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In this year of 2023, what's not missing is the launch of portable video games, isn't it? A series of renowned manufacturers capable of providing great power of hardware are releasing their little consoles. There are so many items of this nature that it is even difficult to choose the best value for money and what will fit like a glove for your day to day.
Here you can find out about some of them and, who knows, maybe even choose one to be yours. Let's go?
handheld video games
Since the conception of video games, no matter how rudimentary they were, the big manufacturers brought their portable products to different audiences. This is the case, for example, of Nintendo, with its classic Game & Watch and their much-desired Game Boys. SEGA was not left behind and, even with some unpopularity, won the spotlight with its Game Gear on the shelves.
Behold, the portable trend is back with everything these days and a flood of products invade our horizon. There is a wide range of options, both those that evoke nostalgia and curiosity from the past, and those that bring the experience of contemporary games, all on small devices. But which is the best choice?
Here you will meet some of them, not all. However, we bring you an interesting selection, both for those who enjoy paying attention to games available on stores like Steam and subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and for those who are passionate about older games, running natively or by emulation. It is also important to say that most of the products on this list are not available for sale in Brazil, although they will most likely reach our market soon or rely on the simplicity of international purchase (import).
It is worth pointing out that technical specifications of these products will also be exposed below, such as battery life, screen size and resolution, details of hardware and tickets available. Although they are easy to understand, it is relevant to understand a little or be familiar with such descriptions and technologies, okay?
But rest assured. You will find the details of each hardware mentioned here in a simplified way in this text, in addition to the official websites or detailed pages of the products to clarify any doubts that may arise. Check out!
Analogue pocket
If you enjoy vertical pocket videogames, like the old ones Game Boys, and has a series of portable retro games, the Analogue pocket it's a great option. It is capable of running Game Gear, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Neo Geo Pocket and even Atari Lynx games without dispensing with physical media, that is, your hardware e software are able to easily emulate the operating systems of these and many other portable video games, as well as ensuring that their retro cartridges fit in your slot with the necessary adapters.
Its technology adopts what we call an array of programmable ports (FPGA, its acronym in English), allowing the execution of games from these old platforms.
Although it may be a very niche choice, the Analogue Pocket has a beautiful 3.5 inch LCD screen and guarantees up to 10 hours of power with an open game. It has original display functionality for GB, GBC and GBA games, enhancing the nostalgic factor. In addition, it offers a wide range of attributes when connected via USB-C cable to a computer in the sense of creating MIDI songs, playing on larger screens with its However, and even the development of new games.
It also supports and uses several adapters (purchased separately) for the inputs of these different cartridges, bringing together an entire library of physical media in one place, and without the need for emulation. Its buttons are fully mappable, adapting to the best gameplay style of the user.
The only – and considerable – however is that Analogue is not available in Brazil, and can be imported from large international retailers, such as Amazon and Ebay, or from the store itself. product website (which offers a number of interesting peripherals and accessories for it).
See its technical specifications:
| Processor (CPU) | Not specified |
| Graphics Card (GPU) | unspecified |
| Memory | unspecified |
| Storage | Not specified |
| Fabric | 3.5″ LCD; 1600×1440 resolution; 615ppi; Display variable to switch between game interfaces (eg GB, GBC, GBA); Display 360° rotatable, according to the orientation in which the user plays |
| Audio | Stereo speakers and headphone jack, stereo headset and 3.5 mm microphone |
| Size (L x D x H) | 15.2 cm x 10.2 cm x 5.1 cm |
| Conectividade | USB-C cable (charging and other devices such as an 8BitDo controller; Bluetooth |
| Appetizers | USB-C; micro SD card slot; Original style cartridge port (retro) |
| Battery and charging | Rechargeable lithium-ion battery, with 4300mAh; 6-10 hours of game life and 10+ hours in sleep mode (Pocket's 6-hour battery life is a rough estimate with the display at default brightness) |
| Operational system | analogue OS |
Learn more and buy at Analogue Pocket official website.
