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Check out our thoughts on the latest retro handhelds, and retrospectives on ones we still can’t put down.
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WiiMote Light Gun Tutorial
If you were fortunate enough to be around to experience arcades back in their 80s and 90s glory days, you'll know that light gun games were an essential part of any respectable arcade's collection. The zapper was part of what Nintendo said elevated the NES beyond that...
Retro Handhelds Weekly: MagicX Renders, Ban’s First Video, and More!
Welcome to the seventh edition of Retro Handhelds Weekly. This week saw a bunch of news in both the world of hardware and software, our writing team continues to be on an absolute tear, and there's even a surprise or two sprinkled in! So sit back, grab a cup of...
5 Unique RPGs for You to Try Out!
I am always playing a different RPG. It is my favorite genre of game. I thought, "If I am playing all these games, why not share with the world and maybe another person on the internet can find something fun?". This is my first attempt at that, so hopefully you find...
In Defense of the Nintendo 64 Controller
Nintendo for Nintendo, 64 for the bits. “It had more bits than the PS1, therefore betterer” – Lance Barr, probably. The N64 was Nintendo’s first two-feet-in foray into a fully 3D capable machine, and quickly became the go-to for parents to buy for their children to distract them from their impending divorce with hits like Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time, Donkey Kong 64, and South Park 64. My parents are still together, so I never had an N64 growing up, but I was always captivated by the uniqueness of it’s the design: the old aspect of using cartridges while playing fully 3D games, the gargantuan amount of money needed to buy games and accessories, and most iconic of all: The N64 Controller.
Can You Retro Game in VR?
Greetings friends and fellow enthusiasts! This is Mikhailov from Team Retrogue, where we like retro games and the devices that bring them to us. Let's take a look at an unusual device for retro gaming: the Meta Quest 3. That's right: a virtual reality headset is more...
GotX: Take Aim August Games Announced!
Hey, guess what? Somehow it is already August. I don't know how we got here already, but the best part is that we have new games for GotX. Take Aim August was the theme voted for by our Champions Lounge. The games that were nominated had to require the main character...
Ayaneo Pocket DMG and Pocket Micro Pre-orders Now Live
On the 35th anniversary of the original GameBoy’s American release, Ayaneo has finally launched their Indiegogo for their Pocket DMG and Pocket Micro. The specs for the Pocket DMG originally shared here on Retro Handhelds are now official. However, there are some...
March of the Minis: Purpose of Puny Handhelds
A wise man once said, “The Best Handheld is the one that you have on you.” And while there are a bunch of people standing on the rooftops and yelling “I CARRY MY STEAM DECK WITH ME EVERYWHERE.” there are just as many, if not more, that don’t. This means for many, the...
Retro Gamer’s Bane: Choice Paralysis
There is nothing quite like being greeted at the mailbox with a package you've been waiting on for a few weeks. The latest addition to the handheld hype train has arrived and is yours to do all the retro gaming your heart desires. You load it up with the best and...
Retro Handhelds Weekly: RGB10 Max 4, Humble Games Saga, and More
Welcome to the latest edition of Retro Handhelds Weekly. This week saw a bunch of news in both the world of hardware and software, while our writing team has been on an absolute tear! So sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and catch up on what’s happened this week in the...
EA Sports College Football 25 Review: TD or Fumble?
I loved the NCAA games so much as a kid. My friends and I used to play them to death. I talk about that here. Picking a bad team (Let’s Go Hoosiers!) and making them a powerhouse while competing for recruits. With the news of college football video games coming back,...
Opinion: Pre-Ordering Handhelds Sucks!
I think it is time for me to get on my soapbox and vent a little bit. Pre-ordering these retro handhelds can really suck and can be extremely frustrating. I have been in the hobby for the last few years and yeah, the excitement of checking your tracking is exciting....
NEW Powkiddy RGB10 Max 4 Specs Revealed! (UPDATE!)
After what feels like an eternity, we have finally gotten a peek at the successor to the infamous RGB10 Max 3 Pro (triple heart). Trusted Powkiddy contact J. Dewitz (@retrohandheldcollection on Instagram) has provided us with piping-hot info about the upcoming RGB10...
Is The Original…Better? GBA SP vs. RG35XXSP
This is a “Flipping” or “Hinge” joke safe zone. Prepared by Joe Howdy neighbor, I'm just sitting on the can in my morning meeting pondering retro handhelds and their OEM brand counterparts, the real stuff ya know? We've been lost in the pocketable/hand feel/button...
NetPass for the 3DS: StreetPass is Alive!
