Since the late 1970s, handheld gaming consoles have amused children and adults alike. The Nintendo Game Boy became one of the most iconic toys of its generation. Handheld video gaming can keep you entertained when you are traveling, commuting or just putting your feet up at home.

What’s even better, there are now many approaches to handheld gaming. So, you don’t need to make a huge investment to enjoy gaming on the go. If you want a dedicated handheld console, you can buy a portable game console with a built-in screen, such as the well-known Nintendo Switch. Alternatively, you can turn your smartphone into a handheld gaming console with the simple addition of a mobile controller. In a pinch, you can even connect a conventional gaming controller to your phone via Bluetooth. So even on a limited budget, you can find an option to suit your gaming needs.

The best handheld gaming systems should meet your needs and your budget. If you want to use your phone, gaming controllers for iPhones and gaming controllers for Androids are available to connect your smartphone to a mobile controller. You can also choose a dedicated handheld gaming device with a touchscreen if you don’t want to run through your phone’s battery or data plan when you’re playing games on the go. An emerging category that is set to become a big deal is handheld cloud gaming consoles. Whatever you choose, it’s always a good idea to bring a portable battery pack for recharging devices on the go.

To narrow your choices down to the best handheld game console for you, make sure you select the compatibility you need to access the video gaming systems you use. There are an array of game controllers for smartphones that cover many game types, as well as mobile gaming controllers designed specifically for PlayStation games, Xbox games or other cloud-based options.