No doubt, modern games like PUBG and Fortnite are ruling the gaming universe at the moment. They offer simultaneous gameplay with immersive graphics and incredible motion effects. But it’s no secret that retro video games are still a fantastic way to revive your childhood & make the best use of your spare time.
So, let’s cut to the chase: what are the best consoles for retro games? With thousands of options on the market, the competition is fierce. But worry not – this article guides you on everything from the most successful retro consoles for every budget to the best places to buy them.
Excited? Let’s get started.
Things to Know When Buying a Retro Console
Before you finalize a retro game console for you, the following are the essential factors to consider – these will help you make the best use of your bucks.
Price
A classic console can give you the most premium features for consoles and may run all the retro games seamlessly, but if it doesn’t suit your budget, it’s of no use. So, before you finalize an option for retro consoles, it’s crucial to keep your budget in mind.
Accessories Included
If you’re looking for the best retro gaming experience ever, you don’t want to neglect the accessories. These generally include the controllers and memory cards. So, make sure you get enough storage with a suitable number of controllers.
Condition
While game consoles were at their peak during the 1990s, likely you’ll be purchasing such an old option. Older consoles are often in bad condition, where the owner either didn’t care or damaged them in accidents. Be sure to ask questions before buying & inspecting for any potential problems. The goal is to lay hands on the finest piece out there, as these consoles are hard to repair.
Compatibility with games
If you’re buying a retro console to enjoy certain games that you may have experienced in your childhood or heard about, make sure the console you purchase is compatible with them. You can do manual research by typing “platforms for x game” on Google.
With the buyer’s guide at hand, let’s jump into the reviews.
Best Consoles for Retro Gaming
Following are our unbiased reviews on the most successful retro consoles for every budget.
1. Super Nintendo SNES HD — Ultimate Retro Experience
If you’re looking for the best retro console option that has the highest compatibility level with retro games, look no further other than the SNES, it’s the perfect fit for you. For a reasonable price, it offers powerful hardware and will flawlessly run most retro games out there.
The gadget is a successor to the NES classic edition and offers better gaming accuracy with twenty-one Super NES titles pre-installed. It came out in 2017 and is considered among the best consoles for retro games out there.
With a highly aesthetic & retro-styled console, you get the compatibility for a wide range of Nintendo games. Whether you want to seamlessly enjoy the Legend of Zelda or revive the taste of Mario Bros, this console will make sure you get the retro feels you want. Plus, with the two controllers included, you can enjoy it with your family & friends, too.
2. Nintendo 64 (N64) Console — King of the Classics
Nintendo N64 is yet another fantastic option for retro consoles. At a very reasonable cost that doesn’t break your bank, it offers powerful hardware capable enough to run even the demanding retro games too. The most exciting part is, there’s enough variety of video games available for Nintendo N64. Whether you’re into racing, adventure, or action, the console got you covered.
The console was released in 1996 in North America, while one year later in Australia and Europe. What makes it stand out among the other retro consoles is that it offers 64-bit processing for better game rendering. On top of that, you get to enjoy immersive graphics without pixelated resolution that ruins your gaming experience.
Since Nintendo N64 isn’t specialized for the classic games released after 1996, it doesn’t perform best with running them. However, if you’re into the old 90s retro games, take-home N64.
3. Nintendo Gamecube Console — Best 2000s Console
At the third spot comes the Nintendo GameCube, which ships with powerful hardware for the classics and supports nearly all the Nintendo and classic games you could ask for. Whether it’s about the Super Mario Bros, Legend of Zelda, or some other classics king, N64 will provide you with a comfortable gaming experience for hours.
The console was launched in 2001in Japan and North America and got hundreds of thousands of sales. But since it’s all about the user experience, let’s talk about it.
From the availability of hooking up over four controllers to the upgraded looks and powerful hardware, the retro console performs well – while the availability of high-resolution gaming being another significant addition to it. If you’re hunting for a powerful console to enjoy the retro games launched before the 2000s, the Nintendo GameCube might be the best bet for you.
4. Nintendo Wii Console — The Modern Nintendo Ninja
One of the latest and best modern-looking consoles from Nintendo is the Wii console. With a later release date of November 19, 2006, in North America, it became superior to the Nintendo GameCube and N64. The most surprising part about the Nintendo Wii is the stylish looks that give a premium feel to your retro gaming setup.
Aside from that, you get monster hardware for retro consoles – offering a simultaneous gaming experience, too, on a high resolution to provide the most cinematic view. Besides the innovative design, modern controllers are offering the best fit to your hands.
But what about the games? The best games you can enjoy with it mainly include Mario Kart racing, Wii sports, Super Smash Bros, and many more. That said, if a modern-looking Nintendo console is your concern, without having your bank broken, the Nintendo Wii will suit you excellently.
5. Atari 2600 HD Console — Best Console From 1970s
No doubt, there’s a massive audience for the Atari console series – with the Atari 2600 HD being one of its best successes. Despite the fact it was released in 1977, it packs with a unique finish, powerful hardware for the time, and efficient controllers with super-fast response time.
Although the console doesn’t support some of the Nintendo games, you still get to enjoy a range of classic games that mainly include Dig Dug, Asteroids, Pac-Man, and Kangaroo. If you think Atari contributed to making your childhood beautiful or want to give it a try, surely go for it. Otherwise, the options listed for Nintendo consoles are still a great way around.
FAQs – Best Consoles for Retro Games
Got questions? Let us try to answer some in this FAQ section.
The pricing of retro game consoles falls somewhere between $50 and $200. The cost varies on various factors that mainly include the model, condition, and demand. Aside from that, the accessories included also cause changes in the price.
Playing retro games on the computer is possible – there are multiple consoles developed for that. But with our experience in mind, it’s recommended not to consider them due to the mediocre and inconsistent retro gaming on emulators.
If you don’t want to invest a lot in a classic game console, Nintendo Switch might be the best bet for you. Although it isn’t the latest option from Nintendo, it still offers excellent compatibility with classic games. On top of that, you get a durable and sleek design for classic consoles – despite the budget-friendly price.
Retro vGames is an online marketplace dedicated to the buying & selling of high-end quality retro gaming consoles. We offer the most competitive prices for the best retro consoles. However, there are multiple ways of purchasing a retro console too, which include the physical retro shops and the online retro stores.
Our Personal Recommendations On The Best Consoles For Retro Games
If you wade through the market on your own, hunting for the best retro console for yourself, you’ll likely get overwhelmed and pick the wrong option. “How and why,” you ask? There are dozens of potential prospects you’ll come across. Each one tends to be the best, which simply cannot be accurate.
So, to prevent you from getting scammed, we reviewed the five most successful options on the market. We hope it helped you find a suitable retro console. Either way, we wish you luck with a reliable purchase.
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