Best Retro Handheld for Pokémon Games 2026: Every Generation Covered
Pokémon is the most popular reason people buy a retro handheld in 2026. Whether you want to replay Emerald, experience HeartGold for the first time, or work through every generation — this is the complete iGC Lab guide to the best retro handheld for Pokémon games. We cover every generation, every device, which games are preloaded, and the definitive recommendation for every type of Pokémon fan.
iGC Lab Guide · Last updated: July 2026 · All Pokémon games tested on iGC devices
iGC LAB #1 PICK FOR POKÉMON
R36S 128GB — The Complete Pokémon Device
All 16 retro Pokémon games preloaded · Gen 1 through Gen 4 · Play in 30 seconds
⭐ 4.70/5 · 2,837 Verified Reviews · iGC Lab-Tested
Gen 1–3 Pokémon
64GB — $79.99 →All Gen 1–4 Pokémon
128GB — $89.99 →⚡ Quick Answer — Which Device for Pokémon?
✅ R36S 64GB ($79.99) — Gen 1–3
All Gen 1–3 Pokémon games preloaded:
- Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow (GBC)
- Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal (GBC)
- Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald (GBA)
- Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen (GBA)
Best for: Gen 1–3 fans, children, budget buyers
⭐ R36S 128GB ($89.99) — Gen 1–4
Everything on 64GB, plus Gen 4 DS games:
- Pokémon HeartGold 🏆
- Pokémon SoulSilver 🏆
- Pokémon Platinum 🏆
- Pokémon Diamond, Pearl
Best for: Complete Pokémon fans, serious players
iGC Lab Pokémon verdict: For Gen 1–3 Pokémon, the 64GB is perfect — all 10 games preloaded. For the complete retro Pokémon experience including HeartGold, SoulSilver, and Platinum, the 128GB is the only choice. For $10 more, you get 6 additional Pokémon games including the two most beloved in the series.
📊 Every Pokémon Game — Which Device Runs It
| Pokémon Game | Generation | Platform | R36S 64GB | R36S 128GB | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red, Blue | Gen 1 | GBC | ✅ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Yellow | Gen 1 | GBC | ✅ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Gold, Silver | Gen 2 | GBC | ✅ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Crystal 🏆 | Gen 2 | GBC | ✅ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ruby, Sapphire | Gen 3 | GBA | ✅ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Emerald 🏆 | Gen 3 | GBA | ✅ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| FireRed 🏆 | Gen 3 | GBA | ✅ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| LeafGreen | Gen 3 | GBA | ✅ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Diamond, Pearl | Gen 4 | DS | ❌ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Platinum 🏆 | Gen 4 | DS | ❌ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| HeartGold 🏆 | Gen 4 | DS | ❌ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| SoulSilver 🏆 | Gen 4 | DS | ❌ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
💚 Gen 1 — Red, Blue, Yellow on the R36S
Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow run at perfect speed on the R36S — all three are preloaded on both the 64GB and 128GB versions. The 3.5" IPS screen makes the original Game Boy graphics look sharper and more vivid than on original hardware.
Pokémon Red
The original. Charizard, Mewtwo, the Elite Four. 151 Pokémon. The game that started everything.
✅ Preloaded — both versions
Pokémon Blue
Red's counterpart with different Pokémon availability. Identical gameplay — choose based on version exclusives.
✅ Preloaded — both versions
Pokémon Yellow ⭐
Pikachu follows you. Starter Pokémon from the anime. The most charming Gen 1 experience.
✅ Preloaded — both versions
✅ iGC Gen 1 recommendation: Start with Pokémon Yellow — Pikachu following you, the anime starters, and the most polished Gen 1 experience. Then play FireRed (Gen 3) for the definitive Kanto remake with modern mechanics.
💛 Gen 2 — Gold, Silver, Crystal on the R36S
Gen 2 is widely considered the peak of the original Pokémon formula — two regions, 251 Pokémon, the day/night cycle, breeding, and Red as the ultimate final boss. All three Gen 2 games run at perfect speed on the R36S and are preloaded on both versions.
Pokémon Gold
Ho-Oh, Entei, Raikou, Suicune. The original Johto journey. Version exclusive: Mankey, Growlithe, Spinarak.
✅ Preloaded — both versions
Pokémon Silver
Lugia, the legendary birds. Version exclusive: Vulpix, Meowth, Ledyba. The counterpart to Gold.
✅ Preloaded — both versions
Pokémon Crystal ⭐
Animated sprites. Battle Tower. Female protagonist option. The definitive Gen 2 experience.
