Retro handheld buying guide for beginners

This retro handheld buying guide is for anyone who likes the idea of pocket-sized retro play but doesn't know what to look for yet. A retro handheld console is a small battery-powered device with its own screen and controls, built to play older-style games. Picking a good one comes down to seven checks: screen, shape, controls, storage card, battery, updates and build.

We use the Anbernic RG35XX H as the worked example because it is one we list, so we can show exactly what its listing says and where it stays quiet. Where the listing doesn't state something, we say so rather than guess. That is the same habit worth bringing to any listing you read.

One rule before anything else: only play games you own, or games that are legally free to download, such as homebrew and freeware. Nothing here tells you where to find games, and the RG35XX H listing doesn't include any.

At a glance

• Check the screen shape first. A squarer screen suits older games.
• Pick a form factor you can hold comfortably for an hour: horizontal, vertical or clamshell.
• Look at the storage card, battery and charging port, then at how updates work.
• Ignore any spec a listing can't back up. Ask, or skip it.
• Ready to compare? Browse our retro handhelds.

Prefer to browse as you read? Our retro handhelds and arcades collection lists screen, battery and storage side by side.

What is a retro handheld?

A retro handheld is a pocket-sized gaming device designed around older-style games. It has a built-in screen, a d-pad and buttons, a rechargeable battery and a slot for a storage card where you keep your games. Think of it as a small, dedicated player rather than a phone with a controller clipped on.

The appeal is simple. The games are short to pick up, the controls are physical, and nothing on the device pings you about an update to a different app. The trade-off is that you are buying a small piece of hardware with its own quirks, which is why the checks below matter.

What to look at before you buy

Screen size and aspect ratio

Bigger is not automatically better here. Many older games were made for a squarer picture, so a squarer screen shows them without black bars down the sides. A very wide screen can stretch the picture or leave unused space. Check the stated size, the resolution and the aspect ratio, and make sure the listing actually states them.

Form factor: horizontal handheld, vertical or clamshell

• Horizontal: the screen sits in the middle with controls on either side, like a classic pocket console. It gives your hands the most room and is the usual choice for beginners.
• Vertical: taller than wide, with the screen above the controls. It fits a pocket and suits one-handed play, but your thumbs have less room.
• Clamshell: folds shut like a compact mirror, which protects the screen in a bag. The hinge is the part to read reviews about.

Controls

Older-style games mostly need a d-pad and four face buttons. Some also want shoulder buttons, and a few use analog sticks. Work out what you want to play, then check the device has those controls. If you have large hands, a longer body is easier on them.

Storage card

Games live on a removable storage card, so the card is part of the device. Check the card capacity that comes with it, the largest card the device accepts, and whether a bundle includes a second card. A spare card is handy for keeping your library tidy.

Battery and charging

Look for a stated battery capacity in mAh and the charging port type. A common USB-C port means you can use a cable you already own. Run time depends on what you play and how bright the screen is, so treat any single number with a bit of suspicion.

Software and firmware updates

This is the check most beginners skip. Ask who maintains the device's software, how fixes reach you, and whether the device has wireless to receive them. If a listing doesn't say, that is a gap to note, not a reason to panic.

Build

Check the shell material, the feel of the buttons and the size. Photos help, but they don't tell you how the d-pad feels. Reviews do, so read a few before you commit.

Retro handheld buying guide: the checklist

Here is the whole retro handheld buying guide on one page. The last column uses only what our listing states for the Anbernic RG35XX H. Where it says "see the product page" or "not listed yet", the listing doesn't give us a figure we are happy to repeat.

What to check	Why it matters	RG35XX H
Screen size and aspect ratio	Decides how older games look and how big the device is	See the product page
Form factor	Changes how it feels in your hands and bag	See the product page
Controls	Needs to match the games you want to play	See the product page
Storage card	Holds your games; more room means a bigger library	64 GB card included; the bundle adds a 128 GB card
Battery and charging	Sets how long a session lasts and how you top up	Charges over USB-C; for capacity, see the product page
Video out	Lets you play on a bigger screen	Mini HDMI out
Wireless	Affects online features and how updates arrive	No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so it is an offline device
Software and firmware updates	Keeps fixes coming after you buy	Not listed yet
Chip	Part of what decides how smoothly it runs older-style games	H700
Build and size	Comfort, durability and pocket fit	See the product page; colors listed below
Safety marks	Matters for batteries and chargers	See the product page

The RG35XX H as a worked example

Using the checklist, here is what we can say about the RG35XX H. The listing calls it a retro handheld built to play retro games you own, and it says plainly that games are not included. It uses an H700 chip, charges over USB-C and has a Mini HDMI output if you want the picture on a TV.

It has no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. That is a plus if you want a device with no online side, and a limit if you expected wireless features. It also means you should look at how software changes would reach it, and the listing doesn't cover that yet. For the screen, battery capacity, size and safety marks, we point you to the product page rather than quote figures from memory.

Is it the best retro handheld for beginners? It depends on what you need from the checklist, and a device with an offline design and a TV output ticks a few boxes. Use the table to decide for yourself.

Choosing your color and card bundle

Color

The RG35XX H comes in purple translucent, black and white translucent. The listing doesn't describe any difference in how they perform, so this is a taste call. Pick the one you would not mind seeing at the bottom of a bag.

Card bundle

You can have the 64 GB card on its own, or the bundle that adds a second 128 GB card. Choose the single card if you are trying it out and plan to start small. Choose the bundle if you already know you will want room for a bigger library, or a spare card for keeping things organized. Either way, see the product page for the current options before you order.

First-day setup tips

Play games you own

Use games you own or games that are legally free to download, like homebrew and freeware. Keep your own copies backed up on your computer, so a lost card isn't a lost library.

Charge it before you start

Give the battery a full charge on day one, with a cable you trust. It is the least exciting step and the one that stops a session from ending at the first boss.

Check the card

Make sure the storage card is seated properly and that the device recognizes it before you add anything. If something looks wrong, reseat the card and try again.

Set up the controls and screen

• Test every button and the d-pad before you settle in.
• Adjust brightness to the room you play in most.
• If you plan to use a TV, check your cable before game night, since the listing only states the output type.

Keep it simple at first

Start with a small library you actually play. A card with a few hundred titles you never open is just a very organized drawer.

Where to go next

If you are still choosing, our retro handhelds collection is the main place to compare. Looking for a small present as well? Our gifts for gamers collection has smaller options. If it needs to arrive by a date, check the delivery time for your country before you order. Browse everything in the full store.

FAQ

What is a retro handheld?

It is a small, battery-powered gaming device with its own screen and controls, designed around older-style games. You load your own legal games onto a storage card and play wherever you like. It works on its own, with no phone or computer needed once the card is set up.

What is the best retro handheld for beginners?

The best one is the one whose screen, shape and controls suit the games you want to play. Beginners usually do well with a horizontal layout, a common charging port and clear listing details. Use the checklist above and compare options in our retro handhelds collection.

Is a horizontal handheld better than a vertical one?

A horizontal layout gives your hands more room and suits longer sessions, so it is the usual starting point. A vertical one is easier to pocket and suits one-handed play. Neither is better overall. Pick the shape that feels comfortable in your hands.

Does the RG35XX H have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?

No. The listing shows neither, so treat it as an offline device with no wireless play or online features. It does have a Mini HDMI output for a TV and charges over USB-C. Check the product page for anything else you need.

Do games come with it?

No. The listing doesn't include games. Use games you own or that are legally free to download, such as homebrew and freeware. You add them to the storage card yourself, and it is worth keeping backups of your own files on a computer. If a game's license isn't clear, leave it off the card.