# Best budget retro handhelds, by what they play - **Post**: https://chi-fi.top/blog/best-budget-retro-handhelds - **Published**: 2026-10-21 Six handhelds from $33 to $224 on AliExpress, and which game systems each one runs well, so you can match the device to the games you want. A retro handheld is a pocket game console that runs emulators for older systems. The screen and the shape matter, but the thing that decides what you can play is the chip inside, and that mostly follows the price. So choose by the games you want, not by the spec sheet. These six are picked from published reviews, specifications and owner discussion; chi-fi has not tested them (see [how we pick](https://chi-fi.top/how-we-pick)). Prices are "from" prices. These devices are emulators. You supply the game files, made from games you own. ## Which systems each price tier can play **8-bit, 16-bit and PS1** (NES, Game Boy, SNES, Mega Drive, PlayStation): every handheld here runs these well. If this is your list, buy the cheapest one you like holding. **N64, PSP, Dreamcast and DS** are where the budget models split. The cheap devices are hit and miss. The [Boyhom K56](https://chi-fi.top/handhelds/boyhom-k56) runs everything up to Dreamcast, N64 and PSP well, and the [R36S](https://chi-fi.top/handhelds/boyhom-r36s) plays many N64, PSP and DS games. On the RG35XX H, PSP and Dreamcast are playable but can stutter. On the Cubexx, N64, Dreamcast and PSP are hit and miss, and on the Trimui Smart Pro they are shaky. **PS2, GameCube, and some Switch and PS3 games** are out of reach of the budget models. Of the six, only the [Retroid Pocket 5](https://chi-fi.top/handhelds/retroid-pocket-5) handles PS2, GameCube and PSP well, plus some Switch and PS3 games. It costs from $224. ## The six, one by one ### Boyhom R36S, from $33 The cheapest way in, with two analog sticks and a 3.5-inch 4:3 screen. Plan to replace the bundled microSD card, which is often low quality. [See the Boyhom R36S page](https://chi-fi.top/handhelds/boyhom-r36s). ### ANBERNIC RG35XX H, from $47 Pocket-size, with a great-feeling D-pad and buttons, two analog sticks and two microSD slots. The stock software is basic, so many owners install community firmware. [See the ANBERNIC RG35XX H page](https://chi-fi.top/handhelds/anbernic-rg35xx-h). ### Trimui Smart Pro, from $60 A bright 4.96-inch 720p widescreen in a PSP-style shape, with easy software. The short-travel D-pad makes fighting games and diagonals hard. [See the Trimui Smart Pro page](https://chi-fi.top/handhelds/trimui-smart-pro). ### ANBERNIC RG Cubexx, from $69 A square 720×720 screen that suits Game Boy and older games, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and HDMI out. Most games made for other screen shapes show black bars. [See the ANBERNIC RG Cubexx page](https://chi-fi.top/handhelds/anbernic-rg-cubexx). ### Boyhom K56, from $105 An Android handheld with game menus already set up, Hall-effect sticks and 128 GB of storage. The plastic build feels cheaper than the price. [See the Boyhom K56 page](https://chi-fi.top/handhelds/boyhom-k56). ### Retroid Pocket 5, from $224 A bright 5.5-inch 1080p AMOLED screen and the most power here. Only a modest step up if you already own a Retroid Pocket 4 Pro. [See the Retroid Pocket 5 page](https://chi-fi.top/handhelds/retroid-pocket-5). ## Match one to how you play - **Just trying retro gaming:** the R36S has the lowest price. - **Mostly Game Boy and pixel-art games:** the Cubexx and its square screen. - **Platformers and fighting games:** the RG35XX H, for its D-pad and buttons. The Smart Pro's short-travel D-pad is a weak spot for these. - **N64, PSP and Dreamcast that actually run:** the K56. - **PS2 and GameCube:** the Retroid Pocket 5. No budget model here does this well. - **Phone games and streaming apps too:** the K56 and the Retroid Pocket 5 run Android. ## Before you buy 1. **Buy a decent microSD card.** The R36S's bundled card often fails, and the Retroid Pocket 5's 128 GB fills fast. 2. **Check which version the listing is.** Many clones are sold under the R36S name, and some cannot run community firmware such as dArkOS. A newer Trimui Smart Pro S fixes some of the Smart Pro's problems. The K56 is also sold as the Kinhank K56, and listings disagree on its screen resolution. 3. **Expect to set up the software.** Stock software is basic on some of these, which is why many owners install community firmware. 4. **Treat battery figures as the maker's.** They range from about 5 hours (Smart Pro) to 8 hours (RG35XX H and K56), and real life can differ. 5. **Mind the screen shape.** A 4:3 screen suits older consoles, a widescreen suits PSP, and a square screen leaves black bars on most games. The six picks below each list their own pros and cons. > Picks come from research (reviews, specs, community consensus), not hands-on testing. Prices are USD "from" prices and may be out of date. Buy links are affiliate links.