buyer's guide

The best controllers for playing emulated games on a phone in 2026, from clip-on grips like the Backbone to compact Bluetooth pads. Picks for iPhone, Android, every budget.

Which phone specs actually matter for emulation, and the best phones for retro gaming in 2026 from budget to flagship. What you need for PS2, GameCube, and beyond.

The Super Pocket is a $60 cartridge handheld with several editions, each loaded with different built-in games. Here is how to choose the right one and what it can do.

Evercade sells legal cartridges with zero setup. Custom firmware handhelds play everything from your own files. Here is how they compare on legality, library, value, and ease.

Should you clip a controller onto your phone or buy a dedicated retro handheld? We break down cost, battery, screen, convenience, and who each option is really for.

Our picks for the best retro handhelds of 2026 so far, awarded by category, from best budget device to best flagship and best value.

A retro handheld is a perfect holiday gift. Here are the best picks for every person and budget in 2026, from kids and newcomers to enthusiasts and tinkerers.

Amazon Prime Day 2026 is a great time to buy a retro handheld. Here is what usually goes on sale, which devices to target, and how to shop smart for the best price.

Setting up a retro handheld for a child? Here is how to pick the right device, load kid-friendly games, and set it up so it is simple, safe, and durable.

Two premium FPGA handhelds, two philosophies. The Analogue Pocket is the versatile one with GBA, adapters, and openFPGA. The ModRetro Chromatic is the focused Game Boy purist. Here is how to choose.

The AYN Odin 3 brings a newer chip and a more pocketable 6 inch body. The Odin 2 Portal Pro answers with a huge 7 inch screen and a fully proven driver stack. Here is which AYN flagship to buy.

The AYN Odin 3 is the new power flagship. The Retroid Pocket 6 is the value flagship. One has the faster chip and a bigger battery. The other costs $80 less and slips into a pocket. Here is how to choose.

The AYN Odin 3 is the Android emulation king. The Steam Deck OLED is a full PC in your hands. They look similar and do very different jobs. Here is how to pick the right one.

Battery numbers on a spec sheet lie. A 7,000 mAh device can die faster than a 3,000 mAh one. Here are the longest-lasting retro handhelds in 2026, split by what you actually play.

The best retro handhelds for kids are cheap enough not to stress over, tough enough to survive a backpack, and simple enough to hand over without a tutorial. Here are six picks under $75.

Want to play retro games on the TV? Some handhelds have a real HDMI port; others output video over USB-C. Here are the best handhelds with TV output in 2026 and exactly what you need to connect each one.

The best handhelds for PS3 emulation in 2026 — which PC handhelds can actually run RPCS3 well, ranked by CPU power, ease of setup, and value.

AMOLED is the new $200 default in retro handhelds. Here are the seven premium AMOLED handhelds worth buying in 2026, ranked by use case and budget.

The best retro handhelds for PSP games at every budget. We test PPSSPP performance across 12 devices to find the ones that deliver upscaled, full-speed PSP emulation.

The sweet spot of retro handheld gaming. These devices under $75 handle everything from NES to PS1 with room to spare — and a few push into Dreamcast and N64 territory.

Essential accessories for your retro handheld gaming device. Covers carrying cases, screen protectors, grips, stands, microSD cards, and charging solutions.

The best retro gaming handhelds of 2026 ranked by price tier. Budget picks under $50, mid-range options under $150, and premium Android powerhouses for PS2 and GameCube emulation.

The GBA SP form factor is back in a big way. Here are the best foldable retro handhelds for pocketability, screen protection, and nostalgia.

The definitive guide to dual-screen and single-screen handhelds that actually do Nintendo DS and 3DS emulation justice. Tested and ranked.

Which portable devices can actually handle Wii games through Dolphin? We test the top contenders and rank them for performance, controls, and value.

The $100–$200 range is the sweet spot for powerful retro handhelds. Here are the best devices for PS2, GameCube, PSP, and beyond.

The global memory crisis is driving up prices and killing popular handhelds. Here's what happened, what's been affected, and which devices to grab before they get more expensive.

The best handhelds for PS2 emulation in 2026 — which devices can actually run God of War, Shadow of the Colossus, and your PS2 library at full speed.

The best microSD cards for retro handhelds in 2026 — reliable picks ranked by use case, with clear guidance on what size you actually need for your game library.

The best retro handhelds in the $60–150 range — where PS1 and N64 emulation is flawless, PSP gets viable, and some light PS2 starts showing up.

Same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, wildly different form factors. The RP6 is the best all-around Android handheld under $250. The AYN Thor is the only device that does DS and 3DS emulation right. Here's how to choose.

Not sure whether to spend $65 or $789? This guide breaks down three tiers of retro handheld so you can find the right device without the regret.

The RP5 costs $219 and fits in a jacket pocket. The Steam Deck OLED costs $789 and runs your entire Steam library. Which one is actually right for you?

Three premium PC handhelds, three very different philosophies. Steam Deck OLED at $789, Legion Go S SteamOS at $649–$829, ROG Ally X at $999. Here's how to pick the right one for retro gaming — and beyond.

The RG40XXV costs $65. The Retroid Pocket 5 costs $219. Is the RP5 worth 3× the price? A full breakdown of form factor, screen, emulation ceiling, and more.

The best PC gaming handhelds of 2025 ranked: Legion Go S, ROG Ally X, Steam Deck OLED, and more — with emulation ceilings and honest price-tier picks.

The best retro handhelds under $50 — perfect cheap retro handheld gifts for 2025. Five tested picks with a clear top recommendation.

Two of the best budget handhelds under $80 go head-to-head. Which one deserves your money?

The ranked list of the best retro handhelds you can buy for under $100, with advice on chips, screens, and firmware so you pick the right one.

The best ultra-compact handhelds that truly slip into a pocket, from $45 budget legends to the pocketable AMOLED powerhouse.