BEST RETRO HANDHELD FOR KIDS 2026
Retro handhelds make brilliant gifts for kids — simple controls, timeless games, and none of the online risks of modern gaming. Here's what to buy based on age.
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For kids aged 6-10: the R36S or RG35XX — simple, durable, loaded with recognisable games. For kids aged 10+ who are into gaming: the Miyoo Mini Plus — better quality, bigger community, more to explore.
Simple games, durable, inexpensive — great first gaming device
Better quality, more games, Onion OS grows with them
Full emulation range, WiFi, community to engage with
| DEVICE | PRICE | AGE | DURABILITY | EASE OF USE | RATING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R36S | ~£35 | 6+ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| RG35XX | ~£45 | 6+ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Miyoo Mini Plus | ~£60 | 10+ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Mini Arcade Machine | ~£30 | 5+ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
At £35 the R36S is the least painful option if the device gets lost, dropped or broken — which with younger kids is a real consideration. It comes pre-loaded with games including Mario, Sonic, Street Fighter and hundreds more that kids will instantly recognise. Setup is simple and the controls are intuitive even for young gamers.
PROS
- Affordable if lost/broken
- Pre-loaded with games
- Familiar game titles
- Simple to use
- Analogue sticks for 3D games
CONS
- Build quality is basic
- No parental controls
- No WiFi
For older kids who are genuinely into gaming, the Miyoo Mini Plus is worth the extra spend. The better screen and build quality means they'll actually use it long term rather than losing interest after a week. The huge Onion OS community means there's always something new to discover — themes, apps, new emulators.
It's also a great way to introduce kids to gaming history — playing the original Super Mario Bros, Zelda or Sonic on authentic hardware (or near-authentic) is a different experience to mobile games.
PROS
- Best quality screen
- Durable build
- Grows with the child
- WiFi connectivity
- Huge game library
CONS
- More expensive
- Needs Onion OS setup
- No parental controls
For very young children a mini arcade machine is often better than a handheld — it sits on a table, the controls are simple (joystick and buttons), and there's no risk of it going in a pocket and getting lost. The 240 built-in games are simple enough for young children to grasp immediately.
PROS
- Table-top — harder to lose
- Simple joystick controls
- Instantly playable
- Looks great as a gift
CONS
- Not portable
- Limited game quality
- Small screen
Under 6: Mini arcade machine — simple, can't be lost in a pocket.
Ages 6-10: R36S — affordable, pre-loaded, familiar games.
Ages 10+: Miyoo Mini Plus — best quality, grows with them.