Best gaming handhelds 2024 – top high-end, budget, and retro options
If you're hoping to get your hands on a gaming handheld to suit your needs, we've tried and tested a whole bunch to save you the legwork.
2023 was the year of handheld gaming, with a ton of new portable gaming devices hitting the market and now as we roll into 2024, handhelds are dominating the gaming space. With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to determine which gaming handheld is right for you. Some options, like the Asus ROG Ally, allow you to play AAA titles on the go without sacrificing performance, whereas alternatives like the Nintendo Switch OLED or Playdate don't necessarily harbour the most power but allow for a fantastic experience anyway.
Here at Mirror Gaming, we've been trying and testing a range of gaming handhelds so we can determine which ones are worth getting your hands on if you're looking at jumping into the world of portable consoles in 2024. Whether it be a gift to someone you care about, or you're just looking for a way to play games on the go, here are the best gaming handhelds 2024.
Best gaming handhelds 2024
Whether you're looking for a retro gaming experience. hoping to play the latest AAA titles at a high output. or just something in the middle. there is a gaming handheld to suit every need. Keep in mind that prices on some of the best gaming handhelds vary massively so we've been sure to cover a range of budgets.
Asus ROG Ally
The Asus ROG Ally allows you to play AAA titles on the go. (Asus ROG)Although pricey, the Asus ROG Ally gives you a great bang for your buck. If you’re hoping to play AAA games on the go without compromising on performance then you have to get your hands on the Asus ROG Ally. When reviewing this handheld, I was blown away by the graphics, which were a major step up from Steam Deck, thanks to its 1080p display. Featuring a Windows operating system, you get access to pretty much any title you’d be able to boot up on a regular PC and also use the device for any other productivity uses.
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The Asus ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme) is priced at £699 / $699 / AU$1299, which is pretty hefty for a gaming handheld but still much cheaper than a gaming laptop or PC, and this device could easily replace either of those.
Playdate
The Playdate comes with a crank mechanic some games take advantage of. (Playdate)Gaming handhelds don’t get quirkier than the Playdate: a yellow-coated crank-based console that hearkens back to the days of 8-bit gaming with its purposely unlit black-and-white screen. When reviewing the Playdate, I found that the bite-sized games available to play on it - released every two weeks as part of a season - still look amazing, thanks to just how well developers have already adapted to the device’s two-tone visual style. The crank is far from a gimmick, too, providing silky-smooth operation in every title that opts to use it smartly.
At $199, or £150 and AU$250 roughly (when translated into British and Australian currency respectively), it’s just a tad on the pricier side considering how niche a proposition the Playdate is. That said, it still marks a bold innovation within an increasingly crowded market of handhelds, and games like Root Bear and Pick Pack Pup can’t be played anywhere else.
Super Pocket
The Super Pocket comes in both Capcom and Taito variants. (Hyper Mega Tech!)Not content with making its series of physical cartridges even more accessible on the go with the launch of the Evercade EXP, sister company Hyper Mega Tech! has since released the Super Pocket. When testing the Super Pocket, I found that it's a cheap and cheerful handheld that maintains the analogue feel of inserting a cartridge to play games both indie and old. It's also available in multiple editions (depending on what games you want to have built-in).
Currently, the Super Pocket is available in both Capcom and Taito variants, both of which are a steal at just £49 / $59 / AU$109.99. For one low price, you get the ability to expand the library with new carts, instant access to some of gaming’s best retro titles, and a cool-looking device that fits into your pocket.
Nintendo Switch OLED
The Nintendo Switch OLED has an upgraded screen compared to the original Nintendo Switch. (Nintendo)While it’s hard to imagine Nintendo’s hybrid console getting any better, that’s exactly what the Japanese giant achieved when releasing the Nintendo Switch OLED model back in 2021. This brighter and clearer screen is the perfect upgrade for anyone who primarily plays their Nintendo Switch in handheld mode, making titles like Ori and the Will of the Wisps or Astral Chain, look far crisper than they previously did. It’s easy to see why the Steam Deck has since followed suit.
At £279.99 / $349.99 / AU$539.95, the Nintendo Switch OLED model carries a hefty price tag for those who already own the console. However, if you want to enjoy the very best visuals and you very rarely use Nintendo’s current console on your TV, we can't sing the praises of the OLED screen enough.
Analogue Pocket
The Analogue Pocket allows you to play original cartridges from the Game Boy, Game Boy Colour, and Game Boy Advance. (Analogue)If you’re a player who longs for the days of Nintendo's legendary Game Boy, Game Boy Colour, and Game Boy Advance, the Analogue Pocket isn’t just the next best thing - it’s better. Utilising an FPGA chip that makes the modern handheld think it’s the original hardware, the Analogue Pocket plays original cartridges with much more fidelity, and 10x the resolution that was possible before. Simply put, it’s a Game Boy fan's dream device.
The Analogue Pocket will set you back a relatively hefty £249.99 (or £200 and AU$380 when converted), but we think it’s worth it given that it’s a flexible handheld that plays cartridges from all three Game Boy generations, and a MicroSD card slot also ensures it can play ROMs. It’s a Game Boy machine modernised for the 21st century, improving on the original hardware in almost every respect.
Steam Deck OLED
The Steam Deck OLED improves the screen and battery life of the original Steam Deck now referred to as the Steam Deck LCD. (Valve)The Steam Deck OLED is what the Steam Deck should've been from the very start. Despite being named after its new enhanced OLED screen, when reviewing this unit I found that the new display isn’t the best thing about it, because the improved battery life and lighter overall design take the Steam Deck to the next level. And by next level I mean, it’s on par with other gaming handhelds on the market right now, but at a much lower price.
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Coming in at £479 / $549 / AU$865 for a 512GB edition, the Steam Deck OLED is just £20 more than the 256GB edition of the Steam Deck LCD £459 / $529 / AU$795 making this a better option for those who were considering picking up the higher memory tiers of the latter.
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