The best retro handheld emulator in 2023

The best retro handheld emulator – Anbernic RG405M

Anbernic RG405M

The best retro handheld gaming console

It is powerful enough to play anything up to PSP, Dreamcast, Gameboy, NES, SNES, Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS. The Anbernic RG405M has a retro-purist 4:3 screen, which is the golden ratio for any vintage video games.

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Take a look at the Anbernic RG405M

Retro gaming has seen a resurgence in recent years, with enthusiasts seeking to relive the golden age of video games. Handheld emulation devices have become increasingly popular, offering a convenient way to carry a vast library of classic games in your pocket. Of all the retro handheld emulator that I’ve experienced, the Anbernic RG405M is the best one. It is still in my pocket today, as I spend time playing a lot of retro games with this device.

Now let’s talk about the design and quality of the Anbernic RG405M, as it is one factor of my ranking list. The Anbernic RG405M uses a metal shell (as you can guess from letter ‘M’ in its name), which gives it premium feel. It’s hard to talk about the durability, but from both my experience and others on Reddit, the RG405M will last for a long time.

But one thing you won’t find out from other reviews is that how would you feel when playing with the Anbernic RG405M. Okay, so the Anbernic RG405M has dimensions at 162mm x 74mm x 15.8mm. If you have a Nintendo Switch Lite to compare, the RG405M cuts about 30% size of the Switch Lite. It is a bliss to play with the Switch Lite, while the RG405M needs time to get used to.

I will be honest, playing the RG405M just after the Switch Lite is not that good. The size is too small, and it’s difficult to position my fingers. And I must admit, I only have an average to small size of hand, so if you jump from another handheld to this one, you need time to get used to. You can cup it in your hand to easily access the buttons, but I have quick fatigue after a while playing.

The analog sticks feel good (they resemble the Switch a lot, plus Hall sensor so no drift), the buttons feel good. I must say the experience is the best. However, the quality of the buttons are not that great. They get pretty scratched up, and I wrote a lazy article on how to fix scratched buttons on Anbernic RG405M.

Now, the shoulder buttons’ placement really come into preference. Again, I must remind you that what I think as the best handheld is the Nintendo New 3DS XL, so I am comfortable with L1/R1 placing side-by-side with L2/R2 buttons. And you only need L2/R2 buttons in PS1 games, so ask yourself if you have the wish-list for PS1 games or not.

But despite all of that, why I deem the Anbernic RG405M as the best retro handheld emulator, instead of the Retroid Pocket 3+ and Anbernic RG505 which shares the same CPU T618 (and the same power)? It is because of the retro-purist 4:3 screen, which is suitable for a lot of retro games that I like to play. 4:3 screen gives you less black bar, and for me that is a selling point. Playing it side-by-side with the RG505, and I enjoy the ratio more than the OLED screen. And the screen of the RG405M is really good for an IPS screen, like I think the Miyoo Mini Plus is far better than an old Game Boy Advance, but the Anbernic RG405M is, yes, a lot better than the Miyoo.

Back to the gaming experience, the Anbernic RG405M will use Android system, and it is really easy to use. For some people on Reddit, it is better to use Linux system, but for me, as I’m lazy, Android system is fine. Switching systems and games is simple, and I force myself out of comfort zone to write an extensive Anbernic tutorial for the Anbernic RG405M.

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

The Anbernic RG405M has no problem emulating anything including PSP, Dreamcast, Gameboy, NES, SNES, Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS. It can try some PS2 and Gamecube games, but you need to follow this guide to make sure the experience is acceptable. Overall, for a lazy handheld man, I suggest to try more powerful (and more expensive) hardware for these games. The Anbernic RG450M sits in a price range that fits the best retro handheld emulator, at around $179, and it should do the job of emulating the very old games.

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The baseline for retro handheld gaming – Anbernic RG35XX

Anbernic RG35XX

The baseline for retro handheld gaming

Want a small handheld on-the-go, the RG35XX is certainly the one you need. It is popular that I’m lazy to put it in the list. Has HDMI output for bigger screen, and you can enjoy playing with your friends.

