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The best retro game consoles make it easy to dive into some of gaming’s most iconic moments. Whether you prefer handheld devices or TV-connected setups, modern replicas cover it all, from faithful emulation to remastered classics. Many are mini recreations of the original bulky consoles, packed with pre-installed games, plus options for cartridges or downloadable titles.
I’ve been writing about video games since the ’90s, starting in PlayStation magazines, and in this guide, I’ve rounded up the top new retro consoles alongside mini-console throwbacks. My favourite is the Evercade EXP-R, which blends classic collections with new indie titles in a retro style, using modern display tech for a surprisingly polished handheld experience. The 2025 model dropped the TV-out slot, but this has kept the price affordable – read my Evercade EXP-R hands-on to see why it still stands out.
Ian has over 25 years experience writing about video games, beginning with a PlayStation magazine in 1998 before writing for and editing numerous magazines, including covering Xbox gaming and editing Official PlayStation Magazine. As a kid he grew up on Atari 2600 and ZX Spectrum (which he still owns) as well as owning Sega, Nintendo and Neo Geo consoles, and Commodore Amiga. He loves retro games.
The Quick List
The Evercade EXP is my personal favourite retro console, but it's since been replaced by the EXP-R model, and there's a bundle that includes Tomb Raider 1-3. It's a smart retro handheld that can play cartridges of classic game collections as well as new retro-like indie games made for the Evercade.
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Made by the same people but smaller and less technically indulgent, this budget retro console lets you play Evercade cartridges for much less. It comes in six editions. My pick is the one with pre-installed Taito arcade games, including the iconic New Zealand Story. Others feature SNK, Capcom, Technos, Data East, and Atari games.
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The VS-R plays the same game cartridges as the EXP-R handheld, but at No.1, it has a unique twist that makes it a little special. You can plug in two cartridges at once for instant access to more games, and special combinations unlock new games. Like EXP-R, this has had a slight remodel in 2025, but its aesthetic.
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The gorgeous Atari 2600+ replica comes with 10 games on one cart and also plays most old Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 cartridges. It's a wonderful-looking full-size replica, right down to the faux wooden detailing and classic joystick design. Being able to play original Atari carts on an HD TV is a dream.
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The three Alpha Bartop Arcades from Evercade are mini-replica cabinet variants, one loaded with Street Fighter games, including the Alpha series, and the others with classic Capcom or TAITO games, branded with Mega Man or Bubble Bobble art, respectively. Each features pro arcade controls, two USB controller ports, 8-inch IPS screen and you can plug in carts from Evercade's collection.
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The Analogue Pocket has become a firm favourite with retro gamers for playing old Game Boy titles by slotting in old game cartridges, so this isn't an emulator like other retro consoles on my list. You can buy adapters to play Game Gear and Neo Geo Pocket games, too. Analogue also offers an app that lets owners create their own games.
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The SNES Nintendo Classic Mini brings back the joy of playing some of the best games ever made, such as Super Mario World and The Legend of Zelda. But as with the NES Mini, it's sadly also very rare and collectible, so you may need to spend a lot. If you just want to play these games, a Nintendo Switch 2 and an Online subscription could be a better and cheaper option.
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The Sega Mega Drive Mini 2 (Sega Genesis Mini 2 in the US) is a small, high-quality replica of the classic 1990s games console. It features 60 built-in games, including, for the first time, classic Sega CD titles such as Night Trap, Silpheed, and Ecco the Dolphin. The console comes with two full-size replica controllers (ideal for Final Fight CD), and the mini replica can be connected to a TV.
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I grew up using an Amiga A500 for games and also for early digital art, so this retro home computer holds a special place for me. Nostalgia aside, it's a lovely replica with some excellent pre-installed games that offer different concepts from 90s console games. You can also import ROMs of Amiga games you own to build the collection.
