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🎮 Helegaly Action π – Short-Term Review of This Bold Budget Handheld 💡

Hey fam! 👋 


It’s Monday and you know what that means… It’s time to dive into a surprisingly solid entry in the budget retro handheld space: the Helegaly Action π. This sub-$70 device comes out of nowhere with an unexpectedly premium experience. While its spec sheet won’t blow you away, what it offers for the price is genuinely impressive. I've spent a full week putting this unit through its paces, and the results might surprise you.


📦 Unboxing Experience — 60/69

Helegaly goes above and beyond here. My review unit came in a well-designed box with:

  • A black branded carrying case

  • A tempered glass screen protector with application tools

  • A bright USB-C charging/OTG cable (with orange accents)

  • A 64GB or 128GB microSD card preloaded with a full game library

  • And thumbstick caps, though these are not officially listed, so don’t assume every box has them

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The presentation is clean, accessories are useful, and it’s essentially ready to play the moment you power on. If they’d included a silicone case or documentation for beginners, it might have scored even higher.


⚙️ Internals — 46/69

What’s under the hood won’t win benchmark races, but it’s a well-matched setup for retro gaming:

  • AllWinner A527 SoC + Mali-G57 GPU: Handles NES to PSP and even dips into Dreamcast

  • 4.02" 960x720 IPS display: 4:3 aspect ratio, 60 Hz, crisp and bright — ideal for retro content

  • 2GB LPDDR3X RAM + 16GB eMMC storage, expandable via microSD

  • 5000mAh battery: Up to 7 hours runtime, USB-C charging

  • Mini HDMI out, 3.5mm audio, dual USB-C ports (charging and OTG)

  • Bluetooth 4.2 + Wi-Fi 2.4GHz: Enables controller pairing and light online use

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No 5GHz Wi-Fi or Play Store support, and don’t expect multitasking — but it does its job efficiently.


👐 First Impressions — 57/69

Out of the box, this handheld feels like a polished product. It’s compact but not cramped, the screen shines in daylight, and the parallel hall-effect sticks are shockingly smooth for the price. The system boots directly into Batocera with a clean interface, full of colorful box art and recognizable titles.


The device weighs just 227 grams and measures 172x82x30mm, making it comfortable to hold even in long play sessions.

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And let’s talk colors: whether you choose White, Black, Indigo Blue, or Pink, each one has a vibe. The Indigo Blue is classy and understated, Pink is a bold standout, White gives off clean, modern vibes, and Black is timeless. No matter your aesthetic, there’s a look that fits.


🤖 Ease of Use — 66/69

This is where the Actionπ absolutely nails it. It ships with Batocera and ESDE preinstalled, which is arguably the most intuitive and beginner-friendly emulation UI out there. You can:

  • Navigate with ease using a clean carousel interface

  • Load/save, change shaders, or access system settings in seconds

  • Add ROMs via USB or Wi-Fi drag-and-drop

  • Use themes to personalize your experience

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No setup headaches — just power on and start playing.


🎨 Customizability — 55/69

Customization is present, though not limitless:

  • Change ESDE themes

  • Modify splash screens and logos

  • Reorganize systems and favorites

  • Swap out microSD cards or rebuild your own Batocera image

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Still, you’re confined to what Batocera allows, and there’s no active accessory ecosystem yet. But compared to many budget handhelds, the Actionπ provides a solid playground.


🎮 Controls — 49/69

Controls are tight and reliable:

  • 4-way D-pad is responsive and tactile

  • Face buttons are clicky with good spacing

  • Dual stacked shoulder buttons feel like console-grade triggers

  • Hall-effect analogs are a huge win for long-term accuracy

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My only gripes? Start/Select placement is awkward, and the all-clicky button style isn’t for everyone.


💸 Value — 60/69

This is where the Action π shines brightest:

  • $65 gets you the full kit (console, SD card, case, protector, cable, and possibly caps)

  • Excellent retro performance for the money

  • Hall-effect sticks in a sub-$70 device is almost unheard of

It’s not flawless, but it’s an outstanding value.


📊 Final Scorecard

Category

Score

Unboxing Experience

60/69

Internals

46/69

First Impressions

57/69

Ease of Use

66/69

Customizability

55/69

Controls

49/69

Value

60/69

Overall Avg.

56/69 ✅

A score of 56 places it firmly in the “very solid” tier, well above average, and with a few standout features that elevate it above much of the competition.


✅ Top 4 Pros

  1. Hall Effect Analog Sticks – Almost unheard of at this price

  2. Batocera + ESDE Interface – Seamless experience, especially for beginners

  3. Great Screen for Retro Games – 4:3 IPS panel with strong outdoor visibility

  4. Excellent Accessory Bundle – Case, protector, charger, preloaded card


❌ Top 4 Cons

  1. All Buttons Are Clicky – Personal taste, but might bother membrane fans

  2. No 5GHz Wi-Fi or Play Store – Limits modern app use or fast downloads

  3. Start/Select Placement – Slightly awkward for some layouts

  4. Limited Third-Party Support – No custom grips, cases, or skins (yet)


👥 Who Should Buy This

  • Retro Enthusiasts on a Budget – Want SNES, GBA, PS1 in your pocket for under $70? This is gold.

  • Newcomers to Emulation – It’s basically plug and play. No tech headaches.


🚫 Who Should Skip This

  • Android Power Users – No Google Play and limited OS flexibility.

  • Modern 3D Gamers – Don’t expect GameCube or PSP-heavy games to run well.


🛒 Where to Buy

Choose 64GB or 128GB based on your collection size.


🧠 Final Thoughts

The Helegaly Action π is a surprise hit as it is a thoughtful, well-built handheld that respects your wallet and your time. For retro fans, tinkerers, and newcomers alike, it’s a confident recommendation.


Want to keep the conversation going? Come hang out at the Handheld Hodgepodge Forum and share your thoughts.


Until next time — stay curious and keep gaming! 👋


P’Nick ✨


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