Best retro handheld on Reddit
281 reviews from r/SBCGaming, r/retrogaming, r/RetroHandhelds and 12 more subreddits
281 reviews from
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By Brand
/By Product
#1
Anbernic
4.4
(59)
"I would recommend the Anbernic RG35XX H (horizontal) or the Miyoo Mini Plus (vertical)..."
"I bought a RG35XX H from Aliexpress at 53€ shipped and VAT included."
"I'm really enjoying my RG Cube at the moment. Got it for Christmas and plays all the WWE games brilliantly."
"Can't beat it for the price"
"I have a bunch of handheld emulators (Anbernic, powkiddy, Miyoo) which play tons of games well."
"Better still, get a Anbernic that plays both."
"Anything that runs ArkOS and/or AmberELEC will work. Which means the Anbernic devices (351M/P/MP/V, 503, 353V/VS/P/M)."
"RG353 series is the way to go, excellent handhelds with excellent HDMI out and external controller support."
"RG351P is the perfect GBA machine"
"I've had the RG351P for over a year now and use it mainly to play GBA, for that purpose it's perfect."
#2
Retroid
4.7
(23)
"In terms of favoritism, the RP4 Pro. I think it strikes a really solid balance between price, performance, and value."
"I have the Retroid Pocket 3+, it's pretty awesome."
"The newest ones tend to be best, because more power and better screens."
"Plays everything from Atari 2600 up through PSP, PS2, GameCube, and some PSVita."
"Retroid Pocket 4 Pro is my answer."
"Rp5 sorry."
"I kept playing it often so then bought a Retroid Pocket 4 Pro."
"Psp specific, retroid pocket 4 or pro."
"Retroid Pocket 3+ is your boy if you want to keep it under $200 shipped."
"The RP3+ is the best retro handheld today in my opinion."
#3
Miyoo
4.6
(15)
"I would recommend the Anbernic RG35XX H (horizontal) or the Miyoo Mini Plus (vertical)..."
"If you want something small the Miyoo mini, mini plus or a30 are good options"
"Miyoo Mini or RG35XX, RG40XXV"
"For small vertical: miyoo mini+/rg35xx h."
"To begin with Miyoo mini plus for everything up to and including PS1."
"Miyoo mini ftw!"
"Miyoo Mini Plus or RG35XX. I prefer Miyoo due to the small size."
"Miyoo running Onion OS or MiniUI!"
"Spend a little more for the Miyoo Mini"
"I'd say the next serious step up would be an RP3+."
#4
Powkiddy
4.2
(13)
"I think powkiddy rk2023 is a good horizontal alternative."
"If you're looking for a cheap device that will survive being used by an 11 year old, I'd suggest the Powkiddy V90."
"I love my V90, updated with the latest Miyoo firmware."
"For the price right now, I think the PowKiddy X55 is the best bang for the buck."
"Haven’t tried yet, but looks like the powkiddy rk2023 has hdmi out too."
"PowKiddy v90 is actually a genuinely solid device."
"For a kid, I'd immediately recommend the Powkiddy v90."
"The V90 is the only device in my opinion that is still worth it at this price but you should seriously consider spending a little more on a Miyoo Mini or and Anbernic RG280V"
"I would say the only decent handheld around that price are both powkiddy v90 and q90."
"Another common rec here is the Powkiddy v90."
#5
Nintendo 3DS
4.4
(12)
"A modded 3DS is probably the best."
"The 3ds is great, you can play 3ds, ds, gba, gb and gbc games."
"The 3DS with homebrew is capable of running GBA and DS games."
"Definitely the 3DS"
"Or snag him a 3ds and buy the magic cards that you can pit all the roms"
"A 3DS"
"Your best bet is probably just straight up buying a 3DS."
"3DS and Vita are the answers."
"The nintendo three dual screen"
"A modded 3ds, n3ds xl or N2DS xl."
#6
Steam Deck
4.7
(9)
"Steam deck is the best thing to buy if you want maximum comfort and performance."
"Steam Deck + N3DSXL and you can emulate all consoles (up to PS4/XO)."
"The Steam Deck is a strong contender for the best due to its raw power and price."
"Steam Deck. Grab a Switch NES or SNES controller and you're all set."
"No. Steam deck is the one, best bang for the buck."
