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?

  • RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.worldEnglish
    27·
    9 months ago

    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.

    • paultimate14@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      9 months ago

      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.

      • Die4Ever@retrolemmy.comEnglish
        2·
        9 months ago

        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

        • paultimate14@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          9 months ago

          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.

    • Strider@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      9 months ago

      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…

    • Rooty@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      9 months ago

      I would also like to add that upscaled PS2/PSP games look great on a big tv - shame about the low poly models though.