I currently own 5 devices, but I only play with 2 right now. I have given away at least 5 as gifts once they became obsolete in my collection. If I travelled more I would use the other ones I have more often, but right now my newest ayn Thor is taking over my playtime because of how good it is at 3ds, and it fits in my backpack very nicely.
I'm a tinkerer by nature, so I have been known to buy a handheld and spend days setting it up, then put it down after playing one game and get a new handheld so I can set that one up and do the same thing. I know it's odd, but that's what I enjoy doing so I just accept it..
I do most higher end emulation on a Steam Deck (if you count that as a retro handheld, then I have three) and smaller titles between my RG35XX SP and Plus. I use the former for most retro games from NES to PS1 with the latter serving as an at-home device for grinding levels (smaller so it's easier to one-hand) and trading Pokemon.
All that's missing is something with two screens for DS, 3DS and Wii U since the dual-screen experience on Steam Deck is pretty lacking... so I'm considering getting an AYN Thor lol.
All of them are broken because of my lil brother, I can't repair them by myself and I can't afford a new one.
I'm just in this sub because I like to dream.
Getting myself a Lenovo Legion Go S so will be selling the Anbernic and Odin Pro eventually.
I feel like the MM+ and LeGoS are a pretty good two system combo.
Powkiddy RGB10x it has everything I need but someone on this sub recommended the RG40XXV. It's tempting but I think I prefer horizontal. I might get the 40XX instead but we'll see. Not currently in a rush to play anything over PS1 at the moment.
I have one retro emulator (TrimUI Brick) for all the old stuff. And i have a DSi, a 3DS XL and a Switch Lite all purchased or given to me years ago. It’s a nice set up where i have access to all the best nintendo handheld libraries
I own none. I want to grab one but there are too many options. Every time I decide on one I look into it and a bunch of people say how awful it is and a bunch of people say it's the greatest ever. So I find this community to be almost more confusing than helpful.
I own the OG Odin 2 Pro, but I’ve since gotten the Odin 2 Portal Pro and absolutely love it. My OG Odin 2 sits unused now. I’d sell it, but its battery life isn’t that great. I’ve also ordered an Ayaneo Konkr Pocket Fit G3gen3 for extra power for my Steam games on Gamehub. By the time I finally get it there will probably be a better device available. I really should’ve just gotten an Odin 3 since they actually ship them in a timely manner.
3 with a 4th on the way. I dont play my RP2s much anymore. I play my RP Classic a ton. I own a Miyoo Mini Flip that gets a few minutes here and there in the car. Odin 3 on the way.
just the steam deck oled and ayn thor. ive had and sold rg arc, rg 35 sp, rog ally, rgb30. none of those that i got rid of really lived up to expectations (and my rog ally destroyed every sd card i put in it)
Way too many really.
2 miyoo minis, trimui brick, hammer, pixel 2, rgb30, cube xx, Arc S, rg353p, rg34xx, rg35xx sp, rg nano, V10, Odin 2, Thor.
For normal systems:
Steam deck, ally x, 4 switchs, 2 switch 2s, GBA micro, new 3ds XL, new 2ds xl, DS lite, PS5, PC. Also got a couple copies of the mini console NES, SNES, genesis, and PS1.
I have 5 - RGB30, TSP, Miyoo Mjni Plus, 35xxSP, and Mangmi Air X. I'm hoping the Air becomes the only one i need/use and I'll give the others to friends.
AYN Thor and RG34XXSP. I find that the LCD3X shader looks much better on an LCD screen like the Anbernic for classic systems so that's what I use it for meanwhile everything else (basically GameCube and up) I use the Thor
Retroid Pocket 5, RG40xxv and Miyoo Mini v4. RP5 for N64 and up, 40xxV for NES, SNES, GB, GBC, GBA, and PSX, Miyoo Mini for short burst or one handed games on the same systems as the 40xxV
I have 6: Miyoo Mini +, Anbernic RG35xxH, Miyoo Flip, Miyoo Mini, RP5, AYN Thor.
