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Best Retro Handhelds with HDMI Out 2026
2026-05-30 · Buyer's guide
Affiliate disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and Anbernic affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
A handheld that outputs to your TV is two consoles in one: a portable for the couch and a living-room machine for when friends are over and you want four-player Mario Kart on the big screen. But "plays on a TV" hides an important distinction that trips up a lot of buyers. There are two completely different ways a handheld sends video out, and which one a device uses determines what cable or adapter you need.
This guide splits the field into those two groups, ranks the best devices in each, and tells you exactly what to plug in. If your only goal is the cheapest way to get retro games on a TV, jump to the budget Linux devices with native HDMI ports.
Two Ways a Handheld Reaches the TV
Group A — Native HDMI or mini-HDMI port. Most budget Linux handhelds have a dedicated HDMI or mini-HDMI port. You plug in a single HDMI cable (or a mini-HDMI-to-HDMI cable) and you are on the TV. No adapter, no dock, no settings. This is the simplest and cheapest path.
Group B — USB-C DisplayPort output. Android and PC handhelds do not have an HDMI port. Instead they output video over the USB-C port using DisplayPort Alt Mode. To reach a TV you need a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter or a dock. This is slightly more setup, but these are far more powerful devices, and a dock often adds charging and USB ports for controllers at the same time.
Both put your games on the screen. The right choice depends on whether you want a cheap plug-and-play box or a powerful handheld that doubles as a docked emulation station.
Group A: Native HDMI Out (Plug-and-Play)
These are budget Linux handhelds with a real HDMI or mini-HDMI port. You need only a cable.
1. Anbernic RG35XX Pro — Cheapest with Controls and HDMI ($50)
The RG35XX Pro has a mini-HDMI out and dual analog sticks, which makes it the cheapest way to get a controller-equipped handheld onto a TV. Pair it with a Bluetooth controller for couch play and the built-in sticks become a bonus rather than the only option. The H700 chip handles NES through PS1 and most PSP comfortably on the big screen.
It is the value pick of this whole list. Read the full Anbernic RG35XX Pro review.
2. Powkiddy X55 — Best for Couch Sessions ($90)
The X55 is built around a large 5.5 inch screen and explicitly markets TV-out as a headline feature. It has a full-size HDMI out, so a standard HDMI cable does the job. The bigger handheld screen also means you can hand it to a second player while the first uses the TV. The RK3566 chip clears everything through PS1.
It is the most "living-room first" device in the budget tier. Read the full Powkiddy X55 review.
3. Anbernic RG40XXV — Best Battery with HDMI ($75)
The RG40XXV pairs a full HDMI out with a 3,200 mAh battery good for roughly 7 to 9 hours, plus dual analog sticks. It is the pick when you want one device that is genuinely good both as a portable and as an occasional TV machine, without compromising battery for the portable role.
Read the full Anbernic RG40XXV review.
4. Powkiddy RGB30 — Best for Arcade and Vertical Games ($80)
The RGB30 has a mini-HDMI out and a 4 inch 1:1 square screen. On a TV it shines with arcade boards, vertical shooters, and Game Boy content that suits the square aspect ratio. The RK3566 chip handles everything through PS1, and the 4,100 mAh battery is strong for the portable side.
Read the full Powkiddy RGB30 review.
5. Anbernic RG35XX — Simplest TV Box ($55)
The original RG35XX has an HDMI out and the simplest stock experience here. With no analog sticks it relies on a Bluetooth controller for comfortable couch play, but as a tiny, cheap box that puts NES through PS1 on a TV with one cable, it is hard to beat on price.
Read the full Anbernic RG35XX review.
Group B: USB-C DisplayPort Out (Adapter or Dock)
These are more powerful Android and PC handhelds. They output video over USB-C, so you need a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter or a dock. In return you get far higher emulation ceilings and, with a dock, a real docked-console experience.
Steam Deck OLED — Best Docked Experience ($549)
The Steam Deck OLED is the best handheld-to-TV experience, full stop. Its USB-C port carries DisplayPort 1.4, and with the official dock (or any USB-C dock) it drives a TV at high resolution while charging and connecting controllers over USB. SteamOS has a polished big-picture mode, and EmuDeck turns it into an all-in-one emulation station that reaches PS2, GameCube, Wii, and beyond on the big screen.
