Honestly, I’m a sucker when it comes to retro gaming hardware and emulation. And it’s even worse when you combine the two, such is the case with a lot of these newer retro gaming handhelds. Since there are so many to choose from, and Prime Day 2025 in full swing, I figured it’d be a good time to share five of my current favorites.
The great thing about having so many options is that there are a bunch of different designs to choose from. Especially since we’ve been seeing a resurgence in clamshell handhelds since the RG35XXSP last year. Now, we have options like the RG34XXSP, which includes dual joysticks, an excellent hinge, and is on sale for 15% off on Prime Day.
But that’s not the only option, as we have the classic Miyoo Mini Plus, which has been around for the past few years and can be had for under $50. Then there’s the TrimUI Brick, which is more powerful than the Miyoo Mini Plus and has one of the best screens I’ve ever used on a retro handheld. Oh, and it’s also on sale for 10% off over at Amazon.
If you just search for “retro handhelds” on Amazon, you’re going to find endless listings, many of which are also on sale. However, there are a few options out there that might look good on paper, but definitely won’t deliver an enjoyable experience when it arrives.
These include the V40 Max, which has an awful D-pad and triggers, and the performance is severely lacking. Then there’s something like the X6 handheld, which again looks good, and is even cheaper than anything else on this list. However, you’ll end up with something that feels like it belongs in a kid’s Happy Meal, and not a handheld that you paid more than $30 for.