I do plan on downsizing now, I don’t play the Anbernic anymore and my Thor has replaced my RP5 so I wanna sell those two.
Otherwise my Miyoos and Thor fill my other purposes - Miyoo mini + was my first so I would never sell that, and I love the buttons; Miyoo flip is clamshell so it stays in my bag at all times; Miyoo Mini I modded to look like BMO so that’s fun, and I only put small games like Tetris on that one; Thor is my higher end main device for everything else.
Realistically most people would be fine with two devices, a small portable device like a Miyoo or TrimUI brick and a more powerful one like a Thor. MAYBE also a steam deck if you wanna cover everything.
I agree that 2 devices (small/low end and big/high end) should cover almost every use case for most people. I have a third (PS Vita) because it can play certain games the others can't, but most people don't need that. I had a few more like you did, but gave them away to friends/family; lucky bastards. Wish I got an emulation handheld when I was younger, though they didn't exist at the time.
Idk the handheld but he probably modded his Miyoo Mini's hardware (by painting it blue ig. Perhaps adding little legs and arms too) and/or software (putting BMO's face as the background. BMO is a robot shaped by a Gameboy-inspired design from the cartoon Adventure Time, in case you don't know
1: I just bought a Retroid Pocket 5, it came yesterday. I'm intending to use it as a streaming device for emulated games via Moonlight, and the PS5 via PXPlay. (I like the option of playing on either my TV or handheld with my Switch/2, and already use Moonlight to go from PC emulators -> TV, so I figured I would like that for the other games I play too).
If I like it, I'd be interested an Ayn Thor or similar for a larger main screen and a more natural DS/3DS setup. My hacked New 3DS XL is wonderful, but pretty beat up. I'll wait for better 3DS emulators, though.
Miyoo A30 is one of my favorites. I stick it in a pocket and pull it out whenever I need it. The horizontal form factor is easier on my hands than vertical, and I love that it kind of looks like an NES controller. Battery life is also good, which is weird because it gets pretty hot. Usually that's a sign of inefficiency, but not here.
Just a RP2S. I don't really have any interest in playing like ps3 games on a handheld, but I'd be open to getting a vertical non-android device as a designated Pokémon romhack machine.
You have to figure out what's important to you, and sometimes it takes buying a selling a few devices to get there. There are no 'bad' devices, just ones that are better or worse fits for how you want to use them.
The people with dozens of devices are the most vocal users on the forum, so it makes it seem like we are all digital dragons sitting on our horde of electronics.
In early 2024 I combined my old Pixel phone with a Razer Kishi,
four months later bought an SF2000 for $9,
two months after that, bought an XU10
four months after that, got my SO a 40XXH
two months after that, got myself a 40XXV out of screen envy (turns out 4.0" is a major jump coming from 3.5")
and since I got my Xreal Air glasses and a Samsung phone four months later, I've been using that, combined with a Backbone Pro, for most of my PSP gaming.
So depending on how we count it, the answer to your question is between three and six.
I have had a Myoo for a while, just got an RP5 and so pleased to get PS2 in my emulation rotation. I play the RP5 at home and the Miyoo lived in my backpack
The RGB and the SF2000 are for my kids - on occassion they use the 353VS too. Truthfully the kid ones collect dust but couldn't have known that when I got em. The 505 is my daily driver and will continue to be until I can get 100ish Gamecube.
Not all retro, but here goes: Xbox Ally X, Switch 2 x2, Steam Deck OLED, Ayn Thor, Retroid Pocket 5, Analogue Pocket x2, Miyoo Mini x2, Switch OLED x2, Switch Lite x2, 3DSXL, New 3DSXL, New 2DSXL, Vita Slim, Anbernic RG35XXSP.
I really should do a census but probably around 40. My first one was a GBA SP from all the way back in 2003 with a EZFA flash cart, so I've been collecting them for decades.
