Creoqode, the company behind the DIY handheld gaming device Pyxa, is back with another device: the Lyra+. Powered by the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 that incorporates a quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 processor, they're calling it "most advanced Raspberry Pi-based handheld game console ever made". The Lyra+ features a 7" QLED IPS display with capacitive touch screen, stereo speakers, dual rumble motors and a symmetrical layout of its face buttons. More specs details can be found below:

• Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4-based system
• BCM2711 quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 @ 1.5GHz
• 4GB RAM LPDDR4-3200
• 2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac WiFi
• Bluetooth 5.0, BLE
• 7" QLED IPS Touch Screen
• Stereo Speakers
• 6000 mAh Battery
• 32 GB Storage (Upgradeable to any size)

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With these specs, the Lyra+ doesn't seem to want to go head-to-head against full-blown handheld gaming PCs like the Steam Deck, but rather a major marketing aspect that Creoqode is putting forward is the focus on remote play. The device runs on the official Raspberry Pi OS and supports Steam Link, Moonlight and PS Remote Play for game streaming. Cloud gaming through Xbox Cloud Gaming and Google Stadia is also an option. Given that the Lyra+ is a Raspberry Pi system, Retropie is an option for retro gaming offline.

Like Creoqode's previous devices, the Lyra+ will be offered as either a DIY version (no soldering or special skills required and it takes up to 15 minutes to complete) and an assembled and tested model. A shipping date have yet to be announced but the Lyra+ will launch through an upcoming Kickstarter campaign and interested gamers can reserve their unit for £299 (35% off the MSRP). Caution is advised with crowdfunding projects but Creoqode seems to have delivered on its previous campaigns. How the Lyra+ will fare remains to be seen given the growing number of options for handheld gaming but given this device's focus on remote play, it could accommodate for a niche.

Lyra+ Kickstarter Campaign
Lyra+ Official website

 

[linuxares]

Neat but way to expensive when you can go for a Steam Deck instead

 

[Xzi]

Neat but way to expensive when you can go for a Steam Deck instead

Not to mention you can already remote play with pretty much any portable device you have, including your phone/tablet. Not much point in buying a dedicated device for that alone.

 

[hippy dave]

A well-designed Pi handheld for streaming and emulation sounds like a great thing to have, but as above, price way too high for that.

 

[Aheago]

A well-designed Pi handheld for streaming and emulation sounds like a great thing to have, but as above, price way too high for that.

For a price point like this, you could get a decent android tablet and just connect a controller

Bigger screen + better performance and more uses for the device other than remote play

 

[hippy dave]

For a price point like this, you could get a decent android tablet and just connect a controller

Bigger screen + better performance and more uses for the device other than remote play

I much prefer devices with integrated controls personally, but I'm sure android ones of those good enough for streaming and emulation still exist at lower prices than this.

 

[djpannda]

Neat but way to expensive when you can go for a Steam Deck instead

Yes, it’s weird before the Steam deck.. I always got/wanted this crazy niche handhelds but after the Deck… I don’t see any at Steam deck level with power/$… Damn you Valve..you have ruined the handheld market for me.

 

[osaka35]

qled, eh? too expensive for what it is. nice idea, wrong price point.

 

[CompSciOrBust]

Neat but way to expensive when you can go for a Steam Deck instead

Maybe this will have wayyyy better battery life than the Deck since it's Pi based. Still probably not worth it though.

 

[Deleted member 575334]

This thing is worst then my phone. I've compared it to my phone. Winch is a Poco X3 Pro. (That phone is $250-300 rn) I can't see any instance where the Lyra+ can be a good gaming device besides it having buttons. But that can easly be fixed on a phone too. (Bluetooth Controller pad that attaches to your phone or Just a PS Controller or Xbox Controller)

 

[supergamer368]

I feel like emphasizing remote play is not a good idea for a handheld. same reason why no one likes cloud versions of switch games, you can't actually play portably because you need a consistent, decent internet connection! and as far as just being an emulation machine, i think the asking price is a bit high for that.

 

[Deleted member 575334]

I feel like emphasizing remote play is not a good idea for a handheld. same reason why no one likes cloud versions of switch games, you can't actually play portably because you need a consistent, decent internet connection! and as far as just being an emulation machine, i think the asking price is a bit high for that.

Exactly. Idk why publishers make cloud versions of games. I mean. I rather have a graphics downgrade that i can play everywhere then a better looking cloud version that i only can play at home. The whole point of Nintendo Switch is to take gaming on the Go. And indeed. For a emulation machine and specs. This Lyra+ thing is a bit pricey...

 

[krakenx]

I feel like emphasizing remote play is not a good idea for a handheld. same reason why no one likes cloud versions of switch games, you can't actually play portably because you need a consistent, decent internet connection! and as far as just being an emulation machine, i think the asking price is a bit high for that.

Remote play works great as long as the host is on 1000mbit wired ethernet and the client is wifi6 with a strong access point (or is also wired). Not everyone has a use case for that though since you need a house large enough to want to play elsewhere, for example in a bedroom, the bath, or on the deck. Even then, a 10$ phone clip and a phone+controller you already have gets the job done.

 

[AshuraZro]

I wonder what market research was done because you normally don't see this level of negative reaction to price from a group that would be within it's niche target market.

It sounds like a cool piece of hardware but it is absolutely the wrong price. If this level of quality cannot be delivered at a lower price, then it is likely a product doesn't need to exist.

That being said, Kickstarter will truly determine if it is a success or not and it is part of the reason Kickstarter exists so all the power to them there.

 

[Jayro]

We need 8GB and 16GB ram options for the CM4.

 

[tech3475]

I’m curious as to what the cost for the BoM is, The RPi CM 4 is about £68 with VAT.

Although I know from a different kickstarter the real cost was getting the moulds made.

Still, this just feels expensive for what it is, it doesn’t help when one of their selling points requires you to have a mobile phone to provide mobile data, by that point a cheap BT controller and clamp might suffice.

 

[Kioku]

They're either bold, or absolutely mental. That price is ridiculous. Even moreso when you factor in that it's already 35% off.

 

[stompysan]

They were probably in R&D hell and couldn't get to market quick enough. If they launched this 6 months earlier the landscape would be a bit different. But at that price, you are directly targeting the Odin series, Steam Deck, and now all of the other companies releasing PC-based handhelds. Big oof.

 

[ZeroT21]

It's such a weak selling point

 

[Deleted member 571007]

No idea why the price point is so high, I could make something near the same degree with one of my Pi's for under 80$. They should mayyybeee rethink their marketing.