The best handheld gaming consoles in 2024

My personal favorite handheld – New Nintendo 3DS XL

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New Nintendo 3DS XL

Personally my best handheld gaming console ever

Though being discontinued in 2020, the New Nintendo 3DS XL is a monument for the perfect handheld system. Perhaps this is the best performing and most durable handheld with big game library I’ve tested.

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Why you should get one New 3DS XL

Thanks to the appealing handheld world that the Nintendo Switch gave to me, I am in rush to buy the Nintendo 3DS to catch up with all the Pokemon games that I’ve missed. Up until now, I have purchased and played every single device in the 3DS system, and I still keep a “New” 3DS and “Old” 2DS for my collection, which I don’t intend to sell.

Well, the New Nintendo 3DS XL won’t be found in any lists named “Best handheld gaming console” anymore because it is discontinued. And that means you get less money for promoting them. That doesn’t apply to my personal review blog, as I see everything I want in the New Nintendo 3DS XL: a portable but durable handheld, a massive exclusive game library and its irreplaceable gimmick features.

The folding nature of the clamshell design makes the New 3DS highly compact and convenient to carry. When closed, it takes up less space than other handheld devices, making it easier to transport and store. The ability to fold the console also ensures that the screens and controls remain protected and less prone to accidental button presses while being carried. It’s a shame we don’t see many handhelds with such a sophisticated design at the moment, because

This design can trigger a sleep mode, preserving battery life and ensuring that the device remains in a low-power state when not in use. This feature is handy for on-the-go gaming, as it extends the battery life and allows users to resume their game exactly where they left off upon reopening the console.

The New Nintendo 3DS XL is also a unique handheld gaming device that offers several distinguishing features:

• 3D Without Glasses: One of the standout features of the New 3DS is its glasses-free 3D capability. Using a parallax barrier technology, the device provides a three-dimensional visual experience without the need for specialized glasses. This immersive feature sets the New 3DS apart from other handheld consoles on the market, enhancing gameplay and adding depth to the visuals.
• Face Tracking Technology: The New 3DS incorporates face-tracking technology that uses the front-facing camera to track the player’s face and adjust the 3D effect accordingly. This ensures that the 3D display remains stable and optimal, regardless of the player’s viewing angle or distance from the screen. This innovative technology enhances the overall 3D experience and reduces the risk of discomfort or eye strain.
• Dual Screen: The dual-screen setup consisted of an upper 3D display and a lower touchscreen, providing innovative gameplay possibilities and additional functionality. The upper screen of the Nintendo 3DS featured glasses-free autostereoscopic 3D technology, allowing players to experience a sense of depth and immersion without requiring special glasses. This feature was made possible by using a parallax barrier, which directed the left and right eye views to create the illusion of depth. However, it was also possible to disable the 3D effect or adjust its intensity to suit individual preferences. The lower screen of the Nintendo 3DS was a touchscreen that offered intuitive input methods. Players could interact with games using their fingers or the included stylus. The touchscreen allowed for precise controls and opened up new possibilities for gameplay mechanics. It enabled developers to incorporate unique touch-based interactions, such as drawing paths, tapping objects, or navigating menus.

The New 3DS has a selection of exclusive games that are specifically designed to take advantage of its enhanced hardware capabilities, such as improved processing power and controls. These exclusive titles provide unique gaming experiences that cannot be replicated on other handheld devices. Additionally, the New 3DS is backward compatible with the extensive library of Nintendo DS games, further expanding the gaming options available.

With the Virtual Console enabled, the New 3DS XL is able to natively run any GB, GBC, GBA, NES, or SNES games you throw at it. The screen will be adjust to match the purist 4:3 style, but the color and contrast accuracy are at their best.

Thanks to the ZL/ZR buttons and homebrew system, the New Nintendo 3DS XL can nail even PS1 game library at a decent performance. So far, the handheld gaming system is able to emulate PS1 games quite well, but to be certain you should check out PS1 setting for New 3DS.

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At the moment, the cheapest handheld can run 3DS games with some lagging performance occasionally. If you can ignore the unique selling point of the New 3DS, you can try the Ayn Odin that costs around $340. However, as the New 3DS’s price goes up, the Ayn Odin could be a good-enough option to buy.

The gaming experience is super intuitive, which is especially important for a lazy man like me. You get ready with the OS system immediately after turning it on or waking it up, then you can play games on your cartridge. With homebrew system, you can also dump your game cartridges and play it directly on a SD card. It is super convenient and necessary, considering that Nintendo ended support for the 3DS and Wii U’s eShop as of March 27, 2023.

I made a complete handheld SD card guide for anyone who’s looking for the perfect SD card. Just my two cents.