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The PlayStation Classic replicates one of the greatest consoles of all time (you know it is) and comes pre-loaded with 20 classic 90s games, including Final Fantasy VII. The replica is wonderfully made and very detailed. It has some emulation issues, but overall, I still love this mini for replaying Sony's iconic games – and Ridge Racer 4 is still amazing.
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The best retro game consoles in full
Why you can trust Creative Bloq Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
This guide was last checked on 6 Feb 2026, when we updated the entries for EXP-R and VS-R to reflect that new models with slightly different features and designs are now available.
Best retro game console overall
The Evercade EXP-R and newer Evercade EXP models are the perfect blend of modern tech and retro gaming at a sensible price. The new version comes in a charcoal grey colour with turquoise buttons, and a pale white and grey model released in 2025, features a textured rear grip for comfort, and even includes the original Tomb Raider games 1-3 in a bundle.
See my Evercade EXP review for my thoughts on the original, but the EXP-R is weightier, better-made, features a beautiful 800 x 480 IPS OLED display and built-in WiFi, and overall feels like a modern console that just happens to play old games.
Both handhelds use cartridges loaded with classic games that generally feature some of the best emulation around. The unique TATE mode lets you turn the device vertically and play games as they were intended in arcades. I did find the console's slim design made it a little cramped to use in TATE mode, but it's a nice option for some classic arcade games. It's great for shooters like Truxton, and it's simple and easy to switch modes.
Overall, given that you can plug and play all Evercade carts with hits from Atari, Namco, C64, and more, including 32-bit era games, I think the Evercade EXP is the best way to experience retro games.
The newer Evercade EXP-R has improved on some issues found in the first version, notably cards slot in and out more easily, but Evercade has removed the TV-out port to bring down costs. It's not too much of an issue; it's a handheld, after all (and the Evercade VS-R below is your go-to under-TV console). This slight issue doesn't detract from being the best retro console; its OLED display, overall build quality, and game library are superb value.
Best budget retro game console
The Hyper Mega Tech! Super Pocket is made by the same team behind the excellent Evercade EXP above, and it's compatible with that handheld's library of game cartridges; this amounts to around 45 carts and over 500 games.
What makes this smaller Super Pocket so good is the price: at $59 / £49, it's more than half the price of the larger Evercade EXP, but for that, you do get a downgrade in features, particularly screen resolution and size. As the name suggests the Super Pocket is, well… pocket-sized.
This small retro handheld comes in six editions, including one pre-loaded with 18 Taito arcade games, and one with 12 Capcom games. The others are dedicated to iconic publishers like Atari, Neo Geo, and Data East. Which you choose will depend on your tastes or whether you already own some of the games (Capcom's titles are available on modern game consoles).
The Atari model is excellent, comes in a vibrant red-and-black design, and is loaded with 50 games from Atari's back catalogue, including titles from the 2600, 5200, 7800, and Atari Lynx eras. The Technos edition features arcade versions of the Double Dragon series, a Game Boy version, and the iconic Renegade.
Overall, the Super Pocket performs really nicely, and being able to use Evercade's cartridges is a huge bonus. Our Hyper Mega Tech! Super Pocket review praised this handheld's value for money, and I completely agree, which is why I consider this the best budget retro console you can buy right now.
Best retro game console for new games
The Evercade VS has also been upgraded to a newer VS-R model (released in July). It comes at a lower price and features a new charcoal-black coating with teal accents, as well as a new white model (pictured). Aside from its modern, sleek design, it offers pretty much the same features as its predecessor, for slightly less money (win).
This console is the under-TV version of the Evercade EXP-R (see my No. 1), so it's not a handheld retro console but more of a traditional console in that sense. It brings some interesting design ideas to the retro game console market, notably the classic cartridge system, which gets a boost with the ability to slot in two at once (the same ones as the Evercade EXP). This also unlocks the Evercade Vs' clever feature - by inserting combinations of cartridges, you can unlock hidden games; for example, slot in both Toaplan collections to unlock a Mega Drive version of Twin Hawk.
