Ranking Nintendo's 5 Best Handhelds - Retro Bird
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 1 дек 2022
- When it comes to the portable handheld gaming market, Nintendo has been pretty dominant. But how would you rank them? Well, in this video I give my personal rankings as well as some thoughts on the whole situation.
Ranking Nintendo's 5 Best Handhelds - Retro Bird / Handheld Video Game Console / Systems / Nintendo Game Boy / Nintendo DS / Game Boy Advance / GBA / 3DS / Switch / Nintendo Switch / Virtual Boy / Game Boy Color / GBC / GB / Top 5 Nintendo Handhelds / Best Nintendo Handheld / 2DS / DS Lite / DSi / Game Boy Advance SP / Game Boy Pocket / Switch Lite / Switch OLED / New 3DS XL / DSi XL / Game Boy Micro
If you'd like to gain access to my retro blog or just support the channel - you can find my Patreon here: / retrobird
New videos uploaded every Friday! Be sure to ring the bell if you subscribe!
Follow me on Twitter here: / retrobirdgaming
or on Instagram here: / retrobirdmatt
#retrobird 
Игры
Games played: Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (0:00), Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (0:20), Kirby's Dream Land 2 (0:35), Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (1:44), Super Mario 3D Land (5:15), Wario Land (10:07)
As always, thanks for these !
For DS, please try "Hotel Dusk: Room 215". You'll be drawn in within minutes.
It’s funny you ended it with the Wii U pad. That’s my favorite. Lol. I don’t care it’s not actually a portable but I thought It was awesome that I could play breath of the wild in my room while the system was in the living room. Life changing!! Also. I love how so many people spend big bucks on video capture hardware and you just play your games in front of the camera. So simple yet works so well.
If you're looking for a third game to add to your DS collection, you can't go wrong with Castlevania-Dawn of Sorrow. It's my favorite DS game by far.
Also I gotta mention Final Fantasy Tactics Advance 2. It has a beautiful presentation with replay value through the roof. Just be warned, it's about as hardcore as JRPGs get.
Hotel Dusk and Golden Sun for DS are good too.
Yep! That's the game I've been considering. Should be solid with how much I loved Aria of Sorrow.
Peggle Dual Shot.
@@RetroBirdGaming aria of sorrow is the first castlevania game I've really played and I really do love it too.
Thanks for the video, RetroBird! Going through a hard time at the moment and this was just what I wanted to watch to keep my mind occupied.
Sorry about the tough time you're going through. Hope things ease up for you soon.
Can you spot the GameCube reference at the end of the video?
No, but I noticed the subtle reference to it being a portable console when you casually walk down the street. Had to watch the video 7 times to see that it wasn’t you just walking normally.
Yep. The handle
The Castlevania trilogy on the DS are some great games I’d recommend for the system. I recently finished Portrait of Ruin, and it was a really unique take on the Castlevania formula, allowing you to control two characters with separate abilities and weapons.
Yeah, picking up Dawn of Sorrow seems very likely for me at this point.
That's why the DS is number one for me. You can play all 3 DS games and all 3 GBA games. 6 great Castlevania games.
These videos are so good I am having a hard time choosing to play video games versus watching the channel. Always entertaining!!
Been anticipating this video ever since i heard you was making it!
I know I’m late,but wholeheartedly want to thank you for your “anxiety” video. I have been dealing with this my entire life. And it’s been even worse as I’m getting a little older. Also,my favorite way to play retro games on a handheld right now in 2022 is on an oled psvita that’s modded. Gb,gbc,gba,ports the list goes on! Highly recommend this! But of course for Nintendo 3DS the best experience is on the actual 3DS. But if you want an awesome experience I recommend playing regular Nintendo DS on a modded Nintendo WiiU you it utilizes the game pad and puts the top part on your TV set and the bottom on your game pad! Really awesome! Your videos help me with my anxiety! You have succeeded! Happy holidays to you and your family 🎄
I'm glad to hear you appreciated the anxiety video. It's certainly some nasty business and I'm sorry you have to deal with it. I didn't know that about playing DS on a Wii U. Pretty interesting stuff. Thanks for bringing it to my attention and happy holidays to you and your family as well.
Haven't watched some of your recent vids, but when I saw that you were doing this video I had to wait and watch. I like Nintendo handhelds myself and hopefully will get one to own myself at some point.
Also nice to see the Banana jokes are still going strong like in 0:51.
Good to have ya back in the comments :)
The Metroidvania games on the GBA and DS are stellar - all six of them! As a fan of Symphony of the Night, I was on cloud nine when I got those games. My favorite is probably Dawn of Sorrow, but it's hard to pick one.
The green gameboy was my first and I cherish it dearly ❤️
Just discovering your channel. It’s incredible.