"Steam deck is my new favorite, but now I would either say Vita is 2nd or the Ayn Odin."
"Probably steam deck since you can pretty much emulate everything on it"
"Steamdeck"
"SteamDeck"
#7
Nintendo
4.3
(9)
"Retro handheld console hands down the New 2DS XL looks sick."
"A soft modded 3ds can play 3ds, ds, and gba games all natively."
"I’d recommend a game boy advanced as it’s backwards compatible with original game boy games."
"3DS is also pretty solid, is backwards compatible with DS and is now extremely e."
"Original 2ds is around 80$ pretty high quality and doesn’t break easy."
"What about à Nintendo Ds or 3DS? They are actually made for kids and when modded can play à lot of retro games."
"The 2DS XL plays GBA games perfectly."
"I would recommend a hacked 2DS or 2DSXL."
"A GBA SP with a EZ Flash Omega would give you that authentic Nintendo experience."
#8
PlayStation Vita
5.0
(6)
"For a first-party device that can be jail-broken, I would get a PS Vita before a PSP."
"PS Vita. Great hardware and screen, stupid easy to hack for emulation/etc."
"The PS Vita is far and away my favorite handheld ever made."
"I have a modded switch and I can do more on my modded vita than I can do on my modded switch."
"The Vita was hands down my favorite handheld.... Until my Steam Deck arrived."
"The Vita is still one of the best out there."
#9
RG35XX
4.1
(7)
"If you're undecided between the RG35XX and the Miyoo Mini Plus, I would suggest the former for your use case."
"You cant go wrong with RG35XX or Miyoo Mini Plus."
"For small vertical: miyoo mini+/rg35xx h."
"RG35XX H. Solid handheld."
"Cheapest I’d say you can play psp for is the rg35xxH."
"My kids have their RG35XX and it holds up well."
"Why android? It seems like overkill for GBA when you could go with a RG35XX or Miyoo Mini."
#10
Trimui
4.5
(6)
"For me, I would say the Trimui Brick is endgame, very pocketable, decent power and great screen."
"Trimui Brick with Aliexpress discounts. Look at YouTube videos. It is the successor of the Miyoo mini"
"The trimui smart pro can be found for 50~60 USD and it has a 5" 16:9 screen that gives you more space for GBA games than a 4:3 device would."
"Trimui Smart Pro is too big for pockets, but amazing value."
"A TrimUI Smart Pro is $42 with a coupon right now."
"Best device for it. Anything else in the price range is gonna be a really small screen."
#11
RG351P
4.8
(5)
"RG351P with AmberElec installed."
"RG351P would be my choice."
"I have the rg351p specifically to play Pokemon emulation across the ages."
"Rg351p or rg351mp I do like 503, but 351 hits it out of the park."
"Devices like RG35XX, RG351P and RG351V/353VS would be my recommended entry devices."
#12
RGB30
4.4
(5)
"RGB30, RK2023, x55 would be the best low-cost handhelds for Pico-8 emulation."
"I would say the RGB30 is probably the best for Pico-8 and if it is within your budget."
"RGB30 sounds like probably your best bet."
"Doubt you would find much cheaper for what you're looking for."
"Pico-8 on the RGB30 is kinda the perfect experience."
#13
Powkiddies
4.0
(5)
"Q20 or V90. If they show you they can take care of it, get em another higher-quality device down the line."
"For under $40 check out Q20 or V90."
"For under $40 check out Q20 or V90."
"Look into the Powkiddies : q20, a66, q90 and v90"
"Look into the Powkiddies : q20, a66, q90 and v90"
#14
RG
4.8
(4)
"Rg34xx is the original GBA shape; rg34xxSP is GBA SP shaped."
"Check out either the RG35XXSP or RG CubeXX. Miyoo Mini Plus, as mentioned, is a solid choice."
"If you put a gun to my head and asked me politely to recommend just one device, I’d probably say to get an RG35XXH"
"The 34XX"
#15
Retroid Pocket 3+
4.5
(4)
"353M is great or if you prefer Android Retroid Picket 3+ can upscale even"
"RP3+. Good screen. Both RetroArch and drastic have fast forward."
"FWIW I play Saturn Bomberman on my RP3+ using Sanshiro 2 Pro emulator and I don't feel the need to look anywhere else."
"I definitely recommend the rp3+ over the rg505."
