For years now, I’ve been asked by friends and family how to play PS2 games now that the console is considered “retro.” It’s tempting to simply point towards an original console and give them a big thumbs up, but even if you do have Sony’s 2000s system to hand, replaying PlayStation 2 classics in the modern age can feel like a rigmarole rabbit hole.

I haven’t been keeping count, but I’d say more people in my life have asked about playing PS2 games over any other classic gaming library. That makes sense given that it’s the best-selling system of all time, not to mention the kids who grew up with Sony’s best retro console contender are now adults with adult money. All it really takes is for someone to mention a bona fide classic like Silent Hill 2 or Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and boom, a bunch of millennials are searching for how to dive back in.

Of course, there will be a bunch of you who didn’t sink hours of your teens into playing PlayStation 2 capers. Whether you weren’t into gaming at the time, or you’re a fresher-faced player, now is the perfect time to experience the retro console that arguably changed gaming forever, and it’s my goal to show you how to play PS2 games while getting the most out of your original hardware and new gadgets with emulation abilities.

PS2 original console versus emulation

Before you step foot into some of the best PS2 games out there, you'll first have to deal with a crossroads. If you care about the physical experience of popping discs into a tray and letting the ominous start-up jingle send you back 26 years, you'll want to go down the original PlayStation 2 hardware route. The alternative path, however, leads to a world of emulators that'll enable you to play on everything from fancy new retro handhelds to even your PC.

I'll say up front that I'm a bit of a purist and fully believe the whizzing sound of discs and those green and blue LEDs piercing your eyeballs is all part of the full PlayStation 2 experience. That said, opting to emulate your PS2 collection if you've got original copies of games to back up comes with its perks, especially for those of you who prefer streamlined setups.

Don't worry, I'm going to delve into the ins and outs of using original PS2 hardware and DIY solutions. However, this initial rundown should help set you on the right PlayStation 2 path, as while you'll ultimately end up replaying gems like Jak and Daxter, how you go about doing so will feel drastically different.

Using a original PS2 console

Look, I get it, the PS2 in the grand scheme of things isn't that old. Some of you will no doubt be shouting online about how it isn't a retro console, which will give others the impression using one isn't any different to a PS5. Sadly, that's not going to be the case for the majority of players out there, as chances are that your TV has completely ditched support for the 26-year-old machine.

Before I even get to that, though, I should check if you even have an original PS2 to hand. If not, then your best bet is to head out into the wild west that is the second-hand market and try and snag one. These days, you're looking at around $100 for an original "fat" model or up to $120 for the slim model, typically with a controller and the cords, on eBay in the US, while the UK site has listings for under £30.

Prices on retro consoles are constantly fluctuating, and you might be better off checking local ad listings or even Facebook Marketplace if that's your jam. Once you've got hold of at least the base console, you're ready to look round the back of your modern screen, scratch your head, and wonder where the old video cable is meant to go.

What you'll need

We're at another crossroads: if you happen to still have an old CRT TV from 20 years ago, or even something newer with traditional analogue video inputs, you're actually good to go. Just like back in the glory days when GTA: Vice City was all the rage, all you technically have to do is plug your standard RCA cable into your compatible display, and voila, you've got yourself a PlayStation 2 setup.

I should note that I am a CRT enthusiast, and while I am passionate about keeping old tube TVs going in the modern age, they're not for everyone. Yes, features intrinsic to the way the old tech works, like scanlines used by retro consoles, will give you super authentic visuals and help everything look "right", but you're still talking about standard definition on aging hardware that might not look so box fresh anymore.

Using newer LCD panels that are still old enough to have RCA composite or component inputs also comes with major caveats. Plugging straight into those displays will save you looking into how to connect retro consoles to modern TVs and monitors, but screens aren't particularly good at upscaling the PS2's interlaced standard definition visuals to HD and beyond. That's where upscalers and adapters come in, as these doohickies will handle the signal for you, help it look sharp, and minimize input lag.

Connecting a PS2 to your modern screen

I've tested plenty of upscalers with the PS2 over the years, ranging from crummy HDMI adapters to dedicated devices. By default, you'll want to avoid generic boxes that take an analogue signal and spit out an "HD" signal through HDMI, as these will often introduce blur and input lag that'll spoil your PlayStation 2 experience.

