About — RetroInHand

What This Site Is

Independent.
UK-Focused.

RetroInHand exists because genuinely honest, UK-focused retro gaming coverage is hard to find. Most sites are US-centric, padded with affiliate filler, or recommend gear without doing the research to back it up.

This site is different. RetroInHand is a small, independent project — founded and run by Ben Rawlinson, with a few fellow enthusiasts who pitch in with research, ideas, and opinions, and some articles written by independent contributors who know this world well. There are no shareholders to please and no editorial pressure from advertisers. If something is bad value, we'll say so.

There's no committee and no chasing trends for the sake of it — just practical, well-researched advice for people who care about retro gaming and want to make the right call when they're spending their money.

40+ Reviews & Guides

100% Independent

UK Based & Focused

0 Paid Placements

Behind the Site

Who Runs It

Ben Rawlinson

Founder & Editor

I've been into retro gaming for as long as I can remember, and RetroInHand is my way of putting that to use — the kind of practical, no-nonsense coverage I always wanted to read. Articles run under the RetroInHand name with help from a few fellow enthusiasts and contributors, and every one is reviewed and edited before it goes live, against community testing data and expert sources.

Retro Handhelds Buying Guides Emulation Setup Retro Consoles Hardware Mods

AI Transparency: RetroInHand uses AI-assisted writing tools as part of its production workflow. Every article is commissioned, directed, reviewed, and edited by Ben Rawlinson. Recommendations are grounded in community testing data, benchmark analysis, and expert sources — not generated without oversight.

What We Stand For

How This Site Works

Honest Reviews

We research products using community testing data, benchmark analysis, and expert sources. We're not sponsored by manufacturers and have no obligation to anyone but readers. If something is bad value, we'll say so — and explain exactly why.

Depth Over Clicks

No viral lists or hot takes. Articles take time because you deserve proper research, real context, and advice that holds up six months from now — not just at publish time.

UK Perspective

Pricing in pounds, sourcing from UK sellers, PAL gaming history. The site is written with a UK audience in mind — something that's genuinely rare in retro gaming coverage.

No Paid Opinions

Affiliate links help keep the site running, but they never influence what gets recommended. Every pick is made because it's genuinely the right one — not because it pays better commission.

Community First

The retro gaming community is what makes this hobby special. We celebrate collectors, modders, emulation fans, and casual players equally — and I'm always happy to hear from readers.

Always Accurate

Specs, prices, compatibility — We check facts before publishing. When something is wrong, we correct it promptly and say so transparently. No quietly editing mistakes away.

What We Cover