The Best Retro Gaming Consoles
If you're like us, you fondly remember when video games ignited our imaginations and emotions. Classic systems like the SNES, N64, and Playstation have a huge collection of amazing games that stand the test of time. To relive these classics or pass the torch to a younger gamer, we bring you this list of the top retro gaming consoles on the market. Some of them use emulators, so you can run almost any system using ROMs. To jump back into the golden era of video games, read on as we dive into our favorite retro consoles.
What to Look For
As retro gaming fans, we wanted to find the absolute best retro consoles on the market. With careful consideration, we used these guidelines for choosing our top picks: Which systems can be played on the console? Does it use emulators or can it play original cartridges? And is it a portable device or does it plug into a tv? For example, we loved the Daxceirry RG552 for its beautiful widescreen display and modern features, including Bluetooth, rumble, and Android display. Plus, it’s one of the more powerful emulator consoles on our list. However, if you’re hankering to play the original old-school cartridges, the Super Retro Trio HD Plus is just the ticket. And even if you don’t already have retro games, that’s okay, because many of these consoles come with games preinstalled. Scroll on to learn more and get your game on.
RetroGamingHaven Ultimate Retropie Raspberry Pi 4 Retro Console
Great gaming power in a small size
The Raspberry Pi is well known for its emulation capabilities. But building one from scratch and loading it with games can be tricky, which is why we’re recommending this ultimate retro console from the aptly named RetroGamingHaven. It’s a fully-assembled Raspberry Pi system that includes two wired controllers modeled after the SNES controllers. It has HDMI output, USB inputs, and even Bluetooth and wifi. You can also use the included controllers or connect your own Bluetooth controllers for analog systems like the N64.
Pros:
- It’s a tiny console, measuring mere inches across. For a travel-sized retro console, it doesn’t get much better than this.
- With four USB ports, it lets you play with up to four players.
Cons:
- It can be tricky to download other applications since this uses Retropie which is mostly geared towards emulation.
Kinhank Super Console X PRO
All the best titles in one place
We’re constantly amazed at recent technology like the Super Console X Pro. For what it’s packing, the affordable price is a wonder. It includes an emulation console with preloaded games and emulators, so you’re ready to play out of the box. It has two wireless controllers modeled after the Playstation controller. You can even stream movies and TV shows, so it can act as a great media device for your home theater as well.
Pros:
- Multiple emulators for different systems are included. Certain games run better on different emulators, so it’s nice to have the option of testing other programs.
- The console comes with around 62,000 games but can be expanded to include around 80,000. That’s essentially any game you could ever want to play from the 8-bit to 64-bit eras of consoles, from the NES to the N64.
Cons:
- It doesn’t come with the most detailed instructions, so you might have to do some internet searches for clarification. However, for the most part, it will just work straight out of the box.
Ruixiao Anbernic RG351V Handheld Game Console
Thousands of games in your pocket
Anbernic has a respected reputation for making high-class emulation consoles. The RG351V is no different. If you love the vertical layout of the classic Gameboy, then this is the handheld for you. And plays much more than just Gameboy games. Anything from Atari to N64, Playstation, and Dreamcast will run well on this device. It has a beautiful IPS display with a 4:3 aspect ratio for old-school games, and games look stunning on the screen.
Pros:
- This device is fully customizable. You can install other emulators or even replace the operating system — we recommend looking up detailed guides on doing this.
- The buttons are well-made, responsive, and accurate. They don’t feel mushy, but they also aren’t clicky or hard to press down.
Cons:
- The joystick position is a bit awkwardly placed.
Daxceirry RG552 Handheld Android Game Console
Top of its class
If you’re looking for one of the top emulator handhelds on the market, this is it. The RG552 has enough processing power to handle Gamecube, Sega Saturn, and PSP games with varying degrees of success. For example, Animal Crossing for Gamecube can run at 60fps. Anything from the N64 and Playstation era runs like a charm. With a touchscreen, wifi, and Bluetooth, the RG552 has all of the features one could want in a modern system.
Pros:
- The screen outshines most other similar handhelds, with a similar resolution to 1080p. Modern games look amazing, and classic games can be either stretched or played with borders.
- The charging port can use fast chargers up to 30W. This means it recharges quickly so you can always have a topped-off gaming handheld.
Cons:
- The placement of the L2 and R2 buttons placement isn’t ideal, but they’re still easily accessible.
Geek Theory Super Retro Trio HD Plus
Game on
Do you have a large collection of old game cartridges collecting dust? It’s time to pull them out for some good old-fashioned gaming fun. With the Super Retro Trio HD from Geek Theory, you can relive all of your old games using the actual cartridges and controllers. This console can upscale those old games to 720p, making them look great on modern displays. We recommend getting a wireless retro controller with an adapter. This lets you feel like it’s the old system without the hassle of cables.
Pros:
- Unlike the NES, with this console, you won’t have to blow into the cartridges to get them to work. This system uses strong contact pins, so games boot up much more easily.
- You can use accessories like the Super Gameboy for SNES, which lets you play Gameboy games via SNES hardware. The Game Genie will also work.
Cons:
- Unfortunately, Sega Genesis expansions like combining Sonic and Knuckles with Sonic 3 or the 32x add-on don’t work on this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do retro gaming consoles come with games?
Many retro consoles, whether they’re handheld or not, will include games already installed. Retro game files are called ROMs and can be found online, but you must own the original game cartridge or disc. There are also devices to convert your physical games into digital files.
What is the difference between 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit, and 64-bit systems?
When it comes to video game consoles, bits refer to the amount of computing power the main CPU had. So for the NES, an 8-bit system, it could calculate numbers up to 256, or two to the eighth power. This is an oversimplification, but this bit number essentially determined how many colors and pixels the console could display, so naturally, 64-bit systems had the best graphics. With the Xbox and PS2, the bit-naming convention of consoles was over, since there are diminishing returns on using more than 64-bit systems.
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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.