👉Pokémon turns 30 this year, so I played through the different generations of games, from Red and Blue all the way through Ultra Sun and Moon, all on different retro handhelds to find the best way to experience each era in 2026. I tested the TrimUI Brick, Anbernic RG35XXSP, Anbernic RG DS, Retroid Pocket 5, and the AYN Thor across nine generations of games. No benchmarks, no spec sheets, just gameplay and honest opinions on what feels right for each generation.
Whether you’re a longtime Pokémon fan looking to replay the classics or you’re just getting into retro handhelds and want to know which device plays what, this video has you covered. I break down exactly which device handles each generation, where the compromises are (especially with DS and 3DS emulation), and where you can save money without sacrificing the experience.
Timestamps and device links below. Prices were accurate while filming, but the AliExpress prices do tend to fluctuate up and down by a few dollars without rhyme or reason.
Games covered: Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow, Gold/Silver/Crystal, Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald, FireRed/LeafGreen, Diamond/Pearl/Platinum, HeartGold/SoulSilver, Black/White/B2W2, X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon, Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon, Sword/Shield.
