THE BEST RETRO VIDEO GAME CONSOLES

Updated 13 Jul 2022

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We compare the most popular brands and models, and we boil them down to the top five to give you the most in-depth and dependable buying recommendation - so you can make the best buying decision possible.

BEST OF THE BEST

How We Tested

These products are recommended based on a thorough research process that aims to cut through the clutter and uncover the best products in this category. We spend hours looking into the elements that matter with the assistance of experts to provide you with these options.

Models Considered

180

Consumers Consulted

Hours Researched

Updated 13 Jul 2022

Written by

Revuu Buddy

Game Monkey Neo Geo Mini Pro Player Pack

Bottom Line
Classic Favorite
For you to play at home, the Neo Geo classic arcade games have been recreated in a tiny form.

Pros
Choose whether to use the integrated screen or connect via HDMI. Two gamepad accessories are included. It's preloaded with 40 classic Neo Geo arcade titles and is compatible with two USB ports.

Cons
It doesn't look good on a big TV.

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Nintendo Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.

Bottom Line
Fun on a Budget
A modern spin on the original Nintendo Game and Watch portable gaming device from the '80s.

Pros
Play the entire original Super Mario Bros. 1 & 2 game, the lost levels, and other features in this sequel. The digital clock includes some amusing bonus animations. It's reasonably priced.

Cons
The screen may be a little too small for some people.

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Sony PlayStation Classic

Bottom Line
The Best Gaming Consoles
This excellent retro gaming system is surprisingly cheap and designed for leisurely playing between 20 highly regarded games with a pal.

Pros
This PlayStation bundle includes 20 classic games, including Resident Evil Director's Cut, Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee, and Rayman. You also get 2 controllers and a virtual memory card that saves your progress across all games.

Cons
An AC adaptor is not included with this classic console.

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Sega SEGA Genesis Mini

Bottom Line
Gigantic Sega Value
It's a 2-player pleasure that proves that Sega does what Nintendo doesn't by packing a slew of great games from many genres into this tiny Genesis.

Pros
Sega Genesis games include Earthworm Jim, Golden Axe, and Streets of Rage 2. An excellent selection for any Genesis owner! Included with two controllers. There's a lot to like about this one!

Cons
There are no rewind or other bonus features.

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Atari Atari Flashback 9 Gold

Bottom Line
120 Atari Classics
The Flashback 9 Gold is the most vintage game for your money, featuring classics like Frogger and Seaquest.

Pros
This collection includes 200 excellent Atari games, including Centipede, Space Invaders, and Pong. 2 wireless joysticks are included. Rewind and save options are available. Low-cost option.

Cons
Many people may not appreciate the simple graphics of the Atari era.

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HOW WE TESTED

We suggest these goods based on a thorough study process that aims to cut through the clutter to identify the finest products in this area. We spend hours researching the elements that matter with the help of specialists to provide you with these options.

Buying guide for

THE TOP RETRO VIDEO GAME CONSOLES

It's not just about hyper-realistic graphics or chaotic preorders for new consoles. You can play your old favorites — or games you like that were created before you were born — on retro video game consoles and recall simpler times. Despite their basic visuals and small open-world areas, many vintage video games are tough enough to stump even the most seasoned gamer. While some of these older games can be frustratingly difficult, they're also incredibly rewarding to those who manage to beat them.

You can still buy original classic video game consoles, but we'll focus on contemporary re-released editions since they are more dependable and useful for regular use. You'll need to consider the consoles available and choose one of your favorites or opt for a multi-system console. Many of these consoles come preloaded with games, but you may want to consider buying additional titles separately.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

Retro console types

PlayStation

The PlayStation 1, launched in the mid-nineties, is one of the newest retro gaming consoles, but it has a cult following owing to popular titles such as Tomb Raider, Crash Bandicoot, and Silent Hill. Sony has released the PlayStation Classic, which looks exactly like the original PS1 console and comes with 20 games preinstalled, including the three titles mentioned above.

Nintendo

Without Nintendo, home console gaming as we know it may not exist. The NES and SNES systems have been modernized with preinstalled games such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, StarFox, and Final Fantasy III, originally released in the 1980s. Some handheld re-released vintage games consoles from Nintendo include the Game & Watch line and the Game Boy line.

Sega

Sega is still well-known for its retro game consoles, even though it no longer develops new gaming machines. The SG-1000 and Master System were not as popular in the United States as the Genesis, which debuted in 1999 with Sonic the Hedgehog. The firm has reintroduced a modern version of the Genesis with more than 40 preinstalled games, including the original Sonic the Hedgehog. Sega also offers classic games for purchase through its online store, Steam.