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Take a look at the Anbernic RG35XX

The Anbernic RG35XX isn’t the first portable retro handheld with that vertical shape. In fact, it is how Anbernic replied to the very popular retro handheld in community – the first Miyoo Mini. The Anbernic RG35XX sought to recreate the hype with bigger form and more powerful chip, though it doesn’t matter as it can emulate the same systems as its competitor.

However, I dare to call it the baseline of retro handheld emulator. If you want a cheap beater boy, the Anbernic RG35XX is certainly the best bet. You will get constant support from both Anbernic company and its big community for software updates.

But hey, customer service is a bit varied so guess that I should focus on why it should be in this list. Let’s talk about its design and portability. As a mini retro handheld device, the Anbernic RG35XX features a small size of 81mm x 117mm x 20mm. It is slightly taller than the Miyoo Mini Plus, but narrower. It is very portable at only 175 g, so you can pocket it easily.

If I don’t have time to experience the Miyoo Mini Plus, I will say the RG35XX is the best mini retro handheld I would like to have. It has the acceptable size to play, in comparison to the original Miyoo Mini which is too small for my taste, and bigger screen is always better. However, I must warn you that the vertical shape of these handhelds will certainly make your hands fatigue after a while. In that case, the Miyoo Mini Plus is a better device than the RG35XX.

Buttons’ placement shamelessly copies the Miyoo, but, and it’s a big ‘but’, the D-Pad buttons don’t feel as good as the Miyoo. Nonetheless, the accuracy of RG35XX’s D-Pad is generally okay. Playing Castlevania Aria of Sorrow in this device has been a decent experience, and this game is a good test for D-Pad buttons.

The Anbernic RG35XX supposes to have better specs than the Miyoo Mini Plus, however, it works the same job as its competitor. It works fine with anything up to PS1, and it is a great device for playing Game Boy Advance games only. Its 4:3 screen is nearly the same as the original Game Boy, and its experience reminds me back to when I tested some games with the very old Virtual Boy Advance. So to say, you get good save states, forwarding function as well as navigating between games.

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My favorite vertical retro handheld gaming console – Miyoo Mini Plus

Miyoo Mini Plus

My favorite vertical retro handheld gaming console

The Miyoo Mini+ is clearly the most demanded product, simply because it is always out of stock. Personally, it is more comfortable to play for a longer session than the RG35XX, and its screen is lovely. The only handheld that I want to play when I have 5-10 minutes.

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Take a look at the Miyoo Mini Plus

While the Miyoo Mini Plus costs 1.12 times the price of the RG35XX, I personally uses this handheld as the best vertical retro handheld for Game Boy Advance games. It is what I will use when I want to revisit anything in the Game Boy era, as well as a few PS1 games.

The Miyoo Mini Plus is the successor of the popular Miyoo Mini that started the “want” to have a retro handheld for nostalgic Game Boy feeling. It is a bigger version of the original Mini, and to my standards, it has better ergonomics. Its size is somehow smaller than the RG35XX at 78.5mm x 108mm x 22.3mm, but a bit thicker in the battery compartment.

So, talk about the design and feel, the Miyoo Mini Plus is my favorite. The screen is so great that I can’t help but sell the RG35XX immediately after, and there is something in the Miyoo’s design that speaks to me and many others. It’s not like the RG35XX has bad design, but the very existence of the Miyoo Mini Plus makes me notice that the RG35XX’s buttons are a tad too far, also the bigger bezel isn’t sexy. As a result, the gaming experience is all out better on the Miyoo Mini Plus.

The Miyoo Mini Plus has better D-Pad buttons, but just a little bit better, than the RG35XX. Its gaming experience is generally the same, and I assure that if we focus on playing games, we won’t care much about the minor things. This claim is necessary to help someone who reads this article and needs to “verify” their purchase. Please, don’t.

