Which Android handheld should you buy for retro games?

Android handhelds from Retroid, AYN, Anbernic and Ayaneo can play decades of consoles in one device, and new models come out every few months. Instead of chasing this month's spec sheet, start with the systems you want to play, then check four things: the chip, the screen shape, the controls, and whether you want two screens.

1. The chip decides which systems run well

The processor inside is the biggest factor in what a handheld can emulate smoothly. A rough guide:

• Entry-level chips handle the classics well: NES, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy through Game Boy Advance, and PlayStation 1.
• Mid-range chips add more demanding systems, like the PSP, Dreamcast, Nintendo DS and much of the N64 library.
• High-end chips are what you want for GameCube, PS2 and 3DS games, which push emulation much harder.

Games within a system vary too, so even a fast device may struggle with a few titles. Before you buy, check what reviewers report for the specific systems you care about.

2. Screen shape: 4:3 or widescreen

Most consoles before the mid-2000s output a 4:3 picture, which is nearly square. On a 4:3 screen, SNES, PS1 and GBA-era games fill the display. On a wide 16:9 screen, those games get black bars on the sides, but PSP games and widescreen GameCube and PS2 games fit better. If you mostly play older systems, a 4:3 screen is the more satisfying choice.

3. Controls

• Analog sticks matter for N64, PS1 and anything newer. Sticks with hall-effect sensors resist drift over time.
• Analog triggers help with GameCube games that use pressure-sensitive shoulder buttons.
• Layout: vertical, Game Boy-style devices are great for handheld classics, and horizontal devices suit home consoles.

4. One screen or two

Dual-screen Android handhelds, like AYN's Thor, are made for DS and 3DS games, which were designed around two screens. If those systems are high on your list, a dual-screen device is worth it. If not, a single larger screen is simpler and usually cheaper.

Picking by what you play

Already own a phone?

A modern Android phone with a clip-on or Bluetooth controller can be a great retro machine too, and it may already have a faster chip than a budget handheld.

Getting it set up

Whatever you buy, the hard part is setup: choosing the right emulator for each system, mapping controls, adding a launcher with box art and organizing the games you own. Our Android handheld setup service does all of that for one flat price, for handhelds, dual-screen devices and phones with a controller. Not sure which device to buy? Tell us your budget and the systems you want to play through the order form, and we will recommend one before you spend anything.