The Evercade VS Premium edition comes with a Technos Arcade 1 and a Data East Arcade 1 cartridge. I prefer the EXP-R overall, but for two-player or couch gaming, the VS-R is good fun. A big part of Evercade VS-R is that you can play multiplayer games. The console comes with two NES-like controllers. Of course, this is not quite so unique these days, as other retro consoles on my list also come with two controllers and games that support multiplayer, in particular Sega Mega Drive Mini 2.
What's really different about the Evercade VS-R is that it supports new retro-style and indie games. There are regular collections of new games released for Evercade that ape retro gaming but bring new ideas; some are released in collections and others as standalone games. Some are secret unlocks only available on the VS, too. Visit the Evercade Secrets webpage to discover how to get them. Cartridges can be shared with Evercade EXP and Super Pocket too, so you can continue your TV big-screen gaming on these handhelds.
Also, unlike other retro consoles on this list, the Evercade VS supports a wide range of games from various developers, so it's not Nintendo-, Atari-, or Sega-focused. The VS-R comes in two versions – £84.99 / $119.99 for the console with one controller and no cartridge, or £99.99 / $611.99 for the console with one controller and one cartridge. The Tomb Raider bundle is still available in the UK, too.
Read my Evercade VS-R hands-on for my verdict.
Best retro game console for Atari
The Atari 2600+ is one of the newest retro game consoles on my list and is a little different from the others here, as it's not a mini and doesn't come with pre-installed games.
The Atari 2600+ is a unique gaming museum of sorts that is a near full-sized replica of the original 1977 games console and comes with a classic Joystick and a 10-in-1 cartridge loaded with some of Atari's greatest hits, including Adventure, Yars' Revenge and my favourite retro game of all time, Missile Command (some of the best video games of the 80s).
This is the best retro Atari game console on my list, as while there are cheaper options, such as the My Arcade Atari Game Station Pro, this new one can play old Atari cartridges for the Atari 2600 and the Atari 7800. I'd prefer this home 'under-the-TV' option over the new My Arcade Atari Pocket Player Pro, too (see the Also Tested section), as being able to play those old carts makes all the difference.
The chance to play old carts on a new system, on HD TVs, really puts the Atari 2600+ in a league of its own. The only downside to what I think is the best vintage game console on my list is that it remains a form of emulation, so playing old carts can take time to load in (around 10-15 seconds). This is something picked up in our Atari 2600+ review.
If you're looking to play old Atari games (and new ones, as I expect Atari to release new carts for this), then the Atari 2600+ is a well-made celebration of an iconic games console and the best way to truly experience Atari games on a modern TV.
Best retro game console for arcade games
The new Evercade Alpha replicates the feel, design, and experience of playing a 90's arcade cabinet on your desk. They feature beautifully designed marquee visuals that light up, and each has a vibrant, high-resolution IPS display. There's even a light-up coin slot for that authentic look.
The new range features two skews, one themed around Street Fighter and featuring the classic series entries, including the anime-styled Alpha series. The second offers classic Capcom games you've played before, such as Strider, alongside the rarer Mega Man: The Power Battle. Each cabinet features six games, but these can be expanded with Evercade's collection of game cartridges, offering over 500 games to plug in and play.
The Alpha range is not really about the games, though having the Street Fighter Alpha series to hand is wonderful, as much as these mini-cabinets are about evoking the feel of playing on a classic coin-op. The cabinet is made from a mixture of wood and plastic, the stick has that arcade feel, the buttons are placed perfectly, and the overall feel of this bartop replica is spot on.
The only downside, as noted by our sister site Games Radar, is that the Evercade Alpha lacks an HDMI output, meaning it can't be hooked up to a TV or monitor, but this is why the Evercade VS-R and VS-R exist, No.3 on my list. You buy the Alpha for the cabinet experience in a small-ish package (it measures 410mm x 316mm x 244mm) and for that, it's a perfect burst of 90s nostalgia.
