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Brandon Saltalamacchia profile image Brandon Saltalamacchia Updated on 12 min read

10 Best Handhelds For PS2 Emulation In 2026 (All Tested)

10 Best Handhelds For PS2 Emulation In 2026 (All Tested)
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The market for handheld emulation is forever growing, and so is our ongoing list of the best retro handhelds.

This is because the technology used to power PS2 emulation is getting cheaper while the public demand to play PS2 games is increasing, so we’re in a special moment in time where PS2 emulation is both affordable and easily accessible.

But that said, choosing a handheld that can emulate PS2 games is more challenging than expected, especially when you consider that this market can be a little shady at times and there's a wide selection to choose from.

But do not fear, I have tested hundreds of handhelds over the years, and below are my personal best handhelds for PS2 emulation from respectable and trusted brands with a history of great devices

📖 Give me the TL:DR 📖

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We do not condone the illegal acquisition of ROMs. Gamers should only use (and take) the ROM files from games they own physically. This is a review of the hardware only, not the ROMs installed.

Retroid Pocket 6

The GOAT at the moment is the Retroid Pocket 6, crafted by a company called GoRetroid, which has been manufacturing retro handhelds since 2020, and good ones at that!

The Retroid Pocket 6 carries on their horizontal "pocket" line with an all-new look, upgrades specifications, a beautiful 5.5" AMOLED display and the choice of two variants, depending on where you want your D-PAD located.

It has enough power to emulate most of your Playstation 2 games at 1.5x and even 2x native resolution, alongside GAMECUBE, Nintendo 64, Nintendo Wii and yes, Switch if you don't mind unreliable emulation via the Android application.

Need For Speed: Most Wanted at 1.5x Native PS2 Resolution

It's an all-round juggernaut and one of the better "portable" devices that features a whole bunch of power thanks to the Snapdragon CPU.

Though, I do think the design is a little bland in comparison to many on this list, but for those wanting one of the best sub $250 retro handheld on the market that smashes PS2 emulation, this is it.

Battery life lasts 4 - 6 hours, it has colourful LED hall-joysticks, flared shoulder buttons, comfortable ergonomics, back buttons and a jazzy custom front end by Retroid's Team. It's the safest option on the list, for sure.

KONKR Pocket Fit

  • Release Date: Late 2025/Early 2026
  • Pricing: $269+
  • Where To Buy: Indiegogo.com (currently crowdfunding)

The Pocket Fit is a "budget" device made by AYANEO's sub-brand called KONKR. It's all a little confusing as AYANEO launched this brand to target "budget" gamers, but this is their first device, which starts at $250+.

Then shortly after AYANEO teased a sub $100 device... So, I am not sure what's going on here, but putting that aside, it's one of the best Android handheld gaming devices of the year.

It's incredibly well designed and brings the high-end premium feel and specs to a sub $300 device, which is a reliable gaming device that can do many things.

PS2 Emulation is a breeze, and by breeze I mean 3x native resolution at silky frame rates on a large 6" LCD 1080p display with great ergonomics and great battery life.

This kinda of device is the first of its kind at this price range and brings top-tier Android gaming to a new audience. I got this in for retro gaming, but actually found myself using it for PS2 gaming, just 50% of the time, the other 50% was dabbling in AAA gaming and Android gaming on the side.

That to me shows that this is not just a retro handheld, it's the ultimate Android gaming device in a portable form factor, and it's selling like hot cakes over in China, and soon us here in the West... if you're willing to wait for the Indiegogo campaign to end.

AYN Thor

NFS: Most Wanted + YouTube

The AYN Thor is hands down one of the best dual-screen Android handhelds on the market, and it packs enough power to emulate PlayStation 2 games at 4x native resolution.

You read that correctly, 4x native resolution, making these classics look like modern remakes, and because it has two screens, you can use the bottom display to multitask, such as watching YouTube videos, reading guides or analysing performance.

This handheld features two AMOLED displays (top is 6", bottom is 3.9", a Snapdragon CPU, an Adreno 740 GPU, up to 16GB of RAM, 6000mAh of battery and runs on Android 13.

Meaning it can emulate an insane amount of consoles, it can play your high-end Android games and even stream your AAA games via Xbox Game Pass.

