Choosing the right retro gaming handheld should be simple.
But with so many handheld emulator consoles now available, it is easy to get buried in screen sizes, processors, operating systems, storage options, form factors, supported systems and performance claims before you have even picked a console.
Some people just want the cheapest way into retro gaming.
Some want a more capable Linux handheld with better controls and better overall polish.
Some want a tiny pocket console.
Some want Android.
Some want a clamshell handheld.
Some want to know whether a handheld can actually run PSP, N64, Dreamcast, GameCube, PS2 or 3DS.
None of those customers need the same device.
This guide breaks down the main types of modern retro gaming handhelds we stock at Retrolize, so you can choose the right handheld for how you actually play.
In This Article
- Quick Recommendations
- Recommended Handhelds At A Glance
- Understanding The Performance Tiers
- Super Budget Tier: R36S
- Anbernic Linux Tier: RG28XX, RG35XX Pro, RG40XX H & RG34XX SP
- What Systems Can These Handhelds Actually Run?
- System Support At A Glance
- What About PSP, N64, Dreamcast, GameCube, PS2, Wii, 3DS & Switch?
- Screen Size: What Should You Pick?
- Vertical, Horizontal Or Clamshell?
- Ready To Play Or Configure Yourself?
- Model Comparison
- Best Choice By Requirement
- The Bottom Line
Quick Recommendations
If you want the lowest-cost way into retro gaming, choose the R36S.
If you want the smallest Anbernic handheld, choose the Anbernic RG28XX. For our most affordable ready-to-play options, browse our Budget Retro Gaming Handhelds.
If you want a compact horizontal Linux handheld, choose the Anbernic RG35XX Pro.
If you want the best Anbernic Linux all-rounder for comfort and controls, choose the Anbernic RG40XX H.
If you want a folding Game Boy Advance SP-style handheld, choose the Anbernic RG34XX SP.
Recommended Handhelds At A Glance
Not sure where to start? These are the main handhelds covered in this guide, with a quick reason to choose each one.
R36S
Best For: Super-budget retro gaming.
The cheapest entry point in this guide. Great for classic systems, but not in the same league as the Anbernic RG models.
Anbernic RG28XX
Best For: Pocketability.
A tiny Anbernic handheld for classic retro systems, travel and short sessions.
Anbernic RG35XX Pro
Best For: Compact Anbernic all-round play.
A better step up from super-budget handhelds, with a stronger overall platform and more useful controls.
Anbernic RG40XX H
Best For: Comfort.
The best Anbernic Linux choice here if you want a larger screen, better grip and more practical controls.
Anbernic RG34XX SP
Best For: GBA SP-style clamshell play.
A more capable folding Linux handheld for classic systems and portable play.
Understanding The Performance Tiers
The easiest way to choose the right handheld is to stop treating every retro handheld as if it belongs in the same category.
They do not.
A super-budget handheld and a more polished Anbernic Linux handheld suit different needs.
The R36S is the super-budget entry point. It is there for customers who want the cheapest route into classic emulation.
The Anbernic RG handhelds are a step up. Models like the RG28XX, RG35XX Pro, RG40XX H and RG34XX SP offer better overall polish, a more capable Linux platform and more realistic support for some bonus systems.
That is the most important distinction in this article.
The R36S is the lowest-cost entry point, while the Anbernic RG models offer a more polished Linux handheld experience.
Super Budget Tier: R36S
The R36S is the super-budget handheld in this guide.
That does not make it bad.
It just means it needs to be sold honestly.
The R36S is best for customers who want the lowest-cost entry point into classic retro gaming. It is a good fit for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear, PC Engine, Neo Geo, PlayStation 1 and many older arcade games.
It is not the handheld to recommend if someone mainly wants PSP, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, GameCube, PS2 or 3DS.
Some harder systems may be technically possible on a game-by-game basis, but the R36S should be treated as a cheap classic retro handheld first, not a 3D emulation machine.
Choose the R36S if price matters most and you want simple classic gaming.
Move up to the Anbernic RG range if you want a more capable Linux handheld with better overall performance, controls and polish.
Anbernic Linux Tier: RG28XX, RG35XX Pro, RG40XX H & RG34XX SP
The Anbernic RG models in this guide sit above the R36S.
They are still not premium Android handhelds, but they are a more capable and more polished Linux-based tier than the super-budget R36S.
The Anbernic RG28XX is the small pocket choice. It is best for classic systems and travel, not for analogue-heavy 3D systems.
The Anbernic RG35XX Pro is the compact horizontal all-rounder. It gives you a more useful layout and better controls than the smallest handhelds.
The Anbernic RG40XX H is the best Anbernic Linux model here for comfort. The larger screen, horizontal body and dual analogue sticks make it the safest choice if you want something that feels better for longer sessions.
