The NES Classic Mini and SNES Classic Mini, two highly regarded retro gaming consoles, have been discontinued. These consoles, known for their miniaturized designs that emulate the originals, deliver excellent performance and include a strong lineup of Nintendo’s most notable games. Although they can still be purchased online, often through third-party sellers, their prices are significantly marked up. For instance, the SNES Classic Mini was originally priced at $80 but now can be found for over $300 on platforms like Amazon. Purchasing a used version might present a more cost-effective option.
For Nintendo enthusiasts interested in classic gaming, acquiring a Nintendo Switch paired with a Nintendo Switch Online membership, priced at $20 per year, could be an advantageous alternative. This membership allows access to over 100 NES and SNES titles. Additionally, by opting for the Expansion Pack, available for $50 annually, users can access various N64 games. For those seeking classic handheld Nintendo experiences, the Game & Watch line, priced at $55, includes popular titles such as Super Mario and Zelda.
The Analogue Mega SG, priced at $200, despite not including games or controllers (each sold separately at $25), is a notable option for playing Sega Genesis cartridges. This console utilizes an FPGA chip to run original games accurately.
PlayStation 4 and 5 offer numerous classic arcade games. A PS Plus Premium subscription, costing $18 monthly or $160 annually, provides access to the Classics Catalog, which is filled with older PlayStation titles.
The Xbox Series X|S stands out for its exceptional backward compatibility, capable of running Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games. Several classic titles are available through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which costs $20 per month.
Valve’s Steam Deck users can explore EmuDeck for emulating various old systems. PC gamers also have access to a wide array of emulators, with RetroArch being a popular choice for its ability to emulate multiple systems.
For those who remember playing Flash-based browser games, guidance is available on how to play these games using tools like Ruffle.
Although not strictly retro, the Panic Playdate is a creative and quirky gaming device with a retro feel, available for $199. It features a unique crank mechanism for game interaction.
The Analogue Duo, priced at $250, enhances TurboGrafx-16 and PC Engine games for modern HDMI screens. Equipped with HuCARD and CD-ROM functionality, it supports existing games across various media and regions. However, it is considered expensive, and controllers must be purchased separately, with no support for openFPGA.
