So, you’ve just purchased a brand-new GPD handheld gaming PC or mini laptop, and now you’re looking for games to play? Our guide will help you discover where to find games and provide instructions on how to install new games and ROMs.
Where to Find Windows Games #
There are plenty of platforms where you can get both free and paid Windows games. Below are some of the most popular options:
- Steam – Steam Store – The most popular platform for both free and paid games.
- Epic Games – Epic Games Store – Offers weekly FREE games that are typically paid titles.
- Good Old Games (GOG) – GOG Store – A platform for DRM-free games.
- Xbox Game Pass – Xbox Game Pass – A subscription service that provides access to a wide selection of commercial games. You can also cloud-stream these games to your handheld.
- Humble Bundle – Humble Bundle – Offers bundles of games at significantly reduced prices, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity.
Where to Find Game ROMS #
While we cannot directly link to websites hosting commercial game ROMs, you can easily find them through a quick Google search—just make sure you own the original game before downloading. Here are some alternative ways to enjoy retro gaming on your handheld:
- PDROMS – PDROMS Website – A vast collection of homebrew games for various consoles and computers. Although no longer updated, the site still offers many homebrew titles.
- Retro Veteran – Retro Veteran Website – A great resource featuring links to a variety of homebrew games for different consoles.
- Antstream – Antstream Website – A cloud-based retro gaming service. Available on Windows, Android, and other platforms, it offers a free version along with a subscription option for additional features.
How to Install ROMs on Your Windows Handheld Gaming PC #
Setting up emulators for retro games is straightforward with RetroArch, a powerful multi-system emulator. You can check out our guide on setting up RetroArch for more detailed instructions. Here’s a quick overview of how to install ROMs on your handheld gaming PC:
Create a ROMs Folder #
First, create a new folder on your GPD’s storage and name it “ROMS.” Inside this folder, create subfolders for each game console you have games for. For instance, you might create a folder called “Genesis” for Sega Mega Drive/Genesis games.
Import ROMs with RetroArch #
Open RetroArch and use the Import Content option, followed by Scan Directory.
Locate the ROMs Folder #
Navigate to the ROMs folder you just created.
Scan ROM Folders #
To scan the ROMs for a single console, enter that specific folder and choose Scan This Directory.
If you’d like to scan all console folders at once, select the ROMs folder itself. Keep in mind that scanning a large collection may take longer.
Access Your Games #
After the scan completes, return to the RetroArch main menu. You’ll now find menu options for each console you’ve scanned, allowing you quick access to your games.