That's all on top of the silky smooth PS2 performance. Admittedly, it's a little overkill for PS2, and costs over $300 for the base model, but it's the device that will tick all your boxes for years to come.

And because it's one of the first dual-screen Android gaming devices on the market, it's a new way to experience gaming on the go, it's a boatload of fun, and something different. Just watch out for dual-screen fatigue.

MANGMI Pocket Max

mangmi pocket max handheld

The MAGNMI Pocket Max is the "world's first Android handheld with modular magnetic buttons". In simpler terms that means it has a DPAD and action buttons that can be removed and switched for ones that feel/sound different.

At first, I thought it was a gimmick, but this feature is actually really neat and I think Mangmi are going to start a trend here in the Android handheld space, which I am all for.

That aside, it's larger 7" Android handheld with very capable specifications when it comes to Playstation 2 emulation, for those wanting a big screen at 144Hz.

Playstation 2 emulation can be played at 1.5x - 2x native resolution at "high performance" offering great, large PS2 gaming on the go, matched with great build quality, removable buttons, large shoulder buttons and big battery capacity.

mangmi pocket max removable buttons

Mangmi are new on the block, but they've impressed us with their two handhelds, and they're putting a lot of pressure on other companies in the industry, which is good for us consumers.

Their front-end app needs a little work, but I pair this with better front-ends on the Play Store. And because of the large 7" display you can pair your PS2 gaming with Cloud Streaming and AAA Android Games with ease.

This thing is my new favourite "large" Android handheld for exploring retro and modern games at home, or on the go if you have a backpack. If you like the new removable buttons and want to take a shot at the new guy on the block, this is the one to go for.

ANBERNIC RG477M

The ANBERNIC RG477M is built for those that want something a little different, and don't mind sacrificing the weight of this portable device.

This is the first metal device from ANBERNIC since 2023, and they're turning it into a power-hungry, luxury portable handheld with enough power to emulate Playstation 2 games at 3x native resolution. Yes, 3X!

The metal CNC-machined body adds to the luxurious feel, partnered with a 4.6" LTSP display that looks crisp and is bright enough to see in broad daylight. Alongside the sturdy action buttons, LED hall-joysticks and Android 14 OS, it's a great device for those who want a metal design.

Need For Speed: Most Wanted playing on the RG477M

Inside is a Dimensity 8300 Processor, a Mali-G615 GPU, a whopping 12GB's of RAM and 5300MAHs of battery. That's some serious power for a device that can fit in your pocket. Just make sure you tighten the belt; this thing is as heavy as a Nintendo Switch 1.

However, it's now flawless, and that's because ANBERNIC hasn't taken much time to polish the UX with an underwhelming front-end launcher and a buggy setup process; it loses the charm.

But if you can get past that, and the click shoulder buttons, you'll find the best and most powerful pocket-friendly metal retro handheld ever made. It's beautiful and powerful.

AYANEO Pocket DS

AYANEO Pocket DS playing LOTR: The Two Towers on PS2
  • Release Date: Late 2025
  • Pricing: $399 - $759
  • Where To Buy: Indiegogo.com (it's still in crowdfunding)

If you have a big budget and want something incredibly unique with a lot of power and... not one but two screens, then the AYANEO Pocket DS will certainly turn heads.

It features a Snapdragon G3X Gen 2 CPU with a Qualcomm Adreno A32 GPU and a bunch of RAM, allowing you to emulate PlayStation 2 games at 3x native resolution, making it look INCREDIBLE on this 7" OLED display.

And matching it with a second screen offers you to multitask, as you can see in the main image, I am playing The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers while watching YouTube videos... what a time to be alive!

Admittedly, this will drain its battery much faster, offering between 4 - 8 hours of gameplay depending on what you are emulating. So at times I found myself turning off the bottom screen entirely to save some MAHs.

It comes with AYASpace, a neat way to organise your ROMs, and the device is Android-based based so you can play Android games and Cloud Streaming on the large display, so it has somewhat become my all-round gaming device at the moment if I want something to multi-task on.

If you want one of the craziest Android handheld emulators on the block, this is it, it's an incredibly fun device that I can't put down.

AYN Odin 2

The AYN Odin 2 is an oldy but a goldy. It was one of the first devices I reviewed that actually emulated Playstation 2 games to a high standard, wrapped in a large shell, with a big 6" IPS 1080p display and a huge 8000MAH battery.

