Top picks
The best vertical handheld in our database is the Retroid Pocket Classic. It plays everything up to Wii well and launched at about $120. The most powerful pick is the AYANEO Pocket DMG. The cheapest is the My Mini at $38. 53 handhelds qualify; these are the top 10.
| # | Handheld | Launch price | Plays well up to | Screen | Two sticks | Wi-Fi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retroid Pocket ClassicBest vertical | $120 | Wii | 3.92 inch AMOLED | ✗ | ✓ |
| 2 | Miyoo Mini Plus | $50 | DS | 3.5 inch IPS 4:3 | ✗ | ✓ |
| 3 | Anbernic RG-406VBest for GBA | $155 | Wii | 4.0 inch IPS 4:3 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 4 | Game Console R36S | $40 | DS | 3.5 inch IPS 4:3 | ✓ | ✗ |
| 5 | AYANEO Pocket DMGMost powerful | $340 | Switch | 3.92 inch OLED | ✗ | ✓ |
| 6 | Game Console My MiniCheapest | $38 | DS | 3.5 inch IPS 4:3 | ✗ | ✗ |
| 7 | Anbernic RG-35XX | $50 | Dreamcast | 3.5 inch IPS 4:3 | ✗ | ✗ |
| 8 | Anbernic RG-477V | $220 | PS2 | 4.7 inch LTPS 4:3 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 9 | TRIMUI BrickMost pocketable | $70 | Dreamcast | 3.2 inch IPS 4:3 | ✗ | ✓ |
| 10 | PowKiddy X35S | $60 | Dreamcast | 3.5 inch IPS 4:3 | ✓ | ✗ |
Vertical, Game Boy shaped handhelds only. Ranked by RETROPULSE score. Released from 2022 on; upcoming handhelds are left out.
- 1
Best verticalRetroid Pocket Classic
$120 at launch, Apr 2025, Qualcomm Snapdragon G1 Gen 2
- Plays everything up to Wii well.
- 3.92 inch AMOLED screen, 31:27, Android.
- 5,000 mAh battery, 223 g.
Specs, screen fit and owner notesRetroid Pocket Classic vs RG-406VCheck prices on eBay
- 2
Miyoo Mini Plus
$50 at launch, Mar 2023, SigmaStar SSD202D
- Plays everything up to DS well.
- 3.5 inch IPS screen, 4:3, Linux.
- 3,000 mAh battery, 162 g.
Specs, screen fit and owner notesMiyoo Mini Plus vs R36SCheck prices on eBay
- 3
Best for GBAAnbernic RG-406V
$155 at launch, Sep 2024, UNISOC Tiger T820
- Plays everything up to Wii well.
- 4.0 inch IPS screen, 4:3, Android.
- 5,500 mAh battery, 289 g.
Specs, screen fit and owner notesRG-406V vs Retroid Pocket ClassicCheck prices on eBay
- 4
Game Console R36S
$40 at launch, Oct 2023, RockChip RK3326
- Plays everything up to DS well.
- 3.5 inch IPS screen, 4:3, Linux.
- 3,500 mAh battery, 187 g.
Specs, screen fit and owner notesR36S vs Miyoo Mini PlusCheck prices on eBay
- 5
Most powerfulAYANEO Pocket DMG
$340 at launch, Dec 2024, Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 2
- Plays everything up to Switch well.
- 3.92 inch OLED screen, 31:27, Android.
- 6,000 mAh battery, 278 g.
- 6
CheapestGame Console My Mini
$38 at launch, Mar 2025, RockChip RK3326
- Plays everything up to DS well.
- 3.5 inch IPS screen, 4:3, Linux.
- 7
Anbernic RG-35XX
$50 at launch, Mar 2024, Allwinner H700
- Plays everything up to Dreamcast well.
- 3.5 inch IPS screen, 4:3, Linux.
- 2,600 mAh battery, 175 g.
Specs, screen fit and owner notesRG-35XX vs Miyoo Mini PlusCheck prices on eBay
- 8
Anbernic RG-477V
$220 at launch, Dec 2025, MediaTek Dimensity 8300
- Plays everything up to PS2 well.
- 4.7 inch LTPS screen, 4:3, Android.
- 5,500 mAh battery, 334 g.
- 9Most pocketable
TRIMUI Brick
$70 at launch, Nov 2024, Allwinner A133 Plus
- Plays everything up to Dreamcast well.
- 3.2 inch IPS screen, 4:3, Linux.
- 3,000 mAh battery, 159 g.
Specs, screen fit and owner notesTRIMUI Brick vs Miyoo Mini PlusCheck prices on eBay
- 10
PowKiddy X35S
$60 at launch, Aug 2024, RockChip RK3566
- Plays everything up to Dreamcast well.
- 3.5 inch IPS screen, 4:3, Linux.
- 3,000 mAh battery, 177 g.
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Questions
What is the best vertical handheld?
The best vertical handheld in our database is the Retroid Pocket Classic. It plays everything up to Wii well and launched at about $120. The most powerful pick is the AYANEO Pocket DMG. The cheapest is the My Mini at $38. 53 handhelds qualify; these are the top 10.
Are these prices current?
No. They are launch prices, the one price we can check for every handheld. Prices today vary by store and on the used market.
More lists
Specs, emulation scores and launch prices from the retrocatalog.com handheld database. Scores out of 10 are our own RETROPULSE score.