Retro Console reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 258 Reddit reviews across 21 subreddits and 56 posts to rank the best Retro Console brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/retrogaming, r/SBCGaming, r/patientgamers, r/MiyooMini, r/ANBERNIC. Top-rated brands include Nintendo (4.6/5), Sony (4.6/5), Anbernic (4.5/5).
Stats
Reviews258
Subreddits21
Posts56
Brands61
Products60
258 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Nintendo
4.6
(61)
"Wii is stupid cheap and stupid easy to set up. On top of that it does a decent job with emulation as it was designed by Nintendo to do so via it’s virtual console service."
"If looking for legit games, go with a GBA SP with the backlit screen since it plays all gameboy formats."
"GBA SP with IPS Display mod, great console."
"Gameboy sp. can play gb, gbc, and gba plus it has a backlight"
"I recently purchased a GBA SP. It's the most "advanced" Gameboy and it can play the games of all the previous Gameboys."
"For DS emulation, buy a 3ds."
"GBA SP!!"
"I think a Switch Lite would be best."
"I would suggest to get him a second hand switch lite for the cost of an rg353v."
"Get a Switch with the Nintendo Online."
#2
Sony
4.6
(26)
"Honestly for PS2 and below just get a PS2 and mod it to load games off of a hard drive. That’s the absolute cheapest and only compatible way."
"As much as I love a fully kitted Genesis and the SNES I think I'm going to have to go with the PS1."
"PS1 for sure. Doom 1 and 2 on the same disc, definitely a different experience than PC Doom."
"PS1. The music is different (not necessarily worse) bur easily runs the best out of all."
"Getting a used PSP and hacking it might be a viable option."
"If I stretch that to the post-vintage era, I'd go for the PS2 - you get almost everything from the PlayStation, but with more on top."
"I'm changing that to Playstation 2. It's backwards compatible with PS1 so you get two consoles worth of games."
"Even though SNES has some of my favorite games, I'd say PS1."
"I am going to say PS1 even though my collection of SNES is much larger... PS1 games especially the RPGs were just so much better."
"But since you said console, PS1. It has one of the biggest libraries and has a good variety of different genres."
#3
Anbernic
4.5
(26)
"Love playing psp games on my RP4. There is something about this device, form factor and weight that is really right."
"RG505 uses the Vita OLED display, so it’s a perfect 2x integer scale for PSP."
"RG505 during a sale if you want horizontal. Can play up to light Gamecube/3DS if you fiddle with the settings."
"For Anbernic the RG 556 is what I would get."
"This is probably where the Anbernic RG556 shines."
"Let me add my vote to the RG505."
"Anbernic RG505"
"For anbernic, rg556 hands down."
"I think the above RG556 is likely the best solution for PSP."
"Anbernic for sure"
#4
Sega
4.5
(22)
"Dreamcast."
"Dreamcast for me."
"For me the Sega Genesis slaps! The 16 bit era for me is the best for retro."
"I think the maxed out sega genesis with a sega-cd, 32x, master system/3d adapter was the peak."
"Sorry everyone the correct answer was 'Dreamcast'. Dreamcast is the best console."
"Sega Genesis"
"The Sega Dreamcast probably has the largest selection of fighters among the post-PS1 home consoles."
"The Sega Genesis is pretty great for Sonic 1, 2, 3, & Knuckles alone."
"Sega Saturn easily is one of the best because it did great in Japan but shit in the US."
"The all power full MEGADRIVE its got some amazing games."
#5
Retroid
4.4
(16)
"Retroid pocket 3+"
"Retroid Pocket4/3 They play everything flawlessly..."
"Retroid Pocket 3+"
"My recommendation - RP4P brings the power that it should last you multiple years."
"Retroid Pocket 3+ or Flip, depending on your choice of form factor. Full speed N64. Can play GTA: Liberty City/Vice City Stories and Call of Duty: Roads to Victory on PSP."
"The Retroid Pocket 3+"
"Retroid pocket 3+ I have an indigo one. Ps works perfectly..."
"It's probably going to be the Retroid Pocket Mini or 5 which are being officially announced this week."
"Otherwise, the Retroid pocket 4 is really good and far enough for upscaled PSP."
"Anyway it's probably a Retroid 3+/Flip/4 or 16:9 Anbernic."
#6
Raspberry Pi
4.0
(8)
"Something like a raspberry pi would be your best best."
"Just grab a Raspberry Pi and put Retropie on it."
"If your going the emulation route, I'd recommend a raspberry pi instead."
"If you have a PC at home, install some emulators and get some usb retro controllers."
"If i was you i would consider getting a raspberry pi and play emulators on it."
"A Rasp Pi for home or a Razer Kishi V2 for on the go."
"You could build something with a raspberry pi though."
