The Best Retro Game Consoles
High-def graphics and fast-paced shooters are fun, but we’ll take retro gaming any day. The games that many of us fell in love with are still arguably the best. Retro games offer puzzle and side-scrolling adventures that will entertain “kids” of any age. Thankfully, you don’t have to dust off those delicate antiques to enjoy these games of the 80s and 90s. There are several innovative tech and toy companies making miniature versions of these original consoles, complete with a hard drive full of classic titles and new titles inspired by the old paradigm. Here are some of our favorites.
Ksasmile Handheld Retro Game Console
Great games, boy
Ksasmile’s Handheld Retro Game Console will make you do a nostalgic double take. And while it may look a bit like a pocket gaming device you once knew, it is entirely its own thing. It offers a library of approximately 400 arcade and puzzle games on its hard drive, all of which are in vibrant color. Ksasmile’s device isn’t just good for portability, however. They’ve included a full control pad and an AV adapter to translate the experience to the big screen. We wish we’d had a pocket console like this when we were kids. Thankfully, you and your kids can have it today at a bargain.
Pros:
- This handheld game console can be connected to a TV
- Rechargeable battery
- Includes carrying case
Cons:
- The battery doesn’t last very long before it needs to be charged
Sega Genesis Mini
Vintage adventuring
For many of us, our childhoods had a lot to do with Sega. There are a lot of great gaming manufacturers making consoles today, but we are pleased to know that one of the original master developers has something affordable on the market. The Sega Genesis Mini includes 42 classic Sega games on its hard drive and is ready to “plug and play” right out of the box. We love the sleek, miniature design of this reimagined Sega console, and the two wired controllers bring back joyful memories as well. Perhaps the most attractive aspect of this console is its HDMI connectivity, which enables it to be played on any modern TV setup. We wonder how Sonic will look on the biggest TV in your house.
Pros:
- Classic trusted brand
- HDMI connectivity
- Sleek design
Cons:
- Limited library of games
Sonicon SNES Classic Emulator
Super value
You’d be hard-pressed to find a 90s kid who doesn’t swear by the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and its aesthetic-defining library of great games. But kids of all ages can appreciate the fantastic game library and updated retro graphics of this console as re-imagined by Sonicon. Sonicon’s SNES Classic Emulator is a beauty, complete with a massive library of games from a variety of different consoles and an HDMI cable to bring it to your TV screen. We also love the look of the device itself, which is made up to look like a miniature version of the original Super Nintendo console. This isn’t your standard emulator, it’s super.
Pros:
- Games pulled from multiple vintage consoles
- HDMI connectivity
- Attractive design
Cons:
- No analog connectivity
CredevZone Handheld Game Console
Palm playing
In addition to being a great handheld gaming device with an extensive library of hundreds of vintage games on it, the CredevZone Handheld Game Console comes complete with a keychain. How cool is that? CredevZone has made the Swiss army knife of vintage consoles. It plays so many different games from different consoles and connects to your TV using analog plugs. The graphics are good and can do simple arcade or more detailed 90s games with similar ease. With 650 games and great multi-console combability, CredevZone has given you quite the gaming buffet.
Pros:
- The console comes in a large package with a keychain and earphone
- Color graphics
- Great portability
Cons:
- No HDMI
Frequently Asked Questions
Why not buy the console directly from the brand that originally made it?
Off-brand consoles frankly give you way more options with the same gameplay at a better price. They have more flexibility to cross brand lines and offer you a variety of games from different consoles and generations without having to keep the consistency that the bigger brands do. There’s a time and place for famous brand consoles (we recommend some), but off-brand options can at times give you even more for less.
Does it matter what type of TV plugin is included with my mini console?
It matters. Not all modern TVs sport the red/yellow/white AV cables that were used with early gaming consoles. Fortunately, many retro gaming consoles offer HDMI connectivity. Most TVs have one or the other, with newer models favoring HDMI and older models favoring the AV plugins. It’s very important to know what type of TV you have before making these types of purchases.
Why Trust Us
With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.