Some games age like fine wine, which is why retro gaming is so popular. In fact, if you want to play games that are 10, 20, or even 30 years old, there are plenty of options on PC and console. If you want to play them on the go, however, those options significantly narrow.
Fortunately, there are several devices that let you play your favorite Game Boy, NES, PlayStation, and even GameCube games on the go (if you can get them legitimately, of course; we won't tell you to do otherwise). Read on for the best retro handhelds we've tested, followed by some important things to know about retro gaming.
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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Buying Guide: The Best Retro Handhelds for 2026
Are Retro Handhelds Good for Emulation?
It's practically impossible to talk about classic gaming without talking about emulation, and that's the case here. All of the handhelds on this list are "legitimate" in that they have commercial software ecosystems with official sources for games, or, in the case of the Analogue Pocket, support physical cartridges. Most are still technically emulation-based, using ROMs and emulators that mimic those games' native systems to run on modern hardware (though some classic games are completely ported). However, there's no legal gray area like in do-it-yourself emulation.
There are many open, emulation-based devices available online, though the handhelds' quality and ease of use vary widely, even from the same manufacturer. You're usually on your own to find retro games to play, as you legally should be, though some unscrupulous handhelds come preloaded with large, mostly disorganized ROM collections that are definitely not authorized or licensed by the games' rights holders. You'll find dozens of different Linux- and Android-based gaming handhelds, most of which originate in China, on sites like AliExpress.
Retro Handhelds vs. Portable Gaming PCs
Then there's the curious category of what are effectively PCs in handheld game system bodies. The Asus ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go 2, and OLED Steam Deck are all fully functional PCs with specs comparable to midrange laptops featuring relatively strong integrated graphics. You can use Steam to download classic games on any of them. Likewise, SteamOS and Windows 11 on devices like the Asus ROG Ally X and Legion Go 2 offer opportunities to dive into emulation.
If you prefer to play classic games on your PC (or want to know what software to install on your PC-like handheld), check out our guide to the best emulators. And if you want to play old-school games on your TV, read up on the best retro gaming consoles.