What we should consider to get the Miyoo Mini Plus is the personal feel when compare to the RG35XX. For the extra features, the Miyoo Mini Plus has better battery time, as well as better weight for portability. In the end, this is the handheld that is on-the-go with me most of time.

The Miyoo Mini Plus will give you good experience for anything up to PS1, but it is a device mostly for Game Boy Advance experiences. The retro handheld has the same resolution as its predecessor, but because of a larger screen, it feels a bit less detailed somehow. However, larger screen is commonly better for gaming, and once you get used to the bigger screen, you can’t go back to the original Mini.

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The best Linux retro handheld emulator – Anbernic RG353M

Anbernic RG353M

The best Linux retro handheld emulator

For anyone who hesitates to switch to Android emulator system, the Anbernic RG353M still features the classic Linux OS. It is really up to your preference, so if you are as lazy as me, Android system is better in this device.

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Take a look at the Anbernic RG353M

If you are looking for a retro handheld that is capable of playing up to Dreamcast, Nintendo 64 or PSP with decent price, the Anbernic RG353M is your best bet. It is a bit more expensive than its brothers, but it actually gives out the best feel when playing in my honest opinion.

Right at its name, Anbernic emphasizes that the handheld is made of metal (aluminum). Not that the metal version have better durability than the plastic version, it gives a better “premium” feel than its 353P counterpart. Obviously, the RG353M weighs a bit more, but you get better grip at its slightly “smaller” size at 145mm x 70.5mm x 15.9mm. The Anbernic RG353M is pocketable for sure, and I carry it on-the-go more often than I’ve thought.

Horizontal form factor is always better for extended play sessions, especially when my first personal experience is both the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo Switch. And the retro-purist 4:3 screen ratio can sell the device to me. The Anbernic RG353M features hall-sensor sticks which the 353P doesn’t have, so if you are looking for a device to “actually” play games like me, it is a plus.

Overall, the Anbernic RG353M opens a new door to better retro handheld experience, because its design is suitable for longer gaming sessions, its RK3566 chip and touch screen are the baseline to run Android system, as well as you can always go back to Linux if you hate Android (come on, I know many people don’t like Android system on a retro handheld device). Even for me, who should advertise the feature to fit a broader group of readers, called this handheld “the best Linux retro handheld device”.

With its specs, the Anbernic RG353M is expected to run Dreamcast, Nintendo 64 or PSP games. It can even touch the domain of GameCube games, but I don’t think it’s worth the hassle to play. After all, I’m a lazy handheld man, and I only test shortly for the sake of writing this blog. I always encourage others to focus on playing games, not tinkering with your device (sorry if my blog isn’t suitable for your taste).

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The challenger to the best retro handheld device – Retroid Pocket 3+

Retroid Pocket 3+

Strong challenger for the best retro handheld emulator

The Retroid Pocket 3+ is the main competitor of the Anbernic RG405M that I deem as the best retro handheld emulator. It has 16:9 screen which isn’t my preference for retro games, but its ratio is really good for PSP games. Has better OS updates, so if you value this criteria, go for the Retroid.

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Take a look at the Retroid Pocket 3+

The Retroid Pocket 3 Plus is the challenger to the Anbernic RG405M only in my list. In fact, the Retroid Pocket 3 Plus has been released for a while now, and it should be the direct competitor with the Anbernic RG505. The retro handheld device makes use of the T618 chip, which tells us its compatibility with any games up to Dreamcast, PSP and even SEGA Saturn.

It copies the design of the Nintendo Switch Lite, which is actually a good sign of “good design”. Why? It is wiser to imitate something that is familiar to most users, than to make something new like the Retroid Pocket Flip. I must say that I really enjoy playing with the Retroid Pocket 3 Plus, just like how I often reach my Switch Lite for playing Nier Automata, instead of the original model. But I don’t really like the side position of its volume buttons. Why don’t make the exact same design as the Switch Lite?

