Loki Zero Review: The $249 Game-Changer - But What's the Catch?

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Intro

🎮 Loki Zero: The new name in budget gaming! For just $249.00, it promises big gaming moments without the big price tag. But how good is it, really?

In this review, we'll:

• 🚚 Track its journey, all the way from China.
• 🎮 Test out its gaming skills.
• 🕹 See how well it emulates other games.
• ☁ Try out Xbox app streaming for the tougher games.
• ⚙ Find the best Windows settings for smooth play.
• 🔄 Show how to use it with Jelos - and why it's worth it!
• 🖥 Check out the screen's look and feel.

Ready to discover everything about Loki Zero? Let's go! 🚀

📦 1. Delivery

• 📅 Order Date: I placed my order on 27th September (Wednesday).
• 🖼 Order Snapshot:
• 🎮 Loki Zero (Black / 8+128GB): $275
• 🛍 Purchased From: AYN Loki Zero
• 🛡 Screen Protector: $6
• 💰 Total Cost: $281 (I went for the 8GB RAM model; the 4GB RAM version is available at $249).
• 🚚 Arrival Date: The package arrived on 4th October - that's roughly a week!
• 🌍 Journey: Impressively fast shipping, all the way from China to the UK. I was genuinely pleased with the speed!

🎮 2. Gameplay Tests

• 💻 Operating System: I used the pre-installed Windows 11.
• 🕹 Game Store: Installed and tried games from Steam.

🎮 Games Tested That Worked

• CS 2: worked great on low settings
• Worms Resolution: worked great on default settings

🚫 Limitations

• More demanding games like Borderlands 2 wouldn't run.
• Note: These won't play smoothly by default and you will experience significant lag.

⚙ Tweaks Required

• Settings adjustments are needed, or games won't run which will be explained later.

📌 Gameplay Final Thoughts

• Games with lower requirements run smoothly, just as they would on a regular Windows device.
• For high-demand games, don't expect seamless performance.
• For a device that comes complete with a screen, buttons, and a processor, it's astonishing that it can run full-on Windows games. To put it into perspective, a standalone GPU can easily cost twice as much. The value the Loki Zero offers is genuinely remarkable.

🎮 3. Emulation Tests

Nintendo Switch Emulation (using Yuzu)

🎮 Games Tested

• 🍄 Mario Odyssey

• 🛡 Pokemon Violet

• 📉 Performance: Both games lagged and weren't fully playable. However, it's noteworthy that they ran at about 75% speed - impressive given that even the pricier Steam Deck struggles with this.

3DS Emulation

🎮 Games Tested

• 🌍 Mario 3D Land

• 🌀 Pokemon X (notably demanding even for high-end Android devices with Snapdragon chipsets)

• ✅ Performance: Games ran at full speed with 2x upscaling, looking particularly stunning on the device's screen.

GameCube Emulation

🎮 Gaes Tested

• 🏎 Mario Kart Double Dash

• 🥊 Super Smash Bros Melee

• 🌌 Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness

• ✅ Performance: Games ran smoothly at full speed - a fantastic achievement for such an affordable device.

📌 Final Thoughts

• The Loki Zero's emulation capabilities are genuinely remarkable, especially when you consider its price point. It outperforms even some $1000+ phones equipped with the latest Snapdragon chipsets. For emulation enthusiasts, this device offers outstanding value for money.

☁ Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) on Loki Zero

• 🎮 What it Does: With Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta), the Loki Zero can play more demanding games that usually need stronger devices.

🎮 Games I Played

• 🌆 GTA 5

• 🚗 Forza Horizon 5

• 🌌 Stargate

📶 Things to Remember: To stream games, you need a good internet connection. Some places have Wi-Fi, but not all. If you're in a place without good Wi-Fi, you might not be able to play these games.

⚙ Optimising Windows Settings for Smooth Gaming

Advanced Power Settings

🔗 Link State Power Management:

• 🔋 On Battery: Make sure it's set to 'Off'.
• 🔌 Plugged In: Also set to 'Off'.

🎛 AMD Power Slider:

• 🔋 On Battery: Choose 'Best Performance'.
• 🔌 Plugged In: Set it to 'Best Performance'

🖥 AMD Graphics Power Settings:

• 🔋 On Battery: Select 'Maximize Performance'.
• 🔌 Plugged In: Also pick 'Maximize Performance'.

❌ Extra Tip: Remove any unwanted programs (bloatware) that come with your device.

