
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

Lenovo Legion Go 2 leak reveals full specs, and I'm cautiously hyped for the handheld sequel
By Phil Hayton published
News Specs and features for the Lenovo Legion Go 2 just leaked out, and the gaming handheld will apparently come in at least two different flavors.

Analogue 3D footage finally just surfaced online, and I'm hoping the 4k N64 is as slick as it looks
By Phil Hayton published
News A new Analogue 3D teaser shows off the FPGA N64 running cartridges for the first time, but you'll need to wait a little longer for actual gameplay.

The MSI Claw A8 arrives this month for £850, but I'm fearful of its US price
By Phil Hayton published
News The MSI Claw A8 is now available to pre-order in the UK for $850, but that price tag makes me nervous about eventual US listings for the handheld.

Summer isn't over yet, but I've already picked out three retro handhelds I'll be cozying up with this Autumn
By Phil Hayton published
News Autumn is nearly upon us, so I've picked out three retro handhelds that will help you cozy up with classic capers once summer comes to an end.

After nine years searching for the perfect N64 joystick replacement, I've finally found a controller mod worth doing
By Phil Hayton published
News The N64 controller is one of the worst offenders for stick drift, so I upgraded the retro console's gamepad with a hall-effect joystick.

The BBC is once again trying to outrage retro nerds, so I'd advise checking in on the Apple and Windows fans in your life
By Phil Hayton published
News The BBC has once again committed a retro tech sin live on TV by celebrating the 30th anniversary of Windows 95 using a Macintosh SE computer for 1987.

I'd normally say wait for the Labor Day sales, but Sony's 4K PS5 monitor is back down to its lowest price right now
By Phil Hayton published
Deal The Sony Inzone M9 is back under $600 ahead of the Labor Day sales, and it could be your last chance to grab the 4K 144Hz PS5 monitor.

Best Xbox Series X hard drive, SSD, and memory card solutions in 2025: all the fastest solutions we've tested
By Rosalie Newcombe last updated
Buying Guide We're rounding up the best Xbox Series X hard drives, expansion cards, and portable SSDs so you can get the right storage solution for you.

Best PS5 external hard drives 2025: excellent portable SSD and HDD options
By Rosalie Newcombe last updated
Buying Guide We've been hands-on with all the latest storage upgrades so you can find the best PS5 external hard drive for your system.

The best gaming PC 2025: UK builds at the cheapest prices
By Duncan Robertson last updated
Buying Guide The best gaming PCs don't need to cost you thousands of pounds, and I've pulled together a list of the best prebuilt options in the UK.

Best gaming handheld 2025: I'd hit these portable PCs and emulation consoles first
By Phil Hayton last updated
Hardware Here are the best gaming handheld options in 2025, including the Nintendo Switch 2, portable PCs like the Steam Deck OLED, and various other great devices.

The best gaming monitor 2025: the most impressive displays I've tested this year
By Phil Hayton last updated
Buying Guide Here are the best gaming monitor models in 2024, including punchy OLED panels, super speedy screens, and brilliant budget options.

"Built to game with Xbox" - Microsoft says these handhelds will get the same features as the ROG Xbox Ally, but I've got beef with its picks
By Phil Hayton published
News Microsoft says the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Lenovo Legion Go are "built to game with Xbox," just like the Xbox Ally, but it's seemingly ignoring Asus' OG handheld.

The MagicX Zero 40 is one of the weirdest retro handhelds I’ve tested, but it solves my Nintendo DS dilemma
By Phil Hayton published
Review The MagicX Zero 40 is a solid handheld for Nintendo DS emulation, and its vertical screen means it's great for arcade shooters too.

I hope you're hungry for 3DS handhelds, as two new dedicated emulation devices are on the way with dual screens
By Phil Hayton published
News Ayn and MagicX both have handhelds in the works that'll cater to 3DS emulation with dual screens, and the latter could be a more affordable dedicated device.

Samsung is showing off its 3D monitor at Gamescom using the one game I'd feel weird playing in a room full of people
By Phil Hayton published
News Samsung is showing off its 3D Odyssey gaming monitor at Gamescom using Stellar Blade, and the raunchy RPG is just one of over 50 games set to be supported.

After 42 years, someone has finally worked out a way to make a mini version of my favorite '80s console, and it involves an AMOLED screen
By Phil Hayton published
News A Vectrex Mini is in the works that boasts an AMOLED display, HDMI output, and 12 built-in games, and it's currently playable at Gamescom 2025.

"We feel it too" - Analogue's FPGA N64 just got delayed for a third time, but I'd argue it's still worth the wait
By Phil Hayton published
News The Analogue 3D is now scheduled to ship in Q4 2025, as the N64 FPGA console has been delayed for a third time to resolve "uncommon issues."

A full-size Amiga 1200 remake is hiding out at Gamescom, and it could solve my retro microcomputer woes
By Phil Hayton published
News Retro Games Ltd just announced its full-size Amiga 1200 remake at Gamescom, and the A1200 could be an affordable way to authentically revisit the microcomputer.

I don't know which one of you sickos asked for a 750Hz OLED gaming monitor, but Asus now has you covered
By Phil Hayton published
News Asus has announced a new gaming monitor that can hit 750Hz refresh rates at 1080p, but it's also set to offer up incredible visuals using LG's Tandem OLED tech.

Microsoft's ROG Xbox Ally handhelds will officially arrive on October 16, but I really need to see a price
By Phil Hayton published
News The upcoming Asus ROG Xbox Ally gaming handheld range will officially launch on October 16, but you'll need to wait a little longer for a price.

Five years later, I can't believe Nintendo's Game & Watch tribute handhelds are available to buy new, and I still use one to spontaneously play Link's Awakening
By Phil Hayton published
News You can still buy both the Game & Watch Mario and Zelda retro handhelds new, and the latter makes for a fantastic way to play one of my favorite Game Boy games.

The Lenovo Legion Go S is cheaper than the cheapest Steam Deck in the UK right now, and I'd seriously consider it over the ROG Xbox Ally
By Phil Hayton published
Deal The Lenovo Legion Go is now cheaper than ever in the UK, and price cuts have turned it into a ROG Xbox Ally alternative that costs less than a Steam Deck.

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 lacks the RTX 4070's AI chops, but I'd recommend it to 4K PC players looking for a backlog boost
By Phil Hayton published
Review AMD Radeon RX 9070 is a solid graphics card for players seeking 4K performance, and it can hit higher frame rates than the RTX 5070 without AI assistance.
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