The Best Game Released in Each Handheld Console Generation

by

Portable gaming has a rich history, starting with basic electronic toys and progressing to LCD games. As home video game consoles became popular, handheld devices also grew more sophisticated, eventually offering a diverse library of titles. The first truly modern handhelds appeared alongside the fourth generation of home consoles and remain popular today. To determine the best game from each generation of handhelds, we considered original reviews, the game’s influence on the industry, and how enjoyable it was to play.

4th) Pokémon Red &Pokémon Blue

Consoles: Atari Lynx, NEC TurboExpress, Nintendo Game Boy, & Sega Game Gear

The early days of portable gaming consoles were filled with innovation and memorable games. When looking back at that generation, the Nintendo Game Boy clearly stands out as the most successful system. And arguably, the best game released for it was Pokémon Red and Blue. These games launched the incredibly popular Pokémon franchise and are often considered to be among the greatest video games of all time. Together, they’ve sold over 46 million copies – a truly remarkable number.

Other great games that nearly made the list include S.T.U.N. Runner (Lynx), Bonk 3: Bonk’s Big Adventure (Express), and Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (Game Gear).

5th) The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX

Consoles: Bandai WonderSwan, Game Boy Color, Sega Nomad, & SNK Neo Geo Pocket

When it comes to handheld gaming, particularly in the early days, Nintendo has always been the leader. With the Game Boy Color, Nintendo successfully updated its original Game Boy, and once again dominated the market. While everyone has their favorite, we believe The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX is the best game on the system. This updated, color version of the original Game Boy title is a fantastic improvement and a truly great game to play.

Runners Up: Pocket Fighter (WonderSwan) & Rockman Battle & Fighters (Neo Geo Pocket)

6th) The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords

Consoles: WonderSwan Color, Game Boy Advance, Nokia N-Gage, & Neo Geo Pocket Color

Nintendo continued its success with the Game Boy Advance in the 6th generation, even as other handhelds struggled to compete. The best games on the system were likely The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords. A Link to the Past was a fantastic port of the classic SNES title, while Four Swords offered a unique multiplayer experience. Both games were highlights of the Legend of Zelda series and played exceptionally well on the handheld, easily surpassing the competition.

Also worth mentioning are One Piece Grand Battle Swan Colosseum (for WonderSwan Color) and SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighter’s Clash 2 Expand Edition (for Neo Geo Pocket Color).

7th Generation) God of War: Chains of Olympus

Consoles: Nintendo DS & Sony PlayStation Portable

The Nintendo DS had a fantastic library of games, but Sony took the crown in the 7th generation of handheld consoles with the PlayStation Portable. The PSP was a significant leap forward in technology, offering power that the DS couldn’t match. A standout title, God of War: Chains of Olympus, played incredibly well on the PSP and ultimately secured the win for Sony in that generation.

Runners Up: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (Nintendo DS)

8th Generation) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Consoles: Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, SNK Neo Geo X, & Sony PlayStation Vita

The handheld console market really shifted with the release of the Nintendo Switch. It successfully blurred the lines between handheld and home console, offering a great experience in both modes. While systems like the Nintendo 3DS were solid, the Switch truly defined this generation of handhelds, and its standout game is likely The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It’s considered one of the best Zelda games of all time, and looks stunning whether played on the Switch’s screen or on a TV. Ultimately, the Switch demonstrated the incredible potential of handheld gaming in this generation.

Runners Up: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (Nintendo 3DS) & Persona 4 Golden (PS Vita)

9th Generation) Total Toss-Up

The latest handheld consoles – the Asus ROG Xbox Ally, Nintendo Switch 2, and Valve Steam Deck – are incredibly competitive. Each one excels at playing games from a specific platform: the Ally handles Xbox games, the Switch 2 plays Nintendo titles, and the Steam Deck is designed for PC games. This makes it difficult to declare a clear winner. This generation of handhelds has proven they can be just as powerful as traditional home consoles, offering an unprecedented variety of gaming options. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your personal preferences – which Xbox, Nintendo, and PC games do you enjoy the most?

I’m always curious to hear what everyone else is playing! I’d love to know your favorite game from each generation of consoles. Come share your picks with me and everyone else over on the ComicBook Forum – let’s talk games!

https://comicbook.com/gaming/list/the-biggest-innovations-from-each-console-generation/embed/#

Read More

2026-03-07 21:13