The Best Retro Handhelds for Emulating PS2 in 2026

A variety of retro handhelds suitable for emulating ps2

From budget choices to PS2 powerhouses The PlayStation 2 remains the best-selling console of all time. Naturally, playing its massive library on the go has long been the “end game” for retro handheld enthusiasts. It’s not long ago since emulating PS2 on a portable device seemed unthinkable. Now however retro gamers are given countless choices … Read more

Best Retro Handhelds for DS – Every dual screen handheld listed

Various dual screen retro handhelds suitable for emulating DS.

Six devices, six very different purposes. From a $51 arcade slab to a $760 experiment, here’s who each one is actually for. The dual-screen handheld market went from nonexistent to crowded last year. What started as a niche gimmick has turned into a genuine product category, with manufacturers targeting everything from DS purists to people … Read more

The Anbernic RG DS: Is it worth it?

The Anbernic RG DS on a blurred nostalgic 8-bit background

Did reviewers judge it too harshly and does it deserve reconsideration in 2026? When the Anbernic RG DS launched in late 2025, it arrived to a storm of criticism. Review units shipped with a screen desynchronization bug that made gameplay feel broken, early firmware was rough around the edges, and the device’s modest Rockchip RK3568 … Read more

The Definitive Tier List of the most powerful Retro Handhelds

Images showing the performance tiers of HandheldRank

From NES to PC and Switch emulation find the device that suits your needs With so many retro handhelds available it’s hard to keep track of which device actually suits your needs. A key factor in that is performance, and most importantly having enough of it to play the games you’re looking to play. Many … Read more

Must have Apps for AYN Thor and other Dual Screen android handhelds

Promotional background of AYN Thor showcasing its dual screen features

Do you want to get the most out of your AYN Thor or AYANEO Pocket DS? – Check out this handy guide! Dual-screen handhelds officially moved past the ‘gimmick’ phase in 2025. What started as a niche for DS emulation has evolved into a versatile hardware category. Beyond just clamshell folding screens, the community has … Read more

Is the Retroid Pocket 5 still worth it in 2026?

Retroid Pocket 5 with a bit question mark

How does the former value king stack up over one year later? In the world of ARM-based handhelds, a year is a lifetime. When the Retroid Pocket 5 (RP5) launched in late 2024, it was hailed as the “perfect” mid-range device. It brought a gorgeous 5.5” AMOLED display to a price point that made the competition look … Read more

The Best Retro Handhelds for 2026

Our picks: Best Retro Handhelds You can Buy in 2026 Best Overall Retro Handheld: Runner Ups for best overall retro handheld: Retroid Pocket G2, Konkr Pocket Fit, AYN Odin 3 Best Budget Friendly Retro Handheld: Runner up for best budget friendly retro handheld: TrimUI Smart Pro S Best Performance Retro Handheld: Runner Ups for best … Read more