"I was seriously disappointed with the Pi's performance, especially considering how often it's recommended for retro gaming."
#7
Analogue
4.7
(6)
"2nd for Analogue Pocket. Also have a Steamdeck, but imo, it can't touch the Pocket for retro gaming."
"Analogue Pocket for me 100%. I also have a Steam Deck and it’s great as it can emulate more recent stuff like Gamecube"
"Best of both worlds if you want portable and the ability to dock it is analogue pocket plus a dock."
"Analogue Pocket"
"I have an Analogue Pocket and an Anbernic. The Anbernic tends to get played more often."
"The Analogue Pocket does a mighty fine Amiga."
#8
Miyoo
4.5
(6)
"This! Miyoo Mini+ running Onion OS is awesome and super easy to configure."
"I would definitely recommend the Miyoo Mini Plus"
"I went with the Miyoo mini plus and loved it so much I bought another one and the OG miyoo mini."
"Maybe look at the miyoo mini+"
"The Plus is more powerful and is a consideration if you want to play newer systems (e.g. Dreamcast, PSP)."
"Take a look at the Miyoo Mini Plus or the Anbernic RG35xx. Both good budget all-rounders."
#9
Retroid Pocket
5.0
(5)
"My big three have been: Steamdeck (all around powerhoues), Retroid Pocket 5, and Retroid Pocket 4 Pro."
"I have the Retroid Pocket 3+, it's pretty awesome."
"The newest ones tend to be best, because more power and better screens. The retroid pocket 5, Anbernic 406H, Odin 2."
"Expecting a Retroid Pocket 5 any day now: OLED, portable but can be docked for console use with a Bluetooth controller."
"Retroid pocket 3+ Good form factor, can handle anything up to N64."
#10
Valve
4.4
(5)
"Steam Deck"
"Easily steam deck or switch. Nothing else even comes close to those 2."
"Probably steam deck since you can pretty much emulate everything on it"
"SteamDeck"
"Steam deck with emudeck (sets it all up for you)"
#11
Trimui
4.0
(5)
"Trimui smart pro. 50$ and you're good to go"
"Budget devices such as the Trimui Smart Pro at $40-50 during sales but it is significantly weaker than the RG505."
"Best option for a horizontal on a budget imo is the TrimUI Smart Pro, able to play every Zelda game up to the GBA + N64"
"The only device under $100 that I would recommend is the Trimui Smart Pro."
"AFAIK Trimui Smart Pro if you on a budget"
#12
MiSTer
4.5
(4)
"MiSTer."
"Get a Mister and have them all."
"Maybe a mister pi with some 8bitdo controllers?"
"Alternatively, you can get a MiSTER."
#13
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
5.0
(3)
"I'd say snes on local classifieds, plus the everdrive x5 if you want cheap."
"If you're specifically only wanting physical then Super Nintendo."
"My go to is always the super Nintendo."
#14
Atari
4.7
(3)
"Cant beat the value of atari 2600!"
"An Atari 2600 and about 20 games for $5 at a garage sale."
"There may be some gems on older consoles around the Atari 2600 era."
#15
Sony PlayStation 1
4.7
(3)
"If you have interest in a PS1, Crash Bash. Awesome game with friends."
"Final Fantasy 7, Spyro, Crash Bandicoot, Twisted Metal, Metal Gear Solid, Castlevania:SotN, Driver, Resident Evil 2, Rayman annnd Xenogears"
"You can play plenty of PlayStation 1 games legally without needing the system itself."
#16
RG
4.7
(3)
"Rg556 without a doubt. Everything looks gorgeous on it's screen."
"Rg556 hands down!"
"PSP. Easy to get. Easy to mod. After that, a RG556 or one of the retroid gizmos."
#17
Retron
3.5
(4)
"Retron1 plays nes games. My kids have one and they knock it off the shelf all the time and it still works."
"Look into Emulation Machines like the Retron 5 or RetroFreak."
"I have a Retron5 and I'm fairly satisfied with it. It can play custom/hacked ROMs."
"I've heard mixed things on the Retron 5."
#18
RetroArch
4.5
(2)
"Retroarch on steam is a great one with a ton of compatibility."
"I would definitely start with emulation, because you can dip your toe into the waters and see what you like."
#19
RetroN
4.5
(2)
"I love my retron 5. I use it for my primary tv in the living room."
"You could get a retro combo console like a Retron 5 that plays real cartridges."
#20
PlayStation Vita
4.0
(2)
"You can still find a PS vita and add PSP and other roms via SD card just like any retro console can do."
"Just hack a PSP VITA with a large SD will play all the PSP games u want."
#21
Nintendo Entertainment System
4.0
(2)
"Consoles like the NES and SNES on the other hand have simply been fully documented."
"I collect for the NES which seems to be one of those consoles where everyone has publicized all the good "hidden gems"."
