The Miyoo Mini Plus remains one of the most talked-about handhelds in emulation circles since its release in 2023.
Known for its compact design, approachable price and capable internals, the stock Miyoo Mini Plus V4 established a strong value proposition—retailing at roughly $80 for the base unit.
Now reseller MechDIY has teamed with Skull Gaming to produce a line of upgraded, themed variants with CNC'd metal shells, revised controls and enhanced audio.
Background and product details
MechDIY's limited-run variants are offered in several unofficial artwork themes: a green Zelda model, a black Mobile Suit Gundam edition, red and purple Neon Genesis Evangelion variants, and lilac and yellow Pokémon designs.
The collaboration upgrades the standard plastic shell to a machined metal case, replaces the original buttons with a new, more tactile set, and fits an improved speaker.
MechDIY supplied a black Gundam review unit to Time Extension writer Damien McFerran, who evaluated build quality and ergonomics.
Reviewer impressions (rewritten)
According to Damien McFerran of Time Extension, the metal case and upgraded controls give the modded unit a markedly more premium feel compared with the standard Miyoo Mini Plus.
He noted that the new buttons are an improvement in responsiveness, though they register as somewhat clicky under use.
McFerran also highlighted the CNC'd shell as the primary contributor to the device’s higher perceived quality.
Verified specifications and consumer considerations
- Original release: Miyoo Mini Plus launched in 2023 and quickly gained traction among handheld emulation enthusiasts.
- Stock pricing: The standard V4 model is generally available for about $80.
- Modded pricing: MechDIY’s Skull Gaming variants retail at roughly $300 depending on chosen mods and MicroSD capacity.
- Hardware changes: Metal CNC case, revised button set, upgraded speaker.
- Design trade-offs: MechDIY removed the external battery compartment on these variants; replacing the battery requires disassembling the case.
To address this, the company included a tool kit with review units.
What buyers should know
The premium shell and thematic artwork are the main selling points for buyers willing to pay a substantial premium over the stock unit.
The $300 price point positions these models as boutique, enthusiast-focused alternatives rather than budget handhelds.
For collectors or those seeking a more solid, weighted chassis, the metal variant delivers a noticeable upgrade.
For users prioritizing repairability or strict value-per-dollar, the standard Miyoo Mini Plus V4 remains the more economical choice.
MechDIY and Skull Gaming’s collaboration demonstrates a growing aftermarket trend: third-party resellers upgrading popular handheld emulators with premium materials and licensed-style designs for niche buyers.
The offerings are already available through MechDIY’s sales channels and have generated discussion across emulation and retro hardware communities.
Known for its compact design, approachable price and capable internals, the stock Miyoo Mini Plus V4 established a strong value proposition—retailing at roughly $80 for the base unit.
Now reseller MechDIY has teamed with Skull Gaming to produce a line of upgraded, themed variants with CNC'd metal shells, revised controls and enhanced audio.
Background and product details
MechDIY's limited-run variants are offered in several unofficial artwork themes: a green Zelda model, a black Mobile Suit Gundam edition, red and purple Neon Genesis Evangelion variants, and lilac and yellow Pokémon designs.
The collaboration upgrades the standard plastic shell to a machined metal case, replaces the original buttons with a new, more tactile set, and fits an improved speaker.
MechDIY supplied a black Gundam review unit to Time Extension writer Damien McFerran, who evaluated build quality and ergonomics.
Reviewer impressions (rewritten)
According to Damien McFerran of Time Extension, the metal case and upgraded controls give the modded unit a markedly more premium feel compared with the standard Miyoo Mini Plus.
He noted that the new buttons are an improvement in responsiveness, though they register as somewhat clicky under use.
McFerran also highlighted the CNC'd shell as the primary contributor to the device’s higher perceived quality.
Verified specifications and consumer considerations
- Original release: Miyoo Mini Plus launched in 2023 and quickly gained traction among handheld emulation enthusiasts.
- Stock pricing: The standard V4 model is generally available for about $80.
- Modded pricing: MechDIY’s Skull Gaming variants retail at roughly $300 depending on chosen mods and MicroSD capacity.
- Hardware changes: Metal CNC case, revised button set, upgraded speaker.
- Design trade-offs: MechDIY removed the external battery compartment on these variants; replacing the battery requires disassembling the case.
To address this, the company included a tool kit with review units.
What buyers should know
The premium shell and thematic artwork are the main selling points for buyers willing to pay a substantial premium over the stock unit.
The $300 price point positions these models as boutique, enthusiast-focused alternatives rather than budget handhelds.
For collectors or those seeking a more solid, weighted chassis, the metal variant delivers a noticeable upgrade.
For users prioritizing repairability or strict value-per-dollar, the standard Miyoo Mini Plus V4 remains the more economical choice.
MechDIY and Skull Gaming’s collaboration demonstrates a growing aftermarket trend: third-party resellers upgrading popular handheld emulators with premium materials and licensed-style designs for niche buyers.
The offerings are already available through MechDIY’s sales channels and have generated discussion across emulation and retro hardware communities.
