The retro gaming handheld market has exploded over the past few years. What used to mean a handful of overpriced, underpowered clone systems now means a genuinely impressive range of dedicated emulation devices — from sub-$50 Game Boy-sized portables to Android-powered handhelds that can run Nintendo Switch and PS3 games on the go. Whether you want to relive SNES classics on your lunch break or play through your entire PS1 library on a plane, there’s a retro handheld built for exactly that.
This guide covers the best retro gaming handhelds in 2026, organized by budget and use case, with verified specs and honest assessments of what each device does well and where it falls short.
Best Retro Gaming Handhelds 2026: Quick Comparison
| Device | Price (approx.) | Form Factor | Max Emulation | Best For |
| Miyoo Mini Plus | ~$60 | Compact vertical | PS1 / GBA | Budget beginners; pocketable |
| Anbernic RG35XX Plus | ~$64 | Compact vertical | Dreamcast / NDS | Best budget all-rounder |
| Anbernic RG35XX Pro | ~$60-70 | Vertical w/ analog sticks | Dreamcast / NDS | Budget + analog sticks |
| Anbernic RG35XX SP | ~$55-65 | Clamshell (GBA SP style) | PS1 / GBA | Portability; screen protection |
| Anbernic RG Cube / CubeXX | ~$70-80 | Horizontal square screen | PS2 / N64 / DS | Game Boy/GBA enthusiasts |
| Retroid Pocket 5 | ~$150-180 | Horizontal widescreen | PS2 / GameCube / PSP | Mid-range power |
| AYN Odin 2 Portal | ~$250-300 | Horizontal large | Switch / PS3 / Windows | Enthusiast; maximum power |
| Evercade EXP / VS | ~$80-130 | Horizontal cartridge | Licensed cartridges only | No ROMs; legal convenience |
Best Budget Retro Gaming Handhelds (Under $70)
1. Anbernic RG35XX Plus — Best Overall Budget Retro Handheld
The Anbernic RG35XX Plus is the best retro gaming handheld under $70 for most people. Starting at around $64, it punches significantly above its price point — running everything from NES and SNES classics through PS1, N64, and Dreamcast with reliable performance, while competing options at the same price cap out at PS1.
The key technical advantage over the Miyoo Mini Plus is the Allwinner H700 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 chipset, which is meaningfully faster than the dual-core ARM Cortex A7 inside the Miyoo. The practical result: the RG35XX Plus handles Dreamcast games and Nintendo DS titles that the Miyoo simply cannot run.
Additional advantages: an HDMI output that lets you connect to a TV for living room play, dual microSD card slots, and a 3.5-inch IPS screen. The stock firmware is basic — installing custom firmware (GarlicOS or Batocera) transforms the experience significantly.
- Chipset: Allwinner H700 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53
- Screen: 3.5-inch IPS, 640×480
- Battery: ~5-6 hours
- Emulation ceiling: Dreamcast, Nintendo DS, N64 (most games), PS1 (flawless)
- HDMI output: Yes — plays on TV
- Price: ~$64
- Verdict: Best value under $70 — beats Miyoo on raw performance at the same price
2. Miyoo Mini Plus — Best for Portability and Simplicity
The Miyoo Mini Plus is the most pocketable serious retro handheld on the market and remains one of the best-loved budget devices in the community — not because it outperforms the RG35XX Plus (it doesn’t) but because it does exactly what it promises with exceptional refinement. If you want NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBA, and PS1 in a device that fits in any pocket, the Miyoo Mini Plus is excellent.
The killer feature is Onion OS — community-developed custom firmware maintained by a dedicated team that gives the Miyoo an interface and feature set that feels genuinely polished. First-time retro handheld buyers who want simple setup and reliable performance up to PS1 will find the Miyoo Mini Plus the most approachable option.
- Chipset: ARM Cortex A7 dual-core
- Screen: 2.8-inch IPS, 640×480
- Battery: ~6-8 hours
- Emulation ceiling: PS1 (reliable), GBA (flawless), SNES (flawless)
- Best firmware: Onion OS (install immediately; massive improvement over stock)
- Price: ~$60
- Verdict: Best for beginners and portable use; weaker than RG35XX Plus but simpler and more refined
3. Anbernic RG35XX Pro — Budget Pick with Analog Sticks
Released in mid-2025, the RG35XX Pro adds analog thumbsticks to the RG35XX formula — a meaningful upgrade for anyone wanting to play PS1 games properly (many PS1 titles require or benefit significantly from analog input). The internals are essentially the same as the RG35XX Plus: Allwinner H700 chipset, similar screen, similar emulation ceiling.
The 2GB RAM refresh in early 2026 strengthened an already solid value proposition. For $60-70 with analog sticks included, it’s the most complete entry-level handheld in the Anbernic range.
