Last updated: September 2026
Under $100 is where most people buy their first retro handheld, and it is also where the spec sheets lie the most. Every device at this price runs NES, SNES, Genesis and GBA perfectly, so the makers list those and stop. What separates a $35 handheld from a $90 one is what happens at PS1, N64, Dreamcast and PSP, and that is exactly what my emulation ratings track. This page is the device database filtered to everything under $100 and ranked by total emulation headroom, weighted so the hard systems count for more.
The Retroid Pocket Classic is the best retro handheld under $100 in the database. The R36S at $35 is the cheapest, and the gap between the two is roughly N64 and PSP.
Quick Picks
| Pick | Device | Price | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Retroid Pocket Classic | $99 | Highest weighted score (109); perfect on N64, Dreamcast and PSP |
| Best value | Powkiddy RGB30 | $65 | 66 points for $65, the same ratings in a different shell |
| Budget pick | R36S | $35 | Cheapest device on the page; perfect on NES, SNES and Game Boy |
What $100 Buys
Three chips cover this whole price band. The Rockchip RK3326 in the R36S runs the 8-bit and 16-bit systems perfectly, nearly all of GBA, most of PS1, and struggles above it. The Allwinner H700 in the RG35XX family runs PS1 at near full speed and handles the lighter N64 titles. The Rockchip RK3566 in the RG353 line and Powkiddy RGB30 is the strongest Linux chip under $100 and the one to buy if N64 or PSP is on the list. None of them run PS2 or GameCube; that starts at $110 with the Unisoc T618 and gets serious at $150 with the Snapdragon 865. Nearly every device here also takes custom firmware, which my custom firmware guide covers.
How I Ranked These
Every device in my database carries an emulation rating per system on a five-step scale: perfect, great, good, limited, none. I turn that into a weighted score where the hard systems count for more, so PS2 and GameCube are worth four times an NES rating, N64, Dreamcast and PSP three times, PS1 and DS twice. For this page I kept the 14 of 29 devices priced at $100 or less and sorted them by weighted score, breaking ties on price. The value pick is the best score per dollar; the budget pick is simply the cheapest.
The Ranking
1. Retroid Pocket Classic, $99
Game Boy-shaped Android handheld with a 3.92-inch AMOLED and a Snapdragon G1 Gen 2; discontinued September 2026, $99 on clearance.
At $99 it runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 with 6GB LPDDR4X behind a 3.92-inch 1240x1080 AMOLED screen, with a 5000mAh battery, 223g in the hand, a vertical body and Android 14 as the operating system. Controls: D-pad, 4 or 6 face buttons, L1/L2/R1/R2. No sticks. Wi-Fi: WiFi 5.
Perfect on NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBA, Genesis, PS1, N64, Dreamcast, PSP and DS. Good on PS2, GameCube and 3DS. Limited or unsupported: Wii and Switch.
2. Powkiddy RGB30, $65
A unique 1:1 square screen handheld: perfect for GBA and vertical shooters, surprisingly fun form factor.
At $65 it runs a Rockchip RK3566 with 1GB LPDDR4 behind a 4.0-inch 720x720 IPS screen, a 1:1 panel, with a 4100mAh battery, 190g in the hand, a horizontal body and Linux (custom) as the operating system. Controls: D-pad, 2 analog sticks. Wi-Fi: WiFi 5 (dual band).
Perfect on NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBA, Genesis and PS1. Great on N64, Dreamcast and DS. Good on PSP. Limited or unsupported: PS2 and GameCube.
3. Anbernic RG353VS, $70
Budget version of the RG353V: same chip, Linux only, lower price for those who skip Android.
At $70 it runs a Rockchip RK3566 with 1GB LPDDR4 behind a 3.5-inch 640x480 IPS screen, a 4:3 panel, with a 3200mAh battery, 186g in the hand, a vertical body and Linux (custom) as the operating system. Controls: D-pad, 1 analog stick. Wi-Fi: WiFi 5 (dual band).
Perfect on NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBA, Genesis and PS1. Great on N64, Dreamcast and DS. Good on PSP. Limited or unsupported: PS2 and GameCube.
4. Anbernic RG353V, $90
A vertical handheld with a sharp IPS screen and dual-boot Linux/Android: the reliable mid-range pick.
At $90 it runs a Rockchip RK3566 with 2GB LPDDR4 behind a 3.5-inch 640x480 IPS screen, a 4:3 panel, with a 3200mAh battery, 193g in the hand, a vertical body and Linux / Android 11 (dual boot) as the operating system. Controls: D-pad, 1 analog stick. Wi-Fi: WiFi 5 (dual band).
Perfect on NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBA, Genesis and PS1. Great on N64, Dreamcast and DS. Good on PSP. Limited or unsupported: PS2 and GameCube.
5. Trimui Smart Pro, $65
A surprisingly capable budget handheld with a 5-inch screen: punches above its weight for the price.
At $65 it runs an Allwinner A133P with 1GB DDR3 behind a 4.96-inch 1280x720 IPS screen, a 16:9 panel, with a 4000mAh battery, 210g in the hand, a horizontal body and Linux (custom) as the operating system. Controls: D-pad, 2 analog sticks. Wi-Fi: WiFi 4 (2.4GHz).
Perfect on NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBA and Genesis. Great on PS1. Good on N64, Dreamcast and DS. Limited or unsupported: PSP, PS2 and GameCube.
6. Anbernic RG35XX H, $60
Horizontal form factor variant of the RG35XX family with a larger 3.5-inch screen and better grip.