Thank you and glad to have you on board!
always love your videos, great job.
Thanks!
I’m glad I subscribed, your video’s are by far the most entertaining ánd informative ❤
Some recommendations for the DS:
Can’t go wrong with any of the 3 Castlevanias, especially if you like the GBA ones. My personal favorite being Dawn of Sorrow, also gotta shout out Contra 4 which doesn’t get enough love imo.
For 3DS, Kid Icarus: Uprising is an absolute must play. The controls can take some getting used to, but it’s an amazing game and well worth the occasional hand cramp. The Luigis Mansion sequel is also pretty good and Star Fox 64 3D is the definitive way to play that game, much like the Ocarina and Majora remakes.
I’ll side with you on your #1. Recently got a modded og GBA that I haven’t been able to put down. I’ve had an SP 101 for many years, but yeah, the form factor of the original model is so much more comfortable. Just wish it had a built in rechargeable battery like the SP. This sucker eats thru Duracells like nobody’s business with that bright back light and the amount of time I’ve been playing it 😅
Contra 4 is a solid game for the DS, I'd say - plus you can unlock the NES games Contra and Super C which is a really nice bonus! Also, my favorite handheld is somewhere between the GameBoy Color and GameBoy Advance (both the original and SP). I do love the Switch though I tend to play it more docked than in handheld mode, but it's still amazing for what it is.
My favorite is also the GBA, but I like the SP version way more simply due to its screen being positioned above the controls, meaning that you don't need to tilt down your head as much as the regular version, which helps lessen neck pain.
Great video. I didn't have any handheld consoles growing up. After high school I bought Game Boy Advance SP (AGS-101) til After high school when I bought it @ Target in 2007
Best outro on RUclips
This channel is awesome!
Man, I've grown up with all of them so it is hard to choose a favorite. Ultimately, the Switch is my favorite, but I have some of my fondest handheld memories with the GBA. I had a huge library of GBA games and the ability to play a portable SNES was so novel way back when. It was just such an amazing little device! I still go back to play a host of GBA games as most are just pick-up-and-play!
7:54 I highly recommend _Rayman 3D_ if you haven't already played Rayman 2. It isn't the best version of the game, but it is still fun and uses the 3D pretty well. The graphics really pop when you're on full 3D and the game itself is an excellent 3D platformer.
Very fun video. Great to see your take on the Handhelds. My top 5 are probably so different from alot of peoples but these are what I own and play.
5. Virtual Boy
4. Game Boy Color
3. Game Boy
2. Switch
1. Gba
I have never owned a DS or 3DS so this is why I have the list I have. I would throw in some honorable mentions with the various Game and Watch systems as a number 6. :)
Hey retro bird, I wanted to thank you for inspiring me to start playing retro games and make retro game content you're my favourite RUclipsr :D . My personal favourite Nintendo handheld is the original DS. Btw I was wondering if you could do another video on the neo geo next?
Hey, that's really cool to hear! Definitely will be doing more Neo Geo content in the future. Not sure exactly when though.
I love the GBA, the 3DS, the DS and then the Gameboy. I have fond memories with the Gameboy, but I love the more modern handhelds now so much, including the Switch! Great episode!
I just have a top 3
# 3 The Original Game Boy it was a game changer! #2 The GB Advance SP, say goodbye to Batteries with Charging Power! Also plays all generation of Game Boy Games to that point!
#1 The Switch Lite as it plays the full potential of console games on the go! The original Game Boy blew my mind so much...I prefer to only play handheld games to this day!
I finally got a ‘New’ 3DS XL this year and man it is way better than the original 3DS XL I’ve been rocking for many years. I’ve jailbroken it so I can now play what ever Nintendo handheld game I want, from og GB to DSi, as well as NES and SNES. I can also play Sega GG, MS and MG. But like @Retro Bird I have a fondness for the GBA, mine is ips modded and re shelled with a Euro style SNES shell.
Keep up with the awesome videos Mr Bird👍
hope you keep growing champ
Thanks!
The guy is like 6'4" already. Isn't that enough? :P
@@3dmarth you do have a point. dude is tall
Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon and Kid Icarus Uprising are pretty choice cuts for the 3DS. (Though ultimately Luigi's Mansion 3 is better)
I love Nintendo handheld gaming consoles I grew up with the Nintendo GameBoy SP and even though I had a few games Super Mario World and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the past and Donkey Kong Country 1 and Donkey Kong Country 2 at times but mostly Super Mario World and The Legend of Zelda : A Link to the past were my favorite games that I had for my Gameboy SP and I had a Sony PSP which was so cool along with the PlayStation 1 I still love those gaming consoles and their games are so wonderful to play even today. The Nintendo GameBoy series was wonderful and I loved it. Cool video. ^_^
Highly engaging!
