Best handhelds for PS2 emulation
26 handhelds rated as running most or all PS2 games in the reviews we cite. PS2 is where cheap handhelds stop: every model here uses a recent Snapdragon, Dimensity or similar chip, and each rating links to the review it comes from.
26 handhelds
- Full speed
- Most games
- Some games
- Not playable
- Not tested yet
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- 6″ 16:9 IPS screen, drawn to scale
- 5″ 16:9 IPS screen, drawn to scale
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- 3.7″ 4:3 AMOLED screen, drawn to scale
Prices updated Oct 22, 10:17 UTC. Shop links may be affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
How to choose
Look at the PS2 rating and its note first: 'full speed' and 'most games' differ in how many titles need per-game settings. Then weigh screen size against weight, and check whether the extra RAM of a pricier version matters to you. For PS2, a stronger chip matters more than more RAM.
Questions
Can a handheld under $200 play PS2 games?
Some can, with per-game tweaks. Use the price filter on the full list together with the PS2 rating to see which ones are in budget today.
Why do reviews disagree about PS2 performance?
Results change with emulator versions, firmware and the games tested. Where sources disagree we show the lower rating and explain the difference in the note.