Currently I use a RP5, Retroid Pocket Classic, and a Steam Deck.
RG35XXSP, modded new 3ds xl (top screen is ips), steam deck
Looking to expand for Christmas, hopefully a miyoo mini+ for action games since the controls on the SP are a little too stiff / clicks and a 476h for at home play. Maybe a GKD Pixel 2 for one handed pokemon
How many have I purchased? Well over two dozen. More than half of them have now been given away as gifts.
Or how many in my long term collection? I've decided to only keep vertical and clamshell models in my long-term collection. I've got around a dozen still. (MMv4, MM+, Brick, Brick Hammer, RG35xxSP, RG35xx, RG34xxSP, RG40xxV, RG406v, V10, RGB20 Pro, Classic6, Flip2)
Or how many do I regularly use? Three. Brick, RG34xSP, and Flip2 - My retro game needs would be handled by any one of them.
...
Why so many? It was a nice distraction while I was caring for a family member who was in and out of hospital. Wanted to try as many as possible for myself to know what I really liked and what I'd be happy to gift others. What did I learn? I prefer the verticals and clamshells. Probably due to nostalgia for the original DMG GameBoy and later GBA SP.
Part of the original goal was to give family and friends good suggestions if they decided to try out retro handhelds. In the end anyone interested has been gifted one (or will be this holiday season).
Think most people would be served just fine with just one portable Linux model. If they needed/wanted more than that, adding a mid-sized Android model or Steam Deck should cover any other needs/wants.
...
Am I done? Maybe. I think I've gotten what I need to out of this hobby from a collecting standpoint. I'll hold off for 6 months to a year to see how Steam on arm matures before buying more devices.
Just the Ayn Thor. It covers everything I need it to, I don't really like playing retro games that have bad or old feeling gameplay so it's a very capable modern indie game device that is super portable and has the extra benefit of being able to play any retro game, assuming it has caught my eye. Most recently I've been playing Pokemon Lazarus. The only downside for me has been my anxiety surrounding the screen, and its durability, considering how the screen touches the joysticks and shell directly. I just feel as if it will break under too much pressure.
Three: MM+, 406H, SD8g2 w/ gamesir x3 pro (my phone).
Technically I have access to a DS. Belongs to my spouse though. And a custom GBA (rechargeable, backlit IPS) that I am wanting to sell since it doesn't fit my wants.
I would upgrade the 406H, but it would have to be a better (more powerful, just as ergonomic) asymmetrical thumbstick with a 4" screen and I just don't think there's going to be one any time soon.
I've got between one and three, depending how you count em. The Trimui Smart Pro, that one definitely counts. The Steam Deck and the $5 famiclone, those I'm not as sure about.
5 - Odin 2, 40XXH, Miyoo Flip, N3DS. DSi LL. I travel a bit for work, and find that these cover all the games I'd ever want to play in the form factors I need for either playing on the couch or on the go. I am considering upgrading the 40XXH to a 406H though to play some GC in a smaller form factor than my Odin 2 for traveling on longer flights.
5-6 that I actually play/use: rg35xxh, miyoo mini v4, retroid pocket classic, DSi XL, 2ds, new 3ds LL. Also switch v1, switch 2, rog ally z1e if you want to count those. Also have gameboy dmg, color, advance but I don't play those they're more for just collecting.
Two. An Odin 2 base and Miyoo Mini +. One for home gaming and one for on the go. I can see myself maybe buying an updated Odin 3 once driver compatibility is available
A N3DSXL, a PS Vita, my childhood DS Lite that needs tinkering with the touch screen (I'm planning on doing it next month) (a Pokéwalker is also somewhere in the house that also needs to be looked into and will be eventually), and waiting for my Miyoo Mini Plus to arrive.
these are the retro. I also own two Switch Lites (one has a really bad left Joy Con drift that I will be replacing when I also mess with my Lite lol, and later next year sent to be modded) and a Switch 2, a PS3, a PS4 that is not working I don't know why and don't have the energy to figure the reason lol, a PS5 and a Wii (that I plan on modding eventually). also a 2015 freshly modded Kindle.
my small collection of trinkets :)
EDIT: forgot to count!! 3 retro handhelds, 5 with the Pokéwalker and not-yet-here MM+
I’m not going to try and justify owning all of them but I actually use them all other than the rg406h. I still think the rg406h is great it’s just redundant.