I modded my GBA with an IPS screen and rechargeable battery last Christmas and it quickly became my favourite handhelds. Both Metroid games, DK Vs Mario, Astro Boy, Advance Wars, Metal Slug are all fantastic games. I'm just awaiting delivery of my Analogue Pocket which may make my GBA redundant but can't help thinking the form factor might still hold out as a winner
Did you mod a SP or original GBA?
@@leeartlee915 it was an original GBA
@@dominicbradley8318 Then I approve ;-)
Jk. But I agree with the Bird on that system: I find the SP to be uncomfortable for long play sessions. That original GBA, though, you can play for hours. It’s one of the few things that I’m jealous over when I play all the GBA games on my modded 3DS. At least the 3DS is wider but even still. I never owned the GBA (during the time it was popular) but I did buy Metroid Fusion and borrow a friends system. I literally played that game from beginning to end in one session. That was something I could never have done with the OG Gameboy (though, again, I find the OG gameboy far more comfortable than the later revisions).
Long story short: Nintendos launch GB and GBA are the most comfortable versions of those consoles imo.
Do you mind my asking approximately how much it cost to have those mods done?
#1: New 3DS XL
#2: GBA SP
#3: DS Lite
#4: Nintendo Switch
#5: Gameboy (OG model)
No joke: I've just been bingeing some random of your vids this afternoon while I work, and this is LITERALLY the third straight video where you've told the story about the kid whacking his little brother with the green Game Boy. That clearly left an impression on you. Ha.
Hahah it's probably the three videos where I've talked about it :). Certainly not the last either.
Good stuff as always!! For me, I think I would go 5: GameBoy, 4: 3DS, 3: Switch , 2: GBA, and 1: DS. These can all change depending on the day. I feel like putting the GameBoy and 3DS so low does them a disservice but I love the GBA and DS even more. Switch is an odd one since it hasn't been out as long. They're all beyond amazing though.
I didn't have many original GameBoy games until I was a teenager and just don't have as many games for it I love compared to the other systems.
I got tilted after 3hrs of CSGO. Only thing that kept me going was knowing The Bird has a spicy release a-comin'. Not tilted anymore.
If we’re talking library, then for me I agree with your number one pick: GBA. Games like Metroid Fusion, Metroid Zero Mission, and Mario and Luigi: SuperStar Saga are some that I really like. Then DS, number two(but you can play GBA games on the DS!! Lol!!) and 3, the Game Boy(I’ve very nostalgic for those old games though, especially the Kirby ones and the first two Mario Land games). And there is even a Kid Icarus sequel that I have never played. Btw I hope to one day play that Donkey Kong one that you mentioned.
I enjoyed the gba. I got it mainly for the castlevania series but there’s other good games like final fight one . The gba classic series is a welcomed addition .
That ending ! lolmao ! Brilliant !
I'd choose the DS light. Everyone in our office has one. Lunchtime was Mario Kart time... And then in the afternoon, too. Don't tell the boss
Great meditation on Nintendo portables. While I love sharing my video games with second, third, and fourth players, I also love the reflective, personal touch of “me time” that portable consoles have always offered. Growing up, the NES, Super NES, etc. were household consoles, while my Game Boy and later Game Gear were my personal consoles. Similarly, that’s one of the reasons I love my Steam Deck-it reinvents the play experience of a whole library games once limited to other form factors.
For the 3DS I recommend Kirby Planet Robobot if you enjoy Kirby games as well as Dragon Quest VIII. Both very good games.
I own Robobot. It's awesome!
...1:30 "If the Gamecube isn't portable, then what do you call this"? T'was beverage spitting funny.
Interesting vid, I can't say I'm really into the portable Nintendo systems. I always wanted the og GameBoy but didn't get a Pocket until Pokémon Red and Blue came out. Since I keep my Switch docked I'm going to that one off the list. Between the GBA and DS/3DS, I think the GBA has a slightly better library. The best of both worlds imho, well sort of, is using a DS to GBA and DS games 😅
I've been playing Donkey Kong 94 for the Game Boy ... On my Steam Deck 😎
😂😂
My favourite Nintendo handheld is my Steam Deck! (I jest) it is very cool to have complete libraries of NES, SNES, GB, GBC, GBA all on one device along with all my favourites from N64, PSP, PS1 plus Genesis, TurboGrafx and more on top of my steam library, my Epic library and GoG too. I digress. If I was SERIOUSLY answering your question I’d say the *New 3DS XL is Nintendo’s best handheld simply because the combination of the DS and 3DS libraries is simply unmatched. The Switch would be my second choice and the screen modded original GBA would be my third.
