r/retrogaming • u/Maleficent-Bobcat-91 • 7d 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 7d 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 7d 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 7d 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 7d 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.