✅ Preloaded — both versions
💡 iGC Gen 2 tip: Play Pokémon Crystal — it's the definitive Gen 2 experience with animated sprites and the Battle Tower. Save state before Red on Mt. Silver — he's the hardest battle in the original series. Use 4x fast forward for the Pokémon breeding process.
💙 Gen 3 — Emerald, FireRed, Ruby, Sapphire on the R36S
Gen 3 is the golden era of Pokémon on the R36S. GBA games run at perfect 60fps, the 3.5" IPS screen makes the vibrant Hoenn and Kanto graphics look stunning, and the preloaded library includes all five Gen 3 games. This is where most R36S buyers spend the majority of their time.
🏆 Pokémon Emerald — iGC #1 Pick
The best Pokémon game ever made. Emerald combines Ruby and Sapphire's stories, adds the Battle Frontier — the most challenging post-game content in the series — and delivers 100+ hours of content. The definitive Gen 3 experience and the most popular game on the R36S.
✅ Preloaded — both versions
🏆 Pokémon FireRed — iGC #2 Pick
The definitive Kanto experience. FireRed rebuilds Gen 1 with Gen 3 mechanics — the Special stat split is fixed, the move pool is expanded, and the Sevii Islands add substantial post-game content. The best way to experience the original 151 Pokémon.
✅ Preloaded — both versions
Pokémon Ruby / Sapphire
The original Hoenn games. Ruby and Sapphire introduced Abilities, Natures, and double battles. Play Emerald instead for the definitive Hoenn experience — but Ruby and Sapphire are solid if you want the original versions.
✅ Preloaded — both versions
Pokémon LeafGreen
FireRed's counterpart with different version exclusives. Choose LeafGreen for Clefairy, Oddish, Bellsprout, and Slowpoke. Choose FireRed for Growlithe, Scyther, Electabuzz, and Magmar.
✅ Preloaded — both versions
✅ iGC Gen 3 recommendation: Play Pokémon Emerald first — it's the best game in the series. Then play FireRed for the Kanto experience. Use save states before every legendary encounter (Rayquaza, Groudon, Kyogre, Mewtwo) and 4x fast forward for grinding and egg hatching.
💜 Gen 4 — HeartGold, SoulSilver, Platinum on the R36S 128GB
Gen 4 DS games are only available on the R36S 128GB version. These are Nintendo DS games — they require the DS emulator (DeSmuME) which is preloaded and configured on the 128GB version. Performance is very good — 50–60fps on most areas, with minor drops in demanding outdoor areas.
⚠ Important: Pokémon HeartGold, SoulSilver, Platinum, Diamond, and Pearl are Nintendo DS games — they are NOT available on the R36S 64GB. You must purchase the 128GB version to play Gen 4 DS Pokémon games.
🏆 Pokémon HeartGold — iGC #1 Gen 4 Pick
The most beloved Pokémon game ever made. HeartGold rebuilds Gen 2 with Gen 4 mechanics — Pokémon follow you, the Pokéwalker, two full regions, and Red as the ultimate final boss. 100+ hours of content. The game most Pokémon fans consider the series peak.
✅ Preloaded — 128GB only
🏆 Pokémon SoulSilver
HeartGold's counterpart — Lugia instead of Ho-Oh, different version exclusives. Identical gameplay quality. Choose HeartGold for Ho-Oh and Gold exclusives, SoulSilver for Lugia and Silver exclusives.
✅ Preloaded — 128GB only
🏆 Pokémon Platinum
The definitive Sinnoh experience. Platinum adds the Distortion World, Giratina's Origin Forme, and the Battle Frontier. The best Gen 4 game and a significant improvement over Diamond and Pearl.
✅ Preloaded — 128GB only
Pokémon Diamond / Pearl
The original Sinnoh games. Play Platinum instead for the definitive experience — but Diamond and Pearl are solid if you want the original versions or specific version exclusives.
