In 2024, the resurgence of retro gaming has led to a diverse array of handheld consoles, each catering to different preferences and budgets. These devices allow enthusiasts to relive classic gaming experiences with modern enhancements. Here’s a comprehensive look at some of the standout retro gaming handhelds of the year:

Anbernic RG35XX

Anbernic continues to lead in the retro handheld market with its reliable and affordable offerings, and the RG35XX is a prime example. Featuring a 3.5-inch IPS display, this handheld is optimized for games from platforms up to the PlayStation 1. It’s perfect for fans of early 3D games like Final Fantasy VII and Tekken 3 or classic 16-bit hits from the SNES and Sega Genesis.

The RG35XX’s nostalgic design is inspired by the Game Boy Advance, with a familiar layout and robust build quality. The device supports open-source operating systems, allowing users to customize the software for their needs. Its affordable price makes it accessible for anyone looking to dive into retro gaming.

Price: $43.49 – Buy Now

Anbernic RG35XX Plus

The Anbernic RG35XX Plus builds on the success of its predecessor, the RG35XX, with significant upgrades in performance and usability while maintaining its budget-friendly appeal. Equipped with a 3.5-inch 640×480 IPS display, it delivers clear visuals with a nostalgic 4:3 aspect ratio. The RG35XX Plus is powered by the Allwinner H700 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor, paired with 1GB of DDR4 RAM, four times the original model’s memory. This makes it capable of handling over 30 gaming platforms with improved smoothness and responsiveness.

The device also features dual microSD card slots, supporting storage expansion up to 512GB, allowing users to load thousands of classic games. It comes with a larger 3,300mAh battery, offering up to 8 hours of playtime for extended gaming sessions. Running a Linux-based OS, it provides a straightforward and reliable gaming experience. It sports 5G WiFi, Bluetooth, HD TV output, and support for wireless controllers, making it a versatile and modern choice for retro gaming enthusiasts. Available in retro grey, transparent black, and white, this handheld merges nostalgia with modern efficiency.

Price: $57.99 – Buy Now

Retroid Pocket 2S

The Retroid Pocket 2S remains a fan favorite, offering excellent performance at an affordable price. Sporting a compact 3.5-inch display, this handheld runs on Android 11, making it incredibly easy to set up and customize. Its internal specs ensure smooth emulation for systems up to the GameCube era, including iconic consoles like the Nintendo 64, PlayStation 1, and Sega Dreamcast.

The design is reminiscent of early handhelds, with a nostalgic D-pad and responsive buttons, making it perfect for gamers who value simplicity and portability. Whether you’re indulging in classic RPGs or platformers, the Retroid Pocket 2S provides a balanced experience. Its budget-friendly price also makes it an excellent entry point for newcomers to retro gaming.

Price: $99 – Buy Now

Anbernic RG406V

The Anbernic RG406V is a modern retro gaming handheld that blends classic aesthetics with cutting-edge technology. Its design is inspired by the iconic Game Boy but enhanced with a 4-inch IPS display featuring a 960 x 720 resolution for crisp visuals. Powered by the UNISOC T820 octa-core processor and 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, the RG406V handles emulation for over 30 platforms effortlessly, including demanding PlayStation 2 and GameCube titles.

The device offers 128GB of internal UFS 2.2 storage, expandable via TF cards up to 2TB, allowing users to store thousands of retro games. It runs Android 13 out of the box and supports a variety of modern features, such as 3D Hall joysticks with RGB lighting, a six-axis gyroscope, and high-speed active cooling. With its 5,000mAh battery, the RG406V delivers up to 7 hours of gameplay and charges fully in just three hours. This handheld is perfect for gamers seeking a balance between retro gaming and modern versatility.

Price: $164.99 – Buy Now

Retroid Pocket 5 Handheld

The Retroid Pocket 5, the latest addition to the Retroid family, takes handheld gaming to the next level. Featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor and 6GB of RAM, this device is built for robust performance. Its 5.5-inch touchscreen provides vibrant visuals, perfect for titles from systems like PlayStation 2, GameCube, and even the original Xbox.

The Pocket 5 is more than just a retro gaming device, it doubles as an all-in-one entertainment hub. It runs Android 12, offering access to a wide range of apps, streaming services, and modern Android games. Its ergonomic design ensures comfort during long gaming sessions, and the addition of customizable shoulder buttons makes it versatile for different game genres.

Price: $199 – Buy Now

Analogue Pocket

The Analogue Pocket stands out for its ability to play original cartridges from Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance systems, eschewing emulation for authentic gaming. This premium device features a high-resolution 1600×1440 display, which breathes new life into vintage titles. It also supports adapters for other systems, including Sega Game Gear and Neo Geo Pocket.

What sets the Analogue Pocket apart is its meticulous design and build quality. The device caters to collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate the tactile feel of physical cartridges. Additionally, its FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) technology ensures near-perfect hardware emulation, delivering an unrivaled retro gaming experience.

