These Little Pocket Computers Keep the DS and PSP Dream Alive
If you ask the average person about portable gaming, they’ll probably think of the Nintendo Switch, Switch 2 , or maybe smartphones. If they’re a bit more hardcore, they might also mention portable gaming PCs like the Steam Deck or Lenovo Legion Go 2. But there’s a problem with these answers: none of these devices come close to reproducing the experience of older portable consoles like the Game Boy, Nintendo DS, or PSP. While those devices were small and light enough for a child to hold, some of their successors are so large and heavy that they can hardly be considered “portable” at all, feeling more like laptops with handles .
Those who long for the days of handheld gaming consoles are in for a tough time. There’s the Nintendo Switch Lite, but it uses outdated hardware, and Nintendo hasn’t yet hinted at a successor. Meanwhile, even the most compact phone controller means carrying it around, and depending on the option chosen, it could make the phone more noticeable than retro gamers are accustomed to.
Old, used hardware and games have also skyrocketed in price in recent years due to speculation , meaning that for some, simply continuing to use what’s already out is no longer an option. As someone who adores my Steam Deck but admits to quickly getting tired of holding it, I’m forced to find ways to fill the void left by the advent of pre-Switch portable consoles, especially when traveling: putting a Steam Deck in a bag is far more of a hassle than putting my old Game Boy Advance SP away.
Luckily, there is an answer. Leaving aside the big players, it turns out there’s a whole market of manufacturers releasing entirely new devices reminiscent of old Game Boys, DSs, and PSPs. These “retro portable gaming consoles” require a bit of tweaking, and some are definitely more obscure than others. But if you know where to look, you can not only recreate the pristine days of portable gaming before 2017, but even surpass them.
What collectors say
Before I get into who’s actually making retro handheld gaming consoles right now, I want to emphasize once again that I’m not the only one facing this problem. For this article, I spoke with Russ Crandall, host of the YouTube channel Retro Game Corps , and Bob Wolff, host of the YouTube channel Wulff Den , whose content proved invaluable to me as I delved into this world. Here’s what they had to say.
“I think as new gaming devices like the Switch 2 and Steam Deck get bigger and more powerful, they’re slowly getting closer to the point where they can be considered computer replacements,” Crandall told me. “But our gaming devices were never intended to be replacements for more powerful hardware; they were hi-tech escapes, magical machines that allowed us to play stripped-down versions of our favorite games anywhere.”
Wolfe shared a similar sentiment: “I’d love to see Nintendo make something like the GBA again, just for really low-power indie games or for their Nintendo Switch Online retro game collection.” (He acknowledged that the Switch Lite is somewhat suitable for this purpose, but with the release of the Switch 2, it will likely become obsolete in the near future, as it has fewer developers supporting it.) Speaking of Valve consoles, he also said, “I’d absolutely love to see a Steam Deck Mini,” and Crandall agreed.
This is what prompted them to pursue retro gaming handhelds. “Today, it seems that retro gaming handhelds carry the torch better than more powerful models,” Crandall explained. He even added that they sometimes outperform previous versions by offering “modern features like high-resolution displays and USB charging.”
So, who are we talking about? Retro handheld gaming consoles aren’t exactly a new thing, and Wolf even noted that in the past, the market was filled with “lots and lots of crap,” with some companies releasing “the same crap over and over again with very few changes.” But recently, four companies have truly raised the bar in this area, offering new form factors and the same luxury you’d expect from the likes of Apple.
Major players in the retro handheld gaming console market
If you’ve been browsing your local drugstore or browsing TikTok Shop lately, you’ve likely stumbled upon Game Boy-like devices that claim to come with hundreds of pre-installed games. Some of these will do in a pinch, but for those willing to do the research, I’d recommend these companies, which have a reputation for more consistent quality and clearer information about what you’re getting. I won’t list every manufacturer here—there are other reputable ones, like TrimUI and Miyoo—but in my opinion, most people will be satisfied with a device from one of the following companies:
Anbernik
Anbernic is arguably the largest brand in the retro handheld gaming console market today, boasting the largest number of releases and several experimental form factors. They were my first choice when buying my first retro handheld gaming console, and the company typically specializes in budget and mid-range devices.
This is where you’re most likely to see pocket computers with weird names and awkward user interfaces, reminiscent of those very same generic devices I just mentioned. But starting with the Anbernic RG35XX line, the company began producing reliable and convincing clones of older form factors.
