But, they also work a bit differently from the originals. That's not to their detriment, as you won't have to worry about blowing on a Super Nintento cartridge to get the dust out or waiting on the slow load times of a PlayStation disc. We've tested out all the best models for the true retro experience and picked out our favorites. So, forget about trying to emulate classic games on an overpowered gaming computer, and check out these mini, retro game consoles.
TL;DR – These are the Best Retro Gaming Consoles:
- NES Classic Edition
- Super NES Classic Edition
- Sega Genesis Mini
- NEO GEO Mini International
- C64 Mini
- PlayStation Classic
1. NES Classic Edition
Nintendo shocked the world when it announced the NES Classic Edition (read our review) in 2016. It also famously underestimated demand. It’s easy to see why. The cute console evokes instant nostalgia for a huge swath of gamers with its design alone, but what’s inside is just as important. Within the console’s diminutive plastic walls are 30 preloaded games, spanning multiple genres and acting as a well-curated greatest hits of an entire console generation (see full list below). It also set peoples' expectations of what a mini retro console should have. A charming interface, an affordable price, and a decent roster of games makes the NES Classic the first mini console to really get it right.
Everyone will have a cherished game sadly not on the list, but favorites like Excitebike, multiple Zeldas, Ninja Gaiden, and of course several Mario games should make everyone happy. The days of hitting F5 in hopes of snatching one up online are thankfully over, but Nintendo won't make these forever. Eventually, the new (much larger) supply will run out, and that will be the end. Other than that, the micro-console’s only real shortcoming is its woefully short 2.5-foot controller cables. Thankfully, there are third-party options like the 8Bitdo N30 Wireless Gamepad or a two-pack of cable extenders that fix that.
NES Classic Edition full game list: Ballon Fight, Bubble Bobble, Castlevania, Castlevania II: Simon's Quest, Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., Double Dragon II: The Revenge, Dr. Mario, Excitebike, Final Fantasy, Galaga, Ghosts 'n Goblins, Gradius, Ice Climber, Kid Icarus, Kirby's Adventures, Mario Bros., Mega Man 2, Metroid, Ninja Gaiden, Pac-Man, Punch Out, StarTropics, Super Contra, Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario Bros. 3, Tecmo Bowl, The Legend of Zelda, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link.
2. Super NES Classic Edition
Like the NES Classic Edition before it, Nintendo struck a chord with the SNES Classic Edition (read our review). Except, somehow, the company managed to make an even cuter miniature version of its vintage hardware with the followup. A smart selection of games including a previously unreleased Star Fox sequel are the main attraction, though, including plenty of local multiplayer games (see below for a full list).
If the NES Classic set the stage for what a good mini retro console should be, the SNES Classic perfected it. With 2 controllers packed into the box, an unreleased game seeing an officially sanctioned release in Star Fox 2, and an even more charming interface than its predecessor, the SNES Classic set the high-water mark for retro mini consoles.
The SNES Classic is also a good way to surprise yourself at how well Super Metroid’s moody intro holds up 24 years later. Same goes for Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past too. Thankfully, Nintendo learned its lesson with the NES Classic and over a year later, you can still buy one of the HDMI-based micro-consoles new-in-box from Amazon. And like its predecessor, wireless controllers are available as well to remedy the latest Classic’s still too-short controller cables.
Super NES Classic Edition full game list: Contra III: The Alien Wars, Donkey Kong Country, Kirby Super Star, Kirby's Dream Course, Secret of Mana, Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting, Super Mario Kart, Super Mario World, Final Fantasy III, Super Castlevania IV, EarthBound, F-ZERO, Mega Man X, Star Fox, Star Fox 2, Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Super Metroid, Super Punch-Out!!, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Yoshi's Island.
3. Sega Genesis Mini
The Genesis Mini is also finally importing the Japanese version of Tetris and Monster World IV, two titles that never came over stateside. The console is a nearly perfect replica of the original 16-bit console as is the batarang-shaped controller. Unfortunately, if you want a six button controller, you'll have to either order a Japanese Mega Drive Mini or Retro-Bit's officially licensed 6-button Sega Genesis controller.
