Retro gaming isn't a nostalgia trip – it's a legitimate hobby with a massive community, a thriving market, and some of the best game libraries ever made. Whether you grew up with a cartridge in hand or you're discovering classic games for the first time, the good news is this: you don't have to hunt flea markets or pay scalper prices to get into retro gaming. Plenty of great options are still available brand new or easily sourced at fair prices.
This list covers the best retro consoles you can actually buy right now – official mini versions, modern reproductions, and classic hardware that still holds up. Each one is ranked on game library quality, ease of access, value, and how well it plays in 2025.
Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) Classic Edition
Sega Genesis Mini 2
PlayStation Classic
Nintendo 64 (Original Hardware)
Atari 2600+
Evercade EXP
Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP
Neo Geo Mini
Analogue Pocket
Commodore 64 Mini (The C64)
Why it's #1: The SNES Classic is the gold standard of official retro mini consoles. Nintendo packed 21 legendary games into a plug-and-play device that outputs via HDMI, runs perfectly out of the box, and includes two controllers. The library alone justifies the price – you're getting Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Metroid, Donkey Kong Country, Chrono Trigger, Street Fighter II Turbo, and more, all in one box.
The hardware is accurate, the interface is clean, and the save-state system makes tough classics actually manageable. It's officially discontinued by Nintendo but still available through third-party sellers and platforms like eBay and Amazon at reasonable prices – typically $80–$120 depending on condition.
Best for: Anyone who wants the definitive retro gaming starter kit with zero setup hassle.
Key benefit: 21 pre-loaded games, HDMI output, authentic controllers – ready to play in minutes.
One tip: If you want to expand beyond the stock 21 games, the SNES Classic is hackable via hakchi2, a free tool that lets you add hundreds of additional SNES ROMs. It's easy, reversible, and widely documented.
Why it made the list: The original Sega Genesis Mini was already excellent. The Mini 2 is better – 60 games, including Sega CD titles that were never included on the first unit. You get Sonic CD, Phantasy Star IV, Shining Force II, Virtua Racing, and a host of other classics that defined a generation of gaming. The hardware replication is faithful, and the controllers feel right.
Sega Genesis Mini 2 launched in limited quantities and sells for around $100–$150 on the secondary market. It's harder to find than the SNES Classic, but worth the search for anyone who grew up in the Genesis era or wants a serious Sega collection in one box.
Best for: Sega fans and anyone who wants access to Sega CD titles without tracking down original hardware and discs.
Key benefit: 60 games including rare Sega CD titles, accurate emulation, two six-button controllers included.
Why it made the list – with caveats: Sony's mini console had a rocky launch in 2019 due to inconsistent emulation and a game library that didn't include some obvious must-haves. But the PlayStation Classic has since become one of the most modding-friendly retro consoles available. The hardware is solid and the USB port on the device accepts standard USB drives loaded with additional PS1 games via BleemSync or Autobleem – two widely used, well-documented tools.
If you're buying it to play only the stock 20 games, it's a mixed bag. If you're buying it as a hackable PS1 emulation platform, it's outstanding value – especially since prices have dropped to $30–$50 new or used. Games like Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, and Resident Evil run beautifully once properly loaded.
Best for: Tinkerers and PS1 fans willing to spend an hour on setup for a massively expanded library.
Key benefit: Affordable entry point into PS1 gaming with excellent mod support.
Warning: Don't expect stock-game perfection. The out-of-box experience varies. The modded experience is excellent.
Why original hardware made the list: The N64 never got an official mini console (Nintendo skipped straight to the Switch Online expansion tier for N64 games), but original hardware is widely available, reliable, and not expensive. A used N64 console with cables and a controller typically runs $60–$100 on eBay or at local retro game shops. Cartridges for most games are available at reasonable prices, with only a handful of rarer titles fetching premium amounts.
The N64 library is iconic – Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, GoldenEye 007, Mario Kart 64, Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64 – and playing on original hardware with an original controller is a different experience than any emulator. You can also buy an Eon Super 64 or RetroTINK adapter for clean HDMI output on modern TVs.
Best for: Anyone who wants the authentic N64 experience and doesn't mind a little hardware sourcing.
Key benefit: Massive physical library, widely available hardware, no emulation compromises.
One tip: The N64's original analog sticks degrade over time. Replacement sticks using the GameCube's mechanism (sold widely online) are a well-regarded upgrade.
