Shopping for console handheld hardware usually lands on one question: portable only, or portable with a way to play on a bigger screen? The four retro handhelds here take very different approaches, so the right pick depends on your setup and preferences. Prices run from $30.99 to $67.99, which leaves room to choose based on how and where you want to play, not just what you want to spend.
Quick take
The four options split into three personalities. The SF3500, the two R36S systems, and the ANBERNIC RG35XX H each take a different angle, so the right place to start is with the use case that sounds most like you. Match that to the details below and the choice gets easier.
Listed price comparison
| Product | Listed price | Price bar | What it's best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SF3500 Retro Handheld Game Console 5" IPS HDMI Dual Controllers | USD 39.99 | Detachable controllers and HDMI | |
| 64-128GB, R36S Retro Handheld Video Game Console 20000 Games 3.5" IPS Screen | USD 40.99 | R36S with a 128GB storage option | |
| 64/128GB,R36S Retro Handheld Video Game Console Card 3.5' IPS Screen 20000+ game | USD 30.99 | Large game library at the lowest listed price | |
| ANBERNIC RG35XX H handheld Game Console 3.5-inch IPS Screen 64G 5K+ Games Gifts | USD 67.99 | Named model with Bluetooth |
Decision matrix
- If your priority is one of the more versatile consoles, start with the SF3500.
- If the R36S family is what you're shopping for, compare the two versions and decide which system approach suits you.
- If the ANBERNIC RG35XX H is already on your list, make sure its mix matches your priorities.
Product notes
SF3500 Retro Handheld Game Console 5" IPS HDMI Dual Controllers
The SF3500 is the TV-friendly pick in this group. Its 5-inch IPS screen is larger than the other 3.5-inch displays here, and the HDMI output plus detachable controllers let you turn the handheld into a shared-screen setup. A 64GB memory card is included, and dual joysticks, shoulder buttons, and USB/OTG connectivity round out the package. The clearest limitation is that no charger is included, so you'll need your own USB-C power adapter. If you want one portable console that can also sit next to the TV and play with a second controller, this is the flexible choice.
64-128GB, R36S Retro Handheld Video Game Console 20000 Games 3.5" IPS Screen
The 64-128GB R36S is the black 128GB version of the R36S family, and its headline is a 20,000-game library on a 3.5-inch IPS screen. It runs an updated open-source Linux system, which gives it a different software character than the ArkOS-based R36S model below. It also follows the same portable, card-oriented approach, so the focus stays on grabbing a game and playing. The trade-off is connectivity: USB is the connection option, so it is not the TV-output machine the SF3500 is. If you want an R36S that centers on a Linux system and a large storage card, this is the version to line up.
64/128GB,R36S Retro Handheld Video Game Console Card 3.5' IPS Screen 20000+ game
The 64/128GB R36S Card edition is the other half of the R36S pair. It shares the 3.5-inch IPS screen and the 20,000-plus game library, but it uses ArkOS as its system and supports a long list of interface languages, from English and Spanish to German, Japanese, and Chinese. That makes it a better match if you want a specific menu language or prefer the ArkOS route. Its limitation is the same USB-only connectivity story, so it is best treated as a dedicated portable rather than a TV-connected console. If the game library is the centerpiece and the system approach fits, this is the version to start with.
ANBERNIC RG35XX H handheld Game Console 3.5-inch IPS Screen 64G 5K+ Games Gifts
The ANBERNIC RG35XX H stands apart by putting more hardware detail on the table. It comes with an H700 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU at 1.5GHz, a 3300mAh battery, Bluetooth 4.2, and 5V/1.5A charging with C2C support. It is also the only unit here with a named brand in the title. The included storage is 64GB with 5,000-plus games, which is less expansive than the 20,000-game R36S units, so the library count is not the headline. The bundle is only machines, meaning the console itself is the focus. If you want a named model with Bluetooth and more spec details, this is the one to compare.
Final recommendation by use case
Choose the SF3500 for couch-and-TV play, weigh the two R36S models if the R36S family is your starting point, and keep the ANBERNIC RG35XX H in the mix when hardware details matter most.