Atari

The Atari 2600 was one of the first home video game systems, and it included vintage favorites such as Pac-Man and Asteroids. Later, Atari consoles included the Atari 5200 and the Atari Jaguar. The company has created a retro throwback console that includes various popular Atari games from different consoles, including Space Invaders, Seaquest, and Frogger.

Neo Geo

Neo-Geo was founded in 1989 as an arcade game manufacturer. Metal Slug, The Last Blade, Aero Fighters, and Samurai Shodown are only a few of its popular games. However, in the 1980s and 1990s, the firm gradually expanded into home video game consoles by releasing the AES (Advanced Electronic System) and the Neo Geo CD before finally releasing the Neo Geo VMS (Multi Video System) in 1994.

Multi-system consoles

You may play retro games from various old consoles on multi-system retro video game consoles. Some come preloaded with games developed by several game studios previously released on various machines. This device should be officially licensed, as it could contain pirated copies of classic games that don't function correctly. If you want to play your favorite retro games, you can choose a range of disc drives and cartridge slots. Keep in mind that not all games will work, so it might be a good idea to have a selection of games ready before making your purchase.

Preloaded games

The software will most likely be preloaded if you purchase a re-released version of an old console or any other new hardware that plays retro games. This is because genuine retro games may be difficult to locate in good working order, and game creators don't want to re-release outdated titles that aren't likely to sell many copies. Many consoles come with around 20 to 50 preloaded games, so you should anticipate finding the majority of the biggest games and a variety of somewhat less popular titles. This is generally true, but if you want one or two specific games, you'll be disappointed if they aren't included with your console since additional games can't usually be purchased or downloaded.

If you pick a multi-system console with games from various systems, be sure it's officially licensed. Otherwise, you could get games that are poor copies of the originals.

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FEATURES

Controllers

Controllers are frequently included with retro video game consoles. These should match the original console's controllers. You'll generally get a pair of controllers, allowing you to play multiplayer games with others if possible. Some controllers are wired; others have been wireless-field, unavailable when the console was originally launched.

Handheld

Some handheld retro gaming consoles are also available. These have a small screen and controls built into the console, allowing you to play them wherever you like.

Multiplayer

Most retro game consoles include some multiplayer features, and most come with two controllers so you can play against another person. These machines, however, only support in-person multiplayer action, so don't expect to be able to play online with your pals the same way you can with modern game consoles.

DID YOU KNOW?

Some vintage video game consoles are increasingly valuable, which appeals to some buyers more than simply using the device.

RETRO VIDEO GAME CONSOLE PRICES VARIOUS

Inexpensive: Handheld and third-party multi-system consoles may be purchased for anywhere from $25 to $50, although some are illegally licensed.

Expensive: The most expensive retro video game systems range from $150 to $300. These often come with many games and accessories, such as extra controllers.

You'll notice superior visuals from vintage consoles with 16-bit computing power compared to their 8-bit counterparts, but it will still appear somewhat primitive compared to today's greatest games.

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TIPS

Consider the sorts of games you enjoy before you buy. You should also look for any games you want to play on your console. If you want to play the original Mario Kart games on your Sega Genesis, there's not much point in buying one.
You may probably get by without buying games for a vintage console. The majority of retro consoles are preinstalled with games in their internal storage.
Establish whether you want an old-school vintage video game console or a new re-released variant. Real vintage consoles are prone to faults and compatibility difficulties, whereas new models frequently come preinstalled with games and work with modern TVs.

FAQ

Q.Is a video game play the same as on an original retro game console on a re-released console?

A. The gameplay on a re-released retro console is generally the same as the original, with minor modifications. While you might detect some small variations, especially on consoles that feature games from large arcade cabinets, for the most part, the play experience is identical to the original. The controls you get should correspond to those included with the genuine retro version, so you'll have to use a little imagination when you're trying to figure out how to move your characters around on-screen.

Q. What exactly is a retro video game console?

A. This is an issue because, in gaming, there isn't a standard definition of what constitutes vintage and retro. Some purists restrict retro to consoles produced between 1970 and 1990, such as the Atari 2600 and NES. On the other hand, most will acknowledge consoles manufactured throughout the 1990s as retro electronics (n), including SNES, N64, Sega Genesis, and the original PlayStation. Vintage games are usually defined as those created before 1985.