I love the flip grip. I mainly got it for pinball. And yes I got the Oled recently and does go on but the volume up gets pressed sometimes. If they make a new version I'd definitely get that one
5. 3DS - Good system but wasn't really a fan of it. Library wasn't the strongest IMO and some of the 3D felt gimmicky.
4. DS - Great library with several series carrying over from the GBA. Touch screen added a new creative way to play.
3. GBC - Finally allowed us to play games in color. It had a short life but the games that were released on it were great.
2. GB - The OG brick was basically a portable NES. Tons of classics and it become a pop culture phenomenon. It made handheld gaming what it is today.
1. GBA - This was basically the SNES 2 and has one of the best libraries ever. The fact that it's BC with GB and GBC games made it ever better. I doubt another handheld will be able to top it.
If there's any game I feel I must recommend to people looking to expand theur DS library, it's Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure.
I think I would put the GBA at the top of my list if you really like retro games. Sure it's not as old as the original GB, but is has the classic feel to gameplay and the rereleased games are nice to have. I've got a SP that gets a bit of love but having a GB micro is super cool. The screen is just so damn small 🤣
I also think the 3ds is a great console. Sure the DS could do GBA carts, but the 3ds feels like a modern, capable handheld and it's pretty well thought out. I love my galaxy model. I don't have a huge handheld collection of games (mostly have them to keep me preoccupied on flights), but there are great options in all the genres.
While not Nintendo, or retro for that matter, something I'd love for you to check out and share your thoughts on is the Playdate handheld by Panic. It's quirky, fun and really loves yellow... Yeah, kinda reminds me of someone... ;)
5.Nintendo Switch it's a great hybrid system.
4.3Ds had a awesome library of games WarioWare Gold,Monster Hunter Stories,and New Super Mario Bros 2 being my favorites.
3.GB Never played it but watched Scott the Woz played it the console is a historic artifact to be treated as such not to mention Tetris started on it.
2.GBA I played this most during my childhood when I was around 4 and 5 in my pre school years.
1.The DS my favorite all time Nintendo Handheld I got the DS Lite still have it yes it may be bad condition now but I remember using Picdochat,playing my GBA games on it,playing RPGs like Fossil Fighters and Pokemon Platinum,and the car trips was fun. My DS Lite still works to this day which is insane since the battery on my 3Ds died on 2021.
My Top 3 over the years are...
#3 Nintendo Switch
#2 NEW 3DS XL
#1 Gameboy Advance SP.
I use them all pretty often to this day. Robust and unique libraries and game gimmicks best suited to each respective console.
The banana jokes remain as fresh as a still kinda green banana
For DS, check out Star Fox Command. It's one of the only 2 games I had for DS and I thought it was excellent. The online mode was really fun back in the day.
Gamer to gamer, if you like the Castlevania franchise at all, the ones on DS are excellent!
Dawn of Sorrow here I come...
The GBC was attached to my hip while in my younger years, quite literally, because I had one of those 90s fanny packs for it. But man it is hard to deny the awesomeness that was GBA. Only thing is there was so much shovelware on the gba whereas the gameboy kept it to a minimum.
It's a very difficult question, as I love all Nintendo handhelds a great deal. Each one has some incredible games. The obvious answer for the best one is the Switch, as it has the most games with the most features... but my heart belongs to the 3DS. It was some really good games, but you can play all DS games on it (which probably has my actual favorite line-up), quite some downloadable original games including ones for the DSiWare, and of course has Virtual Console support for the GB, GBC (and GBA with the ambassador versions), and some other consoles as well. It's also crazy portable, the menu and the activity log are great, and streetpass is really fun. The 3D effect is a nice novelty as well.
Fun fact that probably isn’t too well known, you are playing a New 3DS XL. There was in fact a New 3DS that isn’t XL!
Everyone recommends the Castlevania games on the DS, and they aren’t wrong, as those games are great. But, I’m going to recommend Alien Infestation.
Thanks for another great video!
GBC holds the dearest place in my heart as my first handheld. My issue with the switch as a handheld is alot of games are designed for the big screen and not the 7" in mind, so alot of the time for most games I have to play in dock mode before playing in handheld so I don't lose the details. My list would be though :
5 NDS
4 3DS
3 GB/GBC
2 SWITCH
1 GBA
I wasn't really that into the portable systems until I got a Sega game gear , now I have a love for them. Sega game gear will always be my no. 1, my second would be the DS, my thirds is new 3DS and my fourth would the GBA. As for the fifth sticking and I'm with sticking retro here the PSP because I use like an MP3 player now. The Switch and Switch lite are fine but I think of the Sega Nomad when playing those two. Back wards compatibility is what I like most from the GBA , DS and 3DS .