If you miss the Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, or even the Sega Game Gear, Anbernic consoles are a great way to recapture that feeling, but with some of the modern conveniences Crandall mentioned above. Sometimes the company tends to prioritize quantity over quality, releasing very similar devices in a short timeframe. But if you do your research and find the right portable console, Anbernic might be your best choice, and one of the most affordable, too.
“They often cost the same as dinner and a movie ticket,” Crandall says.
The only problem is all this drugstore-style nonsense. Anbernic devices often require third-party firmware to be installed to get the best experience (I use muOS ), which can be quite a hassle, though Crandall has written guides on the matter on his website . Some of these portable consoles also come pre-installed with copyrighted game ROMs for emulation, and while this may be convenient for the casual gamer, it also creates legal issues that could arise in the future if the intellectual property owners ever decide to take action.
“I hate it,” Wolff told me of the practice of shipping handheld consoles with pre-installed ROMs. “I’ve been very critical of Anbernic for this since the very first unit that shipped with pre-installed ROMs… It’s only a matter of time before Nintendo shuts this whole thing down, and it doesn’t have to be that way.”
AYN
If you’re looking for something more luxurious and no-frills, AYN is the way to go. It’s the Rolls-Royce of retro handheld gaming consoles, producing devices with the most powerful specs, the most beautiful screens, easy-to-install Android, and no legal hassles.
Essentially, AYN portables can be thought of as high-quality Samsung-style Android smartphones, with the same powerful processors, but with attached controllers and comfortable grips. This means they sometimes lack the distinctiveness of classic Anbernic form factors. But in my opinion, any integrated controls are better than just a controller attached to the phone. And even in this regard, the situation has recently improved with the release of the AYN Thor.
Essentially, any game compatible with Android can be played on the AYN portable console. This offers far more options than might initially appear on Google Play. Moreover, unlike the DS or PSP, you’ll enjoy stunning OLED displays throughout the entire game.
Retroid
Retroid’s offerings are largely similar to AYN’s, but are cheaper. As Crandall notes in his videos, many enthusiasts suspect that AYN and Retroid are actually the same company, but this hasn’t been confirmed, and neither company was willing to comment for this article.
Incidentally, Retroid pocket computers typically feature the same Android operating system, OLED screens, and form factor as AYN devices, but with slightly weaker processors and less RAM or storage. However, new devices are still breaking new ground, and most still use the same chips as Samsung, albeit slightly older models. The Retroid Pocket 6, which I recommend below, is strikingly similar to AYN’s recent flagship, the Odin 3, except for its slightly stripped-down hardware.
Think of buying a Retroid as buying a Samsung flagship from a generation or two later. It will still perform well—these devices are many times more powerful than the original Switch. It just won’t be as new and shiny as its AYN counterpart.
Ayaneo
Finally, I want to thank Ayaneo . While Ayaneo started out making boutique portable gaming PCs to compete with the Steam Deck, in recent years it has added retro-themed Android-powered handhelds to its lineup. Initially, they were as expensive as Ayaneo’s PCs, but the company recently lowered prices to more affordable levels, releasing products like the KONKR Pocket Fit and Ayaneo Pocket AIR Mini. I haven’t recommended any of the Ayaneo products below, mainly because I think the Retroid Pocket 6, which was announced shortly after the KONKR, is better for most people, and because the Pocket AIR Mini is still raising money on Indiegogo. But these are promising signs, and I’d definitely keep an eye on Ayaneo in the future.
How to Play on Your Retro Handheld Gaming Console
There are several ways to play games on these portable consoles, including emulation, Android games, and even PC games locally or via the cloud. Some require more setup than others, so read my full breakdown here for more details. In short, know that these devices can play a much larger library of games than the Game Boy, DS, or PSP, but they may require some tweaking to get started. Playing local PC games, in particular, is a newer process that involves navigating third-party apps like GameSir’s GameHub . Additionally, while some may worry about legal issues if you choose to emulate, the issue primarily arises from companies distributing pre-installed ROM (or game) files or individuals posting ripped ROM files online. As long as you’re not illegally distributing or using copyrighted material, you should be in the clear, thanks to an old court case that set a precedent that developing game emulation software is legal as long as it doesn’t steal original code.
As for how to burn images to a console without using stolen files, there are devices and programs for this. It’s not as convenient as inserting a cartridge into the console, but at least you won’t have to carry anything other than a portable device.
The Best Retro Handheld Gaming Consoles
I’ve covered why these devices are so important, the best manufacturers, and how to find games for them. With all this in mind, I’ve compiled a list of the best retro handheld gaming consoles you can buy right now.