Retro Game Consoles: Which to Buy and Which to Skip

RBE top pick

Analogue 3D

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The Analogue 3D plays original N64 cartridges on 4K-capable HDMI hardware with nothing to configure. The Evercade VS-R is the easier and cheaper way into licensed retro games if you have no cartridge collection yet.

Retro consoles split into three camps: hardware that runs your original cartridges and discs, cartridge platforms with a licensed library, and tiny plug-and-play boxes with a fixed game list. They look similar on a shelf and behave very differently once you try to build a collection around them. We compared six that are sold by their makers today, all of which play real, licensed software, and we leave the handheld side to our guide to the best handheld gaming consoles.

RBE top pick

Analogue

Analogue 3D

Buy it

A cartridge-based N64 console built on an FPGA chip rather than software emulation, with 4K HDMI output and four original-style controller ports.

Best for: N64 owners who want original cartridges on a modern TV with no fiddling.

$$$ · premium

Why we like it

• It plays original N64 cartridges through an original-style cartridge slot and works with original controllers and accessories, and Analogue lists it as region free for NTSC and PAL.
• Video goes out over HDMI at up to 4K, and the unit has a built-in Expansion Pak and Controller Pak, so those do not need to be hunted down separately.
• The box includes a pre-installed 16GB SD card, an HDMI cable, a USB cable and a USB-C power supply, so you can plug it in the day it arrives.

Know before buying

• No controller is included. The 8BitDo 64 Controller is sold separately, so budget for at least one pad unless you own originals.
• Analogue says it is not compatible with CRT televisions, and its dual-band WiFi over-the-air updates are listed as coming soon.
• It only plays N64 cartridges, so it solves one console and nothing else on your shelf.

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Blaze Entertainment

Evercade VS-R

Buy it

A two-slot cartridge console that plays officially licensed Evercade cartridges over 1080p HDMI, with a controller and four USB ports.

Best for: Anyone starting a retro library from nothing who wants licensed games and an easy setup.

$$ · mid-range

Why we like it

• Blaze says the platform has 600+ games across more than 60 officially licensed physical cartridges, so everything you add is licensed software.
• It has two cartridge slots, four USB ports for multiplayer, 1080p HDMI output and a controller with a 3m cable in the box.
• The listed hardware is a 1.5GHz processor with 4GB of built-in memory, built-in WiFi and a new user interface.

Know before buying

• The HDMI cable and the USB power supply are not included; the box has a microUSB cable rated for 5V and 2A.
• It plays Evercade cartridges, not original Nintendo, Sega or Atari cartridges, so your old collection stays in the cupboard.
• The library is the licensed Evercade catalogue, so check the cartridge list for the specific games you want before buying.

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ModRetro

ModRetro M64

It depends

A cartridge-based N64 console from ModRetro with HDMI up to 4K, CRT filters, overclocking modes and wireless or wired updates.

Best for: N64 owners who want the tweakable options ModRetro lists and like its colour range.

$$$ · premium

Why we like it

• ModRetro states full compatibility with original N64 cartridges and controllers, with identical gameplay timing and audio.
• HDMI output goes up to 4K, and the options include CRT filters and overclocking modes.
• Updates are delivered wirelessly or wired, and the maker says they are meant to add features, accessories and games over time.

Know before buying

• The maker page has no spec table, so details like ports, what is in the box and dimensions are not published there.
• It overlaps heavily with the Analogue 3D, so the choice comes down to features and finish, not to whether you can play N64 games.
• The update promises are forward-looking, so buy for what is listed today.

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Hyperkin

Hyperkin RetroN 5

It depends

One console with slots for NES, Famicom, SNES, Super Famicom, Genesis, Mega Drive, Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridges.

Best for: People with a mixed shelf of Nintendo, Sega and handheld cartridges who want one box.

$$ · mid-range

Why we like it

• Hyperkin lists NES, Famicom, SNES, Super Famicom, Genesis, Mega Drive, Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridges, which covers a lot of shelf space in one box.
• Features listed include all-digital HDMI output, save states and screenshot capture.
• A wireless controller is shown with the console, which helps if you want to play from the couch.

Know before buying

• Hyperkin describes the picture as upscaled and the sound as interpolated, so it is a convenience console, not a purist original-hardware path.
• The maker page does not list an output resolution, a supported-game list or a controller-port count, so check the spec sheet and the manual before you buy.
• Hyperkin's wholesale listing shows it as sold out, so availability may be patchy.

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Polymega

Polymega Remix

It depends

A disc and cartridge retro base unit that connects to a Windows PC over USB and runs the Polymega app, with cartridge support through separate modules.

Best for: Someone with a Windows laptop or handheld PC who wants a disc and cartridge collection in one app.

$$ · mid-range

Why we like it

• The built-in optical drive reads PlayStation 1, Sega Saturn, Sega CD, Neo Geo CD and TurboGrafx-CD discs, according to Polymega.
• Cartridge support comes through Element Modules for NES, SNES, Genesis, TurboGrafx-16, N64 and Atari 2600 and 7800, which gives it the widest list of systems here.
• You can plug original console controllers into the modules, and Polymega lists support for a wide variety of retro and USB controllers.

