cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/25623315
Taken with my Nikon Coolpix S51 (in pink).
Anbernic RGP35XXSP on the left sporting MuOS. Fits just fine in my original GBA case!
On the right is my Miyoo Mini+ in a 3D printed hard case (from Etsy) running OnionOS.
The Anbernic is quickly becoming my go-to due to the RTC, which makes Pokemon games easier to enjoy. And being able to just flip the lid shut to sleep and power off after ten minutes is very nice. But I still vastly prefer the UI of OnionOS on the MM+.
What's everyone else carrying these days?
Important questions: What do you want to play? Do you prefer vertical (GB), flip (GBA SP), or horizontal (GBA) form factor? How do you want to carry? Is there a handheld you have particular fondness for?
Depending on what you say, there are systems of all these form factors, some pocketable, some not, and varying in power from “anything up to certain Dreamcast games) down to “stick to 16-bit generation or lower”. Some recent efforts have admirably mimicked the designs of the original GBA and GBA SP, while many have a pretty generic but effective form factor.
Want to play anything that doesn't have ads like everything on the phone. No real preference on orientation, small enough to fit in my coat pocket, liked my Vita years ago.
A coat pocket can handle all kinds of things. The Retroid Pocket 5 is very popular, has a lot of power to emulate up to Dreamcast and even PS2 generation consoles, and runs Android so it’s incredibly flexible. It’s very Vita-like in form factor and will probably be a solid Anything Device. It’s pricey, but it’s a real One and Done machine.
Myself though, I’m partial to the TrimUI Model S (also rebranded as the Powkiddy A66) and the TrimUI Smart. They are older, far less powerful, and lack L2/R2 buttons and analog sticks so you’ll mostly want to stick to pre-PlayStation for the most part, but they’re insanely pocketable. Plus they can be had rather cheaply, so they’re a pretty easy impulse treat.
EDIT: seeing elsewhere that your budget is closer to $100, you might look at anything RG__XX__ from Anbernic. The RG35XXSP (rolls right off the tongue) is much loved because it’s exactly like a slightly chonky GBA SP. Performance tops out just north of the PlayStation 1 generation, but the price is well within your budget.