Which retro handheld is right for you? 2025 guide
Introduction
In search of the right retro handheld: what I’ve learnt after six months of testing
When I first started looking for a retro handheld, my aim was simple: a device that would let me play a game quickly, that would fit in my pocket, and that was compatible with both Game Boy and SNES games. But although it seemed like a simple search, I soon discovered there was a huge range on offer, and I found myself delving deep into the world of emulator-based handhelds. I’ve now tested more than 20 vdifferent devices and, after half a year of experimenting, I’ve gained a lot of valuable insights.
I know how overwhelming the choice can be, so I’d like to share my knowledge with you. If you don’t want to spend the same amount of time and effort figuring out the perfect handheld, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, I’ll share my experiences and give you tips on how to make the right choice, without having to wade through the maze of specs and opinions.
The choice of device orientation
TL;DR
Horizontal: Comfortable for longer sessions, ideal for games with lots of buttons.
Vertical: Nostalgic, compact, perfect for shorter sessions.
Clamshell: Protected and portable, but the hinge can sometimes be fragile.
The first step is perhaps to find the right orientation for your handheld. Personally, I began my search with a preference for vertical handhelds. Probably because, as a child, I always played on Game Boys, right up to the Game Boy -Colour. These are vertical handhelds, or ‘upright’ consoles.
I’ll tell you straight away that these aren’t necessarily the most ergonomic handhelds. Especially if you want to play games that make heavy use of the R and L buttons. For example, I tried playing Street Fighter on my Miyoo Mini Plus, but I found it completely unplayable.
Vertical handhelds
If you’re thinking of getting one of these retro handhelds, there are plenty of pros and cons. What could be cooler than an old-school Game Boy? Nothing, surely? This type of device is perfect for taking on the go, and if you play games on it that use a simple button layout, this setup is ideal. Platformers from, for example, the Sega, NES and SNES play brilliantly on it. Systems such as the NeoGeo are also very well suited to these devices, provided you have an analogue stick.
What’s more, you can easily pop them in your trouser pocket. This is where my MM+ has spent a large part of its life. I’m now on to my next portable device: the TrimUI Brick. It mainly lives in the inside pocket of my coat or in a compartment of my rucksack. It’s a slightly more premium device, so I feel I need to treat it with a bit more care.
But the Game Boy lookalikes certainly have their downsides too. As I said, for some games the buttons just don’t feel right. I also find that a vertical handheld with two sticks often looks a bit ‘odd’. The placement of the joysticks is sometimes just odd. And something I often read on forums is that they aren’t necessarily comfortable for people with larger hands.
Horizontal handhelds
I’d say these systems are very well suited to most types of games. Just like a good joystick for your PS5, these handhelds are (usually) perfectly designed to be held comfortably. A popular choice in my online shop is the TrimUI Smart Pro, but the Anbernic RG40XXH is also a firm favourite.
Games with advanced camera controls become much more accessible with these devices. Think of first-person shooters or third-person games. Many horizontal handhelds don’t even have a joystick, so you’re quickly limited.
So are these consoles perfect for gaming on the go? No. They’re often a lot bigger and not necessarily handy to carry around in your pocket. Although that does, of course, depend on which one you choose. The RG34XX, for example, fits perfectly, but it doesn’t have any joysticks.
Clamshell
And, of course, there’s also the third option: the clamshell. Although less popular than the other two, this form factor certainly has its advantages. The screen is naturally protected because it folds shut. This makes them ideal for carrying around — you can just pop it in your bag, no problem.
I find the design quite nostalgic. Devices like the Miyoo Mini Flip remind me of the consoles from the 2000s. Think of the Game Boy Advance SP or the Nintendo DS (those were iconic). They had a cool sci-fi vibe; that retro-futuristic aesthetic really appeals to me.
A major drawback is that they regularly suffer from hinge problems. However, manufacturers often find solutions to these issues after a few iterations. Take Anbernic, for example: the RG35XXSP was plagued by teething problems, hinge issues, batteries overheating and charging problems, but these issues have been completely resolved in the latest versions of the RG35XXSP. In the under-100-euro handheld segment, this is perhaps the best clamshell.
Portability: which size of handheld is right for you?
Once you’ve chosen a form factor, it’s a good idea to consider the size of the device. The size not only determines whether it fits easily in your pocket, but also how comfortable the gaming experience itself is. In my search (and after testing over 20 handhelds), I’ve come across a few categories. Let me give you a quick overview:
Compact (Super Pocket-sized)
These really are the tiny ones. Think of handhelds such as the Miyoo Mini Plus or the TrimUI Smart. These devices are so small that they fit easily into your trouser pocket, a bit like your mobile phone.
When I took my Miyoo Mini Plus on holiday, I sometimes even forgot it was in my coat pocket – that’s how compact it is. Ideal for a quick game of Mario in between other things. Despite its 3.5-inch screen, I’d still class the MM+ as ‘compact’; the screen-to-body ratio is impressive. Thanks to the ultra-thin bezels, the screen almost extends right to the edges.
Features:
- Extremely portable
- Ideal for short play sessions
- Less suitable for games that require a lot of buttons or joysticks
- Screen sizes up to 3.5 inches
If you mainly play whilst out and about and want to have your handheld with you at all times, this really is a top choice.