Price: $219 – Buy Now

Conclusion

When selecting a retro gaming handheld, consider factors such as the range of emulation support, build quality, display characteristics, and budget. Each of these devices offers a unique blend of features catering to different gaming preferences, ensuring that there’s a suitable option for every retro gaming enthusiast in 2024.

We have also recently covered an article on the best retro gaming handhelds from Anbernic—don’t miss it!

The post Best Retro Gaming Handheld Consoles of 2024: Relive the Classics in Style appeared first on Gizmochina.

Retroid has unveiled the Pocket 2S Metallic Edition which has the same specifications as the regular variant but a metal casing. The regular variant of the Pocket 2S gaming handheld was introduced by Retroid in July of this year. The new metal version of the Retroid Pocket 2S tiny gaming portable is another addition to the original six color choices.

The Pocket 2S’s design is influenced by the original Nintendo model. The Pocket 2S’s metallic custom casing went on sale at retail today on the official website of the company. The Retroid Pocket 2S Metal Edition comes in a single color which is—a grey colorway.

Retroid Pocket 2S Metal Edition features

The Metal Edition has a 4,000 mAh battery and a Unisoc Tiger T610 processor. Regarding specifications, the former has a Mali-G52 MC2 GPU, six Cortex-A55 CPU cores, and two ARM Cortex-A75 CPU cores, clocked at 1.8 GHz, 1.8 GHz, and 614 MHz, etc.

The Metal Edition further makes use of a 3.5-inch IPS display with 640 x 480 pixels and a 4:3 aspect ratio. In addition, the display features a touchscreen layer for an additional input option and a refresh rate of 60 Hz. However, since the Pocket 2S’s debut, the company has not disclosed any updates to the latest version of Android. The handhelds are still getting pre-installed with Android 11.

Retroid Pocket 2S Metal Edition Price and Availability

Retroid has discontinued its entry-level 3 GB RAM and 32 GB storage variant for the Metal Edition. Consequently, the Pocket 2S Metal Edition, which comes with just 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, costs $149. The company reduced the price of the Metal Edition by $4 at launch, but this offer is only valid through December 23.

Related:

• Moto G34 5G launched with 120Hz display, Snapdragon 695, 50MP dual cameras
• Vivo X100 and X100 Pro launch date for Malaysia confirmed, other markets to follow soon
• OnePlus 12R RAM, storage, color options leaked, OnePlus Ace 3 officially teased
• Realme 12 Pro 5G and Realme 12 Pro+ 5G Hit UAE’s TDRA, Launch Seems Imminent
• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Could Feature 50 MP Mode for its 5x Telephoto Lens

(Source)

The post Retroid Pocket 2S Metal Edition Launched with Tiger T610 SoC, 4000mAh battery, and more appeared first on Gizmochina.

The resurgence of handheld gaming consoles has captured the attention of gamers once more, thanks to impressive offerings like the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, ONEXPLAYER 2 Pro, and more. Alongside high-end consoles, brands are also introducing low-powered ones tailored for playing classic NES-era games. One such console is the Pocket 2S, launched by Retroid.

Affordable Hall Effect retro gaming console

Despite not being as powerful as its counterparts, the Pocket 2S has its unique strengths. Its retro aesthetics evoke a strong sense of nostalgia, and it boasts 3D hall effect joysticks, ensuring gamers won’t have to worry about stick drift issues. Hall effect joysticks use magnets and sensors to detect movement. They are more durable and accurate than traditional joysticks, and they do not have any moving parts that can wear out.

The Retroid Pocket 2S handheld gaming console comes in a compact and portable design, with dimensions of 155 x 80.6 x 28 mm and a weight of 200 grams. Powering the device is the Unisoc Tiger T610 SoC which has a Mali-G52 MC2 GPU to handle the graphics processing.

Gaming on the Pocket 2S is facilitated by its 3.5-inch touchscreen display, boasting a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels and a classic 4:3 aspect ratio. The console is equipped with a 4,000 mAh battery, ensuring sufficient playtime without frequent charging. Users have the option to choose between 32 GB or 64 GB of storage, and it comes with either 3 GB or 4 GB of RAM for smooth gaming performance.

Running on Android 11, the Pocket 2S provides access to a wide range of games and apps. The device is attractively priced at $99 for the 3 GB/32 GB variant and $119 for the 4 GB/64 GB variant, making it an affordable option for gamers seeking a portable retro gaming experience. Retroid has announced that the shipping of Retroid Pocket 2S pre-orders will commence on August 10.

RELATED:

• AYA NEO KUN & SLIDE gaming handhelds with AMD Ryzen 7 7840U chipsets unveiled
• Quick Take: ASUS ROG Ally is the Xbox Handheld Console we never got
• GPD Win 4 2023 Handheld gaming console pricing and specs revealed ahead of July 17 launch

(Source, via)

The post Retroid Pocket 2S Retro gaming console with Hall effect joysticks & Android 11 OS launched for $99 appeared first on Gizmochina.