How to Set Up a Retro Handheld for a Kid

A retro handheld makes a wonderful gift for a kid. It is simpler than a phone, packed with timeless games, and far cheaper than a modern console. But a little setup goes a long way to make it truly kid-ready. The goal is a device that turns on, shows a clean list of fun games, and survives being dropped. Here is how to set one up the right way.

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Pick the Right Device for a Kid

For children, simpler and tougher beats powerful.

• Go simple. A Linux handheld that boots straight into a game list is far easier for a young child than an Android device with a full app menu.
• Pick durable. Kids drop things. A solid, simple device with no fragile sliding or folding parts holds up best.
• Skip the expensive ones. A cheap handheld that gets dropped is much less stressful than a pricey one. Save the flagships for yourself.
• Consider the controls. Younger kids do great with D-pad games. Analog sticks and complex layouts can wait.

Our best handhelds for kids guide has specific picks. A budget vertical or clamshell handheld is usually ideal.

Load Kid-Friendly Games

Curate the library so it is full of games a child will love and free of anything they should not see.

• Stick to the classics. Mario, Sonic, Kirby, Donkey Kong, Pokemon, and similar are perfect. Bright, fun, and age-appropriate.
• Lean on these systems. The NES, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy, and GBA libraries are full of family-friendly games. Our best SNES games and best Game Boy games lists are good starting points.
• Keep the list short. A huge library overwhelms a young child. A focused set of 20 to 30 great games is better than thousands.
• Leave out mature games. Curate out anything violent or scary that is not suitable for their age.

Frame everything around games you own, the same as always.

Make It Simple to Use

A few setup choices make the device effortless for a child.

• Set up save states. Teach them, or set up auto-save, so they never lose progress. Our save state guide helps.
• Organize by system or favorites. A clean, simple menu beats a sprawling one. Some firmware lets you make a favorites list.
• Set a comfortable brightness and volume. Lock in sensible defaults so they are not fiddling with settings.
• Add box art. A grid of game covers is much friendlier for a non-reader than a list of file names. Our scrape box art guide covers it.

Protect the Device

Kids are hard on hardware. A little protection saves a lot of grief.

• Screen protector. Cheap insurance against scratches. Our screen protector guide walks through it.
• A case. A carrying case protects it in a backpack and keeps the games and charger together.
• A spare SD card. Keep a backup card with the same setup, so a corrupted card does not mean a meltdown. Our microSD corruption guide explains why.

Set Expectations on Screen Time

A handheld is easy to manage compared to a connected device.

• Most simple Linux handhelds have no internet, no store, and no ads, which makes them worry-free.
• There is no online chat or social feature on a basic retro handheld, so it is a safe, self-contained device.
• You control the games, so you control the content. Set time limits the same way you would for any toy.

A Great First Setup

Put it all together and a kid's handheld looks like this: a simple, durable device that boots to a clean grid of 20 to 30 great classic games, with box art, save states ready, a screen protector on, and a case to carry it. That setup gives a child years of joy and gives you peace of mind.

Recommended Handhelds for Kids

Simple and tough wins. These are great picks.

The

is simple, cheap, and durable, with an easy game-list interface. The clamshell folds shut to protect the screen, which is great for a backpack.

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Related Guides

• Best Handhelds for Kids
• How to Install a Screen Protector
• Save State Management Guide
• How to Scrape Box Art