Buying Guides

Find the right handheld console faster with expert buying guides for retro gaming, portable play, and beginner-friendly picks.

Explore buying guides for handheld game consoles, retro handhelds, and portable gaming devices designed for different needs, budgets, and play styles.

Whether you're shopping for your first handheld console, comparing retro gaming devices, or looking for the best portable system for travel, our guides help you choose with confidence.

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  • Gray 8BitDo Pro 3 controller above its matching dock on a white background

    Dandara: Touch Controls or a Gamepad Before a N...

    Dandara was designed for touch and gamepad. Decide whether your current device is enough, when a Pro 3 serves a real input preference, and why a separate handheld is not...

    Dandara: Touch Controls or a Gamepad Before a N...

    Dandara was designed for touch and gamepad. Decide whether your current device is enough, when a Pro 3 serves a real input preference, and why a separate handheld is not...

  • Black TrimUI Brick in a generated Mario RPG-themed editorial desk illustration

    Super Mario RPG: Choose Your Adventure Before a...

    Choose the original Super NES adventure or the Switch remake before buying hardware. Compare documented remake features, a valid keep-current route and the exact TrimUI Brick package choices.

    Super Mario RPG: Choose Your Adventure Before a...

    Choose the original Super NES adventure or the Switch remake before buying hardware. Compare documented remake features, a valid keep-current route and the exact TrimUI Brick package choices.

  • Black RG351P with a generated Boktai-inspired solar-adventure scene, an editorial illustration

    Boktai: Choose the Sunlight Experience Before a...

    Choose original-cartridge sunlight interaction or software solar input before buying for Boktai. Understand documented mGBA support, the exact RG351P color offer and when to keep your current setup.

    Boktai: Choose the Sunlight Experience Before a...

    Choose original-cartridge sunlight interaction or software solar input before buying for Boktai. Understand documented mGBA support, the exact RG351P color offer and when to keep your current setup.

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Buying Guides

R36S vs TrimUI Smart Pro 2026 analog sticks N64 screen size WiFi comparison iGameConsole

R36S vs TrimUI Smart Pro 2026: Which Retro Hand...

R36S vs TrimUI Smart Pro 2026 — R36S: analog sticks, N64 97%, 6,000+ games, $79.99. TrimUI Smart Pro: larger 4.96" screen, WiFi, no analog sticks, ~$60. iGC honest verdict.

R36S vs TrimUI Smart Pro 2026: Which Retro Hand...

R36S vs TrimUI Smart Pro 2026 — R36S: analog sticks, N64 97%, 6,000+ games, $79.99. TrimUI Smart Pro: larger 4.96" screen, WiFi, no analog sticks, ~$60. iGC honest verdict.

Best platformer games on R36S 2026 Super Mario 64 Sonic Crash Bandicoot Donkey Kong top 20 iGameConsole

Best Platformer Games on the R36S 2026: Top 20 ...

Best platformer games on R36S 2026 — Super Mario 64, Sonic 2, Crash Bandicoot, Donkey Kong Country all at 100%. Top 20 ranked across SNES, N64, PS1, GBA. iGC guide....

Best Platformer Games on the R36S 2026: Top 20 ...

Best platformer games on R36S 2026 — Super Mario 64, Sonic 2, Crash Bandicoot, Donkey Kong Country all at 100%. Top 20 ranked across SNES, N64, PS1, GBA. iGC guide....

Best Sega games on R36S 2026 Sonic Streets of Rage Phantasy Star Genesis Mega Drive iGameConsole

Best Sega Games on the R36S 2026: Sonic, Street...

Best Sega games on R36S 2026 — Sonic 1/2/3, Streets of Rage 2, Phantasy Star IV, Gunstar Heroes all at 100%. Top 20 Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games ranked by iGC....

Best Sega Games on the R36S 2026: Sonic, Street...

Best Sega games on R36S 2026 — Sonic 1/2/3, Streets of Rage 2, Phantasy Star IV, Gunstar Heroes all at 100%. Top 20 Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games ranked by iGC....

R36S vs Anbernic RG35XX Plus 2026 analog sticks N64 WiFi comparison iGameConsole

R36S vs Anbernic RG35XX Plus 2026: Which Should...

R36S vs Anbernic RG35XX Plus 2026 — R36S: analog sticks, N64 97%, 6,000+ games, $79.99. RG35XX Plus: WiFi, better build quality, no analog sticks, ~$65. iGC honest verdict.

R36S vs Anbernic RG35XX Plus 2026: Which Should...

R36S vs Anbernic RG35XX Plus 2026 — R36S: analog sticks, N64 97%, 6,000+ games, $79.99. RG35XX Plus: WiFi, better build quality, no analog sticks, ~$65. iGC honest verdict.

Best RPG games on R36S 2026 Final Fantasy VII Chrono Trigger Earthbound Pokemon top 20 iGameConsole

Best RPG Games on the R36S 2026: Top 20 RPGs Ra...

Best RPG games on R36S 2026 — Final Fantasy VII, Chrono Trigger, Earthbound, Pokemon all at 100%. Top 20 ranked across SNES, PS1, GBA. iGC complete RPG guide. $79.99.

Best RPG Games on the R36S 2026: Top 20 RPGs Ra...

Best RPG games on R36S 2026 — Final Fantasy VII, Chrono Trigger, Earthbound, Pokemon all at 100%. Top 20 ranked across SNES, PS1, GBA. iGC complete RPG guide. $79.99.

Best arcade games on R36S 2026 Street Fighter Metal Slug Pac-Man MAME 3000 titles iGameConsole

Best Arcade Games on the R36S 2026: 3000+ MAME ...

Best arcade games on R36S 2026 — Street Fighter II, Metal Slug, Pac-Man, Mortal Kombat. 3,000+ MAME titles preloaded. Top 20 ranked by iGC. Complete arcade compatibility guide. $79.99.

Best Arcade Games on the R36S 2026: 3000+ MAME ...

Best arcade games on R36S 2026 — Street Fighter II, Metal Slug, Pac-Man, Mortal Kombat. 3,000+ MAME titles preloaded. Top 20 ranked by iGC. Complete arcade compatibility guide. $79.99.

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Purchase Considerations

  • R36S — Explore the Offer


    R36S
    Check current prices, available configurations and suitability for your classic-game needs.

  • R36PRO — Compare Your Options


    R36PRO
    Compare the selected configuration, current price and game requirements before choosing.

  • R36MAX — Compare Your Preferences


    R36MAX
    Compare the exact configuration with your screen preferences, game needs and budget.

  • R36ULTRA — Evaluate Your Requirements


    R36ULTRA
    Check the specific offer against your game needs and budget rather than assuming a model name proves higher performance.

What to Do Next

Not sure which handheld console is right for you? Continue exploring our buying guides, compare popular models, or browse our handheld gaming collections.

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Buying Guides FAQ

What can I find in these buying guides?

Our buying guides cover handheld consoles, retro gaming devices, and portable gaming systems for different needs and budgets.

Are these guides suitable for beginners?

Yes, many guides are designed to help beginners choose their first handheld console.

Can I shop products from these guides?

Yes, our guides link directly to handheld console collections and product pages.