It's smaller than a Steam Deck and smaller than a Nintendo Switch 2, and although it's not pocketable, it's certainly portable in a backpack or a sling.

Internally, is a Qualcomm Kyro CPU, an Adreno 740 GPU, up to 16GB of RAM and an Android 13 OS. It's super easy to set up and comes with more power than needed to emulate Playstation 2 games incredibly well.

Offering 2 - 3x native resolution upscaling on some games and a 16:9 display to make other consoles and Android apps look great. This is the deivce I go to if i want a mix of retro gaming and modern gaming, thanks to Android and Cloud Streaming.

It comes in an array of colours, AYN has good customer support, and it feels more like a portable PC than a retro handheld, thanks to its size. Yes, it's a little overkill, but AYN are dropping the price on it recently because of its age, so it may be a good time to snag one before the Odin 3 comes around.

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Steam Deck OLED

There’s no denying that the Steam Deck OLED is one of the best handhelds on the market. Valve has created an affordable, powerful device for the masses, and is even happy to take a loss on hardware to make a profit on software further down the line… and it’s working.

Many gamers will purchase a Steam Deck primarily to play their library of PC games, but it also has the ability to emulate most retro consoles, including the PlayStation 2.

You will need to do some research on how to play PS2 games on the Steam Deck, but once you’ve followed our guide, you’ll be ready no time, and even able to add all of your other retro games to an easy-to-use EmuDeck library.

It might be a bit big in the hands, but it’s incredibly comfortable, features a great OLED display, touch-sensitive pads and a near-perfect user experience which can be crafted to emulate almost any console you want, alongside the choice of playing your favourite AAA games on the go.

It's overkill, but that's the reason you buy it, to cover all areas, even if it feels like King Kong's big toe.

The ergonomics, matched with the affordable price and ease of use, make this a great contender as one of the best handhelds for PS2 emulation. Oh, and it will ship within a week, which can’t be said for most on this list.

AYANEO Pocket Ace

The AYANEO Pocket Ace is a premium, retro handheld from AYANEO, a company specifically focusing on luxurious gaming devices. The Pocket Ace is targeting pocketable, horizontal gaming on an Android OS with incredible build quality.

It features a bezel-less 4.5" display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon G3X CPU, 8GBs of RAM, a 6000MAH Battery and a glass front with hall-joysticks.

It kinda feels like a modern-day GAME BOY Advance on steroids, with stacked shoulder buttons and modern touches such as active cooling, gyroscope and fast charging, but admittedly for a premium price.

If you have no budget and want a device that just about fits in your pocket, this is one of the best on the market, thanks to the insane specifications and beautiful 3:2 display that makes retro games fit perfectly.

AYANEO have also crafted a stunning front-end launcher that allows you to customise settings, tweak performance on the go and organise your retro library in a beautiful manner.

It's the Aston Martin of retro handhelds, which can emulate Playstation 2 games in flawless fashion at 2 - 3x native resolutions. It may sound like a Harrier jet after 20 minutes of gaming, but the beautiful design and premium touches make this feel like no other handheld on the market.

ANBERNIC RG Slide

ANBERNIC's RG Slide is a very unique device, and is one of the first retro handhelds to feature a sliding mechanism, likely because of Sony's incredibly long patent on this style of gaming systems.

The RG Slide features a 4.7" LTSP display with a resolution of 1280x960, a Unisoc T820 CPU, a Mali G57 GPU, 8GB's of RAM and a 5000MAH battery.

That's quite a lot in this somewhat compact shell. Compact it is, but its also very heavy, and very thick when closed, which is worth noting.

The reason I really like this device is that, firstly, it can emulate most PS2 games at native resolution; the higher-end stuff may show signs of struggle, but you'll be happy with most of the performance.

And secondly, it feels like a PSP Go that slides out and reveals the awesome game pad, which features two hall joysticks and soft, resilient action buttons.

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Updated on
Brandon Saltalamacchia profile image Brandon Saltalamacchia
Brandon is the founder of Retro Dodo and has loved gaming ever since his mother bought him Pokemon Yellow for the Game Boy in the late 90's. Now he writes about his passions for gaming and collecting.

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