Gaming is one of modern life’s great pleasures, whether you love simple and cheerful platformers, or you’re more into intense competitive multiplayer titles.

  • Best games console: Should you get an Xbox, PlayStation or Nintendo Switch?

It’s even better when you can enjoy them on the go, and handheld games consoles have been hugely popular for decades now and they show no sign of stopping. We’ve gathered some of the very best you can pick up, for you to check out - right now.

Our guide to the best gaming handhelds to buy today

For

  • All-handheld So well-made Great games

Against

  • Can’t be docked

Nintendo’s pared-down version of its supreme Switch is an absolutely beautiful handheld console, quite possibly the best one ever released.

With the Nintendo Switch Lite you get access to a huge library of excellent games, including many from past generations, and its big screen is perfect for playing them on.

  • Amazing new display Same superb library Dockable to TVs

  • Pricier

If the Switch’s lineup of games is attractive to you, but you want the flexibility of being able to dock the console for static play, then the OLED model is the best pick for you.

The new and upgraded display is a huge success, and makes games look their best, while increased storage and battery life are also welcome.

  • Some truly great games So portable Well-made

  • Ageing all the time

The 3DS generation from Nintendo also holds some of the best handheld games ever released, and this version of the portable console is the best possible.

You can play any 3DS or DS game on it, and there’s a simply massive library to play through. So, while it might not be the newest, this it still a top-grade option.

  • Beautiful design Classic titles So cute

  • Not many games

A retro throwback release, Nintendo has given the old Game and Watch a fresh lick of paint and sent it back out into the world.

This one won’t last forever, though, as stock is limited, so if you’d like to enjoy some classic Nintendo games on a delightful little console, act now.

  • Great value Same amazing Switch games Tried and true

  • Screen is a bit middling now

Of course, you could also opt to get the older version of the Nintendo Switch, which can very much be a handheld console first and foremost and is more affordable than the OLED version.

It’s got all the same games as the OLED and Lite, and fits right in the middle of them from a pricing point of view.

How to pick your next handheld games console

There have been a huge number of portable games consoles down the years, so here are some handy questions to help you pick the right option.

Do you want to play new games?

Are you on the lookout for a new handheld that can play games that are coming out right now? In that case, your options are severely limited since Nintendo’s Switch systems are basically the only ones getting current releases on their release date, and even then they’re often delayed behind the other console versions.

Do you want it handheld-only?

If you are happy to play exclusively on the go, then you have loads of options, but if you want a console that can also plug into a TV, whether in a dock or not, then you might want to make sure you pick one up that has that capability, which makes the Switch again a great choice.

Do you love retro games?

There is a huge world out there of emulators and third-party handhelds that let you load up games onto them to play titles that aren’t as easy to access anymore, and while we’ve stuck to more mainstream options in our list, it’s worth a web search to see if one would work for you.