RetroGaming

I have three! But...my three aren't the typical three favs because I'm a bit weird.

First:

I love the Anbernic RG DS. This had a slightly controversial release, since when it launched all of us who review these had pre-release software issues. The main one being screen desync problems. But by the time it launched that was fixed and the public just...got a well working handheld. For me it is the nostalgia of the DSi LL shape/feel to it. But you also get 2x res DS games (all but 3, which require it to be 1x res), and there's a ton of other firmware for it. You can look into GammaOS for a de-Googled OS option, or Rocknix if you want Linux. You can also opt for Anbernic's own Linux build they were working on for a couple months and just released! Honestly, even stock does the job perfectly well.

Here's a link to my written review on it!

Second:

The TRIMUI Brick Hammer! Fully metal build, this one feels SO premium. I run NextUI on it (friends with the dev team, they do wonderful work) and use it for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and some music! I have a friend who makes Songo#5, which is a music app for Linux, which these ones run.

It is wonderfully designed and even beautifully packaged. You can switch the 'triggers' on the rear of it because TRIMUI give you two different configurations to use, which is as easy as popping them off and pushing them in/on. The screen kicks major butt for whatever you play. If you're looking for a smaller premium made Game Boy Pocket in 2026, opt for this one!

I mean, just look at it:

Here's my review of this one too, if you'd like to read more!

Third:

The recently released Anbernic RG Rotate. I LOVE how this one is just...different. So many handhelds just end up looking the same now. Slabs of glass or plastic. Even my fav horizontal handheld, the Retroid Pocket 6 looks as feels so similar to the AYN Odin 3 (which I still use off and on!). The RG Rotate just opted for a crazy hardware design. Similarly metal bodied, I use mine for music and Pico-8 games now. I stand it upright on my shelf or desk (I am right now listening to Kylie Minogue's Confide in Me on it!), then pick it up an hour or so later and flip it up for a game.

I hope this handheld's success, and it is quite successful already, prompts these manufacturers to take some chances on hardware.

Annnnnnd finally my review on this one! Which was the second-last handheld I reviewed actually!

I hope these answers your question well enough! While I have some of the crazy powerful handhelds, like the Odin 3, RG 477V, Thor etc, these just make me happy :)

My Steam Deck is still what I use for heavier PC gaming (and still to emulate as well, using my fav option - RetroDECK!), and I have a Switch OLED which is chipped too. So when it comes to retro handhelds, I like the hyper-specific (RG DS), or well made for casual games on the go (Brick Hammer), or the super unusual (RG Rotate!)