Revisit Your Favorite Nintendo DS and 3DS Games With the Best Dual-Screen Retro Gaming Handhelds

As a product of the 90s, it’s strange to think about consoles I grew up with—including the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, PlayStation 1, and Nintendo 64—being considered retro. Even more unsettling is that later consoles, like the PlayStation 2, Xbox, Wii, and even PlayStation 3, are considered throwbacks.

Because of how powerful modern devices—computers, tablets, and even phones—have become, you can emulate tons of retro video games on various handhelds, like the PC-based Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally, as well as Android-powered gadgets, like the Ayn Odin 3. But playing Nintendo DS and 3DS games is a bit trickier, since you’ll need two screens.

Thanks to an uptick in dual-screen Android handhelds, you’ve got several options for emulating your favorite DS and 3DS titles. Here are the best dual-screen handhelds for emulation.

Best dual-screen retro gaming handhelds for emulating Nintendo DS and 3DS games

The Ayn Thor is the best Android handheld for playing DS and 3DS for most folks thanks to its excellent value, portability, and gaming prowess.

The Ayaneo Pocket DS is the best dual-screen retro gaming device for a big screen experience.

The Anbernic RG DS is the best budget Android emulation handheld with two screens.

The Retroid Pocket dual-screen add-on paired with a traditional single-screen device, like the Retroid Pocket 6 or 5, is the best for dual-screen Android handheld for ergonomics.

Best dual-screen Android handheld for most people: Ayn Thor

Pros:

• Excellent for DS, 3DS, and high-end (Switch, PC) emulation
• Pocketable and portable
• Beautiful screens
• Powerful

Cons:

• Not the most ergonomic — sold-separately grip helps
• RAMmageddon price hikes have lowered value

The Ayn Thor is an incredible value, wonderfully balancing gaming horsepower and pocketability. It can handle pretty much any Nintendo DS and 3DS games you throw at it. Easier to emulate consoles, like the Atari 2600, Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), SNES, PS1, and N64 all run flawlessly. Thanks to the beefy Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in all Thor variants aside from the Lite model, it can emulate newer consoles, like the PlayStation 2 (PS2), GameCube, Wii, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, and even PC games using apps like GameNative.

In addition to emulation, the Ayn Thor is excellent for game streaming with cloud gaming apps like Xbox Game Pass, Steam Link, PS Remote Play, and Amazon Luna. Titles look gorgeous on the Thor’s 6-inch full high-definition 1080p main. Its high 120Hz refresh rate makes fast-paced gaming more comfortable. The 3.92-inch bottom screen still looks great, and pairs nicely with the main display.

The modest form factor is easy to slip into a large enough pocket — you’ll need bigger pockets than a small shirt pocket, but won’t need to rock cargo shorts. Because of its hinged design, the screens are protected, so you can throw the Thor in a bag or pocket without worrying much about scratching them. Nevertheless, you can get screen protectors and a case for the Thor from Ayn.

Since the Thor is a dual-screen handheld and is fairly compact, its ergonomics leave a bit to be desired, particularly for larger hands. Luckily, Ayn sells a grip to make holding the Thor more comfortable, and there are plenty of third-party grips available from places like Etsy.

The Ayn Thor is a good value all things considered, in spite of issues plaguing the industry as a whole, namely the rising costs of components like RAM. It starts at $249 for the Lite model, which features 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, but a weaker processor in its SD865, though you can still play a lot of DS and 3DS games. But higher tiers of the Thor, like the Base, Pro, and Max, powered by a robust Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, will be able to handle more demanding consoles, like the Nintendo Switch and PC game emulation.

Overall, the Ayn Thor is an outstanding dual-screen Android handheld for gaming.

Specs:

• Processor: Lite – Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 (SD865); Base, Pro, Max – Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
• RAM: 8GB (Lite, Base), 12GB (Pro), 16GB (Max)
• Storage: 128GB (Lite and Base), 256GB (Pro), 512GB (Max), 1TB (Max)
• Main screen: 6-inch 1080p resolution 120Hz refresh rate AMOLED touch screen, 100,000:1 contrast ratio, 650 nits peak brightness, 152% sRGB color gamut
• Bottom screen: 3.92-inch 1080 x 1240 resolution 60Hz refresh rate AMOLED touch screen, 100,000:1 contrast ratio, 550 nits peak brightness, 150% sRGB color gamut
• Battery: 6,000mAh
• Networking: Bluetooth; Wi-Fi 6 (Lite); Wi-Fi 7 (Base, Pro, Max)
• Connectivity: USB 3.1 Type-C, 3.5mm headphone jack, microSD card slot
• Video output: 1080p (Lite); 4K, 60Hz (Base, Pro, Max)
• Weight: 380 grams
• Dimensions 150 x 94 x 25.6 mm folded down
• Operating system: Android 13
• Official accessories: Self-adhesive stylus, carrying case, screen protectors, TPU grip, soft pouch, lanyard, TPU shell

