If someone told you there’s a small handheld gadget, not much bigger than a deck of cards, that plays Turtles in Time, Streets of Rage, Crash Bandicoot, and Mario Kart 64, that’s real, and it costs less than you’d think. These are called retro handhelds. This guide is for anyone who’s heard about them secondhand … Read more
Around $70 is one of the most compelling price points in retro handheld gaming right now. While most handhelds below $50 are confined to simple sub-PS1 vertical or horizontal plastic slabs, the $50 to $70 tier unlocks genuine hardware diversity. In this price bracket, you gain access to durable clamshell shells with magnetic sleep sensors, … Read more
Pre-Order & Hardware Update (September 2026): Official pre-orders are now open for both the Retroid Pocket Duo and Retroid Pocket Duo Lite. Retroid has confirmed a massive 6,000mAh battery for both models, alongside finalized pricing, launch discount codes, and delivery schedules. The Duo Lite begins shipping on September 17, followed by the standard Duo in … Read more
When choosing a budget vertical handheld under $100, the Miyoo Mini+ vs. TrimUI Brick is the definitive matchup. While both deliver rock-solid performance across 8-bit, 16-bit, and PlayStation 1 libraries, they take very different approaches to the retro gaming experience. Until recently, the Miyoo Mini+ was the uncontested starter handheld and pocket EDC of choice. … Read more
Understanding the TrimUI Brick Series The Brick series is TrimUI’s line of vertical handhelds. The first iteration of the device, simply called the TrimUI Brick, was well received by fans back in late 2024 as a budget friendly yet premium feeling device. Since then TrimUI has released three more models in the Brick series: The … Read more
You’ve just discovered the magic of modern retro handhelds, but when you actually go to buy one, you quickly realize something: this is a lot more confusing than buying a typical game console. You won’t find these devices on local store shelves or at your usual big-box electronics retailers. These brands aren’t like Nintendo or … Read more
If you know where to look, the sub-$50 category is currently offering unprecedented value. You no longer need to spend a premium to get a device that’s actually enjoyable to play on. These days $50 can get you a comfortable, capable device for playing anything from the NES up through the PS1 and in many … Read more
The high-end Android handheld market in 2026 has reached a point of refinement that seemed impossible just a few years ago. We are no longer talking about whether a device can handle PS2 or GameCube; we are now debating which machine offers the best PC and Switch experience. Two devices at the center of this … Read more
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 … Read more
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