It feels like every week there’s a new retro handhelds announcement stirring up excitement, right? We see the cool designs, the promised performance boosts, and we get ready to hit that pre-order button. But sometimes, things get complicated. Maybe there are shipping delays, unexpected costs like tariffs popping up, or the device just isn’t quite ready for prime time when it lands. It can be a bit of a bummer when you’re just itching to dive into some classic gaming.
That’s why I wanted to chat about some fantastic retro handhelds you can actually get your hands on now, or maybe even rediscover in your own collection. Waiting for the absolute latest thing isn’t always necessary to have a ton of fun. There are so many great, mature devices out there with awesome community support that deliver an amazing retro experience without the wait or the potential headaches. This list is all about celebrating those solid choices that let you jump straight into the games you love.
Here are 5 great ways to enjoy retro handheld gaming right now:
1. The Handheld You Already Have
- Key Details:
- Price: Free!
- Main feature: It’s already yours and paid for.
- Why it stands out: Zero extra cost, instantly available, often gets even better with community software.
Seriously, the best retro handheld is often the one sitting in your drawer! Maybe you picked up an Anbernic RG40XXV last year, or you’ve got an older Miyoo device. Before you jump on the next new thing, consider giving your current device a little TLC. Many popular handhelds have incredible custom firmware options developed by the community (like ArkOS, OnionOS, NULE, MuOS, Batocera – depending on the device!) that can totally revitalize the experience, improve performance, and add new features. Grab a fresh SD card, flash some new software, and you might find your old favorite feels brand new again, saving you money and hassle.
2. Miyoo Mini Plus
- Key Details:
- Price: $60
- Main feature: Vibrant 3.5-inch screen, fantastic custom firmware (OnionOS).
- Why it stands out: Incredible value, massive community support, super user-friendly with OnionOS, very pocketable.
This little vertical handheld took the scene by storm for a reason. It hits a sweet spot of price, performance (great up to PS1), and portability. The real magic happens when you install OnionOS, a custom firmware that makes navigating your games, saving states, and even switching between recent games (with the GameSwitcher feature) incredibly slick. It’s readily available, relatively cheap (especially direct from AliExpress if you don’t mind the wait), and offers a polished experience that punches way above its price tag.
3. Anbernic RG35XXSP
- Key Details:
- Price: ~ 70 AliExpress\80 Amazon
- Main feature: Protective clamshell design, familiar GBA SP nostalgia.
- Why it stands out: Best budget-friendly clamshell currently available, solid build, good custom firmware options.
If you love the classic Game Boy Advance SP form factor, this is your modern equivalent. The clamshell design is perfect for just tossing in a bag without worrying about scratching the screen or buttons. It shares the same capable internals as other popular Anbernic devices in its price range, meaning it runs games up to PS1 well and benefits from mature custom firmware like MuOS or Batocera. While other companies have tried clamshells recently, the RG35XXSP remains the most reliable and well-supported option in this style right now.
4. Anbernic RG35XX H
- Key Details:
- Price: ~ 60 AliExpress\70 Amazon
- Main feature: Comfortable horizontal layout with dual analog sticks, same internals as the SP model.
- Why it stands out: Excellent value for a horizontal handheld, includes modern features like WiFi/Bluetooth/HDMI, great CFW support.
Prefer a horizontal layout for your retro gaming? The RG35XX H takes the proven chipset from the vertical XX and SP models and puts it into a comfortable, pocketable horizontal shell complete with analog sticks. This makes it great for a wider variety of games, including those PS1 titles that benefit from analog input. You still get the excellent performance for systems up to PS1, HDMI out for playing on a TV, and access to great custom firmware like Batocera or NULE. It’s arguably the best bang-for-your-buck horizontal handheld available today.
5. Steam Deck (LCD or OLED)
- Key Details:
- Price: Starts at $399 (LCD model) direct from Valve (US stock).
- Main feature: Plays modern PC games and handles high-end emulation superbly.
- Why it stands out: Incredible versatility and power, easy emulation setup via EmuDeck, readily available in the US without import concerns.
Okay, stepping up in price quite a bit, but if your budget allows and you want a device that does way more than just retro games, the Steam Deck is hard to beat. It’s a full-fledged handheld PC. This means access to a huge library of Steam games, but it also means it’s an emulation powerhouse thanks to projects like EmuDeck which simplify setting up emulators for everything from NES right up to PS3 and even some Switch titles. Buying direct from Valve means fast US shipping and no tariff worries. It’s the ultimate “one device to rule them all” if you want both PC and retro gaming on the go.
So, while the excitement for brand new devices like the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 is totally understandable, don’t forget about the awesome options that are already out there, tried, tested, and ready to play! You might already own your next favorite handheld, or one of these readily available picks could be perfect for you right now.
What’s your go-to retro handheld at the moment? Is there an older device you keep coming back to, despite all the new releases? Let me know down in the comments – I’d love to hear what you’re playing! Happy gaming!
