Features
Check out our thoughts on the latest retro handhelds, and retrospectives on ones we still can’t put down.
The Latest
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.
Radical Retrospective: An Interview with Andy MacDonald
On its 25th anniversary, a look back at MTV Sports: Skateboarding featuring an exclusive interview with legend Andy Macdonald on its rivalry with THPS.
Anbernic RG476H: Everything You Need to Know
Anbernic returns with the RG476H, a glass-and-plastic handheld with DS-style dual display support, a 4.7-inch 120Hz screen, stacked triggers, and T820 power.
Retro Handhelds Weekly: RG476H, Switch Emulators, GameHub, and Much More!
From Anbernic’s RG476H to Eden hitting Google Play, here’s everything new in retro handheld hardware, emulators, and firmware this week.
PowKiddy V90S Setup Guide
Just got a PowKiddy V90S? Our complete guide walks you through setup, custom firmware, and accessories to unlock the best retro handheld experience.
How To Use Legal Emulation on the Nintendo Switch 2 (and Switch 1)
I had never really experimented with the Switch’s ability to play retro games before owning my Switch 2. After experimenting, what I found surprised me.
Game Over: The NEO•GEO X
An ambitious handheld revival, the Neo Geo X’s promising hardware was let down by barebones software and a bitter legal feud that led to its early demise.
HexGaming Phantom Review: The Best PlayStation Controller you Don’t Need
How much would you spend on a controller? $50? $70? What about $230? The HexGaming Phantom is a premium PS5 controller that does everything. But is it worth it?
Radical Retrospective: Go! Go! Hypergrind
In 2003, Go! Go! Hypergrind merged Japanese game design with Ren & Stimpy’s gross-out humor. Its bizarre style made up for its lackluster, simple gameplay.
Retro Handhelds Weekly: Odin 3, KONKR Pocket FIT, RG476H, and Much More!
This week in Retro Handhelds: AYN Odin 3 reveal, AYANEO Pocket FIT campaign, Anbernic RG476H, Lenovo Legion Go 2, emulator updates, and more.
NFL Street Reborn: Taking it to the Streets
With the impending release of NFL Street Reborn and the start of the 2025 NFL season, I wanted to take a look back on the NFL Street series of games.
Nintendo Switch GameCube Controller Review: It Isn’t Great
Nostalgia meets reality: The NSO GameCube controller looks like the real deal, but its limited use and feel may leave fans disappointed.
Anbernic RG477M Review: It’s Better Than You Think
Anbernic, usually the budget champ, has decided to go all out on their latest metal slab. Higher Power, higher weight, higher price. But is it any good?
RetroAssembly Setup Guide: How to Play Your Retro Games From Anywhere
RetroAssembly lets you play your ROMs in a browser with cloud saves. Now self-hostable via Docker, it’s like a personal Plex server for your retro game library.
GotX: Second Chance September Serves Up More Classics
“Second Chance September” brings DuckTails, Moon, and Phoenix Wright to GotM. Complete them with the RH community and earn points toward exclusive merch!
Radical Retrospective: Tony Hawk’s Lost Mobile Games
Tony Hawk’s mobile gaming history is a bumpy ride, from impressive early ports and pixelated gems to failed endless runners and licensed flops.
Retro Handhelds Weekly: Odin 3, muOS Goose, Android Sideloading, and More!
Another week, another round of handheld chaos: AYN Odin 3, Retroid fixes, MagicX reveals, muOS Goose, reviews, and more in Retro Handhelds Weekly.
TrimUI Brick Hammer Review: A Metal Facelift
The TrimUI Brick Hammer is more of the same excellence found in the original TrimUI Brick, this time sporting some stunning colors and a metal chassis.
The Marvelous World of Switch 2 Grips
From modular designs to dockable features, Joe explores which Nintendo Switch 2 grip cases stand out and shares his personal picks after a couple of months.
Game Bub: The Analogue Pocket Alternative You Need
Looking for an Analogue Pocket alternative? Meet the Game Bub: an open-source FPGA handheld with cartridge support, open mods, and expandability.
8BitDo Pro 3 Review: Balls to the Wall
8BitDo has been a prolific company in the whole “retro styled” controller market for years now. But with the Pro 3, it’s time to see how they make retro, modern.
How to Install muOS: Complete Setup Guide
Can you believe it's been over a year since muOS burst onto the scene? Since then, the usefulness of this custom firmware has continued to grow to the point that if you have an Anbernic handheld, it's probably the first recommendation. Whether you're just dipping your...
Radical Retrospective: Yanya Caballista
2001’s Yanya Caballista was a weird skate game with a weirder finger-board controller & alien plot. Bad controls & gameplay led to its eventual obscurity.
Retro Handhelds Weekly: AYN Thor, Odin 3, KONKR, XU Retro, and Much More!
This week’s Retro Handhelds roundup covers AYN Thor, Odin 3, Pocket DS, Game Bub, fresh firmware, emulation updates, and the best handheld deals.
Maybe You Should Play Psychonauts
Remember Surge soda, Invader Zim & edgy 2000s vibes? Psychonauts bottled it all into one wild, underrated gem.
Backloggd: Documenting Your Gaming Experience
I’ve always enjoyed cataloguing my gaming experiences, and Backloggd is a free service that allows me to do so in a multitude of ways.
Retro Handhelds Turns 5!
We came for the Retroid Pocket 2, stayed for the chaos. Retro Handhelds celebrates 5 years of handheld obsession and community shenanigans.
The Worst Game Boy Setup
The Boox Palma looks like a perfect Game Boy-style device, until you try gaming on its E ink display. Here’s why it’s one of the the worst ways to play retro games.
3 More Hidden Secrets of the MagicX XU Mini M
While there might be newer options. the XU Mini M is still a Micro Handheld which can pack a punch. Dan W goes though more tips to get the most out of the device.
Radical Retrospective: Sega’s Lost Tony Hawk Precursor
Sega’s 1997 arcade game ‘Top Skater’ revived skateboarding games by focusing on tricks over racing, directly inspiring classics like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater.