best retro handheld for arcade games: UK screen choices

Why are arcade handhelds back in the news?

Arcade handhelds are back in the news because licensed, arcade-heavy devices are being announced again, and that has reminded people how well short arcade games fit portable play. T3 reported on 30 October 2026 that My Arcade’s Gamestation Retro Go is planned with 200 fully licensed games, although the UK release was still unclear at the time of that report.

That matters because arcade games ask for something slightly different from a handheld. A good arcade handheld should start quickly, handle short rounds, and make vertical or square-ish layouts feel natural. Fighters, shooters and score-chasers such as Ultimate Mortal Kombat III, Ghouls’n Ghosts, Rod Land, Solomon no Kagi and Hydro Thunder do not all benefit from the same screen shape.

For UK shoppers, the big question is not just whether a machine has arcade games on it. It is whether the screen, controls and play style match the kind of arcade games you actually want to play. That is where the R36S Ultra makes the strongest case as an arcade-first handheld.

What screen shape is best for arcade games?

A square screen is usually the best all-round screen shape for arcade games because it gives older arcade layouts more usable space without forcing everything into a narrow widescreen frame. The R36S Ultra uses a 4-inch 720x720 IPS display, which is why we like it most for arcade play.

Many arcade games were not built around modern widescreen televisions. Some suit a 4:3 frame, some were vertical, and some feel more comfortable when the handheld has extra height to work with. A 1:1 style screen gives you that flexibility. It is also useful for Neo Geo, Genesis and SNES games where crisp 2D pixel art matters more than filling every millimetre of a widescreen panel.

The standard R36S is still a strong choice because its 3.5-inch 640x480 IPS screen suits many classic home console and arcade-style games. It is the better value pick if you want a broad portable library rather than the most arcade-friendly screen. If you want a deeper screen guide by system, our SNES screen shape guide covers why aspect ratio matters so much for older games.

Which GameBro console is best for arcade games?

The R36S Ultra is the best GameBro handheld for arcade games, while the R36S is the value pick and the X2 Plus is the best TV option. We would choose based on where you play: pocket, sofa or family multiplayer.

The R36S Ultra is rated 4.9 out of 5 from 50 reviews, and it fits the search for a portable arcade games console better than most budget handhelds because of that square screen. The standard R36S is rated 4.8 out of 5 from 200 reviews and remains the sensible buy if you mainly want variety, long play sessions and a lower entry price.

For the living room, the X2 Plus is a different answer. It is not a handheld, but as a retro arcade game stick it makes sense for quick rounds on a TV, especially with fighting games and shared score-chasing. Our X2 Game Stick review explains the TV angle in more detail.

Do arcade games need WiFi or subscriptions to play?

No, arcade games on these consoles do not need WiFi or a subscription to play. Every GameBro console arrives with games pre-loaded on a microSD card, ready to play, with no setup, no WiFi and no subscription needed.

That is one reason arcade games work so well on a handheld. You can turn the console on, play a few rounds, and put it down again. The R36S Ultra does include WiFi, but you do not need to use WiFi just to play the pre-loaded library.

The handhelds cover systems including Arcade, Neo Geo, Genesis and SNES, alongside many others. If you want to browse the wider type of games people look for before choosing a console, the games page is a useful next stop.

Should you choose a handheld or TV arcade console?

Choose a handheld if you want solo arcade games anywhere, and choose a TV arcade console if you want multiplayer on the sofa. Arcade games are often quick and replayable, so both formats make sense, but they suit different habits.

• Choose R36S Ultra if you want the best arcade screen in a portable format, especially for vertical shooters and older arcade layouts.
• Choose R36S if you want the best value preloaded arcade handheld with a broad multi-system library.
• Choose R36S Max if you like the square 720x720 screen idea but want the larger 4000mAh battery listed for that model.
• Choose X2 Plus 2P if you mainly want two-player arcade sessions on a TV through HDMI.
• Choose X2 Plus 4P if family multiplayer matters more than pocket play.

Delivery also matters when buying in the UK. Standard Delivery is free and takes 2–3 working days, while Next Day Delivery costs £4.99. Every console has a 12-month warranty and 30-day returns, which is useful if you are buying one as a gift or comparing screen sizes at home.

What is the best buy for most UK arcade fans?

For most UK arcade fans, we would buy the R36S Ultra first because the square 4-inch 720x720 IPS screen is the clearest advantage for arcade games. It is the model that best matches the current arcade handheld trend without waiting on an unclear UK release for a new licensed device.

The R36S still deserves a serious look if budget is the priority. It has a 3.5-inch 640x480 IPS screen, 128GB storage, a 3500mAh battery listed for 6+ hours, and a huge pre-loaded library across 20+ systems. It is also the model to consider if you are buying more than one, as the R36S multi-buy offer drops every unit by 10% when buying 2, rising in steps to 25% off at 5 or more of the same model, with colours pooling together.

If the phrase TV retro arcade console sounds more like what you want, go X2 Plus instead. The 2-controller version is rated 4.7 out of 5 from 100 reviews, while the 4-controller version is rated 4.7 out of 5 from 100 reviews. That is the better route for couch fighters, family games and quick score battles on a big screen.

The verdict

The best retro handheld for arcade games is the R36S Ultra because its square 4-inch 720x720 IPS screen is the most arcade-friendly option in the GameBro range. Choose the R36S if value matters most, or the X2 Plus if you want arcade sessions on the TV with controllers.

Read next: GameBro R36S Ultra Review: Premium Retro Gaming Experience, GameBro X2 Game Stick: Turn Any TV Into a Retro Arcade, Best Retro Gaming Handheld UK 2026: Complete Buyer's Guide or Best Mega Drive Games to Play on a Retro Handheld (2026).