Here’s how the Nintendo Switch 2 stacks up against Android gaming handhelds

The Nintendo Switch 2 is shaping up to be one other smash hit for the Japanese firm, not less than till pricing is taken into account. The $450 price ticket on the console itself isn’t too far off from what most individuals anticipated, however the bounce to $90 for video games like Mario Kart World makes it a troublesome capsule to swallow in right this moment’s financial system (and that’s earlier than tariffs).

However the excellent news is there are Switch 2 options! And I’m not speaking about the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and even the PlayStation Portal. I’m speaking about Android gaming gadgets, which have completely exploded in reputation over the previous few years.

So for those who’re not satisfied by what the Nintendo Switch 2 has to supply, right here’s a fast rundown of what you’ll discover on the Android aspect of the aisle.

In the case of premium Android gaming handhelds, AYANEO is the model to beat. You received’t save a lot on the upfront price of the gaming handheld, however for those who’re trying to emulate demanding video games (together with the Switch), it doesn’t get any higher than the AYANEO Pocket EVO.

It’s large, with full-size Corridor-effect sticks flanking a beautiful 7-inch OLED panel. These two options are frustratingly absent from the Nintendo Switch 2, which makes use of untested sticks and an ordinary LCD panel at launch. Clearly I don’t have my palms on a Nintendo Switch 2 for comparability but, however I can’t gush sufficient about how wonderful the sticks are. It’s the most comfy handheld I’ve ever utilized by a county mile.

The EVO is powered by a Snapdragon G3 Gen 2, which is final yr’s version of Qualcomm’s gaming handheld-focused chipset. AYANEO has already introduced a tool with the newest Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 in the AYANEO Pocket S2, but it surely doesn’t have a launch date as of writing.

Regardless, the chipset is able to working something you’ll be able to throw at it. Demanding Android video games, emulators, and extra are inside your attain. One other of my favourite makes use of for this machine is native sport streaming, which breathed new life into my Steam library. The one caveat is that the uncommon GPU doesn’t have the finest driver assist from the neighborhood, however hopefully that modifications as extra corporations undertake the gaming-focused lineup of chips.

The unhealthy information right here is that the Pocket EVO begins at $469 for the 128GB+8GB configuration and maxes out at $669 for the 1TB+16GB mannequin. That’s much more costly than the Switch 2, not less than till you begin taking video games under consideration.

AYANEO has just a few cheaper gadgets, like the GBA-focused Pocket Micro and the Sport Boy-like Pocket DMG, however they aren’t actually replacements for the Nintendo Switch 2. They’re nice gadgets although, for those who don’t thoughts completely different kind components.

Whereas the AYANEO Pocket EVO’s chipset is usually a combined bag relating to compatibility, the AYN Odin 2 lineup presents dependable efficiency with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. That places it at the forefront of emulation, with dependable efficiency on all the pieces from upscaled PS2 to suitable Nintendo Switch video games.

The Odin 2 is available in three completely different sizes: the 5-inch display screen of the Odin 2 Mini, the 6-inch display screen of the Odin 2, and the 7-inch display screen of the Odin 2 Portal. Regardless of which one you decide, you’re getting an HD show. Solely the Odin 2 Portal has an AMOLED panel although, with the others sporting IPS and miniLED, respectively.

By way of ergonomics, the Odin 2 lineup may not be fairly as comfy as the AYANEO Pocket EVO, but it surely’s most likely going to outclass the Nintendo Switch 2’s flat design. All of them have Corridor-effect sticks and analog triggers too, so that you get nice accuracy and no stick drift over time.

The AYN Odin 2 has one other trick up its sleeve: Linux. All three gadgets can boot right into a take a look at construct of ROCKNIX, which may be loaded onto a easy microSD card. This turns it into the strongest Arm Linux handheld on the market, unlocking Xbox and PS3 emulation, each of which aren’t totally baked on Android (but).

By way of pricing, they’re all extra reasonably priced than the Nintendo Switch 2, with the exception of the $499 Max variant of the Odin 2 Portal, which comes with 1TB of storage and 16GB of RAM. The bottom 128+8GB mannequin begins at $329 although, with the 512+12GB Professional variant providing the finest worth at $399. The Odin 2 begins at $299 for 128+8GB, and the Odin 2 Mini begins at $339 for the similar configuration.

For those who’re not trying to emulate Switch and PS3 video games, you are able to do with a a lot much less highly effective gaming handheld. That’s the place the Retroid is available in. Its flagship gadgets, the Retroid Pocket 5 and Pocket Flip 2, are nonetheless rocking the Snapdragon 865, which got here out greater than 5 years in the past.

