Retro Emulation Handheld Buying Guide ($25-$99)

I made this retro buying guide to help people that are overwhelmed by the number of options available on the market. This is a quick overview of the major emulation handhelds under $100 along with some of my personal opinions. I tried to keep this as concise as possible and my hope is that this helps narrow down the field for some of you.

*Official manufacturer stores*

Wolsen

Moorechip

GameKiddy

RetroFlag

PowKiddy

Anbernic
RG99 - waiting for link
RS97 - waiting for link

Disclaimer: This review includes affiliate links. Anything you purchase from those links helps support the channel.

This video is for educational purposes only.

[TakiUdon]

Hope this helps. I included some LDK modding footage that I've been sitting on.

[sebdoesntreply]

It is insane to see how much the market changed since then.

[MashTec]

Hey Taki, great video dude! And nice competition.
I‘m glad to see the RG350 here but i really miss the Odroid Go Advance. I belive the OGA is the most great new comer. Powerful internals, good screen and a decent button layout.
I belive we‘ll hear a lot of this device this year.
Still, kepp going. Your videos are great and inspire me alot! Thanks

[XelaShade]

I remember the days when GTA San andreas was a demanding game like 10-12 years ago, how times have changed.

[ramonnario]

Been following your videos on retro handhelds for the longest time. Really appreciate what you do for the community and just wanted to thank you for it! There are a lot of other channels dedicated to similar content but yours always ends up being clearer and more detailed just the way people in this community would like. Keep up the great work!

[Asukarulez]

Alright Taki, now we need a list of best Retro consoles over $100! What's the best, most powerful handheld one person can buy that isn't a phone + Bluetooth controller!

[notpolarstar]

I think that getting a 3ds/new 3ds is a very good option. You can play 3ds and ds games and many retro consoles from the atari 2600 to the PS1. It is also pretty cheap.

[welshmouse]

I own basically every handheld, but nothing yet is quite perfect.

What I really want is a device with good build quality that can play everything up to ps1/n64/, is portable and comfortable to hold, and that I can hook up to a TV with a Bluetooth controller.

I would pay crazy money if it was powerful enough to go up to GameCube emulation.

Unfortunately, the market is currently dominated by cheaper Chinese devices, and uber specialty devices like the GPD WIN series.

[LovelyAlanna]

the RG350 is the only way to go, but you're right, I bought this at $65 some time ago because it was at a discount, $85 is too much

[sebastianwardana]

seriously, when am i able to play with power and export games onto the device, like the koren console the rg350 is based on and the play go

[Jerome-C]

GPI case !!! Best Choice ever
Everybody have phone to play emulators on... but feel the old sentation and nostalgia of the GameBoy is unique with this device that i exvlusively use to play GB/GBC/GBA/Snes on it !

[javierfontanillo]

If you want to get an emulation system with good cuality and good price i abdolutly recomend Buying a Nintendo 3ds or 2ds i know it can get higher than 100 dollars but sometimes house can get a used one for less and its a great system with great games and user friendly, i have Been using mine for all kind of games almost for 2 Years and i never have a problem.

[lifehackertips]

You need a new buying guide for 2021. Also please include pocket consoles that are supposedly coming soon, because it sucks buying a pocket console only for a much faster model for less money available a week later. Also include links to the prices you claim to have purchased them for.

[abymohanan]

Thank you so much for this video 👍🏻👌🏻✌🏻

[robertootero]

Hello I love watching channel it is also very warm it is just before this episode I just purchased powkiddy x 15 can you do an episode about how to download English settings to better understand keep up the great work

[hornylink]

I own a 3ds and just today I discovered that if you have a custom firmware 3ds there's a program called "New Super Ultimate Injector for 3ds"
(yes the name's ridiculous) that lets you package roms for NES, Famicom disk system, SNES, Gameboy, Gameboy Color, Gameboy advanced, Sega Genesis, Game Gear, and TurboGrafx-16 into a format that runs on 3ds with amazing compatability, considering you can get a 3ds for around 100 bucks or less on ebay (I don't know if this program works on 2DS) I figured I'd let you guys know about this.

[tomstorm]

If that Powkiddy had a normal dpad I'd be all over it! Can't stand those Switch style c-button dpads though

[DS-hbjz]

Hey Taki! Just now started seeing your videos! Awesome job! I was thinking about getting a RG350 (or whatever it says in the video.as it won't let me look without discarding my comment). I was wondering, does it come with games already downloaded on it? Or, do I have to download or pay on my own? I'm mainly interested in playing NES, Sega Genesis, SNES, and MAME/Arcade Games. Thanks in advance!

[FilipoLipos]

just buy used vita for 80-100$, hack it and bam...you have beast :D

[ArjanYoyoman]

If I would only emulate GBA. What console would be the #1 best, en what would be the best for the money?