Retro Gaming

Retro gaming handhelds play classic games from NES through PS1 (and sometimes PS2 and GameCube) using emulation software on compact, portable hardware. Every handheld in this collection runs open-source or custom firmware, meaning you control what it does and how it works. What makes a retro handheld "hackable"? Hackable means the device supports custom firmware (like OnionOS, GarlicOS, or MuOS) that replaces the stock software with a faster, better-organized system. Custom firmware typically adds: better emulator performance, custom themes, save state management, retroachievements integration, and cleaner menu systems. We note the firmware compatibility for each device. How do you choose between budget and premium handhelds? Budget handhelds ($25-$60) like the Miyoo Mini Plus handle 8-bit and 16-bit systems (NES, SNES, Game Boy, Genesis) with excellent performance. Mid-range devices ($60-$120) from Anbernic add PS1, N64, and Dreamcast emulation with larger screens. Premium handhelds ($120-$200+) from Retroid and AYN can run PS2 and GameCube games and often include Android for streaming capabilities. What systems can retro handhelds emulate? Performance varies by chipset. A Cortex-A7 chip handles up to SNES/Genesis. An RK3566 handles PS1 and most N64. A Snapdragon 865 or Dimensity 1100 handles PS2, GameCube, and some Wii titles. Each product listing shows the maximum comfortable emulation tier. The retro gaming handheld market reached an estimated $800 million in 2025 (Statista), growing 45% year-over-year as custom firmware communities expanded device capabilities well beyond manufacturer defaults. Last updated: April 2026

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