The 10 Best Handheld Video Game Players (Updated 2022)

1. intendo Switch

Sometimes it can be exciting when a tech manufacturer walks a different path from its competitors, and sometimes it can be a nightmare. Nintendo is a great example of both. The initial excitement at the Wii’s innovation and eventual untimely demise still burn. But, it may be that the Wii was only a prelude to the real star, the Nintendo Switch. The Switch is indeed innovative and one of the best handheld video game players available.

First impressions of the Switch leave something to be desired, its 4 x 9.4 x .55-inch size is basically a rectangle bookended by two gaming controllers. But, looks can be deceiving. While the Switch can be played in TV Mode and tabletop mode, it is quite impressive as a handheld console. The detachable controllers are called “Joy-Cons” and that rectangle is a 6.2-inch, 720p, multi-touch capacitive touch screen that is bright and vibrant. The stereo speakers on the Switch sound a bit tinny, but you’ll most likely opt for headphones anyway. Games are played either via cartridge or downloaded onto a microSD card. The gameplay is fun and intuitive thanks to clever controls and smooth graphics. Battery life is 4.5 to 9 hours, depending on use.

While the Nintendo Switch has different modes, it shines as a formidable handheld gaming console backed up by great performance and an equally great gaming library. The Switch is a top, innovative performer on the list of the best handheld video game consoles. My faith has been restored in Nintendo.

Read More

• Three gameplay modes
• Joy-Con controllers
• 6.2-inch touchscreen

• Dimensions: 4 x 9.4 x .55 inches
• Number of Games Included: None
• Playing Time: 4.5 to 9 hours
• Brand: Nintendo

2. OneXPlayer 1S

To be sure, handheld video game players are in one way or another types of computers. But, unlike most of the handhelds out there, the OneXPlayer 1S is an actually ridiculously small form factor computer for your handheld gaming pleasure.

It’s hard to believe that the innards of a capable laptop are stuffed into the 9.06 x 5.12 x 0.83 inches size of the OneXPlayer but its specs prove it to be so. Running on a Windows 10 OS, it is powered by a Core i7 CPU with Intel Iris Xe graphics. There is 16GB of RAM and 2TB of NVMe 3.0 M.2 storage. The IPS touchscreen is 8.4 inches with a resolution of 2560 x 1600. Connectability is via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile network. Controls are large and console-familiar with a d-pad, X/Y/A/B buttons, shoulder buttons, and trigger buttons. Battery life can be three to five hours while gaming but longer for less intense applications. The computer profile of the OneXPlayer allows for smooth and responsive gaming performance.

The OneXPlayer 1S is indeed a handheld computer and while it can be used as such, this is designed to be primarily a gaming console. It is basically a handheld gaming player that can moonlight as a computer if needed. But, why bother with the tedium of using a computer when you can deep dive into handheld gaming with the OneXPlayer 1S, one of the best handheld gaming players?

Read More

• Handheld gaming PC
• Core i7 CPU
• 8.4-inch IPS touchscreen

• Dimensions: 9.06 x 5.12 x 0.83 inches
• Number of Games Included: None
• Playing Time: 3 to 5 hours
• Brand: Xammue

3. Nentindo Game & Watch

Everyone knows who Mario is, heck I remember his humble beginnings as nothing more than a damsel in distress rescuing blip fending off barrages from a barrel-tossing gorilla in Donkey Kong. Mario has certainly come a long way and achieved icon status enough to have a handheld gaming console dedicated solely to his celebration. That console is the Nintendo Game & Watch, and it is a fitting tribute to not only Mario but also handheld video game players.

Everything about the Game & Watch is a blast from the past as it is styled after the original Game & Watch console from 1980 which was Nintendo’s first handheld. It measures a very pocketable 0.62 x 6.69 x 5.27 inches and weighs a mere 1.76 ounces. The 2.5-inch LCD screen is colorful and vibrant with a d-pad and A/B buttons on either side. The Game & Watch is all Mario with three games to play: Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, and Ball (Mario version). The “Watch” part of the console displays a Super Mario Bros-themed time display with all sorts of Mario goodness and Easter eggs.

Not only will the Nintendo Game & Watch let you get your classic Mario on, it has a fun clock and hidden surprises that will keep you coming back for more. It may be sort of a one-trick pony, but the Game & Watch is one of the best handheld video game players on this list.

Read More

• Colorful 2.5-inch LCD screen
• Super Mario Bros games preloadefd
• Super Mario Bros themed digital clock

• Dimensions: 0.62 x 6.69 x 5.27 inches
• Number of Games Included: 3
• Playing Time: 30 hours
• Brand: Nintendo

4. Nintendo Switch OLED

When a tech bar is set to a high standard, it can be hard to meet or beat it. This is especially the case when the innovator tries to outdo itself. Nintendo blazed a new trail of hybridity with the Switch, particularly as a handheld, and with the Switch OLED, it has upped its own game.