That said, I've identified some issues specific to Sony's console that can be a nuisance even when using half-decent adapters. The main issue stems from the PS2's interlaced video signal, as most devices will use "Bob" deinterlacing to turn visuals into full frames for your modern screen. This can introduce an annoying flicker effect that's impossible to ignore once you've spotted it, but devices like the GBS-C can kick those jitters to the curb and put out a nice clean RGB signal.

For other retro consoles, I tend to use the OSSC where I can since it can produce sharper results using line doubling over traditional frame buffer upscaling. The GBS-C has it specifically beat when it comes to PS2, though, as its motion adaptive deinterlacing ensures visuals are free from the jitter tied to stitching together odd and even image lines.

Here's Silent Hill 2 with motion adaptive deinterlacing off and on to illustrate the benefits:

I should note there are upscalers and adapters at each end of the budget scale. If you're really not too fussed about color accuracy, jitter-free visuals, and minimal input lag, direct HDMI adapters are a thing. They will do the trick for under $30, but I've yet to find one that doesn't do OG PlayStation 2 visuals a disservice. Plus, you'll be buying a gadget that'll only work with the PS1 and PS2, so the cheaper price tag becomes anything but if you then end up with more old systems.

Controllers and convenient accessories

Provided that you've now got PS2 visuals blaring away on your screen, it's time to chat controllers. If you have an original DualShock 2 to hand, then you're technically all sorted on that front, but there are absolutely ways to go the extra mile and use new controllers that are less likely to be caked in years of hand grime.

I've got a literal bucket of PS2 controllers, but having also spent years refurbing old sticky pads, I'd say it's worth considering new options. There's nothing worse than crusty buttons deciding not to work halfway through a session, and even clean DualShock 2 pads will be starting to wear down inside. Plus, if you've accidentally grabbed an original PS1 DualShock, you'll find that it won't actually work with PS2 games, mostly because Sony likes to be really annoying.

Thankfully, there are heaps of gamepad options for the old timer today, and as unholy as it sounds, you can even pair your PS5 DualSense with the PS2. That's thanks to the 8Bitdo Bluetooth Retro Receiver, a dongle that goes straight in the console's port and wirelessly links almost every pad after the Xbox One.

That's just one way you can use new controllers with retro consoles like the PlayStation 2, but you can also use entirely new pads. One of the best retro controllers I've tested for the PS2 yet is the Retro Fighters Defender, as it hooks up via its own low-latency 2.4Ghz adapter and will save you from the horrors of stick drift with Hall-effect thumbsticks.

New gamepads and the best retro controllers purpose-made for the system will feel pretty slick across most of the PS2 library, but there's a genre of accessory that was almost obliterated post-CRT era: light guns.

Unless you've still got a tube TV parked in front of you, PS2 light guns simply aren't going to work with your modern setup. Until recently, that meant that arcade clock-watching, gun-slingin' classics like Time Crisis 2 were impossible to play on new screens, but shiny new gadgets like the Intec Time Breaker Lightgun will help bridge the compatibility gap.

Light gun games might sound a bit niche to the unacquainted, but they were a big deal back in the PS2's heyday. The Time Breaker works to ensure you can revisit more of the console's back catalogue with ease today, and while it's a pricey peripheral, it provides surprisingly close to CRT aiming accuracy for a wireless controller that uses an IR sensor as a workaround.

Moving on from controllers, another vital piece of the OG PS2 setup is sitting right above the gamepad port. That's right, I'm talking about the memory card, an ancient relic from before consoles packed terabytes of solid-state storage into their expensive shells. Unless you're a sicko and plan on completing Metal Gear Solid 3 in a single session, you're going to need one, and you've got options old and new.

If you do opt for an old PS2 memory card second hand, it's usually best to stick with official options by Sony. While not every third-party version needs to be avoided, cheaper cards can be prone to issues and corrupt your save files, which is always heartbreaking when you've not backed up the 150 you've spent on Final Fantasy X (yes, this happened to me back in 2001).

If you'd rather avoid old memory cards altogether, you can actually pick up brand-new versions that use microSD cards rather than old flash memory chips. This will sound bananas, but the likes of the PSxMemCard can hold the equivalent of 8,000 virtual PS2 memory cards in terms of blocks capacity, and it also boasts neat tricks like FreeMcboot support for running backups and homebrew games.

Playing discs on the PS2

If you've been following along, then the hard work of putting an OG PS2 setup together is over. You should be sitting with a controller in hand, ready to dive into old favorites, and that means spinning up some discs.

