Searches for retro handhelds have exploded this year. The Game Boy Advance turned 25 in 2026, and a wave of new emulator handhelds, many styled to look like a GBA SP, has everyone thinking about pocket-sized gaming again.
So should you buy one of the new emulator handhelds, or the real thing? Here's an honest comparison, plus our picks for every budget.
Original handhelds vs emulator handhelds
| Original handheld | Emulator handheld | |
|---|---|---|
| What it plays | Real cartridges or discs for that system | Many systems, from game files |
| Setup | Put in a game and switch it on | Needs setting up, and games aren't included |
| Feel | Exactly how you remember it | Close, but not identical |
| Collectability | Holds its value well | Mostly a gadget |
| Best for | Nostalgia, collecting and playing your own carts | Tinkerers who want lots of systems in one device |
If you want the experience you remember, nothing beats the original. If you love tinkering, an emulator handheld can be fun too. Plenty of collectors own both.
Which original handheld should you buy?
Game Boy and Game Boy Pocket: the purest nostalgia
Green-tinted screen, four AA batteries and Tetris. The original Game Boy is indestructible and iconic. The Pocket is smaller and lighter and plays the same games.
Game Boy Advance SP: the best all-rounder
If you only buy one retro handheld, make it a GBA SP. It plays Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridges, folds shut to protect the screen and has a built-in rechargeable battery. The original model (AGS-001) has a front-lit screen. The later AGS-101 has a brighter backlit screen, which is the one collectors look for.
Game Boy Advance SP Console (AGS-001) · $179.97
The classic clamshell. Plays three generations of Game Boy games.
Nintendo DS and DS Lite: two screens and a GBA slot
The DS and DS Lite play DS games and Game Boy Advance cartridges, which makes them a great value. (They don't play original Game Boy or Game Boy Color carts.) The DS Lite is smaller, with a brighter screen.
PSP: console games on the go
The PlayStation Portable put near-PS2 graphics in your pocket. The 2000 model is slimmer and lighter than the original 1000, and the 3000 has an improved screen.
Our quick picks
- Best overall: Game Boy Advance SP
- Best value: Nintendo DS Lite, which plays two systems' worth of games
- Best for pure nostalgia: original Game Boy
- Best for console-style games: PSP 2000
Frequently asked questions
What is the best retro handheld to buy?
For most people, the Game Boy Advance SP. It plays Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance games, has a rechargeable battery and folds shut to protect the screen.
Can the DS Lite play Game Boy Advance games?
Yes. The original DS and the DS Lite both have a slot for GBA cartridges. They can't play original Game Boy or Game Boy Color games.
What is the difference between the GBA SP AGS-001 and AGS-101?
The AGS-001 has a front-lit screen. The AGS-101, released later, has a brighter backlit screen and is the model collectors usually prefer.
Is an original handheld better than an emulator handheld?
It depends what you want. Originals give you the real experience with your own cartridges and no setup. Emulator handhelds play many systems but need setting up and don't come with games.
Do old handheld batteries still work?
Systems like the GBA SP use a rechargeable battery that wears over time. Everything we sell is tested before it ships and covered by our 180-day warranty.
Every game and console we sell is cleaned, tested on real hardware and covered by our 180-day warranty, with 30-day returns and free US shipping on orders over $70.