Features
Check out our thoughts on the latest retro handhelds, and retrospectives on ones we still can’t put down.
The Latest
September ’25 PortMaster Roundup
From shooters to platformers to Rockbox to strategy to a pinball/dating-sim hybrid, September was a huge month for PortMaster users.
Game of the Month: Omakase October Leaves it all to Rapid
Omakase October takes Retro Handheld users on a journey curated by none other than Retro Handheld’s own Rapid99, as he treats us to some delectable games.
INNOCN 25M2S Review: Not Bigger, but Better
A 24.5-inch Mini LED gaming monitor with 1440p resolution and 240Hz refresh rate. See if the INNOCN 25M2S fits your setup.
Why I’m Excited For Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
Square Enix’s Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles brings new life to a classic. Here’s why I couldn’t resist pre-ordering.
Radical Retrospective: Skate Park City Heroes, Attack!
Skate Park City is a 2007 hidden gem for PS2/PSP. A unique blend of Tony Hawk & Jet Set Radio with combat and a surprisingly fun story.
Retro Handhelds Weekly: Anbernic RG DS, Xbox Ally, Winlator 11 Beta, and Much More!
Another busy week in retro handhelds! From Anbernic’s dual-screen RG DS to ASUS ROG Ally X pre-orders, not to mention emulator and firmware updates.
How to Watch Movies and TV Shows on Retro Handhelds with Switchfin
Turn your retro handheld into a media player. This guide shows how to install the Switchfin Jellyfin client via PortMaster and configure your server connection.
Final Fantasy Tactics: A Journey Through Time
I took to Final Fantasy Tactics immediately, and have held it close to my heart . Since we’re less that a week from that remake being released, it feels like an appropriate time to revisit the previous version of FFT and talk about why I broke my own personal rules and pre-ordered the remake.
A Real Fix for Retroid’s Button Noise
Button noise on Retroid Pocket (and other) devices fixed once and for all? YouTuber WhatObiPlays seems to have a solution, and Joe is here to test it out!
Flydigi Apex 5 Review: Good Controller, Better with the Software
Most Controllers on the Market land between $40-$70, but if you spend more do you get more? Flydigi sets out to answer that with the Apex 5.
Anbernic RG476H: First Impressions
Anbernic’s new RG476H is a well-built handheld with a premium feel and great screen, though its T820 chip limits performance.
AYN Thor: Some Thoughts While We Wait
Considering the AYN Thor? See Joe’s thoughts as he breaks down why it excites him enough to make his first AYN purchase since 2021!
GammaOS Next Setup Guide
Learn how to install GammaOS Next on the KT-R1 and other supported handhelds. A complete step-by-step guide with tips, drivers, and setup instructions.
Radical Retrospective: Rockstar’s THPS Competitor
Rockstar’s “Thrasher: Skate & Destroy” came out within weeks of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, but its sim-like difficulty lost out to Pro Skater’s arcade-y gameplay.
Retro Handhelds Weekly: RG476H, AYANEO Budget Handhelds, XU Retro, and Much More!
From AYANEO’s surprise Pocket Air Mini pricing, to Microsoft’s Xbox mode being leaked, catch all the hardware, software, and emulator updates in this week’s Retro Handhelds Weekly.
GameNative: How to Play Steam Games on Android
Want Steam on your retro handheld? GameNative brings PC classics to Android with simple setup and offline play. Here’s how to get started.
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.
Dedicated Handhelds for Specific Games: Is It Worth it?
Tired of tinkering instead of playing? Learn why dedicated handhelds for specific systems might be the best way to enjoy retro gaming.
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.
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.