The Anbernic RG34XX SP is the folding clamshell choice. It is best for customers who like the Game Boy Advance SP-style form factor and want a classic gaming handheld that folds shut.
These Anbernic RG models are great for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear, PC Engine, Neo Geo, PlayStation 1 and older arcade games.
They are also more realistic than the R36S for some PSP, Nintendo 64 and Dreamcast testing, especially the RG40XX H, but those systems should still be described as mixed or game-by-game.
Do not buy this tier expecting flawless PSP, N64, Dreamcast, Saturn, GameCube or PS2 performance.
Buy this tier if you want a better classic retro handheld than the super-budget options.
What Systems Can These Handhelds Actually Run?
This is one of the most important parts of choosing the right retro gaming handheld.
Almost every handheld listing will mention a long list of supported systems, but there is a big difference between a system being technically possible and a system running well enough to recommend.
For this guide, it is better to think in three levels:
- Runs Well: A good reason to buy the handheld for that system.
- Mixed / Game-By-Game: Some games run well, while others may need settings changes, frameskip or compromises.
- Not Recommended: Technically possible in some cases, but not what the handheld should be bought for.
That distinction matters because a super-budget handheld can be great for Game Boy Advance, SNES, Mega Drive and PlayStation 1, but still be the wrong choice for PSP, Dreamcast, GameCube or PS2.
R36S: Super-Budget Classic Gaming
The R36S is best treated as a super-budget classic retro handheld.
It is a good choice for systems such as Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear, PC Engine, Neo Geo, PlayStation 1 and many older arcade games.
It can run some more demanding systems on a game-by-game basis, but Nintendo 64, PSP and Dreamcast should be treated as bonus systems rather than the main reason to buy it.
Choose the R36S if you want a low-cost handheld for classic retro gaming.
Do not choose it if your main focus is PSP, Dreamcast, GameCube, PS2 or 3DS.
Anbernic RG28XX: Pocket-Friendly Classics
The Anbernic RG28XX is best for small-screen classic gaming.
It is a great fit for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear, PC Engine, Neo Geo, PlayStation 1 and older arcade games.
Although it is more capable than super-budget handhelds, the smaller screen and lack of analogue sticks make it less suitable for Nintendo 64, Dreamcast and PSP.
Choose the RG28XX if you want something small and pocketable for classic systems.
Anbernic RG35XX Pro: Compact Linux All-Rounder
The Anbernic RG35XX Pro is a better all-rounder than the smallest handhelds because it gives you a more practical horizontal layout and analogue sticks.
It is strongest with Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear, PC Engine, Neo Geo, PlayStation 1 and older arcade games.
Nintendo 64, Dreamcast and PSP are more realistic here than on the smallest handhelds, but they are still mixed systems. Some games will run well, while others may need tweaks or may not be enjoyable enough to recommend.
Anbernic RG40XX H: Best Linux Choice For Comfort
The Anbernic RG40XX H is the best choice from the Linux-based Anbernic models if you care about comfort and want the most practical controls from this tier.
It is still strongest with Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear, PC Engine, Neo Geo, PlayStation 1 and older arcade games.
The larger screen, horizontal layout and dual analogue sticks make it much better suited to 3D systems than the smaller handhelds.
That said, PSP, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast and Saturn should still be treated as mixed. They are not guaranteed full-library systems on this class of handheld.
Anbernic RG34XX SP: Folding Classic Handheld
The Anbernic RG34XX SP is best for customers who like the folding Game Boy Advance SP-style design.
It is a great fit for Game Boy Advance, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear, PC Engine, Neo Geo, PlayStation 1 and older arcade games.
Like the other Anbernic Linux models, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, PSP and Saturn should be treated as game-by-game extras rather than guaranteed headline systems.
System Support At A Glance
| Handheld | Tier | Runs Well | Mixed / Game-By-Game | Not Recommended For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R36S | Super budget | GB, GBC, GBA, NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear, PC Engine, Neo Geo, PS1, older arcade | Some N64, PSP, Dreamcast and DS, but expectations should be low | GameCube, PS2, Wii, 3DS, Switch |
| Anbernic RG28XX | Anbernic Linux | GB, GBC, GBA, NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear, PC Engine, Neo Geo, PS1, older arcade | Some N64, PSP and Dreamcast, but limited by size and controls | GameCube, PS2, Wii, 3DS, Switch |
| Anbernic RG35XX Pro | Anbernic Linux | GB, GBC, GBA, NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear, PC Engine, Neo Geo, PS1, older arcade | N64, PSP, Dreamcast, DS, Saturn | GameCube, PS2, Wii, 3DS, Switch |
| Anbernic RG40XX H | Anbernic Linux | GB, GBC, GBA, NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear, PC Engine, Neo Geo, PS1, older arcade | N64, PSP, Dreamcast, DS, Saturn | GameCube, PS2, Wii, 3DS, Switch |
| Anbernic RG34XX SP | Anbernic Linux | GB, GBC, GBA, NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear, PC Engine, Neo Geo, PS1, older arcade | N64, PSP, Dreamcast, DS, Saturn | GameCube, PS2, Wii, 3DS, Switch |
What About PSP, N64, Dreamcast, GameCube, PS2, Wii, 3DS & Switch?