This isn't something you really need guidance for, as using those old DVD games is as simple as ejecting your PS2 disc drawer (or flipping the top if you're rocking a slim model), popping it in label facing upwards, and letting the magical "PlayStation 2" mark the start of your journey. You can even play PS1 games thanks to the handy dandy backwards compatibility chip within the console, but the pearls of physical media, and in turn deadly disc scratches, absolutely apply.

Basically, those of you picking up games second hand may very likely encounter games that simply won't work. This is one of the perhaps big forgotten drawbacks of older physical media, as the PS2's laser is particularly sensitive. Ultimately, if you end up at that dreaded cloudy red "please insert a PlayStation or PlayStation 2 format disc" screen, the jig is up, and you'll either have to get the disc resurfaced, try and buff out the scratch yourself, or get another copy.

I'm currently experimenting with disc repair methods, largely to prove that Sony is wrong to discontinue PS5 discs despite the caveats. I'll check back in with an update once I've got some results to report, but if you don't have a local shop with a disc repair machine, or a way to repair it yourself, it could be worth instead using something like FreeMcboot to try and run a backup of your chosen game instead.

Given the price of some rarer PS2 games (cough cough, Rule of Rose), and even just general pricing across the library, I can see why investing in discs that could have issues is off-putting. It's all part of the OG console setup experience, and if you're going to spend hundreds on a collection, you may as well use the physical thing you've paid for rather than instantly opt for digitization.

Outside of games, the PS2 also plays CDs and DVDs. In fact, you could say it helped usher in the move from VHS back in the 2000s, and it could serve as a way to watch physical movies today. All the functions you'd normally get from a standalone player can be accessed using the DualShock 2, but Sony and third parties also released a DVD remote, and you won't even need a controller port receiver if you have an SCPH-70xxx, SCPH-79xxx, or SCPH-90xxx model since they have it built in (look for the tiny "R" under the power button).

Top tips

Troubleshooting

My PS2 won't show up on my TV

If you've got the PS2 plugged into a functioning HDMI upscaler or adapter and you're getting nothing on screen, there's a chance the console is set to the wrong output type. If you're using an RGB cable and your system is set to use component (or vice versa), you can switch output types by powering the console on, waiting ten seconds, then hitting Down and X to reach the configurating screen despite no visuals. Then, hitting Down, Down, Down, X, Right, X on your controller will navigate to the right option and hopefully prompt visuals to reappear.

Wrong configurations are the most common PS2 output issue, but if you still can't get anything to show, it's worth swapping out your cable or upscaler. Failing that, your console might have faulty internals that deal with the video signal that need replaced.

I can't get imported games to run

The PS2 is a bit of a bugger when it comes to region locking, and your console will only play games from its country of origin by default. That means if you have an American NTSC system, it won't run games from Japan or Europe, and the same applies to those territories too. Historically, this is something modders have bypassed with physical mods, like a flip top for disc swap exploits, but modern softmods like MechaPwn can help you bypass region checks when using older models.

My PS2 Slim is scratching my games

Uh-oh! The PS2 Slim has an annoying issue with its laser ribbon cable, as it can poke up from the assembly and make contact with your disc. This will then leave a perfectly circular scratch on your disc, ranging from a singular line to a more severe scuff if the adhesive has lifted completely. To stop it happening again, you'll have to secure the cable back onto the shielding while ensuring it can still move with the mechanism, while you'll need to get your disc resurfaced to remedy games that will no longer play.

PS2 says "Please insert a PlayStation or PlayStation 2 format disc"

The dreaded "Please insert a PlayStation or PlayStation 2 format disc" is usually linked to scratched or dirty discs. If you're lucky, a quick clean with a microfibre cloth will get the game booting up, but if the disc is damaged, you'll need to buff out any heavy damage or resurface the game using a professional machine. In some instances, PS1 games that have been resurfaced too many times can struggle to run on the PlayStation 2's laser, whereas an original PlayStation will fare better.

Good to know

PS2 Emulation

Those of you who prefer the new devices of today, or simply don't want a retro console taking up space in your house, will be thinking about PS2 emulation. The catch is that to legally play classic PlayStation 2 games on a device of your choosing, you will actually need to own an original system, copies of games, and the means to use both software and your system's BIOS in emulators.

What you will need

The good news is that it's easier to emulate PS2 games without sailing the seven seas now than before. The process boils down to extracting your console's BIOS and digitizing your collection, as once you've got both to hand, you'll have everything you need to start using popular emulators like PCSX2 for Windows, Linux, and Mac, or NetherSX2 on Android.

