The Best Retro Handhelds for Emulating PS2 in 2026

From budget choices to high-end PS2 emulation

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 for playing PS2 on the go.

Just a few years ago, achieving 100% speed on games like God of War or Shadow of the Colossus on a portable device seemed unthinkable. Today, retro gamers have countless choices. Whether you want a pocketable budget device or a premium widescreen handheld, here are the absolute best handhelds for PS2 emulation right now. If you instead want a guide to the most powerful retro handhelds, look here instead.

Anbernic RG476H

$159.99 $169.99 View Deal →

The budget choice for PS2 emulation

If you just want to play PS2 games without spending a fortune, the Anbernic RG476H gets the job done reliably for around $160. It runs on the Unisoc T820 chip with 8GB of RAM. While you shouldn't expect to upscale demanding games to crazy resolutions, it handles the vast majority of the PS2 library comfortably at native or 2x resolution.

The main draw here is the 4.7-inch display. Because it has a 4:3 aspect ratio, matching the TVs the PS2 was designed for, you won't have to deal with black bars or stretched images. It’s a straightforward, pocketable device with Hall-effect sticks to prevent drift, making it a very practical entry point for PS2 emulation.

The takeaway: A solid, affordable 4:3 handheld that plays most PS2 games well at native resolution.

Processor: Unisoc T820

Screen: 4.7-inch LTPS (1280x960, 4:3 ratio, 120Hz)

OS: Android 13

Retroid Pocket 6

$244.00 View Deal →

The widescreen choice for PS2 emulation

For those who prefer using widescreen hacks to make older games look a bit more modern, the Retroid Pocket 6 is worth a look. It's similar to the older Pocket 5 design but comes with a significant bump in processing power thanks to the Snapdragon 8 gen 2.

That extra headroom is exactly what you need for PS2 emulation. It allows you to comfortably upscale heavier titles to 1080p, which takes full advantage of the device's 5.5-inch AMOLED screen. The colors pop, and the active cooling keeps the handheld from running too hot during longer play sessions. If you want your PS2 games in 16:9, this is a very capable machine.

The takeaway: Plenty of power for 1080p upscaling on a sharp widescreen display.

Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

Screen: 5.5-inch AMOLED (1920x1080, 16:9 ratio, 120Hz)

OS: Android 13

AYN Thor

$259.00 View Deal →

The dual screen choice for PS2

Dual screens are usually reserved for DS emulation, but the AYN Thor makes a surprisingly good case for them with the PS2. The Thor is a clamshell device running on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which means it easily brute-forces the PS2 catalog at maximum upscaled resolutions without breaking a sweat.

Where it gets interesting is the hardware layout. You have a 6-inch 1080p screen on top and a smaller touchscreen on the bottom. For PS2 gaming, this means you can multitask, watching videos or keeping guides handy while playing. Or you could use third party tools to offload HUD elements onto the second screen. It keeps your main game screen entirely clean, and the massive 6000mAh battery means it lasts a while, even with both screens running.

The takeaway: A powerful clamshell that lets you offload emulator menus to a second screen.

Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (Base/Pro/Max)

Screen: 6-inch 1080p AMOLED (Top) / 3.92-inch AMOLED (Bottom)

OS: Android 13

Anbernic RG477M

$264.99 $279.99 View Deal →

The premium choice for PS2

If you have the budget and prefer a premium build over a plastic shell, the Anbernic RG477M is the high-end option. The "M" stands for metal, and the CNC-machined aluminum chassis gives it a heavier, more durable feel.

Under the hood, it’s powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8300. This is an incredibly capable chip that handles the hardest-to-run PS2 games without issue. It uses the same 4.7-inch 4:3 aspect ratio as the budget 476H, but bumps the refresh rate to 120Hz. The extra processing power also means you can run aggressive CRT filters to mimic the look of an old TV without causing input lag. It’s definitely a luxury device, but it delivers on performance.

The takeaway: A heavy, metal-shell premium handheld with enough power to run heavy CRT shaders.

Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 8300

Screen: 4.7-inch LTPS In-Cell (1280x960, 4:3 ratio, 120Hz)

OS: Android 14

Retroid Pocket Nova

$239.00 View Deal →

The all-around top choice for PS2

If one device was handcrafted for PS2 it's this one. It features the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip of the AYN Thor and Retroid Pocket 6, but its biggest strength is its screen.

With this handheld PS2 games not only run smooth, they also look amazing. Like the PS2's native aspect ratio the Retroid Pocket nova has a 4:3 screen, meaning no PS2 game will ever have to be played with black bars. But what makes this one different from any other handheld 4:3 screen is that it's OLED. It's what the community has dubbed the mortgage screen as Retroid's CEO famously took out a second mortgage to pay for R&D.

The takeaway: The best all-around pick for a PS2 emulation device

Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

Screen: 4.5 inch AMOLED, (1280x960, 4:3 ratio, 120Hz)

OS: Android 13

Summary

Wrapping things up, picking the right PS2 handheld in 2026 really comes down to your personal preferences and how much you're willing to spend (and to spend less, check out our deal tracker).

If you just want that nostalgic 4:3 aspect ratio and a device you can throw in your bag without worrying too much, the RG476H is an easy recommendation. On the flip side, if you prefer modernizing older games in 16:9 widescreen, the Retroid Pocket G2 has the raw power to handle the upscaling. The AYN Thor offers a genuinely unique two-screen approach for managing emulator settings on the fly, while the RG477M is there for anyone who wants top-tier performance wrapped in a premium, heavy-duty metal shell. And the Retroid Pocket Nova broke onto the scene with its one of a kind custom OLED 4:3 screen, perfect for pixel purist PS2 aficionados.

Whichever route you go, the days of struggling to get a stable framerate on Shadow of the Colossus or Need for Speed on a portable device are officially behind us. PS2 emulation on the go is finally in a really good place.