2026 has felt like a year of transition for retro handhelds, and the back half shows no sign of slowing down. Here’s a roundup of the devices and trends worth keeping an eye on as the year unfolds.
Vita-shaped nostalgia
The Anbernic RG Vita continues to generate buzz, leaning into the beloved PlayStation Vita silhouette. Early footage suggests a familiar chipset platform under a fresh exterior — newness concentrated in the design rather than a dramatic power leap, but a powerful draw for Vita devotees regardless.
Dual-stick Bricks
The TrimUI Brick Pro has arrived with dual analog sticks and bigger 3D ambitions, building on the cult-favourite original. It’s part of a clear trend: budget and mid-tier devices increasingly treating dual sticks as standard rather than premium.
The R-series marches on
The R-series shows no sign of stopping its steady cadence of iterations. The R38S has set a high bar with its screen and Hall-effect sticks, and the community will be watching whether future revisions hold the line on value amid component-cost pressure.
The theme of late 2026: dual sticks everywhere, prices under pressure, and the community holding it all together.
The pressure underneath
Looming over all of it is the memory crunch nudging prices upward across the market. The devices that thrive will be the ones that protect the value proposition rather than chase specs they can’t deliver affordably.
The takeaway
Whether you’re a budget buyer eyeing an R38S or tempted by something more ambitious, the second half of 2026 looks lively. We’ll be reviewing the notable releases as they land — stay tuned.