Video games were present in every stage of my childhood and teenage years, and I continue to play games regularly to this day. I consider gaming to have been an immensely formative experience for me, as well as an essential outlet for stress and a trigger for my imagination.
When I had kids, I was determined to prevent them from drifting into the world of shallow games on iPads and phones, which I mostly consider to be utter garbage. Instead, I wanted them to experience the every early games as I had done. When they’re older, they can decide for themselves which games they want to play, but for now I wanted an offline, one or two player simple experience in their gaming sessions, and retro games fit the bill perfectly.
In an age dominated by powerful gaming PCs, cutting-edge consoles, and visually stunning open-world games, it’s easy to overlook the simple magic of retro handheld consoles. These pocket-sized devices are not just nostalgia machines for those of us who grew up in the 80s and 90s, but they also offer an engaging and accessible experience for kids today. Whether you’re a parent wanting to introduce your child to the classics or an adult craving a trip down memory lane, retro gaming handheld consoles provide hours of entertainment for everyone.
A Bridge Between Generations
Original retro gaming handhelds like the Game Boy or the Sega Game Gear have always been sought-after as collectors’ items, however there has been a huge advancement in the availability, affordability and variety of retro game emulator handhelds. They are simple to pick up and play and typically can store thousands of games on them. There’s no complicated online account setup, no over-complicated tutorials—just pick up and play. For adults, it’s a reminder of simpler times, when gaming was about beating high scores and discovering secrets level by level. For kids, it’s a chance to learn the roots of the games they love today and build a shared bond with their parents.
Simplicity is the Key
One of the greatest appeals of retro handheld gaming is the simplicity of gameplay. Classic titles like “Tetris,” “Super Mario Land,” or “Sonic the Hedgehog” are easy to understand but difficult to master. This kind of simplicity is wonderful for kids, who can start playing instantly without needing to navigate complex systems. At the same time, it can provide adults with a sense of achievement after completing levels that are challenging in their own unique way.
Nostalgia and New Memories
For adults, picking up a retro handheld console isn’t just about playing a game—it’s about nostalgia. The pixel art graphics, the iconic chiptune music, and even the slightly washed-out screens take many back to their childhoods. Introducing these elements to a new generation not only brings a sense of shared history but also adds a touch of novelty that today’s polished, photorealistic games can’t quite capture. There’s something uniquely satisfying about sitting down with your child and saying, “This is the kind of game I played when I was your age.” It allows parents and children to connect over shared experiences—one past, one present, but both enjoying the moment.
Ideal for Travel
Retro handheld emulator consoles are also ideal for travel. Compact and lightweight, they’re perfect companions for road trips, long flights, or even waiting in line. Modern iterations of retro handhelds now come with hundreds of preloaded games, eliminating the need for multiple cartridges. The battery life of these devices is also designed to last for hours, making them perfect for keeping kids occupied on a long journey or giving adults a distraction during their commute.
A Wide Range of Options
The resurgence of retro gaming has resulted in many modern handhelds hitting the market, such as the Anbernic RG series, Retroid Pocket, and even Nintendo’s classic Game & Watch re-release. These devices blend nostalgia with modern tech, offering retro games with quality hardware that boasts bright screens and comfortable controls. Most even offer save states, so you don’t have to start over every time—a luxury the original consoles never had!
Affordable and Accessible
Compared to modern consoles that can be costly and require pricey games, retro handhelds are often much more affordable. Whether you’re buying an authentic refurbished console or a newly built retro-style device, these handhelds are relatively inexpensive, making them accessible to both kids who may be prone to dropping their devices and adults who don’t want to break the bank.
My Favorite Devices
There are several retro handheld consoles that stand out to me personally, each with its own unique features that make it a joy to use:
Trimui Smart: This small but powerful device is incredibly pocketable, making it perfect for taking anywhere. Despite its compact size, the Trimui Smart offers a surprising number of classic games, and its intuitive interface makes it easy for both adults and kids to pick up and play. Its simplicity and portability are its greatest strengths, offering hours of fun without any hassle. It’s great for gifting to kids or adults.
Anbernic RG40XXH: The Anbernic RG40XXH is another favorite. Known for its excellent build quality, bright screen, and ergonomic design, it feels great in the hands, even during extended play sessions. The RG40XXH also comes with a broad library of preloaded games, making it a fantastic choice for those looking to dive right into their favorite retro titles. Its powerful hardware ensures smooth emulation for a wide range of classic games.
Powkiddy RGB30: The Powkiddy RGB30 stands out due to its vibrant screen and user-friendly controls. It’s a bit larger compared to some other handhelds, but that makes it perfect for enjoying the colorful pixel art of classic games. The RGB30 is also highly versatile, supporting a variety of retro systems, which makes it an ideal choice for both newcomers and seasoned retro gamers alike. It strikes a great balance between performance and affordability.
Miyoo Mini Plus: The Miyoo Mini Plus is a charming device that brings together a cute, compact design with impressive gaming capabilities. Its small form factor makes it easy for kids to handle, while adults will appreciate its nostalgic feel. The Miyoo Mini Plus also features save states and customizable settings, making it one of the more user-friendly options on the market. Despite its small size, it packs a punch in terms of gameplay and offers a wonderful retro experience for all ages.
