Popular Handheld Gaming Devices in the 90s and Beyond

Popular Handheld Gaming Devices in the 90s and Beyond

Handheld gaming devices evolved significantly during the late 20th century. The 1990s saw the rise of some of the most iconic and influential handheld gaming consoles, many of which are still fondly remembered today. In this blog, we will explore the most popular handheld gaming devices of the 90s, followed by an overview of handheld devices from the 80s, 70s, and even the 60s. Finally, we'll explore the current top-selling handheld gaming devices and provide links to where you can buy them, along with game recommendations.

Popular Handheld Gaming Devices in the 90s

The 90s were a golden age for handheld consoles, with several legendary devices that shaped the future of portable gaming. Here are the top handheld gaming consoles from that era:

1. Nintendo Game Boy

  • Rank: #1

  • Sales: Over 118 million units (including Game Boy Color and Game Boy Pocket)

  • Why It Was Popular:

    • The Game Boy was a game-changer, featuring a compact design and a successful game library that included Pokémon Red/Blue, Super Mario Land, and Tetris. It revolutionized portable gaming with its accessibility and iconic design.
    • Its success was driven by a massive game library, low price point, and the immense popularity of Pokémon.

  • Popular Games:

2. Sega Game Gear

  • Rank: #2

  • Sales: 10.6 million units

  • Why It Was Popular:

    • The Game Gear competed directly with the Game Boy, offering a full-color screen and more advanced hardware, though it had a shorter battery life. Games like Sonic the Hedgehog and Mortal Kombat helped it stand out in a crowded market.

  • Popular Games:

3. Atari Lynx

  • Rank: #3
  • Sales: 3 million units
  • Why It Was Popular:
    • The Atari Lynx was one of the first handheld consoles to feature a color screen and backlit display. Its portability and graphical capabilities were impressive for the time, although it faced stiff competition from Nintendo’s Game Boy.
  • Popular Games:

4. Neo Geo Pocket

  • Rank: #4
  • Sales: 2.5 million units
  • Why It Was Popular:
    • Though short-lived, the Neo Geo Pocket offered high-quality fighting games and had a cult following, especially among fans of SNK games.
  • Popular Games:

5. Wonderswan

  • Rank: #5

  • Sales: 3 million units

  • Why It Was Popular:

    • Released in Japan, the Wonderswan was an affordable, colorful handheld console known for games like Final Fantasy. Its success was primarily in Japan, though it had a significant impact on the handheld gaming market.

  • Popular Games:

Handheld Gaming Devices from the 80s

Before the iconic 90s consoles, the 1980s saw the advent of simpler, but highly influential handheld gaming devices. Here are a few of the most notable:

1. Nintendo Game Boy (Early 80s)

  • Released in 1989, the Game Boy marked the beginning of portable gaming as we know it.

2. Nintendo Game & Watch (1980s)

  • Sales: Over 43 million units

  • Why It Was Popular:

    • A precursor to the Game Boy, Game & Watch was a handheld device that featured simple LCD games like Donkey Kong. It was one of the first successful handheld gaming systems and set the foundation for the Game Boy's success.

  • Popular Game:

Handheld Gaming Devices from the 70s

Handheld gaming was still in its infancy in the 1970s, but several devices laid the groundwork for future advancements in portable gaming:

1. Mattel Electronic Football (1977)

  • Sales: N/A
  • Why It Was Popular:
    • One of the first handheld electronic games, Mattel Electronic Football used simple LED lights to simulate football gameplay. It was an immediate hit and helped popularize handheld gaming in the 70s.

2. Nintendo Color TV-Game (1977)

  • Sales: N/A
  • Why It Was Popular:
    • A console that played Pong-style games, the Color TV-Game was among the earliest gaming systems from Nintendo, even before the NES era.

Handheld Gaming Devices from the 60s

Handheld consoles were virtually non-existent in the 1960s, but this period laid the groundwork for the future of gaming, including the creation of Pong and the initial ideas for portable electronic games. The late 60s saw the development of the very first arcade games, which would eventually lead to the rise of handheld devices.

What Handheld Gaming Devices Are Hot Right Now?

As of 2025, several handheld gaming devices are topping the sales charts. These devices offer modern features, powerful processors, and high-quality game libraries. Here are the top-selling handheld gaming devices:

1. Nintendo Switch OLED

2. Steam Deck

3. GPD Win 3

4. Logitech G Cloud

Conclusion

The 90s were an exciting time for handheld gaming devices, with iconic systems like the Nintendo Game Boy and Sega Game Gear setting the foundation for the handheld market we know today. As we look back, the devices of the 80s, 70s, and even earlier were important precursors that helped shape the future of portable gaming.

Now, modern handheld devices like the Nintendo Switch OLED and Steam Deck are redefining what’s possible for portable gaming, with incredible features and ever-growing libraries of games.

To find your ideal handheld device, consider factors such as game library, performance, portability, and budget. Whether you're playing classic games from the 90s or enjoying the latest releases, these handheld devices offer something for everyone!

Popular Game Links:

Back to blog

Here's something you might find interesting：

View all
NaN -Infinity
View all

guess you might like

View all