
Retro
Handhelds
Your retro gaming community
We’re glad you made it! Retro Handhelds is a community of sites, projects, and servers dedicated to the celebration of classic gaming on the go. Whether you’re replaying old favorites or digging for hidden gems, RH is here to offer camaraderie, support, and news on the latest portable gaming developments.
The Latest
Game console R350S Review: Cheap, Playable, but Compromised
The search for the elusive diamond handheld in the budget rough can occasionally yield some surprising results. Devices like the BatleXP G350 or R36S offer a gateway to emulation at a budget price. Finding these gems, though, often means slogging through a slew of...
MANGMI Air X Is Finally Here: Snapdragon Power, Sub-$100 Price
MANGMI Air X launches with Snapdragon power, Android 14, and ready-to-ship units. A sub-$100 gaming handheld with real punch, and it comes at the right time.
Nintendo Switch 2: 3 Months Later
A deep-dive review of the Nintendo Switch 2. See if this handheld upgrade, with its high price and safe design, is for you or if you should wait for better games.
Lost Shmup And Bomberman Games Unearthed
Thanks to preservationists, two lost Japanese mobile games, “Dodon Pachi DoJ DX” and “Bomberman 3D,” have been recovered and made playable once more.
PortMaster Roundup: October 1st-15th
This PortMaster Roundup includes everything from RTS to shmups to spooky re-imaginings of classics like PONG and Pac-Man.
Play Ten New Dreamcast Games For Free!
Get 10 free Dreamcast games on one disc! The Dream Disc ’24 features the best fan-made games from a recent competition, available for just the cost of shipping.
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X Hands-On: First Xbox Handheld Experience
First look at ASUS ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X: trident grips, powerful Ryzen chips, and a sleek Xbox UI make these new Windows handhelds stand out.
Kinhank K56 Review: Could Have Been Better
Looking for an easy entry into Android handhelds? The Kinhank K56 ships preconfigured with games and launchers, but is it really worth it over the competition?
Playdate GB Emulator CrankBoy Updated To 1.1.0
CrankBoy v1.1.0 for Playdate is out! Adds better game compatibility, stereo audio, & an in-app patch downloader. Use the crank to fish in Link’s Awakening!
Lost Ratchet & Clank Game Found After 20 Years
After 19 years, lost mobile game Ratchet & Clank: Clone Home has been found. Dedicated fans recovered the 2006 title, preserving a piece of gaming history.
MagicX One35 Finally Available For Pre-Order
The MagicX One35, a budget Android handheld with dual D-pads, is now available. Get it at a limited-time pre-order discount, starting at just $55.
Radical Retrospective: Goofy Hyuck’s Pro Skater
Disney’s Extremely Goofy Skateboarding was packaged in boxes of breakfast cereal in 2001, but was it any good? No, no it was not.
Retro Handhelds Weekly: Anbernic RG DS, GameHub ‘Lite’, and Much More!
Weekly retro gaming digest: Anbernic’s RG DS pricing, early holiday deals from Retroid, AYANEO shipping updates, custom firmware releases, and more.
For the Love of the Grind
Grinding is a well-known exercise executed by many within the video game community, so let’s talk about what it means and why we do it.
Excuse Me?!? Anbernic RG DS Will Cost Under $100!
The Anbernic RG DS is coming: dual screens, under $100, and touchscreen support. Anbernic might have a holiday best-seller on its hands.
Around the Web
Retro Handhelds Youtube & Podcast
Stubbs & Zu review, mod, showcase & setup your favorite retro handhelds on camera! Also, every Monday night @ 6pm Pacific, Stubbs, Rob (The Retro Tech Dad), Ban & the RH crew get together for a live podcast where they discuss the latest handheld and emulation news, games they’ve been playing, and interview guests from around the retro scene about their latest projects.
RH Game of the Month
Join Retro Handhelds every month as we tackle a suite of retro games. This book club-style event highlights titles from Pre-’96, ‘96-’00, and the post-2000 modern era. Join our Discord to participate with others and earn points towards RH merch!


Retro Game Randomizer
Partners & pals

Russ (Retro Game Corps)
Smack dab in the middle of The Great Boredom of 2020, Russ picked up his first retro handheld, and immediately hated the stock experience. Shortly thereafter he launched Retro Game Corps, a YouTube channel and companion website dedicated to helping others unlock the full potential of their handhelds. Since then, he’s branched into reviews and guides for a variety of different devices and platforms, all with his trademark attention to detail (mostly thanks to his former career in the US military).
Favorite Game: Super Mario Bros 2

Rob (Retro Tech Dad)
The Retro Tech Dad is known to most as Rob, Dad to a human and some dogs, and Daddy to Stubbs. He has a passion for technology both old and new. He loves to tinker with devices of all kinds — especially the electronic ones. Check out his channel for retro and modern gaming, device retrospectives, very in-depth review videos, teardowns, and lots of emulation testing. He is always ready to help on Discord, YouTube, and anywhere else you might find him! He is also the co-host for the Retro Handhelds podcast featuring Stubbs and the rest of the Retro Handhelds crew.
Favorite Game: PepsiMan

