These Retro Gaming Consoles Deliver a Dose of Nostalgia

Simon Hill

Do you remember the alluring 8-bit music, flashing screens, and excitement of the arcades? Maybe you spent many happy hours in front of an early home computer or game console. Or perhaps you just want a taste of what early video games were like. Everyone loves new retro-looking games, but if you really want to scratch that nostalgic itch, you need to revisit the classics.

There are many ways to play retro games, but perhaps the easiest is to snag a retro gaming console. I grew up in the arcade and owned a string of computers and consoles over the years, so when updated versions of these systems were released, I jumped at the chance to test them. These are the best retro gaming consoles worth your time.

Updated April 2023: We added the Picade, several honorable mentions, and updated prices throughout.

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With an authentic, minimalist 1980s aesthetic, this retro-gaming console offers an eclectic mix of classic games from different systems and publishers, including titles like Missile Command, Double Dragon, and Speedball 2. Games come in collections on $20 physical cartridges. There are more than 260 officially licensed games from Atari, Technos, Data East, Codemasters, and Piko Interactive, but new releases are rolling out all the time. Pop the flap and you'll find space for two cartridges inside. Press the power button and a light strip blinks to life and turns red, followed by synth-wave music and high-resolution box art that gives you the retro feels.

The rectangular controllers remind me of NES controllers with shoulder buttons, but they are probably the weakest element here--too lightweight and not comfortable for long play sessions. Luckily, you can use most third-party controllers (wired or wireless), and the console supports up to four players. Games run smoothly and mostly look good on the big screen. You also get display options, including the original ratio and artificial scan lines, control schemes with support for remapping, and the ability to save anywhere. All of that at an affordable price makes this the best retro console for most people.

Whether you're an avid collector or you happen to have a stack of old cartridges and discs, the Polymega may pique your interest. Designed as the one retro console to rule them all, this modular system has optional add-ons for NES, SNES, Genesis (Megadrive), or TurboGrafx that can accommodate the original cartridges and controllers from those respective systems. The large black base unit also plays Sega Saturn, PlayStation, Sega CD, TurboGrafx-CD, and Neo Geo CDs. The controller most resembles a DualShock pad, but the modules each come with an authentic-feeling version of the original gamepad--including a light gun.

Build quality is excellent, and the software emulation is impressive, with saves and screen-filtering options. I tested the Super module after dusting off my old Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country cartridges, and it has been a blast introducing my kids to these classics. When you first insert a cartridge or disc, you get the option to run it or install it to the internal storage (it has 32 GB out of the box, but you can expand this with an SD card or SSD), which is great for enthusiasts who want to preserve their collections. Real estate under the TV is at a premium, so replacing multiple systems with a single box is appealing. It comes with a handful of obscure titles preinstalled, but it only makes sense for gamers with large physical game libraries. There's an N64 module coming, but just know that orders can take a while to ship. If Playmaji can work out a way to offer its library of classic titles to buy and download, this could be the ultimate retro console, but it's not cheap.

The original Evercade (8/10, WIRED Recommends) was a handheld console that debuted in 2020, offering the ability to play titles that were available on old systems like the NES, SNES, the Sega Genesis (Mega Drive), Atari Lynx, and the Mattel Intellivision. The new and improved version, the Evercade EXP (7/10, WIRED Review) supports the same games and still has a 4.3-inch screen, but it's a much sharper IPS panel. There's also USB-C charging and TATE mode for vertical shooters, which makes for a solid upgrade. It's not without its faults. Build quality is questionable and the button layout can be awkward, especially for TATE mode.

You can still plug it into your TV with a Mini-HDMI to HDMI cable. The Evercade runs games smoothly, offers a save function, and has decent battery life. Games are organized into collections on $20 cartridges with booklets that give a short history of each title. All of Evercade's cartridges work on both the VS (see above) and the original Evercade, too, with the exception of a couple of Namco collections that were only licensed for the handheld. If you want multiplayer and prefer to play on the big screen, the Evercade VS is still a better choice.

This elegant, modern handheld can play Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges, so it's perfect for folks who held onto childhood game cartridges like Super Mario World or Pokemon Crystal. The Analogue Pocket (8/10, WIRED Recommends) boasts a gorgeous 3.5-inch high-res display with 10 times the pixels of the original square Game Boy. The D-pad and four face buttons are satisfying to use. Battery life extends beyond 7 hours and there's a USB-C port for recharging. There's also a microSD card slot for saves.

With two FPGA chips inside, the Analogue Pocket can be trained to mimic many kinds of classic gaming hardware as soon as you fire up a cartridge. Since one of the chips is user-hackable, you may also be able to play games from other systems. On the downside, the volume and power buttons are tiny, the layout doesn't work so well for Game Boy Advance games, and you can expect a long wait if you order one.

