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

TrimUI Smart Pro Setup Guide

TrimUI Smart Pro Setup Guide

So you've shopped around and wisely decided that the TrimUI Smart Pro is the budget device for you, now what? The Smart Pro arrived in 2022 and has maintained a loyal fan base ever since. Multiple CFW options along with some very nice hardware and design choices make...

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AYN Odin 2 Portal Announced With OLED and Hall Sticks

AYN Odin 2 Portal Announced With OLED and Hall Sticks

Just as the weekly Retro Handhelds Podcast was kicking off, AYN dropped a massive surprise as the company announced the Odin 2 Portal handheld. This one came out of left field, as things have been pretty quiet in the AYN camp ever since the Odin 2 Mini was announced....

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The RG P01: Anbernic’s First Controller

The RG P01: Anbernic’s First Controller

The country riff of sweet royalty-free music starts and you know you are in for a new Anbernic announcement. Last week, we had rumors of a dual-screen handheld, horizontal RG406V, and the RG CubeXX. Today we have something a little different…a controller! Meet the RG...

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5 Retro Games Based on Horror Movies

5 Retro Games Based on Horror Movies

I have a series where I highlight licensed games that are actually good, but I thought this would be a fun twist. I wanted to spend the week trying out retro games that are based off of horror movies. Are they actually good? Most of them are not. I know there are...

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RH Games: What We’re Playing This Week

RH Games: What We’re Playing This Week

Welcome back to another What We're Playing This Week. This is another jam-packed article with a ton of games and handhelds! If you want to be featured in an article in the future, fill out this form here. Jalanimal: Silent Hill 4 Played on: AYN Odin 2 Mini I had an...

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Junk Store Coming to the Steam Store!

Junk Store Coming to the Steam Store!

The Steam Deck is still my favorite handheld after all this time. The one downfall though is that you are limited to the Steam store, so your GOG and Epic games are waiting on the sidelines. Of course, there are ways to get them on the deck (Lutris, Heroic, Junk...

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Lime3DS Brings 3DS Emulation to the Google Play Store

Lime3DS Brings 3DS Emulation to the Google Play Store

Nintendo has been ruthless with their takedowns of Switch Emulation and copy-striking beloved Retro Handheld Youtuber Retro Game Corps. When Nintendo tackled Yuzu, we lost Citra as well. This has been leaving a void in the 3DS emulation scene. Having to rely on old...

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How to Install GammaOS Core

How to Install GammaOS Core

Gamma released the beta version of GammaOS Core in early September. It supports a variety of low-powered consoles, bringing Android to devices once only able to run Linux. Table of Contents Introduction What You'll Need GammaOS Core Install Guide Step 1: Set Up Step...

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Around the Web

Retro Handhelds Youtube

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), Aish Talks Tech & 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!

Game of the Month May 2024

Retro Game Randomizer

Partners & pals

Russ (Retro Game Corps)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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 (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)

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)

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)

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 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 (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 (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)

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)

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)

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 (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

victoria (silverdusk / RESET Collection)

victoria (silverdusk / RESET Collection)

Victoria’s been producing synthwave beats and glitch art for a few years now, and breathes life into any project she’s a part of. Recently you can find her work inside RESET Collection, which adds a whole new and awesome vibe to the app. Also, be sure to check out her most recent Digital Horizons EP!

Favorite Game: Sonic 3 & Knuckles

spmfox (Spartan Project)

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