Handheld gaming has been part of Nintendo's DNA for decades and these are the best titles to grace its various platforms.
Handheld gaming is arguably bigger in 2025 than it ever has been, with platforms like the Steam Deck, PlayStation Portal, ROG Ally, and the Nintendo Switch family of consoles.
Nintendo has helped shape the ability to play games on handheld hardware for multiple decades, going back to the days of the Game & Watch.
Recent years have seen Nintendo combine its handheld efforts with its home consoles to create the Switch, which has reshaped the gaming industry at large.
Prior to this, Nintendo released dedicated portable platforms like the Game Boy, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo 3DS.
Going back to the days of the Game & Watch, handhelds have always been a core component of Nintendo’s business.
Author's summary: Nintendo's handheld gaming legacy.