Chinese Handhelds Are Poppin Off

Chinese handhelds are friggin' cool. For $30-60 you can get a device that runs up to PS1 (not DC/N64/Saturn) and aren't a cheap piece of crap. I’m not even sure why I’m writing this because there’s already a ton of guides out there, and this blog post will be outdated in a year since these manufacturers crank out new consoles seemingly every six weeks. But I really enjoy following the scene. 

Something that can be counterintuitive for newcomers is that how hard or easy a system is to emulate doesn’t always match up with how powerful we think it is. We like to group the PS1, Saturn, and N64 together, assuming they’re all roughly equal because they came out around the same time. But it’s more complicated than that: the PS1 runs fine on just about anything, while the N64 needs more juice, and Saturn? That’s a whole other level of headache.

So, I’ve sorted various consoles and handhelds into four broad tiers to help you navigate what’s worth your time and money. Also check out Retro Game Corps - YouTube for exceptional reviews and info. Anbernic devices you can get from Aliexpress and Retroid and Ayn (yes, that's not a typo) devices you can get direct from their websites.

Tier 1: PS1 and Below  

Price: $30-60

Devices to Consider: Miyoo Mini Plus with Onion OS (easy to use and great for kids/newbies), Anbernic RG40XX H (for all-around use), or the TrimUI Smart Pro (also all-rounder, but with better PSP focus). Most anything here is good and there are a lot of options for various use cases.

RG40XX V comparison to other vertical handhelds

There are compact options:  

- Miyoo A30: Super portable, like a Gameboy Micro.  

- Anbernic RG35XX SP: Like a Gameboy SP but with a modern twist.

A micro handheld like the Miyoo A30 or RG28XX compared to a 4 inch screen handheld

A 3.5 inch handheld can be a lot more pocketable than 4"

The RG35XX SP having a clamshell design is pocketable, protects the screen, and is extremely nostalgic

If you're intent on 16:9 screen for cheap, the TrimUI Smart Pro is an unbeatable value proposition.

These devices are solid for thing up to PS1, but if you’re aiming for something more like Dreamcast, DS, N64, PSP, or Saturn, you’ll find yourself struggling. A good example is PSP, which runs in 16:9, while most Tier 1 devices have a 4:3 screen. Sure, some PSP games will run fine, but it’s going to look squished, stretched, or awkward. And DS games? You’ll need to switch between screens, so forget anything fast-paced or heavily reliant on touch controls.

Most of these run Linux-based firmware, so setup is relatively straightforward. Flash the firmware to an SD card, drop in your ROMs, and you’re good to go.

Tier 2: PSP and Below  

Price: $90-125

Systems You Can Expect to Run: Everything from Tier 1, plus Dreamcast, DS, N64, PSP.

Systems that Might Run: Saturn, GameCube, PS2, Wii, 3DS, Vita, Switch.

Devices to Consider: Retroid Pocket 2S, Anbernic RG405M, Anbernic RG Cube.

Retroid Pocket 2S is my choice here because of its high-quality build and analog sticks. Also has a touch screen.

Be wary of the Anbernic devices - the analog sticks have "cardinal snapping," which makes 3D games feel a bit clunky and to me isn't worth putting this much money into a handheld that is supposed to play 3D games. But for $90, the Pocket 2S offers fantastic value, especially if you want to play N64 and Gamecube (PAL version roms). 

Most devices in this tier run Android, which means more setup work. You’ll need to install and configure your own emulators, unlike the more plug-and-play Linux-based devices in Tier 1. Also, performance on PS2 and GameCube will vary widely—expect to tinker a lot, and don’t be surprised if your favorite game just doesn’t run well.

If you’re hoping to emulate PS2 or GameCube, ask yourself if you’re okay with some games being unplayable. If not, consider jumping to the next tier.

Tier 3: 3DS and Below  

Price: $180-330

Systems You Can Expect to Run: Everything from Tiers 1 and 2, plus GameCube, PS2, Saturn, Wii, 3DS.

Systems that Might Run: Vita, Switch.

Devices to Consider: Retroid Pocket Mini, Retroid Pocket 5, Anbernic RG556, Ayn Odin 2, Odin 2 Mini.

The new Retroid Pocket Mini and Pocket 5 are looking to be insane value at $180-220. These are probably the best bang for your buck before stepping into the Steam Deck territory. The Retroid Pocket 5 is especially appealing if you’ve got good Wi-Fi and want to stream your Steam, Xbox, or PlayStation games over your local network. Up until this point, having an OLED screen around $200 hasn't been an option and when they release in the next few months their value proposition is insane. 

Retroid Pocket 5

Retroid Pocket Mini

Performance varies a lot in this tier. Switch and Vita emulation? Still pretty rough. Don’t expect to sell your Switch and rely on a handheld emulator anytime soon. But the Any Odin 2 or Mini can be a great value if you don't want a Steam Deck but want extra emulating power. 

Tier 4: Steam Deck and Beyond  

Price: $350-$1000+

Systems You Can Expect to Run: Everything from Tiers 1-3, plus Wii U.

Systems that Might Run: PS3, Xbox 360, OG Xbox, Switch, Vita.

Devices to Consider: Steam Deck OLED, Steam Deck LCD, ROG Ally.

If you can, just get a Steam Deck OLED. The screen upgrade is worth it. The LCD version the cheapest option that can handle most systems, especially ones that Android devices can’t emulate like Wii U. For the price, it’s a steal. Yes, it’s big, and battery life can be an issue depending on what you’re doing, but you won’t find a better overall experience in this tier. If you’ve got a PC game library, being able to run your Steam games on a handheld is just plain awesome.

That’s the lay of the land for now. Things are always evolving in the world of emulation, so by next year, who knows? Maybe we'll be talking about budget handhelds that can emulate the PS5. Ha.