Best Retro Handhelds For Game Boy And GBA Games

The Game Boy and Game Boy Advance libraries are the foundation of retro handheld gaming. Nearly every device on the market runs them at an A grade, which means the buying decision is not about whether the games will work — it is about which screen, which form factor, and which price point fit how you want to play. The original Game Boy library is lightweight enough that even the cheapest devices handle it perfectly. GBA is where the choice matters more, because the higher resolution and more demanding emulation can expose weak screens and poor scaling.

The good news is that both Game Boy and GBA are solved problems at every price point. Pokemon Red and Blue, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, Metroid Fusion, Golden Sun, and the rest of the combined library run cleanly on hardware that costs as little as $40. The real question is whether you want a vertical device that feels like an original Game Boy, a clamshell that recalls the GBA SP, or a larger screen for couch sessions.

Best all-rounder: Anbernic RG-35XX 2024

The RG-35XX 2024 is the safest buy for anyone who wants one device that covers Game Boy, GBA, and the rest of the core retro libraries. It runs Game Boy, Game Boy Color, GBA, NES, and SNES at an A grade, adds PS1 at A and N64 and Dreamcast at B, and costs around $50. The vertical layout mirrors the original Game Boy, the 3.5-inch screen is sharp, and the Linux firmware is well supported by the community. It handles the full GBA library without slowdown, which makes it the cleanest "runs everything" package that also treats the Game Boy family as a first-class system.

Best for FPGA accuracy: Analogue Pocket

The Analogue Pocket is the pick for anyone who wants hardware-level accuracy rather than software emulation. It uses an FPGA to replicate the original Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and GBA hardware at the circuit level, which means every game runs exactly as it did on the original hardware — no emulation artifacts, no timing issues, no compatibility gaps. The 3.5-inch screen is one of the best in any retro handheld, with a pixel-perfect 4:3 aspect ratio that scales Game Boy and GBA content beautifully. It handles Game Boy, GBA, NES, and SNES at an A grade. At $220 it is the most expensive device in this list, but it is the only one that plays original Game Boy and GBA cartridges directly, and the dock lets you play on a TV. If accuracy and authenticity matter more than raw emulation power, this is the one.

Best for a bigger screen: Anbernic RG-34XX

The RG-34XX gives you a slightly larger display in a horizontal layout that suits the GBA library well. It matches the RG-35XX 2024 on compatibility — A on Game Boy, GBA, NES, SNES, and PS1 — but uses a 3.4-inch screen in a wider form factor that is more comfortable for longer sessions. The horizontal grip is better for games that use the shoulder buttons heavily, which includes a large chunk of the GBA library. It costs around $70, has a swappable battery, and the Linux firmware is the same well-supported ecosystem as the rest of the Anbernic H700 line.

Best clamshell: Anbernic RG-35XX SP

The RG-35XX SP is the pick for anyone who wants the GBA SP feel. It has the same Allwinner H700 chip and A-grade compatibility as the RG-35XX 2024 — Game Boy, GBA, NES, SNES, and PS1 all run perfectly — but folds into a clamshell that protects the screen in your pocket. The hinge is solid, the battery is swappable, and at around $65 it costs barely more than the non-folding version. If you carry a handheld in a bag or pocket and want the screen protected, this is the best value clamshell for the Game Boy family.

Best budget: R36S

The R36S is the cheapest device that still delivers a clean Game Boy and GBA experience. It runs Game Boy, GBA, NES, and SNES at an A grade for around $40, with a 3.5-inch screen and a swappable battery. The build quality is not as refined as the Anbernic options and the firmware requires more setup, but the emulation performance is solid. If you want to play Pokemon, Zelda, and the GBA library for the lowest possible price, this is the entry point.

Best for pocket carry: PowKiddy V90S

The V90S is the smallest clamshell on the list and the most portable option for Game Boy and GBA games. It runs Game Boy, GBA, NES, and SNES at an A grade for around $45, with a 3.5-inch screen and a swappable battery. The clamshell design folds small enough for a jeans pocket, which makes it the best pick for playing on a commute or in a waiting room. The Allwinner A133 Plus chip handles the 8-bit and 32-bit portable libraries without issue, though it does not have the headroom for PS1 or beyond.

Best for high-end emulation: AYANEO Pocket DMG

If you want Game Boy and GBA plus flawless performance across every retro library, the AYANEO Pocket DMG is the step up. It scores A on Game Boy, GBA, NES, SNES, PSP, PS1, N64, Dreamcast, and GameCube. The 3.92-inch vertical screen and Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 chip give you headroom for everything from the original Game Boy to GameCube, and the Android OS opens up modern emulator options. Starting at $340, it is the most capable vertical handheld on the market and the natural upgrade path if you started with a budget device and want more power without changing form factor.

Best for power and screen: Anbernic RG-557

The RG-557 is the pick for anyone who wants the Game Boy and GBA libraries on a larger, high-end screen. It scores A on Game Boy, GBA, NES, SNES, PSP, PS1, N64, Dreamcast, and GameCube, plus A- on PS2. The 5.48-inch display and MediaTek Dimensity 8300 chip deliver the full retro library with room to spare, and the 12 GB of RAM and Android 14 OS handle anything you throw at it. At $249 it sits between the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro and the AYANEO Pocket DMG in price, but the larger screen makes it the better pick if you play mostly at home rather than on the go.

Which should you buy?

Match the device to how you want to play Game Boy and GBA. If you want one device that covers everything, the RG-35XX 2024 is the safest all-rounder, and the RG-34XX adds a bigger screen in a horizontal layout. If you want the GBA SP feel, the RG-35XX SP is the best clamshell, and the V90S is the most portable. If you want the cheapest working option, the R36S is the entry point. If you want FPGA accuracy and original cartridge support, the Analogue Pocket is the only choice. If you want Game Boy and GBA plus high-end headroom, the AYANEO Pocket DMG and RG-557 are the step-up options.

The Game Boy and GBA libraries are a solved problem on modern retro handhelds. The rule is the same as every buying guide: check the compatibility grades, buy for the systems that score A or B, and let the screen and form factor decide the rest. Every handheld in this list clears that bar for the Game Boy family, so the real decision is how much screen, how much headroom, and how much pocketability you want.

Sources

• Anbernic — official product pages and specifications: anbernic.com
• Analogue — Pocket FPGA hardware and specifications: www.analogue.co
• PowKiddy — official product pages and specifications: powkiddy.com
• AYANEO — official product pages and specifications: ayaneo.com
• RetroArch / Libretro — frontend and core documentation: docs.libretro.com
• Emulation General Wiki — per-system compatibility and hardware reference: emulation.gametechwiki.com
• Retro Handhelds — handheld news and hardware coverage: retrohandhelds.gg
• Retro Dodo — retro handheld reviews and buying guides: retrododo.com

Method note: the Analogue Pocket is an FPGA device running original cartridges, not software emulation — that distinction drives its placement. Prices are vendor-published and change often; rankings are our editorial judgement.