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As the Switch 2’s release date crawls closer, the internet is not thrilled with Nintendo’s choices. Between reports of modding bans that could brick your console, unreliable Joy-Con performance in demos, and digital games tied so tightly to online access that you basically lease them, many gamers are looking to buy other handheld gaming consoles.
One great option is the Retropian Color, a modern version of the Game Boy Color. Not only can you ditch the poor screen quality and AA batteries, but you can also play multiple generations of console titles in one with open-source emulators already built-in (including Nintendo). The price tag is also far more friendly than the Switch 2 at $79.99 with free shipping (reg. $129).
The best of nostalgia and modernity in one console
This handheld doesn’t lock you into an ecosystem or require an internet connection. Instead, it’s loaded with support for over 10,000 games. Use built-in emulators or load your own legally acquired ROMs onto a microSD card and play titles from consoles like the NES, SNES, GBA, PlayStation 1, Sega Genesis, Dreamcast, and more. It’s like carrying an entire childhood of game libraries in your pocket.
Unlike the ’90s Game Boy Color, the Retropian Color boasts a crisp 3.5-inch IPS display, a rechargeable battery with up to six hours of playtime, and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support for two-player gaming. It runs on an open-source Linux-based system, so tinkering and customizing are fully allowed (and encouraged). In other words, it does everything the Switch 2 refuses to.
So if you’re looking for a gaming fix that’s actually fun, offline-capable, and gives you control over what you play and how, you might want to look backward to move forward.
Order your Retropian Color retro gaming console here for $79.99 with free shipping (reg. $129).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
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Retropian Color Retro Handheld Gaming Console