The AAA games industry is still bleak.  The two phrases of the moment seem to be “record breaking profits” and “layoffs.”  There are industry analysts and observers that can provide a more detailed history or more specific data, but for my part I’m just sick of developers getting screwed while the executive class continues to rake in fat checks.  As such, I am continuing my search for a retro (emulation) handheld that will meet my needs.  As a reminder, the criteria that I am using to judge these handhelds can be seen below. 

Each section will be given an individual score, and then each handheld will be given a score out of 100.  The physical user experience is given an especially weighty score because it is the most difficult for the end user to change.  This stands in contrast to software, which can be updated fairly easily by a user with know-how, and the unboxing experience, which has never left much of an impression on me.

• The Unboxing Experience ( / 20)
  • What documentation is included with the device?
  • Are there any included accessories or pack-ins?
  • Does the device seem well-packaged?
    • Is there anything about the unboxing experience that stands out?  
• The User Experience: Physical (/ 40)
  • How is the device’s build quality?
    • Does it rattle or creak in use?
  • How does the device feel in the hand?
  • How is the sound?
    • If the device has speakers, where are they located?
    • Does the device have a headphone jack?
  • Does the device have any outstanding features?
  • Is the device aesthetically pleasing?
• The User Experience: Digital (/ 20)
  • What ROMs, if any, are included with the device?
  • How well do the included ROMs run?
  • Is the included software easy to use? 
• The Intangibles ( / 20)
  • Does the device offer good value?
  • Does the device stand out in the market?
  • Is the device a “hot commodity?” 

Anbernic RG35XXSP

Unboxing – 12/20  

The unit I purchased included a USB-C to A cable, an unbranded 64 GB microSD card, and a quick start guide.  It also included a screen protector, but it was not pre-applied.  Ultimately, while I wasn’t blown away by the unboxing experience, the device had more to offer than the G350 (discussed in the previous round-up), so I’m giving it a higher score.

User Experience: Physical – 34/40

There’s a lot to like about the RG35XXSP.  Its standout physical feature is definitely its hinged design, both because it offers protection for the screen and because it’s a nostalgic call-back to the Nintendo Gameboy Advance SP.  It also has the most comfortable horizontal trigger bank of any of the devices I’ve tried so far.  The buttons are all clicky (rather than mushy), and this is generally my preference while playing.  The device also features a headphone jack and an upward firing speaker (just like the GBA SP), both of which are nice to see.  It also includes two microSD card slots, Bluetooth, and a micro-HDMI out, allowing for additional storage and “consolizing” the device by connecting it to a TV or monitor with a wireless controller.

If I had any complaints, it’d be that the microSD card is hard to remove without a tool, even with a fingernail slit.  (Granted, this is hardly a gripe unique to this device, unfortunately.)  Also, like any hinged device, it’s unclear how long the mechanism will last.  In other words, the hinge is also a potential point of failure that a “slab” device doesn’t have.  While I like the clicky buttons, I get how it could be an annoyance for the people around you (e.g. a sleeping partner or fellow public transit passengers).  It has yet to actually be a problem for me in either case, but perhaps more testing will reveal otherwise.      

User Experience: Digital – 10/20

Something I’ve come to appreciate about budget Linux-based retro handhelds is that they (generally) “just work.”  The RG35XXSP is no exception in this regard, and it came with a wide variety of games to play from the jump.  The pre-populated systems included: arcade games (CP1-3, FBNeo, MAME), PlayStation games (PS1, PSP), Sega games from Master System to Dreamcast and Game Gear, WonderSwan, and PC Engine.  Unlike many of its compatriots, it also included both SNES and GBA games, which makes sense given the nostalgia that the device is clearly drawing from.  The device even included homebrew games and old PC ports like Wolfenstein.  I certainly wouldn’t call it a complete library by any means, but there are plenty of games to enjoy on the console. 

