Pokémon gamer

[Quacking4it]

Hi. My son will be turning 9 and would like a handheld gamer to play all the Pokémon games. I'm clueless there's so many!! I keep seeing ads for the gamelab is that any good? Or another I should consider? Thank you

I’m not sure what gamelab is. If you mean a console I reccomend a Nintendo switch, there’s loads of Pokémon games out for that

Nintendo Switch for Pokemon games.

Switch for current games. Or switch 2 if you dont mind waiting because there is a new pokemon game coming out soon. If you have the switch then lets go pikachu/eevee is great for kids to start. The retro games are great. I would probably recommend fire red but the retro games are expensive.

I have a gamelab type setup, they’re for retro games. If you’re wanting the new Pokémon ones, it will be a switch you need.

Thanks. Can you play the retro games on the Switch? He's after the more retro stuff

If he just wants the retro games then you can just install an emulator on his phone that will play them.

Modern pokemon games only release on the nintendo switch so if he wants to play any from the last 7 years or so then he needs a switch 1 or 2.

You can get handholds that will run emulators but if you don't have the tech knowledge to get and install the ROMs then you'll struggle with that.

Some of the non mainline retro pokemon games are available with the nintendo switch online catalogue (requires a monthly or yearly subscription to access). It depends which games exactly that he's interested in.

Do you know the game titles of the ones he wants to play? I have most of the older ones installed on my laptop and I just plug in a controller when I want to play them.

If you want recent go for the Switch or Switch 2 if his heart is set on Pokemon Wind and Waves (the next game in the series). If you want retro honestly go for emulation because retro copies can go for horrendous prices (also lots of scams out there). FireRed and LeafGreen (two "retro" gba games) do currently have ports on the Switch 1 and 2 though.