Gaming Gear

Nintendo DS and 3DS games create an awkward problem for modern retro handhelds. On a conventional widescreen device, players usually need to squeeze two displays onto one panel, enlarge one screen while shrinking the other, or assign a button to switch between them. Retroid has already tried addressing that problem with its $69 Dual Screen

Retro handhelds have become powerful enough that it’s surprisingly easy to buy more machine than you need. If most of your library consists of older games, paying substantially more for Android, a faster processor, a high-resolution widescreen display, and more memory may not improve the games you actually intend to play. Price: $37.99 Where to

The appeal of a gaming handheld is simple: your PC library can leave the desk. The problem is that every step toward more performance creates another compromise. Price: From $2,399 Where to Buy: OneXPlayer More power can mean more heat. A bigger battery adds weight. A larger screen makes games easier to see but harder

Buying a retro handheld gets complicated once your game library moves beyond the easy stuff. Cheap models can be great for older 2D systems, but demanding emulation exposes their limits fast. More powerful Android handhelds offer extra headroom, yet their prices can climb high enough to change the buying decision. Price: $139.99 Where to Buy:

Retro gaming has a hardware problem that becomes more noticeable every year, because original Game Boy systems are getting older while collectors still want to enjoy the cartridges they have spent years building up without relying entirely on decades-old screens, batteries, and electronics. The Analogue Pocket offers a modern answer by combining original cartridge support

The AYN Odin 2 Portal is currently listed at $259, and the entry-level model is now offered in the handheld’s translucent Indigo finish. The combination brings a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2-powered Android handheld with a 7-inch, 120Hz OLED display into a more accessible price range. Price: $259 Where to Buy: AYN Add The Gadgeteer on