Anbernick RG35XX
If you miss square screen video games with vertical orientation, the Ambernick RG35XX It is a highly recommended option. Referring to the old pocket video games, it brings a lot of modernity, style and, of course, a lot of fun inside a hardware quite efficient.
Based only on Linux with extremely simplified interfaces, it is capable of running Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Neo Geo Pocket and Mega Drive games, for example, in addition to many other retro consoles. The RG35XX is very compact and fits very easily in pockets, backpacks, purses, etc., ideal for those looking for mobility above all else.
See its technical specifications:
| Processor (CPU) | Quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 |
| Graphics Card (GPU) | Quad-core Power VR SGX544MP |
| Memory | 256MB of RAM memory (DDR3) |
| Storage | 64GB with possibility of expansion via MicroSD card slot up to 512GB |
| Fabric | 3,5 inch IPS screen (640 x 480 pixels resolution) |
| Audio | high fidelity speaker |
| Size (L x D x H) | 11,7 cm x 8,1 cm x 2 cm |
| Conectividade | Supports wired and wireless controllers (via USB receiver connection – 2.4G) |
| Appetizers | HDMI output to TV; Includes a Type-C (USB-C) charging cable |
| Battery and charging | 2600 mAh battery, lasting 5 hours |
| Operational system | Linux |
Other attributes:
- vibrating motor
- Includes a protective film for your own screen
Learn more and buy at Ambernick RG35XX official website.
Anbernick RG552
In the same line of usability, cost-effectiveness and emulation capabilities of the RG35XX, the model Ambernick RG552 embraces the best attributes of handheld consoles and brings the experience to a rectangular, horizontal screen, making room for a hardware even more powerful.
Speaking of the screen, this is its biggest differential: it has a very beautiful in the eyes of consumers – and highly praised by them. In that sense, it delivers one of the best pocket video game experiences at a very friendly price for today.
It also has the versatility to use two operating systems, Android and Linux, enabling screen rotation for the best interface orientation of the games it supports, in addition to, of course, increasing the range of access to games on the device.
See its technical specifications:
| Processor (CPU) | K3399 Based on big.LITTLE architecture; 64-bit Hexa-core processor (A72×2 + A53×4), 1,8 GHz |
| Graphics Card (GPU) | Mali-T860 |
| Memory | 4GB LPDDR4 |
| Storage | 64GB on Android (eMMC 5,1) and 16GB (High Speed TF) on Linux, with the possibility of expansion via dual slot for MicroSD cards up to 512GB |
| Fabric | 5.36″ IPS LCD; Resolution of 640×480 pixels; Screen with 10 multi-touch points |
| Audio | High quality dual stereo speaker |
| Size (L x D x H) | 20,32 cm x 15,24 cm x 12,7 cm |
| Conectividade | Support Moonlight software to connect with your PC via WiFi connection |
| Appetizers | HDMI output to TV; Includes a Type-C (USB-C) charging cable |
| Battery and charging | 2×3200mAh Ultra-capacity high-density Li-ion battery 7,6V voltage output; 24Wh of power; 6 hours of battery life; Supports major fast charging protocols like PD, QC, AFC, etc.; Input 9V~12V≥2,5A (corresponds to the maximum load of 5A); USB charging cable, charges device in 1½ hours |
| Operational system | Android and Linux |
Other attributes:
- Includes a protective film for your own screen
Learn more and buy at Official website of the Ambernick RG552.
ASUS ROG Ally
The recently launched ASUS laptop in Brazil, the ROG Ally has gained a lot of attention from the media and curiosity from the public that seeks a practical game. Your mighty and excellent hardware delivers a lot of performance and good hours of fun, being a new "Pocket PC", in short. No wonder, he is today the biggest Steam Deck competitor on the market.
Starting at R$6.299,00, it can very well be used as a portable PC, using Windows 11 as the operating system, allowing the installation of various programs and applications. Soon, it also enables cloud gaming services.
