You can use things like GameHub/GameHub Lite (a community fork which strips the telemetry), or Winlator. This can run far, far more taxing games than just the little indies. Tomb Raider (2013), Halo MCC, Fallout New Vegas, Silksong, Dave the Diver, Hades II and so on. There is tinkering sometimes, but its getting more and more impressive as time goes on.
Its up to you if you want to plan for the future and buy the ‘Max’ version (with more RAM), but for all that’s possible now, the 12GB version (the Pro model) is more than enough.
It will 100% play small indie games, but remember some games are weird. They’re fickle and refuse to work (I think one of the Deus Ex games refuses to play, I might have read that somewhere?). So it might be a case-by-case basis. If it helps, do a search for AYN Odin 2 (or AYN Odin 2 Portal) + GameHub or Winlator. They share the same chip and have plenty of users sharing their experiences!
You don’t need that same software. The principle is still the same though, you’re loading ROMs of games on there. The 3DS console method simplifies it because they created their own freeshop, but with this, you’re going to load the ROMs yourself.
I’m surprised you haven’t heard of Eden before this! It’s the choice for emulating on Android now! They’re very well established, and seem to be vouched for by all the ‘big’ names in the emulation and handhelds scene.
Obviously practicing your own caution is important, but Eden isn’t some unknown fly-by-nighter. They’re very, very much a known name now.
I assume most or all of it goes to Gardiner Bryant and not the OP.
I make no money from Gardiner’s site, or any other way I’ve done these articles. They’re just because I love to write and because I love the gaming scene. Thanks for realizing that!