Best big-screen experience Android gaming emulation handheld for DS and 3DS games: Ayaneo Pocket DS

Pros:

• Big, beautiful screens
• Comfortable to hold
• Runs DS, 3DS, and high-end systems (Switch, PC) extremely well
• Beefy processor

Cons:

• Expensive
• Controls can feel cramped

The Ayaneo Pocket DS is a beefy dual-screen Android handheld that can play virtually any system you throw at it while delivering an immersive experience thanks to its large screens. It features a 7-inch OLED display with a fast 165Hz refresh rate, meaning you’ll get exceptional color accuracy and contrast, making your games look beautiful, while the snappy refresh rate provides smooth gameplay when playing action and fighting games. The secondary screen is a 5-inch LCD, which is solid for playing Nintendo DS and 3DS games, or simply displaying other apps while gaming on the main screen.

At its core, the Ayaneo Pocket DS packs a powerful Snapdragon G3x Gen 2, which can handle even demanding titles, like PlayStation 2, GameCube, Wii, Nintendo Switch, and PC emulation. Nintendo DS and 3DS titles should run buttery smooth, as will older consoles, like the NES, SNES, N64, Sega Dreamcast, and PS1.

As a bigger device, the Pocket DS may be a little more comfortable to hold than the Ayn Thor, however its controls are slightly cramped, and the unit is heavy. Ergonomics aren’t terrible, but they’re not fantastic either. Unfortunately, you’ll have to pay for all of this awesomeness—the base model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage starts at a steep $579, while the 16GB RAM, 1TB of storage variant can set you back a whopping $839.

Ultimately, the Ayaneo Pocket DS can play nearly any games you throw at it, including those from newer systems like the Nintendo Switch and dual-screen games on big, beautiful, lush screens.

Specs:

• Processor: Snapdragon G3x Gen 2
• RAM: 8GB, 12GB, 16GB
• Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
• Main screen: 7-inch 1080p resolution 165Hz refresh rate OLED, 150% sRGB color gamut, 90% DCI-P3
• Bottom screen: 5-inch 1024 x 768 resolution LCD, 550 nits global brightness, 100% sRGB color coverage, 120% color volume
• Battery: 8,000mAh
• Networking: Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 7
• Connectivity: USB 3.2 Type-C, microSD card slot
• Video output: 4K 60Hz
• Weight: 540 grams
• Dimensions 179 x 101.8 x 25 mm folded down
• Operating system: Android 13
• Official accessories: Screen protectors, storage bag

Best budget dual-screen Android emulation handheld: Anbernic RG DS

Pros:

• Fantastic value
• Comparatively affordable
• Runs retro systems (PS1, N64, and below) great
• Solid for Nintendo DS gaming on a budget

Cons:

• Can’t run 3DS games well
• Can’t run some DS emulators, like MelonDS, well
• Low resolution screen
• No video output

The Anbernic RG DS might not be able to handle newer retro systems, and even can’t handle 3DS emulation, but it’s tough to beat the price. At under $100, the RG DS undercuts most of the competition, including the Ayn Thor Lite and Ayaneo Pocket DS. If you’re mostly interested in playing Nintendo DS games and lightweight retro systems such as the PlayStation 1 or Nintendo 64 and earlier. If you can put up with its limitations, the RG DS is a complete steal.

Anbernic’s RG DS is a budget-friendly device, so as long as you go in with clear expectations of what it can—and can’t—do, you should be fine. Its processor is underpowered, so you can’t play 3DS games, and even some Nintendo DS emulators, like MelonDS, won’t run on the device. Still, for mostly DS emulation as well as retro gaming emulation of easier to run systems, the RG DS is a great pick up.

Alternatively, there’s the Anbernic RG DS Plus, and while the Plus might suggest better performance, it’s probably about on par with the RG DS–it’s just a different console. The RG DS Plus has a slightly bigger, higher resolution screen, so if you want a larger viewing area, it’s a great pick. It only runs Linux, not Android, has less RAM (1GB vs. 3GB), and features a single joystick on the left side rather than left and right sticks.

Overall, the RG DS Plus and RG DS are both great for DS gaming on a budget, but consider the Ayn Thor or Ayaneo Pocket DS for 3DS emulation.

