简体中文
EnglishWhat Is Retro Catalog?
Updated
Retro Catalog is a browsing and comparison site for gaming handhelds. It lets you filter devices by features, performance, and specifications, and it also tracks upcoming and newly released handhelds alongside a separate catalog of retro games. It is useful if you are trying to shortlist a handheld before buying, or if you want to see what is about to hit the market. It is not a store — the site presents device information and comparisons rather than selling hardware directly.
What you can do on the site
The homepage organizes the main functions into a few clear areas:
- Search — look up a specific handheld or game.
- Explore — browse the full device catalog.
- Compare — put handhelds side by side.
- Guides — curated recommendation lists.
The site states it covers 276 devices and 20,579 games, so the catalog is broad rather than limited to a handful of popular models.
Finding a handheld
The core workflow is filter-then-compare. Each device listing carries tags that describe what it is good for and its screen characteristics. From the homepage examples, listings look like this:
| Device | Tag | Screen |
|---|---|---|
| Retroid Pocket Duo Lite | Preorder Discount, 3DS | 16:9 • 5.5" |
| Anbernic RG DS Plus | PSP | 4:3 • 4.3" |
| TRIMUI Brick Hammer Pro U | PS2 | 4:3 • 3.95" |
| Anbernic RG 35 | NDS | 4:3 • 3.5" |
| Anbernic RG-55G1 | PS2 | 16:9 • 5.5" |
The tag tells you which system generation the device targets, and the aspect ratio plus screen size tells you how that system's games will fit. A 4:3 screen suits older consoles natively, while 16:9 suits PSP and modern widescreen content. This is the main decision axis the site is built around.
Guides and curated picks
If you do not want to filter manually, the Guides section offers ready-made shortlists. The homepage names several:
- The Best Gaming Handhelds in 2026
- Best Under $70
- Best Under $200
- Best for PS2
These are useful starting points when your constraint is a budget or a specific console you want to emulate.
Top Picks and Upcoming Handhelds
Two sections serve different timing needs:
Top Picks (56 devices listed) highlights currently recommended models, such as the Retroid Pocket 6, Miyoo Mini Plus, AYN Thor, Mangmi Air X, and Valve Steam Deck OLED.
Upcoming Handhelds shows what has not shipped yet, including the Retroid Pocket Duo, Retroid Pocket Duo Lite+, and KONKR Pocket Block. Some upcoming entries carry a "Preorder Discount" tag, which signals that a preorder promotion is active at the time of listing.
If you are buying now, start with Top Picks. If you can wait, check Upcoming Handhelds for something closer to your target specs.
The retro games catalog
Separately from hardware, the site maintains a game catalog with entries spanning multiple platforms — for example Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (PS2), Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (GBA), F-Zero GX (GC), and Metal Gear Solid (GBC). This is a reference index of titles, not a download source. The site explicitly states it does not endorse piracy or the distribution of illegal software and hardware, and that you should only play games and systems you own legally.
When Retro Catalog is the right tool
Use it when you need to:
- Compare screen size, aspect ratio, and target system across many handhelds.
- Find a device within a budget band via the guides.
- Track release timing for handhelds that are not out yet.
- Check which systems a specific model is tagged for.
Skip it if you want to purchase directly, read long-form reviews, or find ROM files — the site does none of those.