Not every great console ends up in the spotlight. Some get buried under the marketing power of giants like Nintendo or Sony, despite offering standout features, stellar games, or ahead-of-their-time design. When I think about handheld gaming, most people jump straight to the Game Boy or the PSP. But there’s a whole world of hidden gems that deserve recognition. That’s what pushed me to explore and write about the Most Underrated Handheld Consoles Ever.

Some of these systems had small libraries, others suffered from bad timing, and a few just didn’t have the brand recognition they needed. But they all have one thing in common: they delivered unique gaming experiences that many people missed out on. Whether you’re a collector, a retro enthusiast, or just someone who wants to discover systems off the beaten path, there’s a lot to love in these forgotten portables.

Neo Geo Pocket Color

The Neo Geo Pocket Color had every reason to fail on paper. Released by SNK in 1999, it entered a market already dominated by Nintendo’s Game Boy Color. But it delivered a compact, efficient, and surprisingly deep handheld experience that still holds up.

What made it special for me was the clicky joystick , a mechanical micro-switched stick that felt so precise for fighting games. And speaking of fighting games, it had some of the best handheld fighters ever made. SNK vs. Capcom: Match of the Millennium alone was worth owning the system.

The library may have been small, but it was carefully curated. Games like Metal Slug: 1st Mission, Sonic Pocket Adventure, and Card Fighters Clash showed that the hardware was more than capable. Battery life was solid too, and the build quality was excellent.

Why it didn’t catch on still baffles me. Maybe it launched at the wrong time, or maybe it didn’t have enough third-party support. But if we’re listing the Most Underrated Handheld Consoles Ever, the Neo Geo Pocket Color is at the top of my list.

Atari Lynx

The Atari Lynx was a bold entry into the handheld scene way back in 1989. It had features that seemed like science fiction at the time , a full-color backlit screen, hardware support for zooming and rotation, and ambidextrous controls. It was bigger than the Game Boy, sure, but it felt like a mini arcade in your hands.

What impressed me was how forward-thinking the Lynx was. It had multiplayer support with a ComLynx cable, and games like Blue Lightning, Chip’s Challenge, and California Games felt like legitimate home console experiences. The screen was sharper than anything else out there, even if it did drain batteries like crazy.

The biggest drawback was Atari’s lack of support. The marketing was clumsy, third-party developers stayed away, and the library stagnated. But the Lynx had the raw power and potential to change the game , it just didn’t get the push it needed.

To me, the Lynx is a prime example of a console that was simply ahead of its time, and that’s why it earns a place in the Most Underrated Handheld Consoles Ever conversation.

Bandai WonderSwan and WonderSwan Color

The WonderSwan is one of those consoles that retro gamers whisper about, but few have actually held in their hands. Designed by Gunpei Yokoi , the mind behind the Game Boy , the WonderSwan launched in Japan in 1999 and later evolved into the WonderSwan Color.

What stood out for me was its thoughtful design. It ran on a single AA battery, lasted for 30 hours, and had a vertical layout option for certain games. It was made with real care, and the hardware was comfortable to use despite looking odd at first.

The WonderSwan never came to the West, which is probably why it remains obscure. But in Japan, it had a surprisingly strong library. Titles like Final Fantasy I & II, Tetris, and Gunpey were standout hits, and the system was known for its crisp screen and clean audio.

Had it been localized, I truly believe it could have made an impact. For collectors, it’s a treasure trove of unique games and quirky design. It’s absolutely one of the Most Underrated Handheld Consoles Ever.

Sega Game Gear

The Sega Game Gear often gets lumped in with failed consoles, but that’s selling it short. Released in 1990 as Sega’s answer to the Game Boy, it had a backlit color screen, stereo sound, and graphics that looked like a scaled-down Genesis.

What makes the Game Gear underrated is how much it actually accomplished, given how stacked the odds were. Yes, it ate batteries fast. Yes, it was bulky. But the screen was gorgeous, and the game library was solid. Sonic the Hedgehog, Shining Force Gaiden, Columns, and Dragon Crystal are just a few examples of great titles.

What I loved most was the Master Gear Converter , it let you play Master System games on your Game Gear. That meant you had access to a much larger library, which made the system more flexible than people give it credit for.

