Retro consoles are still popular in 2022. They allow the oldest to go back to their childhood and new generations to discover the most classic video games. Dive into the heart of the 80s and 90s with licenses, some of which have continued to evolve and are still essential today, especially on the Nintendo side with Mario and Zelda. Here is our selection of the best retro consoles available in 2022.
Retrogaming has become trendy in recent years. Manufacturers and publishers are taking advantage of this to ride this wave and reissue many old consoles that we could play when we were younger. These usually include dozens of games, so there’s no need to search for cartridges or other original media. Practical and playing on the card of nostalgia, these living room, portable, even arcade consoles will awaken the gamer who lies dormant in you? But which retrogaming console to choose? Answer below.
What are the best retro home consoles in 2022?
nintendo-switch
Nintendo Switch at the best price
Amazon
266€
Amazon
266.17€
Culture
269.99€
Fnac
269.99€
Cdiscount
269.99€
Rakuten
269.99€
Baker
289.99€
More offers
Are you surprised to find the Nintendo Switch in this selection? It’s normal. However, the latest Nintendo console does not only offer recent titles, quite the contrary. It offers a vast selection of old games to redo from the eShoplike Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, Grandia, Sonic Mania (which isn’t really an old game, but not far) or Castlevania Anniversary Collection.
That’s not all, since thanks to the Nintendo Switch Online subscription, you will be able to access many Super NES and NES games, but also Nintendo 64. It is thus possible to play 105 games (70 NES games and 35 SNES games) including The Legend of Zelda, Super Metroid and Star Fox. The only problem: the games will only be accessible as long as you pay for the subscription. From the moment you no longer pay the bill, the games will become inaccessible until you reactivate it.
| The + | The – |
|---|---|
| The extensive catalog of the Nintendo Switch | The fragile foot at the back |
| The good compromise of the three models | No Ethernet port on the Dock |
Nintendo Super NES Classic Mini
Nintendo Super NES Classic Mini at the best price
Amazon
199.9€
Released in September 2017, the console is a reference among the mini models released to date. The general manager of Nintendo France even spoke of “stratospheric sales” of the Super NES Classic Mini in France.
It contains 21 classic games pre-installed (Super Mario Kart, Super Mario World, Starfox, Final Fantasy III, Donkey Kong Country…) and can be easily connected to a high definition television using a HDMI cable included.
| The + | The – |
|---|---|
| Very successful design | Controller cable too short |
Quality controllers | The prices have soared |
| Games are cult | |
| Quick save and rewind possible |
Nintendo NES Classic Mini
NES Classic Mini at the best price
Rakuten
79€
Amazon
101€
Fnac
105€
Cdiscount
139€
We stay on the side of Nintendo with the NES Classic Mini. Again, the enthusiasm was there. Long out of stock after its release in 2016, the NES Classic Mini has been back since June 2018. 30 games are present on the machine, including Castlevania, Donkey Kong, Final Fantasy, The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros. or pacman. In short, very cult.
| The + | The – |
|---|---|
| Good selection of classics | Short controller cable |
Authentic retro gaming experience | Not possible to expand the catalog of games |
Playstation Classic
PlayStation Classic at the best price
Rakuten
57.72€
Cdiscount
145€
Fnac
166.88€
Sony followed the movement initiated by Nintendo to release a mini edition of its PS1, released on December 3, 2018. On the program, 20 pre-installed games including Final Fantasy VII and Tekken 3. In the box, 2 controllers (the first without a joystick), an HDMI cable and a USB to microUSB type B cable. The console is 45% smaller than the original PS1.
| The + | The – |
|---|---|
| Two controllers in the box | His price |
| Interesting game choices | |
Built-in memory card |
Sega Mega Drive Mini
Sega Mega Drive Mini at the best price
Rakuten
99.99€
Fnac
146.6€
Amazon
149€
Ready to use, it is a miniature replica of the famous Mega Drive originally released in 1990. It includes no less than 42 pre-installed games and is delivered with two handles so you can enjoy console hits together! The SEGA Mega Drive Mini will allow you to live or relive wonderful moments, whether you are nostalgic for a title you love or you are diving into the world of the Mega Drive for the first time.
