8 of the Best Handheld Video Games in History

Portable handheld consoles changed the video gaming landscape when Nintendo released the original Game Boy. All other handheld consoles since have enabled players to take their favorite games out with them for gaming on the go. However, the real magic of portable gaming lies in the pristine game design required to overcome the constraints of smaller displays and limited battery times. These are some of the best handheld video games in history.

Tetris (Game Boy)

The amazingly addictive Tetris puzzler was a gaming phenomenon before it hit the Game Boy. However, the portable Game Boy Tetris game took things to a whole new level. The simple, addictive Tetris mechanics of organizing falling blocks into lines were the perfect match for the Game Boy. Aside from that, the 1989 Game Boy Tetris was one of the best handheld video games ever because of its universal appeal, iconic soundtrack, and groundbreaking Game Link multiplayer.

The Tetris Game Boy game is now available to play on Nintendo Switch Online. Players can play the 1989 Tetris for the Game Boy or its colored variant on the Game Boy Color System. Tetris on the Switch also supports multiplayer modes.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (3DS)

Ocarina of Time was a classic N64 Zelda game Nintendo ported onto its portable 3DS console. This portable version brilliantly preserved the flawless foundation of the N64 masterpiece with overhauled graphics and intuitive touch-screen inventory tweaks. All the foundational excellence of Ocarina of Time, such as its pioneering Z-targeting and cinematic storytelling, remained in the 3DS version.

Ocarina of Time 3D also incorporated a Master Quest mode enhancement that made the game all the better. That mode enables players to replay the game within a mirrored game world with completely remixed dungeon layouts and tougher enemies. This extra game mode added more replay value for veteran players.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch)

The Switch merged home consoles and handhelds for the first time, which ushered in something of a revolution for portable gaming. Breath of the Wild was the Switch game at the vanguard of that revolution. This is among the best handheld video games in history because of the unprecedented open-world freedom and scale it offered for a portable title. Breath of the Wild shattered the mold of shorter play times and linear progression in handheld video games.

Beyond that freedom and scale, the systematic gameplay and experimentation in Breath of the Wild were something to behold. Breath of the Wild’s deep physics and chemistry engines enable some of the best emergent gameplay ever seen in a video game. Its intricately linked systems allow you to play with fire, water, wind, and electricity in a unique sandbox experience. With such gameplay innovation, Breath of the Wild pushed back the boundaries of portable gaming.

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (Game Boy and Switch)

The original Link’s Awakening for the Game Boy proved Nintendo could convert Zelda into great portable games. This game broke Zelda franchise conventions by replacing Hyrule with Koholint Island. The result was one of the best handheld games in history with innovative world design, surreal charm, and a dreamlike narrative that gripped players.

In 2019, Nintendo revived Link’s Awakening with a full-color remake of the original game for the Switch. This remake perfectly combines the original tightly designed gameplay with a modern diorama graphics style. It reimagines Koholint Island to give a vibrant claymation world look and refined fully-connected overworld navigation.

Mario Kart DS (Nintendo DS)

Mario Kart DS turned Nintendo’s flagship racing game series into a portable marvel on the DS handheld. This is among the best handheld video games in history because of how it revolutionized Mario Kart with pioneering online multiplayer, dedicated Mission Mode, and retro tracks. Players loved this game for how it restored classic tracks from earlier Mario Kart games. Its unique Mission Mode also added loads of replayability value to Mario Kart DS.

The unique dual-screen layout and touch-screen innovations of Mario Kart DS further enhanced this handheld game. It revolutionized Mario Kart with a bottom touchscreen for viewing mini or full-course maps. The stylus-driven Emblem Editor for drawing custom kart art was also a nice touch in Mario Kart DS.

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 (Game Boy Advance)

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 was a remake of the classic Mario Bros. 3 NES game that made it even better on the Game Boy Advance. This remake retained all the masterclass level design from the original Mario Bros 3, mixed in with enhanced 16-bit visuals, new voice clips, and built-in save files for portable gaming.

Super Mario Advance 4’s e-Reader integration enabled players to scan cards for injecting many new custom levels and items into the game. That novelty turned Super Mario Advance 4 into a portable sandbox masterpiece. It was the precursor to the Super Mario Maker level-creation game on the Wii U.

Persona 4 Golden (PlayStation Vita and Switch)

Persona 4 Golden was a killer game for the PlayStation Vita that perfectly defined that handheld’s sleek, high-definition screen. This is one of the best portable RPGs in history because of how it brilliantly balances slice-of-life gameplay with a compelling murder mystery. Players love Persona 4 Golden for how it mixes life simulation with dungeon crawler. It is also a game of enduring charm with a relatable character cast, coming-of-age narrative, and unforgettably upbeat soundtrack.

Tetris Effect: Connected (Switch)

The history of handheld video games went full circle when Enhanced Games unleashed Tetris Effect on the Nintendo Switch. Tetris Effect revolutionized the classic Game Boy puzzler with dazzling music-reactive visual effects and a wide variety of game modes and multiplayer (Connected) enhancements for players to enjoy. The almost hypnotic audio-visual synchronization of Tetris Effect makes it an almost meditative portable gaming experience like no other.

Those best handheld video games raised the bar for portable console gaming. Such games proved that true greatness is based on player engagement rather than hardware specifications. They also showed that great digital games can travel anywhere with players.