Best Handheld Third-Party Game Consoles

Several handheld third-party game consoles these days run Android, but many support emulation. This opens up a world of possibilities, as you could potentially run PS1, PS2, N64, and countless other games from various consoles on these devices. However, there are numerous such consoles available, which may make it difficult to choose the right one. Here are the best third-party game consoles, their specs, which games they can emulate well, and more information about why they stand out from the competition. 

AYN Thor

This device has a Snapdragon processor, with the version depending on the AYN Thor model, and dual AMOLED displays. The handheld console can easily emulate PS1, PS2, N64, Dreamcast, PSP, GameCube, and Wii games. AYN Thor can also run Nintendo 3DS titles, but performance varies from game to game. This is one of the best handheld third-party game consoles, and there are several reasons why. 

The AYN Thor’s first major pro is its dual display, which makes it a solid choice for emulating Nintendo 3DS games. It comes with a 6-inch main screen that has a 1920 x 1080 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The smaller screen is 3.92 inches with 1240 x 1080 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. The console runs several 3DS titles well, including Ocarina of Time 3D, A Link Between Worlds, and Fire Emblem: Awakening. The price is also more modest compared to other premium handheld consoles.

AYANEO Pocket DS

This handheld console comes with a Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 processor and dual screens. The primary is 7 inches with a 1920 x 1080 resolution and up to a 165Hz refresh rate. The secondary is smaller at 5 inches with a 1024 x 768 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. This isn’t all, as AYANEO Pocket DS also has a massive 8,000 mAh battery and active cooling. The console can run most PS2 games without issues, along with several Nintendo 3DS titles.

This device doesn’t just emulate other consoles and can also run Android games natively. This makes it unique from some other handheld devices, particularly because it can run 3DS games well. However, the device’s biggest pros are its huge screen and massive battery, with its secondary screen also not being too small. Another thing to keep in mind is that the AYANEO Pocket DS is one of the more pricey options, with a starting rate of $500+.

Retroid Pocket Duo

The Retroid Pocket Duo houses a Qualcomm Q-7790 processor, 8GB RAM, and also has active cooling. Its two AMOLED displays run at 120Hz, and the console has a 6,000mAh battery. The main screen is 5.5 inches with 1920 x 1080 resolution, and the secondary screen is 4.5 inches with 1280 x 960 resolution. The device is best for Nintendo DS and 3DS emulation, with GameCube and Wii games also performing decently.

Retroid Pocket Duo’s two-screen setup is tailor-made for DS and 3DS games, with some titles even working at upscaled resolution. GameCube games can also be upscaled, but the console struggles with some PS2 titles. This makes the handheld consoles a good option for Nintendo emulation, especially at a price of less than $300.

Anbernic RG DS

This console comes with a Rockchip RK3568 quad-core processor, 3GB RAM, and 32GB storage. The specs are weaker compared to other handheld consoles, and the two screens are also 4-inch IPS displays with 640 x 480 resolution; the device comes with a 4,000mAh battery. Anbernic RG DS is designed for DS games, and almost every title can be run smoothly. 

The console isn’t as powerful as others on the list, but it excels at emulating Nintendo DS games without many issues. This makes it a good replacement for the Nintendo DS, but PS2 games or 3DS titles will struggle. Anbernic RG DS is a budget handheld console, easily purchasable at under $100, which explains why it isn’t a powerhouse. 

Retroid Pocket Flip 2

This device has two versions, one with a Snapdragon 865 and the other housing a MediaTek Dimensity 1100. The Snapdragon variant comes with 12GB RAM, while the MediaTek only has 8 GB RAM. Both variants have a single screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080, a 60Hz refresh rate, a 5,000mAh battery, and active cooling. Retroid Pocket Flip 2 is one of the best handheld third-party game consoles, as it works well with Dreamcast, GameCube, and PS2 emulation. 

The console’s greatest strength is that it can be folded and stored in a clamshell form, which can protect it during travel. Older games can also run at lower power settings, which preserve battery life. However, there is a drawback, as the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 only has a single screen, which makes it less suitable for Nintendo DS and 3DS titles. This makes the console’s approximate price of $180 understandable.