Best retro game console for Game Boy
The Analogue Pocket is one of the classier retro game consoles on my list and can play pretty much every Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridge released. This also means the Analogue Pocket isn't an emulation console like the minis in this guide, but rather plays games from cartridges as you would have years ago.
This is such a lovingly well-made retro console. The display is a vibrant 3.5-inch, 615 ppi, LCD screen with a 160 x 1440p resolution - it's a modern display that makes all those old Game Boy games look wonderful - something we noted in our Analogue Pocket review. If you want to play as Nintendo intended, you can, as the Analogue Pocket can replicate the backlight LCD effects, pixel grid patterns, and LCD subpixel patterns of the original Game Boy handhelds.
Analogue has an ecosystem of cables and add-ons too; these enable you to connect two Pockets together or connect to a TV. There's an option to link to a Mac or PC, or even hook up the handheld to MIDI hardware like keyboards, to make use of Analogue's Nanoloop synthesiser tech. There is even a simple developer app created with GB Studio that lets you make your own games via a drag-and-drop interface.
If Apple made retro game consoles it would probably make the Analogue Pocket, this is a high-spec, quality gaming handheld that plays a huge back catalogue of classic games, but it also acts as a gateway to game development. All of this comes at a price; this handheld starts at $219.99, and add-ons (including a Game Gear adapter cost around $99. It is why the Analogue Pocket is slightly lower down my list, but if money is no option, I'd highly recommend one to everyone.
Best retro game console for Nintendo
The Nintendo SNES Classic Edition is a wonderful mini replica that lets you play some of the best games ever made, including Super Mario World, on era-accurate controllers. But its popularity also means this rare retro console can cost three times what it did at launch.
The SNES was the successor to the NES, with more advanced games. The model you get depends on where you live. US gamers can buy the angular North American Super Famicom version with purple accents and controller buttons. The Super NES version, with its more colourful, rounded design with red, blue, yellow, and green buttons, is for UK users. Everything else is pretty much as you remember.
But what about the games? You'll get 21 fan-favourites with the US and European versions of Super NES Classic, and they're all excellent. Be it Super Mario World, Star Fox, or The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, these 16-bit icons are every bit as playable today as they were 30 years ago.
In play, I find almost all of them hold up in terms of visuals and gameplay, too, but each one has been boosted with the addition of rewind or suspend options (not to mention the ability to save anywhere). The biggest downside for me is that this replica is very expensive, which is why it's a little lower on my list. Also, you can now play most of the included games on Nintendo Switch with an Online subscription for less.
Best retro game console for Sega
The Sega Mega Drive Mini 2 or Sega Genesis Mini 2 (for US) is an excellent follow-up to the previous small retro console, the Sega Mega Drive Mini. This edition features 60 games, including bonus titles that have never been released before. The eye-catching titles, however, are the mix of Sega Mega CD games that feature in the Sega Mega Drive Mini 2's roster.
Sega hasn't really offered these late Mega Drive releases before, which is why I'd opted for this over the original Sega Mega Drive Mini. This was a muddled time for Sega as it transitioned from 16 to 32-bit gaming, and it tells. Some games are true generational leaps, such as Virtua Racing, while some use the format to add music and video to older releases, such as The Ninja Warriors. Curiosities include the FMV game Night Trap (one of the best FMV games) and the shooter Silpheed CD, which uses pre-rendered backgrounds. Naturally, Sonic CD is included.
Other notable non-CD games include Revenge of Shinobi, Rolling Thunder 2, and Ristar – but everyone can find favourites in a 60-game list. To play these games, you get a six-button controller, a recreation of the Sega Mega Drive MK2 controller designed for Street Fighter II, and yes, that game is included. It's a good replica controller with a nice, long 2-metre lead. (Read my best retro controllers feature for more accessories.)
As I mentioned in my Sega Mega Drive Mini 2 review, the only downside to this mini console is that it lacks any real game histories or concept art, and the game manuals are accessed off-console via a QR code – but you can download and keep them. But the games list and emulation are fantastic and more than make up for any shortcomings.
