Pradershika Sharma is a tech deals writer for Lifehacker. There’s something oddly comforting about holding an entire childhood in your hands. The Retropian X Handheld Retro Gaming Console is currently on sale for $89.99 at StackSocial, bringing back that exact feeling. Think of it as a portable time machine with over 20,000 preloaded games spanning more than 30 classic systems, all tucked into a body small enough to slip into a jacket pocket. No cartridges, adapters, or online sign-ins, just a black handheld with a sharp 5.1-inch IPS display and a simple mission: let you play the hits from your childhood, minus the hassle. Inside, it runs on a Rockchip RK3326 quad-core CPU with a Mali-G31 GPU, which means it handles everything from 8-bit platformers to 3D-era titles smoothly enough for casual nostalgia trips. The 64GB of storage holds plenty out of the box, but you can expand it up to 256GB with a microSD card if you want to load your own ROMs or mods. Also, it runs an open-source Linux system, making it easy to customize your setup. As for its battery life and connections, the 3,200mAh battery provides around four to six hours of playtime, which is long enough for a train ride or a lazy afternoon. Meanwhile, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth allow you to connect controllers or download new titles without needing to plug in anything. The Retropian X is designed for people who miss the sound of pixel explosions and 16-bit soundtracks. It’s lightweight, featuring an ergonomic design that prevents cramping in your hands mid-game, and comes pre-configured, allowing even non-techies to get started right away. The 854x480 resolution isn’t cutting-edge, and the speakers aren’t concert-grade, but when you’re revisiting Mario, Sonic, or Street Fighter in their old-school form, you'll be glad for the simplicity of a straightforward, plug-and-play nostalgia box that requires nothing but your time and, perhaps, a fully charged battery. Pradershika Sharma is a tech deals writer for Lifehacker. Lifehacker has been a go-to source of tech help and life advice since 2005. Our mission is to offer reliable tech help and credible, practical, science-based life advice to help you live better. © 2001-2025 Ziff Davis, LLC., A ZIFF DAVIS COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Lifehacker is a federally registered trademark of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of Lifehacker. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant.