Palm Arcade is an independent reference for people who want to play older games on a handheld: Game Boy and SNES fans, PS1 and N64 players, and people who want PS2 and GameCube in their pocket. It is not made by Anbernic, Retroid, AYN, Miyoo, TrimUI, Powkiddy, MagicX, AYANEO or any other brand, and none of them reviews or pays for what we write.
What you get here
- A database of 40 handhelds with the specs that decide a purchase and a dated price where one exists.
- Tools: a handheld finder, a compare tool and an emulation chart.
- Guides for US buyers, including import tax rules for AliExpress orders.
How we work
We do not run a lab, and we never claim to have tested a device when we have not. Pages are compiled from maker specifications, review sites such as Retro Catalog, Held Games, Retro Handhelds and Notebookcheck, and documented community knowledge. Every page lists its sources with the date each was checked. Where our sources are thin, the page says so. How the tools rank is on the methodology page.
What we will not do
We do not link to sites that host ROMs or BIOS files. Games and firmware dumps are copyrighted, so dump the games you own from your own cartridges and discs. See BIOS files and legal ROMs.
Mistakes and updates
Prices and firmware change every few weeks. Data files are re-checked regularly, and the date on each page shows the last check. If you spot an error, a dead link or a newer price, tell us. Corrections are made openly with a new date on the page.
Money
The site is free. Some links to shops and maker stores can be affiliate links, which may earn a small commission. That never changes the order of the finder or the picks. Details: how we make money.