Reviews
Check out our thoughts on the latest retro handhelds, and retrospectives on ones we still can’t put down.
The Latest
Helegaly Action Pi 兀: Irrationally Good
Tired of old chips? The Helegaly Action Pi, powered by the Allwinner A527, offers a significant upgrade over the RK3566. Explore its Batocera OS, comfortable design, and impressive emulation capabilities up to Dreamcast.
Anbernic RG34XXSP Review: Is This The Clam You Want?
Nick reviews the newly released Anbernic RG34XXSP. A new clamshell in a year that seems to be dominated by their release. Is this one the shell for you?
GameSir Super Nova Review: For Membrane Lovers
GameSir keeps pumping out controllers, seemingly on a bi-weekly cadence. So, does the Super Nova shine or get lost in the shuffle? Ban puts it to the test.
EasySMX D05 Review: An Easy Choice
We put the EasySMX D05 to the test! Affordable, comfortable, and packed with features. Read our deep dive to find out if it’s your next go-to controller.
R36Plus Review: A Great Budget 1:1, As Long As It’s Real
The R36Plus looks to take these missteps in cloning and show why Game Console had led the budget pack. The new Game Console R36Plus budget handheld takes everything that made the R36XX successful, and gives consumers the choice of a 1:1 display.
Anbernic RG557 Review: We Waited for This?
The RG557 nails comfort and screen quality, but with lackluster software and awkward stick choices, Anbernic’s latest handheld feels caught in the middle.
Game Console MyMini Review: Small But Mighty?
Game Console MyMini review: Specs, design, performance, and modding options for this budget handheld console. Is it the RK3326 handheld to beat in 2025?
R36XX Impressions: The New Budget King?
Nick gets his hands on the new Game Console R36XX. Will this be the sequel device that finally dethrones the budget king R36S?
GKD Pixel 2: A Pocket Review
Small, powerful, but flawed? We review the GKD Pixel 2 to see if this vertical handheld earns its keep in the world of mini consoles.
Steam Deck Case Showdown: IINE vs. bibuks
Finding a case for the Steam Deck is overwhelming. I picked 2 of the pink options and compared them with each other to see what is best! Let’s find out together
Building a Bazzite Streambox with the Blackview MP60
Nick tests the new Blackview MP60 Mini-PC with Intel N150 processor as a networked game streamer for handhelds. Is this your new Bazzite solution?
Powkiddy V20 Review: Familiar, Flawed, and Forgettable
The Powkiddy V20 is a $60 handheld that struggles to justify its place in 2025’s crowded retro gaming market. Is it worth your money? Let’s find out.
Retroidspectives: The Retroid Pocket 1
Five years later, we look back at the Retroid Pocket 1 — its quirks, missed potential, and whether it’s still worth owning in the retro handheld world.
Game Console RX6H Hands On: We All Have Our Limits
Nick test drives the new Game Console RX6H. Is this horizontal option a new budget-friendly champ, or an all-around disappointment?
SummerCart64: Is This the Perfect Flashcart?
The N64 Summer Cart makes playing your favorite N64 games, romhacks, and homebrew a possibility! Is it worth the $50 price tag though? Let’s find out.
AYANEO Pocket Micro Classic Review: Nostalgic Luxury or Overkill?
Ayaneo’s Pocket Micro Classic offers a premium take on retro handhelds, but is it overkill or the perfect nostalgia machine? We break it down.
Nyxi Striker Review: Homerun or Swing and a Miss?
Nyxi’s Striker keyboard blends retro GameCube aesthetics with modern wireless features. But is it worth your money? We put it to the test!
AceMagic Vista V1 Review: Budget Batocera Box?
Looking for a budget-friendly mini PC for retro gaming? We put the AceMagic Vista V1 to the test with Batocera to see if it’s worth picking up for your emulation setup.
MagicX Mini Zero 28 Review: Pocketable Power?
Explore the MagicX Mini Zero 28, a compact Android handheld with a 2.8″ screen, strong controls, and plenty of tinkering potential.
PXN P5 Review: Your Budget Xbox Controller?
Discover the PXN P5: a budget-friendly rechargeable Xbox controller packed with features like Hall effect sticks, gyro, and back buttons. Is it worth $30?
Odin 2 Portal Impressions: A Big Step
AYN Odin 2 Portal offers a stunning 7” OLED display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and powerful gaming performance. See what we love and dislike about it!
Nyxi Flexi Review: Great or Gimmick?
Discover the Nyxi Flexi, a modular gaming controller with swappable sticks, clicky buttons, and multi-platform compatibility. Is it worth $60?
Beitong Asura 2 Pro+ Review: Twice as Nice at Twice the Price?
If $40 is all you have to spend, you can get some really solid controllers. In fact, I covered that exact topic across 9 different controllers from 9 different brands. But most of those companies don’t just make one option under $40. One of those companies was...
Fantech Maxfit Air 83 Review: Retro Meets Modern
When it comes to keyboards, there’s a lot of personal preference. What size do you want? What about the switches? Do you need wireless or just something to plug in and go? As someone who has fallen down the keyboard rabbit hole a few times, I know that the endless...
R36H Hands-On: New Horizontal Budget King or Half-Baked Clone?
What can I really say that I haven't written about the Game Console R36S several times before? It's my practical budget fave, with enough kitschy personality that I'm willing to overlook any of its shortcomings. The benchmark that all other possible e-waste clone...
Ayaneo Pocket DMG Review: How Much Game Boy do you Need?
When you’re spending a lot of money on a handheld, I really recommend trying to get something that fits your needs and does most, if not everything, you’re looking for in that category. You wouldn’t want to buy more than one $500 handheld, right? Uh, right? So when...
Furious X SU-10: Gone too Far
Usually, when I talk about handhelds here, I have at least something good to say. And I’m going to try that here too. But if you’re looking for true e-waste you can usually find those articles from Nick, like his cheap controller roundups. But when I saw this big...
Anbernic RG34XX Review: The Ultimate GBA
Anbernic has been making so many nostalgic Nintendo-looking devices that may as well steal Sega's old slogan of, "Anbernic does what Nintendon't" while they're at it. When the announcement of the Anbernic RG34XX was made, every kid that had a GBA audibly sighed,...
Fantech EOS Pro Review: Worth Exploring
If you had asked me about Fantech towards the beginning of the year, I would have known them for their mice, but not much else. The Helios Go XD5 and the Aria are two mice that seemed to get a lot of positive reception from smaller brand mice makers. But fast forward...
Ayn Odin 2: One Year Later
In a hobby where the hottest newly hyped device is always around the corner, sometimes it's easy to get caught up with what's coming next. Incremental improvements and hardware changes are all well and good, but I think we could use a reminder that these devices...