Best Retro Gaming Consoles Under $100 in 2025

You don't need to spend $200 on a Steam Deck or $160 on a Retroid Pocket to get into the world of retro gaming. Some of the best handhelds for playing NES, SNES, Game Boy, and PS1 classics cost less than dinner for two at a nice restaurant.

I've tested an absurd number of budget handhelds over the past year (my desk looks like an electronics graveyard), and I've narrowed down the list to the five best retro handhelds under $70 in 2025. Let's dive in.

Quick Rankings

Rank	Device	Price	Best For
1	R36S	~$45	Best overall value
2	Anbernic RG35XX Plus	~$62	Game Boy fans
3	Miyoo Mini Plus	~$56	Maximum portability
4	Powkiddy V90	~$28	Ultra-budget
5	TrimUI Smart Pro	~$62	Big screen on a budget

1. R36S — Best Overall Value ($45)

The R36S is the handheld I recommend to basically everyone who asks. For around $45, it delivers way more than the price suggests.

What makes it amazing:

• 3.5" IPS screen at 640x480 — sharp and colorful, perfect for retro games
• Two analog sticks — essential for N64 and PSP emulation
• 3200mAh battery — 6-8 hours on a single charge
• Dual TF card slots — separate system from games
• Runs PS1, N64, and most PSP games smoothly with ArkOS
• Comfortable horizontal layout inspired by the PS Vita

The honest negatives:

• Build quality is good but not premium (slight flex in the back)
• Speaker is adequate but nothing special
• If you buy from random AliExpress sellers, the setup can be a headache

For whom: Anyone who wants the best combination of performance, comfort, and price. It's the "buy this and be done" recommendation.

2. Anbernic RG35XX Plus — Best for Game Boy Fans ($62)

Anbernic is the most established brand in budget retro handhelds, and the RG35XX Plus is their best offering under $70.

What makes it amazing:

• Premium build quality
• GarlicOS support — one of the fastest and cleanest firmwares
• Built-in Wi-Fi — for wireless ROM transfers
• Same H700 chipset as the R36S

The negatives:

• Vertical layout is less comfortable for long sessions
• $17 more expensive than the R36S for the same specs
• Smaller 2600mAh battery

For whom: If you specifically want the vertical Game Boy form factor and value Anbernic quality.

3. Miyoo Mini Plus — Most Portable ($56)

The Miyoo Mini Plus is the handheld that actually fits in your jeans pocket.

What makes it amazing:

• Incredibly compact — fits in any pocket
• Beautiful 3.5" screen
• OnionOS is one of the best custom firmwares

The negatives:

• No analog sticks — rules out N64 and most PSP
• Weaker chipset — PS1 is hit-or-miss
• Cramped controls for large hands

For whom: If portability is priority #1 and you mainly play NES/SNES/GBA.

4. Powkiddy V90 — Ultra-Budget King ($28)

At just $28, the Powkiddy V90 is the cheapest way to get into the world of retro handhelds.

What makes it amazing:

• $28. That's it. That's the sales pitch.
• Flip design protects the screen
• Runs NES/SNES/GBA/Genesis without issues

The negatives:

• Small 3" screen with lower resolution
• Very weak processor — forget PS1 or N64
• Build quality is... what you'd expect for $28

For whom: If you want to spend as little as possible or a fun gift for a retro gaming fan.

5. TrimUI Smart Pro — Premium Look ($62)

What makes it amazing:

• 4.96" IPS screen — the biggest in this price range
• Sleek design that looks more expensive than it is
• Decent analog sticks and good controls

The negatives:

• Factory firmware is poor — custom firmware is practically mandatory
• Bigger screen = bigger device (less portable)
• Some QC issues reported

For whom: If you want the biggest screen possible under $70 and don't mind using custom firmware.

So, Which One Should You Buy?

For most people: Buy the R36S. Best combination of performance, comfort, battery, and price. The two analog sticks open up N64 and PSP, the horizontal layout is comfortable for hours, and at $45 it's virtually unbeatable.

The only reasons to choose another:

• You specifically want vertical Game Boy layout → RG35XX Plus
• Pocket size is absolutely critical → Miyoo Mini Plus
• Super tight budget → Powkiddy V90
• You want the biggest screen possible → TrimUI Smart Pro

Tips for Buying Budget Retro Handhelds

Avoid random AliExpress sellers

Seriously. Shipping takes forever (20-45 days), the firmware is usually outdated or broken, and good luck getting support if something goes wrong. Buy from a dedicated store that pre-configures the device.

Custom firmware is almost always better

Whatever factory firmware your handheld comes with, there's a community-made alternative that's better. ArkOS for the R36S, GarlicOS for the RG35XX, OnionOS for the Miyoo Mini.

Don't obsess over specs

In this price range, all these devices run games from 20+ years ago. They all run NES, SNES, and GBA perfectly. The differences only matter for more demanding systems like PS1, N64, and PSP.

Invest in a good SD card

Many budget handhelds come with cheap and unreliable SD cards. Invest in a brand-name card (Samsung EVO, SanDisk Ultra) and your device will be more reliable and faster.