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, however.  If budget Linux-based handhelds have the benefit of generally “just working,” they also have the drawback of having weird limitations and quirks that the end-user may not appreciate.  For me, this includes the fact that the games available on the device are divided into “Game Rooms” and “RA Games,” for no reason I can discern.  This also includes the fact that, depending on the emulator the manufacturer / reseller chose, you may have very limited options to change the way a game displays on the device.  I was particularly frustrated by the one-two punch of some systems not displaying well on the device’s screen and being unable to adjust the game’s scaling for a better fit (even if it would mean black bars).  I know that this could be solved by switching to a different operating system, but that’s not something I’m willing to do for a device I may yet return.  Also, though I’ve said this before: there’s also no guarantee that a second device will have the same games.  

Intangibles –  18/20

Just like the TrimUI Brick, it’s hard to ignore how much positive coverage this device has received.  The fact that I was able to purchase it for $75, making it the second cheapest device on the list (second only to the G350), is also worth considering!  When you add in the nostalgia for the GBA SP, the hinge / self-protecting screen, and the fact that it includes GBA games on the device, the RG35XXSP represents a value that is hard to ignore.  

Final Score and Conclusion – 74/100

This device has scored the highest of any I’ve reviewed so far, and I doubt that will change any time soon (at least in the budget handheld segment).  There’s a lot to like, from the self-protecting screen to the clicky buttons.  What’s more, the stuff that’s less positive – like the wonky OS – can be solved with a bit of tinkering and patience.  Failing that, my unit came with more than enough games out of the box to keep me entertained.  Ultimately, while I can’t give this device the title of budget king – that moniker still goes to the G350 – I’m more than happy to give it my highest marks yet. 

Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini

Unboxing –  12/20

I wouldn’t call the unboxing experience of this device barebones; after all, it did include a USB-C cable, a QR code linking to the manual and quick start guide, and a pre-installed screen protector.  It certainly didn’t impress me, however, and I can’t give it a score much higher than the other devices I’ve considered.  The device also did not include a microSD card, but I’ll be talking about that more in the “User Experience: Digital” section.

User Experience: Physical – 32/40

Subjectively, the Air Mini feels the most “premium” in my hand of all the devices I’ve tested thus far.  Objectively, it’s also the most expensive, coming in at almost double the price of all the other devices ($170 vs $100 or less)!  As such, if it didn’t feel more premium, I’d have to give the device a rock-bottom score.  Beyond that, while the device generally feels well-assembled with few rattles or creaks (minus the volume rocker), I found the face buttons a bit mushy for my liking.  I was also disappointed by the downward firing speakers, but the presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack makes up for it somewhat.  Beyond that, the device does have a microSD card slot covered by a rubber flap; like almost all of the devices I’ve tested so far, I found the flap and insertion mechanism a pain to use.  Luckily, it’s not something you’ll have to deal with often.

User Experience: Digital – 10*/20

As my first Android-based retro emulation device, it immediately became clear to me that Android is a whole different ball game than Linux.  If Linux is the “it just works” OS, Android is the king of customization.  Unfortunately, this also means a lot of work is required of the end-user, as the device comes with no games and almost no software (save for some gaming-specific applications like “Ayaspace,” which is provided by the manufacturer).  Some, I’m sure, will prefer this approach.  They will be free to tinker to their hearts content, from picking their favorite emulators to tweaking settings so every game looks its best on the device.  

For those looking for a “pick up and play” experience, however, this is NOT for you.  Guides do exist, of course; I found the ones from RetroGameCorps and TechDweeb particularly useful.  As with anything, it’ll also get easier the more you do it.  If you just want to play games, however, and you’re not looking to make retro emulation tinkering one of your hobbies (as opposed to retro game playing), again, I would caution against picking an Android device.  To be honest, I still have some niggles even after following the guides, which isn’t great.  In the end, I have to caveat my score for this section.  If you’re a tech enthusiast with a large collection of ROMs and you’re willing to tinker, Android is a 15/20.  If you’re not either of those things, it’s hard to give it above a 5.  As such, I’ll be splitting the difference at 10.

