Ready for a bet? We could bet that if you had a game console as a kid, it would make one of the best Christmas gifts you've ever had. Why not revive the memory with one of these gifts for retro gamers? Whether you're munching on video game arcades or with a 16-bit console, or you're an absolute newbie to the golden age of video games, there are a multitude of ways to scratch at all costs. A whole cottage industry has sprung up for people wanting to play old games on their 4K TVs, with Sony, Sega, and Nintendo mini consoles all coming in the last few years, preloaded with classic games. And now it's easier than ever to get a literal arcade machine for your home. Are you looking for a retro gift for someone special or a small present for yourself? Keep reading
Nintendo Classic Mini
Goes back to where it all began for Nintendo home consoles Fantastic library of 8-bit games Nice design Controller cables are too short. There is no (legal) way to add more games Before Mario had his 3D "odyssey" on the Nintendo Switch, before Link grabbed an ocarina, the gaming titans debuted on Nintendo's 8-bit Entertainment System, also called NES. A game-changing product, it ushers in a golden era of pixel-based gaming, with games like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid setting gaming standards and introducing characters to become a A must visit for decades to come. The NES Classic Mini shrinks the console down, makes it compatible with TVs with HDMI technology, and comes with 30 classic games and two joysticks for one great price. The perfect introduction to old-skool gaming.
Nintendo SNES Classic Edition
As good as 16-bit gaming gets Really classic games Beautiful European designs and American variants Some notable missing games A little short controller cables Now, that's where it gets really good. The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (or SNES as it is commonly called) was the place where the 16-bit game came to its full dimension. With well-established franchises, Nintendo has started tweaking series like Mario and Zelda, with the amazing Super Mario World and A Link to the Past. The NES is an excellent time capsule, but the SNES offers games that any self-respecting gamer, no matter how old, can't afford to miss. Like the NES mini, the SNES Classic mini scales down the console, stuffing it with tons of great games from the era and making it easy to connect to modern TVs. Like the mini NES, there are also quality of life improvements, such as the ability to rewind and save games at any time.
Sega Mini Genesis / Sega Mega Drive Mini
A generous 40 games Excellent emulation Some duff games Whether you're an American gamer who remembers the Sega Genesis or a European gamer who fondly remembers playing with a Sega Mega Drive, Sega's 16-bit console dating back to the '90s was the company in its heyday. Sonic the Hedgehog. Ecco the dolphin Golden Ax Streets of anger. Classics of the time, the Genesis/Mega Drive offered a bouncy, adult-oriented feel that was the perfect counterpoint to Nintendo's family-friendly price point. Sega mini consoles are probably even more refined than those offered by Nintendo, with a generous 42 included games, two controllers and perfect note emulation, even down to the beautiful wallpaper patterns to give body parts 4:3 in 16 format. : 9. modern age. Keep in mind, however, that Sega has licensed several versions of these machines over the years, with only the 2019 models having all the features listed here. Please double check before making this purchase, even if the older ones are listed at a lower price, they are far inferior.
PlayStation Classic
32-bit games in a box Some all-time greats included Great USB game controllers Poor emulation Lacks many classic games The 3D game, here we are! The 1994 PlayStation, Sony's first effort at a home console, ushered in a new era of gaming, with detailed 3D worlds to explore, mature genres such as survival horror, and a marketing blitz that enabled games for stay in adult life for a long time, more culturally accepted. never before The roots of the modern game start here. But while the age is full of gems, the PlayStation Classic mini console was a bit disappointing. A relatively short 20-game roster and low-quality emulation undermine a stripped-down console design. And while many classic games are missing, there are undeniable gems buried here, with the inevitable Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy VII, and Tekken 3 taking center stage. Better yet, the relative unpopularity of the PlayStation Classic means that it's regularly scaled down considerably, making it an entirely justifiable impulse buy. If the price is right, it's worth it.