Despite its light and extremely comfortable case, some media and influencer reviews have pointed to limited battery life, which is approximately 2 hours at least when running heavier games (The Last of Us e Cyberpunk 2077, for example), requiring your charger to always be close at hand. Its high price is not very convincing either, even though it proves to be one of the best laptop options today.
See its technical specifications:
| Processor (CPU) | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme ("Zen 4" architecture with 4nm, 8 cores and 16 threads, 24MB total cache, up to 5,10GHz boost) |
| Graphics Card (GPU) | AMD Radeon (AMD RDNA 3, 12 CUs, up to 2,7 GHz, up to 8,6 Teraflops) |
| Memory | 16 GB LPDDR5 (6400 MT/s dual channel) |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 (2230) |
| Fabric | 7 inches; Full HD (1920 x 1080 resolution), 16:9, with IPS-level panel; 500 nits brightness; 120Hz refresh rate |
| Audio | AI noise canceling technology; High resolution certification; Dolby Atmos; Microphone; 2-speaker system with Smart Amp technology |
| Size (L x D x H) | 28 cm x 11,1 cm x 2,12 cm |
| Conectividade | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) (Tri-band) 2*2 + Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Appetizers | 1 3,5mm headphone/microphone jack; 1 ROG XG mobile interface and USB combo port; Type-C (with USB 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort 1.4 support);1 (microSD) card reader (UHS-II) |
| Battery and charging | 40 WH, 4S1P, 4-cell Li-ion battery; USB-C charger, 65W AC adapter, Output: 20V DC, 3,25A, 65W, Input: 100 ~ 240V AC 50/60Hz universal |
| Operational system | Windows 11 Home |
Other attributes:
- Has AURA SYNC
- Fingerprint sensor
- Microsoft Pluton Security Processor
- Your controls: Buttons A, B, X, Y; D pad; L&R analog triggers; Hall Effect; Bumpers left and right; Preview button; Menu button; Command center button; Armory Crate Button; 2 x assignable grip buttons; Thumbsticks: 2 x full-size analog sticks with capacitive touch; Haptic HD; Gyroscope: 6 axis IMU
- Gorilla Glass DXC as protective glass
- Features AMD FreeSync Premium technology
Learn more at official ROG Ally website. Enjoy and check out our article about its launch in Brazil.
Ayaneo 2
O Ayaneo 2 it has great computational power, even impressive for a portable gaming device. One of the only ones on the market that comes with 2TB of storage and up to 32GB of RAM, for example, powered by an excellent processor: the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U. All this power is compressed into a 7-inch screen with glass on its entire surface, very resistant, and capable of reproducing Windows 11 and/or its own system, the AYANEO OS, at extremely high performance. frames per second.
The only downside of the notebook is that its price, even abroad, is quite “salty”: it starts at 949 dollars, with some of its minimum configurations (see its official website). That makes it one of the more expensive consoles on this list. But it is necessary to take into account that it is capable of supporting more than 100 games on its powerful SSD and, taking into account the whole set of information, it is still a pocket PC, facing its current biggest competitors (Steam Deck and ROG Ally).
It remains for us to think and answer: is it worth spending so much money on such hardware, knowing its competitors present in Brazil? Or would it be better to invest in a PC or Notebook Gamer?
See its technical specifications:
| Processor (CPU) | AMD Ryzen ™ 7 6800U |
| Graphics Card (GPU) | AMD Radeon™ 680M (integrated into the processor), with 12 cores and 2200 MHz graphics frequency; Support for external cards |
| Memory | 16GB/32GB LPDDR5 6400MHz |
| Storage | PCIE 4.0 M.2 2280 (double-sided support) |
| Fabric | Full screen 1200p (1920 x 1200 resolution);7 inches; 400 nits maximum brightness |
| Audio | SoundTAPMagic sound vibration; Two-channel stereo speakers; dual microphone |
| Size (L x D x H) | 264,5mm x 105,5mm x 21,5mm, 36,1mm |
| Conectividade | WiFi 6; bluetooth 5.2 |
| Appetizers | 3 USB Type-C inputs (1 for charging and 2 with multiple functions for the portable console); MicroSD card slot; Port for 3.5mm headphones |
| Battery and charging | Not specified (50.25Wh consumption) |
| Operational system | Windows 11/AYANEO OS |
Other attributes:
- Linear vibrating motor, with vibration in two axes (the same one used in the Nintendo Switch)
- Console with all round edges
- On/Sleep/Off button with biometric recognition
- AYASpace Interface for Windows
Learn more and buy at Ayaneo 2 official website.
