2024 was a big year in handhelds. I played with and used more than I ever have in my life thanks to RH and my position to review them. I thought it would be good to look back and see which ones I actually used to play games on when I had some spare time. I sold most of my collection and these (plus a 3DS and Vita) that survived the chopping block.
Retroid Pocket 5
Originally I had the Odin 2 Mini because it checked a ton of boxes for me and when it comes to emulation, it is my main go-to, but I sold it because the Retroid Pocket 5 just does all those things better. I love the small size of the device and the GameCube design is gorgeous. The big OLED screen is so nice. This is my emulation device of the year, even if I just got it not too long ago. I can see this carrying me over into 2025 for quite a while until a new Retroid comes out. (Hopefully a Flip).
Purchase the Retroid Pocket 5 Here
Analogue Pocket
I had a resurgence with this device, which you can read more about here. Long story short, I didn’t like it, sold it, missed it, rebought it, and now like it again. The screen on this thing is so nice and it is just simple to use. Playing ROMs through Open FGPA and playing carts are so cool.
The big reason I use this one so much is because I bought the dock this go around. It makes playing these old games with a CRT filter so nice. I even got an arcade stick to go with it and with the new X-Men Arcade core. Oh, buddy!
ROG Ally X
I use my ROG Ally X 2 ways. One I use it to play my GOG, Epic, Game Pass, or games that are too powerful for my Steam Deck. Second, I dock it and use it as a PC. This alone has made me use this more than most of my handhelds. I am treating it as a kind of PC Switch and it works great at that. That extended battery life is great too.
Steam Deck OLED
Okay, I know this is a boring and lame choice, but I honestly use my Steam Deck OLED more than anything. I know it isn’t as powerful as the ROG Ally X or other PC handhelds, but it is just so comfortable and nice to use. I have it set up perfectly with PC games and also some emulation. As someone who had never had a PC growing up, I have a lot of games to catch up on.
I never had a PS3, 4, or 5 either, so I have also enjoyed playing Spiderman, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, God of War, Horizon, and the like for the first time. Is it the best experience? Probably not, but I am really enjoying my time with those games on such a nice handheld. I am usually not a screen snob, but the OLED really makes me not want to use another screen when I don’t have to. It swims circles around that ROG Ally screen in my opinion.
Well, that is my boring list. What handhelds did you find yourself using this year? Let us know in the comments below, and chat with us in our Discord!
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