Number 1. Retroid Pocket 2S

Best Mid-Range Retro Handheld Gaming Console

Pros

• Boasts a good storage capacity.
• Android 11 OS.
• Easy to Setup.
• Decent price vs performance.

Cons

• Doesn’t come with any pre-loaded games.
• DPAD & Stick Layout.
• Screen Bezels Too Big.

Key Features :

Number of Games Included : N/A I RAM : 4GB LPDDR4X I Storage : 128GB eMMC I Display : 3.5 inch I Output resolution : 640×480 I Graphics : Mali G52MC2 I Battery : 4000mAH I Processor : UNISOC T610 Octa Core CPU

The Retroid Pocket 2S evokes nostalgia, resembling the bottom half of a Nintendo DS or classic Game and Watch systems. The indigo unit, echoing the shade of an old Nintendo 64 controller, is part of a design palette including Retro, 16-bit themes, black, clear variants, and a solid metal edition. With a 640 x 480 resolution screen, the device complements the retro games it emulates. With the Unisoc T610 processor and Mali G52MC2 GPU paired with 4GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB eMMC, players have plenty of space and speed to explore their extensive classic gaming libraries. Retro gaming libraries give adequate power for smooth gameplay, and optional shaders improve visuals, especially for NES and Gameboy Advance titles that require upscaling.

The Pocket 2S excels with most 2D games and some 3D titles from the PS1 and N64 era. An eight-core processor ensures fluid gameplay, while durable Hall effect joysticks prevent common issues like stick drift. Additional features include front-firing speakers, a headphone jack, and a microSD card slot for expandable storage. Running on Android 11, the device integrates seamlessly with the Google Play Store and supports extensive emulation. While it comes pre-loaded with emulators, users must acquire their ROMs. This handheld’s powerful hardware, customizable aesthetics, and robust battery life make it a compelling choice for retro gaming enthusiasts.

Number 2. Miyoo Mini Plus

Honorable Mention

Pros

• Powerful.
• Excellent GameBoy emulation.
• Good Battery Life.
• PS1 Performance.
• Pocket Friendly.

Cons

• Stock Issues.
• Pre-loaded OS is a bit disappointing.

Key Features :

Playing Time : Up To 7 Hours I Chipset : SigmaStar SSD202D Up to 1.2 Ghz I RAM : 128MB LPDDR3 I Storage : 64GB via Included Micro SD Card I Wireless Connectivity : Wi-Fi I Display : 3.5 Inch 640×480 I Dimensions : 4.25 x 3.09 x 0.88 inches

The Miyoo Mini Plus+ stands out in the world of handheld emulators, earning a stellar reputation among retro gaming enthusiasts. This pocket-sized powerhouse, no bigger than a deck of cards, can emulate a vast library of titles across multiple generations, excelling particularly with Game Boy games. Thanks to its backlit 4:3 screen, gamers can enjoy their favorite classics anywhere, whether in the dark or under direct sunlight, with minimal visual issues. Using the Miyoo Mini Plus+ is a delight.

Despite its compact size, it’s designed for comfort, making long gaming sessions possible without hand fatigue. The raised face buttons are perfectly calibrated to avoid accidental presses, ensuring a smooth gaming experience. Pre-loaded with thousands of games, it’s incredibly user-friendly, especially for first-time emulator users. Adding personal favorites is a breeze with the microSD storage. on the other hand, the Mini Plus offers a similar retro feel with a slightly larger screen.

It handles most games up to the PS1 era and boasts a up to 128 Gigabytes storage capacity for up to 27,00+ games. Its 3,000 milliamp hour battery provides up to 5 hours of playtime, In addition to providing a welcome facelift with swappable themes, Onion OS optimized Retro Arch for the Miyoo Mini’s hardware, making the handheld feel as polished as a device from a huge business such as Nintendo. Overall, The Mini Plus delivers solid performance for its price, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious gamers.

Number 3. Anbernic RG353M

Best for solid controls and 4:3 systems

Pros

• Pocket Friendly.
• Superb Build Quality.
• Choice of Android or Linux OS.
• Dreamcast Performance.

Cons

• Headphone Jack Positioning.
• Android OS feels a bit unfinished.
• Sticky Action Buttons.

Key Features :

System: Linux 64-bit Systems Compatible with 32-bit APPs/Android11 I Display: 3.5-inch OCA Full-fit IPS Screen/640*480, Multi-Touch I CPU: RK3566 Quad-core 64-bit Cortex-A55, with a Main Frequency of 1.8GHz I RAM: LPDDR4 2GB I Memory: Android 32GB High-speed eMMC 5.1, linux 16GB TF I WiFi/Bluetooth: 2.4/5G WIFI 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2 I Battery: 3500 mAh, 7h of Battery Life I TF Card: Support double TF card to expand up to 512GB. (Not Included) I Product Weight: 232g

The Anbernic RG353M is one of the best-built retro handhelds, with a metal case and performance that will keep you entertained for years given the number of vintage games it can play. This premium device boasts a solid metal shell and excellent controls, especially the stellar analog sticks. Compact and slightly thicker than an iPhone, it feels great in hand, even during vertical gaming. Notably, Anbernic confidently omits a front logo. The 4:3, 3.5-inch 640×480 display is impressive, ideal for retro systems and modern mimics like Pico-8.

