Retro Handheld Game Consoles
Your own screen. Physical controls. Portable retro play.
Compare models, storage options and designs.
5 consoles
No consoles match this budget.
About Retro Handheld Game Consoles
Retro handheld game consoles put a screen, physical controls and a rechargeable battery in one pocket-size device, so you can play classic games anywhere without a TV. Every handheld in this collection is a handheld emulator built on the RK3326 platform: it runs emulator software for classic gaming systems from a TF card. Choose the R36S game console for its color options, the R36S MAX for a larger square screen, the R40S for a horizontal grip, the RG36 PRO for RGB joystick lighting, or the R36S PSP Edition for 128GB as standard.
Retro handhelds at a glance
| Model | Layout | What stands out | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| R36S | Vertical | 3.5-inch 640×480 screen; the widest choice of solid and transparent colors | 64GB or 128GB |
| R36S MAX | Vertical | Larger square 4-inch 720×720 screen | 64GB or 128GB |
| R36S PSP Edition | Vertical | 3.5-inch 640×480 screen in transparent purple or white | 128GB |
| R40S | Horizontal | Controller-style grip for longer sessions | 64GB or 128GB |
| RG36 PRO | Vertical | RGB light rings around both joysticks; metallic purple shell | 64GB or 128GB |
All five use an RK3326 processor and a 3500mAh battery rated for about 4 hours of play and about 2 hours to recharge.
Retro handheld or handheld emulator: what is the difference?
They describe the same kind of device. "Handheld emulator" refers to the software inside: emulators recreate classic consoles so their games can run on modern hardware. "Retro handheld" describes the form factor: a portable console with its own screen and controls, built for those classic games. Because the system runs from a TF card, back up the original card before you change files or firmware.
How to choose a retro handheld game console
- Screen: the 3.5-inch 640×480 screen on the R36S and PSP Edition suits 4:3 classics; the R36S MAX's 4-inch 720×720 square screen gives you a bigger picture.
- Grip: vertical models slip into a pocket; the R40S horizontal grip feels more like a controller.
- Storage: 64GB or 128GB changes how much room you have for files, not how fast games run.
- Style: transparent shells on the R36S, or RGB joysticks on the RG36 PRO.
What can these handhelds emulate?
The RK3326 platform is designed for classic 8-bit, 16-bit and many 32-bit era systems. More demanding systems such as PSP and N64 depend on the game and settings, and PS2, GameCube and 3DS emulation are beyond these devices. Read the R36S game list and compatibility guide to see how to check the actual device library and storage.
Good to know before you buy
Every handheld charges over USB with the included cable; a wall adapter is not included. Screen images on our product pages are illustrations, and specific game titles are not guaranteed. Shipping is free and orders ship from the United States. Still deciding between a handheld and a TV setup? Read handheld vs. HDMI game stick or use our console comparison.