The Retroid Pocket 3 Plus is my expected device to play PSP games, and because this is the main system I need for the Retroid Pocket 3 Plus, I must say it is better than the RG405M thanks to its 16:9 screen. Also, while the 4:3 screen is what retro-purists pursuit, the 16:9 screen is more versatile for multiple retro systems. That’s short for saying the Retroid Pocket 3 Plus will be suitable for everyone, unlike the RG405M.

As a person who really likes PSP games since the day I bought the 3000 series to dump PSP games, I still pick the PlayStation Portable over the Retroid Pocket 3 Plus. Though I admit the color in the Retroid Pocket 3 Plus is more vibrant, the second stick is really necessary in some games, the PlayStation Portable just fits my “lazy” personality better. No need for tinkering with the system, but the PlayStation Portable will run smoothly for any PSP games, while I experience lagging here and there in the Retroid Pocket 3 Plus for not changing settings. Still, I admit it is a far, far more better experience than the original Retroid Pocket 3. It is sufficient to say that the PSP experience is nearly identical to the original.

But thanks to the Retroid Pocket 3 Plus, I know that you could get better screen in nearly the same size as the PlayStation Portable. Still, as my PSP device is the 3000 model, the PSP has more portable design than the Retroid Pocket 3 Plus. You can try to put the Retroid Pocket 3 Plus in your jean’s pocket, but I don’t think it is comfortable doing so.

You get the convenient save states for using the Retroid Pocket 3 Plus, and I know for many people, this fact alone is worth the purchase. The mini HDMI output which is lacking in the RG405M is available in the Retroid Pocket 3 Plus, though I don’t really use this feature, it’s not hurt to mention.

One more thing to sell you the Retroid Pocket 3 Plus is the D-Pad buttons, which resemble the PlayStation Vita. I know it depends on preference, but PS Vita D-Pad are my-best-ever-buttons for action games. Sometimes, I must put away my laziness to reach the Retroid Pocket 3 Plus for some PSP games because of this D-Pad buttons.

The Retroid Pocket 3 Plus is considered as the “remastered” PSP device, with second joystick, better D-Pad buttons and great shoulder buttons. It can perform other system as good as the RG405M, thanks to the same T618 chip. However, its 16:9 screen isn’t up to my taste for playing Nintendo 64 games, so if you’re looking for older-gen games, the RG405M is still the better retro handheld device.

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The best budget Windows handheld game console – Anbernic Win600

Anbernic Win600

The best budget Windows handheld game console

If you don’t mind some hassles using Windows, you will get a powerful handheld device for any retro emulating tasks.

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Take a look at the Anbernic Win600

Since its release, the Anbernic Win600 has been considered as the most overpriced handheld, especially when compared to the Steam Deck. However, after months of testing the Win600, I think it would be the best budget retro handheld using Windows system, especially at $100 lower than the Steam Deck.

First, the cheaper Anbernic Win600 is a small device. Well, any handheld is portable when put in a comparison with the Steam Deck, you may argue, but the Win600 is certainly one of the most portable Windows handhelds you can buy, and it won’t break your bank like the GPD Win 2 or AyaNeo Air. At 236mm x 103mm x 22mm and 493 g, the Anbernic Win600 is thicker but a bit smaller than the Switch Lite. It has good grip for longer gaming sessions, and it doesn’t weigh down your hands as much as the Steam Deck.

However, there is a few things that I don’t like in the design of the Anbernic Win600, and you should notice before buying. The Anbernic Win600 has a different joystick position than most common handhelds you can find in the market. It resembles the layout of the PS Vita, but for me, it doesn’t feel as comfortable as the Vita. Perhaps the weight of the Win600 truly affect my gaming experience, and that’s from a game-aholic using Steam Deck like me.