For the controller, both the Circle Pad and the D-Pad are top-notch in my opinion. The Circle Pad is unlike any other retro handhelds, as it has a concave surface to support 3DS’s natural folding design. But it feels like it sticks to my thumb, and it provides a bit more grip and control over the stick movement. The concave shape can help prevent your thumb from slipping off the stick during intense gaming sessions. For that reason alone, it offers better precision and control, and it can conveniently replace the D-Pad in retro games.

The D-Pad is necessary for any retro lovers, and the 3DS has the tactile feedback, making it easier to feel the button presses and navigate through menus or control characters in games that utilize the D-pad. I feel that all 3DS buttons have little to no membrane, something that is better than any other handheld I’ve own.

The New 3DS XL can last as long as 5 hours playing most 3DS games, and you can replace battery kind of easy. It’s worth noting that battery life can also be influenced by factors such as the age of the battery, overall usage, and the condition of the console. If you find that the battery life of your New Nintendo 3DS is significantly shorter than expected, you may consider replacing the battery or contacting Nintendo support for further assistance. To maximize battery life, you can adjust the brightness settings, lower the volume, disable the wireless connectivity when not needed, and keep the console in sleep mode when not actively playing games.

So yes, everything points to the New 3DS XL as the best handheld gaming console.

Overall the best handheld gaming console – Nintendo Switch OLED

Nintendo Switch

Overall the best handheld gaming console

The Nintendo Switch is certainly in the spotlight, because this is the only handheld device to play the current wide Switch game library natively. Step into a world of epic adventure with the Nintendo Switch Legend of Zelda Edition. This limited edition console pays homage to one of gaming’s most beloved franchises, delivering a truly immersive experience for Zelda enthusiasts and Nintendo fans alike.

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Why you should get one Nintendo Switch OLED

Once upon a time, in a bustling city, there lived a man with a passionate gamer at heart, but his demanding job and busy lifestyle left him with little time to indulge in his favorite hobby. He would often find himself longing to dive into the virtual worlds, but the reality of his responsibilities always took precedence.

As days turned into weeks and weeks into months, even with a better PC system, he only turned it on for work. Other gaming console collected dust, neglected and forgotten. He yearned for the days when he could immerse himself in epic adventures, solve intricate puzzles, and experience the thrill of competition. However, time slipped away, and he couldn’t find a way to make gaming fit into his hectic routine.

One fateful day, as if destiny had taken notice of his unfulfilled desire, he stumbled upon the Nintendo Switch. He had heard about its versatility and how it seamlessly combined both home console and handheld gaming. Intrigued, he decided to give it a chance, hoping it might reignite his love for gaming.

Do you see yourself in this man? Perhaps that’s why the Nintendo Switch has been dubbed as the best handheld gaming console since its launching day. Its design is so creative that any other handhelds love to copy. The hybrid design of Nintendo Switch can be used both as a handheld console and as a traditional home console by connecting it to a TV via a docking station. This versatility allows players to seamlessly switch between playing on-the-go and enjoying games on a larger screen at home.

Nintendo Switch is targeting family-friendly gaming experiences, so the hybrid design can serve that purpose. But the design is good for the handheld experience alone, as the 7-inch OLED screen is still the best handheld can offer in 2024. Nintendo Switch OLED is also the lightest handheld one can enjoy.

The Nintendo Switch introduced new gameplay possibilities with its detachable Joy-Con controllers. These controllers can be used individually for multiplayer gaming or attached to the sides of the console for a traditional handheld experience. The console also incorporates motion controls and a touch screen, further expanding the ways players can interact with games.

As the current product line of Nintendo, the Nintendo Switch OLED is supported to run older games natively, such as you are getting more and more NES, SNES and GBA games with its online subscription. Remastered version of old games are great, and Nintendo Switch is the first time I experience playing The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Pikmin and Metroid Prime. Advance Wars and Mega Man Battle Network also nail it. More reasons to beg developers to continue these great titles.

The Nintendo Switch has a diverse and extensive game library that caters to various gaming preferences. The library includes a mix of first-party Nintendo titles, third-party games, indie games, and re-releases of classic titles. Here are some notable categories and examples of games found in the Nintendo Switch game library:

1. Iconic Nintendo Franchises:
   • Super Mario Odyssey
   • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
   • Splatoon 2
   • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
   • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
   • Animal Crossing: New Horizons
2. Third-Party AAA Games:
   • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
   • Minecraft
   • Overwatch
   • Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal
   • Resident Evil series (Resident Evil 4, 5, and 6)
3. Indie Games:
   • Stardew Valley
   • Celeste
   • Hollow Knight
   • Cuphead
   • Hades
4. RPGs and Adventure Games:
   • Xenoblade Chronicles 2
   • Octopath Traveler
   • Fire Emblem: Three Houses
   • Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age
   • Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield
5. Platformers:
   • Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
   • Yoshi’s Crafted World
   • New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
   • Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
   • Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition
6. Party and Multiplayer Games:
   • Mario Party series (Super Mario Party)
   • Just Dance series
   • Overcooked! series
   • Jackbox Party Pack games
   • Among Us
7. Retro and Classic Titles:
   • NES and SNES Virtual Console games (via Nintendo Switch Online)
   • Sega Genesis Classics
   • Capcom Arcade Stadium
   • Collection of Mana
   • Final Fantasy series (various re-releases)

These are just a few examples, and the Nintendo Switch game library continues to grow with new releases and updates. Nintendo regularly introduces new games and collaborations, ensuring there is a wide range of options to cater to different gaming preferences and audiences.

