Yes, I did call the Razer Edge an "oddball handheld with an off-putting price tag" in my original review. However, that doesn't mean that it's both killer for emulating beefier retro consoles like the PS2 and well worth grabbing when it's under $200, and a new wave of refurbished stock at Amazon is making the latter happen ahead of Black Friday.
Over at the retailer, you can currently grab a refurbished Razer Edge in "excellent" condition for $179.95 using an on-screen coupon. The discount helps the portable hit a lower price point than many of my best retro handheld picks, despite rocking a Snapdragon G3X Gen 1 chipset that outpaces even newer premium options.
Designed to serve as one of the best gaming handheld options for streaming and mobile games, the Razer Edge is pretty punchy. In the past, I've put it to work as an alternative to the PlayStation Portal and even tried using it instead of a phone to run Play Store apps. Those are all valid use cases since it's armed with Android, but I absolutely think its real strengths lie as a punchy emulation device.
I want to stress that even if the Razer Edge were still available new, it would find itself outclassed by my current crowned PS2 handheld prince, the Ayn Odin 2. The 6-inch Android portable has a slight advantage thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, which in turn helps it emulate pretty much all the best retro consoles out there.
That said, the Razer Edge does feel like the better value option when it is available for under $200. For half the price of the Odin, you're getting pretty comparable performance in Dreamcast, N64, and PS2, not to mention you're getting perks like an AMOLED display and a swappable Kishi V2 Pro controller.
The AMOLED screen specifically might be a biggie if you're used to that sort of vibrancy with gaming monitors and other screens, but the long 20:9 aspect ratio is a bit daft. The latter removable gamepad perk, however, is universally beneficial, as unlike most other handhelds out there, you won't be locked to a specific set of buttons. Many of the best mobile controller options will fit on this 6.8-inch device and connect via USB-C, in turn providing you a way to keep things fresh without complicated repair jobs down the road.
As for the actual Edge experience, I'd honestly say it's one of the best portable ways to play PlayStation 2 classics. I've spent a chunk of time playing Final Fantasy 12 on the handheld, a game that released late in the PS2's life, and performance and visuals are solid. Keep in mind that's 4x native resolution enabled without any slowdown, so you won't even need to sacrifice fancy visual glowups tied to modern emulators like AetherSX2 or PCSX 2.
The Edge isn't without its faults, and I still stand by it being a bit too odd at full price. I would absolutely keep it on your radar while it's under $200, though, and if you missed grabbing one the last time they were in stock, I wouldn't personally risk waiting until Black Friday. It's worth noting that you won't be treated to any new stock listings down the road since it's now discontinued, so this could be your last chance to grab what is a great handheld for PS2 emulation.
Using Valve's portable? Swing by the best Steam Deck accessories and best Steam Deck docks to improve your setup. You'll want to keep track of Black Friday Steam Deck deals, too, if you're looking for more add-ons this month.
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