My favorite retro handheld now costs less than most Switch games

Hand holding Super Pocket with Street Fighter 2 intro on screen — (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)

The Super Pocket is already an incredibly cheap way to play and collect retro games in 2024, and it’s one of my favorite handhelds for a bit of high score fun. Yet, the portable just received a price cut that makes it even better value, and at this stage, I think owning one should be mandatory.

I admittedly do tend to check in on the Super Pocket, just in case any deals pop up, but I wasn’t expecting the Amazon Spring Sale to take it from $59.99 to just $42. The 30% discount means that you can now pick up one of the best gaming handhelds around for less than most Switch games which is bananas considering we’re talking about a fully fledged console. I’d argue that even if it just stuck with the 12 classic Capcom capers built in, it’d still be well worth picking up, but it actually has access to over over 300 games using additional Evercade cartridges.

It’s no secret that I love the Super Pocket, and I think the handheld console balances specs and price perfectly. Sure, it’s only rocking a 2.8-inch IPS display, but that’s all part of the charm if you’re looking to relive the glory days of the Game Boy. Modern conveniences like USB-C charging help make this an easy way to dive into the likes of Street Fighter 2 whenever you’ve got a spare second, not to mention you’ll be able to experience classics you’ve potentially never heard of without having to hook up old systems or mess with emulators.

Amazon Spring Sale at a glance

Handhelds: $20 off Ayn Odin 2 Pro
Controllers: $10 off DualSense with $100+ cart
Games: Grab Spider-Man and Prince of Persia for less
Headsets: Logitech, Razer and more from $49.99
Monitors: save $1,000 on Samsung screens
Storage: up to off $50 Corsair and Crucial SSDs

Super Pocket (Capcom Edition)| $59.99 $42 at Amazon
Save $17.99 - This miniature handheld was already great value for money, but a 30% discount has brought it to a new record low price. The Capcom edition even comes with 12 games built-in, so you won't have to go out buy additional Evercade cartridges to start playing.

Buy it if:

✅ You love arcade classics
✅ You like to collect physical games
✅ You prefer low-key retro and indie games

Don't buy it if:

❌ You'd prefer a bigger screen
❌ You want something that connects to the TV

Price Check: Best Buy $59.99 | Walmart $59.48

Should you buy the Super Pocket?

Super Pocket on wood desk with Ghosts and Ghost title on screen — (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)

In reckon there are two types of players that will benefit from the Super Pocket most. The first is, as you’d perhaps expect, retro gaming fans who love to collect different handhelds. The blend of chonky blue and yellow plastic worn by the Capcom edition is enough to earn it a place on a display shelf, but being able to actively build up a physical library for the console is sure to seal the deal.

The other group that I think should grab this Super Pocket deal while it's hot is casual players. I firmly believe that everyone can enjoy playing games if provided the right hardware, and this dinky Evercade device is a no fuss way to dive into some arcade fun. I’m personally planning on buying one for my Nana, as while she’d probably find something like the Steam Deck OLED overwhelming, the Super Pocket offers up an era of gaming she’s more familiar with in an approachable package.

Ultimately, I think the Super Pocket will bring joy to anyone willing to spend $42, and as I already touched on, it’s less than most first party console games. In a world that’s becoming increasingly online, Evercade consoles like this are also keeping the idea of physical gaming alive, and if something instantly takes the internet out of the game tomorrow, you’ll be able to smugly ignore all the calamity and play some Mega Man 2.

Looking for something that'll run Steam games? Check out the best gaming PC and best gaming laptop for a selection of powerhouse rigs. Alternatively, swing by the best Steam Deck dock options and turn your portable PC into a hybrid machine.

Phil is the Hardware Editor at GamesRadar+ who specializes in retro console setups, choosing the latest gaming handhelds, and navigating the choppy seas of using modern-day PC hardware. In the past, they have covered everything from retro gaming history to the latest gaming news, in-depth features, and tech advice for publications like TechRadar, The Daily Star, the BBC, PCGamesN, and Den of Geek. In their spare time, they pour hours into fixing old consoles, modding Game Boys, exploring ways to get the most out of the Steam Deck, and blasting old CRT TV visuals into their eye sockets.