Thanks for the vid! Always a solid Friday with a new Retro Bird video! Have you researched playing Nintendo DS games on a DSI-XL, instead of a 3DS? They look amazing on a DSI-XL, and while I haven't personally played DS games on a 3DS, all of my research on this topic has taught me that DS games played on a 3DS have a slightly distorted image, because the pixels are stretched to account for the higher pixel count on the 3DS. Thoughts?
I think there's a setting you can change to restore the original resolution. It's smaller on screen, but accurate from what I understand.
@@RetroBirdGaming Ahh, my education continues. Many thanks man!
I've never played an original Gameboy or a Gameboy colour, so my top three would have to be:
4. Gameboy Advance
(never tried the SP, would love to get my hands on one to relive the Gameboy era, but I have so much nostalgia for the Advance despite my constant struggles with the lack of backlight as a kid lol)
3. Switch
(I rarely use it as a handheld because I think it's ten times better as a regular console, the novelty if the Switch excited me and it has some of my favourite games, not to mention that it's a way to play TONS of retro games! but I'm not impressed with how breakable it is in comparison to older Nintendo consoles, not to mention the lackluster screen on the original models :( I'm only counting the Switch as a handheld because Retro Bird has in his list)
2. DSi XL
(nostalgia bias incoming! I loved everything about this system, the big screen, the game library, the camera with all the photo decortion options, everything! I've always been super creative, and my first DSi had Flipnote Studio, aka nostalgia in an orange frog-shaped package :) it was even better when I upgraded to the XL, I'd spend hours making flipnotes, drawing on photos, and playing DS games, my favourite at the time being Mario VS Donkey Kong. I remember going through a lot of these though, and rendering the touch screen on my first DSi XL useless :( I'd rank this as my first if I only had one or two, but I definitely had 3, and would've havd 4 if I didn't get a DS Lite instead)
1. New Nintendo 3DS XL
(I have, have always had, and still use my trusty 2DS, and will always love that thing to bits, but when my ex let me borrow her New 3DS XL, it was *game changing*. like Retro Bird said, that good 3D is amazing, it really adds to the games on there, and if you're tired of it, you can just turn it off. it has a damn solid game library AND you can still play DS games on it! I also got Flipnote Studio 3D for my 2DS, so I nearly cried tears of nostalgia when I first downloaded that lol, wish it wasn't a My Nintedo exclusive :( I'd upgrade to a New 3DS XL, but that would be a huge act of betrayal to my unstoppable red and white 2DS (okay, it was stopped by one thing, glitter. but I opened it up and fixed it, good as new!)
that's my personal ranking, I really enjoyed the video! it really makes me want to get my hands on a Gameboy Advance again, especially if I could get it with a backlight mod or get the SP
cool video as always, Retro Bird!
I can only remember playing Game Boy, Game Boy Color and the Game Boy Advance games during my childhood days.
My ranking would be as follows
1. Switch (I do this out of obligation, the library is insane and humongous and has so many good games I can't even count them, not to mention how great it is for friends)
2. GBA (A system with so many great games I can't not love it)
3. DS (Same thing as the GBA but I really love the GBA)
4. 3DS (some absolutely amazing games but I can't deny the library is a bit lacking)
5. GB/GBC (I enjoy the library, but I will admit it has the weakest out of all of them)
There is no unbiased list. It's just what you're most fond of. For a long time I would've actually put the 3DS as my number 1 but things change.
Retro Bird, I can't be more in disagree with you on this one. Just get a R4 and enjoy the astonishing DS library has to offer, my personal 5 recommendations:
-The world ends with you
-Rhythm Heaven
-WarioWare Touched
-Mario Party DS
-Meteos
They are all incredible games on their own genres that can only be appreciated with the DS touch screen.
I appreciate your passion for the DS. It encourages me to keep going back and looking through its library. I'm sure I'll find more games that resonate with me as time goes by :) Thank you for the recommendations. I've already been considering a few of those!
For me id rank the ones you had like this:
GBA
NDS
3DS
Switch
Gameboy
The GBA was my baby growing up and still is. Its one of my favorite systems ever anf I've loved all the experiences ive had on it. Nothing quite like it
For the 3DS, I’d suggest picking up the Pushmo game that are only available digitally (unless you are willing to homebrew your system). Technically they are puzzle games but they also feel like platformers. The 3D in those games are really cool, I think. Honestly, most of the games that use the 3D function on that console enhance the experience. I own more 3DS games than any other handheld, even more than the Switch.
Great video as always! I agree with you, GBA is the best portable ever made on par with the legendary PSP! My ranking is the following:
5. 3ds
4. Ds
3 . Gameboy
2. Switch
1. GBA (all versions including the micro!)
Interesting to see the DS at the bottom, as it's pretty much how I feel, and haven't seen a lot of people who agree with me. In terms of the big Nintendo games (Mario, Zelda, Metroid, etc.) I feel the DS options are relatively weak, though Mario Kart DS is a really great entry. There's still a lot I love about the system, like Jam with the Band/Daigasso Band Brothers, which is a really overlooked first-party rhythm game jam-packed with features, and what I'd consider to be the best release of the original Resident Evil 1, but I think Nintendo have typically had better systems for traditional action and platformer games.