Why it made the list: The Atari 2600+ is a brand-new product released by Atari in 2023 – a faithful reproduction of the original 2600 that plays original cartridges via the original cartridge slot. It comes with a 10-in-1 cartridge preloaded with classics like Berzerk, Centipede, Missile Command, and Yars' Revenge, and connects via HDMI at 720p.
This is the console for people who want to engage with the actual origins of gaming – not just nostalgia, but historical context. The 2600 defined what a home video game console was, and this modern version lets you play that history with a clean display output and modern build quality. It retails around $50–$60 and Atari has also released a 4-in-1 cartridge and individual game cartridges to expand the library.
Best for: Retro gaming historians, casual players, and collectors who want original cartridge compatibility in a modern package.
Key benefit: Plays original 2600 cartridges, brand-new hardware, HDMI output, affordable price.
Why it made the list: The Evercade EXP is unlike anything else on this list. It's a handheld console that plays Evercade cartridges – physical cartridge packs from licensed publishers covering Atari, Namco, Data East, Technōs, Bitmap Brothers, Interplay, and dozens more. Each cartridge pack contains anywhere from 6 to 20+ games from a specific publisher or era.
The EXP model has a built-in library of 18 Capcom games onboard and outputs to TV via USB-C. It's a modern piece of hardware running classic licensed content legally and with excellent accuracy. If you care about physical media, legal licensing, and a curated retro experience, Evercade is doing something genuinely different. The EXP retails around $100–$120, and cartridge packs are $15–$25 each.
Best for: Collectors, handheld gamers, and anyone who wants legal physical retro carts with a wide publisher range.
Key benefit: Licensed physical cartridges, handheld + TV play, growing library from major retro publishers.
Why original hardware made the list: The GBA SP is one of the most beloved handheld consoles ever made, and used units are widely available for $40–$80 depending on condition. The clamshell design protects the screen, the front-lit display (or backlit on the AGS-101 model) is genuinely good even by modern standards, and the game library is extraordinary.
The GBA is backward-compatible with original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges, which means one device covers three generations of Nintendo handheld games. Highlights include Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen, Metroid Fusion, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, Golden Sun, Final Fantasy VI Advance, and hundreds more. It runs on a rechargeable battery and doesn't need adapters to play on a modern display – it just works.
Best for: Handheld gaming fans who want one of the greatest portable libraries ever assembled.
Key benefit: Three generations of Game Boy compatibility, excellent library, affordable and widely available.
One tip: Look specifically for the AGS-101 model if you want the brighter backlit screen – it's the same clamshell form factor but significantly better display.
Why it made the list: The Neo Geo Mini is a miniature arcade cabinet replica with a built-in 3.5-inch screen and 40+ pre-loaded SNK games. It's quirky, it's stylish, and it covers one of the greatest arcade game libraries ever made – Metal Slug, King of Fighters, Samurai Shodown, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, Shock Troopers, and more.
You can also connect it to a TV via HDMI and use Neo Geo Mini controllers (sold separately) for a proper living room experience. It's not the most practical retro console for everyday use, but it's a fantastic collector's piece and a genuine way to play SNK classics legitimately. It retails for $50–$80 and is available directly from SNK and third-party sellers.
Best for: SNK fans, arcade game enthusiasts, and collectors who want something visually distinctive.
Key benefit: 40+ classic SNK titles, unique mini-cabinet design, TV output capability.
Why it's the premium pick: The Analogue Pocket is in a different category from everything else on this list – it's a $220 modern handheld built around FPGA technology, which means it replicates original hardware at the chip level rather than emulating it in software. It plays original Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges natively, and with adapter cartridges it can also play Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket Color, Atari Lynx, and other handheld systems.
The display is a 3.5-inch 1600x1440 LCD – one of the highest-resolution screens ever put on a handheld – and it does original aspect ratio modes, display filters, and full dock-to-TV support via USB-C. This is the ultimate handheld retro gaming device for people who want the most accurate, versatile, and premium experience available. Availability fluctuates through Analogue's website; check Analogue.co for restocks.
Best for: Serious retro gamers, collectors, and anyone who wants the highest-accuracy handheld experience with their original cartridges.
Key benefit: FPGA accuracy, extraordinary display, supports multiple handheld systems, plays original cartridges.
Warning: The price is real. This is a premium product for serious enthusiasts, not a casual starter pick.
