The Handheld Gaming Thread | Gaming goodness on the go!

[ITSMILNER]

Handheld consoles have been around for years, from the early days of the Tiger LCD handhelds to Gameboy's, PSP's and DS's



Within the last few years, handhelds are making a comeback! Nintendo Switch has seen the introduction of the hybrid model and has shot off the shelves and sold tons whilst handheld PC's like Steam Deck and ROG Ally are becoming big business. Not to mention the many retro handheld reproductions and even the little Playdate!



Handheld gaming has always been my preferred method of gaming since I was young and i'm sure many of you are fans also. I think my first memory of one was actually a Super Mario Bros 3 watch that was a little game. I adored the GBA and it's quality SNES ports and then DS blew me away with some fantastic, unique gaming experiences.

What are your favourites? What are some of your fondest memories? What current handheld consoles do you own? Come share the handheld love!

[Zilnad]

Steam Deck trumps everything for me. I'm likely to pick up a Switch 2 for those sweet Nintendo exclusives though.

[Johnny Ryall]

I'm rocking the miyoo mini+ / steam deck combo now

If you're just interested in emulating retro systems on the go there are a TON of options for all budgets out there that are actually great!

[ITSMILNER]

My combo right now is Switch OLED/Steam Deck OLED, once I get a memory card I’ll be getting emulation set up on the Deck. The Steam Deck is the most comfortable handheld console I have played without the need of some type of grip attachment

[Ironhide]

The PSP and DS Lite are my joint favourite handhelds (that I've owned) with the GBA SP closely behind.

I've had the following:

GB (original)
Neo Geo Pocket Color (Silver)
GBA (White)
GBA SP (Black - my brother has both the NES and Zelda ones)
DS (Silver - my sister had the pink one)
DS Lite (x2, White and Silver)
PSP (White)
PSP Slim & Lite (White)
GBA micro (Green)
3DS (Black)

[Victor Mildew]

I own:

Game and watch donkey Kong junior
Various old single game handhelds like smash tv
Gameboy
2x gameboy pocket
Gameboy colour
Gameboy Advance
DS lite
3ds
3ds XL
Vita
Miyoo Mini+

I have previously owned:

PEP


Handhelds

[Preezy]

I used to play my Switch daily, but now it's collecting dust in the looming shadow of my mighty Steam Deck.

[OrangeRKN]

Handheld gaming is best gaming! My major handhelds, in the order I got them:

- GBC
- GBA
- PSP
- DS Lite
- Vita
- New 3DS
- Switch
- Playdate

My absolute favourite is the PSP. I bought a 3000 model not too long ago as the disk drive has gone super loud in my original, and it was only a couple of weeks ago I was playing Vice City Stories on it. I've got Metal Gear Acid lined up to finally play soon too.

The Switch has an amazing library but it's not enough of a proper portable for me, in both it's actual size and in the kinds of games that are on it (especially put out by Nintendo themselves). It's one of several reasons I love the Playdate so much, it's an actual pocket sized console full of handheld-style games!

[more heat than light]

I play chess on my phone, does that count?

[PuppetBoy]

I've never seen a Steam Deck in person. Are they comfortable to hold? They look massive, but perhaps I only think that because the design of the thing reminds me of the Game Gear

[OrangeRKN]

One of the reasons I don't yet have a Steam Deck is because I haven't seen one in person to be sure they aren't the uncomfortable ergonomic disaster they look like but I am assured they aren't.

[Johnny Ryall]

One of the reasons I don't yet have a Steam Deck is because I haven't seen one in person to be sure they aren't the uncomfortable ergonomic disaster they look like but I am assured they aren't.

It's very comfortable. I've used chinese handhelds before that have given me hand cramps due to bad or no grips (retroid 3) but steam deck has really good grips and button layouts.

If anything I'd say the steam deck is a bit ugly BECAUSE they have gone for ergonomics over looks.

It is big and heavy though, you ain't stuffing it in your back pocket.

[Robbo-92]

I’ve owned the following,

GameBoy
GameBoy Colour
GameBoy Advance
GameBoy Advance SP
Nintendo DS
Nintendo 3DS/New 3DS
Nintendo Switch

Handhelds are great

[Drumstick]

I’ve owned the following:

[FatDaz]

Steam deck is as comfortable for me as a standard Xbox or PlayStation controller. The hips and ergonomics are spot on especially the additional 2 buttons on the back of each grip. I’ve played it almost exclusively since I got it and never once felt uncomfortable. It does push the limits of “handheld” certainly not pocket sized but the size is about right for what it offers. Any smaller and you lose screen size (text games would be tough) and you’d lose that comfortable feel.

Edit:

As for history I had so many LCD games as a kid, loved them. Then Game Boy pretty much got me through childhood and being dragged to places I didn’t want to go by parents. I had a huge game collection and all the naff accessories which seemed great at the time. I had original PSP (imported to get early) loved it (still have it) and Vita which was absolutely amazing but Sony screwed up by abandoning it.

[jawa_]

My favourite handheld gaming systems have been Game Boy / Color, 3DS, DS and Switch. My order preference changes every time I think about it!

I do really enjoy handheld gaming... gaming whilst laying on the sofa and in bed .

[Rex Kramer]

I adored my PSP as it was the perfect console at the perfect time, I bought it the Christmas we had our first child. But the Vita just nudges ahead by having access to 95% of the PSP library alongside Tearaway.

[Godzilla]

Currently got a switch OLED. Previously lived my vita, so powerful and with the right game it was amazing, Borderlands 2 and Dynasty Warriors being standouts.

I loved the New 2DS XL, really lovely machine.

Randomest one I owed was the Gameboy micro, tiny, but still playable (just) .

[Moggy]

I've owned:

Gameboy
Gameboy Advance
Gameboy Advance SP
DS

[Knoyleo]

Last night I was able to play Slay the Princess on my porcelain throne. Handheld gaming.