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The under-$50 bracket gets you into retro gaming. The under-$100 bracket opens up PS1 and N64. But the $50-to-$75 range is where things get genuinely interesting — you get custom firmware support, comfortable hardware, and performance that covers the vast majority of what most people actually want to play.
Every device on this list has been tested with at least two custom firmware options (where applicable), runs PS1 at full speed, and has an active community behind it. We excluded anything with known quality control issues or discontinued support.
Best Overall: Anbernic RG35XX Plus — $70
The RG35XX Plus is the most complete budget handheld you can buy. The horizontal Game Boy-style layout is comfortable for extended sessions, the 3.5-inch 640x480 IPS screen is sharp for its size, and the H700 chip handles everything through PS1 and most of N64 and Dreamcast without breaking a sweat.
What sets it apart from cheaper options is the full control suite — dual analog sticks, four shoulder buttons, and a responsive D-pad that's among Anbernic's best. WiFi and Bluetooth are included, which means wireless controller support, RetroAchievements, and over-the-air firmware updates if you're running KNULLI or muOS.
Custom firmware support is excellent. KNULLI, muOS, and Batocera all support the RG35XX Plus, and the community has been refining these for over a year. Out of the box, the stock firmware is usable but basic — flash a custom firmware and the experience transforms.
Best for: Someone who wants one device that does everything up to PS1 reliably, with the control flexibility to play N64 and some PSP. The horizontal layout is ideal for SNES, GBA, and PS1.
Emulation ceiling: PS1 (perfect), N64 (most games), Dreamcast (most games), PSP (some lighter titles).
Best Vertical: Anbernic RG35XX Pro — $65
If you prefer the classic Game Boy form factor — one hand on the D-pad, one hand on the buttons, device held vertically — the RG35XX Pro is the one to get. Same H700 chip as the Plus, same excellent custom firmware support, but in a pocketable vertical body.
The screen is a 3.5-inch IPS at 640x480, identical to the Plus. You lose the second analog stick (there's only one), which limits N64 and PSP playability. But for the core retro gaming experience — Game Boy, GBA, NES, SNES, Genesis, and PS1 — the vertical layout is arguably more natural and comfortable.
The RG35XX Pro also has WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI output, and a rumble motor. At $65, it's the best value in the vertical form factor by a wide margin.
Best for: Pocketability, GBA and Game Boy focus, couch gaming with HDMI output.
Emulation ceiling: PS1 (perfect), N64 (playable with one stick), Dreamcast (most games).
Best for GBA: Anbernic RG34XX SP — $65
If GBA is your primary system, the RG34XX SP is hard to beat. The clamshell design is a direct homage to the Game Boy Advance SP, right down to the hinge mechanism and folding form factor. It protects the screen when closed and fits in a pocket beautifully.
The 3.5-inch IPS screen at 640x480 is sharp and handles GBA's native 3:2 aspect ratio with clean scaling. The D-pad is one of Anbernic's best — precise and comfortable for the platformers and RPGs that dominate the GBA library. Dual analog sticks are tucked above the screen, giving you N64 and Dreamcast capability in a pinch.
Same H700 internals as the rest of the XX family, same custom firmware support. The differentiator is purely the form factor — if you love the SP design, nothing else comes close.
Best for: GBA enthusiasts, portability-first buyers, nostalgia for the SP form factor.
Emulation ceiling: Same as the RG35XX Pro — PS1 perfect, N64 and Dreamcast with some limitations.
Best Ultra-Portable: Miyoo Mini Plus — $55
The Miyoo Mini Plus is still the community's favorite pocket handheld for a reason. At roughly the size of a deck of cards, it slips into any pocket without a bulge. The 3.5-inch IPS screen punches above its weight, and Onion OS — the community-built custom firmware — provides one of the most polished user experiences in the entire retro handheld space.
Onion OS is the secret weapon. The interface is snappy, the game switcher lets you hop between titles instantly, and the built-in box art scraper makes your library look beautiful without manual work. No other budget handheld has a firmware ecosystem this mature.
The trade-off is hardware. The Miyoo Mini Plus has no analog sticks, which means N64 is out. The Allwinner chip is slightly less powerful than the H700, so Dreamcast is inconsistent. But for everything up to PS1 — Game Boy through PS1, with SNES and GBA as the sweet spots — it's unmatched for its size and price.
Best for: Pocket carry, Onion OS fans, PS1-and-below focus, first-time buyers who want a polished out-of-box experience.
Emulation ceiling: PS1 (solid), GBA/SNES/Genesis (perfect). N64 and Dreamcast are limited.
Best Screen-to-Price Ratio: Anbernic RG40XXV — $75
The RG40XXV is the RG35XX grown up. The 4.0-inch 640x480 IPS screen is the largest in this price bracket, and the vertical form factor with dual sticks gives you more screen real estate for PS1 and Dreamcast games without sacrificing pocketability.
The bigger screen makes a real difference for text-heavy games. RPGs with small fonts, strategy games with detailed UIs, and anything with dialogue boxes are noticeably more comfortable to play than on 3.5-inch devices. The D-pad is one of Anbernic's best — a Sega-style design that's precise for both fighting games and platformers.
Same H700 platform, same custom firmware support. The RG40XXV is essentially the best-screen device in the under-$75 bracket.
Best for: People who want the biggest screen possible under $75, RPG players, anyone who finds 3.5-inch screens too small.
Emulation ceiling: Same as the RG35XX Plus.
Quick Reference
| Device | Price | Screen | Form Factor | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RG35XX Plus | $70 | 3.5" IPS | Horizontal | All-rounder |
| RG35XX Pro | $65 | 3.5" IPS | Vertical | Pocketability |
| RG34XX SP | $65 | 3.5" IPS | Clamshell | GBA focus |
| Miyoo Mini Plus | $55 | 3.5" IPS | Horizontal | Onion OS, ultra-portable |
| RG40XXV | $75 | 4.0" IPS | Vertical | Biggest screen |
All five run custom firmware, all five handle PS1 flawlessly, and all five have active communities supporting them. The "best" one depends entirely on which form factor you prefer and what systems you prioritize.
For our full budget breakdown across all price ranges, see Best Under $50, Best Under $100, and Best Under $150.