Why it rounds out the list: The C64 is a love letter to home computer gaming of the early 1980s. Made by Retro Games Ltd., it's a miniature replica of the iconic Commodore 64 home computer, pre-loaded with 64 games and featuring a working keyboard (on the full-size version). It connects via HDMI, includes a joystick, and runs games from the original BASIC platform that defined a generation of European and American home computing.
The game library covers classics like California Games, Paradroid, Impossible Mission, Pitstop II, Alleykat, and Boulder Dash. It also supports USB drives for loading additional C64 games. The mini retails for around $40–$60 and the full-size version for $100–$120. If you want to understand where gaming came from before consoles dominated, the C64 Mini is a remarkable and affordable entry point.
Best for: PC gaming historians, retro enthusiasts, and anyone curious about pre-console home computer gaming.
Key benefit: 64 pre-loaded games, HDMI output, USB expansion support, authentic Commodore aesthetic.
With ten solid options on this list, the right pick depends on what you're actually after.
If you want zero setup hassle: Go with the SNES Classic. It's the most polished plug-and-play retro experience available, the game library is genuinely among the best ever assembled, and it works perfectly on any modern TV.
If you want the best handheld experience: The Analogue Pocket is the serious answer if budget isn't a concern. The GBA SP is the practical answer if you want something affordable, widely available, and immediately usable with a massive physical library.
If you want to explore beyond Nintendo and Sega: The Evercade EXP is the most underrated option on this list. Its licensed physical cartridge model covers publishers most mini consoles completely ignore.
If you're a collector first: The Neo Geo Mini and Atari 2600+ are both distinctive pieces that hold value and offer authentic brand experiences.
If you're a tinkerer: The PlayStation Classic, heavily modded, gives you one of the deepest PS1 libraries imaginable at a very low cost.
Are these consoles still being manufactured? Some are – the Atari 2600+, Evercade EXP, and Analogue Pocket are current products still in production. Others like the SNES Classic and Genesis Mini 2 are officially discontinued but widely available through secondary markets at stable prices.
Do retro mini consoles work on modern 4K TVs? Yes. All the HDMI-equipped consoles on this list work fine on modern TVs. Picture quality varies – most output 720p – but they display cleanly and without compatibility issues.
Is it legal to add extra games to a modded mini console? This is a grey area. Adding ROMs of games you own is generally considered fair use in many jurisdictions, but downloading ROMs of games you don't own is technically copyright infringement. The hardware modification itself is legal in most countries.
What's the difference between emulation and FPGA? Emulation uses software to simulate how old hardware behaved. FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) replicates the actual hardware circuits directly, resulting in more accurate timing, audio, and behavior. The Analogue Pocket uses FPGA; most mini consoles use emulation.
Which retro console has the best game library overall? The SNES library is widely considered one of the greatest of any platform. The GBA is exceptional for handheld. The PS1 library is enormous and covers an extraordinary range of genres. It depends heavily on which era and genre matters most to you.
Can I use original controllers with these consoles? Some support it natively – the Atari 2600+ uses original 2600 joystick ports, and the N64 uses its original controllers. Others require USB adapters. The Analogue Pocket supports original Game Boy accessories via the cartridge port.
Retro gaming has never been more accessible. You don't need to dig through garage sales or spend hundreds chasing rare hardware. Whether you want a plug-and-play mini console, a premium handheld, or the full original hardware experience, there's a clear option on this list that fits your budget and play style. Start with the SNES Classic if you're new to it. Graduate to the Analogue Pocket if you get serious. The games are waiting.
SNES Classic Edition overview – Nintendo: https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/super-nes-classic-edition/
Sega Genesis Mini 2 game list – Sega: https://sega.com/games/genesis-mini-2/
PlayStation Classic official page – PlayStation: https://www.playstation.com/en-us/consoles/other/playstation-classic/
Atari 2600+ product page – Atari: https://atari.com/products/atari-2600plus
Evercade EXP overview – Evercade: https://evercade.co.uk/hardware/evercade-exp/
Analogue Pocket product page – Analogue: https://www.analogue.co/pocket
The C64 Mini product page – Retro Games Ltd: https://retrogames.biz/thec64-mini/
Neo Geo Mini product page – SNK: https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/us/neogeo_mini/
Game Boy Advance SP history – Nintendo Life: https://www.nintendolife.com/features/game-boy-advance-sp-retrospective
FPGA vs emulation explained – Digital Foundry / Eurogamer: https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2018-inside-the-nt-mini-noiranalogue-s-best-yet
