I've read that mi box can't handle games like real racing 3 or emulators like ppsspp. Mi box s costs $65 including shipping from AliExpress while Chromecast ultra costs $45. I currently own a Chromecast ultra. Since screen mirroring these games on Chromecast work just fine except battery drain, I'm thinking the mi box s is not worth it? The Nvidia shield costs $260 ($80 shipping) from Amazon. Any advice please?
Nvidia Shield with the game controller all the way no question. I have both Nvidia Shield and Mi Box S.
But the game and emulator you mention run fine on Mi Box S.
Make sure the Mi Box S you are buying is really S version as it's exclusive to Walmart in USA but you can buy it from American sellers on ebay.
Mi Box S is much stronger than Google Chromecast.
I had the later, but now switched to Mi Box, and I could run the device separately than my phone/pc.
Nice remote, easy platform.
Not sure about emulators but in the Bang for the Buck stakes this is more powerful vs any other budget device:
If your happy with the chromecast stick with that just charge your phone while playing games