The nostalgia associated with retro gaming consoles can bring back happy memories of the past. It is no surprise that these classic consoles have gained a recent resurgence in popularity. There are a plethora of classic consoles available, each with their own library of classic games. From the Atari 2600 to the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), this list covers the best retro gaming consoles currently available.
Best Retro Gaming Consoles
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
Nintendo Switch
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
NES Classic
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Nintendo Super NES Classic
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Retro-Bit Duo
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Nintendo 64
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
Commodore 64 Mini
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
NeoGeo Mini
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Retro-Bit Trio
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
Retro-Bit Super Retro-Cade
|
7. 4
|
|
10
 |
Super Nintendo
|
7. 2
|
1. Nintendo Switch
I recently purchased the Nintendo Switch and it has been an amazing console. It is incredibly versatile, with its ability to switch from handheld gaming to a traditional console setup with the dock. It has a great library of games, with some amazing first-party titles like Animal Crossing and Breath of the Wild. The graphics are surprisingly good for a portable device, and the build quality is solid. The Joy-Con controllers are also highly customizable, and the battery life is pretty good. I highly recommend the Nintendo Switch to anyone looking for a great console experience.
- Portable Design Take the Switch with you on the go for gaming anytime, anywhere.
- HD Rumble Feel your way through the game with advanced rumble technology.
- Joy-Con Controllers Play together with friends and family with a pair of Joy-Con controllers.
- Motion Controls Use motion controls for intuitive gameplay.
- Online Multiplayer Play with friends anywhere in the world using Nintendos online network.
- HD Graphics Enjoy vibrant, high-definition visuals on your TV or in tabletop mode.
- Switch Dock Connect the console to your TV to play in full HD.
- Local Wireless Enjoy multiplayer games with friends in the same room without a Wi-Fi connection.
2. NES Classic
I recently bought a NES Classic, and I am so impressed with it! It’s a great way to relive the classic 8-bit gaming experience from the 80s and 90s. The console itself is tiny, but it packs a lot of features. It has HDMI output for modern TVs, a save / load state option, and a selection of 30 classic NES games. The games are all classics, from Super Mario Bros 1-3 to The Legend of Zelda to Donkey Kong. The console has a retro look to it, and the controllers are the same ones that we used to play on when we were kids. The graphics are great, and the sound is just as good. I am really happy that I got the NES Classic and I would highly recommend it to anyone who’s looking to relive the classic gaming experience.
- Includes 30 classic NES games pre-installed
- Comes with an HDMI cable for connecting to your TV
- Comes with one NES Classic Controller
- Features a classic “80s NES controller look and feel
- Supports up to two controllers
- Can save up to four suspend points for each game
- Compatible with retro USB controllers
3. Nintendo Super NES Classic
I recently purchased the Nintendo Super NES Classic and I’m so glad I did. I grew up playing the original console but this version is even better. The graphics and sound are much improved and the gaming experience feels just like when I was young. The controllers are wireless and very comfortable, so playing with friends is easy. I love that the console comes preloaded with an amazing selection of pre-installed games. The library also allows you to save progress, which is great. I highly recommend this consoleit’s a great way to relive the classic gaming experience. Not to mention the endless hours of fun and entertainment it provides. Thanks Nintendo!
- Includes 21 classic Super NES games
- Comes with two wired Super NES Classic Controllers
- The console itself is tiny, just slightly bigger than the controllers
- Plug-and-play setup
- Includes classic games like Super Mario World, Super Mario Kart, and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- Compatible with the Classic Controller and Classic Controller Pro
- Supports different display modes such as CRT, 4:3 and Pixel Perfect
4. Retro-Bit Duo
I recently purchased the Retro-Bit Duo and I’m so glad I did. I’m a big fan of retro gaming, and this console has been perfect. It was simple to set up and has so many features that I’m still exploring. The console itself is quite compact and lightweight, so it’s easy to move around. It comes with two controllers so it’s perfect for playing with a friend. The controllers have been comfortable and easy to use. The sound and picture quality of the games have been great, and I haven’t experienced any lag or slowdown. It’s compatible with a wide variety of games which is really nice. Overall, I’m really happy with my purchase of the Retro-Bit Duo. It has been a great way to play my favorite retro games with ease.
1. Connect to HDMI: The Retro-Bit Duo has an HDMI output, allowing you to connect your system to an HDTV.
2. Compatible with Original NES & SNES Controllers: This console is compatible with the original NES & SNES Controllers, allowing for a classic gaming experience.
3. Two Classic Consoles: The Retro-Bit Duo includes two classic consoles within one compact unit.
4. Saves: The console can save games and features a built-in battery backup.
5. HDMI Output: The console features an HDMI output, allowing you to connect your system to an HDTV.
5. Nintendo 64
I grew up in the golden age of gaming and the Nintendo 64 was an absolute classic! This console brought together the best Nintendo franchises such as Mario, Zelda, and Starfox and transformed them into 3D gaming experiences. It also introduced new games such as GoldenEye 007 and Mario Kart 64, which were revolutionary at the time. The graphics were impressive, the controller was comfortable and easy to use, and the games were creative and engaging. I have many fond memories of playing the Nintendo 64 with my friends and family and its legacy lives on today. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an enjoyable gaming experience!