I really love the 3DS, and think it's a strong contender for the best Zelda platform. With the NES, SNES and Game Boy Virtual Consoles, native DS support, and the Ambassador Program, if you were lucky enough to get on that, it can play every entry in the series up to Wind Waker (which the Wii U's meagre library was happy to complement). It's where I played through a lot of the games for the first time, and I even had a great time with the often maligned Tri-Force Heroes when I roped in two friends to play it with me regularly. Nintendo also produced some of the best titles in their less popular series on that system, and Fire Emblem: Awakening, Luigi's Mansion 2 and Kirby: Planet Robobot are some of my favourites in each of them.
I can't deny that the Switch is my favourite overall, though. It's a great jack of all trades that can meet any situation where I'd like to play a Nintendo game, and its library is pretty much unmatched by anything. I'm a big fan of the Game Boy and GBA, but as much as I admire their quirkiness, the overwhelming breadth of experiences offered by the Switch is too powerful. I think my ranking would be Switch > 3DS > GBA > Game Boy > DS, but they're all great platforms, and writing off any one of them would mean sacrificing games that I love.
I usually go for my SP or switch, then the ds/ 3ds yeah i do prefer the buttons on gba though
I kinda have to give it to the DS, at least if I'm trying to be kind of objective. It's got impressive options for backwards compatibility if you want it, and if you already had options for playing GBA or GB games then you can go for the DSi to get everything new and original the console could offer. It was really creative and offered a unique experience that no current options present. Having two screens and this pen oriented version of touch screens feels a bit sorely missed these days. At least by me. It was clamshell which protected screens but wide enough to be reasonably comfortable, but not cumbersome. Personally I don't mind not having a digital store to worry about in a sense too. DS games were also the first handheld that Nintendo had switched from flimsy cardboard boxes to proper durable cases to keep them in, and they even had GBA cart holders in many. The more I think about it the more I can't help but say it was pretty peak Nintendo design.
GBA comes next, also having many console options with the addition of having open-face or clam-shell designs as per preference. (Personally I prefer the clamshell SP mostly for portability, but also one handed play.) It also had some real creative ideas with link cables and Gamecube integration. A little bit underused like the camera and mic for the DS but still pretty freaking cool. It also has the GameBoy Player option for playing on the TV through the Gamecube. The DS and 3DS are actually the only consoles that don't have a unmodded play on the TV option (WiiU Virtual console allows for a small set of options at least. Digital only though). Unfortunately still came in cardboard boxes which even more unfortunately my parents managed to convince me to throw all but one out after years of holding onto them. SP is my personal favourite, mostly just from memories and experiences. Artistically there's just something special about the look of the pixels not too few, but having a certain perfect amount of abstraction.
Then it's a toss up for Switch and 3DS, I give the edge to Switch but not by much. The Switch is pretty cumbersome as a portable console, the weight and width are comparably not super comfortable in the hands especially since it's thin and flat joycons just are never quite comfortable. The detachability is helpful for portability but then they also feel kinda fragile and with stick drift potential most of the time you want a case increasing bulk and there's no case for just the joycons so you kinda lose a lot of the gains. The dock is also a bit of an odd design as it seems to have very small electronics but is pretty large itself without having any WiiU like functions. The lite version has no video out or detachable joycons so no one knows what can still switch on the Switch Lite, but al least it's cheaper and more durable, except for the drifting stick potential is still there and now you can't replace or fix it as easily. There's some major system memory problems, especially if you have lots of games, and many require patches and aren't always finished on release (albeit they're often in more complete condition on release than other systems games. But also often inferior ports end up on Switch). There's still some really interesting ideas with the IR, Labo, and Ring Fit but much of that is under utilized and not relevant to handheld play. Labo being cardboard was also pretty unfortunate longevity wise, had Game Builder Garage and Labo been more tied together and more DIY projects encouraged it really could have been impressive and felt less cheap. Ended up handicapping the VR potential pretty quickly as well with cardboard. The games library is pretty great though and there's enough power for any type of gameplay. And that's all it can do to beat the 3DS really.