Ayn Odin
Another option that can be considered expensive and quite potent is the Ayn Odin. The “little giant” also has hardware very remarkable and several possibilities of games, offering versatility to the public gamer. It delivers a lot of computing power (see specs below) and beautiful graphics with very good performance, all in a very simple build. Its price starts at US$239,00.
thanks to the great cooler (fan), its Snapdragon 845 processor delivers a very competitive performance compared to the market on a satisfactorily large screen. Compared to laptops on this list with hardware similar and that also run Android, AYN Odin delivers much more for less in terms of usability, fluidity and comfort when playing, which makes it a great purchase choice.
See its technical specifications:
| Processor (CPU) | Qualcomm Snapdragon SD845 – 64 bit processor (Kryo 385); Quad-core Kryo Gold @ 2.8GHz, 256KB L2; Quad-core Kryo Silver @ 1.8GHz, 128KB L2 |
| Graphics Card (GPU) | Adreno630@787MHz |
| Memory | 4GB RAM LPDDR 4x/8GB RAM LPDDR 4x |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB |
| Fabric | Full HD 1080p (resolution 1920×1080 pixels), 16:9 ratio, 369ppi; 5,98-inch touchscreen LCD |
| Audio | Qualcomm Aqstic Audio Codec; Amplifier of 2 speakers of 1W each |
| Size | 224 mm x 95 mm x 15 mm |
| Conectividade | 5G/Wi-Fi 2.4 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac); bluetooth 5.0 |
| Appetizers | USB Type-C;HDMI + DisplayPort; microSD card slot; 3.5mm audio input |
| Battery and charging | 6600mAH; Fast Charging 3.0/4.0/4.0+ (via USB-C) |
| Operational system | Android 10.0 |
Learn more and buy at Ayn Odin's official website.
Evercade EXP
O Evercade EXP It's an incredible laptop capable of running old games from its own platform, like some SEGA classics on its own small cartridges, and a wide variety of retro games on its 4.3-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 800×480 pixels. Its main attraction is, precisely, rescuing this nostalgic factor of cartridges fitted behind your portable console.
In addition to this interesting capacity, it already comes with 18 classic CAPCOM games in its internal memory, such as Street Fighter II, 1942, Final Fight and Mega Man. It is also possible to purchase separate collection boxes, separated by video game companies that made their mark at the time, with many other games from retro consoles for the portable and that include a complete manual.
Already Evercade VS, with a different console proposal, supports up to 4 controllers in its USB inputs, allows you to insert your game cartridges and enjoy the game with your friends on any TV or monitor. Then we are already talking about a traditional console for those moments of relaxation on the sofa at home.
See its technical specifications:
| Processor (CPU) | 1.5GHz |
| Graphics Card (GPU) | unspecified |
| Memory | 4GB of built-in RAM memory |
| Storage | Not specified |
| Fabric | 4.3 inches IPS; Resolution of 800×480 pixels; TATE mode for vertical display orientation |
| Audio | stereo speakers |
| Size (L x D x H) | 192.7 mm x 78.5 mm x 20.7 mm |
| Conectividade | Built-in WiFi; 3.5mm headphone plug |
| Appetizers | USB-C charging (cable included); Mini HDMI 720p (cable not included) |
| Battery and charging | 3000mA battery with autonomy of 4-5 hours of play; USB-C charging port (cable included) |
| Operational system | Not specified |
Other attributes:
- Expanded button configuration
- Prices start from US$150 (not available in Brazil)
- Includes a quick start guide and IREM Arcade Collection 1
Learn more at Evercade EXP official website.