Well, many handheld PC systems are trying their best to emulate the Nintendo Switch’s handheld part (I really mean that these handhelds can only emulate the “handheld” part), but there is still lagging performance here and there. Moreover, some handhelds don’t gyroscope function, making playing first-party Nintendo games really difficult.

I also made a ranking list of the best handheld gaming PC in 2024, and most of them cost 2-3 times as much as the Nintendo Switch OLED. You still need to pay too much for the portability, and sometimes we had better wait a little bit more.

It is easy to enjoy the Nintendo Switch OLED, as it can last as long as 5 hours for most Nintendo Switch games. It supports sleep mode like the Nintendo 3DS, so you can put it to sleep whenever you want, and resume right at the moment you break without any problems. Such feature is only available in the Steam Deck intuitively, as the Windows sleep mode is kind of bad at the moment.

Gaming experience on the Nintendo Switch OLED is brilliant with its OLED screen, yes, but the ability to replace accessories is great, too. Don’t like the Joy-Con buttons? Just look at my suggestion of the best Joy-Con alternatives in 2023.

The best handheld for PS Vita games library – Sony PS Vita

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PS Vita

Still the best performer for PS Vita games library

This is the best handheld gaming console covering the whole PS1, PSP and PS Vita game library. With its sleek and ergonomic design, the PS Vita feels comfortable to hold during extended gaming sessions. The vibrant 5-inch OLED touchscreen display brings games to life with crisp visuals and rich colors, creating a captivating visual experience.

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Why you should get one PS Vita

I remember when I was a teenager, I really enjoy playing Naruto and Yugi-OH on a PSP 1000 model belonging to my best friend. The Sony PS Vita, however, didn’t impress me much, perhaps because I only played Jetpack Joyride on its backed in 2011. It was my friend’s fault obviously, as he didn’t buy good games to show me, LOL.

But more than 10 years from this day, and I still remember how beautiful the PS Vita’s OLED screen was. And there is nothing that give me such strong impression up until today.

The vibrant OLED screen of the PS Vita was one of its standout features and offered several benefits, including:

1. Visual Quality: The OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) technology used in the PS Vita’s screen provided deep, rich colors and excellent contrast. It offered vibrant and vivid visuals, enhancing the overall gaming experience and making games look more immersive and appealing.
2. High Resolution: The PS Vita’s OLED screen had a resolution of 960×544 pixels, which was quite impressive for a handheld device at the time of its release. The high pixel density resulted in sharp and detailed graphics, allowing players to enjoy games with greater clarity and precision.
3. Wide Viewing Angles: OLED screens typically have wider viewing angles compared to other display technologies. This meant that multiple people could comfortably view the screen without experiencing significant color distortion or loss of image quality. It was particularly beneficial for multiplayer gaming sessions or when sharing the screen with others.
4. Quick Response Time: OLED screens have fast response times, which reduces motion blur and ensures smoother visuals during fast-paced gameplay. This feature is especially crucial for action-packed games where quick reflexes and precise timing are essential.
5. Power Efficiency: OLED displays are known for their energy efficiency. They only consume power when pixels are illuminated, allowing for better battery life compared to other display technologies. This was particularly advantageous for a handheld device like the PS Vita, as it prolonged gaming sessions without requiring frequent recharging.

Overall, the vibrant OLED screen of the PS Vita contributed to a visually stunning gaming experience, bringing games to life with its exceptional color reproduction, sharpness, and responsiveness.

Sadly, Sony put an end to the production of the PS Vita due to its poor sales. The community seems to not care about this system, and you can’t find an emulator that is as good as the PS Vita itself. In the Nintendo 3DS’s case, it is mostly because of Nintendo’s exclusive dual-screen system, but the lack of great Vita games is what you should blame. Thankfully, the PS Vita has great build quality, and you should get an used one to enjoy some hidden Vita gems.

The sleep mode feature of PS Vita is dubbed as the best sleep mode of handhelds, as the console only consumes a small amount of power to maintain the suspended state and retain the game or application progress. This feature is convenient for quickly pausing gameplay and returning to it later without having to shut down the device completely. A PS Vita can stay in sleep mode for a month easily, which is very impressive.

