The 5 Best Portable Gaming Consoles
Portable consoles have come a long way in recent years. Gone are the days of burning through box after box of AA-batteries and needing a carrying case for your bulky game cartridges. The newest generation of portable consoles boasts sleek and powerful machines, with durable, rechargeable batteries and ample memory. Easily outshining the gaming potential of smartphones, these portable gaming systems boast high-definition screens, precision controls, a long battery life, and greater processing power than the Apollo 11 spacecraft – a lot more. Here, we’ve gathered five of the best portable gaming consoles on the market today, sorted to meet the needs of all kinds of gamers.
The Nintendo Switch
Are You Switched On?
In all likelihood, the Nintendo Switch’s reputation precedes it. You’re probably already aware that the Switch can transform from a home console to a mobile console faster than you can say Super Smash Bros, or how the Joy-con controllers can be used for multiplayer right out of the box. Nintendo even upgraded the hardware in mid-2019, adding a more powerful processor and an improved battery life. Some will lament the limited number of titles and the lack of web browsing, and it certainly isn’t the first choice for hardcore gamers. But for those of us who love the action of multiplayer games like Mario Kart 8 or the immersion of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the Switch is the obvious choice for portable gaming.
Pros:
- Durable build can take a beating
- Many famous titles
- Up to 9 hours of battery life
- 6.3-inch 1280×720 touchscreen
Cons:
- No web browsing
- Only supports Nintendo releases
GPD Win 2
You Might Love to Win 2
Once you’ve seen the terrifying price tag and then regained consciousness, you might begin to see why the GPD Win 2 is the gold standard for serious gamers. Essentially a laptop computer with a controller built-in, the specs on this beast are truly unmatched by any other handheld console. In fact, the goal of the GPD Win 2 was to make a portable gaming console that could run AAA games–and it can (albeit on low to medium render settings). With an Intel HD 615 Graphics card and a 2.6 GHz Intel processor, the GPD Win 2 can run the latest big-name titles on-the-go. The price varies considerably depending on the amount of internal memory you choose, but you can always opt for extra memory by using a microSD card.
Pros:
- 6” Gorilla-glass touchscreen
- 8Gb of RAM
- lntel HD Graphics 615 Graphics Card
- 256 GB of internal memory
Cons:
- Quite expensive
- Setup requires some tinkering
Nintendo New 2DS XL
The Past is Never Dead
Maybe you aren’t flush with cash, but you still want a reliable, pocket-sized console – and it doesn’t hurt if it has access to more than 2,000 games. That’s where the Nintendo 2DS comes into play. Throw it in your bag and you’re good to go. Yes, seriously – you can throw it. (What are these things made out of, NASA-grade plastics?) Anyway, durability aside, the Nintendo DS has enjoyed a long history and, consequently, has a staggering number of fantastic games. Buy them secondhand or download them to a microSD card, and you have a formidable library of games in your pocket for a fraction of the cost of newer systems.
There have been six iterations of the 3DS/2DS line of consoles, and any choice is probably as good as the next. That being said, we chose the New 2DS XL because of its price, ergonomic design, and its extra-large screen.
Pros:
- Huge library of games to choose from
- Feels good in the hand
- ~4.5 hours of battery life
Cons:
- Speakers are not very loud
- No new game releases on the horizon
GPD XD Plus
A Super Saiyan Emulator
You don’t have to be a computer programmer to get an emulator up and running on the GPD XD Plus, though you may have to do some research and watch a few instructional videos. Once you’ve soldiered through the setup, however, the GPD XD Plus makes gaming on your phone look like amateur hour. With 4GB of RAM, 32Gb of internal storage, and a Hexa-core processor, this console can run thousands of games. The 5” screen is bright and colorful, and the whole device fits nicely into your pocket. It even comes with SNES emulators pre-installed, in case you want to dive right in.
Pros:
- Perfect fit for pocket
- High processing power
- Low price for the number of games you can potentially play
Cons:
- Android 7.0 OS
- Setup may be tricky for some
Sony Playstation Vita
Livin' La Vita Loca
A pioneer in mobile gaming hardware and design when it first hit shelves in 2012, the Playstation Vita still has a huge fanbase, and with good reason. Players love the vibrancy of the screen and the responsiveness and comfort of the controls. The battery life also continues to hold its own, offering up to 5 hours of gaming or video playback. It even has a web browser and WiFi connectivity (take that, Nintendo Switch). The PS Vita was also one of the first portable consoles to release high-profile game titles, such as Minecraft, Assassin’s Creed, and Call of Duty.
Pros:
- Plenty of beloved games, including PSP titles
- Controls are responsive
Cons:
- No new releases expected
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get the Nintendo Switch or the Nintendo Switch Lite?
This really depends on what you are looking for in a game console. Although 2/3rds the price, the Nintendo Switch Lite has no external display port, meaning you won’t be able to play it on your TV. The Joy-cons also do not detach, meaning it is a single-player machine. The Lite also has a smaller screen, at 5.5” compared to the original Switch’s 6.2” screen. All that being said, the Nintendo Switch Lite is a popular choice among people who want a dedicated portable console and are willing to do without the multiplayer capabilities.
What is the best Portable Gaming Console for my kids?
The Nintendo 2DS XL is the obvious choice for parents of young children. Besides its uncanny ability to withstand falls and mild abuse, it has tons of great kid-friendly games. For those looking for 2DS games to entertain and engage their youngsters, we recommend games like Cooking Mama 4, Disney’s Frozen: Olaf’s Quest, and Nintendogs + Cats.
About the Author
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.