#22
Polymega
4.0
(2)
"I love my Polymega. Tough to get one though."
"This isn’t available to order yet but you might want to keep a watchful eye on it"
#23
Evercade
4.0
(2)
"I recommend the r/evercade. Their curated, licenced cartridges let you do save states."
"Have you heard of Evercade? It’s a handheld with lots of retro stuff available on cartridges."
#24
Nintendo Wii
4.0
(2)
"Get a Wii."
"The wii with the classic controller and the wii2hdmi"
#25
MiSTer FPGA
4.0
(2)
"Mister or a Steam Deck"
"Mister or any of the clone misters is the way to go."
#26
Psikyo
5.0
(1)
"Any of the Psikyo games on the system are great arcade ports too but my favorite of them has to be Gunbird."
#27
Game Boy Advance
5.0
(1)
"My vote goes to GameBoy Advance - it's a great piece of hardware."
#29
Steam Deck
5.0
(1)
"Steam Deck. It has the advantage of being a full fledged PC with truly customizable controls."
#30
Sega Genesis
5.0
(1)
"Sega Genesis. The Sonic series is my favorite game."
#31
Neo Geo
5.0
(1)
"Neo-Geo and Pioneer LaserActive. Are sold choices."
#32
Sega Dreamcast
5.0
(1)
"Of all of them, I would say that the Dreamcast has great support."
#33
Windows
4.0
(1)
"Overall I'd say just get a windows laptop. It doesn't have to be the $4k gaming laptop I got but I'd suggest researching what you're getting."
#34
280V
4.0
(1)
"The 280V is the only one that is renowned for being a tank and taking drops."
#35
Logitech
4.0
(1)
"Logitech G Cloud or Abxylute."
#36
ZX Spectrum
4.0
(1)
"Access to 1000s of games on the original spectrum and new games for the machine."
#37
PICO-8
4.0
(1)
"Check out /r/pico8/ 8 bit virtual console, code in Lua."
#38
Odroid
4.0
(1)
"I have an odroid n2+ with batocera on it and it plays up to psp very well."
#39
Commodore
4.0
(1)
"Seems to be a resurgence of people making new games for it these days."
#40
RG35XX
4.0
(1)
"FWIW: RG35XX H uses the joystick as mouse input and has a keyboard overlay option. It can be had for under $40."
#41
Turbo Duo
4.0
(1)
"Bought my turbo duo for 30 bucks from a guy who was using it to listen to CDs in his trailer."
#42
Retroid Pocket 3
4.0
(1)
"If you want quality improvements, it's reasonable to spend for at least a Retroid Pocket 3 or better."
#43
PlayStation Portable
4.0
(1)
"The PSP itself."
#44
RGB30
4.0
(1)
"The RGB30 is easy to use and you can hook it up to the TV."
#45
Google Chromecast
4.0
(1)
"I'd suggest going the DIY route and installing Retroarch on a Google Chromecast 4K."
#46
Anbernic RG35XX
4.0
(1)
"Take a look at this and see if it is what you are looking for--- Anbernic RG35XX."
#47
Miyoo Mini Plus
4.0
(1)
"Miyoo mini plus."
#48
Anbernic RG351P
4.0
(1)
"Anbernic RG351P is around $70 and has really good quality."
#49
Raspberry Pi 4
4.0
(1)
"Get a Raspberry Pi 4 or Raspberry Pi 400."
#50
Raspberry Pi 3
4.0
(1)
"A full Raspberry Pi 3 kit is under $100 even with controllers."
#51
Sega Master System
4.0
(1)
"For 2D gaming, I would choose the Sega Master System because the hardware is straightforward enough to learn inside out."
#52
Nintendo Game Boy
4.0
(1)
"Game boy maybe, theres quite a lot of resources."
#53
G Cloud
3.0
(1)
"Not sure if it's what you're looking for but G cloud used or on a sale? It has that support"
#54
Powkiddy
3.0
(1)
"The closest solution might be the Powkiddy RGB30 which is available for just under 6k."
#55
Philips
3.0
(1)
"Philips CD-i. Basically shaped like a VCR."
#56
Q90
3.0
(1)
"Good starter device for a kid. It's nice showing them all of the true classics."
#57
Miyoo Mini
3.0
(1)
"Looks okay-ish... I'd check into the OS and stock emulators."
#58
AliExpress
3.0
(1)
"Actually, apparently this cheep $30-ish thing ain't too bad."
#59
Data Frog SF2000
3.0
(1)
"You can also look at the Data Frog SF2000. It's ridiculously cheap."
#60
Anbernic 35XX
3.0
(1)
"You're looking for the Anberic 35xx plus or the equivalent Miyoo device."
#61
Powkiddy V90
3.0
(1)
"PowKiddy V90 should work for your budget."
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