I never had a 3DS (or even a DS) during the peak of their release. Really, I never even had one until Walmart had that $99 N2DSXL with Mario Kart 7 deal. Something else though, I also love a weird Nintendo gimmick, so I was sad to never experience StreetPass. With...
The Cost of Rising Prices: Android Devices
What’s the most you’ll spend on a handheld? $60? $100? $350? As Much as it takes? Maybe I can get specific. Is the amount you’ll spend on a Linux handheld different than what you’ll spend on an Android handheld or even a Windows handheld? Maybe at a certain point, you...
How to Install Balatro on Android and iOS
Balatro has already become one of this year’s most cherished indie games within the short span of time that it's been released. Originally released in February 2024, it has seen releases for PC, Mac, PS4 and 5, Xbox One and Series, and the Nintendo Switch. The...
Controller Showdown 3: JoyClones
It was unavoidable to write this article series and not touch on what is probably the hottest thing in the bootleg controller game; fake Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons. Last time round, we concentrated on the off-brand recreations of the Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers and...
8BitDo Retro 18 Mechanical Numpad Review
I got a little carried away on Prime Day and ended up getting the new 8BitDo Mechanical 18 Numpad to go with my 8BitDo C64 keyboard. It was the one item that I regretted checking out with even tried canceling it to no avail. At first glance, it seemed silly for the...
ASUS ROG Ally X First Impressions: Leaving a Mark
Sometimes, it's nice to take a break from the breakneck pace of retro handhelds to enjoy the larger devices. Of course, this time around, I'm taking a look at the ROG Ally X. However, if you're looking for our full review, I ask that you wait just a little bit longer...
Retro Handhelds Weekly: Knulli Gets an Update, RGB20 Pro Colors, and More!
Welcome to the Fifth Edition of Retro Handhelds Weekly. There wasn't all that much in the way of new hardware, but it definitely wasn't a slow week for news. Some of the highlights include a massive update for Knulli, Powkiddy's next handheld gets new colors, and a...
Anbernic RG40XX H Review: The Final H700
Anbernic has a problem. As I sit down to write this RG40XX H review, I'm honestly shocked that there isn't already another Anbernic handheld on the way. About a month passed between the release of the RG Cube and the RG40XX H. That pace is just too rapid, especially...
GuliKit KK3 Pro Controller Review: Nearly There
While handhelds are primarily my biggest source of financial ruin, I too have a second issue that plagues my wallets. Controllers. It doesn’t seem as bad as handhelds because I don’t have all of my controllers on display. Just in the drawer below my TV, and in the...
Powkiddy V10 Review: 2020 Meets 2024
Powkiddy went from the most famously infamous competitor in the scene, consistently putting out the lowest end, Value City-esque, poor build quality devices that feel like off-brand versions of off-brand products, to the same thing but with pretty good consoles this...
Making Batocera (& Knulli) Better: Customize Hotkey Shortcuts
When you’re the sort of retro gamer who uses Batocera as the preferred Retro Handheld operating system of choice, every year begins with the traditional silent prayer of the underdog: “Maybe this year will be our year” For Batocera though, there’s actually a chance...
Odin 2 Mini Setup Guide
After the Odin 2 captured the hearts of many retro handheld enthusiasts, we wondered about what AYN could possibly follow it up with. The answer came in May 2024, as the Odin 2 Mini was first teased before it was officially unveiled. A few of us here at RH...
RH Picks: Best Prime Day Deals of 2024
As another year brings us Amazon's Black Friday in July, the RH deal gnomes have been hard at work scouring the depths for the best Prime Day deals on handhelds, accessories, and various doodads that we, the tinkering folk, enjoy. So come show your appreciation for...
AYN Odin 2 Mini Review: Vita Who?
When I first saw AYN showcase the Odin 2 Mini, I scoffed at the idea. Why release a smaller Odin 2 with less battery and around the same cost? Next, I preordered it so fast that I got the $30 off coupon. I ordered the base model as I had no issues with the base Odin...
Retro Handhelds Weekly: RG40XX H, PCSX2 2.0, and More!
It's the Fourth Edition of Retro Handhelds Weekly, meaning that it's already been a month since we started! A lot has happened in the past month, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down. In the past week, Anbernic launched pre-orders for another new handheld, PCSX2 2.0...
Metroid on July’s Handheld of the Month
Greetings friends and fellow enthusiasts! This is Mikhailov from Team Retrogue, where we like retro games and the devices that bring them to us. Last week, we looked at the Legion Space Update for the Lenovo Legion Go. This week, it’s time to take a look at July’s...