Had Sega supported it longer and more aggressively, it could have carved out a bigger market share. Still, it remains one of the Most Underrated Handheld Consoles Ever in my book.

TurboExpress

The TurboExpress is one of those rare portables that almost feels mythical. Released by NEC in 1990, it was essentially a handheld TurboGrafx-16. It could play the exact same HuCard games, making it one of the most powerful handhelds of its time.

The screen was sharp and bright, the build quality was solid, and the feature set was ahead of the curve. It even had a TV tuner accessory. The fact that I could play full console games on the go back then blew my mind.

The catch? It was expensive. And it had hardware flaws , screen issues, sound problems, and battery life complaints were all common. Still, the idea behind it was genius.

For collectors and tech historians, the TurboExpress is a golden piece of hardware. It dared to do what others wouldn’t, and even though it flopped commercially, it earns its place among the Most Underrated Handheld Consoles Ever.

GP32 and GP2X (GamePark)

Before smartphones and Raspberry Pi emulators took over, GamePark’s devices were the darlings of the homebrew and emulator scene. The GP32 launched in 2001 in South Korea, and the GP2X followed in 2005.

These weren’t traditional gaming consoles in the commercial sense. They were open-source, Linux-based devices that let you play ROMs, emulators, music, and videos. I remember booting up NES and SNES games on a handheld that felt like it was built for hackers and tinkerers.

The GP2X especially impressed me , dual CPUs, TV-out support, SD card storage, and a vibrant homebrew community. These systems never reached mainstream popularity, but their influence is still felt today in how flexible handheld emulation has become.

If you’re into DIY gaming or alternative tech history, the GP series belongs on your radar. They’re easily among the Most Underrated Handheld Consoles Ever.

PlayStation Vita

The Vita doesn’t feel like retro gaming to everyone, but it’s over a decade old now, and it fits the bill for me. Sony’s successor to the PSP, the Vita launched in 2011 with OLED screens, dual analog sticks, a strong CPU, and the promise of console-quality handheld games.

Why did it flop? Poor marketing, proprietary memory cards, and lack of major third-party support. But the games were there: Persona 4 Golden, Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Tearaway, Killzone: Mercenary, and countless indie gems.

The Vita’s hardware still feels futuristic. Remote Play, cross-buy, and digital library management were ahead of the curve. Even now, it has a loyal community developing homebrew apps and maintaining servers for multiplayer.

In terms of raw potential and missed opportunity, the Vita stands tall as one of the Most Underrated Handheld Consoles Ever.

Wonders of Homebrew Handhelds

Beyond commercial releases, there’s a whole category of underappreciated handhelds built around homebrew culture. Systems like the OpenPandora, RG351, and Anbernic’s Linux-based portables offer a playground for tinkerers and retro gamers.

I’ve spent hours setting up retroarch cores on these systems, building custom UIs, and loading entire libraries of legally backed-up games from decades past. They may not have big-brand recognition, but their versatility makes them priceless tools for exploration.

For retro fans who care about playing everything from Atari 2600 to PlayStation 1 on the go, these handhelds often offer more than official consoles. And that’s exactly why they fit in with the Most Underrated Handheld Consoles Ever.

What Makes a Handheld Truly Underrated?

For me, it comes down to three things:

  • Innovation that went unnoticed
  • Quality games that were overlooked
  • Lost potential

These handhelds weren’t just “not popular.” They were misunderstood, under-marketed, and ultimately overshadowed by bigger names. But that doesn’t make them any less brilliant. In fact, the underdog status just adds to their appeal.

Final Thoughts

Hunting down and playing these forgotten handhelds has been one of the most rewarding parts of my retro gaming journey. Each one has a story to tell , of innovation, missteps, and what could have been. They might not have sold millions of units, but they earned their place in gaming history through heart, creativity, and boldness.

If you’ve only ever played the Game Boy or DS, give one of these systems a try. Whether you’re loading up a Neo Geo Pocket Color for a quick fighting game session or revisiting RPGs on the Vita, there’s a different flavor of gaming waiting for you.

The Most Underrated Handheld Consoles Ever aren’t just about nostalgia , they’re about discovery. And in a world where retro gaming keeps growing, finding something new in the past can be more exciting than any current release.