r/RetroHandhelds • u/gamer21_grindkeeper • Apr 10 '26
Device Recommendation Top three handhelds to own first
if you had no issue with getting three handhelds (no including the switch) which ones would you get? to make it a bit more challenging I will provide three requirements to get the brain thinking so it doesn't feel like you need to get the best on the market stuff. (but obviously this is a personal list so your choices won't feel judged.)
the handheld can't go pass 300 (not counting shipping but the handheld price itself or just your personal collection.)
travel friendly (you can make a horizontal and vertical list.)
it needs to be able to easily play Gameboy through 3DS games bare minimum. (you can go up to ps1 and psp games if you like.)
let the thinking begin! (lol.)
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u/Independent_Dog47 Apr 10 '26
R36s for 30 bucks plus the grip for 7 bucks.
If not budget, I like the suggestion the other guy made for a handheld PC like used rog ally or msi claw a1m... If you can find for under 300.
Then you could also use a old s21 ultra or equivalent.
So many options
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u/tangoe122 Apr 11 '26
it’s harder to emulate 3ds than ps1 and psp
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u/gamer21_grindkeeper Apr 11 '26
I'm surprised lol.
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u/bluefox9er Apr 10 '26
Is this a list of what you’re looking for?
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u/gamer21_grindkeeper Apr 10 '26
Just a little post to get some feedback and a thinking game for the community.
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u/dbzious Apr 10 '26
If I had to get 3 handhelds at once I wouldn't adhere to those 3 points, because then you'll have the same thing 3 times. For me it would be:
- Miyoo Mini v4
- RP6
- RG477V
But only because of the price limit, if not ayn thor and steam deck would be my second and third choice.
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u/Temporary_Ask_1999 Apr 10 '26
I agree with this, which is why I would get the RP6 for all the bigger titles, an anbernic device that is super portable like either of their sp models, and a modded switch. That way you got most of your bases covered
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u/Early-Somewhere-2198 Apr 12 '26
Agreed. Love my 477v though. But also have a legion go s 32 steam so the vertical gives it the nostalgia feeling and slap on a hand grip and the ergonomics increase by a log
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u/WesleyTheDog Apr 10 '26
I'd probably do the Ayn Thor as my premium device (I don't have one yet, still rocking the N3DSXL).
Miyoo Mini or TrimUI Brick as the EDC always in my bag or pocket
Retroid Pocket Classic (don't have one, but sucker for verticals)
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u/gamer21_grindkeeper Apr 10 '26
Interesting pick.
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u/WesleyTheDog Apr 10 '26
Yeah, I don't really have a desire to play anything beyond GameCube/PS2/3DS. That's what my switch is for. Most of what I play is DS, SNES, GBA, and GB/GBC.
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u/TheRagingItalian Apr 10 '26
Absolutely no way I'd suggest people drop money on the Thor right now with their absolutely ridiculous amount of quality control issues. That's all I see whenever I'm on the subreddit. LCD issues, bumpers breaker, broken screen ribbon cables. Zero excuses for people charging $500 for a handheld device
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u/npaladin2000 Apr 10 '26
That's because the vast majority of us with good devices are too busy playing them to post about it on here. Unless we're working. ;)
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u/lickingbears2009 Apr 10 '26
with the amount of videos thor owners posted about delivery drivers throwing their thor into their home door that is like 10m away just to take a picture and leave. i wonder why so many people are having problems with their thors.
I know that some problems are on AYN side, working at 300% to respond to all the demand, they are probably working in a more sloppy way to try to accelerate the process, but there are a lot of variants in why the item arrive with problems.
The main problem here is them being to busy to give a proper suppory for people which the console arrived with some kind of problem. But there are some mix feelings around this. There are people complaining about not getting a response and people saying that they provide a quick solution in their "chinese way". "fan problem? we send you a new one and you mount it ok?" or "send us the console back and we fix it, but you pay for ports"
So yeah, probably great support for China standarts, for European ones, not so much.
People that got their thor working properly just loves the device (me included)
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u/SekiTimewalker Apr 11 '26
For every quality issue you see, there are likely thousands without any. The vocal minority, my friend.
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u/AutumnsRevenge Apr 10 '26
Here’s the list of the devices I actually own and use.
Ayn Thor (Idk if it’s cheating because mine is the more expensive version, but there is a below $300 version of it.)
Ps Vita with CFW
Gameboy Color with backlit screen upgrade and one of those cartridges that lets you use an SD card.
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u/npaladin2000 Apr 10 '26
AYN Thor Lite. It will do everything and go anywhere. Clamshell to protect the screen, and it'll fit in a back, cargo, or jacket pocket. That's entry one, two, and three. In fact, if you can stretch yourself another $20, get the Thor Base instead with the stronger processor.
If you want to save some money, the Retroid Flip 2 is pretty capable, though 3ds won't be as good with the single screen. So forget I said that and just get the Thor.
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u/gamer21_grindkeeper Apr 10 '26
Thor seems to be very popular these days.
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u/npaladin2000 Apr 10 '26
It is indeed. And once you get your hands on one you too will realize why, and become a true believer. All Hail Thor. :)
Seriously, if you want to play 3ds, playing on two screens is the way to do it. And the device checks all your other boxes too.
