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
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Pokémon Game Requirements
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Gift Buying Guide
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PSP Buying Considerations
More Buying Guides
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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.
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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...
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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
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Beginner Guides
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Retro Gaming
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Portable Gaming
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Value Considerations
Buying Guides
R36S Controls & Button Guide 2026: Every Button...
R36S controls guide 2026 — every button explained, all shortcuts: save state Menu+R1, fast forward Menu+R2, brightness Select+Vol Up/Down. Complete button reference by iGC.
R36S Controls & Button Guide 2026: Every Button...
R36S controls guide 2026 — every button explained, all shortcuts: save state Menu+R1, fast forward Menu+R2, brightness Select+Vol Up/Down. Complete button reference by iGC.
R36S Emulator Settings Guide 2026: Best Setting...
R36S emulator settings guide 2026 — best RetroArch settings for GBA (mGBA), SNES (Snes9x), PS1 (PCSX), N64 (Mupen64Plus). Save states, fast forward, shaders. iGC complete guide.
R36S Emulator Settings Guide 2026: Best Setting...
R36S emulator settings guide 2026 — best RetroArch settings for GBA (mGBA), SNES (Snes9x), PS1 (PCSX), N64 (Mupen64Plus). Save states, fast forward, shaders. iGC complete guide.
Best Retro Handheld 2026: Top 5 Ranked After 50...
Best retro handheld 2026 — R36S #1 under $100, R36MAX for WiFi, Retroid Pocket Flip 2 for PS2/GameCube. Top 5 ranked after 500+ hours testing. iGC complete buyer's guide.
Best Retro Handheld 2026: Top 5 Ranked After 50...
Best retro handheld 2026 — R36S #1 under $100, R36MAX for WiFi, Retroid Pocket Flip 2 for PS2/GameCube. Top 5 ranked after 500+ hours testing. iGC complete buyer's guide.
R36S vs RG35XX Plus 2026: Which Budget Retro Ha...
R36S vs RG35XX Plus 2026 — R36S has dual analog sticks and 6,000+ preloaded games at $79.99. RG35XX Plus has no analog sticks at ~$65. iGC verdict: R36S wins for...
R36S vs RG35XX Plus 2026: Which Budget Retro Ha...
R36S vs RG35XX Plus 2026 — R36S has dual analog sticks and 6,000+ preloaded games at $79.99. RG35XX Plus has no analog sticks at ~$65. iGC verdict: R36S wins for...
R36S vs TrimUI Smart Pro 2026: Which Retro Hand...
R36S vs TrimUI Smart Pro 2026 — R36S has dual analog sticks and 6,000+ preloaded games at $79.99. TrimUI Smart Pro has no analog sticks at ~$60. iGC verdict: R36S...
R36S vs TrimUI Smart Pro 2026: Which Retro Hand...
R36S vs TrimUI Smart Pro 2026 — R36S has dual analog sticks and 6,000+ preloaded games at $79.99. TrimUI Smart Pro has no analog sticks at ~$60. iGC verdict: R36S...
R36S vs Miyoo Mini Plus 2026: Which Retro Handh...
R36S vs Miyoo Mini Plus 2026 — R36S has dual analog sticks for N64/PS1 3D at $79.99. Miyoo Mini Plus has no analog sticks at ~$70. iGC verdict: R36S wins...
R36S vs Miyoo Mini Plus 2026: Which Retro Handh...
R36S vs Miyoo Mini Plus 2026 — R36S has dual analog sticks for N64/PS1 3D at $79.99. Miyoo Mini Plus has no analog sticks at ~$70. iGC verdict: R36S wins...
Find Guides by Need
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Getting Started
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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
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R36S — Explore the Offer
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R36PRO — Compare Your Options
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R36MAX — Compare Your Preferences
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R36ULTRA — Evaluate Your Requirements
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R36H — Consider Everyday Use
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R36PLUS — Check the Exact Configuration
Purchase Considerations
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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.