Yep, been tinkering with these kinds of devices for a while, and honestly, if your priority is ease-of-use and portability-especially since it’s a gift-I’d consider an Android-based handheld emulator like the Anbernic RG405M or even the Retroid Pocket 4.
These come pre-assembled, often pre-configured, and look and feel like retro handhelds. Emulation performance is solid up to GameCube in many cases, and setup is minimal. Plus, with Android, your friend can install other apps, stream games, or even pair a Bluetooth controller if needed. It’s a plug-and-play experience that still keeps things flexible.