It has power for retro emulation, but it shares the same Xbox button layout like any other Windows handheld, which could be difficult for pure retro handheld gamers. The Anbernic Win600 is not really up to my taste, as it needs a lot of set-ups to get it work the way I want. I recommend you to check my review of Anbernic Win600 for more details. It is quite annoying to get it work, but hey, it has the juice to emulate so many games up to GameCube and 3DS systems. Plus, it can even run like a PC, and you should read my setup for running Anbernic Win600.

Sadly, the Anbernic Win600 can’t nail all GameCube, PS2 and 3DS Games like we could expect. Just like the Ayn Odin, it is the baseline retro handheld if you want to play GameCube or PS2 games, but it still underperforms for some power-taxing games. The extra bucks you pay for the Win600 over the Odin are only worth it if you need Windows system, but beware that you can’t be a lazy person.

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The most powerful Android retro handheld emulator – Ayn Odin

Ayn Odin

The most powerful Android retro handheld emulator

The Ayn Odin (pro version) is the most powerful retro handheld emulator using Android system, period. However, its asking price can be too much for some people.

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Take a look at the Ayn Odin

The Ayn Odin is the very first handheld from Ayn Technologies, designed to work flawlessly with most retro games at the moment. This handheld targets directly at retro gamers segment, unlike the Win600, thanks to its Android OS build.

If you would like a more powerful handheld device for your retro games, the Ayn Odin will be a more proper product for your taste than the Win600. It uses a Snapdragon 845, which is similar to the flagship phones in 2018. Well, for most retro gaming tasks, the Ayn Odin is your bread and butter, but don’t expect too much from the device as an Android gaming phone.

My first impression for the Ayn Odin isn’t that great, as it feels not up to its price tag. Yeah, you can argue that the Nintendo Switch Lite isn’t great, either, but remember that the Switch Lite has its own game library that you can’t easily emulate with devices at the same price. Just my two cents.

However, digging into the device and I find it has great feel for a retro handheld. The Ayn Odin has a very similar size and shape as the Switch Lite at 224mm x 95.2mm x 23.7mm, but it weighs about 100 grams more at 368 g. It isn’t the weight and size that I call “pocketable”, but my grip and play experience is overall good.

If you don’t like the layout buttons of the Win600, the Ayn Odin is certainly the handheld device you would like to buy at this price point. Actually, I must say that this is the most powerful Android retro handheld emulator, although something like a LG V60 with a Gamesir X2 is still more powerful, but it doesn’t look and feel as good as the Ayn Odin.

The Ayn Odin is actually better than the Win600, albeit cheaper, as it can emulate very well GameCube system. If you primarily play GameCube and PSP games, the Ayn Odin is a must-buy handheld device. It isn’t intended to emulate PS2 games, but it does a pretty good job for some games. Still, if you’re looking to play PS2 games, I recommend you to look further into my list.

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Official Nintendo handheld for anything up to 3DS – Nintendo 2DS

Nintendo 2DS

Official Nintendo handheld for anything up to 3DS

The Nintendo 2DS is the best retro handheld if you want to capture true colors of a Game Boy Advance. It is powerful enough to emulate NES and SNES system. Moreover, the Nintendo 2DS can deliver the true experience of a dual-screen system while playing NDS or 3DS games.

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Take a look at the Nintendo 2DS

For many people, me included, the “original” handheld experience is usually the best. That’s why even when I consider the Retroid Pocket 3 Plus as a remastered Playstation Portable, I still prefer either my PSP 3000 model or PS Vita 1000 model as my daily PSP handheld. The same goes for 3DS system, especially when the dual-screen is a very unique experience that you can’t emulate “right” with anything at the moment.

The reason I pick the Nintendo 2DS over the New 3DS XL is because it’s my preferred way to play Game Boy Advance games, which I have lots of good memories with the original handheld system. It moves the ABXY buttons and C-Pad above near the screen, making the original 2DS is the only handheld that “officially” matches the Game Boy Advance, in the whole 3DS family.