You'll of course need a PS2 console to do any of this, so make sure to hunt one of those down first along with some games. Once those are in hand, you can use homebrew tools like FreeMcboot (via something like a PSXMemCard) and a utility like Biosdrain to pull a copy of the BIOS from. To back up your games, you'll then need a DVD burner and disc-imaging software like Imgburn to turn your physical discs into digital .ISO files for use in emulators.

Retro handheld options

Most of you out there with PS2 emulation on your minds will be thinking about handhelds. We're pretty much at a stage where you can buy Linux and Android portables that can run most of the PlayStation 2 library with ease, boasting full controls and specs that'll help each classic shine.

I've tested plenty of handhelds over the years, and PS2 games have always been trickier to emulate than other consoles. You can get away with using some upper mid-range handhelds with Unisoc T820 chipsets, like the Anbernic RG Cube, but you'll see slowdown in more demanding games like God of War II, Jak and Daxter, or Gran Turismo 4.

You'll also be primarily playing at original native resolutions, rather than taking advantage of the lavish screen specs handhelds can provide. Therefore, I would advise spending a little more on something like a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 or beefier, like the Retroid Pocket 5 or Mangmi Pocket Max, as you'll then have room to play with x2 or x3 scaling.

That in itself will justify your decision to emulate over using the original PS2 hardware. However, there's certainly something nice about taking your collection with you and treating your thumbs to Hall-effect joysticks and tactile buttons while blasting the benefits of new screen tech into your eyeballs.

How to play PS2 games on a handheld

Many of the best retro handhelds out there already come with emulators pre-installed. What they won't provide is a BIOS file or games, and if they do, you should discard these and use your own. If you've not got any emulators already loaded, you'll find versions for Linux and Windows based on PCSX2 at the official site or third-party derivatives on the Google Play Store if you're using Android.

• Install a compatible emulator like PCSX2
• Add your PS2 BIOS via the setup screen
• Let the app scan your game collection folder
• Launch your chosen game to check performance
• Use the settings to tweak scaling or graphics API if required

How to play PS2 games on PC

If you're using your own PC-based emulation setup, playing PS2 games pretty much involves the same steps as on a handheld. In fact, if you're using a portable PC like the Steam Deck OLED or something Windows-based, you'll be able to fetch PCSX2 directly from its maker and use the device's built-in controls. On a desktop rig, you will have the extra step of providing your own controller, but the emulator will auto-map gamepads using XInput.

• Download and install PCSX2
• Import your PS2 BIOS using the setup screen
• Scan the folder with your game collection files
• Plug in a compatible USB gamepad and map buttons in the settings menu
• Check performance and tweak graphics/scaling settings if required

How to play PS2 games on iOS

Playing PS2 games on iOS devices is little more complicated compared to Android phones and handhelds. That's primarily due to the fact emulators like Play! or iPSX2 aren't on the Apple App store, meaning you'll need to sideload them onto your iPhone or iPad using a tool like SideStore. It's also best to use a fairly new model of either with good single-core CPU performance (newer than iPhone 15 Pro or an iPad with an M-series chip) as you'll otherwise run into performance issues.

• Install SideStore on your iOS device
• Download the latest IPA release of Play! or iPSX2
• Sideload your emulator via SideStore
• Launch the app to configure folder structures
• Place your BIOS and ISO game files in the relevant folders
• Let the app scan for files and launch your game

Swing by the best gaming handhelds for portables that'll run games old and new.

Believe me when I say I didn't wake up yesterday looking to make a Razer Game Boy. Just like most of you, I picked up the 8Bitdo FlipPad to do that to my smartphone, but the tiny hinged controller ended up incompatible thanks to silly design choices with the Asus ROG Phone.

Yes, I'll get to exactly how I created a Razer Game Boy using 8Bitdo's new flippy retro controller. But first, I want to explain how I got here, just in case some sort of retro handheld court wants to hear my story. The short answer is that my daily driver, the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, isn't compatible, and upon discovering that unfortunate hiccup on my review path, I started rummaging for something that could accommodate the buttons.

My whole experience using the 8Bitdo FlipPad so far feels like that "Junk Cars" meme. You know, the one often used to depict monstrous Lego creations that deviate from the instructions, preceded by a "We buy junk... Aw man, what's wrong with my car?" Case in point:

Yes, Asus' daft offset USB-C port means you can't use the FlipPad to turn it into a Pokémon machine. You'll have to stick with the GameSir Pocket Taco if you've got that gaming phone, a sentence that sounds absurd when you say it out loud. What you can easily do, though, is pop 8Bitdo's rival onto the Razer Edge, an Android handheld with a 6.8-inch AMOLED screen, flip it vertical, and you've got yourself a stupidly long, high-spec Game Boy.

