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 charging dock

    Yoku’s Island Express: Pinball for Explorers

    Explore Yoku’s pinball adventure, separate movement from flipper control, and decide whether your existing input or an optional Pro 3 fits the experience.

    Yoku’s Island Express: Pinball for Explorers

    Explore Yoku’s pinball adventure, separate movement from flipper control, and decide whether your existing input or an optional Pro 3 fits the experience.

  • Black 8BitDo M30 2.4G controller with a D-pad, six face buttons and blue Start button

    Sonic Mania: Keep Your Setup or Add an M30?

    Sonic Mania can begin on a supported setup you already own. Decide whether to keep your controls, add a digital pad or investigate a genuinely portable host, without assuming wireless...

    Sonic Mania: Keep Your Setup or Add an M30?

    Sonic Mania can begin on a supported setup you already own. Decide whether to keep your controls, add a digital pad or investigate a genuinely portable host, without assuming wireless...

  • WIN 4 reference-based screen composite with original SteamWorld Heist imagery, not a device test

    SteamWorld Heist: Do You Need a New Handheld PC?

    The original SteamWorld Heist combines planned turns with manually aimed ricochets. Start with an existing supported setup, then decide whether a handheld PC solves a broader portability need.

    SteamWorld Heist: Do You Need a New Handheld PC?

    The original SteamWorld Heist combines planned turns with manually aimed ricochets. Start with an existing supported setup, then decide whether a handheld PC solves a broader portability need.

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Buying Guides

Best PS1 games on R36S 2026 FF VII Tekken 3 Crash Bandicoot Spyro Metal Gear Solid top 30 iGameConsole

Best PS1 Games on R36S 2026: Top 30 PlayStation...

Best PS1 games on R36S 2026 — FF VII, Tekken 3, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Metal Gear Solid all at 100%. Top 30 PlayStation 1 games ranked. Complete PS1 compatibility guide....

Best PS1 Games on R36S 2026: Top 30 PlayStation...

Best PS1 games on R36S 2026 — FF VII, Tekken 3, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Metal Gear Solid all at 100%. Top 30 PlayStation 1 games ranked. Complete PS1 compatibility guide....

Best Final Fantasy games on R36S 2026 FF VII FF VI FF IX FF Tactics complete series iGameConsole

Best Final Fantasy Games on R36S 2026: FF VII, ...

Best Final Fantasy games on R36S 2026 — FF VII, FF VI, FF IX, FF Tactics all at 100%. Complete series ranked across PS1, SNES, GBA. iGC guide. $79.99.

Best Final Fantasy Games on R36S 2026: FF VII, ...

Best Final Fantasy games on R36S 2026 — FF VII, FF VI, FF IX, FF Tactics all at 100%. Complete series ranked across PS1, SNES, GBA. iGC guide. $79.99.

Best Pokemon games on R36S 2026 FireRed Emerald HeartGold every generation ranked iGameConsole

Best Pokemon Games on R36S 2026: Every Generati...

Best Pokemon games on R36S 2026 — FireRed, Emerald, HeartGold, Black 2 all at 100%. Every Pokemon generation ranked across GBA, DS, GBC. iGC complete guide. $79.99.

Best Pokemon Games on R36S 2026: Every Generati...

Best Pokemon games on R36S 2026 — FireRed, Emerald, HeartGold, Black 2 all at 100%. Every Pokemon generation ranked across GBA, DS, GBC. iGC complete guide. $79.99.

Best Zelda games on R36S 2026 Ocarina of Time Link to the Past Majoras Mask complete series iGameConsole

Best Zelda Games on the R36S 2026: Ocarina, Lin...

Best Zelda games on R36S 2026 — Ocarina of Time (97%), Link to the Past (100%), Majora's Mask (96%), Link's Awakening DX GBA (100%). Complete Zelda series ranked by iGC....

Best Zelda Games on the R36S 2026: Ocarina, Lin...

Best Zelda games on R36S 2026 — Ocarina of Time (97%), Link to the Past (100%), Majora's Mask (96%), Link's Awakening DX GBA (100%). Complete Zelda series ranked by iGC....

Best Mario games on R36S 2026 Super Mario 64 Mario World Mario Kart 64 complete series iGameConsole

Best Mario Games on the R36S 2026: Every Mario ...

Best Mario games on R36S 2026 — Super Mario 64 (97%), Mario World (100%), Mario Kart 64 (97%), Super Mario RPG (100%). Complete Mario series ranked. iGC guide. $79.99.

Best Mario Games on the R36S 2026: Every Mario ...

Best Mario games on R36S 2026 — Super Mario 64 (97%), Mario World (100%), Mario Kart 64 (97%), Super Mario RPG (100%). Complete Mario series ranked. iGC guide. $79.99.

R36S setup guide beginners 2026 unbox power on EmulationStation save state fast forward iGameConsole

R36S Setup Guide for Beginners 2026: Unbox, Pow...

R36S setup guide for beginners 2026 — unbox, charge 2.1h, power on, navigate EmulationStation, find games, save states (Menu+R1), fast forward (Menu+R2). Play in 10 minutes.

R36S Setup Guide for Beginners 2026: Unbox, Pow...

R36S setup guide for beginners 2026 — unbox, charge 2.1h, power on, navigate EmulationStation, find games, save states (Menu+R1), fast forward (Menu+R2). Play in 10 minutes.

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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

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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.