As someone who has been in IT Management for 15 years, I understand that recommendations should be feasible, however “the best” is always subjective without proper context. What is best for a collector may be entirely different than what is best for a gamer. What is best for someone with a budget of zero dollars is going to be entirely different than the best for someone who has thousands of dollars and wants original consoles.
To figure out which retro console is best to purchase today you must first determine what is important to you.
There are tons of options when it comes to retro gaming. Hundreds of consoles were produced from 1983 to 2005. Each system has its own library of games, aesthetic, price-point. Some of these systems are incredibly rare and expensive. Others are cheap and common. Some systems have huge communities behind them while others don’t have anybody paying attention to them. When you first start into retro gaming you will have to decide which system you want to start with, and that decision will ultimately dictate what games you’ll be playing as well as how much money you’ll spend.
Simply put, there is no one console that stands above the rest as the best retro console. But there is a best console for you. To find that out you will have to identify what about a system draws you to it.
If You Want The Iconic Systems
If you want to play what many would consider the best games period, then the SNES is for you. The library for the SNES is unmatched. You have Super Metroid, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Mario World, Donkey Kong Country — to name only a few of the countless amazing exclusive games. A lot of these games still hold up incredibly well today. The controller is comfortable and the system itself will last you years to come. Consoles start at around $80-$150 and can go up depending on the edition. Games can range from $10 for a loose copy to upwards of $300+ for a complete rare game.
The SNES is my recommendation if you want to go with a safe option. You really can’t go wrong with this system. Games are amazing, the system is reliable and there are thousands of people out there who play these games. The only downside to the SNES is that because the system is so popular prices have been skyrocketing on rare games. So you won’t be finding many hidden gems at a cheap price.
If you want to play the best 3D games that past generations had to offer, then the Nintendo 64 is your go to. The library for the Nintendo 64 isn’t as large as the SNES library, but the quality for all the N64 games are consistently high. Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Perfect Dark, and GoldenEye — every single one of these are exclusive games that are truly amazing. The N64 controller is also iconic. You’ll either love it or hate it. Just like the SNES the Nintendo 64 is also very durable and will last you for years to come. Expect to spend around $100-$200 for a good condition console. Loose copies for popular N64 games can range from $30-$50.
The N64 is my go to if you simply want the best 3D experiences from the late 90s. You won’t be able to replicate those type of games on the SNES because the N64 is specifically built for that. The downside you’ll notice when you start collecting N64 games is that they are going to set you back. Games will end up costing you a lot more than if you went the SNES route.
Last but not least we have the original PlayStation. The PlayStation was a vastly underrated console back in its day. Not only did the PlayStation have a tremendous amount of titles released but the variety of genres that came with those games is insane. Whether you’re into JRPGs, action, sports, puzzles, etc. the PlayStation has got you covered. Console prices are also dirt cheap ($50-$100) and game prices are also cheap ($5-$20). If you want to focus on one system and build an enormous library go PlayStation.
The PlayStation is my recommendation if you plan on getting as many games as possible for the cheapest price. The only thing that might discourage you from choosing PlayStation is that you may find yourself digging through thrifts, garbage dumps finding PlayStation games you didn’t know existed. And when you do find that insane rare gem, it may or may not be worth your time.
If You Want Something Different
If you’d like to experience the 16-bit era from a different perspective than the SNES you should pick up a Mega Drive.
Specifically the Sega Genesis has a large pool of games for sports, arcade-style translation, action you name it. Games for the Mega Drive feel different than games you would find on the SNES. The controller layout is also unique to the Mega Drive. The Genesis is also very reliable as well. Consoles can go anywhere from $60-$120 and games can be found around the same prices as the SNES.
Get a Mega Drive if you want an alternative to SNES and you don’t mind having less games than you would if you got a SNES. Keep in mind the library for the SNES is bigger. You’ll feel like you’re missing out if you go with the Mega Drive.
If you want to try a system that’s entirely different from your typical Nintendo and Sony consoles, you should get a Dreamcast.
