Handheld video games have come a long way with the invention of the Switch and Steam Deck as virtually every game that's ever been made now is becoming more accessible on the handheld medium. This was not the case before. There were a lot of graphical requisites that couldn't be met, so games couldn't be directly ported from consoles to handhelds.
That's what this list is for -- not to give a list of games that play great on modern handheld consoles, but to provide an ode to the handheld exclusives of the past. Those that, with their graphical inadequacies, still managed to come out on top and be works of art on their own.
10 The Sims 2
The Sims 2 on the DS is a completely different game than The Sims 2 on the PC or consoles. It plays a lot like a life simulator that's mixed in with a sci-fi hotel sim. It's its own game completely and unlike any other Sims game available. For a DS game, it feels very experimental in the way it presents itself.
Players are able to fight Aliens that try to invade their hotel. They are also able to unlock different parts of the hotel with unique mini-games and story progression available. It's an experience that needs to be played through to fully understand, and it's a treat through and through.
9 God of War: Chains Of Olympus
God of War: Chains of Olympus on the PSP takes on the story of Kratos before he went on his revenge-filled journey against Aries. It takes place as he is completing different missions for the Gods which is a fascinating addition to the lore for those who are interested in it. The hack and slash combat is as fun as the original trilogy, plus it comes with cool new powers.
The story might not be as interesting as that of God of War 2018, but it provides a good prologue to the original trilogy. The kills and bosses are also very entertaining -- they present a pleasant challenge and unique gory ways of being taken down.
8 The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds on the 3DS has a lot in common with The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past but also makes itself a completely different game from it. Players are able to get a lot of the items early on that are needed to progress in dungeons, which adds an open-world feel to the game.
The Hyrule presented is vibrant and an upgrade to the one that was available in A Link to the Past. It feels cute and comfortable, yet there are dangers and secrets waiting to be found. A Link Between Worlds is imbued with charm throughout.
7 Golden Sun
Golden Sun is a beautiful game that looked astonishing for the time -- and even now -- for a game that was made for the Gameboy Advance. It is not the most challenging role-playing game that someone can get their hands on, but it provides a large-scale adventure ready to be explored by players who decide to pick it up.
There are a lot of collectibles that the game includes, with 26 summons that can be found and used for powerful attacks in battle. The puzzles are also a lot of fun -- they offer simple ways for players to think outside the box and lead to different rewards. It has a lot of basic JRPG elements but stands strong as a Gameboy Advance original.
6 Metroid: Zero Mission
Metroid: Zero Mission on the Gameboy Advance takes the original game and makes a remake that is a complete reimagining of the first game. The narrative is a lot more fleshed out, offering players a better look into what the protagonist, Samus, is thinking. The game has a lot of different endings that are added to the mix.
Zero Mission also includes a new level after the original game's final level, which adds more to the exploration aspect. It also presents many more challenges that can be completed and adds a strong graphical upgrade to the original game.
5 Mario And Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story was a game that came out for the Nintendo DS and followed a lot of what the Mario and Luigi RPG series had created. The combat is still turn-based, but it requires players to be more involved as a lot of the moves require perfect timing to pull off.
The addition of being able to play as Bowser and get to know him more as a character was a really nice choice as he is basically the primary protagonist of the game along with Mario and Luigi. It's a fun game with a lot of childlike joy for players to be able to experience.
4 Daxter
Daxter is an amazing 3D platformer that was on the PSP. It took a lot of elements from the Jak and Daxter game, as well as Jak 2, and used them as a base for this game's mechanics. Daxter then takes those elements and amplifies the platforming aspect tenfold, making for an ambitious game with a lot of great design choices.
The use of a bug-spraying weapon for both combat and platforming is fun and inventive, and the way each level introduces a new platforming challenge keeps things fresh throughout. It's one of those rare gems that keep players hooked and playing until they finally finish it.
3 Mega Man Zero
Mega Man Zero is on the Gameboy Advance, and it takes the Mega Man story and turns the landscape towards a much more post-apocalyptic tone than in the previous games. The story is one of the best in the Mega Man series, introducing a completely different timeline. Though the story is great, the game is at its best in combat by having players unlock new weapons and upgrade them.
The game also does 2D platforming right, offering a similar challenge to that of the original Mega Man games. It's a game that will keep players on their toes as they try to figure out how to defeat fun enemy types and bosses.
2 Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance is the best Kingdom Hearts game in the series as it implements a lot of elements of the previous titles correctly. The game allows players to catch dream-based creatures, which makes the game part pet simulator as players will need to feed and play with them to boost their stats.
The combat is also the best in the series as the flow mechanics that are introduced into the game allow players to fly around the different areas with anime-inspired Parkour mechanics. It also has some of the best Disney worlds in the series.
1 Pokémon Blue And Red
Pokémon Blue And Red were released on the original Gameboy. These games were what started the pocket monster collecting craze that took over the world not too soon after its release. They were an instant hit, offering 151 collectible Pokémon, but they needed players to trade to access all of them.
It was a fun game to play on the go as it had players traveling to different Pokémon gyms to battle their leaders and try to level up their different Pokémon along the way. It was a new experience that brought training and collecting together in an elaborate yet simple-to-pick-up manner. Pokémon Blue and Red rightfully deserve a spot in the handheld gaming -- if not just the regular gaming -- hall of fame.