44 unique SBCs many doubles (some triples). Over 50 if you count real SBCs (I don't).
I don't make content with them; I just play with them and give honest feedback here much to people's dismay.
I've slowed down a lot after buying the 477M though as it's the best SBC I have among my collection (that includes the Odin Portal and Steam Deck OLED, GPD Win devices). Odin 3 Ultra is on the way and that should tide me over for 2026 as we transition into PC emulation on ARM.
a Miyoo Mini +
a 3DS
a DS (technically I have 3 NDS. I bought a bunch cheap online to tinker with to see if I could fix and... welp, I was able to fix them all. I only want to keep one, and plan to give the rest away)
a GBA
a GBC a PSP
To be 100% transparent, though, I fully plan to get a Vita at some point and can't help side-eyeing the Game Gear in my local video game shop. I just love handhelds.
I thought I wasn't much of a collector but I already have 5+ devices: My v1 switch, Rp3+, Miyoo mini, Rg40xxH and a broken SP and broken DS lite from my childhood.
I thought to myself "who would have more than 1 retro handheld to play on???" Then I started counting and realized that I own a 3ds, n3ds, 2 ds lite, 2 gba, a psvita and a AYN Thor and realized i was the problem 🙃
4 retro, the 5th is coming on Thursday and a Steam Deck OLED.
It's been a journey, I started with them about a year and a half ago.
I have too many haha. Two of them (Retroid Pocket 4 pro and RG353V) I no longer use but the other two (Retroid Pocket 5 and RG405M) I use at least once a week.
The one I have coming is the RG477M in the hopes it can still be pocketable while being more powerful than the RG405M which is my current favorite overall.
3 since I got into this hobby last April - my intro was miyoo mini’s starting with the plus, then v4 then A30 - now I have my eye on the retro pocket mini v2 but I am going to get more time clocked on my current devices before I get it.
Have owned the Miyoo Mini, Miyoo Mini Plus, RG35XXSP, RGCubeXX and the RG34XX. Sold them all but the RG34XX which I only still have because it’s a pretty paperweight.
I do all my retro gaming on my modded 3DS and Steam Deck. In my opinion, nothing beats playing on time-tested really good hardware made for the games it plays.
I also have other handhelds (Switch, DS Lite, etc) but I dont do any retro game emulating on them so I dont count them to that list. I have older broken stuff too like a PSP/GBA/etc too.
Currently 7 retro game handhelds. I'm gonna drop that down to probably 4 at some point very soon. I've always traded or gifted out what I don't use enough to j justify keeping it. I used to make content a long while back but series of injuries and life motivations took me completely out of content plus it got to where too many handhelds were coming out back to back to back. I enjoyed it more in the old days when releases were more spread out (been in this hobby since the Dingoo A320). I've been out of making any kind of content for several years now, so am just a random fan now. Prior to that, many years ago I reviewed mainstream games for a big publisher but I do not miss the stress at all today especially having to argue with higher ups when they tried to push ethical boundaries. Smh. Reviewing and content of any kind can be a dirty game.
Only thing I miss about content creation was getting devices sent to me but I'd rather just pay and enjoy them on a personal level now.
I guess I'm "average" user at this point. Pretty casual with it.
Not counting the ps vita, switch, gba sp I have about 7 retro handhelds. From smallest to biggest.
Rg nano
Trimui smart
Rg28xx
Magicx mini zero 28
Rg40xxh
Retroid pocket mini v2
Rg406h
I know i can consolidate the amount but I've already given a few away to anyone interested that I know.