Specs:

• Processor: RockChip RK3568
• RAM: 3GB
• Storage: 32GB
• Main screen: 4-inch 640 x 480 resolution 60Hz refresh rate IPS
• Bottom screen: 4-inch 640 x 480 resolution 60Hz refresh rate IPS
• Battery: 4,000mAh
• Networking: Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 5
• Connectivity: USB Type-C, microSD card slot
• Video output: No
• Weight: 321 grams
• Dimensions 160 x 91 x 21.5 mm folded down
• Operating system: Android 14/Linux
• Official accessories: Screen protectors, stylus, lanyard, storage bag

Most ergonomic dual-screen Android emulation setup: Retroid dual-screen add-on

Pros:

• Affordable way to convert single-screen horizontal handheld to a dual-screen
• Works with Retroid Pocket 5 and 6
• Great ergonomics

Cons:

• Not as pocketable as a dual-screen handheld
• Software experience not designed around dual-screen use
• Battery on handheld drains faster than without the second screen
• High latency (around 50ms)
• Requires a separate console

While a dual-screen clamshell Android handheld is great for Nintendo DS and 3DS emulation because of the form factor mimicking the original console, ergonomics can take a hit. Enter the Retroid Dual Screen, an add-on that lets you attach a screen to traditional handhelds, like the Retroid Pocket 6 and Retroid Pocket 5.

The screen itself is an OLED, offering best-in-class picture quality with excellent colors and contrast. At $70, it’s a wallet-friendly way to turn a handheld that’s the same form factor as the Nintendo Switch Lite into a dual-screen device.

However, it’s not the prettiest looking setup, appearing like a do-it-yourself (DIY) monstrosity. Unlike clamshell handhelds, a horizontal handheld with a screen attached to the top won’t be as pocketable and portable on its own. Additionally, Russ from Retro Game Corps found in his testing that the Retroid Dual Screen had high latency, to the tune of 50ms, which is pretty noticeable when gaming, particularly fast-paced games like fighting, shooter, and action titles.

Specs:

• Size: 5.5-inch AMOLED display
• Colors and contrast: 107% sRGB coverage, 100,000:1 contrast ratio
• Brightness: 500 nits peak brightness
• Device support: Retroid Pocket 6, 5, 4 Pro, Mini, Mini 2
• Colors: Translucent White, Black
• Official accessories: Screen protector

Other neat dual screen Android handhelds

Retroid Pocket Duo and Duo Lite

The Retroid Pocket Duo and Duo Lite are promising Android dual-screen handheld consoles. The Retroid Pocket Duo Lite should be able to handle Nintendo DS emulation, while the Pocket Duo should tackle Nintendo DS and 3DS gaming. Based on its Qualcomm Dragonwing Q-7790 processor, the Duo is more powerful than the Anbernic RG DS, but less powerful than the Ayn Thor.

If you want to run 3DS games at up to a 3x upscale with some add-ons like HD texture packs, the Retroid Duo should suffice, while playing a lot of systems including PlayStation 2, GameCube, Wii, and below decently. But the Ayn Thor will be more powerful for 3DS games, meaning you can stretch to 4x upscaling and use HD texture packs. Plus, the Thor can emulate cutting-edge systems, including Nintendo Switch and PC games with apps like GameNative.

However, the Retroid Pocket Duo and Duo Lite are currently taking pre-orders, with an estimated October 2026 shipping date, so we’ll need to wait until the units ship to find out about real-world performance. Accordingly, it’s tough to fully vouch for with so many unknowns. But on paper, the Retroid Pocket Duo Lite and Duo have a lot of potential.

Here’s what to consider when picking out an Android dual-screen retro gaming handheld

When selecting a dual-screen retro gaming handheld, there’s a lot to consider, from screen size, resolution, and refresh rate to ergonomics. Here’s what to think about when picking out an Android dual-screen device.

Processor

For Nintendo DS gaming, most modern processors should be fine, but you’ll want a more powerful processor for 3DS emulation. For 3DS, look for at least a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845+, but more powerful processors–like the Snapdragon 865, Dragonwing Q-7790, 8 Gen 2, or 8 Gen 3–will better handle upscaling and extras like HD texture packs.

RAM

At a minimum, look for 8GB of RAM, with notable exceptions, like 4GB or less when sticking to DS games and older retro titles, like PS1 and N64 or below.

Storage

You’ll want at least 32GB or storage space on your device. While a microSD card helps for ROMs, some apps might not let you move them to a microSD card–though you can bypass this limitation if you format your SD card as extended storage, which makes it act like one big volume and combines with your device’s internal storage.