#16
Ayn
4.7
(3)
"The Ayn Odin is pretty impressive now... Emulates anything up to N64 and PS1 flawlessly."
"I think you want the Odin if your budget covers that."
"Odin Lite would be the most powerful at that price."
#17
Analogue
4.3
(3)
"Analogue Pocket for me 100%."
"The Anbernic tends to get played more often."
"There’s the Pocket by Analogue."
#18
Retroid Pocket 2+
4.3
(3)
"RP2+ is the best available right now."
"Retroid Pocket 2+."
"The Retroid Pocket 2+ might rival the Vita."
#19
Nintendo 2DS
4.3
(3)
"A 2DS with CFW is your best bet."
"2DS"
"Hacked 2DS, imo."
#20
RG351V
4.3
(3)
"RG351V is a great call."
"I would say the RG351V. I like something bigger."
"I am currently enjoying my 351v and 351p."
#21
Sony PSP
4.0
(3)
"Get a used PSP and hack it. It should barely cost anything."
"If i want to play retro games i prefer the psp as it is cheaper"
"PSP and follow a tutorial to mod it on YouTube"
#22
Q90
4.0
(3)
"I had a Q90 (the blue indigo one). With a custom firmware you can play almost everything till PSX."
"Q90 and V90 are prob the best."
"Q90 plays thousands of games. Simple cheap. Reliable."
#23
Anbernic RG35XX
4.0
(3)
"Unofficial Anbernic rg35xx H."
"RG35XX-H for <100 is a pretty clear choice."
"I find myself playing my RG35XX more than anything else."
#24
v90
3.3
(3)
"Love the v90, but also love the a66: smaller screen but way more portable."
"If I had to do it again I would pick the v90 again."
"Don't waste your $40 on a v90. Please spend $20 more to get something actually good."
#25
Nintendo 3DS XL
5.0
(2)
"New 3DS XL is awesome. Love mine."
"N3DSXL with CFW is the definitive retro poké machine."
#26
RG405M
5.0
(2)
"I've tried a lot, and for the platforms you mention, I really think the RG405M is the shit."
"I have a rg405M and love it! I also have an MM+ and my go to is the rg405M."
#27
RG353PS
5.0
(2)
"Rg353ps looks awesome!!!!"
"353PS would be a very capable and comfortable horizontal handheld."
#28
RG280M
5.0
(2)
"The 280m is probably my favorite here."
"The 280M would be great, we have a 280V and it's it has held up super well."
#29
Analogue Pocket
5.0
(2)
"I love my Analogue Pocket and dock."
"Want a pixel perfect experience for GB, GBC, and GBA games? Go for the Analogue Pocket."
#30
Nintendo DS Lite
5.0
(2)
"Nintendo ds lite. You can play Gameboy/color, Gameboy advance and ds games on a backlit screen."
"You can't beat a DS Lite/DSI and a R4 card for young kids."
#31
TrimUI
5.0
(2)
"The best 2 devices I've used in 2024 are the Miyoo Mini Plus and the TrimUI Smart Pro."
"Get the TrimUI Smart Pro, it will be more or less what you are looking for."
#32
RG353P
5.0
(2)
"RG353P is a good option. SNES controller style, Android or Linux."
"I wound up also buying a 353p because I absolutely loved the SNES style."
#33
Miyoo Mini
4.5
(2)
"The only one I actually use is the Miyoo Mini."
"I'd say a Miyoo Mini or + is fine."
#34
RP3+
4.5
(2)
"I'd recommend the rp3+ great performance and will play all your ps1 games well."
"Would recommended the RP3+, great deal for the moment."
#35
Anbernic RG280V
4.5
(2)
"I really love the small form factor."
"RG280V is that it has no analogue sticks."
#36
Valve
4.5
(2)
"If you are a PC gamer, just get a Steam Deck."
"Right now the best "handheld" retro device would be the steam deck that plays up to ps3/switch games."
#37
A66
4.5
(2)
"I love the A66. Carry it everywhere with me."
"I prefer the A66 of the two and it gets more use."
#38
PS Vita
4.5
(2)
"Personally, I good PS Vita is an absolute stellar retro handheld device, if you can find one in good shape."
"For me, the best retro handheld is still PS Vita."
#39
Miyoo Mini+
4.5
(2)
"Miyoo mini+ with mini ui. Very simple to play and understand."
