Pocket nostalgia or full PC power: which handheld wins?

Display

Product B wins decisively. The ASUS ROG Ally has a 7-inch Full HD 120Hz IPS touchscreen with 500 nits brightness, which is a huge step up in clarity, smoothness, and usability. That means sharper text, better motion, and a far more immersive experience for everything from indie games to AAA titles. Product A’s 2.5-inch full-colour screen is tiny by comparison, and while it is fine for basic retro games, it is not in the same league for readability or comfort. If screen quality matters at all, the ROG Ally is the clear winner.

Performance

Product B wins by an enormous margin. The ASUS ROG Ally uses an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, 16GB RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD, and AMD Radeon graphics, which makes it a legitimate handheld gaming PC capable of running modern Windows games. Product A has 240 built-in 8-bit games, which are fixed, simple, and designed for very low-power play. There is no contest here: the Orb Gaming mini arcade is for basic retro entertainment, while the ROG Ally can handle a far wider range of software, emulation, cloud gaming, and PC game libraries. If performance is the deciding factor, the Ally is in a different universe.

Build quality and design

This one is more nuanced, but Product B still wins overall. The Orb Gaming unit has a charming mini arcade aesthetic and an 8-way joystick that suits classic arcade-style play, and its lightweight, self-contained design makes it easy to pick up and use anywhere. However, it is also clearly a budget novelty device, with a small body and limited controls that reflect its £19.99 price point. The ASUS ROG Ally is a much more premium device, with a modern ergonomic handheld shape, larger controls, a touchscreen, and a build meant for serious gaming sessions. It feels like an engineered product rather than a toy. If you want the better-designed device overall, the ROG Ally wins, though the mini arcade has more nostalgia appeal.

Battery life

Product A likely wins on simplicity and low-power use, but this category is not straightforward because no battery specs are provided for either product. The Orb Gaming machine’s low-end hardware and tiny screen suggest modest power demands, so it should be easier to keep running for casual play. The ROG Ally’s powerful Z1 Extreme chip, bright 120Hz display, and Windows 11 environment will consume far more power under load, meaning battery life is typically the trade-off for its performance. Based on the hardware alone, the mini arcade machine is the safer bet for long, low-intensity sessions, but the Ally offers far more capability at the cost of endurance.

Price and value for money

Product A wins on raw affordability, while Product B wins on value for serious gamers. At £19.99, the Thumbs Up mini arcade is extremely cheap and easy to justify as a gift, stocking filler, or nostalgia purchase. It delivers 240 built-in games for less than the price of a restaurant meal, which is excellent if your expectations are modest. But the ASUS ROG Ally, even without a listed price here, is clearly a premium device with premium hardware; its value depends on whether you actually need a portable Windows gaming machine. If you only want a few retro games, the mini arcade is the better value. If you want a handheld that can replace or complement a gaming PC, the Ally’s value is much higher despite the likely much greater cost.

Game library and features

Product B wins by a landslide. The mini arcade’s 240 built-in 8-bit games are fun, but they are locked to the included library and limited by the device’s simple controls and small display. The ROG Ally runs Windows 11, which opens the door to Steam, Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games, Battle.net, emulators, cloud gaming, and more. It also includes 3 months of Xbox Game Pass, adding immediate access to a large library. That flexibility is the biggest difference between the two products: one is a closed retro toy, the other is an open gaming platform. For features and long-term game access, the Ally is the runaway winner.

Overall user experience

Product B wins for anyone who actually wants to play games seriously. The Orb Gaming mini arcade is instant, simple, and charming, and that simplicity is part of its appeal. It is ideal for quick bursts, younger players, or collectors who like the look and feel of a tiny arcade cabinet. But the experience is limited by the small screen, basic controls, and fixed library. The ROG Ally is more complex to set up and use because it runs Windows, but the payoff is far greater: better visuals, better controls, modern game support, and a much more versatile device overall. If you want a real handheld gaming system, the Ally is the better experience.

Overall summary: the ASUS ROG Ally is the clear winner for almost everyone. It is vastly more capable, has a much better display, supports a far larger game library, and offers a premium handheld gaming experience. The Thumbs Up mini arcade only makes sense if you specifically want a very cheap retro novelty device or a small gift. For actual gaming value, the ROG Ally is the stronger buy by a wide margin.