The Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck might have opened the floodgates for modern gaming handhelds, but once I got my hands on my first Android retro gaming handheld, I was in love. The combination of retro emulators and the versatility of Android makes these devices incredible for everything from reliving the classics to playing your favorite Windows or Switch games on the go. I’ve tested dozens of these handhelds at this point, and while many of them may look similar, there’s a lot to consider.
Everything from the controls and screen to the chipset and proprietary software can make or break a gaming handheld. With that in mind, here are the Android gaming handhelds I would recommend for each use case.