Nonetheless, it’s a flagship-level SoC, and it’s greater than able to taking part in demanding Android video games and emulating practically each console. Increased-end stuff like Switch emulation will probably be hit-or-miss, however that’s true on nearly any machine. Even the Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t completely suitable with Switch 1 video games, so the unhappy reality there may be that the unique Switch continues to be your finest wager if you wish to play Switch video games.

Aside from that, although, the Retroid Pocket 5 and Flip 2 are wonderful gadgets. The Pocket 5 has an ordinary horizontal format, much like the Nintendo Switch 2, with a 5.5-inch AMOLED panel. It’s smaller than the Switch 2, which is likely to be a great factor for those who’re used to one thing extra manageable like the Switch Lite.

The Pocket Flip 2 is much more compact, with a clamshell design that appears like a Nintendo DS—with out the second display screen, in fact. It has the similar 5.5-inch AMOLED show and Snapdragon 865 SoC, with a second variant packing a Dimensity 1100. The previous is a greater decide for emulation, although, since the 865 has mature, extremely optimized drivers. Plus, it shares one thing else in frequent with the Pocket 5, which is Linux assist through ROCKNIX.

Nonetheless, the Flip 2 continues to be below pre-order, so don’t anticipate to get one till round the similar time the Nintendo Switch 2 launches. The Snapdragon 865 model will run $229 for 128+8GB, with the Retroid Pocket 5 costing $10 much less at $219. Each are an unbelievable worth when in comparison with the Nintendo Switch 2 although, so seize whichever kind issue appeals to you extra. They each are available in very engaging colorways, which, for no matter cause, Nintendo uncared for for the Switch 2 launch.

There are a ton of low-cost retro gaming handhelds flooding the market, however most of them run Linux. ANBERNIC is one among the few that makes funds Android-based gaming handhelds, and though they are typically much less highly effective than the choices above, they’re nonetheless nice options to the Nintendo Switch.

Probably the most comparable is the RG-556, which has a 5.48-inch HD AMOLED show. That’s fairly a bit smaller than the 7-inch display screen on the Switch 2, however the OLED panel ought to function darker blacks and higher battery effectivity.

The Tiger T820 SoC isn’t practically as succesful as the earlier gadgets on our record, so it’s higher suited to retro titles up to and together with PlayStation 2 video games. Nonetheless, there’s a brand new model known as the RG-557 popping out quickly, and it ought to comfortably stretch up to Wii U and upscaled PS2. The present model prices simply $189 for the 128+8GB model, making it an distinctive worth.

For one thing even cheaper, the RG-406H incorporates a extra compact 4-inch IPS show with a 4:3 side ratio that’s nice for retro emulation. It received’t play Switch video games with the similar Tiger T820 chipset, however at $160 it’s cheaper than a current-gen Nintendo Switch Lite.

The RG Dice is one other fan favourite, with a singular 4-inch IPS show with a 1:1 ratio. This offers it a squat look that I personally love, and it’s tremendous comfy to sport on. Once more, it options the similar Tiger T820 SoC for stable retro efficiency, however don’t anticipate any miracles relating to demanding emulators. It additionally prices $160, though it may regularly be discovered on sale for much less.

Lastly, I might be remiss to not point out the machine you have already got. Most trendy smartphones can simply emulate retro video games, and flagships from the previous few years ought to even be able to emulating Switch 1 video games. That is very true if in case you have a gaming cellphone or something with a Snapdragon 8 Elite, which presents energy not like something present in present gaming handhelds.

For pure gaming, I’d advocate the Nubia REDMAGIC 10 Professional ($899 at Amazon). It has all the bells and whistles of the strongest telephones on the market, outperforming even the Galaxy S25 Extremely in our testing. It’s additionally low-cost, beginning at $650. That’s greater than a Nintendo Switch 2, but it surely’s additionally extra highly effective and, properly, a working smartphone.

To make the expertise extra Switch-like, I like to recommend selecting up a controller like the Spine One ($99.99 at Amazon) or Razer Kishi V2 ($92 at Amazon). The Spine One felt remarkably much like the Switch in my testing, but it surely prices over $100, making it a steep funding for a controller. The Kishi V2 is bulkier and retails for $100, however it may regularly be discovered half off.

In fact, you too can use any Bluetooth controllers you could have mendacity round, however that feels much less like a Nintendo Switch different and extra like an ordinary gaming setup. I’d advocate sticking with telescopic controllers, which supply the better of each worlds.