A collection of useful tools, guides, and links I’ve picked up along my handheld gaming journey.
DEVICES
| Resource | Description | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Anbernic | Popular devices like RG Rotate, RG477M, and more | Website |
| Ayaneo | Home of the Ayaneo Pocket Air and Konkr Pocket Advance | Website |
| Ayn | Go here for the AYN Thor and Odin 3 | Website |
| Magic X | Get the MagicX Zero 40 if you need a vertical/TATE arcade device | Website |
| Mangmi | Newer company, known for the Mangmi Air X | Website |
| Miniloong | Sleeper handheld of 2026? | Website |
| Miyoo | Small form factor handhelds like the Miyoo Mini Plus | Website |
| Retroid | Quality handhelds: Pocket 6, Pocket Nova, Classic, etc | Website |
| TrimUI | Home of the brick and hammer | Website |
EMULATION
| Resource | Description | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Obtainium | Install and update Android apps directly from sources such as GitHub, including emulators and gaming utilities. | Android – Download APK |
| Obtainium Emulation Pack | Collection of emulator and gaming utility sources for Obtainium, including a dual-screen option. | Android – Releases |
| SeedlessDS | Lightweight DS emulator built on DraStic technology, with controller support, customizable screen layouts, and features for dual-screen handhelds. | Android – Releases |
| WatermelonDS | melonDS-based emulator focused on accuracy, compatibility, and modern Android handhelds, including dual-screen devices. | Android – Releases |
| Eden Duo | Modified version of the Eden Nintendo Switch emulator that adds dual-screen functionality to compatible games on Android handhelds such as the AYN Thor. | Android – Releases |
| Eden Duo Companions | Collection of game-specific companion mods that add features such as live maps and touchscreen shortcuts to the second screen in supported Switch games. | Android – Companion Downloads |
| ARMSX3 | Experimental PlayStation 3 emulator for ARM64 Android devices, based on RPCS3. | Android – Download APK |
| GameNative | Run compatible Windows PC games on Android handhelds using translation and compatibility tools, with Steam integration. | Android – Releases |
| DroidDeck | Brings the Steam Big Picture experience to compatible Android devices, using compatibility tools to run supported PC games. | Android – Releases |
CUSTOM FIRMWARE
| Resource | Description | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| MustardOS (muOS) | Fast, lightweight custom firmware with a clean interface and plenty of customization options for supported retro handhelds. | Linux |
| spruceOS | Community-developed custom firmware supporting select Miyoo, TrimUI, Anbernic, and other handhelds, with an emphasis on usability and device support. | Linux |
| ROCKNIX | Community-developed Linux distribution supporting a wide range of retro gaming handhelds, including work on dual-screen devices. | Linux |
| GammaOS Next / Nano | Custom Android firmware for supported handhelds. GammaOS Nano offers a streamlined experience focused on gaming and reduced overhead. | Android |
GUIDES
| Resource | Description | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| MustardOS Install Guide | Simple install guide for MuOS | Linux |
VALUABLE LINKS
| Resource | Description | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| RetroAchievements | Adding achievements to retro games since 2012 | Website |
| Retro Catalog | Resource for researching and comparing retro handhelds, specs, features, and upcoming devices. | Website |
| Shmup Index | Database for discovering shmups, comparing releases, and tracking prices, sales, reviews, and gameplay | Website |
| Skraper | A brand new scraper to beautify your retrogaming experience! | Website |
| Screen Scraper | Integrated with frontends like ES-DE. Used to add box art to your frontend experience. | Website |
| Handheld.Deals | Tracks prices and deals for gaming handhelds, accessories, and more. | Website |
CONTENT CREATORS
| Resource | Description | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Retro Game Corps | The Gold Standard | YouTube |
| TechDweeb | Another guy with a face for radio | YouTube |
| Joey’s Retro Handhelds | Only monsters stretch their screens | YouTube |
| Retro Handhelds | Busiest guys on the internet | YouTube |
| Ryan Retro | He made his own frontend, check it out | YouTube |
| Retrododo | An independent retro publication. | Website |
PODCASTS
| Resource | Description | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Foundry | Always a warm welcome, yesss Rich! | YouTube |
| Nerd Nest | Gaming news and insightful commentary | YouTube |
| My Life in Gaming | A weekly Sunday night hang from some of the guys on the DF Retro Super show | YouTube |
| Expedition Handheld | Nothing but handheld stuff, highly recommend | YouTube |
| The Jeff Gerstmann Show | A one-man show by an industry legend, aka Dr. Tracksuit | YouTube |
| VGC | I show up for the laughs, stay for the Scottish accents | YouTube |
SUBREDDITS
| Resource | Description | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| SBC Gaming | Retro gaming on handheld emulators and Single Board Computers (SBCs). | |
| Emulation | News and discussion about emulation. | |
| EmulationOnAndroid | Place to talk about all things related to emulation on Android devices. | |
| Handhelds | This is the definitive Reddit source for handheld consoles. |