The library for the Dreamcast isn’t as big as the SNES or PlayStation, but what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in diversity. Shenmue, Jet Grind Radio, Soul Calibur, and Power Stone were just a few gems this system had to offer. The Dreamcast also has very affordable consoles ($80-$150) and the games aren’t crazy expensive ($10-$40). Games aren’t as expensive as the SNES or PlayStation due to the library size. Less demand makes for less competition on prices.
The Dreamcast is my recommendation if you want a unique experience that no other system can reproduce. The only downside to the Dreamcast is that because the library is small you will run out of games to play quickly. Also since the Dreamcast is getting older hardware failures are starting to be more common.
Dreamcast also has the edge over PlayStation and SNES due to its online capabilities. The internet still works on Dreamcast through private servers allowing users to play online like it was back in the day.
If you want a system that’s closer to modern gaming yet old enough to call itself retro get a GameCube.
Gamecube has a nice library of games that were nearly all made for the GameCube. It’s also very reliable and built to last. Hardware failures are very minimal due to the year it was made. GameCube is also becoming very collectable as the years pass by. As the console gets older games will start becoming expensive as people start hoarding copies. You can expect to spend anywhere from $100-$200 on a good condition GameCube. As for games they can range from $20-$100+ depending on the title.
GameCube is my final recommendation if you want to bridge that gap between retro and modern gaming. You’ll experience a newer console with modern controllers that feel great in your hands, but you’ll be playing classic games that will take you back.
Budget Considerations
If you’re looking to buy a retro console on a budget then original PlayStation is your best bet. You can purchase consoles for as low as $50-$100 and that $100 can go a long way when you’re trying to collect as many PlayStation games as possible. Games can be found as low as $5-$20 giving you the ability to own loads of games for a small price.
SNES and Mega Drive should be your go to if you’re looking to spend a moderate amount of money. Both consoles are fairly cheap ($60-$120) and games can be found for about $10-$50. The downside you’ll encounter if you choose SNES is that you will spend more due to their big library. If you go with a Mega Drive your library will be smaller.
Unlimited budget? Then you can pretty much pick whatever you want any time you want it. Games for the SNES and N64 can cost you $100+a piece. But if you’re looking to one day have the complete library for your favorite console go all out.
Practical Recommendations
Choose a system that appeals to you aesthetically. You like the way SNES looks? Buy a SNES. You like the way N64 feels and how it looks? Buy an N64. You like those arcade style games that came with the Mega Drive? Buy a Mega Drive. At the end of the day you’re going to base your decision on how the system looks because that’s what is going to entice you to play games.
Consider how many people currently play your system of choice. The SNES and PlayStation has millions of gamers and collectors. N64 also has a lot of fans but not quite as much as the PSone. Dreamcast got a small number of gamers when it was initially released but ended up creating a cult following of fans. Ideally you want a system that has an active community so when you have questions you can easily find help.
When starting out try your best to buy loose games instead of completing games. Why you may ask? Because if you buy a complete game for $300, you may finish the game and realise you didn’t enjoy it. By buying loose you can test out your skills and if you enjoy the game you can always go back and buy it.
Lastly consider your space and equipment. Some retro consoles take up space while others require you to buy cables or adapters. Some consoles will require you to plug into a CRT TV if you actually want to experience what playing that game was like back in the day. Make sure you have the space and equipment you’ll need to enjoy your games.
Think about how much time you have to play these games. Will you be playing each and every game you own? Or will you grab a console and rotate your games? Consider how much time you have because if you intend to finish every game you own you’re going to need a lot of time.
Honest Assessment
Disclaimer: There is no correct answer.
Conclusion
The best time to buy was probably 5 years ago when prices were cheaper. However, now is the next best time. Prices will only continue to rise on these consoles and the games that come with them.
John grew up swapping floppy disks and reading Amiga Power cover to cover. Now an IT manager in Manchester, he writes about the glory days of British computer gaming—Sensible Soccer, Speedball 2, and why the Amiga deserved more love than it ever got.
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