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[falconhoof]

 

[DavidGzz]

Big black Deck can play all of these games and so much more. Easy win.

 

[March Climber]

OP Please add one more option to the poll and remove the troll option (Virtual Boy) in exchange, because you're missing one of the best:

 

[Plies]

OP Please add one more option to the poll and remove the troll option (Virtual Boy) in exchange, because you're missing one of the best:

That thing is like a circumcised PSP.

Is it cleaner? Yes.

But it also lacks SOUL.

*Ok, I added it.

 

[HerjansEagleFeeder]

If I go by historical context, what the thing was at the time it released, how well it held up etc to me it's clearly the first GameBoy.

 

[Jinzo Prime]

Big black Deck can play all of these games and so much more. Easy win.

Gaming handhelds are about more than just power. Portabillity, weight, battery life, special features, and ease of use are more important to me in a handheld.

 

[DavidGzz]

Gaming handhelds are about more than just power. Portabillity, weight, battery life, special features, and ease of use are more important to me in a handheld.

They're about games to me and the Steam Deck has them ALL. Those are definitely things to consider, never had an issue. I am not one to use them on public transport or anything, I bring it to work where it can be plugged in.

 

[HAYA8U5A]

Vita by far for me.

 

[DonJimbo]

The Original Gameboy has a special place in my heart
The DS PSP 3DS and Vita are the best Handhelds ever

 

[Pejo]

I voted 3DS but the Advance SP was right up there with it. Both fantastic portables.

 

[graywolf323]

if people are really going to vote for the Switch 2 when it hasn't even been out for a week because of it's BC library I'll raise you and say the rumored upcoming PS5 Portable

 

[Topher]

PSP

Near and dear to my heart

Anyone voting Steam deck or Switch should just walk out of the thread. Not true handhelds, one is a portable PC, one is a bit closer. But the software is not uniquely made for a handheld experience even on Switch.

The last true hand helds were the 3DS and Vita. Get this portable PC and consoles out of here.

These look like handhelds to me

 

[existensmaximum]

Easily the Gameboy for me, and it's not even close. That thing was a revolution and the games library is easily the best one of all the options here.

I could pick the Gameboy Advance since it plays GB and GBC games in addition to its own amazing library but that feels like cheating..

 

[March Climber]

That thing is like a circumcised PSP.

Is it cleaner? Yes.

But it also lacks SOUL.

*Ok, I added it.

Appreciate it. I was hoping it would get a spot since Gameboy Micro and SP are there.

 

[SILKYSMOOTH30FPS]

Advance SP. That's by far the most fun i've had playing on a handheld. Golden Sun 1 and 2❤

 

[Coconutt]

To me a true handheld has to be pocketable, you shouldn't need a sling or some special case to lug the thing around. For me the SP is the best at this, with the clamshell you didn't have to worry about your keys or whatever scratching the screen. It was a thing of beauty.

 

[BlackTron]

Game Boy. They could have been less stingy about lighting the screens a little earlier, though.

 

[Jacobson]

steam deck? really? gaf gonna gaf lol

 

[PlayStaytion]

If I consider historical precedent, I'd say gameboy. Otherwise probably Switch 1 or maybe DS.

PSP is a big honorable mention though.

Yes, Gameboy Color easily.

 

[Topher]

steam deck? really? gaf gonna gaf lol

Steam Deck only has 15% of the poll my man

 

[Ozzie666]

The Sega Nomad is on the list, which is a portable Genesis, not technically a hand held with it's own unique games. Just like Steam Deck and Rog X it's a vertically slice and extension.

The poor Turbo Express isn't on the list. What do you have against NEC and the Pc Enginge/TG16!!

 

[consoul]

PSP Go.

All the goodness of PSP in a truly pocket-sized lightweight unit that slides shut covering the controls.

Can also be plugged into a TV via component for great picture quality and paired with a DualShock3.

 

[bad guy]

Where mobile phone?

 

[Alan Wake]

I don't care much for handhelds but I really liked PS Vita.

 

[Judge Magister]

I ended up voting on PSP. Awesome library of games and a beautiful design, although the analog stick sucks. Also, like the PS3, it has the best UI ever, XMB.

But Gameboy / Gameboy Color was something. And Color still has Metal Gear Ghost Babel, a hidden gem of the series.

 

[Kurt]

Nintendo Switch, and it's not even close.

This, switch 2 is just out and it's strange to include it within the poll. So you'll need to combine those numbers with switch 1 to get an idea. But it's clear that switch 1 is global wise seen as the best one and for good reasons.

