ConsoleScout

Best handhelds for DS emulation

12 handhelds rated for Nintendo DS emulation in the reviews we cite. DS games use two screens, so the question is less about power and more about how the device shows both: two physical screens, a split single screen, or swapping between them.

12 handhelds in this list

  1. Anbernic Anbernic RG Cube Android handheld with a 3.95-inch 720x720 square touchscreen, Unisoc T820 and Hall sticks. from $122.99 Horizontal3.95" IPSAndroidRuns 3DS
  2. AYN AYN Thor Clamshell Android handheld with a 6-inch 120Hz AMOLED top screen and a 3.92-inch AMOLED bottom screen. from $259 Dual screen6" AMOLEDAndroidRuns Switch
  3. Retroid Retroid Pocket Classic Vertical Android handheld with a 3.92-inch AMOLED screen and Snapdragon G1 Gen 2, no analog sticks. from $99 Vertical3.92" AMOLEDAndroidRuns PS2
  4. Anbernic RG 40XXV Vertical Linux handheld with a 4-inch 640x480 IPS screen, one analog stick and the Allwinner H700. from $67.99 Vertical4" IPSLinuxRuns Dreamcast
  5. Anbernic RG DS Clamshell dual-screen Android handheld with two 4-inch 640x480 touchscreens and a Rockchip RK3568, built for DS games. from $94.99 Dual screen4" IPSAndroidRuns DS
  6. Anbernic RG505 Android handheld with a 4.95-inch 960x544 OLED touchscreen, Unisoc T618 and Hall sticks. from $109.99 Horizontal4.95" OLEDAndroidRuns Dreamcast
  7. Powkiddy Powkiddy RGB20SX Vertical Linux handheld with a 4-inch 720x720 square screen, RK3566, dual sticks and two microSD slots. from $69.99 Vertical4" IPSLinuxRuns DS
  8. Powkiddy Powkiddy RGB30 Linux handheld with a 4-inch 720x720 square screen, RK3566 chip, dual sticks, Wi-Fi and HDMI out. Vertical4" IPSLinuxRuns Dreamcast
  9. Powkiddy Powkiddy X55 Horizontal Linux handheld with a 5.5-inch 1280x720 IPS screen, RK3566 chip, dual sticks and mini-HDMI out. from $79.99 Horizontal5.5" IPSLinuxRuns DS
  10. Anbernic RG DS Plus Linux clamshell with two 4.3-inch 1024x768 screens, RK3568 and a built-in stylus, aimed at DS games. from $94.99 Dual screen4.3" IPSLinuxRuns DS
  11. Anbernic RG35XX H Horizontal Linux handheld with dual analog sticks, a 3.5-inch 640x480 IPS screen and the Allwinner H700. from $57.99 Horizontal3.5" IPSLinuxRuns Dreamcast
  12. Anbernic RG35XX Plus Vertical Game Boy-style Linux handheld with a 3.5-inch 640x480 IPS screen and Allwinner H700 chip. Vertical3.5" IPSLinuxRuns Dreamcast

How to choose

Dual-screen handhelds show DS games the way they were designed. On a single screen, a taller 4:3 or larger display leaves more room to stack both screens. Touch input matters for many DS games, so check that the screen is a touchscreen.