Powkiddy V10 Review: A Retro-Inspired Handheld With Mixed Surprises

As someone who’s been collecting and playing retro games for decades, I’m always interested in new handheld consoles that promise to bring back the classics. The Powkiddy V10 caught my eye for a few reasons—its playful design, dual screens, and low price point made it too intriguing to pass up. In this powkiddy v10 review, I’ll share my personal hands-on experience with the console and offer some insight into whether it’s worth adding to your collection.

First Impressions and Design Features

Right out of the box, the Powkiddy V10 makes a unique impression. Its clamshell form immediately evokes memories of the Nintendo DS, but it has its own personality. The device is available in several bright colors, giving off a playful, almost toy-like aesthetic. While it’s clearly designed with kids in mind, collectors and retro gaming enthusiasts might also find its unusual form charming.

The plastic housing feels light but not overly fragile. It’s definitely not on par with more premium handhelds like the Miyoo Mini or Retroid series, but it doesn’t feel like it’s going to fall apart after one drop either. The hinge is solid enough for casual use, though it’s not the smoothest mechanism I’ve used. It locks into position, allowing you to play at a comfortable angle without the screen flopping around.

Size-wise, the Powkiddy V10 is compact enough to fit in a jacket pocket or a small bag, making it highly portable. It’s the kind of device that invites spontaneous gaming sessions, whether you’re on a train, waiting in line, or relaxing at home.

Screens and Display Capabilities

The dual-screen setup is easily the most distinguishing feature of the Powkiddy V10. The top screen is a 3-inch IPS display with a resolution of 320×240 pixels. It’s a standard screen size and resolution for budget retro handhelds, and it gets the job done. Brightness is decent, and color reproduction is respectable for pixel art games.

However, the bottom screen doesn’t do much to enhance the gaming experience. Unlike the Nintendo DS or 3DS, where both screens play a role in gameplay, the V10’s secondary display is only used for basic menu interactions. This felt like a missed opportunity. I found myself wishing the extra screen was either fully functional or removed altogether to reduce cost and complexity.

While playing titles from the NES, SNES, and GBA libraries, the top screen provided a satisfactory experience. Games looked clear, and there were no issues with ghosting or washed-out colors. For a budget handheld, it performs as expected, although don’t expect ultra-crisp visuals or modern screen tech.

Controls and Handling

One of the aspects I was most curious about going into this powkiddy v10 review was how the buttons would feel. I was pleasantly surprised. The D-pad is one of the better ones I’ve used on a low-cost handheld—it’s responsive, firm, and accurate, which is especially important when playing precision-heavy platformers or fighters.

The face buttons (A, B, X, Y) have a satisfying tactile feel and are spaced well for comfortable gameplay. Shoulder buttons are present, but due to the device’s compact size, they feel a bit cramped. They work fine for most games, but if you’re playing something that heavily relies on them, like Metroid Fusion or Mario Kart: Super Circuit, you might find yourself adjusting your grip more often than you’d like.

Start and Select buttons are placed conveniently, and there’s a dedicated power button on the side. The layout is intuitive enough that you don’t have to fumble around trying to remember which button does what. Overall, it’s a comfortable device for short to medium play sessions.

Emulation Quality and Performance

Let’s get to the core of what this powkiddy v10 review is all about—how well it plays games. The console supports a decent selection of emulated systems, including the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis, and more. For these older platforms, the V10 performs adequately. Games boot up quickly, save states work reliably, and there’s minimal input lag.

I tested a variety of titles like Kirby’s Dream Land, Sonic the Hedgehog, Final Fantasy IV, and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Most of them played smoothly, with no frame drops or crashes. The sound emulation isn’t perfect, but it’s passable. Audio sometimes cracks during intense sequences, but it never became a dealbreaker.

That said, the Powkiddy V10 struggles when it comes to more demanding systems like PlayStation 1 or arcade emulators. Games on these platforms tend to lag or crash altogether, so I wouldn’t recommend this device if you’re hoping to play anything beyond the 16-bit era.

Menus and Software Interface

The user interface on the Powkiddy V10 is simple and mostly user-friendly. The menu system is straightforward, presenting a list of emulated systems and games. Navigating through ROM folders is easy, and the interface is responsive.

One downside is the occasionally awkward English translation in the menus. Phrases like “Game Reback” instead of “Game Resume” can be confusing at first. However, after a few minutes of use, it’s easy enough to figure out what each option does. There’s also a settings menu that lets you adjust volume, screen ratio, and button mappings.

While it doesn’t offer the polish of more advanced handhelds, I appreciated how quickly I could jump into games without digging through endless submenus or having to update firmware.

Audio Output and Headphone Use

The built-in speaker is located at the front of the device and produces serviceable sound. It’s loud enough for playing in a quiet room but starts to distort at higher volumes. Thankfully, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack included, which greatly improves the audio quality.

I used a pair of budget earbuds to test the audio while playing Chrono Trigger and Mega Man X, and the difference was immediately noticeable. The soundtrack came to life in a way that the built-in speaker simply couldn’t replicate. The headphone jack is a small but important feature for anyone who values the original music and sound effects in retro games.

Battery Performance and Charging

Battery life is another area where the Powkiddy V10 performs better than expected. The 1500mAh battery offers around five to six hours of continuous gameplay on a single charge, depending on screen brightness and volume settings.

Charging is done via a micro USB port, which feels a bit outdated in today’s USB-C world. Still, the device charges from empty to full in about 90 minutes. For casual use or weekend gaming sessions, the battery capacity is more than sufficient.

Storage and Game Management

The Powkiddy V10 supports microSD cards up to 64GB. It usually comes preloaded with hundreds of games, though the legality of those ROMs depends on your region. I chose to format the card and install my own collection, which was a simple drag-and-drop process.

The device recognizes most file types without issue, and the folder structure is organized by system. It’s not as advanced as EmuELEC or ArkOS setups, but it’s functional and easy to manage for newcomers and veterans alike.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?

In wrapping up this powkiddy v10 review, I have to say that the device left me with mixed feelings—but mostly positive ones. While it won’t compete with high-end retro handhelds in terms of build quality or advanced features, it brings a lot of value for the price.

For gamers who want to revisit 8- and 16-bit classics on a fun, portable device, the Powkiddy V10 checks most of the right boxes. It’s easy to use, plays a wide range of games reliably, and offers a nostalgic look that sets it apart. However, it’s not ideal for those who want to emulate more demanding systems or expect a premium user experience.

Whether you’re a casual gamer looking for a weekend nostalgia fix or a collector interested in quirky handhelds, the Powkiddy V10 is a solid, budget-conscious choice that doesn’t try to be more than it is—and that’s something I can appreciate.