Handheld Exhibition at GamePlaza
Discover the Evolution of Portable Gaming
From simple LCD games to powerful handheld consoles, portable gaming has transformed the way people play. At GamePlaza, our Handheld Console Exhibition showcases some of the most influential handheld systems ever created, allowing visitors to explore how gaming evolved beyond the living room. Whether you remember playing on a Nintendo Game Boy or discovering the PlayStation Portable, our collection celebrates the devices that made gaming truly portable.
Nintendo Handhelds
Nintendo has shaped handheld gaming for decades. Our collection includes legendary systems that introduced millions of players to gaming on the go. Our Nintendo handheld collection features:
These consoles helped define portable gaming, from the early monochrome displays of the Game Boy to the glasses-free 3D technology of the Nintendo 3DS.
Sony Handhelds
Sony brought console-quality gaming into players’ hands with its portable systems. Discover:
The PSP introduced multimedia features alongside blockbuster games, while the PlayStation Vita pushed handheld gaming forward with impressive graphics and innovative controls.
Sega, Atari & Other Classic Handhelds
Our exhibition also highlights several rare handheld systems from other manufacturers, including:
These handhelds demonstrate the fierce competition that drove innovation throughout the 1990s and helped shape portable gaming history.
Handheld Console Collection Overview
Explore the history of portable gaming through GamePlaza’s collection of iconic handheld consoles.
From Nintendo’s pioneering Game & Watch to Sony’s PlayStation Vita, these devices revolutionized gaming by bringing it anywhere.
| Handheld | Manufacturer | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| Game & Watch* | Nintendo | 1980 |
| Game Boy* | Nintendo | 1989 |
| Game Boy Advance SP* | Nintendo | 2003 |
| Nintendo DS* | Nintendo | 2004 |
| Nintendo 2DS | Nintendo | 2013 |
| Nintendo 3DS | Nintendo | 2011 |
| PlayStation Portable (PSP)* | Sony | 2004 |
| PlayStation Vita* | Sony | 2011 |
| Atari Lynx* | Atari | 1989 |
| Sega Game Gear* | Sega | 1990 |
| Neo Geo Pocket* | SNK | 1998 |
Note: (*) Some handheld consoles are displayed as part of the exhibition for historical preservation and may not be available for gameplay.
A Journey Through Portable Gaming History
Handheld gaming has evolved from simple LCD devices into sophisticated gaming systems capable of delivering experiences once only possible on home consoles. The GamePlaza collection showcases this evolution, giving visitors a chance to discover the technology, design, and innovation behind some of gaming’s most memorable portable devices.
Are you ready to play?
Discover GamePlaza, Zurich’s interactive video game museum, where over 40 years of gaming history come to life. Located in Altstetten, our hands-on exhibition lets you play authentic arcade machines, classic consoles, handhelds, gaming PCs, pinball machines, and virtual reality experiences. Whether you’re a retro gaming enthusiast, a curious family, or a first-time visitor, GamePlaza offers a unique journey through the evolution of video games in one of Switzerland’s most interactive gaming attractions.