Castlevania: Bloodlines, Comix Zone, Gunstar Heroes, Madou Monogatari I, Powerball, Puyo Puyo Tsu, Rent-A-Hero, Shining Force, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Space Harrier 2, Thunder Force III, Super Fantasy Zone, Musha World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, Streets of Rage 2, The Hybrid Front, Landstalker, Contra: Hard Corps, Dyna Brothers 2, Game no Kanzume Otokuyou, Ghouls 'n Ghosts, Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition Mega Man: The Wily Wars, Golden Axe, The Revenge of Shinobi, Phantasy Star IV, Beyond Oasis (The Story of Thor: A Successor of The Light), Puzzle & Action: Tant-R, Party Quiz Mega Q, Yu Yu Hakusho: Makyou Touitsusen, Tetris Darius, Virtua Fighter 2, Alisia Dragoon, Monster World IV, Kid Chameleon, Road Rash II, Eternal Champions, Columns, Dynamite Headdy, Strider, Light Crusader
4. NEOGEO Mini International
There are lots of great NEO GEO games living on this mini console, and it can be played stand-alone or plugged into a TV with HDMI out. It's not quite as lovingly put together as the Nintendo mini consoles, and a lot of the draw of a NEO GEO throwback device is how it brings the system into an affordable package.
The NEO GEO Mini version comes with 40 classics included (see full list below), but it remains true to its source by being the most expensive console among its peers. It has HDMI out, and it comes in a mini little arcade cabinet, if you want to stay true to its roots, but in mini form.
NEOGEO Mini International full games list: 3 Count Bout, Art of Fighting, Blazing Star, Blue’s Journey, Crossed Swords, Fatal Fury Special, Foot Ball Frenzy, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, Ghost Pilots, King of the Monsters, King of the Monsters 2,Kizuna, Encounter: Super Tag Battle, Last Resort, Magician Lord, Metal Slug, Metal Slug 2, Metal Slug 3, Metal Slug 4, Metal Slug 5, Metal Slug X, Mutation Nation, Ninja Master’s: Haou Ninpou Chou, Puzzled, Real Bout: Fatal Fury, Robo Army, Samurai Shodown II, Samurai Shodown IV: Amakusa’s Revenge, Samurai Shodown V Special, Sengoku 3, Shock Troopers, Shock Troopers: 2nd Squad, Super Sidekicks, The King of Fighters ’95, The King of Fighters ’97, The King of Fighters ’98, The King of Fighters 2000, The King of Fighters 2002, The Last Blade 2, Top Player’s Golf, World Heroes Perfect.
5. C64 Mini
C64 Mini full games list: AlleyKat, Anarchy, The Arc Of Yesod, Armalyte: Competition Edition, Avenger, Battle Valley, Bounder, California Games, Chip’s Challenge, Confuzion, Summer Games II, Spindizzy, Slayer, Star Paws, Super Cycle, Cosmic Causeway: Trailblazer II, Creatures, Cyberdyne Warrior, Cybernoid II: The Revenge, Cybernoid: The Fighting Machine, Deflektor, Everyone’s a Wally. Firelord, Gribbly’s Day Out, Hawkeye, Street Sports Baseball, Speedball, Temple of Apshai, Trilogy, Thing Bounces Back, Thing on a Spring, Heartland, Herobotix, Highway Encounter, Hunter’s Moon, Hysteria, Impossible Mission, Impossible Mission II, Insects In Space, Zynaps, Mega-Apocalypse, Stormlord, Speedball II: Brutal Deluxe, Trailblazer, Uchi Mata, Uridium, Mission A.D, Monty Mole, Monty on the Run, Nebulus, Netherworld, Nobby the Aardvark, Nodes Of Yesod, Paradroid, Pitstop II, Rana Rama, Steel, Snare, Who Dares Wins II, Winter Games, World Games, Robin of the Wood, Rubicon, Skate Crazy, Skool Daze
6. PlayStation Classic
Well it's come to this: the PlayStation Classic (read our review). It's impossible to deny the incredible impact the original PlayStation had on the video game industry. The story behind the console is filled with intrigue and betrayal, and some of the most popular and well-known franchises of all time got their start or found their footing on Sony's first console.
Which is why it's such a shame the homage to that period of gaming history is so half-assed. Sony held off on releasing the full list of games, and with good reason: a lot of them are lame. There are some treasures here, but even still, many suffer from the bizarre decision to not include analog controllers. Emulation is bad and some of the games use ROMs based on the PAL versions, so they don't run at the proper framerate.
Consider this only if you're a diehard collector of mini consoles. Otherwise, you're better off buying a used PS3 and getting the games through the official PlayStation Store.
Playstation Classic game list: Battle Arena Toshinden, Cool Boarders 2, Destruction Derby, Final Fantasy VII, Grand Theft Auto, Intelligent Qube, Jumping Flash, Metal Gear Solid, Mr Driller, Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee, Rayman, Resident Evil Director’s Cut, Revelations: Persona, Ridge Racer Type 4, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo, Syphon Filter, Tekken 3, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, Twisted Metal, Wild Arms