If a docked living-room setup is the goal, this is the one. Read the full Steam Deck OLED review.
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X — Most Powerful ($999)
The ROG Ally X outputs over USB-C and is the most powerful handheld here, running Windows 11 with the Xbox full-screen overlay. Docked, it is effectively a small gaming PC under the TV, with the headroom for the heaviest emulation and native PC games. It is overkill for retro alone, but unmatched if you want one device for everything. Read the full ASUS ROG Ally X review.
Other strong USB-C DisplayPort handhelds
- Retroid Pocket 5 ($219) and Retroid Pocket Mini ($149) — both output DisplayPort over USB-C and handle PS2, GameCube, and PSP on a TV with an adapter.
- Anbernic RG556 ($220) — USB-C DP out, large AMOLED, strong PS2 performance.
- Ayaneo Pocket S ($399) — flagship Android, USB-C DP out, built for PS2 and Switch-era emulation.
Quick Comparison Table
| Device | Video Out | What You Need | Emulation Ceiling | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anbernic RG35XX Pro | mini-HDMI | mini-HDMI cable | PS1 / light PSP | $50 |
| Powkiddy X55 | HDMI | HDMI cable | PS1 | $90 |
| Anbernic RG40XXV | HDMI | HDMI cable | PS1 / light PSP | $75 |
| Powkiddy RGB30 | mini-HDMI | mini-HDMI cable | PS1 | $80 |
| Anbernic RG35XX | HDMI | HDMI cable | PS1 | $55 |
| Steam Deck OLED | USB-C (DP) | USB-C dock/adapter | PS2, GameCube, Wii+ | $549 |
| ASUS ROG Ally X | USB-C (DP) | USB-C dock/adapter | Everything | $999 |
Buying by Use Case
Cheapest Way to Play on a TV
The Anbernic RG35XX ($55) or Anbernic RG35XX Pro ($50) plus a Bluetooth controller and an HDMI cable is the lowest-cost path to retro games on the big screen. The Pro is worth the few extra dollars for its built-in sticks.
Best Big-Screen Couch Setup
The Powkiddy X55 is the budget couch pick thanks to its large screen and full HDMI out, while the Steam Deck OLED with a dock is the premium answer for a permanent living-room station.
Most Powerful Docked Machine
For the highest emulation ceiling on a TV — PS2, GameCube, Wii, and PC games — the Steam Deck OLED and ASUS ROG Ally X lead. See the Best PC Gaming Handhelds guide for the full PC-handheld breakdown.
A Note on Output Resolution
Budget Linux handhelds send their native source resolution out the HDMI port — often 480p or 720p — and your TV upscales it. That looks fine for retro content on a reasonable-size TV, but do not expect a sharp 4K image from a $55 device. The Steam Deck OLED and PC handhelds output far higher resolutions and let you upscale emulators internally for a much cleaner big-screen picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which retro handhelds have a real HDMI port?
Several budget Linux handhelds have a native HDMI or mini-HDMI port, including the Anbernic RG35XX, RG35XX Pro, and RG40XXV, plus the Powkiddy X55 and RGB30. These connect to a TV with a single cable and no adapter.
What do I need to connect an Android or PC handheld to a TV?
Android and PC handhelds like the Steam Deck OLED, Retroid Pocket 5, and ASUS ROG Ally X output video over USB-C using DisplayPort Alt Mode, so you need a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter or a dock. A dock also adds charging and USB ports for controllers.
What is the cheapest handheld for playing retro games on a TV?
The Anbernic RG35XX Pro ($50) is the cheapest pick with both built-in controls and a mini-HDMI port. Pair it with a Bluetooth controller and an HDMI cable for the lowest-cost living-room retro setup.
Will retro games look good on a 4K TV?
Budget handhelds output a low-resolution source (often 480p or 720p) that your TV upscales, which looks acceptable but not razor-sharp on a large 4K panel. For a crisp big-screen image, the Steam Deck OLED or a PC handheld can upscale emulators internally and output much higher resolutions.
Can I use the handheld's own controls when it is on the TV?
Yes on most devices, but it is awkward to sit far from the TV holding the handheld. The better setup is a Bluetooth or USB controller, which every device in this guide supports.
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