The retro gaming scene has exploded in popularity in the past few years, and if you’re feeling particularly nostalgic, there are a fair few consoles out there best suited to providing just that.
The market for retro gaming nostalgia is pretty huge, and those who want to collect old hardware will inevitably end up forking over significant amounts of cash to relive their childhood glory days.
In addition, much of that hardware dates from the early 90s or earlier. The fact remains that as time passes, these classic machines will be increasingly prone to failure.
There is an alternative, however: Modern consoles that accurately simulate the retro feel — and you’ll find our picks for the best options in gaming below.
1. Evercade VS-R
Key specs
- CPU: 1.5GHz CPU
- Graphics: Integrated
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: Cartridge
- Operating System: Custom
- Dimensions: W 197mm, D 126mm, H 48mm
- Price: $99.99
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to use | Limited to what is on the cart |
| Cartridges are easily available | Controllers are a bit uncomfortable |
| Officially licensed |
The Evercade first launched as a fairly simple handheld device, but behind that veneer of simplicity was something quite remarkable. The Evercade and its successors like the Evercade EXP, Evercade Vs-R, and the Super Pocket use a cartridge system.
Any Evercade device can use these cartridges, and each cart is packed with a huge range of retro games, all of which are officially licensed. Namco, Atari, Codemasters, Team17, and DataEast are just a small number of the companies that have given official approval to have their games on Evercade devices.
Another advantage of the Evercade is how easy it is to get hold of these carts. The most popular ones can often be found in large toy stores or ordinary game shops. This makes it incredibly easy to just get right into the action. Find your favorite game, buy the cart, plug and play.
This remains one of the only ways to get officially licensed retro titles today, so support the scene with Evercade’s valiant efforts.
2. Analogue FPGA consoles (Mega Sg/Super Nt/Duo)
Key specs
- CPU: unknown FPGA
- Graphics: unknown
- RAM: none
- Storage: Uses original cartridges or CDs
- Operating System: Custom
- Dimensions: 177mm l, 267mm w, 34.7mm h
- Price: $249.99
| Pros | Cons |
| Accurate to original hardware | Expensive |
| Can use original games and controllers | Often sold out |
| Connects to modern TVs and monitors |
Though Analogue is a relative newcomer in the gaming hardware market, it has quickly attracted a reputation for building high-quality retro gaming systems. The major advantage of Analogue devices is that they use FPGA technology.
FPGA stands for Field Programmable Gate Array. What this means in practice is that the electronics can be programmed to act as if they were a specific type of circuit. Devices that contain FPGA chips can provide extremely accurate emulation since the hardware is disguising itself as the type of circuitry the software is expecting.
The use of this technology also means users can use their original games and controllers with Analogue devices.
The downside is that Analogue devices are quite expensive, and are only produced in small batches. If you can get hold of one, however, it is absolutely worth it.
3. MiSTer Multisystem
Key specs
- CPU: unknown FPGA
- Graphics: unknown
- RAM: 128GB SDRAM
- Storage: SDCard (x2)
- Operating System: Custom
- Dimensions: 170mm x 170mm miniITX
- Price: $196 (fully assembled)
| Pros | Cons |
| FPGA hardware emulation | Self-assembly might be needed |
| All-in-one system | Supplies can be limited |
| Connects to modern or retro TVs |
If you want that FPGA quality and accuracy, but don’t want to wait for Analogue to get stuff back in stock, there is an alternative. A team from Heber has created the MiSTer Multisystem in collaboration with YouTube channel RetroManCave.
The system is described as a ‘consolized’ version of a MiSTer, created by combining open-source MiST software, an FPGA chip, and the electronics knowledge of Heber.
Its advantage is that it is an all-in-one system that is easy to use and has compatibility with the MiSTer project, letting users run a huge range of FPGA ‘cores’ for accurate hardware emulation.
The board can be bought pre-assembled, or you can choose to buy the board and components and put it together yourself if you are handy with a soldering iron. The fully assembled version exists but is only sold in small batches.
4. Polymega
Key specs
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- CPU: Intel Coffee Lake S Series Processor
- Graphics: Integrated
- RAM: 2GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 32GB NanoSSD
- Operating System: Proprietary Linux-based.
- Price: $556.70
| Pros | Cons |
| Versatile modular platform | Incredibly expensive |
| Can use original software and controllers | Needs multiple modules |
| Pre-loaded database of art screenshots etc | Software emulation |
The Polymega is an unusual device. It’s a retro gaming console that has been designed as a modular platform capable of supporting a wide range of different systems, including both cartridge and CD-based consoles.