Best retro game console for Amiga
The Amiga A500 Mini is a tiny replica of the Amiga 500, the home computer that launched many coders' and developers' careers. Arguably, the likes of Team 17 wouldn't exist without this computer. When I wrote my full A500 Mini review, I found the console's general build and responsiveness, along with those of its controllers, which support both a gamepad and a mouse, to be excellent.
The pre-installed games are a mixed bag of classics and curiosities from the late 1980s, as well as some of the best video games of the 90s. I really enjoy dipping back into the likes of Cadaver, Speedball 2, and Alien Breed. Stunt Car Racer remains a forgotten masterpiece, and adventure Simon the Sorcerer will impress anyone brought up on Lucasfilm point-and-click adventures.
The downside? The games, while excellently emulated and even supporting a virtual keyboard and disc swapping, are missing some classics that made the Amiga an iconic system. I would love to be able to play Sensible Soccer, The Secret of Monkey Island, and the Cinemaware series of games, for example. Also, some of the best Amiga games are available for the Evercade EXP and Evercade VS, higher up on my list, and even include a dedicated Amiga Collection 1 cartridge - it's why this is lower down my list.
You can, kind of, as the A500 Mini enables you to download and install games (though you should own the originals). The issue I found in my hands-on is that not all games work with this mini console, and some need a lot of adjustments to get the gamepad and virtual keyboard to work properly.
A minor quibble: the A500 Mini is one of the best ways to play Amiga games in 2022 (though some classics are on Evercade now as cart collections). It's an easy plug-and-play console that showcases some of the best games of the 1990s, and while you can now play many Amiga games on Evercade, I really like having this replica model as a reminder of the home computer that influenced so much.
Best retro game console for PlayStation
The Sony PlayStation Classic, released to celebrate Sony's first foray into console gaming, landed with the force of a bomb. As well as being immensely popular at the time, the PlayStation established a lineage of machines that continue to dominate the market today. As such, it was inevitable that they'd bring the original back for a lap of honour.
This re-release reduces the console's size and adds USB and HDMI cable ports. Other than that, it's been left exactly as it appeared in the era of the Spice Girls and Friends. And honestly, why would you change anything about it? It was always a gorgeous machine to begin with, thanks to its simple design, friendly oversized buttons, and eye-catching disc tray.
The replicas of the PlayStation Controllers are just as excellent, and because they are USB, they can be used on other consoles or for PC emulation. It's easy to plug and play, and the package overall is of high quality.
Where the PlayStation Classic experience stumbles slightly is in its poorly thought-out emulation. When I wrote my PlayStation Classic review, I discovered some games played slower than the originals, while others appeared blurry and muddy. There are no options to tweak video settings, and no background on the games. It's why, despite being a replica of one of the best consoles of all time, it's further down my list, as the likes of Atari, Sega, and Evercade are really showing how to do emulation properly.
Yet, it's hard not to love this package overall. The games included vary in quality, but all have a place in PlayStation's history – Tekken 3, Ridge Racer Type 4, and Metal Gear Solid are excellent. Though it's a shame we don't get Tomb Raider, Crash Bandicoot, and other big entries. If you're a Sony PlayStation collector and fan, this remains a unique and lovely way to bring back the feeling of gaming in the 90s.
Best retro game consoles: also tested
In my intro to this guide, I mentioned why I've focused on consoles designed to play retro games; machines that emulate the games but also the design, feel, and sensation of replaying an iconic games console. Below are two more examples that are worth checking out.
I also acknowledged that if you just want to play retro games, modern consoles are good choices too. Below are some more recommended ways to play classic games.
Best retro game consoles: how to choose
Ultimately the best retro games console for you may depend on when you started gaming. After all, there's a nostalgia side to picking the best retro games consoles. If you're a 70s, 80s or 90s kid, you'll probably have a favourite console from back in the day that you would like to relive.