If the 3DS was less of a naming mess with the number of versions of XL, 2DS, new, new XL the variety of options would be even better. It's working off the DS's already great design, but adds more power, some cameras and sometimes a 3D slider that most of the time was best left at 2D at least for the original versions. The price point and version confusion combined lead to me never actually owning one unfortunately. I'd still like to pick one up, but it's still shockingly pricey for even used ones. Also I'd definitely want a "new" used one. By which I mean the enhanced feature version. There's not a ton more to add here other than it wasn't quite as effective creatively as the DS was. Not much came out of AR/camera features which seemed to be the biggest missed potential in the system for me. The bottom screen lacking 3D makes sense but that felt like it would've been the next evolution for the system. Kind of a tragically fast death to the DS line and the eshop as well. Proving the digital storefronts to be as volatile as ever unfortunately. If I had been able to experience it fully perhaps it would have outranked the Switch.
The original Gameboy comes in 5th for me, not because it's a bad console or lacking creativity, but simply because it's outdone by newer consoles. The Advance is a Gameboy and more. It ate through batteries, had a ghosting unlit screen, few buttons, decently portable. The GameBoy Color really is actually a totally separate console in my mind the 2 were so different especially at the time. So I'd say GBC is really 5th and Gameboy is 6th. The screen, form factor, and games were a massive improvement over the Gameboy to me it's a whole different generation. The Gameboy was SNES era the GBC was N64 era. What else can I say, great console.
And so 7th is the Virtual Boy. Man this was a weird console. I did like it despite the games not really being great and not suitable for playing more that 45 minutes or so at a time. But yeah it's a mess. I didn't own one myself but I played my cousins' who at some point destroyed theirs by cutting cables for some reason. Probably was once in a salvageable state but is long since been thrown away.
That 3DS collection needs one Ever Oasis, Capcom made the best 3D effect on its games, maybe the MegaMan Legacy collection could be a good pick, and Excitebike 3D is an amazing port
Great video! I’d say 6. Gameboy Color (it’s a separate system from Gameboy); 5. Switch; 4. Gameboy; 3. DS; 2. 3DS; 1. GBA
Get Nano Assault for the 3DS, it's a unique shoot em up kind of game but uses the 3D really well.
Awesome video - GBA is in my top spot as well.
1. GBA (w/ LCD mod)
2. Switch
3. OG DMG Gameboy (w/ LCD mod)
4. 3DS XL/ 2DS XL
5. DS Lite
I think an underrated 3ds game is new super Mario brothers 2 . Go coin crazy 👍🏼 also my newest favorite thing is playing new super Mario for original DS on an emulator on a big screen . Sounds crazy but it’s retro feeling on big tv is amazing
My Personal Favorite Handheld Is The Nintendo 3DS As It Feels Like It Was Designed To Be The Ultimate Nintendo Handheld. One Reason Is Of Course, That You Can Play Every DS Game On It, Allowing You To Play Every Amazing 3DS AND DS On The System Giving It (Debatably) One Of The Best Nintendo Game Libraries Of All Time! Let's Also Not Forget The Personality The 3DS Had, The Theme Shop, The 3D It's Self, The Colors And Special Variants, Different Models And The Music In The Nintendo eShop Oh Yeah, While We're Here, The Nintendo eShop (R.I.P.) Was Where You Could Buy Hundreds Of Games From Several Nintendo Systems A Few Listed Here Are Gameboy, GameBoy Color, Not Gameboy Advance, NES And For New 3DS Owners SNES Games As Well. In Conclusion Though I Could Be Here All Day Talking About The 3DS And What I Like About It (Don't Even Get Me Started On Spotpass Or My Favorite 3DS Games) As A Matter Of Fact, I Originally Got My Switch With Full Intentions Of Completely Replacing My 3DS As The Main Hand Held Of Choice, However Though, Numerous Issus The Nintendo Switch Had Pushed Me Away From It And I Just Kept On Using My 3DS, I Even Bought A Few More Games For It A Few Months Ago With Plans To Get More, Compared To My Switch Of Which I've Not Touched In Months Nor Have Not Bought Any New Games In Years Either.
If you like bowsers inside story partners in time isn’t as good but it’s still a good game and worth a try
That reminds me to mod all my Gameboy screens!!
Game Boy Micro: the forgotten handheld
Underrated, I love it.
Pretty cool for what it is. I remember my cousin had one.
My top 5 is as follows.
5). 3DS
4). DS
3). GB
2). Switch OLED
1). GBA SP 101
My decision is mostly based on what systems I've accumulated the most for. And honestly out of the 5 I still regularly play on the top 2.
I've been binge watching the channel. I'm Curious what Retro Bird thinks about Flashcarts and everdrives. So far it hasn't come up in a video.
I think they're a perfectly okay option. Especially for more expensive games. The most important thing to me is for people to be playing these older games :)
@@RetroBirdGaming This a perfectly Retro Bird-y answer. I like it.
@@RetroBirdGaming A perfectly Retro Birdy answer! Love it. thank you!
