Retro gaming enthusiasts, gather around—I’ve got a tale to tell. The Laser Portable Gaming Projector promises a trip down memory lane with its all-in-one retro gaming setup, but does it deliver? Personally, I think it’s a mixed bag, and here’s why.
First, let’s talk about what makes this device intriguing. It’s not just a projector; it’s an Android-powered machine with 80 built-in games and a ROM emulator. On paper, it sounds like a dream for retro gamers. But, as they say, the devil is in the details. One thing that immediately stands out is the price tag of $299. For that amount, you’d expect a solid experience, right? Well, not quite.
The projector itself is decently portable, but its 720p resolution and 300 lumens feel underwhelming in 2026. Sure, it’s not meant to compete with high-end projectors, but even as a retro gaming device, it falls short. The included controllers are a prime example—they’re flimsy, lightweight, and feel like they’d break after a few intense gaming sessions. What many people don’t realize is that the quality of peripherals can make or break the experience, and here, they’re a clear miss.
Now, let’s dive into the games. The projector comes with 80 licensed titles, but here’s the catch: most of them are from PIKO Interactive, a company that’s more about preserving obscure retro games than delivering classics. While I appreciate their mission, the reality is that many of these games haven’t aged well. Take Super 3D Noah’s Ark, for instance—a Christian-themed first-person shooter that feels more like a meme than a game. If you take a step back and think about it, this isn’t the retro gaming library most people are nostalgic for.
What this really suggests is that the Laser Projector is trying to appeal to a niche audience, but even then, it struggles. The emulation performance is sluggish, with noticeable input lag that can ruin fast-paced games. I tested it with Xenocrisis, a legally owned homebrew title, and the lag was frustrating. Imagine playing Sonic the Hedgehog and dying not because of your reflexes, but because the system can’t keep up—that’s the reality here.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the legal gray area surrounding ROM emulation in Australia. Even if you own the original cartridge, creating or using ROMs is illegal. Yet, Laser’s marketing material shows games like Street Fighter II running on the device, which is a legal no-no. This raises a deeper question: is the device encouraging users to break the law? Probably not intentionally, but it’s a point worth considering.
From my perspective, the Laser Portable Gaming Projector feels like a missed opportunity. The idea of an all-in-one retro gaming solution is fantastic, but the execution is flawed. The integrated speakers are terrible, the emulation is laggy, and the included games are largely forgettable. If you’re looking for a true retro gaming experience, you’re better off dusting off your old console or investing in a dedicated emulator setup.
In my opinion, this device is a jack-of-all-trades but master of none. It’s not a great projector, not a great gaming console, and not a great Android TV. What it does offer is a glimpse into the potential of retro gaming innovation, but it’s not the device to make that vision a reality—at least not yet.
