Handheld electronic game systems

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Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections. Although it seems like everyone is gaming on their smartphones these days, the real action is happening on handheld gaming consoles — which have come a long way since the Nintendo Game Boy.

Handheld video game consoles are now almost as popular as their TV-tethered equivalents, and the titles being released are just as compelling. In fact, there are actually more Mario titles for mobile platforms than there are traditional video game consoles.

Across the portable video game market, there are two distinct types of portable consoles: retro arcades that play popular titles from the s, 80s, and 90s, and modern handheld consoles that play games with updated graphics and current franchises. Each offers a very different experience. Retro arcade handheld gaming console s are typically smaller versions of older home video game system like the Sega Genesis or Atari They include a few dozen built-in games and usually have small screens ranging between three and seven inches.

They deliver pitch-perfect replicas of the classic video games of yesteryear, down to the last pixel. Some portable gaming systems do a lot more than play video games. Here are the features that are worth holding out for. Some gaming systems have built-in games; others require you to buy games on cartridges; and some allow you to purchase games as digital downloads.

If you prefer downloads over physical copies, buy a handheld video game console that lets you purchase more games and download them directly to it. The only thing better than playing video games on the go is playing video games on the go with your friends! Dual-screen games keep the action on one screen and use the secondary screen for secondary interactions.

For example, in a role-playing game, you may see your character avatar on the top screen and your character inventory on the bottom one. Dual-screen gaming adds a whole new dimension to gaming and a lot more fun. In the handheld console market, it can be easy to mistake a bargain for a bad deal.

Handheld consoles in this price range are great for nostalgia and casual gaming but not much else. A lot of the most popular video game characters and franchises are exclusive to specific hardware. For example, any games featuring Mario, Luigi, or Princess Peach can only be found on Nintendo consoles. Many handheld video game consoles are meant to pull double duty as both a portable video game console and a traditional gaming console, so they connect to your TV with an HDMI cable.

As you compare different gaming systems, keep an eye on which can utilize your TV as a screen. What are the differences between mobile games for my smartphone and games I can play on a handheld video game console? Games for portable gaming systems are designed to be controlled with physical inputs like joysticks and buttons. The difference in their interfaces means that each platform is great for some types of gaming but not others. For example, smartphone games are typically casual and not always graphics-intensive.

In contrast, games for handheld gaming consoles are more engaging and require more involvement. If you prefer virtual farming or the occasional Words with Friends match, stick to gaming on your smartphone. It depends on which one you buy, but in general, video streaming is a feature only found on a few models, and it tends to drive up pricing overall.

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Also available at Walmart , Gamestop , and Target. This console features a unique design that allows it to seamlessly transform from a mobile gaming device into a home game system.

When you place the Switch in its dock, it automatically switches to allow gaming on the big screen. The Switch offers entertainment in any environment, thanks to its portability and wide library of games. You can even kick back and watch Hulu on it. The console offers an extensive set of accessories , as well as five hours of battery life, and it's available in several different color configurations. If you want to game on the go, you can't go wrong with a Switch. Also available at Gamestop and Target.

It's almost impossible to find in stock, both in stores and online, and there are even Twitter accounts and websites dedicated to helping shoppers score one. What makes it so special is its highly immersive screen. It's bigger and brighter, and makes a load of difference for gamers who primarily play their Nintendo Switch in handheld mode. The 7-inch OLED Screen is nearly an inch bigger than its predecessor's, but the console itself isn't much bigger.

Surprisingly enough, the OLED Switch doesn't pack any faster chips to improve game performance, either — meaning you can play any Switch game across all three of Nintendo's Switch consoles. Besides the screen, the other major difference between this, the Switch Lite, and the standard Nintendo Switch is that the console has new buttons and an improved kickstand.

Overall, if you can afford to splurge on the Switch OLED and have enough luck finding one in stock , it's without an ounce of doubt the best Switch money can buy. Also available at Walmart and Target. This new handheld console proves that sometimes less is more. The console offers superb controls, a robust gameplay experience, and surprisingly entertaining sound. We also appreciate that the gadget is equipped with a USB-C connector for charging.

So, you can use other charging cords you have around the house. Also available at Walmart and Amazon. This collectible handheld video game console is similar to the Mario Game and Watch we just mentioned. However, rather than granting you the keys to play three Super Mario titles, you get to "visit" Hyrule instead.

Plus, it packs a clock and timer. The Nintendo Switch Lite's lightweight design and compact 5. You can order the Lite in several eye-catching colors: yellow, turquoise, and gray. Because its Joy-Cons cannot detach from its body, the console feels much more robust, sturdy, and durable than the regular Switch. The Switch Lite can't be docked to play games on the big screen, though, so if you game on the go instead of at home, the Switch Lite is the better option. An emulator is hardware or software that lets one device behave like another.

It's not as simple as just firing up an App Store to download the games, though it is super fun.