The BEST retro game console in 2020?

It seems like there’s a new retro console popping up every other day lately, and deciding which one is the one for you is harder than ever, with the sheer number of retro game consoles coming out in 2020 and beyond growing rapidly with every week, it can be quite a daunting task for the uninitiated to figure out which suits them best. That’s where we come in, we’re gonna do a breakdown of the top 5 retro game handhelds we could find and have tested, and do a complete breakdown on everything from screen size/quality, to price, to compatibility, to ergonomic design and feel when playing, all for you. Aren’t we nice?

We will endeavor to keep this list up to date as new consoles are released and old ones fade away into the ether. I have decided to focus purely on the consoles being released out of China for this list.

Best Retro Game Consoles

The one you really want, the one you’re waiting for, the best of the best, no expense spared, if you want the best portable retro gaming handheld experience in 2020, then you want the RG350.

With dual analog support, the full suite of triggers and bumpers, the biggest screen of all these consoles, and nice firm tactile XYAB and dpad buttons, the RG350 just cannot be beaten at the moment. The performance of the console is fantastic, running every game from every console at full speed with no lag or hiccups, the most modern IO with USB C charging support and mini HDMI out for connecting to modern televisions, the RG350 truly is the best retro gaming console your money can buy. With the launch of RG350m aluminum alloy, RG350’s series claim an extraordinary position in your 2020’s best-buy list.

We would say we are being considerate for your wallet and all these five items are quite bargains (otherwise you will be skimming through Nintendo or Sega’s best). Overall, each unit has its speciality but RG350 ranks the first for a relatively wonderful performance in gaming and its nice build quality. If you find RG350 moderate and not creative, the other four machines may be your thing. If you seek for faster running speed and smoother experience with PS1 titles, go for GKD350H. Those who’d love to have a portable lovely device could delightfully choose PG2. Feel like having a fashionable and handy arcade emulator? PowKiddy A19 is your choice. And finally, OGA is definitely a must-buy for players having a tinkerer’s heart.

Recent Retro Game Consoles

All of these consoles have no trouble playing retro games, however, some, like the BittBoy and Pocket Go, are just not up to speed to play full-speed PlayStation 1 titles, anything less than that and every console can keep up fine. So what do you want out of the console? Are you just here for retro gaming and don’t care about PS1 that much? Then the answer of what’s best is probably what’s cheapest. And at that point, the new BittBoy or Pocket Go are both great options. For as low as 30 dollars USD, the new BittBoy can play any classic console you throw at it and play it superbly, with an absolutely gorgeous IPS display, the new BittBoy is a masterclass on how to make something with a certain level of quality, but for the right price. If you just want to play some older games and not spend a fortune, you can’t go wrong with either of these consoles, given their similar price range, the only major distinction is if you prefer the landscape Game Boy Advance stylings of the Pocket Go, or the more vertical, classic layout reminiscent of the original Game Boy lines, used by the new BittBoy.

So if you want something good and don’t want to spend a lot, buy the Bitt Boy or Pocket Go.

If you want something a bit more premium but don’t want to break the bank completely, the LDK series is my recommendation. For around 55USD, these consoles have a slightly bigger screen than the 2.4-inch BittBoy and Pocket Go, clocking in at 2.7 inches, and with the addition of the analog stick on the landscape version, the LDK has a premium feel with more accessible button layouts, without costing an absolute fortune. Performance on most consoles is largely the same between the LDK and BittBoy / Pocket Go, however, the performance boost can really be felt on PS1 games, where the LDK usually has no trouble hitting 50 FPS easily on most games compared to the other consoles usually striving to hit 40 FPS. Its really up to you if that is worth the increased price though, but as far as mid-tier consoles go, the LDK is still worth the price, the LDK game in particular is smaller than my wallet, it makes for a great conversation starter if nothing else.