Best retro handheld for beginners in 2025
New to retro gaming handhelds? We break down the best options for beginners by budget — from $40 starters to $200 powerhouses. No jargon, just honest picks.
Getting into retro gaming handhelds for the first time is exciting — and a little overwhelming. There are dozens of devices, multiple firmware options, and a lot of opinions online. This guide cuts through the noise.
The short answer
For most beginners, the Miyoo Mini Plus at $59 is the right starting point. It’s simple to set up, runs the best custom firmware available (OnionOS), and plays everything from Game Boy to PS1 perfectly. If you want something even cheaper, the RG28XX at $45 is a solid alternative.
What matters for beginners
Before picking a device, decide what you actually want to play:
- Game Boy, GBA, NES, SNES, PS1 → Any device under $100 handles these perfectly
- N64, PSP, Dreamcast → You need a mid-range device ($100–$150)
- PS2, GameCube → You need a premium Android device ($150+)
Most beginners are surprised to find that a $59 device plays PS1 games better than their original PlayStation did. Start there.
Budget tier: Under $60
🥇 Miyoo Mini Plus — $59
Editor Score: 9.0/10
The Miyoo Mini Plus is the community’s top recommendation for beginners, and for good reason. The setup process is straightforward: format an SD card, copy OnionOS files, insert and boot. That’s it.
Why it’s great for beginners:
- OnionOS is the most beginner-friendly custom firmware available — clean menus, automatic artwork scraping, RetroAchievements support
- 3.5” IPS screen at 640×480 — perfect pixel scaling for every classic platform
- Wi-Fi built in — sync saves, scrape box art, connect to RetroAchievements without a cable
- Strong community — thousands of guides, themes, and troubleshooting resources
What it can’t do: N64 is marginal, PSP is poor, PS2 is impossible. If those matter to you, read on.
Full specs → | Screen analysis →
RG28XX — $45
Editor Score: 7.8/10
The cheapest device worth recommending. The RG28XX is tiny — Game Boy Micro-sized — and runs GarlicOS or KNULLI out of the box. It’s ideal if you mainly want Game Boy, GBA, and NES games in your pocket at all times.
Best for: Ultra-portability, Game Boy/GBA focus, tight budgets.
Skip it if: You want PS1 or a larger screen.
Full specs → | Screen analysis →
Mid-range tier: $60–$100
Anbernic RG35XX H — $49
Editor Score: 8.2/10
Same 640×480 IPS screen as the Miyoo Mini Plus, but in a horizontal PSP-style layout with dual analog sticks. If you prefer a traditional controller feel over the Miyoo’s compact form, this is your pick.
Best for: PSP-style layout preference, dual analog sticks, saving $10 vs. Miyoo.
Premium tier: $150–$200
Retroid Pocket 5 — $199
Editor Score: 9.3/10
If you know you want PS2 and GameCube, skip the budget devices entirely and start here. The RP5 runs Android, which means you install emulators from the Play Store like any other app. Setup is more involved than OnionOS, but there are excellent guides available.
Why beginners sometimes start here:
- Future-proof — handles everything up to PS2/GameCube
- Android means familiar app ecosystem
- 5.5” AMOLED screen is genuinely impressive
The catch: More setup required. You’ll need to configure emulators individually rather than having everything pre-configured.
Which firmware should beginners use?
| Device | Recommended Firmware | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Miyoo Mini Plus | OnionOS | Best beginner experience, most guides |
| RG28XX | KNULLI | Active development, good device support |
| RG35XX H | GarlicOS or KNULLI | Both solid, GarlicOS is simpler |
| Retroid Pocket 5 | Stock Android + Daijishō | Android ecosystem, easy emulator install |
Common beginner questions
Do I need to know how to code or mod hardware? No. All modern custom firmware installs by copying files to an SD card. No soldering, no command line required.
Is it legal? The devices themselves are legal. ROMs are a grey area — technically you should only use ROMs from games you own. In practice, the community is large and active.
What SD card should I buy? Use a reputable brand: Samsung, SanDisk, or Lexar. Avoid cheap no-name cards — they’re the #1 cause of installation problems. 64GB is a good starting size.
Can I try multiple devices? Absolutely. Many enthusiasts own 2–3 devices for different use cases. Start with one, learn the ecosystem, then expand if you want.
The verdict
| Budget | Pick | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tightest | RG28XX | $45 | GB/GBA/NES on the go |
| Best value | Miyoo Mini Plus | $59 | GB through PS1, best firmware |
| Dual sticks | RG35XX H | $49 | PSP-style layout |
| Power user | Retroid Pocket 5 | $199 | PS2/GameCube |
Use our Device Finder to answer 5 quick questions and get a personalized recommendation, or browse the full device database to compare specs side by side.
Screen Fit Analysis
See how devices mentioned in this article handle popular platforms: