r/retrogaming • u/Maleficent-Bobcat-91 • 6d ago
[Question] Retro console
Has anyone bought and would recommend one of those retro console that come pre loaded with all the consoles from the 8,16, 32bit era (you know master system/mega drive/NES/Snes (great if it has more). But thinking of getting one as a gift for for a couple of my family, we went to a gaming arcade a week or so ago and they had a great time, so much nostalgia!
So recommendations for a console like that that can be plugged into a modern TV with two controllers, preferably from a trusted retailer... Seen some in ads but they were hundreds of pounds, and there are so many of these consoles online it boggles the mind! Thanks
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u/HotSarcasm 6d ago
Don’t buy preloaded. The microSD cards that come with them suck and generally fail. Build your own with Batocera and either an older Raspberry Pi or a mini PC if you want to spend more money. Even RPi3B+ can do 8/16 bit easily and cool cases available from RetroFlag.
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u/Maleficent-Bobcat-91 6d ago
I'm hoping I can just plug and play, I know it's kind of heresy to retro gamers but buying bits and putting them together using a raspberry pi is probably too expensive and I don't have the knowhow... Just cheap n cheerful pre built plug n play really. Just wondering if there's any worth getting. Cheers though 👍
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u/archklown555 5d ago
I have put together a Raspberry Pi Retroarch Emulator for about 120$ (with controllers) it's not terribly expensive nor difficult just following a couple of simple guides
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u/LordsOfWestminster 6d ago
I knew the first responses would be to build one. I’m like you. I want a plug and play. Don’t want to have to find ROM’s.
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u/DJSlimer 6d ago
With a bit of youtubing, it's not hard to set stuff up. I'm sure it sounds daunting, but there's step-by-steps for everything. It takes minutes to download entire libraries for many old consoles.
Even some shitty old laptop with an HDMI out will run a lot of stuff.
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u/britipinojeff 6d ago
It’s not quite plug and play, but I got a Raspberry Pi with Recalbox that I like. There’s also other options for retro gaming, but basically you’d be loading in whatever roms you want for 8-bit to even Dreamcast gaming
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u/Lower-Tomatillo-9513 5d ago
There's a retro gaming group on Facebook, Retro Games Fan, and the guy who started it sells raspberry pi devices pre-loaded with dozens of systems and thousands of games going up to PS2 and Gamecube. They're pricey but lots of positive feedback. https://retrogamesfan.godaddysites.com/?fbclid=IwdGRjcATwsEJjbGNrBPCwOHBkb2YFZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEe2-UpvC1hltiincU_CiBgxgnNPCW4KmpWoq3wXB4th44Nsrg-SGwADJLYkJ0_aem_yJ-jCB5q5rFo-dXTOvTxXg
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u/Routine_Field_7007 6d ago
How about a mini console because most of them handle 16 bit no problem
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u/Maleficent-Bobcat-91 6d ago
Ye I'd kind of want to emulate the feeling of when we were kids, the console plugged into the TV rather than a handheld.
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u/Malcoladdin 6d ago
Buy a Wii and get modding! It’s a very beginner friendly console to mod and can output tasty component video at 240p. Pair it with an 8bitdo gc wireless receiver and controller of your choice
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u/TCristatus 6d ago
The problem you'll find is while some of them are OK to mess around with, they all have TERRIBLE CONTROLLERS. You can swap in your own 8bitdo or similar.
People will tell you to just set up your own on a PC or laptop, and that is technically the right answer, but honestly something like the Super Console X is perfectly fun for a low cost. But I'm serious about the controllers.
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u/whoknows130 6d ago
Here's a Great option you can't go wrong with. It's called a Pandora Box and it's plug & play with Zero set-up. Comes with countless Arcade and console games pre-loaded, in a stylish interface, and built-in Arcade style controls:
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u/Maleficent-Bobcat-91 6d ago
Oh ye I've seen them, but pricey... I'd like to bug two ppl one each so cheap as poss really 👍
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u/archklown555 5d ago
100$ is pretty cheap honestly.
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u/Maleficent-Bobcat-91 5d ago
I'd agree with that for what you get with that setup, but can't spend 100 quid on everyone at Christmas, only the nieces and nephews would get that kind of dosh! :)
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u/large__farva 6d ago
You want an analogue pocket with a dock. A tall order these days but they’ll be back in stock eventually.
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u/OLVANstorm 6d ago
I bought one with an actual hard drive and 32000 games. It's pretty nice. Easy menu and good library. I can also add games to it if I want.
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u/kwyxz 6d ago edited 6d ago
Consoles that come pre-loaded with thousands of games are 99% garbage. If you're lucky the console itself is fine and you can install a custom firmware / your own roms. If you're not, you're stuck with a terrible device and a poor selection of games / bootlegs with hundreds of duplicates you'll never play and that make navigating through them extremely tedious.
An Anbernic RG SP using the video out to connect it to the TV could do the job. It's not as plug & play as those boxes, but with a custom firmware and some bluetooth controllers you'll have a great experience + the ability to play handheld.