🐧 Installing JELOS (Just Enough Linux Operating System)

What is JELOS: JELOS stands for Just Enough Linux Operating System. It's a lightweight Linux-based system, perfect for gaming devices. JELOS offers a clean and easy-to-use interface, making it accessible for everyone, from kids to grandparents. If you find Windows too bloated or slow for the device's specs, JELOS can provide a performance boost. You won't have to deal with unnecessary features and can enjoy a streamlined experience. For more details, visit JELOS official website.

Why Choose JELOS?

• 🚀 Performance: Experience faster performance compared to Windows on the same device.
• ✨ Simplicity: Enjoy a clean and user-friendly interface.
• 🛠 Lightweight: Free from bloatware and unnecessary features.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Accessible: Designed to be easy enough for anyone to use.

Step 1: Download JELOS

• 🌐 Go to JELOS on GitHub.
• 📦 Look for the package labeled "Atari VCS, AOKZOE, Ayaneo, Ayn, GPD, and other x86_64 devices".
• 💾 Download this package to your computer.

Step 2: Get Balena Etcher

• 🌐 Visit Balena Etcher website.
• 🖱 Click to download and install it on your computer.

Step 3: Flash JELOS to a Micro SD Card

• 🔌 Insert a Micro SD card into your computer.
• 🚀 Open Balena Etcher.
• 📂 Select the JELOS package you downloaded.
• 💥 Click to flash JELOS onto the Micro SD card.

Step 4: Change BIOS Settings

• 🔌 Insert the Micro SD card with JELOS into your Loki Zero.
• 🔄 Restart your Loki Zero.
• ⚙️ As it boots, keep pressing the delete key on a keyboard to enter the BIOS settings.
• 🛠 Find the boot options and set your device to boot from the Micro SD card before Windows.
• 💾 Save changes and exit the BIOS.

Step 5: Boot from Micro SD

• 🎮 Restart your device. It should now boot into JELOS!

Look how clean it looks below!

🐧 Configuring JELOS for High Performance

Open System Settings

1. 🔍 Once JELOS is up and running on your Loki Zero, locate and open the system settings.

Set to High Performance

1. 🚀 In the system settings, look for any options related to performance.
2. ⚡ Adjust these settings to 'High Performance' wherever possible. This might include options for power management, graphics, or general system performance.

Apply Changes

1. ✅ After setting everything to high performance, make sure to apply or save your changes.

📁 Transferring Files to Loki Zero Using JELOS

Find IP Address

1. 🌐 On your Loki Zero, go to network settings.
2. 📝 Note down the IP address displayed there.

Enable SSH and Samba

1. ⚙️ In the same network settings, find and enable SSH (Secure Shell) and Samba. These will allow secure file transfer and network sharing.

Note Root Password

1. 🔐 Go to system settings on your Loki Zero.
2. 📝 Take note of the root password. You'll need this for secure access.

Install WinSCP

1. 💻 Visit the WinSCP website: WinSCP Installation Guide.
2. 🖱 Click to download and install it on your computer.

Set Up Connection

1. 🌍 Open WinSCP and choose 'New Site'.
2. 📡 For File Protocol, select SFTP.
3. 🏠 In Host Name, enter the IP address of your Loki Zero.
4. 🔒 For Username, enter 'root'.
5. 🔑 In Password, enter the root password you noted from your Loki Zero.

Transfer Files and ROMs

1. 🔄 Once connected, you can easily transfer files and ROMs to your Loki Zero

🌟 Exploring the Screen of Loki Zero

• Clarity: The screen on the Loki Zero is exceptionally clear, easily rivalling devices that cost significantly more. It stands out for its sharpness and clarity, even when compared to high-end devices like the Steam Deck.
• Screen Type: It features a 6” IPS LCD touch screen, known for its vibrant colours and wide viewing angles.
• Aspect Ratio and PPI: The screen boasts a 16:9 aspect ratio and a high pixel density of 369ppi. This means images and text appear incredibly sharp, making for an immersive viewing experience.
• Resolution: With a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels FHD+, the display offers full high-definition plus quality. This level of resolution ensures that games, videos, and photos look crisp and detailed.

Summary

• 🌟 Revolutionary Budget Gaming: Loki Zero redefines affordability in gaming with standout performance.
• 🚀 Jelos is a must: Use Jelos for significant performance gains and improved user experience.
• 🎮 Retro Gaming Powerhouse: Exceptional at running older games, making it a haven for retro gaming fans.
• 🕹️ Emulation Excellence: Demonstrates robust capabilities in game emulation.
• 🌐 Enhanced Cloud Gaming: To play more demanding games use Xbox Cloud Gaming Service.
• 🎉 Ideal for Enthusiasts and Casuals: Perfect for both gaming enthusiasts and casual players who seek performance without breaking the bank.