The Best Retro Handhelds for PlayStation 2 Games
Updated December 2025
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:
- Runner Up:
- Best High-End:
- Best Budget:
- Best Pocketable:
- Best Vertical:
- Best Dual-Screen:
- Best with Big Screen:
1. The Best Handheld for PS2 Emulation:
2. Runner-up : The Best Portable Emulator for PS2 Games:
Released
Oct. 2025
OS
Android 15
Screen
5.5”, 16:9
Up To
Modern
Best For
PS2, GameCube
Price
~$210
Check
Pros
- Capable of high-end emulation
- Great AMOLED screen - vibrant colors and perfect blacks
- High resolution display
- More...
Cons
- Black bars when playing older retro systems
3. The Best High-End Handheld for PS2 Emulation:
4. The Best Budget Retro Handheld for PS2 Emulation:
Released
Sep. 2025
OS
Android 13
Screen
4.7”, 4:3
Up To
PS2
Best For
PS2, 3DS
Price
~$160
Check
Pros
- Capable of high-end emulation
- Access to mobile games and apps
- Hall Effect analogs sticks are more durable and precise
- More...
Cons
5. The Best Pocketable Retro Handheld for PS2 Emulation:
Released
May. 2025
OS
Android 13, Linux
Screen
3.92”, 31:27
Up To
PS2
Best For
PS2, 3DS
Price
~$190
Pros
- Capable of high-end emulation
- Great AMOLED screen - vibrant colors and perfect blacks
- High resolution display
- More...
Cons
- powerful device, but the screen dimensions aren't ideal for widescreen games
6. The Best Vertical Retro Handheld for PS2 Emulation:
Released
Sep. 2024
OS
Android 13
Screen
4.0”, 4:3
Up To
PS2
Best For
PS2, 3DS
Price
~$150
Check
Pros
- Capable of high-end emulation
- Access to mobile games and apps
- Good price for this level of performance
- More...
Cons
- powerful device, but the screen dimensions aren't ideal for widescreen games
- Device can feel bulky
7. The Best Dual-Screen Gaming Handheld for PS2 Emulation:
Released
Oct. 2025
OS
Android 13
Screen
6, 3.92”, 16:9, 31:27
Up To
Modern
Best For
3DS, NDS
Price
~$290
Pros
- Capable of high-end emulation
- Great AMOLED screen - vibrant colors and perfect blacks
- Huge 6000 mAh battery
- More...
Cons
- Device can feel bulky
8. The Best Big Screen Handheld for PS2 Emulation:
Released
Nov. 2023
OS
Windows 11, Linux
Screen
7.4”, 16:10
Up To
Modern
Best For
PS2, 3DS
Price
~$540
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
- More...
Cons
- Black bars when playing older retro systems
- Big device, portable but not pocketable
- Device can feel bulky
