The Best Retro Handhelds for PlayStation 2 Games
Updated February 2026
The PS2 is the best-selling console of all time, and for good reason. Released in 2000, it defined the 6th generation of consoles and brought the medium into the mainstream like never before. For me, it represents the golden age of retro gaming, a time when games were extremely ambitious, creative, and fun, and when the hardware finally allowed video game developers to bring all their ideas to life.
For years after its release, people fantasized about playing PS2 on the go in a handheld format. But from a technical standpoint, emulating PS2 is not easy, due mainly to its complex architecture and custom CPU/GPU. Only in the last few years have mobile processors become powerful enough to allow stable emulation for the vast majority of the PS2 library. Emulators have also come a long way thanks to the expertise of dedicated community developers, and updates to these emulators are still being released regularly, with major compatibility improvements year by year.
It's a dream come true to be able to have a "Handheld PS2", with full control schemes, additional buttons, high-resolution screens, and all the other benefits of modern tech. Not to mention that with many of the devices on this list, the original gaming experience can be improved upon thanks to resolution upscaling, faster loading times, HD texture packs, widescreen hacks, and much more.
So grab one of these tried-and-tested handhelds and enjoy some genre-defining games like
Grand Theft Auto III
, Metal Gear Solid 2
, Final Fantasy X
, Kingdom Hearts II
, Shadow of the Colossus
, and countless others. Whether you're revisiting cherished memories from decades past or discovering these legendary games for the first time, you're sure to have a great time.Quick List:
- Best Overall:
- Best High-End:
- Best Budget:
- Best Pocketable:
- Best Vertical:
- Best Dual-Screen:
- Best with Big Screen:
1. The Best Handheld for PS2 Emulation: Retroid Pocket G2
Released
Oct. 2025
OS
Android 15
Screen
5.5”, 16:9
Up To
Modern
Best For
PS2, GameCube
Price
~$210
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Strong performance even for more demanding systems
- Beautiful AMOLED display with vibrant colors and perfect blacks
- High-resolution screen
Cons
- Letterboxing (black bars) on classic retro systems
2. The Best High-End Handheld for PS2 Emulation: AYN Odin 3
Released
Dec. 2025
OS
Android 15
Screen
6.0”, 16:9
Up To
Modern
Best For
PS2, GameCube
Price
~$330
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Powerful enough for high-end emulation
- Great AMOLED screen with vibrant colors and perfect blacks
- Huge 8000 mAh battery
Cons
- Black bars when playing older retro systems
3. The Best Budget Retro Handheld for PS2 Emulation: Anbernic RG-476H
Released
Sep. 2025
OS
Android 13
Screen
4.7”, 4:3
Up To
PS2
Best For
PS2, 3DS
Price
~$160
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Great budget option for PS2 emulation
- Powerful enough for high-end emulation
- Very smooth gameplay thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate
Cons
4. The Best Pocketable Retro Handheld for PS2 Emulation: Retroid Pocket Mini V2
Released
May. 2025
OS
Android 13, Linux
Screen
3.92”, 31:27
Up To
PS2
Best For
PS2, 3DS
Price
~$190
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Good size, not too small and not too big
- Powerful enough for high-end emulation
- Great AMOLED screen with vibrant colors and perfect blacks
Cons
- Powerful device, but the screen dimensions aren't ideal for widescreen games
5. The Best Vertical Retro Handheld for PS2 Emulation: Anbernic RG-477V
Released
Dec. 2025
OS
Android 14
Screen
4.7”, 4:3
Up To
Switch
Best For
PS2, 3DS
Price
~$220
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Gorgeous screen
- Comfortable to hold
- Strong performance even for more demanding systems
Cons
- Much bigger and heavier than other vertical handhelds
6. The Best Dual-Screen Gaming Handheld for PS2 Emulation: AYN Thor
Released
Oct. 2025
OS
Android 13
Screen
6, 3.92”, 16:9, 31:27
Up To
Modern
Best For
3DS, NDS
Price
~$290
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Great handheld for multi-tasking
- Powerful enough for high-end emulation
- Great AMOLED screen with vibrant colors and perfect blacks
Cons
- The controls can feel a bit cramped because of the lower screen
- Device can feel bulky when closed
Good alternative:
AYANEO Pocket DS
7. The Best Big Screen Handheld for PS2 Emulation: Valve Steam Deck OLED
Released
Nov. 2023
OS
Windows 11, Linux
Screen
7.4”, 16:10
Up To
Modern
Best For
PS2, 3DS
Price
~$540
Emulation Performance
Pros
- Unmatched price for the features and performance of the device
- Out of the box access to SteamOS and the Steam Library
- Well-designed device with really good ergonomics
Cons
- Letterboxing (black bars) on classic retro systems
- Big device, portable but not pocketable
- Bulky form factor
