Features
Check out our thoughts on the latest retro handhelds, and retrospectives on ones we still can’t put down.
The Latest
Budget Beatdown: Mangmi Air X vs. AYANEO Pocket Air Mini
The Mangmi Air X and AYANEO Pocket Air Mini are both heavy hitters in the budget retro handheld space, so we compare the two to see who comes out on top!
Retro Handhelds Deals of the Week
Tired of scrolling through pages and pages of websites trying to find the best deals on retro handhelds and accessories? We’ve got you covered with a few picks.
How To Upgrade Your ASUS ROG Xbox Ally Internal Storage
Follow this simple how-to guide to upgrade the internal storage in your new ASUS ROG Xbox Ally and give your game library the space it needs.
Retro Handhelds Weekly: AYANEO Saga Continues, CES 2026, MiniLoong Pocket 1, and More
Hardware, software, reviews, and CES ’26: Retro Handhelds Weekly rounds up the biggest stories, standout community finds, and what to watch next.
Game Over: Bally Astrocade
The 1977 Bally Astrocade had arcade-quality graphics and expandability, but chaotic distribution, hardware failures, and the Atari 2600 killed it by 1983.
AYANEO Promises To Do Better
AYANEO responds to criticism from creators and the retro handheld community, promising to do better and releasing some service improvement plans for 2026.
AYN Sending Bag to Thor and Odin 3 Backers
AYN has been sending mystery packages to members of the retro handheld community, which turns out to be an AYN branded sling bag for Thor and Odin 3 backers.
MagicX One 35 First Impressions
MagicX hits the scene again with the One 35. A sub $100 Android handheld with a good experience AND TATE mode? This could be the one for a lot of people.
CES 2026 Recap: 8BitDo, MSI, OneXPlayer, ASUS, Genki, and Everything Else We Could Find
It’s been a long week but CES is finally over. With a lot of announcements, here’s what stood out as some of the most interesting to the Retro Handhelds team.
AceMagic M1 Review: CPU Power Isn’t Everything
AceMagic is back again with an update to their Matrix M1. With an upgraded CPU, and GPU, is this going to come out ahead? Or is it still behind in the long run.
DSpi Turns A Raspberry Pi Into A DIY DS
The DSpi is a 3D-Printed, CM5-powered dual-screen handheld, with a breakout board that will eventually power a whole suite of homebrew handhelds.
Retro Handhelds Weekly: AYANEO, OneXSugar Wallet, PICO-8 on iOS, NHL ’94 Updates and Much More
Catch up on the week’s biggest retro handheld headlines: Another AYANEO debacle, foldable handhelds, and upcoming price hikes, plus fresh emulator and software updates.
Game Over: Pioneer LaserActive
The Pioneer LaserActive was a LaserDisc game console for rich people, and was quickly buried by the Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn.
AYANEO Refuses to Accept Responsibility, Puts Blame on Everyone Else for Delays
AYANEO announced nearly 20 devices in 12 months, but backers are still waiting. See the status of every 2025 reveal and why fans are fed up right now.
PortMaster Roundup: December 16 – December 31
PortMaster rounds out 2025 with ten new games, including a full-featured reimplementation of Warcraft 2 and four ready-to-run freebies!
Game of the Month: January is for the Backlog
For January, GotX will be revisiting previous winners, giving old and new participants alike the chance to play games they may have missed out on before.
AYN Odin 3 Setup Guide
The long wait is over, and the AYN Odin 3 is finally here. Get from unboxed to gaming as quickly as possible with this Odin 3 setup guide.
Manba One Review: An Odd One
Most controllers follow the same formula, however the Manba One does things differently. With a 2-Inch screen, and heavy customization, there’s a lot to love.
Game Over: Mattel’s Hyperscan “Console”
Mere weeks before the launches of the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii, Mattel stormed confidently back into the console wars with a truly terrible idea.
Retro Handhelds Weekly: Retroid Pocket 6, KTR2, Xbox FSE on Legion Go 2, and Much More
Catch up on the week’s biggest retro handheld headlines: KTR2 shakeup, Pocket Vert details, Pocket 6 photos, plus fresh emulator and software updates.
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally Beginners Guide: Windows, Armoury Crate, and Emulation
Got an ASUS ROG Xbox Ally for Christmas? Here’s the ultimate Beginner’s Guide, including everything from Windows updates, to Armoury Crate firmware, and emulation setup.
Odin 3 First Impressions: Alright, This Is What I’ve Been Wanting
We share our first impressions with AYN’s newest handheld on the market, the AYN Odin 3. Spoilers: it’s pretty darn good.
AYANEO Pocket Ace Review: Not Quite One & Done
Is 3:2 the ideal retro handheld aspect ratio? The AYANEO Pocket Ace delivers peak GBA vibes, but compromises elsewhere hold it back.
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally Review: The New Steam Deck?
With Steam Deck levels of performance, is the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally the budget x86 to get in 2025? With the LCD Steam Deck now discontinued, this might just be it.
Fantech EOS Mini Review: A Mini Winner?
Does your controller really need to be big? The Fantech EOS Mini is here to show you can get a lot out of a small package. But is it as good as it sounds?
Game Over: Tiger R-Zone
Tiger’s R-Zone (1995-97) was a head-mounted LCD gaming system that projected red images into your eye. Multiple models, licensed games, all equally terrible.
Anbernic RG477V First Impressions
It’s bigger, but is it better? The Anbernic RG477V is its biggest and most powerful vertical to date. But with some odd design choices, is it still good?
Retro Handhelds Weekly: Anbernic RG477V, ModRetro, Steam Winter Sale Highlights, and Much More
Retro Handhelds Weekly is back covering RG477V deals, Steam Deck LCD news, Pocket Max reveals, and the week’s top hardware and software updates.
Steam Winter Sale 2025 Highlights: What We’re Buying
The Steam Sale is back. We highlight must-buy indie games, hidden gems, and handheld-friendly picks worth grabbing before prices jump back up.
Last Minute Deals for Handheld Gaming Gifts
Short on time? These last minute deals on handhelds and accessories round up the best options you can still grab before Christmas without wasting money.