I can already hear an angry mob, gearing up to hunt my Razer Game Boy Frankenstein monster and me. One friend remarked, "Ew, what is that?" while another jabbed at my creation, saying, "Game Boy? Looks more like a Long Boi." In making the questionable decision to pair the FlipPad with the Edge, though, I've actually made a handheld that slaps for 2D romps and uses length to become a solid machine for TATE arcade shmups.

Naturally, having 5 inches of screen length stretching past the 8Bitdo FlipPad feels a little unbalanced. Some handhelds that use an extra-long screen, like the MagicX Zero 40 for Nintendo DS games, give you something to grip onto, but holding the Razer Edge by the buttons on the bottom feels a bit like flipping pancakes.

I'd say the benefits of flipping that 20:9 aspect ratio screen really outweigh the cons, though, as you'll end up with a 4-inch Game Boy play window that's larger than the Analogue Pocket. Plus, the colors and contrast rival my Game Boy Color AMOLED screen mod while tapping into the handheld's 6.8-inch display and 2400 x 1080 144Hz capabilities.

Is using the Razer Edge as a Game Boy overkill? Perhaps, but extra length at the top aside, you'll still end up with a really high-spec vertical handheld if you spin it and use the 8Bitdo FlipPad. As I've already spoiled, its real strengths lie in its natural TATE abilities, as that extra 5 inches is perfect for vertical shmups like Truxton.

The only handheld I can think of that offers up a larger screen for blasting down alien ships in a longer dogfight is the Evercade EXP-R. It specifically boasts a TATE mode while placing two alternative A and B buttons to suit the orientation, and Blaze also sells an optional grip. I'd argue the Razer Edge and 8Bitdo FlipPad provide a really similar experience to that portable, albeit with elevated screen specs.

I'll be giving the 8Bitdo FlipPad proper review treatment over the weekend, and that includes sourcing another smartphone for testing. So far, I'm absolutely delighted at its clicky metal dome switches, satisfying magnetic hinge for retaining full screen access, and its overall feel. On the flip side, I reckon phone compatibility, putting the shoulder buttons on the face, and no real standalone connectivity options will stand as controller cons, and that makes sense given my situation right now.

• Retro handhelds at Amazon
• Retro controllers at Amazon

Swing by the best retro consoles for classic remakes and emulation machines.

Call me a Debbie Downer, but I initially assumed the Intec Time Breaker Lightgun would ultimately be a waste of time. I figured that a wireless, modern-day recreation of the mighty PS1/PS2 Guncon that's compatible with modern TVs would be riddled with caveats, especially compared to an original CRT experience. You know what they say about assumptions, as after having a blast playing all my favorite arcade shooters with the faux firearm, I now feel like an ass.

My original reservations were linked to the Intec Time Breaker Lightgun for PS1/PS2 being fully compatible with original retro consoles, rather than flat screen compatibility. After all, I've already put plenty of modern alternatives through their paces, including the mighty Sinden Lightgun for custom PC emulation setups and the G'AIM'E Time Crisis Lightgun console that serves as its own standalone system. Those retro setup sidearms serve as enthusiast and entry-level options respectively, whereas Intec's console-compatible piece sits somewhere in the middle.

That's not to say this retro controller is "mid-range", it's more that it's one of the only modern PS1/PS2 compatible lightguns that'll play nice with modern gaming monitors and TVs. I do have qualms with calling this acessory "plug and play", as you'll need to go through the usual calibration rigmaole to start your retro raid. But, once you have things set, this plastic pistol offers respectable responsiveness and accuracy that justifies its $160 price tag.

Assembly required before jumping into action

I'm not entirely sure why, but Intec's light gun is separated into two parts. Before getting started, you'll have to unite the grip with the body, which feels a bit like being a gunsmith. However, there's a specific step that is a bit iffy for something at this price range, as you'll have to connect wires to a socket in the magazine.

Sure, given that I fix retro consoles and mess around with PCs, I'm comfortable plugging cables into bare PCBs. I suspect some people might find it uncomfortable, though, and there are various ways you could damage the socket or yank the wires out of their connector. You'll also have to slide the mag into the body without pinching the wires between the plastic, so keep that in mind if you've already picked up these plastic arms.

