5 Android Gaming Handhelds Cheaper Than the Nintendo Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2 was launched on June 5, 2025. Four days after its release, it became the best-selling Nintendo console of all time, with 3.5 million units shipped worldwide, according to Nintendo itself. Games like “Mario Kart World,” “Donkey Kong: Bonanza” and “Pokémon Pokopia” have been major console hits, proving that there is an appetite for portable gaming.

However, the Switch 2 currently costs $449.99, but that will change in September 2026 as that is when Nintendo will increase its price to $499.99. If you’re not too particular about your portable gaming needs, Android-based portable consoles are a cheaper alternative. They won’t be among the more powerful handhelds than the Switch 2, so it’s worth setting realistic expectations that the most you’ll do with them is emulate games you legally own (don’t pirate them), essentially making them excellent retro gaming machines.

With some of them, you can even play AAA Android games from the Play Store or stream PC and console games via Xbox Cloud Gaming, Steam Link, or PS Remote Play (you need a PS5 for that). That said, you have a diverse range of options from well-known brands including Retroid, Ayaneo, and Anbernic. You get a modern handheld with a good amount of RAM and storage, plus all the buttons, bumpers, triggers, and analog sticks found in high-end handhelds. Some even have unique designs (one even looks like a Nintendo 3DS).

For many gamers, the Nintendo Game Boy was their first foray into the wonderful world of video gaming. That’s why vertical or “brick” handhelds like the Anbernic RG 477V might be attractive. It’s considered one of Anbernic’s most powerful handhelds due to its octa-core Dimensity 8300 chip. It’s capable of streaming AAA Android games, such as “Fortnite” and “Genshin Impact,” at medium to high settings, so don’t be fooled by its retro aesthetic.

The RG 477V has a 4.7-inch screen, considered large for this type of handheld. With a 4:3 aspect ratio, PS2 and GameCube games will look great on its integrated LTPS display when using popular emulators like Dolphin and NetherSX2. Since it supports touch, the large screen is also ideal for on-screen controls in games that don’t allow physical input. It also supports gyroscopic aiming, which is useful when trying to land precise shots in shooting games like “Call of Duty: Mobile” and “Delta Force.”

You can get the RG 477V starting at $239.99 for the version with 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. It has a microSD card slot that lets you expand its storage up to 2TB. You can buy the handheld in black for a more modern look or in retro gray if you prefer the Game Boy aesthetic. It also features customizable RGB lighting effects on Hall effect controllers for immersive gameplay.

The Retroid Pocket 6 offers excellent overall performance for an Android handheld that starts at $244 for the 8GB model. If you want something horizontal, but with the same powerful processor as the Anbernic RG 477V to be able to play games from the sixth generation of consoles and lower, the Pocket 6 may serve you well. Of course, you can still play modern Android games, as long as you don’t max out the settings. Scaling makes textures sharp on the 5.5-inch 1080p AMOLED touchscreen.

The Pocket 6 has a similar design to the PS Vita, which would also make it a great place to emulate games from this classic Sony handheld, especially with its 16:9 aspect ratio. And you can choose whether you want the joysticks up with the analog sticks down or vice versa. There are also several colors to choose from, including silver, black, gray, light pink, and orange. Other notable features include a 6,000mAh battery for hours of gaming, active cooling to prevent overheating, Wi-Fi 7 for low-latency online gaming, and a TF card slot (microSD card) for expanding the handheld’s storage.

Nintendo made dual-screen gaming popular with the Nintendo DS and 3DS systems. It was a new way to interact with games by having one screen for action and another for other tasks and features such as maps, inventory management and touch actions. Such an idea can translate well to modern handhelds, with the AYN Thor being one of the best clamshell Android handhelds. It has a 6-inch AMOLED touchscreen on the top and a 3.92-inch AMOLED touchscreen on the bottom.

This could be a great handheld for playing DS and 3DS. There are various Android emulators that replicate the dual-screen setup well, including Cemu, MelonDS, and Citra. With a powerful chip like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, you can even play Nintendo Switch games. Its compatibility is impressive, but don’t expect everything to run smoothly, especially if you’re playing these Switch titles.

For non-DS games, the second screen can be used to read guides, watch tutorials, or chat with friends while you play the game. Pricing for the AYN Thor starts at $249 for the Lite version. This comes with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. Just keep in mind that the handheld doesn’t come with any games preinstalled: you’ll have to load everything yourself, including the interface.

If you want an Android handheld that begs to be carried in your pocket for impromptu gaming sessions while traveling or while waiting for a doctor’s appointment, the Ayaneo Pocket Micro is a good option. However, it is the size of a standard smartphone and therefore does not fit in small pockets. It’s designed to look like an NES candy bar controller, but with the inclusion of analog sticks and bumpers. Ayaneo even evokes nostalgia with the tagline “The childhood dream handheld console back in your hand.”

The Pocket Micro is a superb mini console for revisiting classics from the 80s and 90s with crisp visuals. All thanks to its 3.5-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 960 x 640 and a pixel density of 330 PPI. Game Boy Advance titles benefit the most from the GBA’s native 4K resolution. Its 3:2 panel is the exact shape of a GBA screen, making the enhanced visuals shine. Its Helio G99 chip allows it to handle retro games all the way back to the PS2, although it might struggle with some demanding 3D games from that era.

The Pocket Micro starts from $219 for the 6GB RAM and 128GB SSD version. For $249 you can get the version with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD. The build quality of this handheld is also worth mentioning, as it comes with an aluminum frame that gives it a premium and durable feel.

The MagicX Mini Zero is another mini Android handheld, but aimed at those on a budget. It’s as big as a small remote and is also quite affordable, starting at $61 for the basic version without a TF card. So if you still keep your old microSD card, now would be the best time to use it. If you need more space without purchasing a TF card separately, you can purchase the version with a 64GB or 128GB TF card for $64 or $79, respectively. The Mini Zero has a resolution of 640 x 480, which makes sense given its small form factor.

However, it doesn’t have a touchscreen, meaning you’ll have to use the controls for navigation; although this may not be intuitive. When it comes to games you can play with its Allwinner Cortex-A53 chipset and 2GB of RAM, you’re looking at something on par with the PS1. You can try playing PSP games, but you’ll need to enable frame skipping to make it a viable option. Additionally, with PSP games having a 16:9 aspect ratio, you will get vertical bars on the screen.

The graphics will be sharp on its IPS screen. It also has stereo speakers, supports Wi-Fi, and has a 2,900 mAh battery that allows for seven to nine hours of gaming. So if you’re on a budget and looking for an Android handheld with several custom firmware (CFW) options available for D-pad gaming, the Mini Zero might be a good choice.

While anything below the current Switch 2 price was worth considering, we wanted to add some variety – clamshell, bricked, and horizontal – to cover a wide range of retro gaming scenarios. Running AAA Android games is nice, but not essential. All the options we found managed to be under $250 in terms of starting price. At a minimum, we wanted to find options that supported multiple emulators while still offering solid gameplay with the D-pad. Also keep in mind that you can turn your phone into a gaming handheld if none of the options interest you or they still don’t fit your budget.