro tech.

Man, I cried watching your video. My mom used to play Super Mario Bros with me, thank you for making this memory come back to life again

😭 this goes so hard! reminds me of when I was kid. my dad played mario with me on NES a few times. but I think he was worried about how obsessed I was with it. he stopped playing games and generally disliked em after - "waste of time, blah blah" awesome video as always!

Bro this review was great! I dont comment often but i felt compelled to let you know! Keep up the good work my friend!

Man right in the feels, im sorry about your dad but sounds like your mom was at least trying to share your interest, the ending was really wholesome. I got my gameboy color when i was like 6 with a copy of pokemon yellow, i didnt know how to play until a few years later but i loved it. My mom got me it which in retrospect was also sweet because her and my stepdad werent exactly well off so mustve taken a lot of saving. I still own my gameboy color and i cherish it. Your channel is so unique in this tech/retrogaming space. Keep up your good work!

I loved this video we are almost the same age and I remember all of these things that happend in my life. Keep up making wholesome videos like these

Really nice video! I love your content and reviews. It's like comfort food for me.

Wow, thank you for sharing your memories with us. I didn‘t expect a review hitting directly in heart. As immigrants we also didn‘t had much and as my parents working both in shifts, my 4 year younger brother and I rarely saw them together. However, when one time walking trough the mall one weekend with my parents, my brother and I saw the new Gameboy Color. We desperately wanted one but unfortunately no money was left for a console. My mother used to working in a chocolate company (typically swiss thing) and she sometimes brought some spare or second-quality chocolate home. However, one Saturday she came back from work in the afternoon and said that she forgot some chocolate in the car and asked my brother and me to go and bring it quick before it melts. As my brother and opened the car, we couldn‘t believe our eyes: A GameBoy Color in purple transparent with a Pokemon Gold Edition. We freaked totally out. It was one of the best surprises for my brother and me and we also together experienced much more precious time together. It even doesn‘t matter that our parents didn‘t buy the GameBoy Advance, which was at this time already released months or year ago. It‘s still one of my brothers and mine most emotional valuable thing we ever have.

That ending though 😢

Great video, this is exactly the type of content i was looking for.

Man, I've spent the last three weeks and watched dozens of videos (if I don't have nearly 100 partially finished in my watch history) trying to pick which handheld to buy as my first, and this video made me finally pulled the trigger. Love your stuff TechDweeb, honestly. Top tier content and one of few retro-tubers I'll keep watching now that I've made my decision

Playing SNES and N64 for hours on end with my older brother when I was very young will hold a place forever with me. So much that I’ve been getting all of that hardware for me to rediscover with my kiddos. Keep up the incredible content and don’t shy from bringing your own personal stories to your channel.

Came here for another amazing review, and was not disappointed. However, I did not expect to cry bittersweet tears.

man.. you really nailed the alcoholic dad stereotype, its all there; the narcissism, the apathy, the selfishness, squandering money, secretly no savings for the family and the mom is just doing her best to make things work out so that everyone isn't royally fucked into homelessness because of the dad's drunken antics with money... you nailed it all! I grew up with a drunk dad, can confirm this stereotype is real. Well done my guy, your content is great. The RP2s is a great alternative for those who can't afford a steam deck.

Holy shit I love that your channel is growing. 🎉🎉 great video.

Oh man, I didn't expect so many feels from a review video! I hope that Gameboy was everything you wanted it to be. I got one around the same time, and it was a big disappointment. On a lighter note though, over xmas break a couple months ago, I _finally_ got The Mom to play games with me... and I've never seen her laugh so hard. We had a blast, and it's a memory I'll treasure until the day I die... one of the only times I've seen her actually _feel_ anything strong enough to show it on the outside.

I thank the algorithm for ever recommending you to me. This video is the culmination of all the care and attention you pay to all your videos. Aspects of your paper dweeb story resonate with me so much. Single parent home. Mum wanting to provide but not always having the money at the right time. I remember my house getting burgaled and our SNES being stolen. She bought me another as soon as she could. Mostly you're right that now all of these systems are so easily attainable in our hands with our own grown up money... We should be more appreciative of our Steam Decks and our Data Frogs. Love you Dweeb

Hey bro just want you to know you are not alone! Love your story keep them coming! I also have similar memories when I dive in. I got the AYN and Miyoo Mini Plus but need something to take me back and this will be it.

Your videos are absolutely TOP NOTCH! Really enjoyed this one!

This video made me subscribe. I thought it was really good. The memory of retro gaming that is coming up is playing Legend of Zelda with my Grandmother..those were fun times. Thanks have a good day.

Never see a video of yours, but this was awesome made and very authentic.

Oh man, that was actually beautiful. Thank you for making this.

Thanks for all your videos and especially for that one. So real.. I love your work..

I just discovered you and your contents are sooo great! New Miyoo product is on the way and I am waiting for you to review it!

You made me cry twice with this one 💚. This little device is SO close to what I'm looking for in a handheld. If it were smaller, like the Zazzbizzle or had a screen like the RGB30, I'd have bought 4. One for me, and one for each of my closest friends. Retroid really seems to "get it" when it comes to these devices! Can't wait to mess with my RP4P when it comes in! Might mess with Dig on it based on your recommendation!

My grandma was probably the most plain-jane person you have ever met in your entire life, but Christmas of 1988 she was visiting for the holidays. I had just opened my NES power set with grey zapper and finished having my meltdown. We put her in a rocking chair in front of the TV, put the zapper in her hand, fired up Duck Hunt, and she went all gangster. That old woman sat there and destroyed ducks for like 30 minutes straight, and everyone in the room was just cackling. Good times. RIP Grandma.

I love this, what a great channel, once again... I haven't seen the video yet and I already know it will be a lot of dopamine for my brain

Your thumbnail game is pretty on point.

This video feels like a warm bowl of clam chowder on a brisk autumn morning.

Can't wait! I love mine so far. :)

The ending man! ❤ I had already given the video a thumbs up, so the only thing left was to subscribe.

Crash Bandicoot always cheered me up on those gloomy days. Crash, Spyro, Mickey's Wild Adventure, I cherish them all and playing them never gets old for me. Thanks for this video, I came here for a review and left with appreciation for the good moments in life!

Your all videos are great and different than other people's. Which is great! But this one is even better!!!

great video, I don't need another retro handheld but damn I'm still gonna get one of these 🤘

What a great video! Retro gaming IS all about recreating a snapshot in time.