Shem (Retro Breeze)
Hi there! How’s this: At RetroBreeze, Shem talks technology, gaming and of course, all things retro. Reviews, impressions, opinions and easy-to-follow tutorials, you’ll certainly find enjoyable content with RetroBreeze!
Favorite Game: Sonic R

Mikhailov (Team Retrogue)
Ahoyhoy! Team Retrogue is run by Mikhailov, and is a channel about games and the devices that bring them to us. Mikhailov reviews retro handhelds and gives tutorials on emulation setup as well as optimization, and writes for the RH website. Mikhailov also educates the youth of Connecticut for his day job.
Favorite Game: Chrono Trigger

The Gamma Squeeze (GammaOS)
GammaOS is a LineageOS based firmware for the Anbernic RG405M & RG505, with more support on the way. Developed by The Gamma Squeeze (not confirmed to not be DJ Khaled)
Favorite Game: Metal Gear Solid 2

Black Seraph (GarlicOS / LineageOS)
Black-Seraph is a leading developer in the handheld scene who specializes in creating custom firmware. He is the creator of GarlicOS, a multi-device custome firmware (including the Anbernic RG35XX), Clean Rom for the GPD XD+, and LineageOS for various devices.
Favorite Game: Tetris

dragoon Dorise (EmuDeck / Pegasus Installer)
dragoonDorise develops one of the most hottest pieces of software in the retro emulation scene. EmuDeck takes care of everything. Emulator installation & configuration, bezels, hotkeys, performance fixes and more!
Favorite Game: A Link to the Past

adixal (muOS)
muOS is a heavily modified RetroArch only CFW for the Anbernic RG35XX handheld. Meant for the minimalist crowd, muOS improves the RG35XX experience through easy flash install, built-in configuration system, and more. Developed by adixal (a man of many mysteries).
Favorite Game: Shining Force 2

Cebion (AmberElec / 351Elec)
AmberElec is an easy-to-use Linux operating system for a range of Anbernic handhelds (RG351P/M | RG351V | RG351MP | RG552) developed by the tireless Cebion and AmberElec team.
Favorite Game: Monkey Island

Christian Haitian (ArkOS)
Christian develops ArkOS, a feature rich Linux operating system with a focus on RetroArch for a range of devices.
Favorite Game: Paper Mario 64

Turtle (Retroid LineageOS / 351Droid / GarlicOS)
Turtle is a staple in the Android OS dev scene, and has created LineageOS builds for a range of devices, including the Retroid Pocket 2. He is also the lead developer for 351Droid, and co-developer of GarlicOS.
Favorite Game: Pokémon Yellow

notime2d8 (Odroid LineageOS / PickleOS)
notime2d8 is a veteran Android OS developer and has created LineageOS builds for a range of devices, including the RGB10 Max, he is also the lead developer of PickleOS, a custom Android firmware based on Lineage19.1 for the RGB10 Max 3 Pro!
Favorite Game: Mass Effect

Javier Arboleda (RESET Collection)
RESET Collection is an easy-to-use emulation frontend developed by Javier Arboleda. Available for $5 on Google Play (or free when you join our Patreon/Discord Premium – $5 tier and above!). Born in the year 1981, Javier is a child of the late 80’s and 90’s, which explains his furious fondness for far-out retro games. He’s a software developer by day, and by night he’s a devoted parent and husband, happily obliged to carry out his fatherly duty of utmost importance; telling dad jokes to his kids.
Favorite Game: Super Metroid

TapiocaFox (Daijishō)
Daijishō is a fully featured Android Frontend and Launcher focused on ease of use, with a wide range of functionality, including Retro Achievements integration. Best of all, this app is free! TapiocaFox stays on top of updates and keeps development active, taking user feedback seriously and is deeply supportive of the retro community. Fun fact: Daijishō is the main Home Launcher for GammaOS!
Favorite Game: Kirby’s Pinball Land

Kyle Eichlin (Console Launcher)
Console Launcher is an easy-to-use Android Launcher and Frontend developed by Kyle Eichlin, our sources have described him as a pleasant fellow who lives in Hawaii (not far from our friend Retro Games Corps!)
Favorite Game: Cave Story

Jim Gray (Our Ghosts / OnionOS)
Jim Gray is a Dad and Musician, creating many iconic tracks for the retro handheld scene, including the theme music for Retro Game Corps, RH, and more! He doesn’t readily admit to it, but he’s also a developer, and helped create OnionOS (among others). You can find Jim dancing if you type in Steely Dan into your GIF search!
Favorite Game: Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4

spmfox (Spartan Project)
SpartanProject is a full featured web hosting service, providing all our web hosting needs, run by spmfox. We highly recommend Spartan Project if you want to have a stable, budget friendly & customer service focused web host, who goes above and beyond in all regards.
Favorite Game: Tetris on Game Boy