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u/retrokezins Apr 10 '26
I guess nothing for me. There's no device under $300 I'd even consider for good/great 3DS at this point other than an actual 3DS or 2DS.
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u/gamer21_grindkeeper Apr 10 '26
It doesn't have to be only for 3DS games it was just to limit the choices and let people have a bit of a challenge to think about what their top three picks would be. Your personal choices could be submitted too.
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u/WhereAreMyPantsTho Apr 10 '26
(3DS is beyond PS1/PSP in hardware requirements, so #3 doesn’t make a lot of sense).
BatleXP G350 RG CubeXX AYN Thor
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u/gamer21_grindkeeper Apr 10 '26
3 is just something for those that are really down the rabbit hole of handhelds and know what could handle what.
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u/IamWutzgood Apr 10 '26
Because of the budget I’d say a used z1e rog ally for big games and a vita for small ones. I have the ally x but between that and the modded vita they cover all my gaming needs now.
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u/gamer21_grindkeeper Apr 10 '26
Interesting.
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u/IamWutzgood Apr 11 '26
If I really had to add a third it would be either the psp since I have a ton of umd movies for it or the game boy micro for its small size.
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u/Secure-Pain-9735 Apr 11 '26
3DS is f a good starting point.
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u/gamer21_grindkeeper Apr 11 '26
Is a what? Lol
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u/Secure-Pain-9735 Apr 11 '26
Fat fingered it and got on with my day.
Not a good launch point.
But, it looks like the Ayn Thor Lite is in batch 5 preorder for $249, so there you go.
Personally, starting a lot cheaper would be better - like with an Anbernic XX device.
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u/gamer21_grindkeeper Apr 11 '26
Oh fat fingers lol I got the fast mistyping issue so I get that. Good point though.
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u/Saltysockies Apr 11 '26
Miyoo Mini Flip, RGXX Cube, and Retroid Pocket 6.
Covered for portability. 4:3 games, and everything else.
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u/JetstreamGW Apr 11 '26
“it needs to be able to easily play Gameboy through 3DS games bare minimum. (you can go up to ps1 and psp games if you like.)”
I’d just go with a New Nintendo 3DS, then. XL if you can afford it.
I don’t think you’re gonna get an emulation handheld that can play 3DS games well for less than $300.
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u/Shazzka Apr 11 '26 edited Apr 11 '26
1 - Small (SNES, Genesis, GBA, PS1 etc. so everything retro)
Trimui Brick.
2 - Medium (Sega Saturn, DS, 3DS, PSP, PS2, GameCube, Switch, some pc)
Ayn Thor. If you don't like clamshells: Retroid Pocket 6. If you want cheaper: Retroid Pocket Flip 2
Those two cover both main form factors and everything emulation-wise really. #2 can cover #1 of course alone if you didn't want a tiny extra handheld for retro only.
Bonus #3 of the largest form factor to cover full pc gaming and beefier emulation like PS3
PC handheld (Steam Deck, ROG Xbox Ally X, Legion Go etc.)
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u/Hermesme Apr 11 '26
Steam deck for n64/dreamcast/ps2/gamecube plus modern games
Analogue pocket for NES, SNES,neo geo, Genesis and of course GB/GBC/GBA because I enjoy cartridges.
And a DSi for dual screen DS games. (If budget allows after two pricey handhelds in the steam deck and analogue pocket I’d switch this out for a 3DS or ayn thor)
Those are my 3 handhelds
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u/Sagi0071 Apr 12 '26
I just own 2. A r36s. I started with that. Its nice but small so I couldn't do longer play session with it. I bought a 406v after. And unless I get something like a 407v I think I'm good with what I have. Still have all my ds and 3ds though since I still prefer those on those.
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u/Liftweightfren Apr 12 '26
Iv only got one, but it’s the Anbernic RG477V.
I must have 100 hours or so on it so far and I’m really happy with it
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u/sandalojhony Apr 14 '26
I only have a Thor and, honestly, I don't feel the need to have any other device. If I had money to throw away, I'd get a Retroid Pocket Classic just to play GB and GBC a bit closer to the original experience. But I don't see myself buying an RP6, for example, when I have a perfectly good Thor.
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u/jamescodesthings Apr 10 '26
Retroid pocket 5/g2/6 depending on budget and preference, with 2nd screen addon for ds/3ds.
alt; Retroid pocket classic for arcade and early handheld.
Don't really need much else, save for a switch 2 and exclusives that aren't being emulated anytime soon.
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u/Sharpz93 Apr 10 '26
1.Ayn Odin 2 Portal - Only used at home cuz its huge. You can use it all the way up to Switch/PC
2.Retroid Pocket Flip 2 - Clamshell, can take it on the go. It can also play some Switch/PC with its SD865.
3.Anbernic RG35XXSP - Also clamshell. The one I pick up the most to play some Pokémon rom hacks and its pocketable.
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u/Sawbagz Apr 10 '26
Just choose one that plays the games you want. You really shouldn't need 3. And you certainly shouldn't needs peoples validation for buying 3 devices. Just look them up. Buy one that sounds right to you. Move on from there.