Retro Handhelds General Thread

[HyperTurboFox]

Which form-factors you prefer?
Give your reasons why you prefer another form-factor than others?

 

[DanVzare]

Personally, I prefer vertical.
I think they allow for a more compact form-factor, without everything feeling too uncomfortable. But I think it's very debatable whether either of those things are true.

What is definitely true though, is that they give a bit of space between the screen and the battery (in a horizontal form-factor, the screen has to be practically on top of the battery), so the vertical form-factor is less likely to have overheating problems. Although to be honest, I've never had any overheating problems with a handheld, so it's a minor improvement at best.

Another thing I like about the vertical form-factor, is that it lends itself well to a clamshell design. Essentially halving the size, and making a portable handheld truly portable imo. Since you can fit it in your pocket with ease, and don't have to worry about hand-cramp or eye-strain every time you use it because of the tiny size.

And of course, there's the nostalgia from owning a GameBoy Colour and GameBoy Advance SP. I can't deny that it plays a part in my bias.

Overall it's kind of sad that the industry has largely neglected the vertical form-factor. From the Game Gear to the Switch, most handhelds have been horizontal.
Presumably it's the superior design if they've kept with it, but I wonder why Nintendo gave the original GameBoy a vertical form-factor if horizontal has always kind of been the standard. Do you think it was a technical limitation? Maybe it wasn't possible to fit the screen on top of the internals without making the whole thing too thick?

 

[Matricks]

Horizon ofcourse, you can so this:

 

[beefbowl]

I am a DS-3DS style person so that makes me both, I guess?

 

[RetroCasual]

...The "GameBoy feel" of the vertical portable consoles is an important nostalgic factor to me, but I prefer horizontal handhelds because of the more comfortable use of the top triggers and the "tate" position to play vertical shooters...

 

[Deleted member 179251]

Diagonal Handheld

Post automatically merged: Apr 14, 2025

 

[HexGramarye]

Vertical, but only if it's clamshell. Horizontal feels better on my hands, but I'm totally willing to sacrifice form factor if you can close the lid and protect the screen from damage.

 

[Xdqwerty Xdqwerty]

Horizontal is more comfortable

 

[DunkeyKong]

It depends, if my hands are smaller then I'd probably pick vertical. But for now horizontal

 

[popckorn]

My favorite one is Wall-E (RG280V)

It works as Lossless music player, because it has a great amplifier for headphones.

My second favorite is RG35XX-Plus (not +) because even though it has no WIFI, it has the Vampire Purple I love even more than Atomic Purple.

As all ANBERNICS, it has a great amplifier for Lossless music playing on the go.
All ANBERNICS have great build, they are heavy, sturdy and withstand falls and accidental bashes.
MUos is a PLEASURE of an OS on RG35XXplus and it even ports a bunch of PC games using Portmaster.

My third handheld is MiyooMini+ it has WIFI and is the one I use for RetroAchievements gameplay.
I got the black one because I found it for cheap in a Mexican open market.

This one I found before the RG35XXplus, and I was yearning for a purple handheld, so I opted for modding it with French Sakura Buttons in Galaxy Purple, which go amazing with the dark colour of the console and the OnionOS theme I use "CyberOnion Atomic Purple".

Sadly the Miyoo Mini + has a shitty amplifier, so even with headphones you cannot enjoy music if you are out and about. It also is a brittle and light, delicate device that I would not like taking out anyway, I use it to play at home or office with RetroAchievements over WIFI.

Provided I walk everywhere in this little town I opt for ANBERNICS to enjoy music on the go, and to feel at ease with having them on my hand or pocket, because they are fine with random bumps and even reasonable drops.

 

[RageBurner]

Horizontal.
Just feels more comfortable because verticals are too cramped for my long fingers.

 

[Fray Guillermo]

Overall it's kind of sad that the industry has largely neglected the vertical form-factor

Regarding this, it's ironic how on the other hand, phones are still vertical (I know this is obvious because of the need for simultaneous mic/speaker) and there's a prevalence of vertically recorded videos on social media.

Also, about the topic I think I prefer horizontal so my hands aren't so cramped, although clamshell design on vertical handhelds is cool and practical

 

[RageBurner]

When it comes to this the Wonderswan is an unsung hero. Having playability in two form factors is pretty cool.

 

[Boo Man]

if it has analog sticks then i prefer horizontal devices which usually have a wider screen for psp ect
but i also like the more pocketable vertical and clamshell styles

 

[NotGodlike]

When it comes to this the Wonderswan is an unsung hero. Having playability in two form factors is pretty cool.

Absolutely goated for shmups, if only there were more of them to utilise its vertical form factor

 

[OpenVMS]

Why not a handheld that can do both?

P.S. Please don't buy a Lynx

 

[NotGodlike]

P.S. Please don't buy a Lynx

Or don't buy first revision of Lynx. That thing is a beast

 

[Dyne]

Clamshell (and therefore vertical) all day

 

[OpenVMS]

That thing is a beast

How else are you going to fit the 24 AA batteries it needs every hour?

 

[partymembervii]

vertical is my preference as it most closely resembles the open clamshell, which is my most preferred of handhelds, primarily because there is less worry for the buttons and screen when bagging or pocketing

 

[ThirdEidolon]

Honestly, I'm fine with just about any of them. I have a gameboy, gba sp, ds, 3ds, psp, vita, steam deck, switch. No issues with any and all.

The PSP can we awkward at times, though that is probably a button issue more than anything.

Post automatically merged: Apr 20, 2025

Why not a handheld that can do both?

View attachment 58604

P.S. Please don't buy a Lynx

Nobody owns one of those, anyway.

 

[Adrastia]

Vertical, but only if it's clamshell. Horizontal feels better on my hands, but I'm totally willing to sacrifice form factor if you can close the lid and protect the screen from damage.

This. I loved the SP's design. But I found the regular GBA easier to hold. Switch Lite is going a bit far though. Long console is long.

 

[BunnyLain]

I like the GBA better than the SP.
Just holds better. Even better than the DS really, which I feel sacrificed some amount of ergonomics for its pocket ability and shape when closed. Still the DS is fantastic. PSP shoulder buttons don't feel great either. Vita felt better, but the Vita was just premium through and through.

But take away the need for shoulder buttons? Vertical.

 

[Matricks]

PS VITA is GOAT innov. ahead of evertime, oled, big hi res touchscreen,mobile 3g call, dualstick, gyro, touchpad, frontcam, etc. it was too much overwelming for the mass casual consumer peeps, but Top for real tech Gamers.

 

[FlameSpice]

Horizontal is more comfortable for me