The Best Retro Handhelds for GBA Emulation
Updated February 2026
I love the Game Boy Advance. Not only is it my favorite console to play on retro handhelds, it’s my favorite console, period. While I didn’t grow up with a GBA, I’ve spent countless hours emulating this system at various stages of my life.
The GBA is amazing, first and foremost, thanks to its
vast catalog of excellent games
. There’s no shortage of top-notch first-party releases from Nintendo. Metroid received two of its best classic-style entries here: Metroid Fusion
and Metroid Zero Mission
. Castlevania released what I consider the best game in the entire franchise, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
, perhaps only rivaled by Symphony of the Night
on PS1 (which can also be played on most of the retro handhelds mentioned below). There's no need to mention Pokemon, which had one its strongest generations here. And, of course, some of the most beloved Zelda titles are available on this tiny console: The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
and A Link to the Past.
The GBA also saw some innovative games that broke away from the norm and experimented with new structures and mechanics. A few that come to mind are the
Advance Wars
and WarioWare
series, as well as Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
. On the other hand, The homebrew scene thrives in this platform. For instance, my Tetris game of choice is Apotris
, an incredibly well-made and beautiful free GBA ROM.Another reason the GBA is great to emulate on retro consoles is that its games were designed for handheld play. They’re easy to pick up for a quick session at home, during transit, or on breaks. These lighter sessions are encouraged by fast loading times and the ability to frequently save your game.
Modern retro handhelds improve on the original experience by offering better hardware than the consoles from the 2000s, such as improved screens, longer battery life, better ergonomics, and more. On the software side, GBA emulators for Linux and Android are among the most mature in the retro gaming scene. Emulation is stable for all games, and features like shaders, fast forward, rewind, and save states work flawlessly with minimal power requirements.
If you’re looking for the best way to play GBA games, you’ve come to the right place. Retro handhelds are your answer. Grab one of these affordable devices and relive the nostalgia of one of the best gaming consoles of all time.
Quick List:
- Best Horizontal:
- Best Clamshell:
- Best Vertical:
- Best Under 40$:
- Best Premium Big Screen:
- Best Premium Compact:
1. The Best Nostalgic Horizontal Handheld for GBA: Anbernic RG-34XX
Released
Dec. 2024
OS
Linux
Screen
3.4”, 3:2
Up To
Dreamcast
Best For
GBA, Game Gear
Price
~$60
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Nostalgic design borrowing from the original GBA
- Well-supported by the community, multiple CFWs available
- Ideal 3:2 aspect ratio for Game Boy Advance
Cons
2. The Best Nostalgic Clamshell Handheld for GBA: Anbernic RG-34XXSP
Released
May. 2025
OS
Linux
Screen
3.4”, 3:2
Up To
Dreamcast
Best For
GBA, Game Gear
Price
~$60
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Nostalgic design borrowing from the original GBA SP
- Well-supported by the community, multiple CFWs available
- Ideal 3:2 aspect ratio for Game Boy Advance
Cons
- Device can feel bulky when closed
- Unstable emulation on more demanding systems
3. The Best Vertical Retro Handheld for GBA: TRIMUI Smart Brick
Released
Nov. 2024
OS
Linux
Screen
3.2”, 4:3
Up To
Dreamcast
Best For
PS1, SNES
Price
~$70
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Build quality feels premium
- Well-lit screen
- Perfect EDC handheld
Cons
- May heat up noticeably during heavy play
- Some users report a bug where the device can stay on while powered off and become unresponsive
- 3.2” screen might be too small for some
4. The Best Way to Play GBA Under 40$: PowKiddy V10
Released
Jun. 2024
OS
Linux
Screen
3.5”, 3:2
Up To
NDS
Best For
GBA, Game Gear
Price
~$40
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Well-supported by the community, multiple CFWs available
- Small device, very pocketable
- Ideal 3:2 aspect ratio for Game Boy Advance
Cons
- Low resolution screen
- No Wi-fi (no RetroAchievements, box art scraping, file transfer etc...)
- No Bluetooth
Good alternative:
BATLEXP G350
5. The Best Premium Big Screen Handheld for GBA: Retroid Pocket Flip 2 SD865
Released
Apr. 2025
OS
Android 13, Linux
Screen
5.5”, 16:9
Up To
Switch
Best For
PS2, GameCube
Price
~$220
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Strong performance even for more demanding systems
- Beautiful AMOLED display with vibrant colors and perfect blacks
- Well-supported by the community, multiple CFWs available
Cons
- Possible hinge issues, especially in the first revision of the device
- Letterboxing (black bars) on classic retro systems
6. The Best Premium Compact Retro Handheld for GBA: AYANEO Pocket Micro Classic
Released
Mar. 2025
OS
Android 13
Screen
3.5”, 3:2
Up To
Wii
Best For
GBA, Game Gear
Price
~$170
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Premium-feeling metal body
- Ease of access to Android games and apps
- Ideal 3:2 aspect ratio for Game Boy Advance
Cons
- No analog sticks, which reduces compatibility with some systems
- Great emulation performance, but the screen size isn't ideal for widescreen games
- No headphone jack
Good alternative:
AYANEO Pocket Micro