That said, the two-step assembly process is fairly simple if you take care, and once you've secured a side hex screw into place to hold everything together, you're ready to start shootin'. Or, you're at least primed to plug either the included PS1 receiver or PS2 USB dongle into your Sony console of choice and start calibrating.

Calibration obligations

The Time Breaker boldly states that it's "plug and play" on the box, so you might be fooled into thinking you can simply plug in your appropriate console dongle alongside the included IR receiver on the top of your screen and start landing virtual bullets in the noggins of fictional terrorists.

Compared to the Sinden Lightgun, the Time Breaker's plug-and-play qualities ring true since you won't have to touch additional software. You also won't have to go through a whole calibration rigmarole every time you switch your system on (looking at you, G'AIM'E console), but if you don't get the initial tweaks quite right, accuracy will feel more like "plug and nae".

Unlike either the Sinden Lightgun or the G'AIM'E system, Intec's accessory works more like a Wiimote. No, that isn't a dig, but the fact its camera sensor uses the IR bar to calculate positioning does feel more rudimentary. This works in conjunction with additional screen edge mapping, represented by two LEDs on the back, that can help you determine the top corners and set a more exact boundary.

Not unlike the G'AIM'E box, the Time Breaker comes with both a quick setup sheet and a full manual. Both will guide you through the calibration process, but I found that while it details each step, there are some intricacies it could have elaborated on more. I'm specifically hung up about the pivoting side dial that adjusts the camera sensor angle for vertical calibration; if that's not precise, it will throw off the horizontal mapping step.

After messing in the Time Crisis 2 initial calibration screen trying to get everything to play ball, I eventually figured out how to accurately adjust the vertical sensor angle. It sounds obvious as I typed this out loud, but the best approach is to get the moving reticule on screen (by shooting the target and sticking the thumbstick), then tweaking the dial so that shots land exactly in view of the top orange iron sight.

Once the vertical side of things feels precise, you'll find that the back lights will let you better set the horizontal screen boundaries. You'll know things are functioning when the LED displays one red and one green when pointing at the left and right corners, allowing you to press their respective buttons and fire to confirm their positioning and achieve all green.

Of course, environmental factors can throw off the Time Breaker's aim too, like bright lights near your screen or the IR sensor sitting at a weird angle. You'll also want to pay attention to the manual's distance advice based on your display size, as that will absolutely matter. Providing you've nailed the steps both via the pamphlet and the nuances I've described above, you should be ready to start making a ruckus in your favorite PS1 and PS2 shooters.

A solid shooter with surprising features

Again, I feel like a fool for doubting the Time Breaker when it comes to build quality. I figured it would feel slightly lighter in the hand than both the Sinden and G'AIM'E light guns, but it actually feels more solid than the latter and includes plenty of fancy extras that give it a premium vibe.

Naturally, the Time Breaker avoids looking exactly like a Guncon for copyright reasons, but it still looks very much like a spiritual successor. It's got plenty of detailing on the body, like faux barrel and "cocking serration" ridges that actually serve a purpose on a real gun, not to mention it's got big A and B buttons on the sides that add to the '90s at-home arcadey vibes.

Simply put, it nails the Guncon aesthetics and sprinkles in some lavish extras like RGB side lights and illumination behind those aforementioned A and B buttons. That should all come second to the actual feel of this piece in the hands, and I'd actually go as far as to say that it pleases my hands more than the G'AIM'E and Sinden guns, albeit in different ways compared to each.

I don't want to accuse the G'AIM'E guns of now feeling plasticky, but they are certainly on the light side compared to the Time Breaker. Yes, part of that is all the extras, including the 3,500 mAh rechargeable battery crammed into Intec's accessory. The latter also means you won't have a cord pulling the magazine ever so slightly downwards, which in itself is a testament to the benefits of cutting the cord.

The Sinden gun is far weightier than either light gun, providing a heft that's closer to the arcade pistols. That's in part due to the solenoid recoil that provides each shot with an extraordinary kick, but I do almost prefer the clickiness of Intec's trigger switches and the larger side buttons.

I still think the Sinden is a different class of light gun, providing perks like pump action reloading and a d-pad before we even get to overall performance accuracy. That said, the Time Breaker feels more like a comfortable PS1/PS2 Guncon alternative that'll suit modern players, providing conveniences like on-board toggles for rapid-fire, recoil, and a full thumbstick where the hammer would live for a modern controller feel.

