The best retro handhelds for PSP, DS, 3DS, N64 and Dreamcast

This page answers the "which system on which handheld" questions: PSP, DS, 3DS, N64 and Dreamcast. For PS2 and GameCube, see best for PS2 and best for GameCube.

Ratings are provisional and come from Retro Catalog, Held Games and Retro Handhelds pages listed on each device card. Many Android handhelds, including all Retroid and AYN models, have no ratings yet. That means "no rating in our data", not "does not run". Where it helps, the chip tier from our chip guide is shown as context. It is an editorial grouping, not a rating.

Handhelds rated good or better for PSP

greatgoodplayableno- great, good, playable, does not run, no rating yet (unknown, not a "no")

PSP

Every handheld in the table above is rated good or great. The cheapest are the H700 family from Anbernic (RG35XX Plus, Pro, RG40XX and others), all rated good for PSP, with the RG35XX Pro listed from $50 (third-party aggregator (heldgames.com street price), Nov 5, 2026). Good is not the same as full speed in every game, and the chip guide notes that the H700 does not run PSP at full speed in every title.

Rated great: the Anbernic RG Vita Pro (RK3576, 5.5 inch 1080p, from $150 (third-party aggregator (heldgames.com street price), Nov 5, 2026)), the TrimUI Smart Pro S (no verified price) and the RG557 (from $229 (third-party aggregator (heldgames.com street price), Nov 5, 2026)). Held Games reports PPSSPP at 3x to 4x on the Vita Pro. The Vita Pro's cons in our data: PS Vita emulation is still early and a reviewer called its Linux build poor at launch. The Smart Pro S has a 16:9 5 inch screen, so PSP games fit it without bars, and it has 1 GB RAM. The AYANEO Pocket Micro 2 also has a great PSP rating.

Retroid and AYN handhelds have no PSP rating in our data. Several of their chips sit in the mid or high tiers of the chip guide, but that is a hint, not a rating. Check the maker or a review before you rely on it.

Nintendo DS

Most H700 handhelds, the TrimUI Smart Pro S and the Brick Hammer are rated great for DS. DS games use two screens, so the shape matters more than the chip. The Anbernic RG DS has two 4 inch touchscreens and a great DS rating, from from $94 (third-party aggregator (heldgames.com street price), Nov 5, 2026). On a single-screen handheld, the DS image is split or shrunk. Our MagicX data notes a small image for dual-screen games. The AYN Thor also has two screens but no ratings.

3DS

3DS is the hardest of these systems. In our data, great 3DS ratings belong to the Anbernic RG Slide, RG406H and RG406V, all on the Unisoc T820. The Smart Pro S is playable. Every H700 handheld is rated no. Held Games notes the RG Slide is not suited to heavy PS2, but it has a sliding PSP Go style body, a 4.7 inch 4:3 screen and a 120 Hz refresh. Price: $179 (third-party aggregator (heldgames.com street price), Nov 5, 2026). Whether a handheld beats a real Nintendo 3DS is not something our data answers: we hold no 3DS comparison, only the ratings above.

N64 and Dreamcast

N64 and Dreamcast are rated great on the H700 family, the TrimUI Smart Pro S and Brick Hammer, the Miyoo Flip, the Powkiddy RGB30 and X55, and the RG557 (Dreamcast). N64 on handhelds with no right stick is awkward. Sticks matter more than the rating: the RG35XX SP and RG34XX SP have none, while the RG35XX Pro and RG40XX H have two. The TrimUI Brick Pro is rated only playable for N64 and Dreamcast.

What to buy

• PSP on a budget: RG35XX Pro or an H700 sibling with sticks.
• PSP at its best: RG Vita Pro, Smart Pro S or RG557.
• 3DS: RG Slide, or the RG406H and RG406V if you also want GameCube.
• DS with two screens: RG DS.
• N64 and Dreamcast: any H700 handheld with two sticks; see best under $100.