Additionally, some emulators might not let you store ROMs outside of the emulator folder easily, so having enough storage space internally is helpful.

Screens

For displays, you’ll want to think about size, resolution, refresh rate, color accuracy, and panel type.

1080p and 4K high and ultra-high definition resolutions can be great for both gaming and entertainment, although if your device isn’t powerful enough, it can be tough to upscale games to take advantage of all the pixels.

A fast refresh rate of 120Hz or more is nice for smooth gameplay, especially with fast-paced titles, but a minimum of 60Hz suffices.

Resolution and refresh rate are important, but you’ll also want to think about panel type and color accuracy. An OLED gives best-in-class picture quality, however, OLEDs can be pricey, and May be susceptible to burn-in if you have a lot of static images on screen–think things like a heads up display in a game or a TV station logo on screen. As such, LED and LCD screens can be great choices.

Ergonomics

You’ll want your device to be comfortable, and unfortunately, clamshell handhelds might not be as ergonomic as horizontal devices. Bigger devices can be easier to hold, but also can get heavy, and the control layout factors in as well–buttons and joysticks can feel cramped or be tough to reach.

Luckily, there are official and third-party accessories to mitigate comfort, like grips you can buy.

Size and weight

Size and weight matters for several reasons. Bigger devices can offer larger screens, may be more comfortable to hold, and could be sturdier. But larger devices might not be as pocketable or easy to carry, and could be uncomfortable during long gaming sessions.

Video output support

While gaming on the go is great, it can be fun to plug in your device to a television, projector, or monitor for big screen gaming. Plus, you can stream from Android apps like Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, Paramount Plus, HBO Max, Plex, and more. Think about if you want video output support, and if so, whether you want 4K or 1080p.

Emulation and gaming

Consider if you want to play DS games, 3DS games, or both. For DS games, modest processing power and RAM works, but for 3DS, you’ll need a beefier handheld. Likewise, think about what other systems you want to emulate–PlayStation 2, GameCube, Wii, Switch, and PC will require more horsepower, while PlayStation 1, N64, and below are much more forgiving. Moreover, think about what native Android games you want to play. Some, like Call of Duty Mobile, Genshin Impact, Fortnite, and Diablo Immortal are more power-intensive.

Best emulators for playing DS and 3DS games

While having one of the best dual-screen Android handhelds for gaming is one piece of the puzzle, you’ll need the right software to run DS and 3DS games.

MelonDS is a great Nintendo DS emulator that’s accurate, easy to use–it’s available in the Google Play Store–and regularly updated. But it requires more processing power, so some budget devices like the Anbernic RG DS might not run it well or at all.

DraStic DS is the best DS emulator for older devices and low-end handhelds.

Azahar is the best Nintendo 3DS emulator. It’s free, open-source, accurate, and available in the Google Play Store.

Best frontends for emulation on dual-screen Android handhelds

A gaming frontend lets you organize your entire gaming collection–ROMs, emulators, and maybe even native Android games–into a library with box art and metadescriptions.

Cocoon Launcher is a solid frontend that has a Nintendo 3DS menu style to it.

ES-DS is an excellent frontend for single- and dual-screen handhelds, which works well on devices like the Ayn Thor and Ayaneo Pocket DS. Unlike Cocoon, ES-DS requires a companion app for the second screen, which isn’t difficult to use, but might not be to everyone’s liking.

iiSU is a neat frontend that aims to work with dual-screen handhelds, and has a sort of DS, 3DS, or Wii menu style to it.

Additionally, there are plenty of other Android gaming frontends, including LaunchBox, Daijisho, Beacon, Reset Collection, DIG, ARC Browser, and RetroX, which may not have dual-screen support, but still work fine if you’re OK browsing on one screen rather than two.

Best dual-screen handhelds for emulating Nintendo DS and 3DS games: Final thoughts

Ultimately, there are plenty of dual-screen handhelds to let you emulate your favorite Nintendo DS and 3DS games, along with plenty of other retro systems, from oldie but goodies like the Atari 2600 to newer systems, such as the PS2, GameCube, Wii, Switch, and even PC. Plus, you’ll be able to run tons of native Android games.

The Ayn Thor is the best option for most folks, with the Ayaneo Pocket DS a great upgrade pick, and the RG DS a solid budget option. The Retroid Dual Screen Add-on is nice for letting horizontal handheld owners and fans enjoy dual-screen gaming. Retroid’s Pocket Duo seems like the best value Android handheld for DS and 3DS emulation, but it’s not released yet, so tough to vouch for.

Your turn: What devices are you using for Nintendo DS and 3DS gaming?