ConsoleScout

Best handhelds for PS2 emulation

12 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.

12 handhelds in this list

  1. AYN AYN Odin 2 Portal Android handheld with a 7-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED screen, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 class chip, and 8000mAh battery. from $259 Horizontal7" OLEDAndroidRuns PS Vita
  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 Flip 2 Clamshell Android handheld with a 5.5-inch 1080p AMOLED screen and Snapdragon 865. from $189 Clamshell5.5" AMOLEDAndroidRuns PS2
  4. Anbernic Anbernic RG477M Aluminum Android handheld with a 4.7-inch 4:3 120Hz screen and MediaTek Dimensity 8300. from $264.99 Horizontal4.7" LTPSAndroidRuns PS2
  5. Anbernic Anbernic RG477V Vertical Android handheld with a 4.7-inch 4:3 120Hz screen, Dimensity 8300 and Hall sticks. from $259.99 Vertical4.7" LTPSAndroidRuns PS2
  6. AYN AYN Odin 2 Android handheld with a 6-inch 1080p touchscreen, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 8000mAh battery, and Hall sticks. Horizontal6" IPSAndroidRuns PS Vita
  7. AYN AYN Odin 3 Android handheld with a 6-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen, Qualcomm Dragonwing Q8 chip, and 8000mAh battery. from $369 Horizontal6" AMOLEDAndroidRuns PS2
  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. Retroid Retroid Pocket 5 Android handheld with a 5.5-inch 1080p AMOLED screen, Snapdragon 865 and Hall sticks. from $179 Horizontal5.5" AMOLEDAndroidRuns PS Vita
  10. Retroid Retroid Pocket 6 Android handheld with a 5.5-inch 120 Hz AMOLED screen, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Hall sticks. from $244 Horizontal5.5" AMOLEDAndroidRuns Switch
  11. 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
  12. Retroid Retroid Pocket Nova Android handheld with a 4.5-inch 4:3 AMOLED screen, QCS8550 chip and Hall sticks. from $239 Horizontal4.5" AMOLEDAndroidRuns PS2

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.