The return of retro gaming: Here's how to get your hands on the classics, again
Everything old is becoming new again – clothes, cars and now gaming. While many have secured their shiny new PlayStation 5 to play the newest releases, there's a groundswell of gamers returning to the classics.
Some of the older gaming accessories are harder to come by these days, but we've managed to find some of the best and most loved, from handheld consoles and joysticks all the way to the original games you used to play now in modern form – we've got retro gaming covered.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
Tamagotchi Original
Back in 1997, we welcomed a little digital pet into our lives that we fed, cleaned up after, married off, and prayed didn't die when we were at school or work. Tamagotchis were all the rage and are now back. Now they come in different colours and shapes, but nothing hits you in the nostalgia feels quite like the original. While it's had a couple of updates over the past 25 years, it still looks the same and will surely bring back the memories.
Handheld Retro Game Console
With 500 classic sports, puzzles and adventure games, you'll be able to play just like the old days with this portable gaming console. It has a seven-hour battery life, so you can take and play on your trip to school or work, or after a long day. It also comes with an 80cm AV cable so when you're at home, you can play these classic games on your own TV.
Tiger Electronics Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Electronic LCDVideo Game
It looks, sounds and plays like the original, but this LCD version of Sonic The Hedgehog is a recent release. Made in 2020, this handheld console was specifically inspired to replicate the Tiger Electronics Sonic the Hedgehog 3 that came out in 1994. Just like the original, you can play as Sonic or Tails across six stages to battle and defeat Dr. Eggman. This is the perfect nostalgia trip and something great for kids to see just how you experienced Sonic.
Atari 50 Anniversary Celebration
Atari is one of the founding gaming companies responsible for many of the classic gaming series. This 50th Anniversary Celebration game has recreated over 100 of their most successful and influential games from the last half century, now enhanced for modern gaming consoles.
Atari 50 Anniversary Celebration is also available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X.
Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 + The Arcade Game
There aren't many people in the world who haven't played Pac-Man. Bring back the memories and make some new ones with this updated edition of the classic.
Retro Space Invaders Micro Player
This is exactly like the old arcade game, but shrunk in size to fit perfectly in your hand. With its backlit display and 3.5mm headphone jack, it's fully functional and plays the game like the original.
There are other micro players for other games available too, including Pac-Man, Dig Dug, and Karate Champ.
Classic Retro Game Console
With over 621 classic and retro games to play, this console has all the originals you remember playing in the '80s and '90s, all connected to your TV or monitor via an HDMI cord.
Retro Mini Game Console
If you're more interested in two player games with a retro look, then this will tick all the boxes. It has 1,000 classic games available to play and an HDMI cord included to attach to your TV. While both controllers work, only the main controller can select, pause and exit.
Pinball Arcade
With all the sound effects, animations and tables to choose from, the pinball PS4 game is just like using the old machines back in the arcades.
Brick Game Console
The old Brick Game consoles are back and are now bigger, brighter and of course better! With 23 classic shooting, racing, and puzzle games, you can easily play with a screen three times the size of the original console. The speed and difficulty of the games can be adjusted, so you can slowly but surely ease yourself into it and feel like no time has passed since you last picked one up. This one is blue, but it also comes in yellow.
Sega Mega Drive Classics
The world of gaming would look quite different today without Sega. We wouldn't have the world's favourite hedgehog, or many of the classic fighter games. Take a deep dive into the history of Sega games with this ultimate collection available to play across the modern platforms and consoles.
Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection
It's one of the largest collections of Sega games and undoubtedly one of the best, Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection for Xbox 360 includes games like Streets of Rage, Phantasy Star and, of course, Sonic games as well.
Tapdra Pandora's Box 9D Multiplayer Joystick and Buttons Arcade Console
This is unquestionably the arcade gamer's dream piece. With 9,800 games available to play from this console has all the buttons, features and joysticks all the old arcade games had. It can connect to most devices using a VGA or HDMI cord and has upgraded HD visuals and images. This will certainly bring the arcade into your home.
Pac-Man World: Re-Pac
Pac-Man has leapt from his 2D universe into the third dimension in this new re-imagining of the original. With all new games and puzzles to navigate, this will be a whole new adventure into the world of our little yellow friend.
Nintendo Switch Wired GameCube Controller
The Nintendo Switch is one of the most popular consoles around these days, with everyone seemingly joining in on the fun – including the old consoles. Modelled on an original GameCube controller, this modern take is designed specifically to use for the Switch, especially when playing Super Smash Bros – a game filled to the brim with your favourite characters. There have been some improvements made from the original controller, like a larger D-pad and additional left shoulder button, but you can't take away that nostalgic look.
If the purple controller doesn't suit your gaming aesthetic, it also comes in black and red.
Nintendo Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda and Nintendo Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros
Step way back in time and see where our favourite games originated from. These Game & Watch consoles have the base games of The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros installed on their corresponding devices. These are real throwbacks that will be hard to put down.
Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
It's hard to believe Street Fighter is 30 years old, but at the same time, it feels like it's been around forever. Relive the best moments as your favourite fighter with this collector's edition of the game.
It's also available for Xbox One.
Hyperkin Hyper Click Retro Style Mouse for SNES
Our computer mouse wasn't always so sleek and easy to use, and this is evidence of that. This mouse is compatible with the Super Nintendo Entertainment System so you can play just the way you used to.
Space Invaders Forever
Upgraded with all new levels and modern imagery and sound, the original Space Invaders that you know and love has evolved in the 21st century. There are three different game collections to play, including 150 stages, and all sorts of new experiences to refresh your memory of the original.
MayFlash Universal Arcade FightStick F500
Sure, the modern gadgets have all the gizmos for a modern gaming experience, but the old school joysticks have all the class and nostalgia many games need. The MayFlash fightstick is compatible with essentially all of the modern consoles like Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch and Android phones.
Retro-Bit N64 Tribute 64 Wired Controller and Hyperkin Controller Adapter for N64
Not much is more iconic in the gaming world than the Nintendo 64. If you've got one still lingering around or packed in storage, you can now get back to playing how you used to with this replica of the original controller, and it works exactly like the old ones.
If you've unfortunately departed from the classic console, then the Hyperkin N64 adapter takes the old controllers and connects them with the new consoles like the Nintendo Switch and PC.
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