Intangibles – 14/20

I sought this device out because it was listed as a “great value” at around $100.  That’s a perfectly fair assessment!  At that price, the Air Mini would absolutely smoke the competition, especially for those who are more tech savvy and are comfortable tinkering (see: “User Experience: Digital”).  I bought this device from Amazon for a lot more than $100, though, so I can’t help but feel disappointed.  Why should I stick with this device when something like the Anbernic RG476V (the “retro-handheld-ass retro handheld”) exists for $30 more?  I know there are better deals to be found on places like AliExpress and the manufacturer’s website, but without the protection of Amazon’s return policy, I was not willing to use either.  

With that being said, I am not going to crater this device’s score in this section for two reasons.  First, the device can be found for better prices around the internet for those willing to look.  If this device really speaks to you, I think it’s worth seeking out.  I certainly won’t complain about the various colorways it has on offer!  Also, Android as an operating system is so powerful and customizable (with the potential to play Steam games via apps like Game Native) that it’s hard to ignore.  This device might only be able to play lightweight games, but the fact that it can play Steam games at all is something to celebrate. 

Final Score and Conclusion – 68/100

At a glance, this looks like the lowest score I’ve given thus far.  The score doesn’t provide the full picture, though.  For folks who enjoy tinkering (and who already have a library of ROMs), this device could be an excellent gateway into the world of Android-based gaming!  In fact, changing its “User Experience: Digital” score to 15 (for the tech-savvy) would make it the second-highest rated handheld I’ve tested, behind only the RG35XXSP.  In the end, it’s a matter of setting expectations.  If you can get this device at the right price and if you go in clear-eyed about what an Android-based retro gaming handheld asks of its user, this could be a great little device.  If you just want something to pick up and play, though, I would point you elsewhere.

Is Comparison the Thief of Joy?  (Yes.)

At this point, I’ve tried a handful of different devices.  I would hardly consider myself an expert, given how many more there are on the market, however.  While I don’t have the breadth of experience of someone like RetroGameCorps, I am reminded of something I’ve learned over years of experience with my other hobbies: there is no perfect pen, keyboard, or, in this case, retro handheld.   Even in a hypothetical situation where we could pick and choose the best parts of every handheld, there’s still manufacturing variance to consider.  Even if we take a hypothetical step further and say that we have a perfect factory that spits out perfect copies of every machine they build, there’s still the fact that different devices meet different needs. 

For example, a large and powerful gaming handheld (like the ones being released by Asus and Lenovo) might be able to play virtually every game under the sun.  They’re also big, meaning that they may not fit into your lifestyle (be it commuting, travelling, or generally being out and about).  They’re also expensive, meaning that they may not fit into your budget and/or you may not want to take your multi-thousand dollar machine out of the house!  A smaller gaming handheld may be cheaper, but it may not be able to play the games you are most interested in playing.  The screen may not be big enough for your eyes or the device might be too small for your hands.  In short, even if a device does “everything right,” for its segment, it may still be a bad fit for your needs.  

With all of that in mind, I’ve come up with a framework to help me (and, hopefully, you) decide which retro gaming device is the best fit for you and your needs.  It’s not really focused on specs, though that will be at least a part of the discussion.  It can also be broken up into a handful of different categories: budget, games, use case, and tech-savvy. 

Budget

What you are willing to spend on a handheld will dictate a lot of the other categories, so I’m going to discuss it first.  Here’s the obvious: the more you spend, the more gaming “horsepower” you have access to (generally).  You’re not going to find a handheld gaming PC for under $500 any more (thanks AI) unless you’re really lucky or you’re able and willing to repair a broken unit.  That doesn’t mean you can’t still have a lot of fun, of course; just look at the BatleXP G350!  You will land on a device that’s a better fit for you if you have a clear picture of how much you’re willing to spend from the jump, though.

Games

The next question you need to ask yourself is, “what games do I actually want to play?”  If you’re only interested in “early” retro games (ie PS1 era and before), you really don’t need much processing power at all.  The more systems you want to play, however, the more power you’ll need under the hood.  With that being said, power isn’t the be-all end-all.  Why?  Some systems do not emulate well on certain operating systems.  At time of writing (Q2, 2026), my mind goes immediately to 3DS emulation on Android.  It doesn’t matter how powerful your system is; the emulation experience of 3DS on Android is still too new to provide a polished, seamless experience.  That will likely change in time, but I never recommend buying a system based on promised future features.