I also feel like the screen of the 2DS at 400 x 240 pixels gives sharper 2D images than the 3DS system (where screen is actually 800 x 240 pixels for 3D effect). The screen’s aspect ratio is 5:3 (1.6), so it resembles the Game Boy Advance’s 3:2 ratio (1.5) much better than the common 4:3 screens (1.3). There is a sacrifice when playing Nintendo DS games, because you will experience two black bars from both sides, but the dual-screen experience is perfect. The 2DS also plays DS games a bit better than its 3DS counterparts, thanks to the slightly sharper images I said earlier.

There is only one downside to the 2DS, as its form isn’t pocketable like the original 3DS. The Nintendo 2DS has dimensions at 144mm x 127mm x 20.3mm, so both important dimensions nearly double the common size to be pocketable. However, the 2DS is lightweight at only 260 g, making it one of the most comfortable handheld systems that I want to play when lying on my couch.

Thanks to the homebrew, a Nintendo 2DS is capable of playing many systems, but I will stick with games from Nintendo handheld generations. If you focus on playing Nintendo 3DS games, or if you want a 3DS device that’s capable of running PS1 games, you should get the New 3DS systems. Otherwise, the Nintendo 2DS stays to be the most suitable retro handheld for me, for playing original Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS games.

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Perhaps the only way to enjoy PS Vita games – Sony PlayStation Vita

PlayStation Vita

Perhaps the only way to enjoy PS Vita games

This is the best retro 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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Take a look at the PlayStation Vita

Just like the Nintendo 2DS that I praised above, the Sony PlayStation Vita is also a great retro handheld emulator, although the handheld is 12 years old. The Sony PlayStation Vita can even go head-to-head with the best PC handheld at the moment, thanks to its great build quality and beautiful OLED screen.

It is my number one selection when it comes to PSP and PS Vita games. The PS Vita 1000 model has better screen than the original PlayStation Portables, as well as features better D-Pad and second analogue stick to help in many games. Between the PlayStation Vita and Retroid Pocket 3 Plus, I usually choose the PS Vita to enjoy the natural Sony classics.

Even to this day, the PlayStation Vita is the only handheld that never give me any hand fatigue after long gaming sessions. Its grip is perfect for my average-to-small hands, and the D-Pad buttons are, tsk, nice. This is the D-Pad I’ve ever used in handheld, certainly.

The PS Vita’s games library is quite poor, but it features many valuable gems that you can’t ignore. Also, because there is currently no proper emulator for Vita system, the PS Vita seems to be the only way to enjoy Vita games. Come on, Sony, release your next-gen handheld.

Additionally, the PS Vita has good specs enough to emulate older systems. It isn’t a great experience like other above retro handheld devices, but it’s not really bad if you follow my PS Vita tutorial. After all, the end goal is enjoying the games, not the devices.

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Powerful enough to emulate Wii U and Switch – Steam Deck

Steam Deck

Powerful enough to emulate Wii U and Switch

While the Steam Deck isn’t really an option to emulate retro games only, it is optimized to fulfill that task brilliantly. However, it isn’t something you want to put in your jean’s pocket.

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Take a look at the Steam Deck

“Finally, yet another blog praising the Steam Deck as the best retro handheld, I’m going to unsubscribe.” Wait, wait, wait. Let me explain for a few paragraphs.

Running through my list up until now, I guess you still not satisfied with the performance of above retro handheld gaming consoles, right? You want a retro handheld emulator that can do PS2, Wii U and even Nintendo Switch some justice. Then, the most budget, and to me, the best one you can get is the Steam Deck, hands down.

The Steam Deck features its own Linux-based Steam OS that have great sleep mode. It isn’t perfect, but by far the best sleep mode you can ask for. For me, it’s quite impossible to play games for a long time, a sleep mode feature is necessary, especially when talking about retro games.

And that’s that, nothing to add because the Steam Deck is your ultimate retro handheld emulator. Anything you can consider “retro”, the Steam Deck is here to emulate.

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