"Miyoo Mini+."
#40
Nintendo Switch
4.0
(2)
"Other option is the Nintendo switch with cfw."
"How about a Switch?"
#41
Retroid Pocket 5
4.0
(2)
"The Retroid Pocket 5 will give you the best performance while still being within your budget."
"The RP5 would be my recommendation, some people don’t like the stick placement but it has enough power for those systems and has a beautiful screen."
#42
406
4.0
(2)
"406H if you're OK with black bars on PSP and a bit less performance."
"Although I love my 406V, I wish I had bought the 406H instead."
#43
Datafrog
4.0
(2)
"If you want something really cheap but does the job, check out the Data Frog SF2000."
"The Datafrog SF2000 is very cheap and will play GB/GBC without issue."
#44
Nintendo DSi
4.0
(2)
"Probably a DSi if im being in honest. Perfect NDS, DSi and GBC."
"I am personally using a DSi right now to play through heart gold, platinum, and white."
#45
Odin
4.0
(2)
"Odin."
"Seems like your best option."
#46
RP3
4.0
(2)
"I used to use my RP3 (not plus, 3Gb Ram ) for GBA a ton."
"RP3 and P60 are coming. Both would stomp the RP2+ and 353P if the rumors are true."
#47
GKD
4.0
(2)
"I recommend the GKD Pixel for small but still enjoyable to use."
"Gkd pixel is a good one too."
#48
Anbernic RG353M
4.0
(2)
"RG353M"
"If you want to stick with Anbernic, the top-of-the-line choices are RG353M if you want horizontal, RG353V or VS if you want vertical."
#49
Game Gear
3.5
(2)
"I'd go with a Game Gear or Wonderswan Color."
"The GameGear is good. It has a large library and an adapter that plays Sega Master System games."
#50
R36S
3.0
(2)
"I bought a R36S for $40 from AliExpress first just to make sure I even liked retro gaming."
"The R36S will struggle with all but the lightest PSP games."
#51
Bittboy
3.0
(2)
"I love the looks of the Bittboy Pocket Go."
"The Bittboy 3.5 is a bit on the small side for me."
#52
RG353V
5.0
(1)
"The 353V is superior to the 35XX."
#53
RP
5.0
(1)
"RP5 if you want the best of the best."
#54
RG350M
4.0
(1)
"The RG350M with the ADAM firmware does have the sleep function."
#55
300x
4.0
(1)
"If you can get the 300x for cheaper, I’d recommend it."
#56
Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP AGS 101
4.0
(1)
"An original GBA SP "AGS 101" model with a cheap flash cart is the way to go with GBA games."
#57
Ayn Odin Lite
4.0
(1)
"An Ayn Odin Lite will come in just over your $200 budget after taxes and shipping."
#58
Retroflag PiBoy DMG
4.0
(1)
"I have one of these and I absolutely love it."
#59
SF2000
4.0
(1)
"I got a sf2000 with 2 controllers for couch co-op. It's pretty decent for gba, snes and genesis."
#60
Powkiddy V10
4.0
(1)
"Powkiddy V10. Super screen, stable arkos release and no WiFi."
#61
Odin 2
4.0
(1)
"Odin 2. It's pricy but can handle everything up to a ps2."
#62
Evercade Handheld
4.0
(1)
"For me personally I find the Evercade Handheld paired with an EverSD cartridge covers all my retro gaming needs."
#63
Mini Plus
4.0
(1)
"For only GBA/GBC/GB the Mini Plus or 35xx."
#64
Powkiddy RGB10
4.0
(1)
"Rgb10 (not s)."
#65
Neo Geo Pocket Color
4.0
(1)
"Others to consider: 1. Neo Geo Pocket Color 2. Game Gear 3. Atari Lynx 4. Wonderswan Color / Swan Crystal 5. PSP."
#66
Anbernic 505
4.0
(1)
"The best choices are Anbernic 505 (or the upcoming 405) and Retroid Pocket 3+"
#67
ASUS ROG Phone 5
4.0
(1)
"The current best devices for retro gaming are high end android devices."
#68
Anbernic RG350M
4.0
(1)
"Rg350m"
#69
Powkiddy V90
4.0
(1)
"Can't go wrong with the Powkiddy V90 loaded with the cfw."
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