12 Classic Handheld Games That Were Way More Fun Than an iPhone
Before smartphones took over, these handheld games defined childhood fun with their simple yet addictive gameplay.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Playing games on a portable device used to involve more than merely tapping on a glass screen. Long before the App Store, these portable marvels kept children (and adults) occupied for hours on end. These vintage handheld games provide an experience that modern smartphones just cannot match, whether it was the rush of reaching high scores, the difficulty of having a limited number of lives, or the pure exhilaration of competition.
1. Game Boy (1989)
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The king of handheld gaming, Nintendo’s Game Boy was an absolute powerhouse despite its greenish screen. It introduced the world to Tetris, Pokémon, and a lineup of unforgettable adventures.
2. Tiger Electronics Handhelds (Various 1980s-90s)
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These simple, single-game LCD devices had crude graphics, but that didn’t stop them from being ridiculously addictive. Whether Sonic the Hedgehog, Street Fighter, or Power Rangers, every game was a unique experience.
3. Game & Watch (1980-1991)
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Before the Game Boy, Nintendo’s Game & Watch series set the standard for portable gaming. Each device featured a single game with simple LCD animations, which were insanely fun.
4. Sega Game Gear (1990)
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The Game Gear was a beast—color screen, backlit display, and graphics that blew the Game Boy away. Games like Sonic the Hedgehog and Shinobi looked fantastic, but that six-AA battery requirement was brutal.
5. Microvision (1979)
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The Microvision was ahead of its time as the first-ever handheld with interchangeable cartridges. It wasn’t flashy, and the screen was tiny, but it gave players something they hadn’t experienced before—variety.
6. Pokémon Mini (2001)
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Nintendo’s tiniest console, the Pokémon Mini, was a handheld dedicated entirely to the Pokémon franchise. Games like Pokémon Pinball Mini and Puzzle Collection packed quick, engaging gameplay into a device barely bigger than a keychain.
7. Atari Lynx (1989)
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The Atari Lynx was the first handheld with a color screen and a design catering to lefties and righties. It had impressive graphics and arcade-quality titles like California Games and Blue Lightning.
8. Neo Geo Pocket Color (1999)
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A dream for fighting game fans, the Neo Geo Pocket Color had a stellar lineup, including SNK vs. Capcom and Metal Slug. The clicky joystick made controls feel precise, elevating every game.
9. WonderSwan (1999)
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This Japan-exclusive handheld, designed by Game Boy creator Gunpei Yokoi, had an innovative vertical mode for certain games. It featured cult hits like Final Fantasy and Digimon, appealing to RPG lovers.
10. Tomytronic 3D (1982)
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Way before VR was a thing, Tomytronic 3D let kids experience immersive gaming with a dual-lens system. Held up to the eyes like binoculars, it made games like Skyfighters and Thundering Turbo feel surprisingly deep.
11. PSP (2004)
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Sony’s PlayStation Portable wasn’t just a gaming machine—it was a multimedia powerhouse. With console-quality titles like God of War: Chains of Olympus and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, it delivered an experience far beyond its time.
12. Nintendo DS (2004)
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With dual screens, a touchscreen, and a microphone, the Nintendo DS was pure innovation. Games like Brain Age, Nintendogs, and The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass took advantage of its unique features.