After Nintendo shocked nostalgic gamers everywhere this morning with the reveal of its new mini NES console, we thought it was time to go over some of the best options already available for getting your classic gaming fix. There are a number of products on the market that will allow you to re-live your childhood memories of yesteryear without breaking the bank, and many of which offer hybrid systems that will play titles from multiple eras and platforms.
Not only will you have to wait until November before Nintendo’s new option hits store shelves, but as far as we can tell, it isn’t going to support actual game cartridges and there’s no telling whether or not Nintendo will support it with new content in the future. Not to mention, you certainly aren’t going to be playing Sega titles or lesser-known gems from the NES library, and there’s a chance the stellar SNES library will never make an appearance. Unless Nintendo has a re-release of that system coming down the line as well.
Until then, head below for some of our top classic gaming console picks including everything from Nintendo and Sega, to Atari and more. And while they might not look as amazing as the NT analogue NES, they are also about $400 less expensive:
We decided to break the list down by platform, but you will find a few multi-cart options that will allow you to play titles from various systems. You’ll also find some very inexpensive options for playing your old NES cartridges for less than $20 Prime shipped and some Atari-era gear with built-in games.
Nintendo/Multi-cart:
First up, we have some dual cart options that play both NES and SNES cartridges. The highly rated Retro-Bit Retro Duo Twin Video Game System has a nice silver exterior and works with the original controllers along with the included pair, just like our next picks:
It is nice to see an option that at least tried to hit some of design cues from the original console like the Hyperkin RetroN 2 SNES / NES Twin. Along with a pair of matching (included) NES and SNES controllers (one each), this one plays both NES and SNES cartridges and you can even use the original Nintendo controllers if you still have them lying around.
Next up, we have the Retro-Bit Super RetroTRIO Console NES/SNES/Genesis 3-In-1 System. This one will cost a little bit more (slightly more than Nintendo’s newly announced NES mini), but it comes packed with even more features. You can play Sega titles along with the early Nintendo cartridges and it has an extremely convenient region switcher (NTSC/PF/NJ/PA) so you can play Famicom and European releases as well! It has 6 controller ports and supports Game Boy titles with an additional adapter (sold separately).
And here are a few (very inexpensive) options for playing classic Nintendo cartridges:
- 8-Bit Entertainment System $25
- Retro Bit Nintendo NES Entertainment System $17
- NES Retro Entertainment System $19
SEGA built-ins:
The AtGames Sega Genesis Classic Game Console not only plays original Sega Genesis cartridges but comes packed with 80 built-in games and two wired controllers. The titles include most of Sega’s greatest hits including the Sonic the Hedgehog series, Virtua Fighter 2, Streets of Rage 1-3 and many more. And the newer model comes with wireless controllers and Mortal Kombat 1-3 ports!
Atari/Classic:
Going even further back, the Atari Flashback Retro Game Console is certainly a standout. There are a few models, but the Flashback 4 has 76 built-in games, two wireless controllers and an overall design that is sure to strike a chord with nostalgic gamers. The newer Flashback 5 has even more games along with the rest of the package.
AtGames also makes a great ColecoVision Flashback Classic Game Console, much like the Sega option above. It has 60 classic games built-in including Venture, Zaxxon, Space Panic, Jumpman Junior and many more, along with what looks like some authentic controllers. You won’t be able to use the official controllers on this one, as AtGames decided to switch up the connection.
The Intellivision Plug N Play definitely deserves a spot here, but it is very hard to get your hands on outside of eBay.
Portable:
The Hyperkin SUPABOY Portable Pocket SNES Console just has to get a mention here. We have all been waiting for Nintendo titles to hit iOS, but this might the next best thing. It has a headphone jack with stereo audio, and while it may not support Pokemon Go, it does play any Super Nintendo or Super Famicom cartridge out there, according to Hyperkin.
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