Since the release of the Switch, Nintendo has effectively dominated the market for handheld gaming devices. But now that businesses like Anbernic and PowKiddy are taking action, the competition is fierce. Due to increased competition in the market, it is increasingly challenging to single out the top 5 handheld retro gaming consoles.

Among a variety of possibilities, a select few products are always at the forefront. We’ve compiled a list of the top handheld retro game consoles after conducting extensive research and analysis of the most excellent handhelds currently accessible.

What Characterizes Outstanding Retro Handheld Gaming Consoles?

The idea behind these consoles is rather straightforward. They enable you to carry a sizable collection of games around with you. It’s the same idea if you ever owned a Gameboy, Nintendo DS, or any handheld device when you were younger, which is highly likely.

So what attributes does a decent retro handheld have? The screen should be tiny enough to be readable, yet also have a high resolution. In addition, the performance, clear design, and aesthetics of the buttons are also significant factors.

An excellent vintage handheld should have these characteristics. Of course, the narrative goes much deeper than that, but this simple summary should get you up to speed.

Top 5 Handheld Retro Game Console

1. DS Lite from Nintendo

First things first: The DS Lite, not the DSi, is the superior DS. The major benefit that the DS Lite offers over the other systems on our list will be lost if you choose the Nintendo DSi instead.

Cartridges for the Game Boy Advance can be played on the Nintendo DS Lite. Yes, you could still purchase a Game Boy Advance, but right now they are more expensive than the DS Lite because there aren’t as many of them available.

In contrast, the Nintendo DS Lite still comes with a tonne of replacement buttons, screens, and styluses. The World Ends with You (2007), Animal Crossing: Wild World (2005), and The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass are all playable through this (2007).

2. Game Boy Advance

In 2001, the Game Boy Advance was released, revolutionizing the market with its simple control layout, amazing game collection, and stunning hardware architecture. The Game Boy Advance, which succeeded the hugely popular Game Boy, offered equally accessible gaming experiences on a more compact scale, with brilliant 32-bit graphics and some unforgettable applications.

The Game Boy Advance enjoyed enormous appeal, as is typical for a Nintendo device, thanks to top-grossing first-party series like Super Mario, Pokemon, and Kirby. Backward compatibility with previous Game Boy games ensured a large game library. At the same time, later hardware generations like the Game Boy Advance SP and Game Boy Advance Micro maintained the system feeling contemporary. The Game Boy Advance, which had a 7-year career and over 40 million units sold, was a suitable successor to its outsized predecessor.

3. Evercare

The Evercare is another device in a long line of portable emulators, but it has a somewhat distinctive twist. Even if the Evercade emulates older games, you do not need to find game ROMs in the less trustworthy parts of the Internet. Instead, Evercade makes use of cartridges that contain a variety of games. The individual cartridges are available for purchase.

The publishers of these vintage games and Evercade have cooperated. Evercare receives game licensing from companies like Data East, Namco, and Interplay, who then package the games into collections on cartridges for the Evercade portable. Evercare has collaborated with independent game developers like Mega Cat to release fresh portable titles with a nostalgic theme.

There are often six to twenty games on each cartridge, which cost on average $20. The cartridges are a collector’s paradise besides staying out of the murky legal waters of getting ROMs. Each cartridge has a hardshell cover similar to those from vintage Sega Genesis games. Each case has distinctive artwork and a manual in full colour. The Evercare has HDMI out, so you can play your games on your HDTV.

4. RG351V Ambernic

The RG351MP uses the same internal parts, but a completely different casing and control arrangement. This console has a display above the controls because it has a vertical design factor. very similar to the first GameBoy.

And it can simulate every GameBoy game, including those for the GBA and ordinary GB. Running intensive games like GoldenEye while running Nintendo 64 emulator is difficult. Although the RG351V has a fairly forceful speaker, you will typically cover it with your palm while gaming.

5. GPD XD Plus

The GPD XD + is neither the top-ranked nor the cheapest console on this list. It is unquestionably the most fascinating one here. In terms of design, it resembles the Nintendo 3DS XL‌. The portable is enjoyable to use, has a big screen, and is comfy. However, those aren’t the primary justifications for its inclusion on this list. Even though it is fairly pricey, the right person might find it worthwhile.

Similar to the DS, the GPD XD Plus has a clamshell style. The screen is turned off and the battery is conserved by closing the hinge. We always adore seeing this feature. The analogue sticks feel fantastic and are at the top of the list. The face buttons and D-pad are also excellent additions. In contrast to other handhelds we’ve seen, the layout feels cosier.

The bright 5-inch touchscreen on this console is a fantastic feature. It is incredibly colourful and has a lot of punch. An Android 7.0 version powers the GPD XD. Despite being an older build, it has many customization options. It can be used for several things, including Android apps, Xbox Cloud gaming, and Steam-link. A game like Stardew Valley is ideal for a console like this.

The XD Plus excels in terms of hardware. The 6000mAh battery on this device readily lasts all day. Thanks to the hexacore processor, 4 gigs of RAM, and a sizable 32 gigs of storage, performance is also very good. The only issue is that the gadget isn’t particularly user-friendly.