When it comes tohandheld gamingports, players essentially expect an experience roughly on-par with, or a degree worse than, the home console or PC version. If the game is evencloseto being up to snuff on handheld, it’s considered a win. Yet, there are a select few titles that manage to excel at least a bit beyond their bigger console sibling.
Handheld machinesdohave the added value of enabling quick gaming sessions on the go — which better suits smaller titles and minigames. There’s also the factor of specialized tech, buttons, or other features fastened to certain handhelds, which home consoles may not be able to emulate. For one reason or another, these games play better or have unique appeals that the console/PC versions don’t quite have.
TheMonster Hunterseries was an absolute phenom in Japan for much of the 2000s, before finally taking hold in the West and being (at least partly) a success story there. It’s easy to see why, with multi-layered open-world gameplay that beckons gamers to go monster hunting, crafting, and exploring — either solo or with friends — for hours on end.
The first handheld iteration of this grind-heavy ARPG from Capcom remains among the strongest in the series. Being a 2006 release,Monster Hunter Freedomwas about the most robust, epic gaming experience for its time, and (aside perhaps from its visuals), it holds up today.
While the PS2 version (essentiallyMonster Hunter G) is roughly as compelling and well-crafted, the handheld rendition edges it out. Not only does the marathon, grind-heavy gameplay lend itself to playing on the go, but it also brings some end game content and features (like offline acces to the Gathering Hall), adding countless hours to this already vast 42-hour campaign.
TheSilent Hillseries is renowned for its ability to frighten fans on a level evenResident Evildoesn’t often reach, with its dark locales rife with creepy, grotesque monsters. In the case ofShattered Memories, it dials things back in terms of action and combat, and leans more on eerie vibes, exploration, and suspense.
At the same time, it draws from the franchise’s roots, serving as a reimagining of the very firstSilent Hill. Added to this, theWii version brings the ability to move aroundthe protagonist Harry Mason’s flashlight via motion control, as he searches desolate areas for his missing daughter.
Yet, many fans swear by the more traditional PSP version, which is particularly impressive graphically. It also meshes well with the smaller, less-capable handheld, givenShattered Memories' somewhat stripped-down nature and narrow focus.
This amusing, colorful collage of rhythm microgames fits perfectly on 3DS, despite the flat visuals not exactly showing off its 3D ability. Its simple, to-the-point gameplay and family-friendly themes make it a great option for a quick lunch break, or as a distraction for the kids when on the road. Players may be asked to do anything from dancing in-time with their froggie dance troupe to taking quick snapshots of speeding cars in rhythmic fashion.
The game isn’t adirectport, but rather, a hodgepodge of stages and games from the DS and Wii renditions ofRhythm Heaven. Between the slew of fun options — over 100 rhythm romps, to be precise — and the touchscreen functionality,Megamixis the definitive way to play this delightful music game.
Despite being the onlyBurnoutgame not directly made by Criterion Games,Burnout Dominatoris a fan-favorite of this wild racing-meets-destruction franchise. The handheld version is loaded with thrilling racing content that sacrificesnothingfrom its PS2 counterpart.
While there’s a healthy dose of car-crashing, Crash Mode is missing this time, with more emphasis on other World Tour events, flashy skill points, and rocking one’s boost meter for ‘Burnouts’. A more classicBurnoutapproach is taken here, with some modern flair, added features, and several cool new cars. Several distinct game modes (like Eliminator and Maniac Mode) will have players finding it hard to put down their PSPs.
Switch gamers were reminded of Retro’s gripping reboot/sequel to the renowned platformerDonkey Kong Country, with a fleshed out and refined release in 2025. But while that version can also be considered “the definitiveDonkey Kong Country”, the 3DS game more than holds its own — despite being over a decade older.
The experience is a delightful blend of retro and modern platforming, with stapleDKCgameplay coupled with new challenges, characters, and some hazards that are just bananas. Theuse of 3D is subtle-yet-effective, and the controls feel more solid and straightforward, as this version lacks the tacked-on motion of the Wii original.
There’s a lot to love about this rich rendition ofDragon Quest— from the captivating narrative to the vibrant world of Erdrea to the deceptively deep, well-crafted battle system. The coreDQ11boasts dozens of hours of imaginative JRPG gameplay alone. Meanwhile, the enhanced version calledS - Definitive Edition, injects even more features and material.
One neat addition is the ability to dial back the visuals to aclassic early 90s 2D aesthetic. This makes for a terrific fusion of modern and retroDragon Quest, and fits especially well with the more classic handheld feel of 3DS. It’s perhaps fitting that the robustDefinitive Editionis actuallybasedon the slightly more stylistic 3DS game, which, despite being squeezed into older hardware, is the best way to play this epic.
There’s a reason this 2010 classicSonichomage from Sega remains a draw after getting remastered in recent years. The swift, vibrant, and delightfully familiar gameplay simply holds up. The blue hedgehog’s colorful side-scrolling journey has sped its way onto several platforms, though many find the DS edition is the way to go.
Set in outer space, fans will find the experience “out-of-this-world” as they venture through several planets, each with six main stages and an intense boss fight. There are many elements and details to these sprawling levels, despite their 2D presentation. Additionally, the extra screen is helpful and adds a unique dynamic. It expands the field of view either above or below Sonic as he scurries onward, revealing a larger picture of the busy biome being traversed.
Even though Nintendo triumphantly securedthis ironic, alluring puzzler— once in the clutches of Russia — for handheldandhome console, it’s the Game Boy game people remember most. One need only pick up the brick-like device and play for a few minutes to understand why.
Even with its simplicity and grey-green (lack of) color scheme, the block-assembling bonanza is just pure, unadulterated fun; somehow even more charming than the NES romp. Of course, it also helps that this version brings multiplayer through a console-linking cable, while the (official) Nintendo version on home console does not.
