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.
Start Here: Selected Buying Guides
-
Pokémon Game Requirements
-
Gift Buying Guide
-
PSP Buying Considerations
More Buying Guides
Посмотреть все-
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.
-
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...
-
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.
Browse Guides by Topic
-
Beginner Guides
-
Retro Gaming
-
Portable Gaming
-
Value Considerations
Buying Guides
Retro Handheld vs Phone Emulator 2026: R36S Win...
Retro handheld vs phone emulator 2026 — R36S wins on physical controls, battery life, dedicated hardware, 6,000+ preloaded games, and $79.99 price. 7 key reasons. iGC verdict.
Retro Handheld vs Phone Emulator 2026: R36S Win...
Retro handheld vs phone emulator 2026 — R36S wins on physical controls, battery life, dedicated hardware, 6,000+ preloaded games, and $79.99 price. 7 key reasons. iGC verdict.
Who Should Buy the R36S in 2026? Complete Buyer...
Who should buy the R36S in 2026? Perfect for retro gaming fans, travelers, gift buyers, Pokemon/Zelda/Mario fans under $100. Not for modern gaming or WiFi. iGC complete guide.
Who Should Buy the R36S in 2026? Complete Buyer...
Who should buy the R36S in 2026? Perfect for retro gaming fans, travelers, gift buyers, Pokemon/Zelda/Mario fans under $100. Not for modern gaming or WiFi. iGC complete guide.
R36S Gift Guide 2026: The Perfect Retro Gaming ...
R36S gift guide 2026 — perfect gift for retro gamers, dads, husbands, boyfriends. $79.99, 6,000+ games preloaded, 30-day returns. Best gaming gift for any occasion.
R36S Gift Guide 2026: The Perfect Retro Gaming ...
R36S gift guide 2026 — perfect gift for retro gamers, dads, husbands, boyfriends. $79.99, 6,000+ games preloaded, 30-day returns. Best gaming gift for any occasion.
R36S 64GB vs 128GB 2026: Which Should You Buy? ...
R36S 64GB vs 128GB 2026 — 64GB has 6,000+ games preloaded at $79.99, 128GB has more storage at $89.99. iGC verdict: 64GB is best for most buyers. Complete comparison.
R36S 64GB vs 128GB 2026: Which Should You Buy? ...
R36S 64GB vs 128GB 2026 — 64GB has 6,000+ games preloaded at $79.99, 128GB has more storage at $89.99. iGC verdict: 64GB is best for most buyers. Complete comparison.
R36S Battery Life Tips 2026: How to Get 6.5 Hou...
R36S battery life tips 2026 — set brightness 60%, play GBA/SNES for 6.5h, disable unused features, charge at 50%. 10 pro tips to maximize every session. iGC tested.
R36S Battery Life Tips 2026: How to Get 6.5 Hou...
R36S battery life tips 2026 — set brightness 60%, play GBA/SNES for 6.5h, disable unused features, charge at 50%. 10 pro tips to maximize every session. iGC tested.
R36S Troubleshooting Guide 2026: Fix Every Prob...
R36S troubleshooting guide 2026 — fix black screen, no sound, games not loading, buttons not working, charging issues. 20+ solutions. Step-by-step fixes for every R36S problem.
R36S Troubleshooting Guide 2026: Fix Every Prob...
R36S troubleshooting guide 2026 — fix black screen, no sound, games not loading, buttons not working, charging issues. 20+ solutions. Step-by-step fixes for every R36S problem.
Find Guides by Need
-
Getting Started
-
Classic Gaming
Vertical Handheld Consoles
Browse vertical handheld console options and compare the selected configurations.
Horizontal Handheld Consoles
Browse horizontal handheld console options and compare the selected configurations.
Explore Handheld Console Options
-
R36S — Explore the Offer
-
R36PRO — Compare Your Options
-
R36MAX — Compare Your Preferences
-
R36ULTRA — Evaluate Your Requirements
-
R36H — Consider Everyday Use
-
R36PLUS — Check the Exact Configuration
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.
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.