The Best Handheld Consoles of 2023: A Comprehensive Guide

Since the release of the original Game Boy in 1989, handheld gaming consoles have continued to evolve and improve, offering gamers a way to enjoy their favorite games on the go.

In this guide, we'll look at the best handheld consoles available in 2023, from the classics to the latest releases, and discuss their features, battery life, price range, and most popular games.

Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console you can play on your TV or the go. It has a wide range of games and an impressive battery life, making it one of the best handheld consoles.

The Nintendo Switch launched in March 2017 and has been incredibly popular. 

Its design allows you to play with it at home with a TV or on the go via its built-in screen. It also supports local multiplayer games through multiple controllers, whether connected wirelessly via Bluetooth or plugged into USB ports on each side of your tablet-like device (called Joy-Con controllers).

Nintendo's latest console offers up many benefits over other handheld gaming systems: its library includes popular titles like "Super Mario Odyssey" and "Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild"; there are plenty more titles available; plus this isn't just another flash-in-the-pan trend like LeapFrog's LeapPad Learning Game System!

Nintendo's Switch is a great console to own if you're looking for something different than what's currently available. 

Nintendo Switch Lite

The Nintendo Switch Lite has a lot to offer, including a price that's hard to beat and battery life that can last for hours. 

It features a smaller screen and does not have the Switch's detachable controllers or TV connectivity, but it still plays games from the same library. 

The gaming experience is also good, with the ability to play modern and classic games in portable mode. Popular games for the Nintendo Switch Lite include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Super Mario Odyssey.

However, this console has some drawbacks. While it does have a lot of power under the hood, there's also no way to expand your storage with an SD card slot or USB drive (you can use microSD cards for games but not media).

There are also some minor issues with the Joy-Cons: they can sometimes disconnect when you're playing games that require them to be attached. Finally, it's worth noting that Nintendo will likely release another iteration of this device; they've done so with all previous iterations of their portable systems.

PlayStation Classic Mini Console

The PlayStation Classic Mini Console is a handheld gaming console that lets you play your favorite retro games on the go. It has 20 pre-loaded games, including classics like Final Fantasy VII and Tekken 3.

The PlayStation Classic Mini Console has two analog controllers so that you can get right into the action of these classic titles. The device also features an HDMI output to connect it to a TV or monitor for use as a standalone console and USB ports for charging controllers (two included).

Nintendo Switch OLED 

The Nintendo Switch OLED is the latest iteration of the popular Nintendo Switch console. 

It features an OLED screen, improved audio, a more adjustable kickstand, and compatibility with all of the same games as the original Switch. 

The battery life for the Nintendo Switch OLED is around 4.5-9 hours, depending on the game, and the price range for it is around $349-$399. 

Popular games for the Nintendo Switch OLED include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

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Analogue Pocket 

The Analogue Pocket is a retro-inspired handheld console compatible with a wide range of classic game cartridges from the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance eras. 

It features a high-resolution display, stereo speakers, and support for upscaling and filtering to enhance the look of older games. 

The battery life for the Analogue Pocket is around 6-10 hours, depending on usage, and you can get it for about $199-$219. 

Some popular games for this nostalgia-filled handheld console include Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, and Super Mario Bros. Deluxe.

Steam Library

Steam Library is a game library. It's also a game store, but it's mostly just a library of games you've purchased on Steam.

There are many more things to do on Steam than just buying and playing games. You can purchase in-game items, chat with friends while they're playing their favorite titles online, customize your avatar with new outfits and accessories (if you're into that), create personalized profiles for every member of your family or group of friends who use the same computer.

Apple Arcade

Apple Arcade is the way to go for those who want to experience the best handheld console.

While not a traditional handheld console, Apple Arcade offers high-quality games on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV devices. It's a subscription service where you can download games on your Apple device. And it costs $4.99 per month!

There are more than 100 games available right now, and they're all in-app purchases and  ads free. You can play offline without worrying about getting charged extra fees or having annoying ads pop up when playing a game.

Apple Arcade is a great place to find new games, too. Some original titles and popular games include Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles and Sonic Mania. Some of the most popular tags include Star Drifter, Bad North: Do Not Bend, and Jumping Joe & Friends. 

Handheld gaming consoles have come a long way.

Regarding handheld consoles, the original Nintendo gaming console was a revolutionary device. It changed the gaming experience in 1989 because it allowed players to take their gaming experience with them anywhere.

Today's options are more diverse and impressive, with constant updates, improved graphics, longer battery life, and various games.

Depending on your gaming preferences, there's a handheld console that will suit your needs. 

Whether you prefer retro games, the latest releases, or gaming on multiple platforms, there’s a handheld console for you. And we hope this guide has helped you decide how to take the gaming experience into your own hands.

Apart from telling us your favorite handheld consoles, here at Gamestate we'd love to hear about your experience with them. What games did you play? What features did you like the most? Did it meet your expectations?  Comment below and let us know!