The Time Breaker aims to please, but only in Guncon games

Behind the scenes, I've been putting together a general run-through on how to play PS2 games using an original console and other means. The Intec Time Breaker has accompanied me on that journey, assisting in the light gun side of things, and while raining bullets upon masked goons in the Time Crisis series has been delightful and surprisingly close in feel to a CRT TV setup, the experience is exclusive to Guncon-compatible games.

The intricacies of lightgun tech aren't often relevant in 2026, largely due to options like the Sinden working with emulators via a PC app for compatibility. Where the Time Breaker differs is that it has to spoof the functionality of an actual accessory for specific games, and it has chosen to mimic Namco's light gun exclusively.

There is a technical reason for sticking to one, as the OG Guncon used different tech to the likes of the Konami Justifier. The latter solely relied on specific game programming and the PS1's controller port, whereas both the Guncon 1 and 2 tap into your retro console cable's composite signal. It's a clever process that uses video sync data for frame timing, allowing for more accurate shots based on calculated aim coordinates.

Of course, that technique can only be used by CRTs since it relies on detecting a white flash drawn by an electron beam scanlines. That's why I'm now talking about a modern alternative in the first place, but the Time Breaker still needs to mimic the inputs of that process back to your console using signals from its IR strip and camera sensor combo. I suspect the issue is that it'd either cost more or be more complicated to also mimic the solo controller port elements used by non-Guncon games, but it does limit your library scope.

With that in mind, my tests exclusively apply to Guncon games for now, even if I may delve into workarounds in the future. That means playing a hell of a lot of Time Crisis 2 and 3, and the Time Breaker really struts its stuff when gunning down Wild Dog's silly soldiers.

All I really want from a light gun is to gun down some guy on a balcony like I'm 007. Bond's shots always seem to land true in every old flick, with said soldier normally hurling to their demise following the traditional Wilhelm scream. The Time Breaker basically helped maintain that vibe in both Time Crisis games after getting calibration on point, and I was pretty taken aback with how accurate every shot felt when really trying to use the iron sight.

I suspect in most cases you would get away with minimal setup if you're playing casually. I've played on enough neglected Time Crisis cabinets to know that you can Scarface your way to the end by carefully watching the shot animation and adjusting your aim accordingly. Actually lining up your shot and kneecapping a goon really hits different, though, and it proves this gun can boast the same precision as the OG accessories.

I even had more success during the frustrating speedboat segment in Namco's shooter sequel, which is a bit of a bugger. The 60fps camera tech of the Sinden gun does ultimately feel that bit more pinpoint compared to the Time Breaker, but shots landing first time is a win in my book. Plus, keep in mind we're talking about a setup with no white borders, which feels like an appropriate tradeoff.

Ducking to reload matters just as much as unloading your mag, and the Time Breaker's button setup works wonderfully. I prefer to hold my thumb on the left A button when it's time to open fire, but the larger C button at the bottom is nice to have too. Using the on-board crouch feels nicer on Intec's gun compared to both the Sinden's smaller buttons and the G'AIM'E's oval toggles, but both of those options do have easy access to additional pedals.

Let's face it, stomping on a big switch to fire is far more satisfying than a button press. I do wish the Time Breaker came with a foot pedal for the price, but I ended up realizing late that you can actually plug a 3.5mm into into the bottom of the gun. I haven't had a good chance to test this yet, or sourced a pedal that will work, so I'll come back with an update once I've messed around with the setup.

Less clack clack, more rumble rumble

Let it be known that I think it's nice that the Time Breaker includes recoil at all. I also fully believe it enhances the experience, but it ultimately feels more like traditional rumble than a proper hand-shuddering clack.

You're only going to get that arcade recoil feel from the Sinden Lightfun since it uses a solenoid, whereas the G'AIM'E and Time Breaker guns stick with a subtler rumble response. Even though both are using weighted motors, the latter is a subtler burst compared to the Time Crisis console, and I suspect that's tied to preserving wireless battery life.

The feedback is still more than enough to aid immersion, not to mention it makes less of a racket when playing, say, at 2am when you should be sleeping (what can I say, this job really isn't a 9-5 affair). It does highlight how bananas the Sinden's actual moving recoil is, though, serving as a reason to go for the emulator-friendly gun instead.

That battery holds a lot of bullets

By including wireless connectivity and a built-in battery, the Time Breaker is opening itself up to more scrutiny. I feel like Intec knew it couldn't drop the ball on either, as managed to get over 12 hours out of the lightgun before reaching for a USB-C charger, and that's with the LED lights on and recoil enabled.