Jeffrey Van Camp

Adrienne So

Scott Gilbertson

Adrienne So

When it comes to official mini consoles, the Sega Genesis Mini (also known as the Mega Drive) is the pinnacle. Less than half the size of the original but with the same design, it looks the part. There's even a fake volume slider and flaps that open, though sadly it can't accommodate cartridges. It plugs into your TV with the included HDMI cable. The two corded three-button controllers feel authentic, but you can buy a wireless six-button controller that's even better.

The experience is elevated by a strong lineup of titles that run smoothly and look exactly as you remember. Alongside several Sonic the Hedgehog games, there's Ecco the Dolphin, Ghouls 'n Ghosts, Golden Axe, Tetris, Street Fighter 2, and many more--42 in total--with less filler than on most other mini consoles (though, annoyingly, there's no Mortal Kombat). Everything is tied together neatly with specially composed menu music from the talented Yuzo Koshiro. Of all the consoles I tested, this was the most evocative. There's also a Sega Genesis Mini 2 ($100) based on the smaller version of Sega's original 16-bit console, with a fresh roster of 60 games (including Earthworm Jim 2, Phantasy Star 2, and The Revenge of Shinobi), a six-button controller, and enhancements for some titles.

Few will remember SNK's Neo Geo console from 1990, such was the dominance of Nintendo and Sega at the time, but it matched the performance of the company's multi-video-system (MVS) arcade cabinets. The newer Neo Geo Mini unusually emulates an arcade cabinet rather than a console. It has a tiny 3.4-inch screen and a joystick with four buttons. It's a little awkward to play on, so you may prefer to buy a Neo Geo Mini Pad controller. You get a power cable in the box, but you'll need an AC adapter, and you should buy an HDMI to Mini-HDMI cable to play on your TV.

With 40 games presented in true arcade style, including a prompt to spend credits when you die, the emulation is excellent. Plus, SNK added the option to save and return to any point. It's a fighting-heavy lineup of games, including series like Metal Slug, King of Fighters, Fatal Fury, and Samurai Showdown. There are some fun games you'll struggle to find elsewhere, and the arcade cabinet design makes it a great desk ornament.

The dinky PlayStation Classic looks cute, but Sony's retro gaming console is a letdown. It comes with two wired controllers, a power cable, and an HDMI cable, but there's no official wireless controller option, and you have to supply your own AC adapter. With just 20 games on board, this is a limited PlayStation lineup, and there's no easy legal way to add new titles. Thankfully, there are some real classics, including Grand Theft Auto, Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil Director's Cut, Tekken 3, and Twisted Metal.

The experience is marred by poor emulation and inconsistent performance. The menu is distinctly barebones. Some of the early 3D games don't look great on modern TVs, and there has been no attempt to upscale or remaster them. At least there's a virtual memory card built in for saves. Despite some of the disappointments here, the Classic does boast a great list of games that chart its evolution and remind us why it was so impactful.

Jeffrey Van Camp

Adrienne So

Scott Gilbertson

Adrienne So

The Commodore 64 made its way into millions of homes in the early '80s when home computers began to take off. The C64 Mini is a miniaturized version of the beige plastic original, but its keys are just for show. It comes with a joystick and plugs into your TV with the included HDMI cable. There's no AC adapter, but any phone charger you have lying around will do. There are a couple of USB ports, so you can add a keyboard or a second joystick, or even plug in a flash drive.

With 64 games installed, from Impossible Mission to Boulder Dash, there's plenty to choose from, but not all are classics. There's also no booklet or instructions, which makes some of the titles almost unplayable. It does run the Commodore 64 BASIC programming language, so you can load custom ROMs to add more games if you don't mind jumping through a few hoops. The whole thing is a little clunky, the 8-bit graphics look horrific on a 65-inch TV, and the joystick brought me no joy at all, but none of that is inconsistent with the original.

Released in 1987, the Commodore Amiga 500 wasn't big in the US, but it was one of the most popular home computers in the UK and across Europe, and it sparked a fierce rivalry with the Atari ST. Both offered a leap in gaming quality and a raft of new titles, like Alien Breed, Speedball 2, and Worms (all available on the A500 Mini alongside another 22 classics). The A500 Mini looks the part, though the keyboard isn't usable, and it relies on emulation. You get a delightfully chunky replica mouse and gamepad (you can buy a joystick separately), and there is a USB port, so you can run more games from a flash drive (using the WHDLoad system). The A500 Mini also supports the Advanced Graphics Architecture (AGA) of the A1200.

