Despite the never-ending price hikes for RAM and SSDs, Retro Handheld companies are still releasing new devices in 2026. One handheld in particular is standing out above the rest: the Retroid Pocket Nova.
The mortgage screen is real
Source: Retroid Pocket’s official website
After the Retroid Pocket Mini screen controversy, the owner of Retroid took out a mortgage on his home to fund a custom AMOLED screen for an unknown device at the time. It’s here now, and if it lives up to the hype, the Retroid Pocket Nova could easily dethrone the RG477m as the new 4:3 king.
With a 4.5-inch AMOLED screen, 4:3 aspect ratio, 960p resolution, and 120Hz refresh rate, the Nova checks all the right boxes for the perfect retro handheld screen. It’s big enough to see the games you’re playing without straining your eyes, small enough to fit in your pocket, has the perfect resolution for playing 480p systems at a 2x upscale, a high enough refresh rate to do black frame insertion, and a crispy AMOLED display to tie it all together. I’ll still need to get my hands on the device for a final verdict, but on paper, this is a 10/10 screen. No notes.
A handheld I’d actually carry in my pocket
Source: Retroid Pocket’s official YouTube channel
One of the main problems that plagues many higher-end retro handhelds is the all-glass front panel. I understand that it makes handhelds look and feel premium, but it’s not something I want on an EDC device. Thankfully, Retroid decided to go with plastic for the Nova. Having those bezels is a small price I’m willing to pay to not be paranoid about putting a pocket-sized handheld in my pocket.
The not-a-Snapdragon-chipset
Source: Retroid Pocket’s official website
The Qualcomm QCS8550 chip that powers the Retroid Pocket Nova is essentially a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 without the cellular modem and camera stuff required for cell phones. It’s the same chip that powers the AYN Odin 2, a well-known, well-supported chip with more than enough power to play all 4:3 systems with HD textures and upscaling.
Not many people know this, but you can change the aspect ratio in Eden to 4:3, so you should also be able to play Switch games here without any letterboxing. Between that and the ability to play 4:3 PC games through GameNative, you should have a good mix of retro and modern games without any compromises.
A plethora of color options
Source: Retroid Pocket’s official website
Retroid is going all out with the color variations, offering seven options to choose from, and they all look fantastic. Personally, I’ll be going with the Watermelon color, but you can’t really go wrong with any of them, and there’s a color for everyone. (Except green for some reason.)
Ergonomic bumps are optional
Source: Retroid Pocket’s official website
Personally, I’m not a fan of ergonomic bumps on small handhelds, but if that’s your thing, Retroid has you covered with an optional backplate that you can swap out on the Nova. I definitely appreciate the fact that Retroid is experimenting with options for people who prefer different configurations on their handhelds. I would have loved to see a variation with the left stick above the d-pad, but this is still pretty cool, too.
As for the dimensions and weight, the device should feel like a pocket-sized handheld. It’ll be a bit on the larger side of what I consider pocketable, but I’ll take it.
Pocket Nova + Retroid Dual Screen add-on = AYN Thor at home
Source: Retroid Pocket’s official YouTube channel
I already made this joke in my Retroid dual screen review, but it’s definitely worth bringing back with the Nova. The way the bottom screen of 3DS games completely fills the Nova’s 4:3 screen makes it a very attractive option for playing 3DS games.
This is obviously Retroid trying to convince you to grab a dual-screen add-on with your Nova purchase, and I have to say, if I didn’t already have it, I’d be convinced to get one.
The ability to replace Android with Linux
Source: Retroid Pocket’s official YouTube channel
I was already sold on the device, but getting confirmation that the Nova can run Linux is icing on the cake. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy Android as much as anyone. But if the Nova gets a Rocknix build, I might flash that to the internal storage. Having a gaming-focused OS would perfectly complement the all-plastic shell and give the device a true retro handheld feel, in my opinion.
Reasonably priced hardware, especially in 2026
Source: Retroid’s official X account
Somehow, in the middle of 2026, when everyone is raising hardware prices due to the never-ending demand for A.I. and data centers, Retroid managed to stick the landing on the prices for the Pocket Nova.
If you’re just looking to play GameCube and PS2 at a 2x resolution, you’ll be more than fine with the 8GB RAM variations, which are $229 or $234, depending on the color you pick. That is an insanely competitive price for what you’re getting.
The handheld I’ve been dreaming about for the past 6 years
Source: Retroid Pocket’s official YouTube channel
Ever since I got into retro handhelds with the RG350 back in 2020, I’ve wanted a pocket-sized GameCube I could take anywhere. Over time, we did get a few handhelds that ticked both of those boxes, but none of them felt quite right. The Retroid Pocket Mini had annoying ergonomic bumps and an all-glass front, the RG 477m lacked analog triggers and was a bit too big, and the Ayaneo Pocket S Mini had screen flaws that were impossible to ignore. Every time I gamed on one of those devices, I wished I were playing on a handheld more like the Nova.
Pre-orders for the Retroid Pocket Nova will start on June 26th, 2026, and they include a free ergonomic bump backshell and a tempered glass screen protector. If you previously ordered the Retroid Pocket Mini v1 from Retroid, you can also use code V1SAVE3 to save $3 on your purchase.
