The Best Retro Game Consoles
Classic games from the 8-biot and 16-bit eras continue to capture the hearts of gamers today. If you're nostalgic for a bygone time of sprite-based gaming, you're in luck. These days, retro gaming consoles are both affordable and in abundance. Old games can be easily recreated or emulated with modern technology, but you can also play the original game cartridges themselves. So if you'd like to hop in a time machine and get your old-school gaming on, keep reading to learn about the best retro gaming consoles on the market.
What to Look For
To bring you the best retro game consoles, we used our extensive knowledge and looked for the following: What kind of games does it play? Is it portable, or does it connect to a TV? And are the controllers wireless? Let’s say you want to play 8-bit games on a TV: Zing Toys has you covered with their NES replica, complete with wireless controllers based on the old design. With preloaded games, you can start gaming right away. If you’re looking for a great retro gaming handheld, you can’t go wrong with the Retroid Pocket 2 plus. It’s a powerful emulating device that can also run most Android games and has a pocketable form factor. We can’t wait to tell you more, so read on below.
Zing Toys Retro Video Game Console
Time to level up
For many, the golden age of gaming was when the NES reigned supreme. The 8-bit days are beloved by gamers old and young, so it’s no surprise that this retro-styled console tops our list. It’s modeled after the original Nintendo Entertainment System, including the controllers — except these ones are wireless. And you won’t need to blow on cartridges to get them to work because everything is saved on the system memory. This is a great plug-and-play TV for all ages, a perfect way to introduce a new generation of gamers to some old-school classics.
Pros:
- This works on modern TVs as long as they have an AV input (yellow or green for video, red and white for audio).
- Since it uses a standard micro-USB power cable, you can use this almost anywhere with a portable monitor and power bank.
Cons:
- Unfortunately, this doesn’t have HDMI output, although the games wouldn’t be able to take advantage of higher resolutions anyway.
TaddToy 16-Bit Handheld Game Console for Kids
The perfect place to start
If your kid wants their own handheld, this might be the perfect place to start. This little device from TaddToy has a bunch of pre-installed, ready-to-play games. They’re 16-bit games in a variety of genres, similar to SNES and Sega Genesis libraries. These games are stored via onboard memory, but two cartridges with multiple games are also included. This is a great pick if you’re looking for an affordable portable game console.
Pros:
- The games are made for the device instead of being emulated, so they run very smoothly.
- On a full charge, this can last up to about six hours.
Cons:
- We wish it had the option to load other games from our PC, although that might be overly complicated for most users.
My Arcade Retro Arcade Machine X Playable Mini Arcade
No quarters necessary
Arcades may almost be a relic, but they’re here to stay. This tiny arcade machine brings back some of the glory of the arcade days of gaming. This cute little device comes packed with retro games. The controls are styled after the arcade machines of yesteryear. Overall, the Arcade Machine X makes a great little gift for yourself or a gamer friend — it’s fun, light, and nostalgic.
Pros:
- Since it runs on AA batteries, you won’t have to remember to charge it (unless you want to use rechargeable AAs). And when the batteries run out, you can simply replace them and get back to gaming.
- This is a smash hit with kids. With the sheer number of games on this, they have plenty of fun to hold their attention.
Cons:
- The screen is a bit on the small side, which at least makes it more portable.
Geek Theory Super Retro Trio HD Plus
For the authentic experience
Do you have an old collection of NES, SNES, or Genesis cartridges? If you do or are starting to collect them, this is just the retro console for you. It can play all of the aforementioned cartridges as if natively running. Everything feels just like the classic Nintendo and Sega consoles of yore — except for one important upgrade. What’s great about this retro console is that it actually upscales the original resolution of the games to 720p, outputting via an HDMI cable. So you can enjoy an HD, big-screen gaming experience on modern TVs and monitors.
Pros:
- Most flash carts, which can hold multiple games at once, are viable with this console.
- Original Nintendo and Sega controllers work with this console. Plus, you can use modern, wireless versions as well.
Cons:
- You’ll need to supply the games yourself — many can be found in
Retroid Pocket 2 Plus Retro Game Handheld Console
Take the entertainment with you
This little handheld has taken the emulating world by storm. For its price, the computing power can’t be beaten — it can even emulate some Gamecube and PS2 games. It runs on Android, so there are plenty of free and paid emulators to play your favorite games. You’ll have to find the ROMs and ISOs yourself, which can be easily ripped from old cartridges, for example. This device is a knockout, and we can’t recommend it enough for gamers that love N64, Playstation, and earlier gaming eras. The four-by-three screen ratio is perfect for these since old games were in that ratio.
Pros:
- The battery life is fantastic, easily lasting as long as 6 hours on a full charge.
- The touchscreen is super responsive.
- The L and R buttons are ergonomically placed and easy to reach.
Cons:
- The right slider joystick could stand to be a bit smoother, although it’s definitely better than no right joystick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need my own retro cartridges to play old video games?
Most retro-style consoles now have digital versions of games pre-installed. Some might be able to play old cartridges, but for the most part, you won’t need to supply the games yourself.
What do 8-bit and 16-bit mean?
In reference to video games, 8-bit consoles used an 8-bit processor. The most famous of these consoles are the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and the Sega Master System (SMS). Meanwhile, the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis were 16-bit machines with more processing power to display more pixels and colors at once.
About the Author
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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.