Gaming experience on PS Vita is great. Actually, you can find the same design of PS Vita on modern handhelds like the GPD Win 4. The PS Vita had a rectangular shape with rounded corners, offering a modern and stylish appearance. It was designed to be portable and fit comfortably in the hands of users during gameplay. And Vita’s D-Pad, yes, the best D-Pad in the world (subjectively). It is very precise, responsive and well-suited for 2D platformers, puzzle games, retro titles, and menu navigation, where accurate directional control was essential.

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The best overall PC handheld system – Steam Deck

Steam Deck

Still the best overall PC handheld system

While there are several options available in the market, the Steam Deck stands out as the best PC handheld gaming consoles. To me, the Lazy Handheld Man, the sleep function of the Steam Deck only nail its position. Its performance is limited by its AMD Zen 2 CPU, but its GPU is similar to most current handheld gaming systems on the market.

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Why you should get one Steam Deck

Behold the Steam Deck, the mighty Switch killer, or so the thoughts of many Valve fans in the console war started two years ago. It is so viral that you can find lots of memes, and an article of knowyourmeme will give you quick summary.

As an owner of both handheld gaming consoles, I no doubt enjoy them both. The Steam Deck is truly for someone who want to do a whole lot of other things, and maybe have to do some extra work. However, for a lazy handheld man, the SteamOS is fine to learn. The Steam Deck’s PC architecture, powerful hardware, and access to a vast library of PC games cater to a wider range of gaming preferences and provide a more traditional gaming experience.

I make a comprehensive ranking list of all handheld PC devices, and the Steam Deck doesn’t have the best ranking. “Wait, so why do you recommend it here?”, you may asked. You should check the tiny column where I compare the price of a handheld PC console with the Nintendo Switch OLED model, and you will know why. The Steam Deck is currently the best price/performance PC handheld system, and with its unique features, I would like to stay with my Deck for a while.

You can guess from my blog that I’m really lazy, and I believe that many people are sharing the same reason as mine. We don’t have time to play consecutively, and you can’t ignore the sleep mode from Steam Deck. Sleep mode enables you to quickly resume your game exactly where you left off. Instead of shutting down the device completely, which requires a longer boot-up time and potentially losing unsaved progress, sleep mode allows you to pause your game and instantly wake the device to continue playing from the same point. It serves the handheld’s own purpose.

And don’t forget the touch pad available on the Steam Deck, which is a golden feature that is lacking in most of modern handhelds. If you’re familiar with it, you will not going back.

Though the gaming experience is really good, especially when you compare it to the Nintendo Switch, its design falls far below. The Steam Deck is so bulky that you should rely on a third-party case. It is heavy, so expect that you can’t hold it easily when lying on the bed.

If you want an all-in-one handheld system, the Steam Deck is your best bet. Perhaps I’m a Steam Deck sucker who will select it as one of the best retro handheld emulator, too.

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The best retro handheld gaming console – Retroid Pocket 2S

Retroid Pocket 2S

The best retro handheld gaming console

If you are looking for anything retro up to SEGA Saturn, PSP or Nintendo 64, the Retroid Pocket 2S can help you relive your favorite childhood games. The Retroid Pocket 2S has a retro-purist 4:3 screen, which is the golden ratio for any vintage video games.

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Why you should get one Retroid Pocket 2S

The retro gaming market is saturated, and you can find a lot of websites starting with “retro” these days. However, as the market is only about hardware and not software, you could expect to find the most suitable retro handheld gaming console for your needs right now. I can see that most handheld companies will shift to handheld PC gaming devices, which should be the trend.

I updated the Retroid Pocket 2S as the best retro handheld emulator, thanks to my better understanding to make a ranking list of retro handheld devices. It isn’t the most expensive device in the list, but it ticks all of the boxes for me.

First, the design and feel It is important to have a retro gaming device in compact form because that’s the great relic of the Game Boy era. Many people who grew up playing video games in the 80s and 90s have a strong sense of nostalgia for those classic games and consoles. They enjoy reliving their childhood memories and experiencing the games that had a significant impact on them. So I guess that any retro handheld should have 4:3 screens.

Second, the advancements in technology allow us to play retro games in better ways. You only need one device to play them all, and that’s so convenient. It can play every game up to PSP and SEGA Saturn, so let’s see how many titles you can try with this tiny device:

• Game Boy: 1046
• Game Boy Color: 917
• NES: 716
• SEGA Genesis: 880
• Game Boy Advance: 1538
• SNES: 1754
• PS1: 1900
• Nintendo DS: 3467
• Nintendo 64: 388
• Dreamcast: 616
• PSP: 1925
• SEGA Saturn: 1046