My Favorite Handhelds of 2023

As we wrap up 2023, let's take a moment and look at my favorite handhelds of the year.

Handhelds featured in this video:

Runners Up:

Timestamps:
00:00 introduction
00:46 very budget handheld
03:30 $60 handheld
05:54 micro handheld
08:02 under $100 handheld
12:30 $125ish handheld
13:54 $150-$175 handheld
18:00 $300+ Android handheld
19:58 handheld PCs
23:10 what to look for in 2024
25:20 summary and conclusion

Ways to support this channel:

Theme song written by Jim Gray of Our Ghosts:

^^ use code "RGC10" for 10% off your order

This video is for entertainment and educational purposes only.

#retrohandheld #emulation #anbernic #steamdeck #handheldgaming

[Dairunt]

Having a "Best handheld of the year" video from you is always a year end's highlight!

[fabiopezzolla]

Oh, I was just looking for a way to procrastinate work a little bit further and here it is, the perfect 2023 handheld sum up by my favourite RetroTuber!
A welcome surprise!

[kogman]

Your favourites of 2022 got me started on this journey. I now own an Rg35xx and a Retroid Pocket 3 plus thanks to you and couldn't be happier.
Keep up the good work!!

[toycoma]

Miyoo mini plus dipped my toes in the retro handhelds. Loved it so much, I got all 4 colors. I've curated my own sd card and had a blast doing it. Gifting two of them to my kids for Christmas. Currently looking for an horizontal handheld upgrade to level up. Trimui smart pro was looking good, but the performance and negative reviews made me look away. I hope it gets better in 2024. Cant wait for new handhelds that come out next year.

After turning 40, I really enjoy these retro handhelds. My XBOX series S is just collecting dust. Thank you.

[akmalamni]

SteamDeck OLED coming out of nowhere was truly an amazing surprise!

What a great way to end 2023, looking forward to what surprises 2024 holds for all of us!

[JosephBryant]

Hey Russ, just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all this amazing content you make. I started getting into retro gaming halfway through this year and your videos made me take the leap into that rabbit hole. Now I have MM+ and RGB30 because of you and I love them! The MM+ is by far the best handheld I've ever had! (Including PSP, GBA, DS, VITA, and Switch). The fact all of this is free and made with such care makes it one of a kind. Not all heroes wear capes, salute! 🤠

[shaminy]

Last year’s wrap up is what led to me jumping into the retro handheld space and getting a Miyoo Mini. But I’ve continued watching these videos and so I also got a RP3+ and Miyoo Mini Plus. Now I’m in the process of setting up my Odin 2 and I’ve been setting up Mini Pluses for a bunch of my coworkers and family. 😂 Russ, thank you for the hard work that you put into all of your high quality videos.

[DragonDreamVNY]

One year already ❤ Feels not long ago when I watched the 2022 one 🎉

[GoofCustom]

I purchased a Miyoo Mini Plus for my bday earlier this year (paid a bit higher as I ordered on Amazon though) and it's excellent. I have other retro handhelds (modded 3DS XL and PS Vita) but I'm really impressed with the Miyoo and how small it is and how many games it plays. I second your recommendation of that device at that price point, and it was because of videos like yours that I bought one. thank you.

[frogmoo]

I bought a retroid pocket 3+ based on your videos and I couldn’t be happier. It took a minute to get it set up (again thanks for the guide) but once I got it where I wanted it was the perfect console for me. I take it everywhere I go and it keeps me company on airplanes and in hotels when I travel. Thank you so much and keep up the good work

[franjc]

Just got into this little handhelds world recently thanks to your videos. I started playing with my Retroid Pocket 3+ just 2 weeks ago and I'm enjoying it SO MUCH!! I'd love to own an Odin 2 since it checks all I could want of a handheld, but maybe in the future. RP3+ is doing that job just fine for now

[jasonnip]

My RG35xx plus should arrive soon. I purchased it using your affiliate link. Happy to support the channel Russ. Love your videos and set up guides. Thanks for doing what you do. I think you provide the most in depth content and present it in the most concise and easy to digest manner.

[ronch]

Glad to see the Powkiddy X55 is still on the list. It's my first handheld and apart from the somewhat cheap-feeling build quality (not just the shell and the paint job, but also the buttons), it's been good. Plays up to PS1 just fine. Since I'm mainly into NES, SNES, Genesis and PS1 games, I'm all good. I tried Sega CD games too, something I think few people actually play, and they've been pretty good except for Sonic CD which crashes all the time.

[tyguy]

your channel is my go to for handhelds. between watching you and taki udon, i have never been disappointed with a purchase.
your "best of the year" video is the one i wait for

[mattfick]

Thanks for the video Russ, great as always.

Just wanted to say, your 2021 best-of list got me back into gaming in a big way. Discovering the new handheld gaming industry made me realise that I can find a new way to bring gaming into my life.

[Utcheeow]

Thanks a lot for your amazing job through the whole year, Russ.
I am a very happy owner of the holy trilogy Miyoo Mini Plus/Retroid Pocket 3+/Ayn Odín 2 and that's mainly because of your reviews.
Being a millennial and an early retrogamer (I used to play Zsnes in 1996 when we still needed floppy disks and download roms from the internet service in our local library) it is really a joy to have this nostalgic gaming encyclopedia in my pocket.
All the best for a magnificent 2024 from Italy!

[saiyanprime]

My Odin 2 Pro is on the way, and I'm pretty excited.

Your video about Odin 2 helped me decide which version to get. With you showing the performance of the pro, it convinced me I didn't need to spend the extra money on the max.

Pumped about portable PS2.

[XXIIXIIIXXXIXXXIX]

The RG35XX Plus is the BEST device I've gotten under $100 in my life. Everything is better and the amazing HDMI out makes it a no brainer for me. I even got some non taxing PS2 games to run well on it and it rocks for Dreamcast.

[ackbeans]

My dream handheld is pretty much just a new take on the DS/3DS. I’d love for someone to try out the twin-screen setup someday

[HomeGamingProductions]

I love these types of handhelds these are for actually playing not collecting 😅keep the retro and official handhelds for the collection and play these ones