Beyond that, if you want to play PC games (either natively or via an app like Game Native), yeah, more power means you can play more games.  Even here, though, there is room for nuance.  If you’re going to be playing AAA titles, sure, go for all the power you can afford.  If you’re mostly going to focus on lightweight or indie titles, you probably don’t need a monster handheld.  For me, while I like having the option to play more graphically intense games, I almost always find myself playing them on my PC because my monitor is bigger than any handheld screen.  In the end, with tech being priced the way it is nowadays, paying hundreds (or thousands) of dollars more for a “nice to have” just doesn’t make sense to me.  As such, I’m generally focusing on less powerful handhelds.

Use Case

I alluded to this in my opening paragraphs of this section, but I think it’s important to consider what you’re going to use the device for.  Could a bulky handheld PC work as a commute companion (assuming you’re not driving, of course)?  Sure!  Would such a device also come with its own issues, though (e.g. weight, conspicuousness, etc)?  Also yes.  It’s not like such a device is going to fit in your pocket, either, unless you have comically large cargo shorts.  By contrast, could such a device be great for use at home?  Undoubtedly.  

On the other hand, a device like the Anbernic RG35XXSP might be great for your commute because of its pocket-friendliness and more affordable price point.  (Miyoo makes an even smaller “SP-style” device, too, called the Mini Flip).  I don’t know that I’d want to use either device extensively at home, though, when I have a PC to play on.  (Granted, it’s not like I can drag my PC to the couch or the bed, so take that observation with a grain of salt.)  In short, it’s worth considering how the device you plan on buying will actually fit in your life.  Being intentional with this decision will help you end up with a device that gets used and enjoyed rather than one that gets returned (or that collects dust on a shelf).

Tech-Savvy

Lastly, I think it’s important to consider how technically savvy you are.  In my experience, virtually every handheld I’ve played with could be improved with some level of tinkering, from tweaking emulation settings to installing a new operating system on a given device.  Not everyone has the time, patience, or expertise to do those things, though, and that’s OK.  Even if you have the technical know-how, I understand how not everyone wants “tinkering” to be their hobby (instead of actually playing games).  I am reminded of my search to find the best pen, paper, and ink combination.  Was it fun?  Sure.  Did it make me a better writer or a more consistent journaller?  Absolutely not. 

In short, if you’re tech-savvy, the world is your oyster.  You can probably make any handheld work for you, and you very likely don’t need my advice on which handheld to pick.  If you’re not tech-savvy, or if you don’t want to invest the time and energy it’ll take to be tech-savvy in the context of the retro doodad, I’d likely recommend against going for an Android-based handheld.  Instead, I’d point you toward a budget Linux-based system or, if you can afford it and it fits within your lifestyle, a handheld PC like the Steam Deck.  Though the Steam Deck is considerably more expensive (especially now), its strong integration with Steam means it’s very straightforward to “just play games.”

Which Device Would I Choose?

After trying five devices, I’m now clearer on my preferences with regards to retro emulation handhelds.  I know, for example, that I tend to prefer horizontal handhelds (like the MiniLoong), but that’s not a concrete rule if the device is large enough. I also know that I will be using these devices primarily for older retro gaming (stopping around PS1), so purchasing the highest-end handheld isn’t a necessity for me.  I also know that my use case is going to involve a fair amount of commuting: a couple of hours on the train every day I go into work.  Lastly, while I consider myself reasonably tech-savvy, I value a system that “just works.”  Honestly, while I can’t deny the flexibility and promise of Android as an emulation OS, I’ve generally been happier with the (budget) Linux systems I’ve used because they “just work.” 

With all of that in mind, my current choice is the Anbernic RG35XXSP.  It offers the right mix of features, power, and price for my use case and lifestyle.  Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m not open to trying other devices in the future; two I’ve mentioned in this article (the Miyoo Flip Mini and Anbernic RG476H) both come to mind.  I don’t intend to do another “Retro Round-Up” for awhile, however.  Aside from the fact that I have other hobbies to attend to, I don’t think my wallet can take adding yet more devices to my docket.