
Phil Hayton
I’ve been messing around with PCs, video game consoles, and tech since before I could speak. Don’t get me wrong, I kickstarted my relationship with technology by jamming a Hot Wheels double-decker bus into my parent’s VCR, but we all have to start somewhere. I even somehow managed to become a walking, talking buyer’s guide at my teenage supermarket job, which helped me accept my career fate. So, rather than try to realise my musician dreams, or see out my University degree, I started running my own retro pop culture site and writing about video games and tech for the likes of TechRadar, The Daily Star, and the BBC before eventually ending up with a job covering graphics card shenanigans at PCGamesN. Now, I’m your friendly neighbourhood Hardware Editor at GamesRadar, and it’s my job to make sure you can kick butt in all your favourite games using the best gaming hardware, whether you’re a sucker for handhelds like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch or a hardcore gaming PC enthusiast.
Latest articles by Phil Hayton

The minds behind the Nintendo DS emulation handheld I'm testing are working on a portable N64, but I'm not sure how I feel about the timing
By Phil Hayton published
News MagicX, the company behind the Zero 40 portable for Nintendo DS games, has teased a new N64 handheld that pays tribute to the console's controller.

I'm not being funny, but the Asus ROG Ally is virtually an Xbox handheld that's available now for under $500
By Phil Hayton published
News Instead of waiting for the cheapest ROG Xbox Ally, I'd argue it's worth grabbing the OG Asus ROG Ally while it's under $500, as it could end up discontinued.

"The very best produced in recent years" - I can't believe I've got a reason to buy another C64 Mini, and it's not just because it's "back in black"
By Phil Hayton published
News THE C64 Mini Black Edition is a "special edition" version of the 2017 retro console that's loaded with 25 modern games, but it costs more than the original.

After two years of being asked "nearly every day" for Steam Deck OLED 32GB RAM upgrades, one modder says it's finally possible, and I'm now even more concerned for the ROG Xbox Ally
By Phil Hayton published
News Turns out you can now upgrade your Steam Deck OLED with 32GB RAM thanks to modding efforts, and it could help Valve's handheld take on the ROG Xbox Ally.

This Alienware 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor blew me away with its sharp visuals during testing, but now it's winning me over with its price
By Phil Hayton published
News The Alienware AW2725Q is a 4K gaming monitor that packs more pixels than ever into its QD-OLED panel, and it's now available for just over $700.

The Xbox ROG Ally will apparently launch on October 16, but I'm starting to feel like it will miss the premium party
By Phil Hayton published
News New Asus ROG Xbox Ally leaks suggest the new handhelds will launch October 16, and the announcement is set to be made via "special live broadcast" at Gamescom.

You can now pre-order Atari's 2600+ Pac-Man Edition console, but I find its price just as scary as its release date
By Phil Hayton published
News The upcoming Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition console and joysticks are now up for pre-order at Amazon, but it costs $40 more than the 2023 version.

A whole year later, the Anbernic RG Cube is still the retro handheld that lives on my bedside table, and it's nothing to do with its square screen
By Phil Hayton published
News The Anbernic RG Cube is one of the most versatile retro handhelds out there, but it also happens to be an extremely comfortable, compact device.

Now that the Switch 2 has been blessed with Mario Paint, I finally have an excuse to use this NES-inspired mouse
By Phil Hayton published
News Mario Paint is now playable on Switch 2 via the Online Expansion Pack, and 8Bitdo's R8 NES mouse could be the perfect clicker for whipping up retro creations.

The Analogue 3D might be delayed, but I can confirm its 8Bitdo N64 controller is worth the hype
By Phil Hayton published
Review The 8Bitdo N64 Bluetooth Controller for Analogue 3D is a fantastic modern Nintendo 64 gamepad that blends authentic design with contemporary comfort.

MSI's new AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme handheld beats the Intel version in early benchmarks, but I'm not exactly impressed
By Phil Hayton published
News Fresh MSI Claw A8 leaks suggest the Ryzen Z2 Extreme will beat the Intel Lunar Lake model at 1080p, but frame rates aren't miles ahead of the Claw 8 AI+.

One of my favorite 8-bit retro consoles is getting an HD remake this month, and it could be killer for casual players with physical collections
By Phil Hayton published
News Hyperkin RetroN GX will run physical Turbografx 16 and PC Engine games when it arrives on August 20, and it could help you build up yet another collection.

The Analogue 3D's controller launches today, but the new N64 gamepad failed to show up on my doorstep
By Phil Hayton published
News 8Bitdo N64 Bluetooth Controller should be available to buy right now, but I'm worried it's delayed just like its matching Analogue 3D retro console.

Sony's "Canis" PlayStation handheld should "beat the Xbox Ally X in performance," but I'm convinced it's really gunning for the Switch 2
By Phil Hayton published
News Leaks suggest that Sony's rumored PlayStation "Canis" handheld will outperform the ROG Xbox Ally X, but it feels more like a proper Switch 2 rival.

"This will be faster than the PS5 Pro" - leaks suggest the PS6 will be cheaper thanks to its AMD chip and could be here by 2028
By Phil Hayton published
News New PS6 leaks suggest the next-gen console will be more powerful and cheaper than the PS5 Pro, and manufacturing could kick off in 2027.

After three years testing the best Steam Deck accessories, these are the gadgets I'd buy for Valve's handheld day one
By Phil Hayton last updated
Buyers Guide Here are the best Steam Deck accessories available for Valve's handheld PC, including our top case, docking station, keyboard, mouse, and SSD picks.

Best curved gaming monitor 2025: displays I'd grab for immersive PC visuals
By Phil Hayton last updated
Buying guide Here are the best curved gaming monitor options, including high refresh screens and ultrawide displays that'll envelop you with immersive visuals.

"The temperature difference was minimal" - This Switch 2 dock just got air vents thanks to my feedback, but its makers say it was already cooler than the official accessory
By Phil Hayton published
News The creators of the SIWIQU Switch 2 dock have added bottom air vents to the accessory following my review, but Antank says the temperature difference is "minimal."

Nintendo Switch 2 stock live - US and UK restocks for Ninty's latest handheld
By Phil Hayton last updated
News Nintendo Switch 2 stock is looking healthier than ever as July comes to a close, and I'm here to point you towards retailer restocks as they pop up.

My new favorite Steam Deck dock speaks to the retro console nerd within me, but I have one niche gripe with its design
By Phil Hayton published
News The Gulikit 7-in-1 Steam Deck dock makes a big impression by packing plenty of ports into something that looks like a Super Nintendo.

Best monitor for Xbox Series X 2025
By Phil Hayton last updated
Buying Guide Here are the best monitors for Xbox Series X right that'll pair nicely with Microsoft's console, whether you're on a budget or looking for something premium.

The best monitor for PS5 2025: high spec screens for the OG and Pro
By Phil Hayton last updated
Buying Guide Here are the best monitors for PS5 in 2024, including 4K UHD displays and OLED panels that will make your favorite PlayStation adventures pop.

The best portable monitors for gaming 2025
By Phil Hayton last updated
Buying Guide We're running down the top contenders for best portable monitor across the price and quality spectrums.
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