In its default configuration, it supports PlayStation, Saturn, Mega CD, PC Engine/Tubografix 16 CD, and Neo-Geo CD. There are also ‘element modules’ you can buy to provide access to different devices, such as one that provides compatibility for Mega Drive, NES, SNES, and PC Engine/ Tubografix 16 HuCards. Modules for other systems are also in development.
As a result, it is possible to use your original software and controllers on the Polymega, provided you have the correct module installed. In addition, the Polymega comes pre-loaded with a huge database of cover art, screenshots, and descriptions that cover every support game library. This allows users to dump backups of their games into internal storage. This saves disks and carts from additional wear and tear and lets users build a digital game library how they want to.
The only real downside is that the Polymega uses software emulation, so it is a little lacking compared to devices that use FPGA. There have also been some supply issues in the past, though these seem to have largely been resolved.
5. Anbernic RG556
- CPU: Unisoc T820 CPU
- Graphics: Quad Core Mali G57
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR4X
- Storage: 128GB
- Display: 5.4-inch AMOLED screen
- Operating System: Android 13
- Weight: 330g
- Price: $184.99
| Pros | Cons |
| Impressive specs | Awkward user interface |
| Portable form factor | Struggles with some PS2/Saturn games |
| Vivid display |
Handheld consoles have exploded in popularity thanks to the example set by the Nintendo Switch and the Valve Steam Deck. Many of these new handhelds have specifications that make them perfect for retro gaming, as with the Anbernic RG556Anbernic has a number of handhelds in various form factors to suit a range of gaming styles, from the Game Boy to the PSP. The Anbernic RG556 has the advantage of a versatile control layout that can handle a lot of different genres.
The RG556 can struggle with some titles, such as those on the notoriously awkward SEGA Saturn, but for the most part, it handles anything up to the PS2 era with no problems.
The main downsides are the unintuitive custom RG launcher and the price which is quite high for a device of this type running Android.
6. Ayaneo Retro Mini PC AM01
Key specs
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700U
- Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 8
- RAM: 32GB DDR4
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Operating System: Windows 11
- Dimensions: 13cm L, 13cm W, 5.5cm H
- Price: $150 – $459
| Pros | Cons |
| Powerful specs | Windows 11 is too bloated |
| Beautiful aesthetics | Need your own controller |
| Can do gaming and productivity | Top-spec device is expensive |
The Ayaneo Retro Mini PC comes in two forms. The AM01 borrows the look of the Mac Classic, while the AM02 sports the aesthetic of the NES.
They’re both tiny and adorable machines that can tuck into any spare bit of desk space. Despite the apparently modest specs, they can punch well above their weight class.
With a retro controller such as an 8BitDo Ultimate plugged in, the Retro Mini can handle titles as diverse as Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Soul Calibur, and Shadow of the Colossus flawlessly.
Of course, you need to provide your own controller, and a fully equipped version of the Retro Mini PC can run to almost $450 which is far from cheap.The good news is that when you are done with gaming, you can also use the Retro Mini to write emails, watch YouTube, or do anything else you might use a PC for.
7. Raspberry Pi/RetroPi
- CPU: 2.4GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76
- Graphics: VideoCore VII
- RAM: 4GB or 8GB LPDDR4X-4267 SDRAM
- Storage: SDCard
- Operating System: Linux-based
- Price: $73.10
| Pros | Cons |
| Cheap | Installation can be tricky |
| Easily available | Linux is unfamiliar to most |
| Lots of online help is available |
(specs above for Raspberry Pi 5)
The advantage of the Raspberry Pi is that it is a remarkably versatile and programmable device. Modern Raspberry Pi boards are easily capable of running anything right up to the PlayStation 2 era with relative ease. However, the very factors that make the Raspberry Pi so flexible can also work against it.
The RaspberryPi ‘RetroPi’ installation uses , an extremely powerful emulator OS that is very robust once it is properly set up. This process can be a bit fiddly sometimes, especially if you are not overly familiar with Linux and its command line.
RetroPi is an excellent option for emulation for those who have the time and inclination, but it is a far cry from many of the much simpler ‘plug and play’ devices listed above.
Now that you know our picks for the best retro consoles for video games, check out the best Bluetooth earbuds for phones & gaming consoles, the best PS5 controllers, these mobile games you’ll want to play in 2024, or the best CPU for gaming.
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