 

[nial]

PSP may just be my favorite console.

 

[yet_another_alt]

RIP Vita, you were too good for this world.

 

[reinking]

Not even joking. At the time, it and the Mattel baseball game ruled my world.

honorable mention for its stealthiness back in the day...

 

[Parazels]

I think it makes sense to combine the handhelds with backward compatibility. This way Switch 2 is better than Switch 1 by default.

 

[RCX]

I like the Deck as much as the next guy but the obvious choice is the Gameboy.

The entire concept was utterly revolutionary and everything since is derivative of that initial genius. Plus: Tetris

 

[cireza]

My pick is the Game Gear. I have a pretty extensive knowledge of the library and this console punched way above its weight. Many times games felt like they were incredibly close to their 16 bits counterparts, yet this is a Master System running in 160x144 and 4096 colors.

I can't state how amazing this console is. It even brought me into game development territory.

 

[Burger King]

The best portable console would have been the PSP with a second analog stick

 

[RickMasters]

i chose PSP vita but really I think my ROG ally X is the best.

I always regret not getting a DS, though

 

[kubricks]

DS Lite was amazing back in the days. Even my non-gaming girlfriend, now wife btw, had 2 DS Lite, mostly because of the console's presentation and casual gaming appeal.
In terms of impact in gaming, I think PSP was the king. Games like Monster Hunter and Gundam Vs on a small handheld is revolutionary.

 

[RickMasters]

My pick is the Game Gear. I have a pretty extensive knowledge of the library and this console punched way above its weight. Many times games felt like they were incredibly close to their 16 bits counterparts, yet this is a Master System running in 160x144 and 4096 colors.

I can't state how amazing this console is. It even brought me into game development territory.

My cousin had one. Good little system! Game gear Shinobi and that golden axe RPG were pretty good games. I don't remember for sure but didn't the GG use 6 batteries at a time? Or maybe I'm thinking about the lynx.

 

[Baemono]

PSP, looked like it was from the future

 

[Trunx81]

Handhelds I played the most in my life:
- Game Boy Advance (SP)
- Game Boy
- PSP (go)
- Vita
- Switch
- DS (lite)
- 3DS

Runner-ups:
- N-Gage
- Game Gear
- Chicky Woggy

Spoiler

 

[Paasei]

Personal favorite is probably the Vita or the PSP.

However, to name something truly the "best" in overall experience, available games, tech from its time and so on, it has to be one of the 3 Gameboys: original, colour or advance.

 

[IAmRei]

definitively Nintendo Switch, and soon NSW 2
although i have fond memories with NDS, but NSW proofed to be my most fave because versatility two modes

 

[MrJangles]

The nintendo ones. All the others are irrelevant.

 

[ReBurn]

Probably PSP for me. I enjoyed it so much. I was sad when the disc drive broke.

 

[Physiognomonics]

I am torn between DS lite (GBA + DS games) and 3DS (DS + 3DS games).

besides it says handheld, some on that list are mini PC / tablet, not handheld console that you can really put in your pocket.

 

[Calverz]

Game boy advance. It was amazing to play virtually snes level games on the go. And it had some amazing games on it. Mario kart, Metroid zero mission, Pokemon games, doom, ecks vs sever amongst a range of others. Special shout out to v rally 3 which even had an in cockpit view.

PSP is probably a close second for me. But was let down for the lack of double shoulder buttons and the analog nub. Things that were important for a lot of games.

Those are probably the two most played handhelds by me.

In more recent times, it's definitely the Ally. It's great to have all my pc games on one device.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

My cock.

For when the Game Boy Micro is just too darn big

 

[boo]

I do not really consider larger systems to be handhelds in the way I look at them - as small compact units that can easily slip into the pocket in my pants. So systems like the GBA SP and Nintendo DS Lite would be my best picks.

Switch 2 at 7,9 inches is something I consider to be small tablet, which should be its own category.

 

[Deputy Moonman]

I only ever owned the Switch (not a true handheld imo) and a 3DS XL. The 3DS was legit the coolest thing ever with its ability to play games in 3D with no peripherals. Nothing will ever come close to it again, or at least not for a long time.

 

[Judge Magister]

For when the Game Boy Micro is just too darn big

You made me remind of an unplayable "handheld" called Game Gear Micro.

 

[Plies]

For when the Game Boy Micro is just too darn big

 

[tylrdiablos]

I've had a lot of fun with the Vita and the 3DS but my vote goes to the OG GameBoy. It paved the way for everything else.