Know before buying

• It is not a standalone console: it needs a Windows 11 compatible PC running the Polymega app, and Polymega suggests a processor with around 3GHz single core performance for Saturn.
• Element Modules are sold separately, so the console cost is only the start.
• The product page text says it is sold out while the shop flags it as in stock, so confirm stock before ordering.

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We'd skip it

Retro Games Ltd

THEC64 Mini

Skip it

A 50% scale replica of the Commodore 64 with 64 built-in games, a joystick and 720p HDMI.

Best for: Commodore 64 fans who want a nostalgic desk piece and will use the BASIC mode.

$$ · mid-range

Why we like it

• It is a scaled replica of a famous machine, with a joystick and an HDMI cable in the box.
• Each game has four save slots, and games are reached through a carousel menu.
• It can run as a home computer, so you can write BASIC programs and save them to a USB stick.

Know before buying

• The 64 games are the library. Titles are from the Commodore 64 and VIC 20 era, so it has no reach beyond that family.
• HDMI output tops out at 720p at 50 or 60Hz, lower than the 1080p listed for the Evercade VS-R.
• A USB power lead is supplied but the power adapter is not, so factor in one more purchase.
• Outside the Commodore library there is no reason to pick it over the other consoles here.

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How we judged the field

Five things separate retro consoles. First, what it plays: original cartridges, discs, licensed cartridges or a fixed game list. Second, video output, because 1080p or 4K over HDMI changes how old games look on a modern TV. Third, controllers, both what is in the box and whether original pads work. Fourth, what you have to supply yourself, such as a PC, a power supply or an HDMI cable. Fifth, how much the maker actually publishes, because a spec you cannot verify is a spec you cannot rely on.

The field splits into hardware that runs your own cartridges and discs (Analogue 3D, ModRetro M64, Hyperkin RetroN 5, Polymega Remix), a licensed cartridge platform (Evercade VS-R) and a fixed-library plug-and-play box (THEC64 Mini). We left out anything marketed with preloaded games of unclear licensing, since a retro console should play software you own or have licensed. Handheld options are covered in our guide to the best handheld gaming consoles.

The Analogue 3D is the cleanest way to play a Nintendo 64 collection on a modern TV. It takes original cartridges in an original-style slot, has four original-style controller ports, and Analogue says it is built on an FPGA chip instead of software emulation. HDMI goes up to 4K, and the Expansion Pak and Controller Pak are built in, which removes two classic N64 headaches. The box includes a pre-installed 16GB SD card, an HDMI cable, a USB cable and a USB-C power supply. The caveats are specific. No controller is included, and the 8BitDo 64 Controller is a separate purchase. Analogue says it is not compatible with CRT televisions, and the dual-band WiFi over-the-air updating is listed as coming soon, so judge it on what ships now. It does one console only. That focus is the point: if your shelf is N64 cartridges, this is the console to buy first, and it is for people willing to pay a premium for a polished, single-purpose box.

The Evercade VS-R is the easiest on-ramp to licensed retro games. Evercade says its library spans 600+ games across more than 60 officially licensed physical cartridges, and the console has two cartridge slots so you can keep two games loaded. The VS-R outputs 1080p over HDMI, has four USB ports for multiplayer, a 1.5GHz processor, 4GB of built-in memory and WiFi, and one controller with a 3m cable comes in the box. Be ready for two small purchases: the HDMI cable is not included, and neither is the USB power supply, only a microUSB cable rated for 5V and 2A. It does not play original Nintendo or Sega cartridges, so it will not replace anything on your shelf. What it does well is simplicity. You buy cartridges with printed manuals, pick a game and play. It suits newcomers, families and anyone who wants a licensed library without hunting for old hardware.

The ModRetro M64 targets the same buyer as the Analogue 3D: someone with original N64 cartridges and controllers. ModRetro says it offers full compatibility with both, identical gameplay timing and audio, HDMI output up to 4K, CRT filters and overclocking modes, and wireless or wired updates meant to add features and accessories over time. It comes in Clear, Purple, Green and AMD Red. The weakness is documentation. The maker page is a description with no spec table, so ports, box contents and dimensions are not published there, and the update promises are forward-looking. That makes it a harder call than the Analogue 3D, which lists its connections and box contents in detail. It is a good fit if the tweak options and the colour range appeal to you and you are happy to read what is listed today as the product. If you want the most clearly documented N64 box, look at the Analogue 3D first.

The Hyperkin RetroN 5 is for the shelf with a bit of everything. Hyperkin lists NES, Famicom, SNES, Super Famicom, Genesis, Mega Drive, Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridge support, with all-digital HDMI output, save states and screenshot capture. One box replaces several consoles, and a wireless controller is shown with it. The trade-off is how the picture is produced. Hyperkin describes the output as upscaled with improved interpolated audio, which signals a convenience console, and it does not publish an output resolution, a game-compatibility list or the port count on the product page. Those gaps are why this is a conditional recommendation. The wholesale listing also shows it as sold out, so check availability. If you own cartridges across Nintendo, Sega and Game Boy and want the simplest way to connect all of them to one HDMI input, it fits. If one system matters most to you, a dedicated console is a better bet.

