Best handhelds for GBA emulation

20 handhelds that play Game Boy Advance games at full speed, according to the reviews we cite. GBA is light work for any current handheld, so the real choice here is the screen: a 3:2 or 4:3 panel shows GBA games with less black border than a wide 16:9 one.

20 handhelds in this list

1. Analogue Analogue Pocket FPGA handheld that plays original Game Boy, GBC and GBA cartridges on a 3.5-inch 1600x1440 screen. Vertical3.5" LTPSFPGARuns GBA
2. Anbernic Anbernic RG CubeXX Linux handheld with a 3.95-inch 720x720 square screen and Allwinner H700. from $64.99 Horizontal3.95" IPSLinuxRuns Dreamcast
3. Miyoo Miyoo A30 Small horizontal Linux handheld with a 2.8-inch 640x480 IPS screen, one analog stick and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Horizontal2.8" IPSLinuxRuns Genesis
4. Miyoo Miyoo Flip GBA SP-style clamshell Linux handheld with a 3.5-inch 640x480 IPS screen, RK3566 chip, dual sticks and HDMI out. from $58.26 Clamshell3.5" IPSLinuxRuns PS1
5. Powkiddy Powkiddy RGB10 Max 3 Pro Horizontal Linux handheld with a 5-inch 854x480 IPS screen and Amlogic A311D; no built-in Wi-Fi. from $114.99 Horizontal5" IPSLinuxRuns Dreamcast
6. 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
7. Various makers R36S Budget RK3326 clone handheld sold by many makers with varying parts; 3.5-inch 640x480 screen and dual sticks. Vertical3.5" IPSLinuxRuns PSP
8. Retroid Retroid Pocket 4 Pro Android handheld with a 4.7-inch 16:9 touchscreen, Dimensity 1100, Hall sticks and active cooling. Horizontal4.7" IPSAndroidRuns PS Vita
9. Anbernic RG 34XX GBA-style horizontal Linux handheld with a 3.4-inch 720x480 IPS screen and the Allwinner H700. from $59.99 Horizontal3.4" IPSLinuxRuns Dreamcast
10. 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
11. Anbernic RG353M Metal-shell dual-boot Android/Linux handheld with a 3.5-inch 640x480 touchscreen, RK3566 and Hall sticks. from $117.99 Horizontal3.5" IPSAndroidRuns Saturn
12. Anbernic RG353V Vertical dual-boot Android/Linux handheld with a 3.5-inch 640x480 touchscreen, RK3566 and two sticks. from $97.99 Vertical3.5" IPSAndroidRuns Dreamcast
13. Anbernic RG35XX (2024) Horizontal Linux handheld with a 3.5-inch 640x480 screen, Allwinner H700, no sticks and no Wi-Fi. from $47.99 Horizontal3.5" IPSLinuxRuns Saturn
14. 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
15. 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
16. Anbernic RG35XXSP GBA SP-style clamshell Linux handheld with a 3.5-inch 640x480 IPS screen and the Allwinner H700. from $57.99 Clamshell3.5" IPSLinuxRuns N64
17. Anbernic RG405M Metal-shell Android handheld with a 4-inch 640x480 touchscreen, Unisoc T618 and Hall sticks. from $119.99 Horizontal4" IPSAndroidRuns Dreamcast
18. Anbernic RG505 Android handheld with a 4.95-inch 960x544 OLED touchscreen, Unisoc T618 and Hall sticks. from $109.99 Horizontal4.95" OLEDAndroidRuns Dreamcast
19. TrimUI TrimUI Smart Pro Horizontal Linux handheld with a 4.96-inch 720p IPS screen and Allwinner A133P for retro systems up to PS1. Horizontal4.96" IPSLinuxRuns PS1
20. TrimUI TrimUI Smart Pro S Horizontal Linux handheld with a 4.96-inch 720p IPS screen, TMR sticks, and a faster chip than the Smart Pro. from $89.99 Horizontal4.96" IPSLinuxRuns PSP

How to choose

Pick by screen shape and size first, then by price. A vertical Game Boy-style body suits GBA's button layout; a horizontal one is more comfortable for longer sessions. Integer scaling looks sharpest when the screen resolution is a clean multiple of 240×160.

Questions

Do I need an expensive handheld for GBA?

No. GBA emulation is solved on budget Linux handhelds. Spend more only if you also want PSP, Dreamcast or newer systems.

What screen is best for GBA games?

A 3:2 screen matches GBA exactly. 4:3 screens show it with thin bars; 16:9 screens leave wide bars on the sides.