Technology moves so quickly we now have a huge range of games consoles to choose from. Some modern machines are ultra-sophisticated with realistic HD graphics and incredible 3D effects, but sometimes you just want some classic gaming with a retro console without all the bells and whistles. Read on for some of the best retro consoles for modern gamers looking for a nostalgic blast from the past!
Super NES Classic
Nintendo’s Super NES Classic is an oldie and a goodie. Although hard to find now, it can still be tracked down – or dust yours off from the loft and get playing those classic games. There are 21 games loaded onto it from the get-go, so you can get started without having to buy anything extra. You’ll find some great retro games here, including Super Mario Kart. An alternative console from Nintendo today is the Nintendo Switch console, for which you can get even more games, such as four types of bingo games.
Atari Flashback 8
The Atari went through many re-inventions and most gamers remember their favourite. Who can forget the Atari ST? Gamers are sure to love the Atari Flashback 8, which comes with many of its own games, giving you a massive 105 classics to choose from. The Gold Deluxe edition is a special case as this also comes complete with wireless joysticks and pad controllers. Retro gaming doesn’t get much better than this!
Retro-Bit Super Retro-Cade
Perhaps less well-known than the others in this list, the Retro-Bit Super Retro-Cade is a great alternative to the Super NES Classic. You will find 90 games on here with video console titles and classic arcade games so you can play whichever style you fancy. This comes with gaming pad controllers in white and red. The games look great on your HDTV so you can add some modern tech to your classic gaming session.
Neo Geo
This classic games console was also an arcade classic machine hugely popular among arcade players. You might remember some great titles such as Blazing Star and Metal Slug from the early nineties, well you can now play them at home with the Neo Geo. Although massively expensive when it first came out, you can find some top games on the Neo Geo X console for much less and it contains 23 games pre-loaded.
Sega Dreamcast
The Sega Dreamcast is a classic console and slightly more modern than the others, giving you an option to straddle the 80s machines and modern consoles. This was ahead of its time when its last version came out in the late nineties and it even offered online playing capabilities before PlayStation and Xbox came onto the scene! The controllers have their own screens with mini games available and don’t forget all the great games, such as Sonic Adventure.
Retro games consoles can be combined with modern TVs to give you the best of both worlds, whether you are looking for a classic arcade game or a video game with an exciting storyline. Check out some of these fun retro consoles and enjoy a retro gaming session this weekend to turn back the gaming clock to the glory days of the eighties and nineties!
I used to own the NES but I don’t remember playing with it often as a kid, I think it may have been broken lol
I did play with NES once when i was visiting my buddy many years ago. It was an experience for sure!
The console I remember as a kid was the gameboy then DS and variants of those until PSP and old versions of the current consoles. These listed above are kinda old and should definitely fit the retro vibe!
Same here that was my generation too. I remember at school everyone had a different colored gameboy SP
Only handheld i have seen is PSP and i saw someone playing with one few years ago.
SNES is where it’s at!
SNES is nice platform if you want to try this console I strongly recommend this game tactics ogre let us cling together ( tho we just met lmao)
Personally, I would recommend ditching retro consoles in favor of newer consoles that support retro games. You’re going to have a more inconvenient time finding games for a retro console, generally because games for those older hardware tend to cost more.
For instance, the Wii U, despite being seen as a failure in the gaming industry, is actually pretty good. You can play Wii U games (especially games that have been ported to the Switch, and they’re cheaper than the Switch ports), and you also have access to the Virtual Console where you can buy older games like NES games, SNES games, etc. And similarly, the 3DS (which can play DS and 3DS games) has its own Virtual Console with NES games, SNES games (for New 3DS only), etc. Those consoles, in my opinion, are the best ways for modern gamers to play retro games; no need to purchase old hardware and physical games for that old hardware.