- Chipset: Allwinner H700
- Analog sticks: Yes — key upgrade over RG35XX Plus
- Emulation ceiling: Dreamcast, NDS, N64, PS1
- Price: ~$60-70
- Verdict: Best budget pick if analog sticks matter to you
4. Anbernic RG35XX SP — Best Clamshell Design
The RG35XX SP is Anbernic’s GBA SP-inspired clamshell design — a folding handheld that protects the screen when closed and has a compact footprint when folded. It uses the same H700 chipset as the rest of the RG35XX line, so emulation performance is identical to the RG35XX Plus.
The appeal is entirely about form factor: the clamshell design is more pocketable than a traditional horizontal handheld, and the screen protection matters when carrying the device without a case. If the GBA SP was your favorite handheld growing up, the RG35XX SP captures that feeling well.
- Chipset: Allwinner H700
- Form factor: Clamshell (GBA SP-style)
- Emulation ceiling: PS1, GBA, SNES (same as RG35XX line)
- Price: ~$55-65
- Verdict: Best clamshell retro handheld; identical performance to RG35XX Plus
5. Anbernic RG Cube / CubeXX — The Square Screen Specialist
The RG Cube and CubeXX are genuinely unusual devices — handhelds with a square 1:1 aspect ratio screen that eliminates the black bars that appear on widescreen devices when playing Game Boy, GBA, Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket, and other handhelds with square or near-square native resolutions.
For Game Boy Advance specifically, the square screen fills edge-to-edge in a way no other handheld can match. The GamesRadar team named the RG Cube their top overall retro handheld pick in 2026 for exactly this reason: it’s the best possible screen for the systems most retro handheld buyers actually want to play.
The CubeXX runs the same H700 chipset (reliable up to PS1, Dreamcast, and N64; PSP hit-or-miss) and has a larger 5,200mAh battery than its siblings.
- Screen: 3.95-inch square, 720×720 resolution, 1:1 aspect ratio
- Chipset: Allwinner H700
- Battery: 5,200mAh (best in the RG35XX family)
- Best for: Game Boy, GBA, Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket — any system with a square resolution
- Price: ~$70-80
- Verdict: Niche but excellent for GBA purists; best screen for handheld-native resolutions
Mid-Range Retro Handhelds ($100-200)
6. Retroid Pocket 5 — Best Mid-Range Retro Handheld
The Retroid Pocket 5 runs Android and is the most capable retro handheld in the $150-180 price range. The Android base means you can install emulator apps directly from the Play Store (RetroArch, Dolphin, PPSSPP, DuckStation) and access a curated front-end like Daijisho for a clean gaming interface.
Emulation ceiling for the Retroid Pocket 5 extends well into PS2 (most games run well), GameCube (good compatibility), PSP (nearly all games), and Nintendo DS. Dreamcast, N64, PS1, SNES, and everything below runs flawlessly. It is the device the community recommends when someone asks for a step up from budget Anbernic/Miyoo territory.
- OS: Android
- Emulation ceiling: PS2 (most games), GameCube (good), PSP (nearly all), Nintendo DS
- Screen: Widescreen IPS, good color accuracy
- Price: ~$150-180
- Verdict: Best overall retro handheld under $200; significant performance step up from budget devices
High-End Retro Handhelds ($200+)
7. AYN Odin 2 Portal — Best High-End Android Retro Handheld
The AYN Odin 2 Portal is the most powerful Android retro handheld currently available for mainstream buyers. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 — the same chip that powers flagship smartphones — it handles Nintendo Switch emulation, PS3 games, and Windows PC emulation that lower-powered devices cannot touch.
The 7-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen is one of the best displays on any portable gaming device. The 8,000mAh battery provides genuine all-day gaming. The main caveats: it is large (noticeably bigger than most handhelds), and the ergonomics benefit from adding a simple grip accessory for extended sessions.
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Screen: 7-inch, 120Hz AMOLED
- Battery: 8,000mAh
- Emulation ceiling: Nintendo Switch (most games), PS3, Windows PC emulation
- Price: ~$250-300
- Verdict: Most powerful mainstream Android retro handheld; overkill for most buyers but exceptional for enthusiasts
8. Evercade EXP — Best Legal, No-ROM-Required Option
The Evercade line takes a completely different approach: instead of emulating ROMs downloaded from the internet, Evercade uses licensed cartridges from official publishers. Each cartridge contains a licensed collection of games from a single publisher — Capcom, Taito, Atari, Technos, and many others.
The Super Pocket (Evercade’s companion device) and EXP are TechRadar’s top pick for retro gaming in 2026 for players who want the retro experience without the legal grey area of ROM emulation. The built-in libraries are small compared to what a full emulation device offers, but every game is properly licensed.