Logitech GCloud
This laptop from Logitech, despite being very robust in its construction, is the first that brings an experience completely based on games saved in the cloud, with the applications of Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce Now.
It is a very good option for those who have a good and stable internet and do not want to spend so much money on smartphones more expensive (and just as powerful) or with a gaming PC/laptop, taking into account that the main cloud game subscription service options are not leaving anything to be desired.
Furthermore, the GCloud it is a console that fits very well in the hands, has fully customizable controls and its weight, of only 464 grams, is a differential. It also allows connections via Bluetooth, which means being able to pair with your own wireless controllers, mice and keyboards. Quite a console for today, which demands cleaner designs and few wires (or none) around the devices.
See the technical specifications:
| Processor (CPU) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (SD720G); Octa-core CPU with more than 2.3GHz |
| Graphics Card (GPU) | Unspecified (built into the processor) |
| Memory | unspecified |
| Storage | 64GB*(ROM); Accessible capacity varies; MicroSD card slot for expansion* Total amount of available memory may be less based on configuration |
| Fabric | 7 inches; Full HD (1080p, 16:9 ratio); IPS LCD; 450 nits brightness; Touchscreen with 60 Hz refresh rate in full screen |
| Audio | Stereo speakers, driven by an intelligent high-voltage amplifier that delivers clear reproduction; Dual microphone, with echo cancellation and noise suppression with high quality codec and DSP; Headphone jack, stereo headset and 3.5mm microphone jack (also supported by USB-C Digital jack) |
| Size (L x D x H) | 256,8mm x 117,2mm x 32,9mm |
| Conectividade | WiFi dual-band radio, 2.4GHz and 5GHz, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (supports speeds up to 800 Mbps over 5Ghz connections); Bluetooth 5.1 with Qualcomm aptXTM Adaptive Support |
| Appetizers | MicroSD memory card expansion slot; Jack for headphones, stereo headsets and 3.5 mm microphone; USB-C input |
| Battery and charging | Rechargeable Lithium-Polymer battery; 23,1 Watt-hours; 12 or more hours of battery life with a game open (Under normal playing conditions, battery life may vary depending on user and computing conditions) |
| Operational system | Android 11 |
Other attributes:
- Access to more cloud services via the Google Play Store
- Possibility to use your portable gaming device to play remotely with the Xbox Remote Play app and Steam Link apps, for example
- Optimized core processor to reduce latency for cloud gaming and an optimized Wi-Fi receiver for less signal interference
- Linear haptic sensors
- Ambient light sensor
- Controls: A / B / X / Y buttons; D-Pad; joysticks left and right analog sticks; L&R bumpers; L&R analog triggers; L & R radio buttons; 'G' button and Home buttons; Volume control buttons; on/off switch
Learn more at Logitech G Cloud official website.
PowKiddy RGB10 Max3 Pro
Similar to the previously featured Anbernick devices, the powkiddy follows the same line: retro games in one hardware cheap and capable of delivering beautiful visuals easily.
In the most basic version of this PowKiddy, its price is R$545,43, excluding import freight. It can also be purchased on the gray market, although it appears at a higher price, in this case, and is still available for pre-sale on its official website.
It may come with a series of emulators installed, such as the Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Neo Geo and Game Boy Advance, supporting open source operating systems, that is, giving complete freedom to user installations and customizations.
