The Nintendo Switch OLED is the best all-rounder in our experience
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Im a big fan of theNintendo Switch OLED, as Nintendo games are some of the best.
Photo:Lifewire / Jennifer Allen
Its sufficiently lightweight to take, and the screen looks gorgeous.
When I reclaim the TV, I can also connect it to the big screen via its accompanying dock.
It has all the charm youd expect from a Nintendo console.
PHOTO: Lifewire / Jennifer Allen
Its starting to show its age with slower performance on some games but its worth the longer loading times.
The only ads youll see are for Nintendo services, so its very family-friendly.
Online play requiresNintendo Switch Online, a paid service that offers emulated versions of old favorites from past consoles.
PHOTO: Lifewire / Jennifer Allen
The Steam Deck is effectively a portable PC.
Not every game on the store is compatible with the Steam Deck, but the number is growing rapidly.
Its fun to tinker with.
PHOTO: Lifewire / Jennifer Allen
This is a lot like that with plenty of nostalgic games on-board and more to be purchased separately.
Its perfect for anyone seeking nostalgia and its very keenly priced too.
The Hyper Mega Tech Super Pocket approaches the handheld gaming market differently from other consoles.
Its focused squarely on offering great retro gaming experiences.
As a retro gaming enthusiast, it was hard for me to pick the best game selection.
It feels like holding a Game Boy, and its very lightweight.
True to its name, the Hyper Mega Tech Super Pocket fits in your pocket.
There are over 45 cartridges available, providing access to over 500 retro games at relatively low prices.
Titles include Duke Nukem, Tomb Raider, Flashback, and Pac-Man.
Theres a lot of fun here, especially if youre an older gamer.
How I Test
I reviewed every handheld gaming console featured here over a number of weeks.
What to Look For
Buying a handheld gaming console is a big decision.
Its important to consider what you want to achieve.
What kind of games do you wish to play on it?
Also, how portable do you need the console to be?
Think about your budget as well, as prices vary significantly.
For more advice, read ourgaming console buying guide.
Check out our recommendations for thebest gaming headsetsandgaming controllers.