The Switch OLED measures 9.5 x 0.55 x 4 inches and is slightly bigger than the original Switch. The size difference doesn’t seem so minuscule as you take a look at the 7-inch OLED screen which is more vibrant with high-contrast goodness and motion smoothness that seems miles above the original. The layout and functionality of the Joy-Con controllers are the same with the great intuitive gameplay feel about them. Other handheld mode improvements include enhanced speakers for better sound immersion and 64GB of built-in storage. Battery life remains the same at around 4.5 to 9 hours of use. Multi-mode playability remains, but the enhancements make the Switch OLED a level-up handheld gaming experience.

The Nintendo Switch OLED is a well-tuned improvement on the original Switch, making it an even more impressive handheld video game player. The Switch OLED proves, at least from Nintendo’s standpoint that one of the best handheld video games can indeed get better.

Read More

• 7-inch OLED screen
• Three playing modes
• Joy-Con controllers

• Dimensions: 9.5 x 0.55 x 4 inches
• Number of Games Included: None
• Playing Time: 4.5 to 9 hours
• Brand: Nintendo

5. iNintendo Switch Lite

What’s in a name, right? “Switch” is an appropriate name for the Nintendo Switch because it can be “switched” from a handheld to a TV. In the case of the Nintendo Switch Lite, the term isn’t so much indicative of the unit’s versatility as its pedigree as one of the best handheld video game players.

The Switch Lite is just slightly smaller than the Switch with Joy-Cons attached at 3.6 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches and weighs .61 pounds. Being a single unit, the Switch Lite has a very solid, well-constructed feel to it. The bright 5.5-inch LCD touch screen is flanked by direction (d-pad), minus button, analog stick, bumper, and trigger controls on the left, and another analog stick, a plus button, A/B/X/Y buttons, bumper, trigger, and home button on the right. The controls are responsive making playing games from the massive Nintendo library a dream. Along the top is a game cartridge slot and along the bottom is a MicroSD slot. There is 32GB of internal storage and the battery is rated to last three to seven hours on a full charge.

The Nintendo Switch Lite epitomizes what a handheld video game player should be. Its design is comfortable both in portability and playability. You may not be able to “switch” it to play on a TV, but it may just make you “switch” to it from other handheld video game players.

Read More

• 5.5-inch LCD touch screen
• Highly portable design
• Compatible with all Nintendo handheld mode games

• Dimensions: 3.6 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches
• Number of Games Included: None
• Playing Time: 3 to 7 hours
• Brand: Nintendo

6. HAIHUANG RG351V Handheld Game Console

A great thing about handhelds is what’s obvious about them, they easily fit into one’s hands making them extremely portable. Unfortunately, “handheld” can also mean “one size fits most” when it comes to hand size with deference to smaller hands. Those of ye with larger hands never fear because the RG351V Handheld Game Console is not only a great handheld, it is also accommodating to larger hands.

Sporting a vertical design, the RG351V has a substantial feel about it measuring 6.38 x 4.88 x 1.61 inches and weighing 13.4 ounces. The 640×480 4:3 IPS display measures 3.5 inches and is impressively vibrant and colorful. The comfortable-for-larger-hands controls are springy and responsive with a D-Pad, analog stick, and X/Y/A/B buttons, as well as “shoulder” buttons on the back. It has two SD card slots expanding the memory to 256GB and comes preloaded with retro-style games, but as it is an emulator, there is support for at least 20 different gaming formats. Battery life is rated at between four and six hours.

If retro gaming is your thing, no need to fret that your hands will be too big to play on a handheld video game player. The RG351V’s vertical design, comfortable controls, and wonderful screen make for a fun handheld gaming experience even for those with larger mitts.

Read More

• Vertical-style handheld gaming console
• 3.5 inch IPS screen

• Dimensions: 6.38 x 4.88 x 1.61 inches
• Number of Games Included: 2000+ preloaded
• Playing Time: 4 to 6 hours
• Brand: Haihuang

7. Daxceirry RG552

Because nostalgia is so, well…nostalgic, retro gaming will always have a seat at the handheld gaming table. Some old-school games have such an initial impression that they are playable even in the wake of ever-developing new games. The RG552 is a great handheld video game player to keep the OG fun continuing.

The horizontal form factor of the RG552 measures a very portable 7.87 x 3.35 x 0.79 inches. Controls include a D-pad, two analog sticks, A/B/X/Y buttons, and shoulder buttons. The star of the RG552 show is the 5.36-Inch, 1920 x 1152 IPS touchscreen with beautiful, eye-popping graphics. There are dual SD card expansion slots to increase storage to 512GB. Dual system bootable to Linux or Android, the RG552 is a capable emulator compatible with 20 game formats ranging from Android, Dreamcast, SNES, etc. Battery life is four to six hours per charge.