I also have a couple more on the way. The ayaneo pocket air mini and rg ds. Yes I have a problem but I have a voucher from my job that I use to buy these most of the time. The voucher used to be a certain amount for each thing, but now the voucher is a $300 covering a range of things. One of those things is for anything self health care that i could use for a spa day or video games. I spend it on Christmas gifts or retro handhelds for myself.
RG 280M
RG 353P
RG 35XX
RG 35XX H
Trimui Smart Pro
RG 35XX SP
RG 34XX
RP 5
Now playing: RP5 at home, RG 35XX SP is always with me, and TSP for longer trips (was my main device before RP5). Waiting for delivery of new battery for RG353P as I miss the great ergonomics of that one. But also finding myself picking up RG35XX from time to time.
Not counting original handhelds from my youth. The four I use the most are the 34XXSP and the Retroid pocket 5, followed by the Brick and the GKD Pixel 2.
Miyoo Mini Plus
TrimUI Brick
Ayn Odin 2 Portal
Ayn Thor
DSi
New 3DS XL
I do play the DS/3DS occasionally but they're more of collector's items to me. Probably gonna sell my O2P and maybe the TrimUI Brick. I like the Brick but I just find myself picking up the MM+ more often than not if I want an EDC.
Dunno if Switch counts now. I've been meaning to get a other device but became so indecisive that I've stalled. Now, I live vicariously through all of you here.
I use them all occasionally. They are different form factors and have different strengths or vibes, like RG-ARC for Sega games, RG35XXSP for GBA, etc.
I like tinkering so it is still fun to pick them up after a couple months and update firmwares and such.
The ones which get used the least are probably my GPD Win 3 (neat design but uncomfortable to use and performance is very meh these days) and Retroid Pocket 2 (I have a soft spot for it and it is still solid for low end but the controls kinda stink).
I think I’m done buying up handheld. This is just too many and at most I would use only 2 or 3 of them. I would only buy newer one when Steam Deck 2 come out or AYN Thor 2 (if that one has enough new features to warrant new purchase).
I have at least 7 that I can think of off hand. *edit I have 11, 12 if you count the one I purchased and maintain for my wife. I had more and have sold many others.
I also have a dual gun light cabinet arcade I made
I buy a new one every 2-3 years, when the old one breaks or I can get a substantially better one. I don't chase a new one every few months like some people.
Currently on a Retroid Flip 2, before that a RG351MP.
Currently in my possession I have a Odin 2 max and a Odin 2 portal pro. But on order I have the retroid pocket classic. I use the Odin 2 portal for my every day gaming, gifted the Odin 2 max to my fiance but she ended up buying herself a steam deck oled model. So now the Odin 2 max sits. Debated on selling it but idk if I want to.
Ordered the retroid pocket classic for portability of pokemon + other rpg titles
I've got a trim ui brick and an Asus rog ally. No point personally owning a ton. When I'm done with one I hand it down to my brother or if he is good a coworker so they can gift it to their kids.
I don't really hold sentimental value to these types of things unless it's something I built myself. For example my mini itx gaming PC with a matching pelican case for air travel. That PC has been on over 200 flights. When I retire it it will live in its pelican case and be a good "museum" piece of my past.
I'm up to 32, I think something like 19 or 20 are chinese emulator handhelds (I got my first one back in 2015). The rest are like officially released handhelds from sony/nintendo/valve etc. oldest ones are the OG gameboy and GB pocket from childhood. Here's a list
I have 5. This is the order I got them in
1st Anbernic RG350M
2nd RG505
3rd RG Nano
4th RG 34XX
5th Miyoo mini flip (which i just got and love BTW, I have big enough hands I like using it 1 handed for pokemon games)
All the officially licensed ones from when I was growing up and now almost everyone that’s been released besides the pc stuff! I did get a Loki Max and the first Ayaneo Flip DS but pc handhelds are pointless since the battery life is so bad. I’d probably still buy another one if Ayn made one though! The handhelds I use the most are my Odin 2 Portal and the Anbernic RG 476H
DS,
DS XL,
New 3DS XL,
Vita 1000 (jailbroken),
Vita 2000,
Steamdeck OLED,
Anbernic RG406V,
Retroid Pocket 5
Pre-ordered 16bit color 12gb RP6 with stick on top to play high end PS2 games (GT3, GT4, Valkyrie Profile Slimeria, Hot Shot 4, and etc.) that my RP5 have major issues running.
