Emulating games isn’t hard to do or very expensive, with options like a Raspberry Pi, PlayStation Classic, or Chromecast with Google TV being some accessible options. But what about gaming when you’re riding the train or waiting for an appointment?
For that, you need a retro gaming handheld, and the good news is that there are tons to choose from; it’s also the bad news. With so many of them on the market, choosing the right one can be frustrating, but we’ve got you. These are the best retro handhelds to buy...
Anbernic RG351M
The original RG350 blew the competition away when it launched with its dual-joystick design and powerful internals for the price. Since then, Anbernic has gone back to the drawing board multiple times, with the all-metal RG351M being the ultimate version of the beloved handheld.
Retroid Pocket 2
The Retroid Pocket 2 is different not only in the way it looks, but it’s the rare retro handheld that runs on Android, opening up myriad possibilities through the downloading of apps from the Play Store. Sure, it’s only Android 6.0, but, trust me, it’s still better than almost any other retro handheld OS.
Anbernic RG351V
The RG351V is a souped-up version of the regular RG351, sporting a CPU with a higher clock speed and a display with better resolution. For those who miss the vertical handheld design of the ’90s, this handheld looks the part and has the performance to back it up. Also, look at this wood finish! Pure class.
PiBoy DMG
This handheld harnesses the power of a Raspberry Pi 4 inside a Game Boy DMG (the original brick), arguably one of the best devices for retro game emulation. It’s expensive and requires buying the Raspberry Pi to assemble, though a pre-built model comes assembled with everything you need in exchange for more coin.
PocketGo S30
When the first Pocket Go launched, it was a great little handheld at a decent price. It’s since been surpassed by more powerful hardware, but the latest PocketGo S30 is a handheld in the shape of an SNES controller, making it a comfortable way to play your backlog. It’s also the most affordable entry on this list, and while underpowered relative to its contemporaries, it’s still powerful enough for PS1 games.