Medium-sized (Pocket-sized)
This includes handhelds such as the Anbernic RG35XX. They are slightly larger and slightly wider, but offer a noticeably better grip and more space for larger screens and more comfortable buttons.
I often use my Anbernic RG40XXV when I know I’ll be travelling for a long time (on the train, for example). The device just about fits in the inside pocket of my coat or a slightly looser trouser pocket, but feels just that bit ‘more substantial’ than the really tiny ones.
Features:
- Still reasonably wearable
- More comfortable for longer gaming sessions
- Screen sizes usually range from 3.5 to 4 inches
- Better suited to systems such as the SNES, GBA and PS1
If you want to game in comfort both on the go and at home, you’ve come to the right place.
Large (Not Pocket-sized)
Think of models such as the Anbernic RG405 M, Retroid Pocket 4 Pro or even the Nintendo Switch (Lite). These devices are really designed for serious gaming sessions. They’re not the sort of thing you just pop into your pocket.
That said, I do often take my Switch with me on the train or in the car.
Features:
- Not suitable for trouser or jacket pockets
- Offers larger screens and much better ergonomics
- Screen sizes of 4.5 inches and above, in most cases
Perfect for long gaming sessions and more modern emulation (PSP, Dreamcast)
My tip: Personally, I’d always start by thinking about how often you’re actually going to play games whilst out and about. If you mainly play at home or carry your handheld in a rucksack, you can safely opt for a larger handheld. Do you really want a device you can ‘always have with you’? Then you’re guaranteed to get the most enjoyment out of an ultra-compact model such as the Miyoo Mini Plus.
Operating systems: complicated? Not any more.
When I started testing retro handhelds, I thought the hardware was the most important factor. But I soon discovered that the software is just as crucial to your gaming experience. The operating system (OS) determines how smoothly your games run, how user-friendly your menus are and how much you can customise the settings. Below, I share my experiences with various OSs that I’ve tested on handhelds available at RetroGear.nl.
OnionOS – For the Miyoo Mini and Miyoo Mini Plus
TL;DR: sleep and resume functions… that’s it… Amazing!
When I discovered OnionOS, a whole new world opened up to me, and this was actually my gateway into the world of custom operating systems for this type of device. This software takes the user experience to a whole new level. Think fast loading times, automatic save states and an intuitive interface. And the best feature… press the on/off button, the device goes into sleep mode for a 5 m, and you can pick up exactly where you left off straight away. Or it creates a save state of your progress after five minutes, and weeks later when you switch it back on, you’ll be right where you left off in a matter of seconds.
Another thing I really appreciate is the ability to customise your system exactly as you like. From changing themes to setting up keyboard shortcuts, OnionOS makes it all possible. If you’ve got a Miyoo Mini or Mini Plus, this OS is a no-brainer.
MinUI – Minimalist and fast
TL;DR: Simple, sleek and fast.
Whilst testing the Anbernic RG35XX, I came across MinUI. This launcher has been designed with simplicity and speed in mind. No unnecessary frills, just a sleek interface that does what it’s supposed to do.
What I like about MinUI is the direct access to your games and the smooth navigation. It’s ideal if you prefer a clean and functional design without any distractions.
It’s also a great option for many customers because it’s so easy to use – you simply drop your ROMs and BIOS files into a folder and MinUi takes care of the rest.
NextUI MinUI gets a major upgrade
After using MinUI for a while on my TrimUI Brick, I was curious to see what else was possible. That’s when I discovered NextUI, a real upgrade on top of MinUI.
It combines the familiar speed of MinUI with a comprehensive user interface, improved theme options and additional features such as an advanced favourites list, a better battery display and support for multiple skins.
What I really liked was how easily you can switch between lists and consoles; it feels just that bit more modern, without becoming clunky or complicated. If you already like MinUI but are looking for that little bit extra in terms of ease of use and appearance, then NextUI comes highly recommended.
MuOS for the purists
TL;DR: It looks simple but can do a lot.
At the Anbernic RG35XX Plus, I decided to give MuOS a go. This firmware is based on RetroArch and is aimed at users looking for a clean and straightforward experience.
MuOS offers a minimalist, distraction-free interface, but hidden beneath its simple menus, MuOS does indeed have plenty of customisation options. From fantastic skins to sleep-resume and the option to use a different BIOS for different games.
What is the best choice?
Phew… that’s quite a lot of information, isn’t it? That’s what I thought too. If you’ve got a bit lost, here are a few of my personal recommendations.
Have you opted for a horizontal layout? If so, the TrimUi Smart Pro is a good option when used in conjunction with CrossMix-os.
Prefer a vertical handheld? Then go for a Miyoo Mini Plus with OnionOs, or for the more premium TrimUi Brick
Clapperdy Clamshell? The Rg35xxSP – definitely the best option until the Miyoo flip becomes a bit more robust.
Did you find this guide helpful? Please do share it on social media – that helps me enormously!! If you have any questions or comments, please let me know in the comments and I’ll reply as soon as possible; you can also send me an email at any time.
Thanks for reading!!!! And let’s make this community brilliant together! A shout-out to RetroReady.nl – if you’re looking for an honest review of just about every retro handheld you can find, be sure to check out his website.
And of course… If you’re looking for a new emulation handheld, or perhaps an original or modded console, do have a look at my online shop.
-xxx-
Jorne