This is where handheld buying gets confusing.
Older systems such as Game Boy Advance, SNES, Mega Drive and PlayStation 1 are realistic on almost every handheld in this guide.
Systems such as Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, PSP and Saturn are more complicated.
On the R36S, those systems should be treated as experimental bonus systems at best.
On the Anbernic RG models, especially the RG40XX H, those systems become more realistic, but they are still game-by-game rather than guaranteed full-library support.
GameCube, PS2, Wii, 3DS and Switch are a different level again.
None of the handhelds covered in this guide is recommended for GameCube, PS2, Wii, 3DS or Switch. If those systems are your priority, you will need a more powerful device.
Performance depends on the game, emulator, settings and firmware.
Screen Size: What Should You Pick?
Screen size changes the whole experience.
A smaller screen makes the handheld easier to carry.
A larger screen makes games easier to read and more comfortable for longer sessions.
The Anbernic RG28XX is best for maximum portability.
The Anbernic RG35XX Pro is the better compact middle ground.
The Anbernic RG40XX H is better if you want a larger classic handheld without moving into Android handheld size.
Small is not always worse.
Big is not always better.
It depends whether you care more about pocketability, comfort or performance.
Vertical, Horizontal Or Clamshell?
The shape of the handheld matters almost as much as the spec sheet.
A vertical handheld feels closer to a classic Game Boy-style layout and is great for compact retro play.
A horizontal handheld is usually more comfortable for longer sessions, especially if you use analogue sticks.
A clamshell handheld folds shut, protects the screen and feels closer to a Game Boy Advance SP or Nintendo DS-style design.
Choose the R36S if you want the cheapest vertical handheld.
Choose the Anbernic RG28XX, RG35XX Pro or RG40XX H if you want a horizontal handheld.
Choose the Anbernic RG34XX SP if you want a clamshell handheld.
Ready To Play Or Configure Yourself?
Some handhelds are designed to be simple and ready to use.
Others are more flexible, but need more setup before they feel finished.
This is one of the biggest differences between Linux-based handhelds and Android handhelds.
Linux handhelds such as the R36S, Anbernic RG28XX, Anbernic RG35XX Pro, Anbernic RG40XX H and Anbernic RG34XX SP are usually the easier choice if you want a more console-like experience.
You turn them on, choose a system, pick a game and play.
Android handhelds generally offer more flexibility.
They can run Android apps, game streaming services, touchscreen emulators, cloud gaming apps and more advanced emulator setups.
The trade-off is that Android handhelds can take more time to configure properly.
Emulators may need installing, controls may need mapping, frontends may need setting up, and performance can vary depending on the emulator, game and settings used.
That does not mean Android handhelds are difficult.
It just means they are more like a small gaming tablet than a basic pick-up-and-play console.
Model Comparison
| Model | Tier | Best For | OS Type | Quick Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R36S | Super budget | Lowest-cost classic retro gaming | Linux / ArkOS-style setup | Cheap entry point, not in the same league as Anbernic RG handhelds |
| Anbernic RG28XX | Anbernic Linux | Smallest Anbernic handheld | Linux | Best travel-size option for classic systems |
| Anbernic RG35XX Pro | Anbernic Linux | Compact horizontal all-rounder | Linux | Better controls and stronger platform than super-budget models |
| Anbernic RG40XX H | Anbernic Linux | Comfortable Linux all-rounder | Linux | Best Anbernic Linux choice here for comfort and controls |
| Anbernic RG34XX SP | Anbernic Linux | GBA SP-style clamshell | Linux | Folding design and screen protection |
Best Choice By Requirement
| Requirement | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Lowest price | R36S |
| Smallest Anbernic handheld | Anbernic RG28XX |
| Best compact Linux all-rounder | Anbernic RG35XX Pro |
| Best larger Anbernic handheld | Anbernic RG40XX H |
| Best folding GBA SP-style handheld | Anbernic RG34XX SP |
The Bottom Line
There is no single best retro gaming handheld for everyone.
That is the whole point.
The best handheld depends on what you want to play, how portable you need it to be, how much setup you want to do and whether you care more about budget, comfort, screen size or power.
For the cheapest possible entry point, choose the R36S.
For a better Linux handheld experience, move up to the Anbernic RG range.
For pocketability, choose the RG28XX.
For comfort, choose the RG40XX H.
For a folding Game Boy Advance SP-style handheld, choose the RG34XX SP.