✅ Preloaded — 128GB only
🏆 The Best Pokémon Games to Play on the R36S — iGC Ranked
| Rank | Game | Version | Why It's Essential |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Pokémon Emerald | Both | The best Pokémon game ever made. Battle Frontier. 100+ hours. |
| #2 | Pokémon HeartGold | 128GB | Most beloved game in the series. Two regions. Red as final boss. |
| #3 | Pokémon FireRed | Both | Definitive Kanto. Gen 3 mechanics. Sevii Islands post-game. |
| #4 | Pokémon Crystal | Both | Definitive Gen 2. Animated sprites. Battle Tower. |
| #5 | Pokémon Platinum | 128GB | Definitive Sinnoh. Distortion World. Battle Frontier. |
| #6 | Pokémon SoulSilver | 128GB | HeartGold's counterpart. Lugia. Two regions. |
| #7 | Pokémon Yellow | Both | Pikachu follows you. Anime starters. Best Gen 1 experience. |
| #8 | Pokémon Gold / Silver | Both | The originals. Two regions. 251 Pokémon. Red. |
💡 Pokémon Tips for R36S — Save States & Fast Forward
The R36S's save states and fast forward features transform the Pokémon experience. Here's how to use them effectively:
💾 Save State Strategy for Pokémon
- Before every legendary — Rayquaza, Mewtwo, Ho-Oh, Lugia, Giratina
- Before every gym leader — especially Clair, Whitney, Cynthia
- Before Elite Four — save at the entrance
- Before using Master Ball — in case you miss
- Before using a TM — TMs are one-use in Gen 1–4
- Before Red — the hardest battle in the series
Shortcut: Select + R1 to save · Select + L1 to load
⚡ Fast Forward Strategy for Pokémon
- 4x for egg hatching — hatch in seconds
- 4x for EXP grinding — 75% less time
- 2x for overworld travel — faster exploration
- 2x for battle animations — battles feel instant
- 2x for dialogue — skip repetitive text
- Normal speed for boss battles — don't miss inputs
Shortcut: Hold Select + R2 for fast forward
✅ The Pokémon grinding calculation: Pokémon Emerald's Battle Frontier requires Pokémon at level 50–100. With 4x fast forward, grinding from level 50 to 100 takes approximately 25% of the time it would take at normal speed. What used to take 8 hours takes 2 hours on the R36S.
🎯 Which R36S Version for Pokémon?
| Your Pokémon focus | Buy this | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Emerald + FireRed only | 64GB — $79.99 | Both preloaded — save $10 |
| Gen 1–3 Pokémon only | 64GB — $79.99 | All 10 Gen 1–3 games preloaded |
| Want HeartGold or SoulSilver | 128GB — $89.99 | DS games — 128GB only |
| Want Pokémon Platinum | 128GB — $89.99 | DS games — 128GB only |
| Complete Gen 1–4 collection | 128GB — $89.99 | All 16 retro Pokémon games preloaded |
| Buying for a child | 64GB — $79.99 | Gen 1–3 is perfect for children — save $10 |
| Unsure — want everything | 128GB — $89.99 | All generations — $10 more, 6 more games |
GEN 1–3 POKÉMON — ALL PRELOADED
R36S 64GB
⭐ 4.70/5 · 2,837 reviews
$79.99
Emerald · FireRed · Crystal · Gold · Silver
Red · Blue · Yellow · Ruby · Sapphire
Buy 64GB — $79.99 →ALL GEN 1–4 POKÉMON — COMPLETE
R36S 128GB
⭐ 4.70/5 · 2,837 reviews
$89.99
Everything on 64GB, plus:
HeartGold · SoulSilver · Platinum · Diamond · Pearl
Buy 128GB — $89.99 →❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best retro handheld for Pokémon games?
The R36S is the best retro handheld for Pokémon games in 2026. The 64GB version ships with all Gen 1–3 Pokémon games preloaded (Emerald, FireRed, Crystal, Gold, Silver, and more). The 128GB version adds all Gen 4 DS games including HeartGold, SoulSilver, and Platinum. Both run all Pokémon games at perfect speed.
Does the R36S have Pokémon HeartGold?
Yes — on the 128GB version. Pokémon HeartGold is a Nintendo DS game and is preloaded on the R36S 128GB Definitive Edition. It is not available on the 64GB version. The 128GB version also includes SoulSilver, Platinum, Diamond, and Pearl.
Which Pokémon game should I play first on the R36S?
Start with Pokémon Emerald — it's the best game in the series and the most popular choice on the R36S. After Emerald, play FireRed for the Kanto experience. If you have the 128GB version, HeartGold is the next essential game.
Can the R36S play Pokémon Platinum?
Yes — on the 128GB version. Pokémon Platinum is a Nintendo DS game preloaded on the R36S 128GB. It runs at very good speed (50–60fps) with minor frame drops in demanding outdoor areas. It is not available on the 64GB version.
How many Pokémon games are preloaded on the R36S?
The R36S 64GB ships with 10 Pokémon games preloaded: Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, Crystal, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen. The R36S 128GB ships with 16 Pokémon games — everything on the 64GB plus HeartGold, SoulSilver, Platinum, Diamond, and Pearl.
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