We’re a bit late to the party on this one (you can blame me for that), but a few weeks ago, Stubbs, Rob, Ban, myself, and Zu jumped on a livestream to discuss our picks for the best retro handhelds so far. This year has been quite a bit different compared to 2024, as Anbernic didn’t even release its first handheld until March.
Then, the tariff situation left us wondering whether this niche would even be possible. Thankfully, the market adapted, and while there’s another tariff deadline looming, we’re in a pretty good place. That said, the five of us went down the line, picking our favorites across an array of categories. I urge you to check out the video above, as besides the usual banter, there were some pretty good discussions about the current state of retro handhelds.
Best Retro Handhelds of 2025: The Categories
Each of us had to pick a handheld for each of the categories listed below, and besides that, there really weren’t any rules. So you don’t be surprised if you see more than one handheld chosen for more than one category.
- Vertical
- Micro
- Clamshell
- Budget
- Powerful Android
- PC
- Honorable Mentions
- Overall Top Pick
Oh and before I forget, we also posed the same question to a few of the RH team members to see how different their opinions and picks might be. So without further delay, here are our picks for the best retro handhelds in 2025, so far.
Zu
- Vertical: Retroid Pocket Classic
- Micro: MagicX Mini Zero 28
- Clamshell: Retroid Pocket Flip 2
- Budget: BatleXP G350
- Powerful Android: AYN Odin 2 Portal
- PC: Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS
- Honorable Mentions: Helegaly Action Pi
Stubbs
- Vertical: Retroid Pocket Classic
- Micro: MagicX Mini Zero 28
- Clamshell: Retroid Pocket Flip 2
- Budget: BatleXP G350
- Powerful Android: AYN Odin 2 Portal
- PC: MSI Claw 8 AI+
- Honorable Mentions: NO VOTE
Ban
- Vertical: GKD Pixel 2
- Micro: MagicX Mini Zero 28
- Clamshell: Retroid Pocket Flip 2
- Budget: BatleXP G350
- Powerful Android: AYANEO Pocket EVO
- PC: Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS)
- Honorable Mentions: Retroid Pocket Classic, AYN Odin 2 Portal, Helegaly Pi
Joe
- Vertical: Anbernic RG35XX Pro
- Micro: NO VOTE
- Clamshell: Miyoo Flip V2
- Budget: BatleXP G350
- Powerful Android: Perfect Cell
- PC: MSI Claw AI
- Honorable Mentions: Nintendo Switch 2
Nick
- Vertical: R36Plus
- Micro: MagicX Mini Zero 28
- Clamshell: Retroid Pocket Flip 2
- Budget: R36XX
- Powerful Android: Retroid Pocket Flip 2
- PC: NO VOTE
- Honorable Mentions: Anbernic RG Slide
Kalkeg
- Vertical:Â Retroid Pocket Classic
- Micro: AYANEO Pocket Micro Classic
- Clamshell: Retroid Pocket Flip 2
- Budget: TrimUI Brick Hammer
- Powerful Android: AYN Odin 2 Portal
- PC: NO VOTE
- Honorable Mentions: Nintendo Switch 2
Dan W
- Vertical: TrimUI Brick Hammer
- Micro: Only when it’s on sale, but the Antec rebranded Pocket Micro
- Clamshell: Powkiddy V90S
- Budget: Powkiddy V90S
- Powerful Android: Retroid Pocket Mini V2
- PC: Lenovo Legion Go S (Again when on sale)
- Honorable Mentions: Nintendo Switch 2
Andrew
- Vertical: Retroid Pocket Classic
- Micro: None, abstained.
- Clamshell: Anbernic RG34XXSP
- Budget: My Mini
- Powerful Android: AYANEO Pocket EVO / AYN Odin 2 Portal
- PC: Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS)
- Honorable Mentions: Anbernic RG Slide
Final Tally for Best Retro Handheld So Far?
So there you have it! It really shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that the Pocket Flip 2 is so popular among the RH crew, even if a few of us opted for something different. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of it all is that Anbernic didn’t take home the crown in any category. Okay, well, technically the BatleXP G350 is made by Anbernic, but you know what I mean.
I’m also surprised at how many people picked the MagicX Mini Zero 28 and not the GKD Pixel 2 or even the My Mini. But I guess that’s just all part of the fun when gathering opinions from others about what their favorites are.
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