- No ROMs required: All games are on officially licensed cartridges
- Available editions: Taito, Capcom, Technos, Atari — each with different built-in game libraries
- Best for: Players who want zero legal ambiguity; collectors
- Price: ~$80-130 depending on model
- Verdict: Best legal retro option; limited library vs emulation handhelds but clean conscience
How to Choose the Best Retro Gaming Handheld
| Your Priority | Best Pick |
| Best under $70 | Anbernic RG35XX Plus — best emulation for the price |
| Most pocketable | Miyoo Mini Plus — smallest serious retro handheld |
| Budget + analog sticks | Anbernic RG35XX Pro — adds analog to the RG35XX formula |
| Best for Game Boy / GBA | Anbernic RG Cube / CubeXX — square screen fills edge-to-edge |
| Clamshell form factor | Anbernic RG35XX SP — GBA SP-inspired; great screen protection |
| Best under $200 | Retroid Pocket 5 — Android-based; PS2/GameCube/PSP capable |
| Maximum power | AYN Odin 2 Portal — Switch/PS3/Windows emulation on the go |
| No ROMs / fully legal | Evercade EXP or Super Pocket — licensed cartridges only |
What Systems Can Retro Handhelds Emulate?
| Console / System | Budget Handhelds ($50-70) | Mid/High-End ($150+) |
| NES / SNES / Genesis | Flawless on all devices | Flawless on all devices |
| Game Boy / GBC / GBA | Flawless on all devices | Flawless on all devices |
| PlayStation 1 (PS1) | Flawless on Anbernic/Miyoo | Flawless on all devices |
| Nintendo 64 (N64) | Good on H700 chipset devices | Flawless on mid/high-end |
| Sega Dreamcast | Good on H700 devices | Flawless on mid/high-end |
| PlayStation 2 (PS2) | Not capable | Good on Retroid Pocket 5+ |
| GameCube / Wii | Not capable | Good on Retroid Pocket 5+ |
| PSP | Hit-or-miss on H700 devices | Nearly all games on Retroid/Odin |
| Nintendo Switch | Not capable | Good on AYN Odin 2 Portal |
| Nintendo DS / 3DS | DS: yes on H700; 3DS: no | Both good on mid/high-end |
Custom Firmware: Why It Matters
Almost every retro handheld ships with basic stock firmware that undersells the device’s capabilities. Installing community-developed custom firmware is the single most important upgrade you can make to any budget retro handheld:
- Miyoo Mini Plus: Install Onion OS — transforms the interface, adds features, improves emulator compatibility. The Miyoo community has maintained Onion OS for years; it is the best custom firmware available for any budget handheld.
- Anbernic RG35XX line: Install GarlicOS, Batocera, or muOS — significant improvement over stock. GarlicOS is the most popular starting point; muOS is preferred by experienced users.
- Anbernic RG35XX Pro: Install muOS or Knulli — community firmware options improve performance, interface, and feature set substantially over stock.
Custom firmware installation is straightforward (typically involves downloading an image file, flashing it to a microSD card, and booting the device) and is covered extensively in YouTube tutorials and community wikis for each device.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best retro gaming handheld?
The best retro gaming handheld for most people is the Anbernic RG35XX Plus at around $64 — it offers the best emulation performance under $70, running everything from NES through Dreamcast and Nintendo DS with reliable performance. For those who want analog sticks, the Anbernic RG35XX Pro is the same price with sticks added. For maximum power, the AYN Odin 2 Portal handles Switch and PS3 emulation but costs $250+.
What is the best retro handheld under $100?
The Anbernic RG35XX Plus (~$64) and Miyoo Mini Plus (~$60) are the two best retro handhelds under $100. The RG35XX Plus has better raw performance (Dreamcast, NDS, N64 capable) while the Miyoo Mini Plus is more pocketable and has better community firmware support (Onion OS). For a step up with analog sticks, the Anbernic RG35XX Pro is $60-70.
What systems can retro handhelds emulate?
Budget retro handhelds ($50-70) reliably emulate NES, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy/GBC/GBA, PS1, and with the H700 chipset, N64, Dreamcast, and Nintendo DS. Mid-range devices ($150-180) like the Retroid Pocket 5 add PS2, GameCube, and PSP. High-end devices like the AYN Odin 2 Portal extend to Nintendo Switch and PS3.
Do I need to install custom firmware?
Yes — for almost all budget retro handhelds, installing custom firmware is strongly recommended. The difference between stock and custom firmware is dramatic: better interface, more emulator options, improved compatibility, and community support. Onion OS for the Miyoo Mini Plus and GarlicOS or Batocera for Anbernic devices are the starting points. The installation process is beginner-friendly and well-documented online.
Are retro gaming handhelds legal?
The hardware is fully legal to own. Emulator software is generally legal. The legal grey area is ROM files — copies of game software. Downloading ROMs for games you don’t own is technically copyright infringement in most jurisdictions. If you want a fully legal experience, Evercade’s licensed cartridge system provides a clean alternative with official game libraries from major retro publishers.
Final Thoughts
The retro handheld market in 2026 has genuinely excellent options at every price point. For most buyers, the Anbernic RG35XX Plus or RG35XX Pro in the $60-70 range is the right starting point — they outperform everything at that price and hold up well even against more expensive competition for the systems most retro gamers actually want to play. If you are willing to spend $150-180, the Retroid Pocket 5 opens up a significantly broader emulation range. And if you want Nintendo Switch games on the go, the AYN Odin 2 Portal is the device to beat.
Whatever you pick: install custom firmware. It makes every budget handheld significantly better.
