I tried 6 pirate game consoles from AliExpress
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Join us in War Thunder for FREE at playwt.link Get an exclusive bonus using our link - thanks for supporting the channel! AliExpress is so full of more pirate consoles than you can shake a peg-leg at, but what exactly are they? Are they repurposed Android TV Boxes, or emulation stations running on custom linux, or faithful adaptations of the original consoles with after-market chips? Are the controllers stiff, mush, or somewhere in the sweet zone? Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Buy a Data Frog MI Pad-80 on AliExpress: lmg.gg Buy a Gamestation 5 on AliExpress: lmg.gg Buy an Arcade Box on AliExpress: lmg.gg Buy a Hyper Base FC Retro Game Console on AliExpress: lmg.gg Buy a Beelink GT King WiFi6 Smart TV box on AliExpress: lmg.gg Buy a Retro Super Console X Pro Plus on AliExpress: lmg.gg Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► LTX 2023 TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW: lmg.gg ► GET EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ON FLOATPLANE: lmg.gg ► SPONSORS, AFFILIATES, AND PARTNERS: lmg.gg ► EQUIPMENT WE USE TO FILM LTT: lmg.gg ► OUR WAN PODCAST GEAR: lmg.gg FOLLOW US --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: @LinusTech Instagram: @linustech TikTok: @linustech Twitch: twitch.tv MUSIC CREDIT --------------------------------------------------- Intro: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High Video Link: youtube.com Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi Artist Link: youtube.com Intro animation by MBarek Abdelwassaa @mbarek_abdel Monitor And Keyboard by vadimmihalkevich / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mechanical RGB Keyboard by BigBrotherECE / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mouse Gamer free Model By Oscar Creativo / CC BY 4.0 geni.us CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro 1:10 Mi Pad80 Famiclone/Flashlight 3:10 GameStation 5 5:35 Arcade Box 8:38 Hyper Base FC 11:21 Super Console X King/Beelink GT King 13:44 Super Console X Pro Plus 15:49 Conclusions from Grandma
The video starts by outlining a growing trend of pirate or emulation-focused consoles sold on AliExpress, questioning whether they are repurposed Android TV boxes, Linux-based emulation stations, or genuine hardware clones with aftermarket chips. The host explains the appeal of emulation for retro gaming: fewer cables, less wear on original cartridges, and the ability to play a large catalog of ROMs without hunting down expensive vintage hardware. The Mi Pad80 is introduced first, with a candid hands-on reveal of its oversized form and a problematic joystick that disappoints with stiffness and lackluster feedback. We see a mix of curiosity and skepticism as the host demonstrates the AV connection, printed manual oddities, and the single AA power requirement, while noting latency and scaling issues that affect playability right away. The discussion then shifts to the GameStation 5, where the build quality and lack of modern outputs become a focal point, including the absence of HDMI and micro SD, which limits expandability and practical use. Throughout, the host keeps testing each device’s claimed promise against real gameplay, highlighting the oddities, like built-in cartridges or unusual controllers, and weighing them against the price point. The segment closes with the realization that some models may offer rough-but-usable value for casual grandma-style play, while others stumble due to cheap components and questionable software setups.
Topics · gaming · retro gaming · hardware review · emulation · consumer tech · benchmarks · content creator · technology culture
Questions answered
- What is the Mi Pad80 and how well does it perform for retro gaming?
- The Mi Pad80 is a compact, retro-focused device with a large form factor and a subpar joystick; performance varies by game, but latency and scaling issues limit playability for many titles.
- Do these pirate consoles provide good value for the price?
- Value is mix-based: some models offer basic, acceptable playability at low prices, especially for casual use, while others deliver poor build quality and limited compatibility that undermines long-term use.
- Are these devices safe or safe to buy in terms of software?
- Some units run emulation-oriented Linux or Android frameworks and can be rooted, which gives control but also raises security and warranty concerns.
- Is there a standout model among the six tested?
- The Hyper Base FC emerged as a potential winner for price and form factor, though it compromises on performance and controller quality compared to the more expensive options.