The Best Ways To Play: Game Boy Advance

The Game Boy Advance (GBA) landed at a different time in the gaming landscape. One that caused the system to pass me by during its initial run in the early aughts. It was only through the glory of emulation that I was reconnected with memories of the system that I’d forgotten I’d had.

Enjoying the GBA library that I’d mostly skipped in my youth has opened up the entire library to be explored as an adult. Essentially acting as the portable SNES of every ’90s kid’s dreams, the GBA molded the tastes of an entire generation of young gamers, just as the original NES had done for me years earlier.

The modern handheld emulation revolution, combined with the low-power cost of entry to emulate the library, means that users in 2026 are currently awash in options to recreate their favorite GBA experiences. The system’s abnormal 3:2 aspect ratio always makes this an interesting debate among community enthusiasts on what makes for the best modern reenactment. This isn’t meant to be a definitive list, but if you are looking to jump back into Nintendo’s hit handheld sequel, here are my favorite ways to play from my collection.

The Purist: The Game Boy Advance SP

The most ubiquitous handheld that I never owned in its own era. Originally released in 2003, the SP was an impressive piece of tech for the time. Its sleek compact design and amazing build quality have cemented the device’s reputation as one of the best handhelds of all time. Chances are, if you found an old one in a drawer today, it’ll power on the same as it did 20 years ago.

Whether it’s the original AGS-001 model, the refined backlit AGS-101 from 2005, or a new IPS modded version, the Game Boy Advance remains iconic for a reason. This is just a great portable way to play some great games. While modern quality of life improvements are a nice thing, it’s worth remembering the original that inspired a world of clones.

The Gold Plated Luxury: The Ayaneo Pocket Micro Classic

As I’d written in my initial review, the Ayaneo Pocket Micro Classic is an incredible device, but it does feel a bit like bringing a new Ferrari to a go-kart derby.

To my way of thinking, this isn’t a normal handheld. The Pocket Micro Classic is a luxury purchase. This is the Rolex of this list. Any of the other options will tell time just fine, but this is the status symbol. To this day, it’s the only Ayaneo device that I’ve ever owned, and it has done nothing to curb my opinion that they’re a bit of an elitist device. An obsessive’s definition of perfection.

I can’t fault the Pocket Classic Micro. It is probably the most perfect possible version of a device, fashioning itself the logical modern progression of the Game Boy Micro design. I just don’t think it’s a particularly practical device to own, and you’d better be sure about just how much you love the GBA library before you commit to this niche luxury.

The Outlier: Anbernic RG406H

Suggesting that a handheld with a 4:3 screen is the best choice for emulating GBA is probably tantamount to blasphemy in the eyes of many, but stay with me here. The 920X720 resolution of the RG406H means that it displays a perfect 4x integer scale of the Game Boy Advance.

Since the aspect ratios of the screens are indeed different, the scaled image on the 406H does still have some black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. You’ll have to decide for yourself whether this is a deal breaker for your play preferences, but for my money, this comfortable jack of all trades is a fantastic way to experience a great many titles in the GBA lineup.

The Properly Priced Micro-Clone: Miyoo A30

To be upfront and perfectly clear, the Miyoo A30 is not a competitor for the Ayaneo Pocket Classic. Though they may share a similar form factor, these devices are worlds apart in build quality and price. If the Pocket Classic is a finely tuned specialty track car, the Miyoo A30 is still the pace car, but that doesn’t mean it can’t get you where you need to go.

If you’re in the market to recapture the niche magic of the Game Boy Micro, the A30 is your simplest (and cheapest) route. While it may not be the best comfort choice for those of us with larger gaming mitts, when you consider it can be had for under $50, it’s a capable nostalgic nod that deserves a place on the list.

The Modern Clamshell: Anbernic RG34XXSP

So this one is going to be a bit of a personal preference. I own both the Anbernic RG35XXSP and the RG34XXSP, along with a Miyoo Flip v2. Now, these are great options to explore the GBA library, but given the native aspect ratio match of the RG34XXSP, I just think it’s the best option for this list.

The two others offer a more well-rounded experience as a jack of all trades emulator devices, but when it comes specifically to the GBA, I’m going to have to give the nod to the RG34XXSP. The included analog sticks are more of a bonus than a hindrance to my playtime, and the handheld’s tiny footprint makes it a perfect travel companion for trips where I don’t want to lug around a large (and expensive) Android handheld in case. Simply put, just like the original GBA clam – it just works.

The Obvious Choice: Anbernic RG34XX

This isn’t necessarily my first choice when reaching for some GBA games, but the RG34XX cannot be denied a place on the list.

Chances are that if you grew up in the era of the Game Boy Advance, this is a form factor that will make your heart flutter. The 34XX‘s classic GBA styling is too great a love letter to be ignored, and while it might come down to personal preferences from your childhood, there’s no denying this one fits the mold.

Conclusions

So what have we learned here today? That there are a bunch of great ways to enjoy the Game Boy Advance’s stellar software lineup! As someone who largely missed this entire segment of gaming in its own era, there’s a joy to finally getting to understand what all the fuss was about.

Chances are, I may have glossed over your personal favorite GBA device. Maybe it isn’t in my collection. Maybe I haven’t found it yet. Maybe you know about something really cool that I’ve never heard of before. Feel free to hop into our Discord or comment below with what you think is the best tool for the job!