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

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 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.

GPD's Strix Halo handheld will wear a weird battery backpack, but the idea isn't completely giving me the ick
By Phil Hayton published
News The GPD WIN 5 will reportedly use an external battery pack, and while that might sound silly, it could be a wise premium handheld gaming PC compromise.

More leaks suggest ROG Xbox Ally prices will start at €599, further cementing my fears for the handheld
By Phil Hayton published
News ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X could cost €599 and €899, respectively, with leaks backing up previous rumors that the gaming handhelds will cost more than rivals.

Ayaneo just announced the "world's first flip dual-screen Android handheld" for 3DS games, and I'm more excited about it than the Windows version
By Phil Hayton published
News Ayaneo just unveiled the Pocket DS, a clamshell gaming handheld that could use Android and dual screens to become a solid 3DS alternative.

8 years later, the C64 mini is still my favorite way to play a chunk of retro microcomputer classics you've probably never heard of
By Phil Hayton published
News The C64 Mini offers an affordable way to play and run the microcomputer's 8-bit library of classics, and it's still my favorite way to revisit the Commodore 64.

After 7 weeks of painful scrolling, the Switch 2 stock shortage might finally be over, but I'm not popping the cork just yet
By Phil Hayton published
News Nintendo Switch 2 shortages aren't really a thing this week, but I'd still pick up the new handheld ASAP to avoid disappointment down the road.

A monstrous AMD Strix Halo handheld could debut next week, and I almost feel like pouring one out for the ROG Xbox Ally
By Phil Hayton published
News GPD just dropped a teaser for its WIN 5 gaming handheld, and it'll enter the stage with an AMD Ryzen Al Max+ 395 APU that blows the ROG Xbox Ally out the water.

Maingear just revealed the beige retro gaming PC of my dreams, but it'll run much more than Windows 95 classics
By Phil Hayton published
News The Maingear Retro95 is a sleeper-style gaming PC that embodies the beige cases of '90s rigs while packing powerhouse components like the RTX 5080.

SIWIQU Switch 2 dock review: "a serviceable docking station that makes me nervous"
By Phil Hayton published
Review SIWIQU Switch 2 dock is a servicable dock for Nintendo's latest handheld, but there are couple of design flaws that I'm worried about.

I can't get over how accurate the Lego Game Boy is, but it's also surprisingly affordable
By Phil Hayton published
News The Lego Game Boy is now available to pre-order for $59.99, and it packs ridiculous detail that pays proper homage to the iconic retro gaming handheld.

"Inflation isn't nostalgic" - Modretro's FPGA N64 console will arrive later this year for $199.99, but I'm curbing my retro console enthusiasm
By Phil Hayton published
News Modretro has announced that its "M64" FPGA Nintendo 64 will cost $199.99 and arrive this Christmas, but it hasn't shared full details the retro console yet.
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