My favorite Nintendo handheld is the 3ds! I’m probably biased because it was my first childhood handheld, but I just love the library. Animal Crossing new leaf is the best ac. The Zelda games are great. And the Kirby games are phenomenal! There’s some other smaller games that I love but those are the main ones. The 3ds is also the way I originally played a bunch of game boy and game boy color games. I just love the system so much!
Pretty sure the only DS game I have is Phantom Tracks, but that’s because I’m a HUGE Legend of Zelda fan. In all honesty, I only buy Nintendo consoles FOR LoZ games.
You could also play GBA games on the GameCube GBA player.
If you want a good DS game besides also Mario Kart DS, get Advance Wars Dual Strike if you also like paced, strategic games.
Game Boy, Game Boy Color, DS, 3DS, GBA sP, Super Boy S, Swich
I'd have gone (from worst to best) 3DS>Game Boy>GBA>DS>Switch.
As for DS recommendations, try out Retro Game Challenge, Contra 4, Metal Slug 7, and the Sonic Rush Trilogy.
My list is the same -- high five!
@@sonicmania9993 Nice!
I consider the Switch (and Switch Lite) to be exactly 1 order of magnitude less portable and less pocketable than the others. For that reason I'd drop it by 2 rungs from wherever it falls on the list. For the top spot I'd give it to the DS Lite, with the 2DS XL maybe inches behind. (given that GBA library > 3DS library)
Never owned nor wanted a handheld as a kid but I do have a modded Super Game Boy (a Game Boy 2 PCB inside an OG Super Game Boy shell). M y collection is also small as I only own 3 games: Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters, Metroid 2: Return of Samus, and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX. I would say the original Game Boy's lineup of games still hds up.
1. GB
2. GBA
3. DS
4. 3DS
5. Switch
You forgot the Pokemon Mini, by the way. Maybe a technicality but it's actually worth a look.
#1 - NEW 3DS XL (modded) 👑
It is my favorite Nintendo handheld and all I need. And I do own a switch, GB, GBA and DS as well.
tomodachi life is unironically one of my favorite 3ds game if not one of my favorite games of all time. I really hope its one of those games that somehow someway makes its way onto switch.👍
I can’t argue your rating because it’s yours! Switch would be pretty high on my list too as would be the the DS. Hmmmm
Switch #1
Ds #2
3ds #3
I bought a grip for my GBA-SP AGS-101 to make it more comfortable, so something I recommend for it.....otherwise I would swap DS to 4th and the 3DS(I prefer the XL/LL model) to 2nd
4:26 Where can I get that Switch game case with that folder binder format
Hey late comment, but must-have 3D games for new 3DS are definitely gonna be Xenoblade, Kid Icarus, Bravely series, Mario Kart 7, Luigis Mansion 2, Pokemon, Fire Emblem, Shovel Knight, Ace Attorney Dual Destinies, Metroid, StarFox. Im sure im missing some, but all great use of 3D
My personal rank:
5. Game Boy (and Color) - I can't just see this system more as a puzzle machine, the games that aren't that looks wrong to me, like they shouldn't be there and use those good ideas on a Super Nintendo or NES game, all the games that comes to my mind are Tetris, Donkey Kong, Picross, Tetris Attack, even Link's Awakening I consider it more puzzle than adventure.
4. 3DS - There is not a single game I could get really hooked up, but I've enjoyed what I have play so far but I feel this games needs a refinement on their uncomfortable control scheme. I really wish they remaster Samus Return, A Link between worlds, Kid Icarus on Switch.
3. GBA - My favorite console of all times is the Super Nintendo, I grew up with it, I played it to dead and I honestly think there's nothing new for me to discover there personally. But with the GBA, I feel like I finally found a whole new SNES game library; Chu Chu Rocket, Rayman, Castlevania, Metroid, Zelda, Kirby, Sonic Advance, Wario Land 4. I´m very glad I started getting attached to the GBA when I was getting tired of revisiting over and over SNES.
2. DS - The best portable system of all times to my eyes, I adore every single little aspect of it. The games, the accessories, all the models, the DSi Shop which was very innovative for it's time. I just feel it has a perfect library of games, it has every single genre imaginable and it's unique control can provide experiences that can only be played on a DS.
1. Switch - Probably in a few years this one will become the definitive Nintendo System of all times; every single Nintendo IP is getting huge entries or at least they are taking a step foward with its franchises. I've never seen a game console balancing big blockbuster titles and indies, I consider the Switch is having the same impact the DS had, it is aim to everyone interested in gaming and gamers at the same time. It can have some improvements like with the menus, eshop and such, but still.
My personal list was mostly the same
But after watching your video I think I’m being a bit unfair to the DS. I love games like 999, ghost trick and ace attorney, but I played them on iPad, despite having a DS at the time. My DS library really disappointed me, and that’s why I put it in last place