The Polymega Remix is the most flexible and the least plug-and-play. It is a base unit with an optical drive that connects to a Windows PC over USB and runs the Polymega app. Discs for PlayStation 1, Saturn, Sega CD, Neo Geo CD and TurboGrafx-CD are listed, and cartridge support arrives through Element Modules for NES, SNES, Genesis, TurboGrafx-16, N64 and Atari 2600 and 7800, sold separately. Original controllers plug into the modules. Polymega lists a Windows 11 compatible PC as a system requirement and suggests roughly 3GHz single core performance for Saturn, and the compatible devices include Intel laptops and handheld gaming PCs. That makes it a natural companion to a PC handheld, which our handheld gaming consoles guide covers. The costs add up once you add modules and controllers. The product page text says it is sold out while the shop flags it in stock, so confirm before ordering. Buy it if you own discs and cartridges and a Windows device.

THEC64 Mini is a 50% scale replica of the Commodore 64 with 64 built-in games, a joystick and HDMI output at 720p, 50 or 60Hz. It is charming, and the carousel menu, four save slots per game and a BASIC programming mode that saves to USB sticks are genuine extras. The reasons to skip it are on the maker page. The game list is fixed and drawn from Commodore 64 and VIC 20 titles, the output is 720p when the Evercade VS-R lists 1080p, and the power adapter is not included, only a USB lead. It also reaches no further than that one computer family, whereas the other consoles here cover Nintendo, Sega, Atari, NEC or a whole licensed cartridge catalogue. If you grew up on a Commodore 64 and want the object on your desk, it can be a fun gift. For anyone building a general retro setup, put the money toward the Evercade VS-R or a cartridge console instead.

Analogue 3D vs Blaze Entertainment Evercade VS-R: which should you buy?

The Analogue 3D and the Evercade VS-R solve different problems. The Analogue 3D is for someone who already owns N64 cartridges, or is willing to collect them, and wants those originals on a TV with HDMI up to 4K and original-style controller ports. It costs more, needs a controller bought separately and covers one console. The Evercade VS-R starts from nothing: licensed cartridges with manuals, a controller in the box and 1080p HDMI, but it will not touch your existing cartridges.

To choose, look at what is on your shelf. If it holds N64 cartridges, buy the Analogue 3D. If you have no collection, or want something the whole family can use, buy the Evercade VS-R. If your collection is spread across Nintendo and Sega systems, the Hyperkin RetroN 5 is the middle path, and if it is made of discs plus a Windows device, look at the Polymega Remix.

Who should buy which

• N64 cartridge owners: the Analogue 3D. It plays original cartridges with original-style ports and HDMI up to 4K, and the maker documents what is in the box.
• Newcomers with no collection: the Blaze Entertainment Evercade VS-R. It plays officially licensed cartridges and includes a controller, with 1080p HDMI output.
• N64 owners who want extra display options: the ModRetro M64. ModRetro lists CRT filters and overclocking modes alongside original cartridge compatibility.
• People with mixed Nintendo, Sega and Game Boy cartridges: the Hyperkin RetroN 5. One box lists NES, SNES, Genesis and Game Boy family cartridge support.
• Windows PC or handheld PC owners with discs and cartridges: the Polymega Remix. It adds an optical drive and, with modules, cartridge support, controlled by the Polymega app.

What to look for

• Original cartridges or a licensed catalogue: decide whether you want to play games you already own or buy into a platform, because that choice rules out half the field.
• Hardware design: Analogue says the 3D is built on an FPGA chip instead of software emulation; makers that describe upscaling or interpolation are telling you something about how the picture is made.
• Output resolution: the Evercade VS-R lists 1080p, the Analogue 3D and ModRetro M64 list up to 4K, and THEC64 Mini lists 720p, so check the figure on the maker page.
• What is in the box: controllers, HDMI cables and power supplies are often extras, as with the Analogue 3D controller and the Evercade VS-R power supply.
• PC dependence: the Polymega Remix needs a Windows 11 compatible PC, so it is not a standalone console, and its cartridge modules are sold separately.
• Published detail: prefer products whose maker lists ports, compatibility and box contents, and treat missing specs as unknowns, not as features.

Our final take

For most people with a Nintendo 64 collection, the Analogue 3D is the one to buy: original cartridges, original-style ports, 4K-capable HDMI and a clearly documented box. If you are starting with no collection, the Evercade VS-R gives you licensed games, 1080p output and a controller in the box. The ModRetro M64, Hyperkin RetroN 5 and Polymega Remix each suit a narrower buyer, and each comes with a condition worth reading before you pay. Skip the THEC64 Mini unless Commodore 64 nostalgia is the goal. Decide what you own first, then buy the console that plays it.

Deciding between the top two? See our head-to-head: Analogue 3D vs Blaze Entertainment Evercade VS-R.

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