Im looking for a cheap console to get and collect for that dosent cost a arm/leg but also isint boring with the game section. I have a few consoles and handhelds from when i was a kid but i want something that i can stick with and not let collect dust?
What would you suggest or advise and why so?
My suggestion might seem sacrelige, but hear me out.
If you want something to actually use that is convenient, a mini PC that emulates them all is far better than genuine hardware. Kinda like how I will always say that driving a replica of an expensive car is better than driving a real one out on the road. Set up takes a lot longer, but in the long run it is far cheaper and much more convenient.
- modern TV compatible output
- modern CRT shaders very closely approximate actual CRT look especially at 4k with HDR (I have real CRTs to compare, and they do look similar)
- you dont have to unplug and plug in multiple consoles, wearing out the tv input port when you want to change consoles
- only takes up one tv input port
- some games can run at better framerates than the original hardware could handle, giving a more consistent experience
- no physical space lost to game boxes and multiple unused console accessories
- expandable storage to include all games from each console’s library
- can play handheld games on a TV without needing overpriced genuine hardware like the GameBoy Player for the GameCube ($75+ is ridiculous)
- you get to play games you will literally never be able to thanks to speculative buyers and collectors making the real thing too expensive (~$1,000 USD for Panzer Dragoon Saga NTSC should be illegal)
You could potentially invest in console themed controllers, so the inputs match the controller you are holding. Sure, the integrated graphics might not be good enough to PS3 on some older ones, but it’s hard to beat that at ~$150 USD for up to 6th gen. Lots of genuine hardware now is that price or more thanks to speculative buying and “collectors” ruining the hobby for people that actually want to play the games instead of just hoarding them.
deleted by creator
deleted by creator
I would also like to add that upscaled PS2/PSP games look great on a big tv - shame about the low poly models though.
In this case, might I suggest getting a MiSTer? I know availability is an issue and price too but hunting for it is really really worth it.
Up until and including 486(sx), Saturn, N64…
It won’t be accurate, but if you don’t care it is an idea.
It’s also possible to just buy android TV boxes that are pre-configured to do this.
I used to closely follow the retro handheld scene. So if OP wants to go down that route, they should check out the RetroGameCorps YouTube channel to get a feel for what kind of devices are available today. But he has occasionally covered those TV boxes too, and being android there’s often a lot of software and hardware overlap with those handhelds. It’s sketchy for sure, but for like $90 you can get a device when all those benefits you mentioned but already pre-configured to work as a console, with minimal mouse/keyboard input required. And tens of thousands of roms without needing to worry about where or how to get them, viruses (as long as you don’t cross with any other devices lol), or getting letters from your ISP for pirating.
All the emulation boxes with included games that I’ve seen have been terrible with inaccurate audio, bad controllers, frame drops
I think you’re better off getting a cheap mini PC and putting Batocera on it
I’ve heard people make those complaints in comments on the internet, but I got my Powkidsu RGB10MAX and never had any issues. I mean, some demanding Saturn/Dreamcast/N64 games drop the occasional frame but that’s just from pushing the hardware to its limit, nothing to do with the roms.
I would recommend finding YouTube reviews for a specific device. There’s a whole community of people out there who can set the expectations for performance of different emulators, often picking out some of the harder games to emulate for each system. Eventually you will get to a point where there are trade-offs: do I want to upscale the resolution at 30FPS or drop the resolution and get a solid 60FPS?
Even a cheap mini PC is going to be much more expensive. Still a great option, especially if you also want to do PC things, but not what OP is looking for. For just having a TV box that plays games, ARM is hard to beat. And most of those YouTubers also can tell you how to put a variety of other operating systems and your own roms on if you prefer, but I’m not assuming OP has the skill or will to do so.
deleted by creator
You can install an ssd on a ps2 and load more than half of its library onto it. Last year I paid $70 for a used ps2 at a flea market so they’re definitely still out there
Can’t help with pricing, but as far as variety and quality of games, the SNES dominates. We play ROMs at home, and despite having pretty much every game for every system, the SNES gets the most play hands down.
I would suggest getting a Wii, but not for playing the games. Softmod it (pretty trivial) and install CleanRip.
Then just start collecting Wii and GameCube games, rip them to USB/SD card, and play them on PC with Dolphin. Use just about any PC compatible controller for GameCube games, and you can pair the Wii controller over Bluetooth for Wii games.
Last I checked Wiis are pretty cheap, and the GC and Wii library has a lot of real gems.
Why would you bother if you can just get the ROMs and skip owning the console?
Why do anything? Isn’t existence pointless?
Nintendo is making downloading ROMs mildly annoying.
Meanwhile, ripping discs yourself, ensuring checksums match with Redump, compressing them to RVZ and keeping the collection straight in Dolphin is kinda fun. And best of all, Nintendo can’t do shit about it.
Edit: Also happy I could preserve my old GameCube memory cards (using GCMM) and my Wii’s flash memory. While dumping the Virtual Console titles, I found some wild shit.
PS3. Really easy to mod (not that simple on super slim models, make sure you dont get that), can run both PS2 and PS1 games natively, loading games externally / backing up your games is really easy. Can emulate weaker consoles like SNES/NES/Genesis just fine with Retroarch. It also has a lot of banger games for its era, and works as a 1080p Blu-Ray player.
Honestly PS2 or the next gen up, PS3 and 360.
Lots of variety and great games for rock bottom prices. PS2 is starting to get up there are discs fail and systems ware down. But due to being the best selling system of all time. It’s be a while until it’s crazy.
Another option is to look around and buy local. Who knows what you’ll find for cheap.
I got 2 dirt cheap second hand Wii’s last month, with some accessories. I never owned one and now that i’m a dad i wanted to introduce my kid to video games and play with him. Installed homebrew on one and keeping the other one as a backup. We love it. I was surprised with how well the games hold up, Super Mario Galaxy is amazing. My kid loves Kirby’s Epic yarn, which I must admit is absolutely stunning visually and in gameplay.
Someone else mentioned getting a small form factor pc and then do emulation, that’s also a great low budget idea. The only thing with that i found is finding the right input devices. Especially wii emulation is hard because of the wii remote and nunchuck, which is why i went on the hunt for the hardware. But the emulation route is very viable otherways. I run bazzite linux and can recommend it.
Good luck!
deleted by creator
I think we’re entering/in the nostalgia wave for the 7th generation consoles (Xbox 360/PS3/Wii) so prices for those might rise while prices for 6th gen (OG Xbox/PS2/Gamecube) might fall.
8th gen (Xbox One/PS4/Switch) is probably more accessible/plentifull both used and new still.
Original Switches are getting more affordable now but the 3DS is a solid console that still holds up today.
Also, the PS3 is awesome, games are dirt cheap right now.
Where are original switches getting more affordable? Last I saw, Nintendo raised their prices.
On the used market. They’re commonly sub £200 now.
deleted by creator
Yea, I was looking at used 3DS since my hinge finally broke… sad times.
deleted by creator
Ps2. Plenty of games, it’s still the most popular system made.
Add the network adapter and a hard drive and you can use real hardware to play the games, or store your games on the network and skip the hard drive.
Or use a USB if you want. No hard mods required.
I like the miyoo mini plus myself. But officially the 3ds is a fun console :)
If you want something modern then I would recommend an Xbox One S (or a One X if you can find it cheap enough) because of the backwards compatability with pevious consoles and a lot of games are dirt cheap nowadays. Also as a bluray player or streaming stuff if you want that too.
deleted by creator
