7 Best Retro Handhelds to Buy for Every Player

A battered Game Boy with a faint screen, a PSP loaded with racing games, a clamshell GBA SP on a long car journey - handheld gaming is personal. That is why the best retro handhelds to buy are not all the same device. Some buyers want original cartridges, proper buttons and hardware they remember; others want one compact machine that can play across several generations.

The right choice comes down to what you want to collect, how you prefer to play, and how much tinkering you are happy to do. Original hardware offers the real article. Modern handhelds add better screens, rechargeable batteries and the convenience of emulation. Both belong in a serious retro collection.

The 7 best retro handhelds to buy

1. Game Boy Advance SP - the essential cartridge handheld

For many collectors, the Game Boy Advance SP remains the most satisfying all-round Nintendo handheld. Its folding design protects the screen, it plays Game Boy Advance cartridges natively, and backwards compatibility opens the door to the enormous Game Boy and Game Boy Color library. Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, Metroid Fusion, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap and Advance Wars all feel exactly as intended here.

The key distinction is the screen. Early AGS-001 models are front-lit, while the later AGS-101 has a much brighter backlit display and commands a noticeably higher price. If you mainly collect original games and want an authentic machine that is genuinely practical to use, an AGS-101 is worth seeking out. An AGS-001 is still a fine choice for display, casual play or a lower-cost entry point.

Check the hinge, shoulder buttons, battery cover and charging port before buying. Cosmetic wear is common and often part of the charm, but cracked hinges and corroded battery contacts are not minor collector details.

2. Nintendo 3DS XL - the best for Nintendo’s back catalogue

The 3DS XL is a remarkably broad Nintendo machine. It handles the complete 3DS library and plays DS cartridges, covering everything from Fire Emblem Awakening and Animal Crossing: New Leaf to Professor Layton, Mario Kart DS and Pokémon HeartGold. The larger screens make it much more comfortable than the original 3DS, particularly for text-heavy RPGs and strategy games.

The New Nintendo 3DS XL is the premium version, with improved controls, extra processing power for a small number of titles, and interchangeable faceplates on the standard-sized New 3DS. However, a regular 3DS XL often represents better value if your priority is the game library rather than the collector premium.

Condition matters here. Inspect both screens for yellowing, scratches and pressure marks, test the circle pad, and make sure the hinges hold their position. Original styluses, chargers and boxed presentation can add real appeal for collectors, though a loose console in clean working order is usually the sensible way to start playing.

3. PlayStation Vita - Sony’s underrated portable

The PlayStation Vita is one of the most handsome handhelds ever made, and its dedicated library has aged better than its reputation suggests. Persona 4 Golden, Tearaway, Gravity Rush, Wipeout 2048 and Uncharted: Golden Abyss give it a distinct identity, while physical Vita games have become increasingly interesting to collectors.

Choose between the original OLED model and the later Slim. The OLED display on the original Vita delivers richer blacks and more dramatic colour, making it the enthusiast’s pick. The Slim is lighter, uses a standard micro-USB charging lead and has better battery efficiency. Neither is automatically superior. If the screen is the reason you want a Vita, choose OLED; if convenience matters more, choose Slim.

Memory cards are the awkward part of Vita ownership, as official cards can be expensive for their capacity. Factor storage into your budget rather than treating it as an afterthought. Also examine the rear touch panel and analogue sticks carefully, as damage can spoil games that depend on them.

4. Analogue Pocket - premium play for original cartridges

The Analogue Pocket is not cheap, but it occupies a special place for collectors who want to play physical Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridges on a spectacular modern screen. Its display is sharp enough to make old sprites look newly drawn, yet its display modes can recreate the character of original hardware rather than simply smoothing everything into a bland digital image.

It is a particularly compelling choice if you own a growing cartridge library, including Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket Color and Atari Lynx games with the appropriate adapters. Unlike a generic emulation device, it keeps the ritual of choosing a cartridge, checking its label and sliding it into a console.

The trade-off is clear: this is a luxury handheld, and availability can be inconsistent. It is best viewed as a centrepiece for a cartridge collection, not the cheapest route to retro gaming.

