10 Best Retro Game Consoles in 2022 (Gaming Entertainer-Reviewed)

If you look at the oldest controllers, they usually have a joystick with a button or two. These controllers are extremely easy to understand and use since you only have a few motions to figure out. However, many of the games are limited since they don't have as many control options. 

On the bright side, you can use your entire hand to control the joystick, giving you a wider range of motion. This choice works well for people who like to enjoy straightforward and easy-to-understand games.

Many retro game controllers used a directional pad, or d-pad, which has eight main directions to control the game. This includes up, down, left, right, and the diagonal directions in between them. D-pads keep the controls straightforward since you only have a few directions to worry about rather than 360 degrees. 

Keep in mind the inputs will feel restricted at times since you can only move in eight directions. However, you will have more precision in your controls since you don't need to worry about being slightly off. For example, you won't go right and slightly up by accident since you can only move in eight directions.

D-pads work well if you want accurate controls with the option to use multiple buttons and shoulder triggers along the edges.

Some controllers will use control sticks as the main movement option. These are smaller joysticks you control with your thumbs. Control stick controllers provide the most versatility since you can move with the stick, and they usually include a d-pad as well.

However, these are the most difficult to use since they tend to have the most buttons and controls. On the bright side, the control stick gives you fluid movement since you can push the stick in any direction. 

Control sticks might be the choice for you if you want a modern feel to your retro games.

Some people want to experience games on the original hardware, so they will buy the original systems. The original consoles give you an authentic experience, using the original graphics and controllers. However, you will only find them used, restored, or unopened as collector's items. 

Luckily, you can constantly expand your game library as you buy used copies for the console. The original consoles are great for gamers who want to build their collections, play obscure games, or go for an authentic experience.

In recent years, many companies re-released retro game consoles with many classics pre-installed on them. For example, the NES Classic and PlayStation Classic come with their own sets of games. Re-releases make retro gaming convenient since they come with controllers, the console, multiple games, and an HDMI cord. 

However, you can't put the original games into these machines, so you can only play the games already on them. On the bright side, many of them come with modern features, such as save states and rewinding the game.

This makes re-releases good for people who want to enjoy the classics, use modern features, and keep things convenient. They're often smaller than the original consoles, and called "minis."

Game consoles usually stick to two types of TV connections: AV for original consoles and HDMI for re-releases. 

AV cables have yellow, white, and red plugs to directly control the video, left speaker, and right speaker, respectively. However, some modern TVs don't have AV ports, so you will need to buy an HDMI adapter. On the bright side, you can stay true to the retro experience with AV cords by playing with the original resolution.

HDMI cables are modern ones, so they are widespread and will work with most TVs. However, if you use this type, you won't get to experience the game in its original resolution. On the other hand, HDMI cables are universal, so you can easily find a replacement if it breaks.

As you look at retro games, you will notice they fall into two main graphics categories: 2D and 3D games. Some game consoles are only capable of 2D graphics while others can run both 2D and 3D games.

2D games, as the name implies, stick to a two-dimensional plane, making it easier to figure out the movement controls. However, 2D games aren't as graphically powerful as 3D games, so they will have visual limitations. On the bright side, 2D retro games run at 60 frames per second (FPS), making the game smoother.

3D games give you the option to move closer and farther away, giving you more depth and movement. The graphics in 3D games don't age as well as 2D graphics, and they usually run at 30 FPS. However, there are more gameplay possibilities when a console has 3D graphics.

Depending on the console you buy, it will have its games in different formats, such as cartridge, disc, or pre-loaded. Cartridges are mostly used for the older consoles, and they tend to hold up the best when it comes to physical games.

However, cartridges get expensive and take up lots of space on the shelf. On the bright side, they are the easiest physical games to care for since scratching them usually doesn't damage the game.

A few retro game consoles use discs, which are convenient since you can store them in CD sleeves. Discs scratch easily, sometimes causing permanent damage to the games. However, they can store more data than cartridges, leading to better graphics, longer games, and more complex gameplay.

Many re-released consoles use pre-loaded games, so the consoles come with a bunch of games. You don't have to worry about caring for the games since they will work as long as the console does. On the other hand, many of these don't allow you to add more games to them.

You could use third-party consoles like the Polymega or Super Console X, but they aren't officially licensed by the original creators.