What is the best handheld console of all time?

Handheld consoles have become an essential part of the gaming world, allowing players to enjoy games on the go. Throughout history, there have been several noteworthy devices, each with unique features, iconic games, and a lasting impact on gaming culture. So, which handheld console stands out as the best of all time? Let’s explore.

Criteria for the Best Handheld Console

To determine the best handheld console, we need to consider the following factors:

• Game Library: A diverse and high-quality game collection is vital to a handheld console's success.
• Portability: How easy is it to carry and play on the go?
• Performance: The processing power, display quality, and battery life.
• Innovation: How much the device pushed the boundaries of handheld gaming.
• Cultural Impact: The console’s influence on gaming culture and its legacy.

Top 5 Handheld Consoles of All Time

1. Nintendo Game Boy (1989)

   • Game Library: Home to iconic titles like Tetris, Super Mario Land, Zelda: Link’s Awakening, and Pokémon Red/Blue.
   • Portability: Compact and lightweight, the Game Boy was easy to carry around.
   • Performance: Though its monochrome screen was basic, it was highly functional, with a battery life of around 10-15 hours.
   • Innovation: It revolutionized portable gaming and introduced interchangeable cartridges.
   • Cultural Impact: The Game Boy is one of the most influential consoles of all time, launching franchises like Pokémon that continue to thrive today.

   Legacy: It sold over 118 million units, making it one of the best-selling consoles in history.

2. Nintendo Switch (2017)

   • Game Library: A diverse range of games from the Mario, Zelda, Animal Crossing, and Smash Bros franchises, as well as third-party titles like The Witcher 3 and Fortnite.
   • Portability: It offers hybrid functionality, allowing you to play on your TV or as a handheld console. Its detachable controllers also add versatility.
   • Performance: With a full-color touchscreen and impressive processing power, the Switch has near-console quality graphics in a portable form.
   • Innovation: The Switch is a hybrid console, combining the best of both handheld and home console gaming.
   • Cultural Impact: It redefined handheld gaming with its hybrid concept and earned a massive fanbase.

   Legacy: With over 100 million units sold, the Nintendo Switch is one of the most successful consoles of all time.

3. Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) (2004)

   • Game Library: The PSP had a fantastic library, including Gran Turismo, God of War: Chains of Olympus, and Final Fantasy Tactics.
   • Portability: Although bulkier than the Game Boy, the PSP still offered excellent portability with a sleek design.
   • Performance: A gorgeous 4.3-inch LCD screen with impressive graphics for its time, it was ahead of its competitors in terms of multimedia capabilities.
   • Innovation: The PSP introduced high-quality multimedia features, allowing you to watch movies and listen to music on the go.
   • Cultural Impact: The PSP’s graphical capabilities and strong game library made it a serious competitor to Nintendo’s handhelds.

   Legacy: It sold over 80 million units, showing the strength of Sony’s handheld gaming platform.

4. Nintendo DS (2004)

   • Game Library: A vast library of games, including Mario Kart DS, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, and Pokémon Diamond/Pearl.
   • Portability: The Nintendo DS was compact and featured a dual-screen setup, with the lower screen being a touchscreen.
   • Performance: Despite its lower technical specs, the DS still provided a variety of engaging games with good performance and long battery life.
   • Innovation: The dual screens and touchscreen functionality were groundbreaking features, making it unique among its contemporaries.
   • Cultural Impact: The DS became a beloved system due to its innovative features and diverse game library.

   Legacy: It sold 154 million units, becoming one of the best-selling handheld consoles.

5. NeoGeo Pocket Color (1999)

   • Game Library: Home to a smaller but highly regarded library, with titles like SNK vs. Capcom and King of Fighters.
   • Portability: Smaller and compact, it had a great screen and was very portable.
   • Performance: Despite not having the best graphics, the console offered a good mix of performance and color display.
   • Innovation: It offered a rich arcade-like experience on the go, with great fighting games.
   • Cultural Impact: Although it didn’t sell well, it is still cherished by retro gaming enthusiasts.

   Legacy: The NeoGeo Pocket Color is a cult classic, and though it sold modestly, its games still hold a special place in the hearts of many.

What Makes a Handheld Console the Best?

The best handheld console is not just about hardware specs. It’s about a combination of factors like:

• Strong Game Library: A console that offers a wide variety of games, especially franchises with long-lasting appeal, tends to do better.
• Portability: The device should be easy to carry and comfortable to hold for extended play sessions.
• Longevity: A great handheld console should have a solid battery life and be durable.
• Innovation: Introducing unique features or improving on existing ones can make a console stand out, like the Switch’s hybrid functionality or the DS’s touchscreen.

Where to Buy Handheld Consoles?

• YouweiTrade offers a selection of handheld gaming devices with various budget options. Visit youweitrade.com for details.
• Popular retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and GameStop offer great options for buying new and retro handheld consoles.

Conclusion: The Best Handheld Console

The Nintendo Switch currently stands as one of the best handheld consoles of all time due to its hybrid nature, vast game library, and exceptional versatility. However, depending on your preferences, Game Boy, PSP, or Nintendo DS could also be contenders for the title, each with its own impact on the gaming world. When choosing a handheld console, consider what games you want to play, the console's portability, and whether you need extra features like a hybrid design or media capabilities.

What’s your favorite handheld console? Let us know in the comments!