How to Download Games to Your Retro Handheld Gaming Console
I recently compiled a list of the best small portable gaming consoles for those tired of the bulky Nintendo Switch 2 and portable gaming PCs like the Steam Deck. In an era of gaming devices that often feel like laptops with extra knobs and buttons, these retro consoles (as I call them) can be a great solution for those who miss the days of the PSP and Nintendo DS. However, since they are made by small companies and run Linux or Android, installing games on them isn’t easy. After all, the manufacturers of these consoles don’t produce cartridges for them.
While this is true, there are many ways to play games, both new and old, on these devices, even if they were originally designed for other consoles. And despite the reputation to the contrary, if done correctly, they are all legal.
Retro gaming handheld consoles and emulation
Emulation is a common use for retro handheld gaming consoles, so much so that some simply refer to them as emulators. It’s not the only thing you can do with these devices, but it’s certainly a popular way to run games on them, especially on lower-end ones.
Emulation allows your system to emulate older devices like the Game Boy, Super Nintendo, and PlayStation 1, allowing you to play games originally released for those platforms. This works by using the more powerful hardware of your modern device to run software that virtually recreates all the processes of older consoles, making it appear as if the older games are running on the actual console. This is in contrast to games that “run natively,” meaning they run on the system for which they were developed. Fan-developed emulators are well known, but even major companies like Nintendo use emulation. In fact, all the games you play on Nintendo Switch Online are technically emulated.
This can have its drawbacks. You may encounter minor audio or graphical inaccuracies, but generally, the more powerful your device’s processor and the weaker the emulated system, the less likely these are to occur. Input lag may also occur, although I’ve never experienced it on most of the devices I’ve emulated. (I say this as someone who has completed all three original Ninja Gaiden games using emulation.)
Emulation has its advantages, too. Games can be scaled to higher resolutions than their native resolution, allowing for home HD remasters, provided the game is played on a sufficiently large screen. Furthermore, most emulators support saving, allowing you to save your progress anywhere and anytime, regardless of a specific game’s built-in saving system. Saving can be a real lifesaver for particularly challenging games or when playing on the go.
So, the biggest hurdle is setup. Some devices come with built-in emulators, but you’ll likely want to configure them yourself. And if you have a Linux-based portable device, it might be worth running them alongside third-party firmware (more on that later).
Specifications may vary depending on the device, so I recommend the emulation guide from YouTuber Russ Crandall. Crandall runs the Retro Game Corps channel and was very helpful in my emulation experience. He also detailed the steps you need to follow for various portable consoles .
Truth be told, you’ll likely use similar programs on all your portable consoles. RetroArch is popular for emulating older systems, while newer ones require dedicated apps like Dolphin (for GameCube and Wii) or PPSSPP (for PSP). Once you’ve set them up once, doing the same on other portable consoles will be a breeze. The biggest challenge you’ll likely face is preparing ROM files for your emulators, which brings me to the point.
How legal is emulation?
Emulation is convenient and a great way to experience games that haven’t been re-released for modern consoles. However, it has a reputation for being a dubious genre. For comment, I reached out to Bob Wulff (YouTube) of Wulff Den , another respected author of guides and reviews for retro handheld gaming consoles. Ultimately, Wulff believes this reputation is undeserved.
“I don’t like this label that emulation equals piracy,” he told me. “There are plenty of ways to legally acquire your ROMs.” And therein lies the rub. When people think emulation is illegal, they usually confuse emulator programs with pirated game files or ROMs. The process of writing original software to emulate a console’s features is actually perfectly legal, to the point that Apple now allows emulators in the App Store , but distributing copyrighted software to run on these emulators is where you run into legal trouble. That’s why handheld device companies like Anbernic have a bit of a bad reputation for including ROMs in their devices, which I highlight in my list of the best retro gaming handhelds. But theoretically, if you legally own a game, US law allows you to make your own backup copy, which you can then play on an emulator without any problems. Unless you download games from pirated sites or buy SD cards with pre-installed pirated ROMs, playing games using an emulator should legally be no different from playing them on the original hardware.
As for how you can get your own legal backups of your games, there are a number of devices that read cartridge data and create backups of their ROM files , as well asPC programs that do the same for disc-based games. It’s also worth noting that emulation is possible on both phones and PCs, although emulation using a small portable device with built-in controls has a certain magic to it.
You can also play games for Android and PC.
But as much as some fans like to call retro handheld gaming consoles “emulators” and leave it at that, these devices are capable of more than simply replicating old consoles. The hardware on these devices is generally versatile enough to support modern games without a device, cloud streaming, and in some cases, even games originally designed for PC. Newer games can also be played on these portable consoles. Let’s start with Android and cloud gaming, as these are some of the easiest ways to get games on these devices.