- Uses an advanced 64-bit RISC processor
- High performance 3D graphics engine
- Features four controller ports
- Supports up to 128MB of RAM
- Upwards compatible with Super NES games
6. Commodore 64 Mini
I recently purchased the Commodore 64 Mini and I must say that it has been an absolute blast! It has tons of great classic games, including my favorite, Uridium, as well as many others that I had never heard of. The joystick is also very responsive and easy to use. The design of the console is also quite attractive, taking me back to my childhood. I highly suggest this console to any fan of classic gaming or anyone looking to get their hands on a piece of gaming history.
- Authentic 1982 look and feel
- 64 pre-installed classic Commodore 64 games
- High-definition output via HDMI
- Save & Play feature allows you to save your progress in games
- 2 USB ports for connecting a joystick or other compatible peripherals
- Comes with a classic style joystick for use with compatible games
7. NeoGeo Mini
I recently purchased a NeoGeo Mini and I must say that I am thoroughly impressed. The Mini is a miniature version of the classic NeoGeo console and it contains 40 classic games from the original system. Not only does it look great sitting on my entertainment center, but the mini joystick and buttons feel fantastic to play with. The games themselves look and play great, and have all been remastered to look better than ever. The system also has a HDMI output so that you can connect it to your television, making it even more enjoyable to play. I highly recommend the NeoGeo Mini to anyone who enjoys classic NeoGeo games or just wants to experience retro gaming in a new way.
- 3.5 inch LCD screen
- 40 classic games pre-installed
- Stereo sound
- HDMI output
- Volume control
- Removable joystick
- 2x USB ports for gamepads
8. Retro-Bit Trio
The 8. Retro-Bit Trio is an outstanding choice for anyone looking to bring back the classic gaming experience. The console itself is lightweight and well-constructed, with a sleek design that is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. The console includes three ports that can be used to connect classic NES, SNES, and Sega Genesis game cartridges. The console is also compatible with both PAL and NTSC televisions. The included AC adapter and RCA cables provide a simple setup experience. Additionally, the console has a built-in rechargeable lithium battery that can be used to play games without the need to be plugged in. The Retro-Bit Trio is an excellent choice for anyone looking to bring back the classic gaming experience from the 90’s.
- Compatible with all original NES, Famicom, and Super Famicom cartridges.
- HDMI output for HD video and audio.
- Comes with two wireless controllers and a wireless receiver.
- Saves and loads games with no additional equipment.
- Supports original art and audio settings.
- Includes a classic-style controller.
- Intuitive menu system and controller mapping.
- Compact, lightweight design.
9. Retro-Bit Super Retro-Cade
I recently purchased the Retro-Bit Super Retro-Cade and I’m very impressed with the product. It is an all-in-one retro arcade gaming console with over 100 classic 8/16 bit games. The console itself is very well designed and the game selection is amazing. It also has an HDMI port which makes it easy to connect to a TV or monitor. There is a great selection of classic games like Super Mario Bros, Mega Man and more. The controller that comes with the console is also of good quality and very responsive. I would highly recommend the Retro-Bit Super Retro-Cade to anyone looking for an affordable way to play classic games from the 8/16 bit era.
- 170 classic games from Capcom, Data East, Irem, and Technos
- Includes two wired original-style controllers
- HDMI output for modern televisions
- Save/Load game progress
- Rumble pack available (sold separately)
- Compatible with original NES and SNES controllers
- Includes two wired original-style controllers
- Features stereo sound and classic CRT filter
- Includes built-in classic-style features like scan lines
10. Super Nintendo
The Super Nintendo is truly a classic game console. I remember playing it as a kid and the hours of joy it brought me. The library of games available for the Super Nintendo is vast, ranging from classic platformers like Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country, to RPGs like Final Fantasy VI, and even sports titles like NBA Jam. There’s something for everyone. The graphics and audio are extremely well done, and the controllers are comfortable and easy to use. The Super Nintendo was one of the most revolutionary consoles ever released, and it still holds up very well today. If you’re looking for a classic gaming experience, the Super Nintendo is a great choice.
:
- 16-bit gaming console released in 1990
- Compatible with existing 8-bit NES games
- Graphics and sound capabilities far superior to the NES
- Rumble-pak and Super Scope accessories available as add-ons
- 20 built-in games including Super Mario World, Super Mario Kart, and F-Zero
- Two controller ports with the option to add up to four additional ports
- Compatible with the Game Boy Advance link cable
- Ability to connect to other SNES consoles using a special LAN adapter
- Huge library of over 700 third-party and first-party games
- Backwards compatibility with the NES system
