Portable video games have a long history, starting with early devices like the Tiger LCD games and Nintendo’s Game & Watch. The very first was the Milton Bradley Microvision, released in 1979, meaning these consoles have been around for over forty years. As with all gaming systems, some handhelds were great, others weren’t, and many fell somewhere in between. Here are what we consider the five best, excluding more recent handheld-console hybrids like the Nintendo Switch. We’ve ranked them based on how innovative they were, the quality of their games, and their overall influence on gaming culture.
5) Sega Game Gear
The Game Gear was Sega’s attempt to compete in the handheld gaming market. Released in North America and Europe in 1991, this 8-bit system boasted a color screen and was technologically advanced for its time. It offered over 350 games, including popular titles from the Sonic series, and provided a fun, portable gaming experience. However, the Game Gear was notorious for its short battery life, requiring players to use a lot of AA batteries.
4) Sony PlayStation Portable
Sony jumped into the handheld gaming world in 2005 with the PlayStation Portable, or PSP. It was designed to go head-to-head with the Nintendo DS, and it offered much more powerful technology, including better graphics and sound. The PSP’s 4.3-inch widescreen display was particularly impressive for its time. It had more memory and storage than its competitor, could play movies, and featured games that were similar in quality to those on the PlayStation 2 and 3. Although some users disliked its unique disc format, these discs allowed for larger games, even if they took a little longer to load. Over the years, Sony released updated versions of the PSP to keep improving the handheld experience.
3) Valve Steam Deck
For years, the massive Steam library of games was only accessible on computers. That changed in 2022 with the release of the Valve Steam Deck, Valve’s first portable gaming device. What sets the Steam Deck apart from other handheld consoles is that it’s essentially a fully functional computer. It uses SteamOS, an operating system built on Linux, and boasts powerful components. This means you can play any game available on Steam, and conveniently, any games you already own are immediately available on the Deck. While you can connect it to a monitor with a docking station, it’s designed as a portable gaming experience.
2) Nintendo 3DS
The Nintendo 3DS builds on Nintendo’s long history of successful handheld gaming devices, dating back to the 1980s and including the classic Game & Watch. Its folding design is similar to earlier models like the 2DS, and it was a major accomplishment to create 3D graphics that didn’t require special glasses. With a huge selection of games available both as physical cartridges and digital downloads, the 3DS is a truly competitive handheld. Launched in 2011, Nintendo has sold over 75 million 3DS units of all types by 2024.
1) Nintendo Game Boy
The original Nintendo Game Boy might seem outdated by today’s standards, but it was a revolutionary device. When Nintendo launched it with the game Tetris, it completely changed the video game world. They intentionally chose a simple, black-and-white screen to keep costs low and manufacturing easy – a retro move that actually helped it succeed. While competitors focused on color screens and improved sound, the Game Boy’s strength was its amazing collection of games. Companies like Sega and Atari couldn’t keep up, and the Game Boy remained popular for many years. It’s now a beloved cultural icon and a hugely important piece of gaming history.
Honorable Mention – NEC Turbo Express
The NEC Turbo Express was a remarkably innovative handheld console that unfortunately didn’t get much attention in the West. Though it competed with popular systems like the Atari Lynx, Game Boy, and Sega Game Gear, it offered far more advanced features. A big advantage for TurboGrafx-16 owners was that their existing games worked on the handheld. It receives recognition here despite its limited success because it was expensive and poorly advertised, preventing many people from experiencing it. When it launched in 1990, its 16-bit graphics and sound were significantly more advanced than anything else available on portable consoles.
What’s your favorite handheld gaming console of all time? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-12-30 17:17