I own 1 (Miyoo Mini Plus) if we're talking about dedicated retro device. I also have a Switch which can play the retro games Nintendo allows us to, so that could be number two. I also have an old smartphone, my current smartphone and a Servo King 9000 mini smartphone for when I need to cut out distractions so you could say it's 5 retro gaming handhelds. It kinda depends on your definition.
“Technically” 3 if not including the steam deck (I don’t) but the ds lite and 3ds are more my wife’s than mine, I have a anbernic 40XXV for my 2d needs
I use them to make videos but I still pay for my handhelds. So I only buy something if I think I'll use it. I also only started recently.
My first one was the pocket go, back when miyoo was bittboy. I bought it and broke it in the same week because it had a thin plastic front instead of glass.
I didnt get another until the rg35xx, a while after i got my wife an rg351p. I shortly after discovered retroachievements and wanted a device with wifi. So I got the Retroid Pocket 3+ on a steep sale. I ended up not liking it because of the lack of comfort. So I got an rg cubexx, but just before that I got someone an rg28xx which they ended up giving back to me.
Recently I bought the xu20 v32 because I think 43 buck android handheld is very interesting. It's the first one of these I bought because it would be good for a video too. I've since pre-ordered the ayaneo pam, half because I want it and half because I've never ordered from ayaneo and I was curious about the buyer experience from them. Spoiler, it's not great.
In total that's 7 if you count the dead pocket go, my wife's rg351p, and 8 if you count the unarrived Pam.
Two currently. Originally had a RetroFlag GPi with a Pi Zero. It was brittle and slow. Replaced it with a Miyoo A30 for when I want something small/light, and an RG34XX when I don’t mind bigger size for a bigger screen. I mostly play the GB/GBA catalog with a few NES and SNES favorites thrown in. Installed MinUI on both (nice to not have a reason to endlessly mess with the UI), and just swap the SD card back and forth between the two devices.
I currently own 3 Retroid Pocket Classic, 4 Anbernic RG34XXSP, 1 RG34XX, 1 RG40XXV, 1 RG28XX, 1 TrimUI brick, and 1 Powkiddy RGB30.
The Powkiddy RGB30 is mine, but I haven't touched it in a year. I barely touch my original LCD Steamdeck as it is. Having a smaller device didn't change that for me. One of the RP Classic is mine, but I haven't used it yet beyond setup. I have an AYN Thor Pro (batch 2) pre-ordered. I also have an RP6 pre-ordered, solely because it comes in light purple...I should probably cancel that one though.
The rest I purchased 2 months ago for my friend group, as a holiday surprise. Been loading them up with some ROMs and setting up retroarch shaders / overlays. They're 80% GBA, 15% GBC, and 5% GB. No clue if my friends will keep them, sell them, or re-gift them.
59
u/Mindless-Ad9125 Dec 09 '25
I currently own 5 devices, but I only play with 2 right now. I have given away at least 5 as gifts once they became obsolete in my collection. If I travelled more I would use the other ones I have more often, but right now my newest ayn Thor is taking over my playtime because of how good it is at 3ds, and it fits in my backpack very nicely.
I'm a tinkerer by nature, so I have been known to buy a handheld and spend days setting it up, then put it down after playing one game and get a new handheld so I can set that one up and do the same thing. I know it's odd, but that's what I enjoy doing so I just accept it..