- Primary Subject: Retro handheld gaming devices
- Key Update: The best retro handhelds available in 2026.
- Status: Published
- Last Verified: 2026-05-14
- Quick Answer: Check out our top recommendations for the best retro handheld gaming devices you can buy in 2026, detailing their pros and cons.
Retro gaming is in vogue once again, and there are plenty of handhelds on the market designed for enthusiasts that will let you enjoy gaming like you used to at the beginning of the century.
In fact, the retro handheld landscape has quite a lot of options at players' disposal. Some opt for a premium look and features, others for functionality, so finding the right one for you is a bit trickier than before.
This guide will show you the best retro handhelds you can buy in 2026. I'll list some pros and cons as well, so you can pick which one fits you best.
The Best Retro Handhelds In 2026
My picks for the best retro handhelds in 2026 are:
- Analogue Pocket
- Retroid Pocket 6
- Steam Deck
- ModRetro Chromatic
- Evercade EXP
Analogue Pocket
- Manufacturer: Analogue
- Cost: $239
- Where to buy: Analogue's website
The best premium retro handheld you can get on the market.
It's one of the few devices that can read your Game Boy cartridges, making it extra enticing for physical collectors, plus the 1600x1440 screen will make them shine.
With adapters, the Analogue Pocket can also read Game Gear. Neo Geo Pocket Color. and Atari Lynx cartridges. You can, of course, tinker with it a bit to make it play ROMs as well.
The downside is that for its price, it won't be able to emulate anything past retro handheld software, unlike other, cheaper consoles that can give you the experience of playing N64 or PS2 games on the go.
Another downside is that availability can be scarce, making it hard to get if scalpers get involved. At the time of writing, the next shipment of Pockets is slated for June, 2026.
Retroid Pocket 6
- Manufacturer: Retroid
- Cost: $244-$279
- Where to buy: Retroid's website
If you want more function over form, the Retroid Pocket 6 is the premium offer by Retroid in its handheld department.
It has a very recent Snapdragon chip, which means it can run games from the PlayStation 2/Xbox/GameCube era with no problem, as well as retro handhelds all the way up to the 3DS.
The downsides are that, similar to the Analogue Pocket, it isn't a cheap device, and it doesn't have a high-end feel and look to it, so it doesn't really feel like you're holding an almost $300 device.
That, on top of having to deal with an Android OS designed for phones, means it's not entirely plug and play.
Steam Deck
- Manufacturer: Valve
- Cost: $399-649
- Where to buy: Valve's website
I'm bending the rules with this one, but if you want to splurge some cash in the ultimate handheld that can do basically everything, then the Steam Deck is your best bet.
The LCD model can cost around $400, which is already pricier than dedicated retro handhelds, but, you'll be able to carry around your entire Steam library (or at least those optimized for the Deck).
Plus, with how versatile SteamOS is, you'll be able to emulate basically every retro console you can imagine.
ModRetro Chromatic
- Manufacturer: ModRetro
- Cost: $199-$299
- Where to buy: ModRetro website
The ModRetro Chromatic is the purest retro handheld experience.
No modding, no ROMs, it's a fully cartridge-based experience if you have a collection of Game Boy and Game Boy Color lying around. The price is steep for what it actually offers, but if you're in the market for a top-tier retro handheld that keeps things simple, this is your best bet.
Plus, it comes with an exclusive fully licensed Tetris for Chromatic game installed.
Evercade EXP
- Manufacturer: Evercade
- Cost: £129.99/€149.99/$149.99
- Where to buy: Evercade website for retailers
The Evercade EXP is the cheaper option in the market, but it's a perfect device for those starting in this hobby.
Personally, I find the design of the newer EXP much more dull, but it still does all you'd expect a retro handheld to do. The major thing about this system is that it uses proprietary cartridges.
Don't worry, there are dozens of licensed indie and retro games available. In fact, all Evercade EXP consoles come with the Capcom EXP collection, a total of 18 games including Street Fighter II, Mega Man 2, Mega Man X, Final Fight, and much more.
And that's it. Stick with us at StealthOptional.com: your go-to source for all things retro gaming.