For me, some retro consoles, like the SNES Classic, Amiga A500 and Atari 2600+ just hit harder. However, other factors to consider are whether the consoles come with inbuilt games, how easy they are to use and how fun the games are to play today. These are all points that i've addressed in my full reviews and in the summaries above.
You also need to consider whether this is for actually gaming or collecting; the PlayStation Classic for example looks lovely while the SNES Nintendo Classic Mini continues to rise in value because it's so scarcely available.
Another crucial thing to note is do you want to play these games on your TV or as a handheld. For example, my No.1 choice for best retro games console overall is the Evercade EXP that is the perfect mix of modern tech, emulation, new games and is a wonderful handheld console (it can also be connected to a TV).
I've also included the three modern game consoles, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch in my Also Tested section because these feature more retro games than ever before - read our guide to the best retro game remakes and remasters to see what's coming soon.
Best retro game consoles: how we test
I own, have used, or have reviewed all of the best retro games consoles on my list, so you can trust me when I explain why each is worthwhile. As well as this, I've been gaming since a child and owned, and still own, many of the original versions of the mini replicas listed here, including Atari 2600, Mega Drive, SNES and Amiga 500. I also edited Official PlayStation Magazine for five years and edited other PlayStation magazines, so I know a thing or two about Sony's consoles.
When I review a retro games console I spend around two to four weeks with each machine; I test the games and the build quality and because I own the original consoles I am able to compare the emulation to originals.
I've selected the best retro games consoles on my list based on many criteria, from value to quality. I also consider how important the original console and games lists are to their impact on gaming, from the design of the console to the games. Of course, there's the fun factor too.
Best retro game consoles: frequent questions
What are retro gaming consoles?
A retro gaming console is a modern device that can play old games on new TVs. These are usually mini replicas of old consoles and come with pre-installed games running on emulation. Some retro consoles are new, such as the Evercade series, that feature new games and emulated titles from the 8, 16 and 32 bit eras. Read our lists of the best games of the 80s and best games of the 90s for inspiration.
Which retro gaming console is best?
My list here has a general order to which I consider the best retro gaming console, and these devices can be judged technically on how good the video game emulation is along with build quality and other features.
However, with the best retro gaming consoles you are also dealing with nostalgia, so your personal connection to an old system or games may supersede any technical merits.
This is why outside of best overall and best budget I've ordered retro consoles by make, and then considered price, value and games lineup - for example Sega Mega Drive Mini 2 just pips the previous Sega Mega Drive Mini because the be one is cheaper but also features games not released on Sega retro collections before.
Why are retro games so expensive?
As with any media created in the past old video game cartridges and discs are a scarcity. This means values are placed on old games out of production. With video games there is the added consideration of nostalgia and limited print runs of some old games – it means not all great games are worth a lot and some terrible games have since soared in value. If a game is sealed and unplayed, it's even more expensive.
Are retro games a good investment?
Yes. In recent years retro games have soared in value, partly because the age of gamers is increasing and nostalgia is a great influence, but also because the status of games and game design has increased. Some old games are seen as works of art, and as such are highly sought after. Retro games have a number of built in values too, including scarcity and the fact they can only be played on old hardware.
Are emulators legal?
Yes, it's legal to download and play an emulator but you can't share or sell the ROMS. Some mini retro game consoles, such as the PlayStation Classic and the Amiga A500 Mini allow users to install their own games via USB storage. The best retro game consoles make emulation easier and offer scale model recreations of the classic consoles.
Are modern games consoles good retro consoles?
Yes, of course. If you're not looking for the collectible, nostalgia hit of playing a replica console then PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series S/X all have retro games collections and subscriptions that offer access to old games. Interestingly, Xbox 360 is now 'retro' and you can play many of these games on Xbox Series X/S as default.
Nintendo Switch is becoming an excellent retro game console, with a mix of emulated exclusives from Nintendo's catalogue as well as remakes and remasters, like the excellent Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition and the recent Parasol Stars: The story of Bubble Bobble III.
