Retro gaming has grown from a niche hobby into a mainstream market, powered by modern emulation hardware that fits in your pocket and plays everything from NES to PlayStation 2. The devices below cover original cartridge players, FPGA authenticity machines, and emulation-based handhelds across every budget.
What to Consider
- Emulation vs FPGA — emulation uses software to mimic old hardware; FPGA recreates the original hardware at the circuit level for near-perfect accuracy. FPGA is more expensive but avoids the timing quirks and compatibility issues of software emulation.
- Cartridge support — some devices play original cartridges; most emulation handhelds require ROM files you supply yourself
- Screen quality — IPS and OLED displays make retro games look better than they did on original hardware
- Controls — hall-effect joysticks last longer and resist drift compared to standard potentiometer sticks
Budget Tier
Miyoo Mini Plus $
At roughly the price of a few lattes, the Miyoo Mini Plus is the gateway drug of retro gaming. The 3.5-inch IPS display is sharp and colorful, Onion OS (community firmware) provides a polished interface, and it handles everything from Game Boy through PlayStation 1 flawlessly. It fits in a front pocket. The thriving community keeps the software improving constantly.
Anbernic RG35XXSP $
A clamshell design inspired by the Game Boy Advance SP. The folding form factor protects the screen in a bag, and two hall-effect joysticks handle more demanding games. Runs Linux-based firmware with strong community support. Plays everything through PS1 with most N64 titles running well. A great choice if portability and build quality matter more than raw power.
Mid-Range
Retroid Pocket 5 $$
The Retroid Pocket 5 runs Android with a Snapdragon 865 chip and 8 GB of RAM — enough to emulate GameCube, PS2, and PSP at playable speeds with resolution upscaling. OLED display, hall-effect sticks, built-in fan for thermal management, and Wi-Fi for streaming. It hits the sweet spot between power and portability that makes it the most recommended all-rounder in the retro handheld space right now.
Anbernic RG Cube $$
The oddball of the lineup — a perfectly square 720x720 display that turns out to be surprisingly versatile. Game Boy titles fill the screen without stretching, vertical arcade shooters look phenomenal in TATE mode, and DS games gain usable vertical real estate. Android 13, hall-effect sticks, Bluetooth, USB-C video out. Runs most PS2 and GameCube at native resolution. The unique form factor earns it a loyal following.
Premium / FPGA
Analogue Pocket $$$
The Analogue Pocket uses FPGA technology to play original Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges with hardware-level accuracy on a stunning 3.5-inch display. Optional adapters support Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket, TurboGrafx-16, and more. Also supports community-developed FPGA cores for systems like SNES and Genesis via ROM files. Premium build, premium price, and occasional stock shortages — but nothing else matches it for cartridge-based authenticity.
ModRetro Chromatic $$$
A Game Boy purist's dream — the Chromatic plays original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges using FPGA technology in a metal chassis with a gorgeous 2.56-inch display. The d-pad is among the best ever put in a handheld. Does not play GBA cartridges or support ROM files. Requires AA batteries (rechargeable pack sold separately). Focused, uncompromising, and beautifully built.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best retro handheld for beginners?
The Miyoo Mini Plus offers the best entry point. It is affordable, plays the most popular retro systems flawlessly, has excellent community firmware support, and fits in a pocket.
Can retro handhelds play N64 and PS2 games?
Mid-range Android devices like the Retroid Pocket 5 handle most N64 and many PS2 titles. Budget Linux handhelds struggle with these more demanding systems.
Is an FPGA handheld worth the extra cost?
If you own original cartridges and care about hardware-level accuracy, FPGA devices like the Analogue Pocket are worth the premium. For emulation via ROM files, a mid-range Android device offers more versatility per dollar.
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