At $60 it runs an Allwinner H700 with 1GB DDR4 behind a 3.5-inch 640x480 IPS screen, a 4:3 panel, with a 3300mAh battery, 195g in the hand, a horizontal body and Linux (custom) as the operating system. Controls: D-pad, 2 analog sticks. Wi-Fi: WiFi 4 (2.4GHz).
Perfect on NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBA and Genesis. Great on PS1. Good on N64 and DS. Limited or unsupported: Dreamcast, PSP, PS2 and GameCube.
7. Anbernic RG35XX Plus, $65
The RG35XX with WiFi and dual analog sticks added: the sweet spot of the budget lineup.
At $65 it runs an Allwinner H700 with 1GB DDR4 behind a 3.5-inch 640x480 IPS screen, a 4:3 panel, with a 3300mAh battery, 175g in the hand, a horizontal body and Linux (custom) as the operating system. Controls: D-pad, 2 analog sticks. Wi-Fi: WiFi 4 (2.4GHz).
Perfect on NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBA and Genesis. Great on PS1. Good on N64 and DS. Limited or unsupported: Dreamcast, PSP, PS2 and GameCube.
8. Anbernic RG35XXSP, $65
GBA SP-inspired clamshell design with the same H700 chip: nostalgic form factor meets modern emulation.
At $65 it runs an Allwinner H700 with 1GB DDR4 behind a 3.5-inch 640x480 IPS screen, a 4:3 panel, with a 3300mAh battery, 192g in the hand, a clamshell body and Linux (custom) as the operating system. Controls: D-pad, ABXY, L1/L2/R1/R2. No sticks. Wi-Fi: WiFi 5 (2.4/5GHz).
Perfect on NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBA and Genesis. Great on PS1. Good on N64 and DS. Limited or unsupported: Dreamcast, PSP, PS2 and GameCube.
9. R36S, $35
The viral $30 handheld that took TikTok by storm: cheap, cheerful, and good enough for retro basics.
At $35 it runs a Rockchip RK3326 with 1GB DDR3 behind a 3.5-inch 640x480 IPS screen, a 4:3 panel, with a 3200mAh battery, 155g in the hand, a horizontal body and Linux (custom) as the operating system. Controls: D-pad, 2 analog sticks. Wi-Fi: None.
Perfect on NES, SNES, Game Boy and Genesis. Great on GBA. Good on PS1. Limited or unsupported: N64, Dreamcast, DS, PSP, PS2 and GameCube.
Side by Side
| Device | Price | Chip | Screen | OS | Weighted score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retroid Pocket Classic | $99 | Qualcomm Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 | 3.92" 1240x1080 | Android 14 | 109 |
| Powkiddy RGB30 | $65 | Rockchip RK3566 | 4.0" 720x720 | Linux (custom) | 66 |
| Anbernic RG353VS | $70 | Rockchip RK3566 | 3.5" 640x480 | Linux (custom) | 66 |
| Anbernic RG353V | $90 | Rockchip RK3566 | 3.5" 640x480 | Linux / Android 11 (dual boot) | 66 |
| Trimui Smart Pro | $65 | Allwinner A133P | 4.96" 1280x720 | Linux (custom) | 45 |
| Anbernic RG35XX H | $60 | Allwinner H700 | 3.5" 640x480 | Linux (custom) | 42 |
| Anbernic RG35XX Plus | $65 | Allwinner H700 | 3.5" 640x480 | Linux (custom) | 42 |
| Anbernic RG35XXSP | $65 | Allwinner H700 | 3.5" 640x480 | Linux (custom) | 42 |
| R36S | $35 | Rockchip RK3326 | 3.5" 640x480 | Linux (custom) | 31 |
Weighted score is the same number the ranking uses. Open any device for the full spec sheet, or put two of them into the comparison tool.
Which One Should You Buy?
The Retroid Pocket Classic at $99 does the most under $100 and is the default answer. The Powkiddy RGB30 at $65 gets closest to it per dollar. The R36S at $35 is the floor, and it is a real recommendation for anyone whose library stops where its ratings do. Spend above it only for a system it rates limited.
Related reading: Best Retro Handhelds in 2026: 7 Picks for Every Budget, Best Handheld Emulators in 2026 — Every Budget, Every Need, Best Custom Firmware for Retro Handhelds — muOS vs OnionOS vs Knulli vs ROCKNIX (2026), R36S vs Anbernic RG35XX: Which One Should You Buy?.
FAQ
What is the best retro handheld under $100?
The Retroid Pocket Classic at $99 has the highest weighted emulation score of any device under $100 in my database. It runs everything through PS1 perfectly and handles most of the N64 and PSP libraries.
Can any handheld under $100 run PS2 or GameCube?
No. Every chip in this price band tops out at PS1 with partial N64, Dreamcast and PSP. PS2 and GameCube need an Android handheld with a Snapdragon 865 class chip, which starts around $150.
Is the $35 R36S worth it?
For 8-bit and 16-bit, yes. It rates perfect on NES, SNES, Game Boy and Genesis in my database, great on GBA, good on PS1 and limited on everything above. It is the cheapest real emulation handheld I would recommend.
Should I install custom firmware on a budget handheld?
Usually yes. Stock firmware on the Anbernic and Powkiddy devices is rough, and muOS, Knulli or ArkOS fixes the menus, save states and emulator settings. It is a microSD card swap, not a mod.
RetroArch | Every device in the database | Comparison tool
Last verified: September 2026