Within an hour of plugging it in, I was deep into a season with Brutal Deluxe and had the rapidly blistering thumb and aching hands to show for it. The D-Pad on the gamepad is a problem, especially when you want diagonal movement, but I was able to plug in the joystick from the C64 Mini and use that instead. The included games are glitch-free, and exactly as I remember them. The A500 Mini plugs into your TV via HDMI and can run at 50 or 60 Hz at 720p resolution. While some older games look poor on a modern 65-inch screen, these titles all hold up well. You get four save slots per game, and loading is instantaneous, so you can jump back in where you left off. It is a little pricey for what you get, but if you are willing to track down and sideload your faves, the A500 Mini is a great way to relive the Amiga glory days.

The Picade (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a mini arcade cabinet kit that comes in two sizes, with an 8-inch or 10-inch screen, boxes full of components, and instructions for assembly. It's a fun project that only takes a few hours to put together, and when you add a Raspberry Pi, a USB-C power supply, and a microSD card with the RetroPie operating system, you have an arcade cabinet that can play ROMs for just about any retro system you can think of. But you do need to supply your own game ROMs. (Playing licensed games you have not purchased is illegal.)

We had a blast playing Ms. Pac-Man, Super Bomberman, and Galaga on this desktop cabinet. The authentic arcade controls are durable and comfortable for intense sessions. Because it has a Raspberry Pi inside, there's a lot of scope for customization on the software side, and you can also create your own cabinet art or switch hardware components to get the look and feel you want. The Picade is one possibility, but you can always use a Raspberry Pi to build your own retro gaming console and plug into your TV. It's a solid option to get several systems in one.

Jeffrey Van Camp

Adrienne So

Scott Gilbertson

Adrienne So

A common weakness with retro game consoles is the controllers. Mushy D-pads, drifting joysticks, and short cables can all cause problems. Blistered thumbs may be an authentic part of the original experience, but they are not something I want to relive. It is pricey, bulky, and heavy, but the Dark Matter Arcade Fighting Stick boasts a Sanwa Denshi ball-top arcade joystick and eight Vewlix-style buttons.

It has that familiar arcade feel and seems to be virtually indestructible. It's awesome for fighting games, but you can use it for other games, too (for example, I wrecked my thumb trying to play Speedball 2 with the Evercade controller, so being able to plug this in was a big relief). It works via USB with most consoles I tested--officially it supports Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Android--feels lag-free, and is moddable if you like to tweak (hex screwdriver included). Our Best Game Controllers and Best Mobile Game Controllers guides have more picks.

It's a shame that two of the best retro gaming consoles in recent years, the NES Classic Mini and the SNES Classic Mini, have been discontinued. Both feature great designs with a miniaturized look that's true to the originals, silky performance, and strong game lineups of Nintendo's greatest hits. You can still buy them online (usually from third-party resellers), but prices are seriously inflated. The SNES Classic Mini, for example, was $80 at launch, but a reseller has it for $300 on Amazon right now. You might have better luck buying one used.

Nintendo fans keen on some classic gaming action might be better served by snagging a Switch and buying a Nintendo Switch Online membership ($20 for a year) to access more than 100 NES and SNES titles (here's the full list). Add the Expansion Pack ($50 for a year) and you can get these N64 games too. If you're craving some old-school pocket-sized Nintendo fun, check out the revived Game & Watch ($50) line. They are limited to a couple of games each, but when those games are Super Mario or Zelda titles, that can be enough for hours of fun.

The Analogue Mega SG ($200) (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is expensive, and it doesn't come with any games or controllers (they cost $25 apiece). But it can play old Sega Genesis cartridges, so it's a solid choice if you have a box of them in the basement. Thanks to an FPGA chip, this console runs the original games just as you remember them.

There are plenty of classic arcade games available on PlayStation 4 or 5. If you opt for a PS Plus Premium subscription ($18 for a month or $120 for a year), you get the Classics Catalog, packed with old PlayStation games.

The Xbox Series X|S boasts the best backward compatibility, as Microsoft's newest consoles can play Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox titles. You can also find classic titles included in our favorite gaming subscription, the excellent Xbox Game Pass Ultimate ($15 per month).

If you have Valve's Steam Deck, check out the comprehensive EmuDeck to emulate a wide variety of old systems in style.

PC gamers also have an enormous choice of emulators. I like RetroArch because it emulates multiple systems, but if you have a favorite old console and want to get close to that original experience, you can likely find a tailor-made emulator to scratch that itch.

Adrienne So

Julian Chokkattu

Adrienne So

Gear Team

Adrienne So

Jaina Grey

Julian Chokkattu

Julian Chokkattu

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