Android games
This one’s obvious. If your retro handheld gaming console runs Android, it’s only logical that it can run Android apps. This means, in addition to emulation, you can play phone games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile . Your device’s built-in controller will work with the game just like any standard phone controller, and you’ll be able to play just as well as any other phone controller. Android-powered handheld gaming consoles also feature touchscreens, so you shouldn’t have any issues if your game requires one. The only catch is that some devices with a square aspect ratio may use a lot of letterboxing to actually display anything other than retro games on the screen, which can result in a tiny image (though they’ll work just fine for older games with a 4:3 aspect ratio). Otherwise, know that the Play Store is your oyster.
Cloud gaming
If your retro gaming handheld runs Android, you can also use it to stream games from the cloud. This means you can connect it to your home console , PC , or subscription service to play games that your device can’t run natively or that you don’t want to install. The only issues you’ll encounter are potential input lag and video compression, as well as the need for a constant internet connection. But given that Sony sells an entire handheld console built entirely around Remote Play , it’s great to have it as an option on these devices, knowing they can also play games natively. It’s a particularly great choice for turn-based games or other titles that don’t require sudden, rapid inputs.
How to Play PC Games on Linux and Android Handheld Consoles
It’s a more recent innovation, but there are currently two ways to play PC games on a retro portable console without using the cloud. One runs them natively, while the other uses technology similar to Steam Deck.
Portmaster
The first method is for retro Linux-based handheld gaming consoles. These are typically inexpensive devices made by companies like Anbernic or Miyoo. The Linux version on these consoles is different from that on portable consoles like the Steam Deck, so don’t expect to be able to simply log into your Steam account and start racing right away. However, thanks to the fan-based Portmaster program, you can still play some Steam games on these consoles.
Portmaster offers access to fan-made versions of PC games specifically designed to run on your retro handheld consoles. Some are free, while others require you to connect files from your own Steam installations to avoid copyright infringement. However, both types of games can be played in just a few steps, and as with emulation, Crandall has a guide to help you get started on your device.
The main caveat: to use Portmaster, you’ll likely need to install a third-party, fan-made ROM rather than the stock one. I use muOS , but if you need something different, there are other options, depending on your device. Since there are so many options, I haven’t personally tested them all, but Crandall is again a great resource .
This method will likely limit you to playing retro and easy-to-play games, but it has its advantages. I’ve already used it to beat some of my favorite indie games from my Steam catalog, like Undertale .
GameHub, GameHub Lite and GameNative
The second method is designed for Android devices. Just as Steam Deck uses real-time compatibility layers to convert Windows games to run on its Linux counterpart, there are now Android apps that can help you run Steam games on both your phone and your portable gaming console.
The three most popular of these are called GameHub , GameHub Lite , and GameNative . These programs add additional customization and usability on top of the existing WinLator app, a compatibility layer that allows Windows programs to run on Android. You can sign in to your Steam account using these apps, then download your games and play them on your Android handheld, complete with cloud saves. You’ll still be limited in what you can play based on which games have had the most compatibility work, but they’re great for lightweight titles, older AAA games, and, if your handheld is powerful enough (like AYN Odin 3 ), even more modern AAA games from the PS4 era.
“These Windows containers are really impressive,” Crandall said when I reached out to him for comment. “I don’t think they’re anywhere near a PC replacement, but it’s great that a lightweight PC game runs well on a small, portable device.”
Problems with Steam games on Android
However, using these apps raises some concerns. Although Gamenative is an open-source project and GameHub Lite is an independent fork of GameHub designed to fix its bugs, GameHub is likely the easiest app for most people, as it has the simplest interface and the most compatibility updates for various games. Unfortunately, it has a number of privacy issues.
Gamehub is developed by GameSir, a controller maker that has released some decent products in the past. However, using Gamehub requires logging into a GameSir account, and some users may be uncomfortable linking their Steam credentials to it. Furthermore, according to Crandall, Gamehub includes “some rather intrusive telemetry permissions.”
However, both Crandall and Wolff ultimately have a fairly positive outlook on GameHub.
“Honestly, it’s no more interesting than any of the many social media apps we already have on our phones,” Crandall told me, also adding that if you’re not comfortable logging in with a GameSir account, you can use a “Steam login token via QR code,” which should be more secure.
Meanwhile, Wolfe stated, “I personally don’t think GameHub has any potential security issues,” citing GameSir’s reputation and adding, “I also believe our Steam data is worthless.”
The Future of PC Gaming on Android
I understand where both creators are coming from, but I was a little more cautious on this front. Still, it’s a tempting option if you’re willing to try it, and it actually points to the future. Valve recently announced its Steam Frame VR headset , which runs on the same framework as Android phones. This has retro gaming enthusiasts on handheld devices hoping that Valve will soon release an official way to play Steam games on these devices (and phones). The company recently hinted at this in an interview with The Verge , stating that it is quietly funding much of the development of the compatibility layers used by apps like WinLator and its derivatives.
By the way, if you’re brave enough, you can simply play PC games on these devices using WinLator itself or other alternatives, like Pluvia . However, I found them too complex, and I wouldn’t recommend them to anyone but the most hardcore gamers. I think I agree with Crandall: “I’d prefer a full-fledged Steam-based solution.” Fingers crossed.