While powerful enough to emulate Dreamcast, it doesn’t match the Retroid Pocket 3+ in performance. The 353M offers dual-boot functionality, switching from the default Linux OS to Android for added power, though our experience with Android was lackluster. The Linux OS shines in its simplicity: load games onto an SD card, boot up, and the device organizes everything seamlessly.

The user interface is excellent, and Wi-Fi connectivity allows for the automatic downloading of box art and preview videos. For tinkerers, alternative systems are available. However, there’s a catch. Audio interference was noticeable, particularly with Wi-Fi or headphones. Despite this flaw, the 353M remains our go-to retro handheld. If you prefer headphones over speakers, keep this issue in mind.

Number 4. Retroid Pocket 4 Pro

Best gaming handheld under $200

Pros

• Highly portable.
• Android is simple to navigate.
• Good Performance.
• Variety of emulators included.

Cons

• Limited to Android 13, at least for now.
• Button&joystick placement takes getting used to.
• Uncomfortable design.
• No micro-SD included.

Key Features :

CPU: 478@2.6GHz 4A55@2.0 GHz I GPU: G77 MC9@836MHz I RAM: 8GB LPDDR4x I Storage: 128GB UFS 3.1 + TF Card Slot I OS: Android 13 I Touch screen: 4.7 inch, 750×1334@60fps, 500nits I Heat Dissipation: Active-cooling I 5000mAh battery I Analogue L2/R2 I 3D hall sticks I BT 5.2&Wi-Fi 6 I Official OTA support for incremental software upgrade

The $199 Retroid Pocket 4 Pro is a fantastic value for retro gaming enthusiasts seeking a compact handheld for emulating older consoles. While it lacks the power of the Steam Deck or ROG Ally and can only stream PC, PS5, and Xbox games, its capabilities in emulation are impressive for its price. Running on a MediaTek Dimensity 1100 chip with 8GB of RAM, it handles most PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube games with some tweaking, though it may struggle with particularly demanding titles.

The Pocket 4 Pro’s design resembles a shorter Nintendo Switch Lite, featuring a flat, lightweight body with a comfortable, textured grip. Despite its plastic frame, it feels sturdy and well-built, with responsive buttons and joysticks that avoid drift issues thanks to Hall effect sensors. The 4.7-inch IPS display is bright and sharp, though its 16:9 aspect ratio can result in black borders for some older games.

Battery life ranges from three to four hours for intensive games to eight or nine hours for older titles. The device also includes a micro-HDMI port for TV connectivity and decent speakers, though they are easy to cover accidentally. For those looking to emulate higher-power consoles reliably, the Pocket 4 Pro is a worthwhile investment.

Number 5. Blaze Evercade EXP

Best Retro Handheld For Retro Vibes

Pros

• Beautiful display screen.
• TATE vertical mode option.
• Stylish design.
• Options for authentic Arcade vibes.
• Improved UI for game selection and menus.

Cons

• Not compatible with Bluetooth headsets.
• Only up to five hours battery life.
• Lacks a few modern touches for the price.

Key Features :

Display : 4.3-inch, 800 x 480, IPS I RAM : 4GB I CPU: 1.5GHz ARM Cortex A7 SoC I Ports : USB-C, Mini-HDMI, 3.5mm I Dimensions : 192.7 x 78.5 x 20.7mm I Speakers : Stereo I Battery : 3,000mAh I Weight : 270g I Operating System: Custom Linux

Unlike other retro handhelds that simply invite you to load up an SD card with a plethora of often questionably sourced games, the Evercade EXP takes a different approach, harking back to the days of Spangles and Smash Hits with its use of physical cartridges. These proprietary carts come in custom boxes complete with paper manuals, evoking a sense of nostalgia and practicality, as physical instructions are invaluable for mastering long-forgotten games.

The Evercade’s dedication to doing right by IP owners, ensuring they receive a cut, and curating indie collections, is commendable. This approach also helps avoid choice paralysis, offering a more finite and curated gaming experience, complemented by 18 pre-loaded Capcom classics. Hardware-wise, the Evercade EXP boasts a great UI, an acceptable 4.3-inch 800×400 screen, and decent controls, though the D-pad could be more precise and the buttons less cramped in vertical mode.

Ultimately, the Evercade EXP transcends mere gameplay, capturing the nostalgia of a bygone era while honoring classic titles through proper licensing. Blaze’s creation resonates deeply with retro gamers, providing a complete package that taps into the essence of their gaming roots.