Anbernic RG353PS: This is perfect for gifting to kids or friends who would appreciate reliving their childhood. Combined with ArkOS you can really make it simple for these two profiles of users to get started with playing right away without any hang ups. Follow the guide here to set things up.
Operating Systems for Retro Handhelds
The experience of using retro handheld consoles can be further enhanced by choosing the right operating system. Many of these devices support custom firmware that offers improved features, better emulation, and more user-friendly interfaces.
ArkOS: ArkOS is a popular custom firmware used for many retro handheld devices. It is known for its stability and wide range of supported systems, providing a polished experience for those who want to get the most out of their device. ArkOS is particularly favored for devices like the Anbernic RG series, where it brings a host of features including better game organization, save states, and performance enhancements.
MiniUI (for Trimui Smart): The Trimui Smart really shines when paired with MiniUI. This lightweight operating system is designed to keep things simple, sticking with the core idea of pick-up-and-play. MiniUI is easy to navigate, offers a clean interface, and optimizes the performance of the Trimui Smart. It keeps everything streamlined, allowing users to focus on enjoying their favorite classic games without any unnecessary extras.
Batocera: Batocera is another well-known operating system for retro gaming. It is designed to run on a variety of devices, including the Anbernic RG series and other handhelds. Batocera offers a polished user experience with an intuitive interface, a wide range of emulator support, and excellent customization options. It is especially popular for its ease of setup and consistent performance.
ROCKNIX (formerly JELOS): ROCKNIX is an open-source operating system that is optimized for retro gaming handhelds. It’s lightweight, highly responsive, and works well with many devices like the Anbernic RG series. ROCKNIX provides a simplified experience, focusing solely on gaming performance and efficient emulation, which makes it a favorite for those who want a straightforward gaming experience without any unnecessary frills.
Onion OS (for Miyoo Mini Plus): The Miyoo Mini Plus works best with Onion OS, a custom firmware that significantly enhances the user experience. Onion OS provides improved game organization, quick save states, and more efficient battery usage. It’s tailored specifically for the Miyoo Mini line, making it easy to navigate and adding features that make the gameplay smoother and more enjoyable.
Crossmix OS (for Trimui Smart Pro)
These custom operating systems provide not only a functional upgrade but also make the experience of gaming on these handhelds much more enjoyable. They bring additional features like improved emulation support, better battery management, and an overall smoother experience compared to stock firmware.
Remember that you will need BIOS (or here) and ROM (or here) – preferably in the no-intro format to facilitate things like artwork scraping. Here’s a nice curated ROM set for various systems.
When choosing between NTSC (World/USA/Japan) and PAL (Europe) versions of NES games, it’s important to understand that NTSC versions generally provide a smoother and faster experience. NTSC games run at 60Hz, meaning they refresh the screen 60 times per second, resulting in more fluid animations and responsive gameplay. On the other hand, PAL games run at 50Hz, leading to a noticeable slowdown in movement, animations, and even sound—often running at 83% of the speed of NTSC versions. This slower pace affects the overall feel, especially in fast-paced platformers like Super Mario Bros., making NTSC versions preferable for those seeking the original design intent.
These differences are still relevant when using handheld emulators and modern software like OpenEmu or popular handheld devices like Anbernic or Retroid Pocket consoles. Emulators accurately replicate the original hardware, including regional refresh rates, so PAL ROMs will play with slower gameplay and pitch differences just like they did on European systems. If you want the most fluid and authentic gameplay experience, it’s generally recommended to choose the NTSC version, while the PAL version can still be valuable for those nostalgic for the original European experience.
For PlayStation 2, use PCSX2 emulator. For arcade games go here.
Retro Gaming Media
I love the graphics used in retro games, and I’ve been decorating my office with NES game covers. I’ve found some fantastic sites for NES box art, game screenshots and videos:
- Emumovies
- Sprites and Screenshots
- Vimm’s
- Screenscraper (open a free account)
Game Manuals
Although most games are self-explanatory, it was nice for me to go through the game manuals and discover the answer to perplexities of my childhood when I never had any manuals for the games I played. You can find manuals for NES here.
Conclusion
Retro gaming handheld consoles bring generations together, offer simple yet engaging experiences, and are affordable entertainment solutions that fit in your pocket. They can be a great way to introduce kids to gaming without the complexities of modern titles, while adults can revisit their favorite classics, creating new memories with their children. Whether you’re playing “Donkey Kong,” “Zelda,” or “Pac-Man,” retro handheld consoles prove that great gameplay never gets old.
With my 6 and 4-year-old kids we spend many happy hours playing and challenging each other, while of course implementing some limits on the total time they can spend playing every week. I think this is a nice way to start introducing the concept of balance in life. I don’t agree with banning things outright. I started gaming at an early age and turned out fine, so I’m speaking from experience here. The biggest danger I see in modern gaming is the wild levels of stimulation that most modern games provide. Retro games from the 80s and early 90s are pretty simple, and even as an adult, I can enjoy a 15-minute gaming session before I sleep without feeling that urge to play one more time or one new game. I can’t say the same about taking my phone to bed as I can easily doomscroll for two hours, or watch one YouTube video after another till the early hours, completely destroying the next day’s productivity.
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