See its technical specifications:
| Processor (CPU) | Amlogic A311D; 6-core CPU, capable of guaranteeing 60Hz of framerate perfectly |
| Graphics Card (GPU) | unspecified |
| Memory | 2GB LPDDR4X |
| Storage | 16GB of internal storage |
| Fabric | 5-inch OCA IPS, with full adjustment of the ; Resolution of 854 x 480 pixels |
| Audio | 3D stereo surround sound |
| Size | 183mm x 84.5mm x 18mm |
| Conectividade | No Wi-Fi connection. The product page indicates the purchase of one OTG wifi adapter |
| Appetizers | USB-C; 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Battery and charging | Lithium-polymer battery with 4000 mAh; 8 hours of autonomy; 3 hours of charging; 5V-2A input power |
| Operational system | Supports multiple open source operating systems |
Other attributes:
- Ultra compact and nostalgic appearance
- Supports multiple open source systems, can be updated at will, and is compatible with leading 3-bit 64D simulators
Learn more and buy at PowKiddy RGB10MAX3 Pro official website.
Steam deck
When thinking about videogames portable today, it's easy for the Steam deck comes to mind right away, as it has been a precursor to contemporary consoles in this category, among the new generation.
Taking into account all your hardware (see specs below) and Steam's gaming possibilities, it's a pretty powerful laptop, which justifies its value for money. And, between us, the idea of being able to play most of the games in your Steam library on a game laptop is awesome! In addition, its battery lasts for at least 2 hours when running heavy PC games (such as God of War e The Last of Us).
It is possible to judge that it is too big and heavy a notebook, but that would depend from player to player, in this case. Its weight is 669 grams and, having a 7″ screen and total dimensions of 298mm x 117mm x 49mm, it is a plausible statement. But, according to some reviews, its footprint and comfort do not leave anything to be desired when playing.
Outside of the portable experience, it is still possible to purchase an official dock that is compatible with any TV or monitor (in addition to being able to transform it into a portable PC, with a mouse and keyboard), offering hours of fun on the larger screens that are at your disposal. .
See its technical specifications:
| Processor (CPU) | AMD with Zen 2 architecture, 4 cores and 8 threads, frequency from 2,4 to 3,5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32) |
| Graphics Card (GPU) | 8 compute units of RDNA 2 architecture, frequency from 1,0 to 1,6 GHz (up to 1,6 TFlops FP32) |
| Memory | 16GB LPDDR5 built-in (32-channel 5.500-bit, XNUMX MT/s) |
| Storage | 64GB or 256 GB or 512 GB NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen 3 x4 or PCIe Gen 3 x2*), depending on the model chosen at purchase; Expandable to MicroSD UHS-I, compatible with SD, SDXC and SDHC |
| Fabric | IPS LCD with “optical bonding” for better readability; 1280 x 900 px resolution; 7 inches; 60Hz refresh rate; Touch sensitive |
| Audio | Stereo audio, dual microphone and headphone jack, stereo headset and 3.5mm microphone |
| Size (L x D x H) | 298 mm x 117 mm x 49 mm |
| Conectividade | Bluetooth 5.0 (compatible with controllers, accessories and audio); Dual band WiFi radio (2,4GHz and 5GHz), IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Appetizers | External connectivity for controllers and displays – USB-C alternate mode compatible; DisplayPort 1.4 for 8K @ 60Hz or 4K @ 120Hz displays; USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Battery and charging | 45W power supply with USB-C output and compatible with USB PD 3.0 standard; 40 Wh battery. Between two to eight hours of gameplay |
| Operational system | SteamOS 3.0 (based on Arch Linux) |
Other attributes:
- Traditional controls: ABXY buttons; Directional; L and R analog triggers; Upper L and R buttons; Vision and Menu buttons; Four configurable rear buttons; Two full-size touch-sensitive analog sticks; 2 x 32,5 mm square trackpads with high definition haptic feedback (pressure sensitive to configure click force)
Learn more at Official Steam Deck website.
Today, there is no shortage of options on the portable video game market, as we saw above. This niche is quite rich and pleases all possible gaming tastes and preferences. Tell us in the comments which one you relate to the most and if you intend to acquire!
See also:
Sources: GameSpot, IGN, Retro Game Corps.
Text proofread by: Pedro Bomfim (01 / 08 / 23)