In the box, we find the game console, the two controllers, a USB power cable and an HDMI cable to connect your SEGA Mega Drive Mini to your television. Regarding the format of the console, the latter is smaller than the version released in the 90s and the controllers are connected via a USB port. A major change for the user experience, the Mega Drive Mini is able to save a game at any time.
| The + | The – |
|---|---|
| 42 games included | Joysticks with 3 action buttons. Some games ideally require 6 buttons |
| Two controllers in the box | |
Able to save a game at any time |
Commodore 64 Mini
Commodore 64 Mini at the best price
Rakuten
59.99€
Amazon
69.96€
Cdiscount
70.56€
Fnac
79.99€
We go back to early 80s with the console version of the mythical Commodore 64 computer. This small console has an HDMI output, a joystick and includes 64 games including California Games, Padroid, Nebulus or the incredible Speedball 2, an anthology game from the Bitmap Brothers. It is possible to enjoy other games via USB drive.
| The + | The – |
|---|---|
| Faithful to the original personal computer | Joystick cord is a bit short |
| 64 pre-installed games | Sometimes erratic joystick>/strong> |
| Comes with a joystick |
What are the best handheld retro consoles in 2022?
Nintendo Game & Watch
Historically, Game & Watch consoles were released in the 80s. At the time, they offered a single game with very simple gameplay. Today, these consoles sell for exorbitant prices among collectors. For those nostalgic for these old portable consoles, Nintendo has decided to release two new versions of Game & Watch to play these two cult licenses: mario and zelda. Both consoles allow access to 3 games on one 2.36″ color screen. Console easily recharges via USB-C.
| The + | The – |
|---|---|
| We find the original design | Screen a bit small |
| 3 cult games per version | To be reserved for small hands |
| Color screen |
portable atari flashback
Atari Flashback Portable at the best price
Rakuten
42.99€
Fnac
62.77€
Amazon
79€
Cdiscount
95.9€
Much less known these days, the Atari brand has nevertheless been the origin of video game consoles with the mythical game Pong and the Atari 2600 console. The Atari Flashback in portable version allows you to have in your pocket 70 classic gamesor even more thanks to SD card reader which allows you to add new titles. At the level of the screen, we are entitled here to 2.8 inch LCD. Only problem, it is no longer so easy to find in 2022 (at least, new).
| The + | The – |
|---|---|
| Design faithful to the original console | Hard to find new |
| Over 70 pre-installed games | |
| Ability to expand games via SD card |
What are the best retro arcade consoles in 2022?
Neo Geo Mini
Neo Geo Mini at the best price
Rakuten
74€
Amazon
83.96€
Cdiscount
93.32€
Fnac
93.78€
The Neo Geo Mini was released in France on October 10, 2018. It is a very small arcade terminal equipped with a 3.5 inch screen, 4 buttons and a joystick. he is also possible to connect two controllers to play with a friend and connect the console to the television via a mini-HDMI to HDMI cable not included in the box. A different experience than classic home consoles.
| The + | The – |
|---|---|
| great design | Optional HDMI and AC adapters |
| Its 3.5 inch screen | |
Nice selection of games |
? Should you choose a retro console or an emulator?
These are the two ways to experience retrogaming. A deliberately retro console, like the “mini” models in our selection, have the advantage of provide a pleasure close to a collector’s item. Brands usually repeat the same design as the original console, which is an important factor for nostalgics.
If, on the other hand, what is most important to you is only the gaming experience, it is quite possible to rediscover the old sensations thanks to an emulator on PC (or via a Raspberry Pie, for example). Be careful however, since owning ROMs, ISOs, Wbfs, or any other file of the same type is subject to different regimes. Also, some games, because of copyrights, are not not legally playable on emulator.
? How much does a retrogaming console cost?
The advantages with these consoles is that you don’t have to no need to buy the games that go with it and that you don’t need to worry about legal issues. The games are preinstalled by the dozens, even hundreds depending on the machines. No need therefore to spend additional costs in the acquisition of games. As for the prices of retro consoles, they are generally below 100 €, the price to pay to enjoy several classics without additional cost.