Top best handheld game consoles 2024

Thanks to decades of development and refinement, today's handheld game consoles are much more powerful than before. 

1. Nintendo Switch

Reference price: About 7 million VND

Nintendo Switch is unlike any other handheld game console we're used to seeing and is the most compact game console available today. If you're at home, you can also connect your Switch to play on the big screen. Many fans are fascinated by the Switch's compact and convenient design.

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Next, game consoles don't have good games? Don't worry, Nintendo Switch will take care of everything for you. From world exploration games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild to adventures like Super Mario Odyssey, everyone can find the right game on Switch.

Furthermore, developers have realized the huge potential in the Switch platform and have started porting old and current titles to the system.

2. Nintendo Switch OLED

Reference price: About 7 million VND

The Nintendo Switch OLED isn't a significant upgrade for current Switch owners. But if you haven't invested in any of Nintendo's hybrid handhelds yet, the OLED is the model you should buy. This version of the Switch has a 7-inch OLED screen, a sturdy stand, improved speakers and a dock with an integrated Ethernet port. Otherwise, it's exactly the same as the base Switch, which is a great gamepad thanks to its rich game library and smart mobile features.

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Admittedly, there are still a few downsides to the OLED Switch. Without SSD storage or 4K support, the system feels a bit dated. But if you want to play the latest Mario, Metroid, and Zelda games, the OLED Switch is the best way to do it.

3. Nintendo Switch Lite

Reference price: About 4 million VND

If you want an affordable Nintendo Switch experience, Nintendo Switch Lite is the choice for you.

Starting with the exterior design, the Switch Lite has a 5.5-inch display compared to the Switch's 6.2 inches. The Lite version is also lighter in weight than the regular version. Although the weight and size are not much different, when holding it you will notice that the Lite version is significantly lighter than the regular version.

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In terms of price, the Switch Lite is also $100 cheaper than the regular Switch. You can use this difference to buy more games or some accessories for the device.

However, to have a more compact and cheaper design than this, Switch Lite also has to sacrifice some things. First, you cannot connect the Switch Lite to external displays. The device has a USB-C port but no video output hardware. In addition, Switch Lite does not have automatic screen brightness mode. The Joy-Cons on both sides are tightly attached to the device and cannot be removed like a regular Switch. This is actually not a big problem for Switch users.

In addition to the above weaknesses, Switch Lite still fully supports the same games as the regular version. So if you don't have any problems with the above disadvantages, consider buying a Nintendo Switch Lite.

4. Apple iPad Air

Reference price: About 15 million VND or more

The Apple iPad Air is one of the best tablets on the market, which in turn is also one of the best handheld gaming consoles. The Apple App Store has some of the best smartphone games on the market and often gets the best titles months before Android. In addition to perennial favorites like Fortnite, Hearthstone, and Minecraft, you can also play games like Monument Valley, Florence, and Threes.

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However, what really sets the iPad apart from Android tablets is Apple Arcade. This subscription service gives you access to over 100 games for $5/month. Some games are exclusive to the Apple Arcade service; Other games you can access on Switch or PC, but not on Android devices. Sayonara Wild Hearts is an early contender for best Apple Arcade game, but What the Golf, Dear Reader, and Lifelike are also unique experiences you often won't find elsewhere.

5. Asus ROG Phone 5

Reference price: About 18 million VND

The best handheld gaming console is arguably the one you already have with you, and that's why you should consider a dedicated gaming phone, like the Asus ROG Phone 5. Excellent smartphone (albeit huge) is powerful enough to run any game on Android, meaning you can enjoy both casual titles as well as longer gaming experiences. Whether your tastes lean towards Crossy Road or Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, the Asus ROG Phone 5 won't disappoint.

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Don't forget that Android smartphones now have access to many cloud gaming services, from Google Stadia, Nvidia GeForce Now, to Xbox Cloud Gaming. With ROG Phone 5's large screen and fast refresh rates, you can play many of your favorite console and PC games from anywhere in the house - or anywhere with a strong WiFi connection.

6. Steam Deck

Reference price: 19 million VND

The Steam Deck wasn't the first handheld console on the market, but it was arguably the first to make the experience mainstream. As its name suggests, Steam Deck comes from Valve and allows you to access the majority of your Steam library natively. That means you can play almost any PC game you can buy on Steam - and if you want to try your luck with sideloaded titles, you can do that too. Steam is the largest and most popular game download platform on the web, and Valve has done an incredible job optimizing these titles for non-Windows platforms.

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The system isn't perfect, as battery life is still a bit weak and not all Steam games work perfectly. But the system also receives regular updates and new games are always optimized. With a comfortable design, vibrant display, and great performance, the Steam Deck is well worth considering.

Marvin Fry

Update 08 July 2024