Ayn Thor

AYN Thor - dual-screen Android handheld for DS and 3DS

With the AYN Thor, you bring a modern piece of gaming history into your home. This is an Android handheld with two amoled displays, with enough power under the bonnet for both Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS.

Check out the comprehensive and independent review of this system at RetroReady.co.uk, for an honest and open analysis. Then you'll know exactly what you're getting.

Key features

As on a Nintendo 3DS, the amoled panel on top is larger than the variant on the bottom: 6 versus 3.92 inches. As a result, 3DS games come into their own. Nintendo DS games also have more than enough space to present their gameplay; you won't lack anything in this. The high image resolutions (1920 by 1080 pixels and 1080 by 1240 pixels respectively) allow you to scale up your games perfectly, without losing quality or fun. Moreover, the aspect ratio of the top screen is not inferior to handhelds with only one display, making it effortless to experience retro and modern titles on here. And the nice thing is: if you are not playing DS or 3DS games on this, you can put a menu of settings, a website with information or a video at the bottom, so you can do two things at the same time.

Why this model is special

In addition, the AYN Thor is special in another way: you pay exactly for what you think you need. This is because the dual-screen handheld is available in different configurations; that means that the choice of processor, working memory and storage determine the price - and therefore also what you spend on it. As a result, you can choose from four different models with us. So you have..

• the Thor Lite, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor, 8 GB of working memory and 128 GB of storage;
• the Thor Base, with the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 8 GB of working memory and 128 GB of storage;
• the Thor Pro, with the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 CPU, 12 GB of working memory and 256 GB of storage;
• and finally the Thor Max, with the same, powerful chipset and a whopping 16 GB of working memory and 1 TB of storage.

In principle, you can emulate on all models up to and including the sixth generation of game consoles (i.e. Nintendo GameCube and PlayStation 2, including Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita). On the Lite, however, you will run into limitations sooner than on the other variants; this then has to do with heat generation, the maximum adjustable resolution and frame rate. So for an optimal experience, get at least the Base. But if you are not too demanding, the Lite will be more than fine; just a lower resolution, no problemo. If you want the ultimate experience, then go for the Max.

All models also feature active cooling (preventing the system from overheating easily), hall effect joysticks (for a sustainable future without stick drift) and a 6000 mAh battery that lasts for hours. You'll also find all sorts of modern conveniences on here, such as USB 3.1 Type C, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, maar also classic features like the beloved headphone jack and a Micro-SD card slot.

What you get

In the box of the AYN Thor, you can expect the following things:

• the AYN Thor handheld you pick;
• two handy cards with an overview of specifications and features;
• a high-quality charging cable (USB-C-USB-C).

Specifications

• Main screen (top): 6-inch AMOLED, 1920 × 1080, 120Hz refresh rate, 650 nits
• Second screen (bottom): 3.92-inch AMOLED, 1240 × 1080, touchscreen, 60Hz refresh rate, 550 nits
• Operating system: Android 13, optimised for dual-screen use
• Battery: 6000 mAh with 27 W fast charging
• Controls: Hall effect joysticks and analogue triggers
• Cooling: Active cooling with built-in fan
• Connectivity: WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 and USB 3.1 Type-C with DisplayPort support
• Audio: 3.5 mm headphone jack and dual speakers
• Dimensions: 150 × 94 × 25,6 mm
• Weight: approximately 380 grams
• Colours: Black, White, Rainbow, Clear Purple

Frequently asked questions

Is this handheld special for Nintendo 3DS?_
Yes, that is clearly its main purpose. 3DS games run excellently on this system, although sometimes you will have to dive into the settings. DS also works perfectly on this._

Can I play other systems too?_
Yes. Think of some older consoles, PlayStation 1 and Nintendo 64, maar also Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Vita._

Does it come with a stylus?_
No, if you want to use a stylus, you will have to buy it separately._

Why buy from RetroGear

• Fast shipping & reliability: we ship from the Netherlands and we do so quickly: ordered before 14:00 = shipped the same day).
• Expertise & support: our team consists of passionate gamers with expertise and a customer service team that is always available.
• wide range: we sell so-called retro handhelds, but also put the focus on modded Game Boys (and thus preserving on slow tech).
• Sustainability: we focus on circular economy by refurbishing old appliances and trading them in.
• Dutch company with European warranty: you are doing business with a Dutch company, which means you have access to European defined warranty options.