Ranking Nintendo's 5 Best Handhelds - Retro Bird

When it comes to the portable handheld gaming market, Nintendo has been pretty dominant. But how would you rank them? Well, in this video I give my personal rankings as well as some thoughts on the whole situation.

Ranking Nintendo's 5 Best Handhelds - Retro Bird / Handheld Video Game Console / Systems / Nintendo Game Boy / Nintendo DS / Game Boy Advance / GBA / 3DS / Switch / Nintendo Switch / Virtual Boy / Game Boy Color / GBC / GB / Top 5 Nintendo Handhelds / Best Nintendo Handheld / 2DS / DS Lite / DSi / Game Boy Advance SP / Game Boy Pocket / Switch Lite / Switch OLED / New 3DS XL / DSi XL / Game Boy Micro

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#retrobird

[RetroBirdGaming]

Games played: Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (0:00), Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (0:20), Kirby's Dream Land 2 (0:35), Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (1:44), Super Mario 3D Land (5:15), Wario Land (10:07)

[trav]

It’s funny you ended it with the Wii U pad. That’s my favorite. Lol. I don’t care it’s not actually a portable but I thought It was awesome that I could play breath of the wild in my room while the system was in the living room. Life changing!! Also. I love how so many people spend big bucks on video capture hardware and you just play your games in front of the camera. So simple yet works so well.

[riversart]

If you're looking for a third game to add to your DS collection, you can't go wrong with Castlevania-Dawn of Sorrow. It's my favorite DS game by far.

[MattAkiyama]

Thanks for the video, RetroBird! Going through a hard time at the moment and this was just what I wanted to watch to keep my mind occupied.

[fabiancouture]

The Castlevania trilogy on the DS are some great games I’d recommend for the system. I recently finished Portrait of Ruin, and it was a really unique take on the Castlevania formula, allowing you to control two characters with separate abilities and weapons.

[christopherdarling]

These videos are so good I am having a hard time choosing to play video games versus watching the channel. Always entertaining!!

[zflipratorrrz]

Been anticipating this video ever since i heard you was making it!

[RetroBirdGaming]

Can you spot the GameCube reference at the end of the video?

[HoldingOnDaily]

I know I’m late, but wholeheartedly want to thank you for your “anxiety” video. I have been dealing with this my entire life. And it’s been even worse as I’m getting a little older. Also, my favorite way to play retro games on a handheld right now in 2022 is on an oled psvita that’s modded. Gb, gbc, gba, ports the list goes on! Highly recommend this! But of course for Nintendo 3DS the best experience is on the actual 3DS. But if you want an awesome experience I recommend playing regular Nintendo DS on a modded Nintendo WiiU you it utilizes the game pad and puts the top part on your TV set and the bottom on your game pad! Really awesome! Your videos help me with my anxiety! You have succeeded! Happy holidays to you and your family 🎄

[ptzzz]

Haven't watched some of your recent vids, but when I saw that you were doing this video I had to wait and watch. I like Nintendo handhelds myself and hopefully will get one to own myself at some point.
Also nice to see the Banana jokes are still going strong like in 0:51.

[paulafaber]

I’m glad I subscribed, your video’s are by far the most entertaining ánd informative ❤

[thewingedavenger]

The Metroidvania games on the GBA and DS are stellar - all six of them! As a fan of Symphony of the Night, I was on cloud nine when I got those games. My favorite is probably Dawn of Sorrow, but it's hard to pick one.

[Dredre]

The green gameboy was my first and I cherish it dearly ❤️

[frozenaorta]

No joke: I've just been bingeing some random of your vids this afternoon while I work, and this is LITERALLY the third straight video where you've told the story about the kid whacking his little brother with the green Game Boy. That clearly left an impression on you. Ha.

[afr]

Just discovering your channel. It’s incredible.

[megamob]

Some recommendations for the DS:
Can’t go wrong with any of the 3 Castlevanias, especially if you like the GBA ones. My personal favorite being Dawn of Sorrow, also gotta shout out Contra 4 which doesn’t get enough love imo.
For 3DS, Kid Icarus: Uprising is an absolute must play. The controls can take some getting used to, but it’s an amazing game and well worth the occasional hand cramp. The Luigis Mansion sequel is also pretty good and Star Fox 64 3D is the definitive way to play that game, much like the Ocarina and Majora remakes.
I’ll side with you on your #1. Recently got a modded og GBA that I haven’t been able to put down. I’ve had an SP 101 for many years, but yeah, the form factor of the original model is so much more comfortable. Just wish it had a built in rechargeable battery like the SP. This sucker eats thru Duracells like nobody’s business with that bright back light and the amount of time I’ve been playing it 😅

[karmad.twelve]

I love the GBA, the 3DS, the DS and then the Gameboy. I have fond memories with the Gameboy, but I love the more modern handhelds now so much, including the Switch! Great episode!

[gametournyever]

Very fun video. Great to see your take on the Handhelds. My top 5 are probably so different from alot of peoples but these are what I own and play.
5. Virtual Boy
4. Game Boy Color
3. Game Boy
2. Switch
1. Gba

I have never owned a DS or 3DS so this is why I have the list I have. I would throw in some honorable mentions with the various Game and Watch systems as a number 6. :)

[sunwentai]

My favorite is also the GBA, but I like the SP version way more simply due to its screen being positioned above the controls, meaning that you don't need to tilt down your head as much as the regular version, which helps lessen neck pain.

[ghostytheloser]

Hey retro bird, I wanted to thank you for inspiring me to start playing retro games and make retro game content you're my favourite YouTuber :D . My personal favourite Nintendo handheld is the original DS. Btw I was wondering if you could do another video on the neo geo next?