The cheapest handheld that runs each system
What is the cheapest retro handheld that runs a given console?
The headline result is counterintuitive: Dreamcast is cheaper to reach than Nintendo 64. A $65 Anbernic RG35XX H handles Dreamcast, while N64 needs a $199 Retroid Pocket 4 Pro. Release order is not difficulty order, and the hardware these emulators run on does not care which console came first.
| System | Cheapest that runs it | Price | Rating | Cheapest at full speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NES | Miyoo Flip | $60 | Full speed | same device |
| Game Boy | Miyoo Flip | $60 | Full speed | same device |
| Genesis | Miyoo Flip | $60 | Full speed | same device |
| SNES | Miyoo Flip | $60 | Full speed | same device |
| GBA | Miyoo Flip | $60 | Full speed | same device |
| Arcade | TrimUI Brick | $65 | Full speed | same device |
| PS1 | Miyoo Flip | $60 | Full speed | same device |
| N64 | Retroid Pocket 4 Pro | $199 | Full speed | same device |
| Saturn | Anbernic RG406H | $150 | Full speed | same device |
| Dreamcast | Anbernic RG35XX H | $65 | Playable | Anbernic RG406H ($150) |
| PSP | Anbernic RG556 | $180 | Full speed | same device |
| GameCube | Anbernic RG406H | $150 | Playable | AYN Odin 2 ($299) |
| PS2 | Retroid Pocket 4 Pro | $199 | Playable | AYN Odin 2 ($299) |
| Wii | Retroid Pocket 5 | $219 | Playable | AYN Odin 2 ($299) |
| Switch | AYN Odin 2 Mini | $299 | Playable | same device |
The testing behind each floor
NES: Miyoo Flip
Full speedNearly flawless across everything from 8-bit through PS1.
Game Boy: Miyoo Flip
Full speedNearly flawless across everything from 8-bit through PS1.
Genesis: Miyoo Flip
Full speedNearly flawless across everything from 8-bit through PS1.
SNES: Miyoo Flip
Full speedNearly flawless across everything from 8-bit through PS1.
GBA: Miyoo Flip
Full speedNearly flawless across everything from 8-bit through PS1.
Arcade: TrimUI Brick
Full speedSits comfortably in the hardware wheelhouse, and looks exceptional on the 1024x768 panel.
PS1: Miyoo Flip
Full speedNearly flawless across everything from 8-bit through PS1.
N64: Retroid Pocket 4 Pro
Full speedFlawless, with headroom up to 4x internal resolution.
Saturn: Anbernic RG406H
Full speedPractically the whole library runs flawlessly, with headroom for upscaling.
Dreamcast: Anbernic RG35XX H
PlayableWhere the device maxes out, and it gets there in good shape.
PSP: Anbernic RG556
Full speedRuns the full library well.
GameCube: Anbernic RG406H
PlayableImpressive on most of the library, with known hard failures.
PS2: Retroid Pocket 4 Pro
PlayableAround 90% of the library runs with upscaling to 1080p and widescreen hacks enabled.
Wii: Retroid Pocket 5
PlayableSnapdragon 865 is the sweet spot: many Wii titles are playable.
Switch: AYN Odin 2 Mini
PlayableRuns at upscaled resolution without stuttering.