5. Miyoo Mini Plus - the pocket-sized emulation favourite

For quick sessions with 8-bit and 16-bit classics, the Miyoo Mini Plus has earned its place. It is small enough for a coat pocket yet comfortable enough for Game Boy, NES, Mega Drive, SNES, arcade and PlayStation-era games. The vertical layout feels especially natural for handheld titles, and its active enthusiast community has helped make setup far less intimidating than on many budget devices.

This is not a replacement for original hardware, and it does not have enough power for every later 3D system. Its strength is focus. Load it with the games you legally own or have dumped from your own collection, organise the library properly, and it becomes a brilliant grab-and-play machine for lunch breaks, train journeys and holiday packing.

Buy it for convenience, not for collector value. The hardware itself is unlikely to carry the same long-term appeal as a Nintendo or Sony original, but the experience it offers is excellent for the price.

6. Anbernic RG35XX H - the best budget horizontal option

The Anbernic RG35XX H is a strong choice for players who prefer a landscape layout and want more comfortable shoulder buttons for action games, racers and PlayStation titles. Its compact shape sits somewhere between a classic Game Boy Advance and a miniature controller, making it more versatile than many vertical handhelds.

It is well suited to systems such as the Game Boy Advance, SNES, Mega Drive, PC Engine and original PlayStation. As with most budget emulation handhelds, the software experience may require a little patience. Stock operating systems can be functional rather than polished, and menus, box art and emulator settings can take time to organise.

That work is worthwhile for hobbyists. If you want a device that simply works straight from the box with no curiosity about settings, an original handheld may be a happier purchase. If you enjoy tailoring a library and adjusting shaders, aspect ratios and button mapping, the RG35XX H offers plenty for the money.

7. Retroid Pocket 5 - the step up for later systems

The Retroid Pocket 5 is for the player whose definition of retro reaches into the GameCube, PlayStation 2 and PSP era. It has the power, controls and larger display needed for more demanding 3D games, while remaining far more portable than a full-sized PC handheld. This makes it particularly appealing for revisiting the sixth generation without filling a shelf with separate consoles.

It is not a one-button solution. Performance can vary between systems and individual games, and setting up emulators takes more effort than loading a cartridge into a GBA SP. That is the price of flexibility. For enthusiasts comfortable with configuration, it can be an outstanding travel companion; for a nostalgic buyer who only wants Pokémon Crystal, it is complete overkill.

Original hardware or emulation handheld?

Original handhelds are the better choice when authenticity, collecting and physical media are central to the hobby. They preserve the intended controls, quirks and limitations of the era. A real cartridge collection also has a tangible resale and display value that a microSD card cannot replicate.

Modern emulation handhelds win on convenience. They offer clean screens, USB-C charging, save states, a consolidated library and far less worry about ageing batteries, worn cartridge slots or expensive repairs. They are ideal for playing rather than preserving.

Many collectors eventually own both. A Game Boy Advance SP or 3DS XL provides the proper hardware experience, while a compact emulation device handles everyday play and travel. There is no need to choose one philosophy for every game.

What to check before buying a retro handheld

For original machines, prioritise function over superficial perfection unless you are buying specifically for a boxed display collection. Test every button, speaker, screen, cartridge slot, charging connection and battery compartment. On consoles with analogue sticks, check for drift and worn rubber caps. Verify that replacement parts, chargers and batteries are readily available before committing to a bargain that may be difficult to restore.

For modern handhelds, look beyond the processor headline. Screen aspect ratio, ergonomics, operating system support and the systems you actually intend to play matter more. A powerful machine with awkward controls is a poor companion for a 40-hour RPG.

UK buyers should also be wary of imported handhelds with unclear warranty arrangements, missing UK power adaptors or unexpected duty costs. Buying from a specialist retailer can make condition grading and after-sales support far less of a gamble, especially for older Nintendo and Sony hardware.

The best handheld is the one that gives your favourite games a reason to leave the shelf. Start with the era you return to most often, buy the cleanest working example your budget allows, and let the collection grow around the games you genuinely want to play.