There really is no point in retro gaming if you can’t play the retro games you want. The RG552 is a very versatile handheld video game player that is capable of playing a wide variety of retro games. The excellent screen and playability of the RG552 firmly place it as one of the best choices out of the best handheld video game players.

Read More

• 5.36-Inch, 1920 x 1152 IPS touchscreen
• Dual Android/Linux compatibility
• Compatible with 20 gaming formats

• Dimensions: 7.87 x 3.35 x 0.79 inches
• Number of Games Included: None
• Playing Time: 4 to 6 hours
• Brand: Daxceirry

8. Evercade

Retro gaming is all about playing games from a particular area. There are so many great retro games and it would be a shame to only be able to play a select few of them. What makes the Evercade handheld video gaming player great is its bevy of game cartridges that features collections of games.

The Evercade is a small handheld gaming console at just over seven inches long. There are a D-pad and X/Y/A/B control buttons on either side of the 4.3-inch LCD screen that has a bright 480×272 resolution. Dual speakers are a nice touch and battery life is rated at four to five hours. The Evercade is a cartridge-based gaming console and each cartridge features a collection of between six and twenty games ranging from console conversions, arcade games, Amiga, and PC games. Regardless of the collection, gameplay on the Evercade is fun and highly reminiscent of the games of old.

The Evercade handheld video game player not only allows you to enjoy old-school games, but it also has a gaming library that allows for a fully immersive gaming experience. Thanks to its great performance and game cartridges with classic collections from Atari, Namco, Interplay, etc. the Evercade is a great selection on the list of the best handheld gaming players.

Read More

• 4.3-inch LCD screen
• Library of over 100 officially licensed 8-bit and 16-bit retro games
• Dual speakers

• Dimensions: Approx 7 inches
• Number of Games Included: 3 collection cartridges
• Playing Time: 4 to 5 hours
• Brand: Evercade

9. Powkiddy RGB10 MAX 2

When it comes to handheld video game players, do you ever hear the term ergonomic? Considering the nature of these devices, you’d think ergonomics would be a given, but unfortunately, it’s not. Fortunately, the Powkiddy RGB10 Max 2 not only is a capable console, but it also has ergonomic features so you can keep on playing.

The Powkiddy measures a typical handheld size of 7.28 x 2.99 x 0.67 inches. But, what’s not typical are features like an ergonomic handle design and strategic button placement to avoid fatigue and give a natural feel to playing the console. Controls include a D-pad, two analog sticks, shoulder, and trigger buttons. The 5-inch IPS display is bright and has a resolution of 854 x 480. The PowKiddy has a ton of games pre-loaded and an SD card slot for an additional 128GB of storage. Gaming performance is great with emulation support for a wide range of games. It also has wi-fi support and the battery gives about eight hours of play.

There is something to be said about a manufacturer who considers obvious features that make using their product all the more enjoyable. The PowKiddy RGB10 Max 2 adds ergonomics to its game support and playability to make it one of the best handheld video game players.

Read More

• 5-inch IPS display
• Preloaded games
• Ergonomic design

• Dimensions: 7.28 x 2.99 x 0.67 inches
• Number of Games Included: Thousands
• Playing Time: 8 hours
• Brand: Powkiddy

10. GDP XP Plus

Other than being made to be portable, there aren’t many novelties when it comes to handheld video game players. I mean, what else is needed other than playing retro games? The GPD XP Plus Handheld Gaming Console expertly demonstrates that modularity is the novelty you never knew you needed when it comes to handheld gaming.

At first appearance, the GPD XP Plus looks like other handheld players, it’s horizontal in form and measures 9.17 x 3.2 x 1.6 inches. At the center is a 6.8-inch IPS touchscreen with a maximum resolution of 2400 × 1080. Looking closer, you will see there are some surprises in store. The GPD XP Plus has a 5MP, single-lens front-facing camera which is good for selfies. On the left side are a D-pad and an analog stick. On the right side are a controller with four gaming buttons and an analog stick. What is neat is that the right-side controller is modular and can be swapped out for an Xbox-style controller with an analog stick and X/Y/A/B buttons or an end-cap when playing MOBA-style games. Other features include dual-band Wi-Fi, mobile network support, dual speakers, TV/monitor output, and more.

The GPD XP Plus is one of the best handheld video game consoles because its performance and versatility make it feel like a full-size console in the palms of your hands. It is a powerful and capable gaming system with every feature you’d come to expect in an advanced handheld console.

Read More

• Modular handheld gaming console
• 6.8-inch IPS touchscreen
• Android 11

• Dimensions: 9.17 x 3.2 x 1.6 inches
• Number of Games Included: None
• Playing Time: Approx 12 hours
• Brand: Lanruo