Yes, that's hardly surprising since most controllers boast a similar runtime these days, but it's still a nice feat. Recharging measured in at just over an hour and a half, and the gun also seems to retain its charge when unused, which is good considering the specific genre use case of this accessory.

The 2.4Ghz wireless also means there's minimal latency with the Time Breaker, and that's a godsend since we're basically talking motion controls. The last thing you want when shooting those rocket-launcher idiots in Time Crisis is your aim having noticeable lag, and as far as I can tell, there's minimal delay to any movements replicated on screen.

Should you pick up the Intec Time Breaker Lightgun for PS1/PS2?

I'll admit that $160 feels like a lot for a single-genre accessory for the OG PlayStation and PS2, but the Intec Time Breaker proves its worth. It's the only light gun I know of out there right now that will fill the compatibility gap left by the transition from CRT TVs to modern LCD and OLED displays on an actual console, and focusing on the latter comes with bigger library benefits.

You could say that the Time Breaker further highlights the main issue with the G'AIM'E Time Crisis Console, as while it has nice wired lightguns that mimic the Guncon, it's confined to just four games on a static box. That pales in contrast to Intec's gun, which has every Guncon-compatible game released on the PS1 and PS2 on its plate, not to mention you can just pop a disc in rather than messing with emulators and more advanced software like with the Sinden.

Add the fact it's wireless into the mix, and you've got a modern light gun that feels like what should have been normalized in the post-CRT era rather than Wiimotes, Kinect, and those dorky Sony Move controllers with the big glowing ball. The Time Breaker's build quality and even small touches like RGB should serve as a blueprint for bringing back the neglected accessory type, but there are still caveats to be found.

I do think that if you want a reliable way to play Guncon games on a flat screen using an actual PS1 or PS2, the Time Breaker is the way to go. The main thing that's really holding this light gun back is being confined to just Guncon games, as it adds a sting to its $160 price point. That, and some calibration confusion aside, I do think Intec's accessory is a standout option for casual players, even if it doesn't quite knock the Sinden from the emulation enthusiast throne.

How I tested the Intec Time Breaker Lightgun for PS1/PS2

Over the course of a month, I used the Intec Time Breaker Lightgun as part of my PS1 and PS2 setup to play Guncon games like the Time Crisis trilogy. During testing, I assessed the accessories build quality compared to rivals like the G'AIM'E Time Crisis console and Sinden Lightgun while comparing its calibration process, accuracy, and additional features side by side.

For more information on how we test retro console and accessories, swing by our full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy for a deep dive.

Swing by the best retro handhelds if you'd prefer to play your favorite classics on the go.

I'm not convinced a 24K gold Supreme Analogue Pocket is what we need while handheld prices spiral. But hey, it's going to be a thing later this year, and while it's bound to aggravate retro enthusiasts who already have beef with the console maker's limited runs and scarcity, the seasonal-drop lovers and fans of the skating brand will be all over this.

Set to arrive in both the aforementioned 24K gold-plated and metallic red flavors, the Supreme Analogue Pocket will still be the same best retro handheld contender under its lavish hood. It still boasts the ability to mimic every Game Boy using FPGA tech and original cartridges. It can even run Sega Game Gear, Atari Lynx, PC Engine, and Neo Geo Pocket carts if you pick up an adapter, all while presenting each outing on a much larger 3.5-inch LCD display running at 1600 x 1440.

Yes, the Analogue Pocket is a serious bit of kit, and it really doesn't need gold-plating to sit upon the retro handheld throne. Its cart-running abilities and additional openFPGA tricks mean it could replace a bunch of my original systems if I let it, especially when paired with the docking station. The main things holding it back are price and availability, and right now, the little bugger is out of stock.

Right now, we know very little about the Supreme Analogue Pocket. The fact that it's got a landing page at the fashion brand suggests it will be dealing with a limited drop rather than using the handheld maker's site, but I reckon it'll still catch heat for making another limited run of the portable. Embossed badge on the front aside, this special edition wave isn't too dissimilar to the aluminium editions launched in 2024, so players could end up even more upset than last time.

The biggie here will be the price as I suspect the MSRP will be close to, if not higher than, the $499 Analogue Pocket Aluminium edition. That's a chunk more than the usual $239.99 tag, and that puts a financial barrier between people who just want the best Game Boy experience possible and the FPGA tech hiding within a fancy fashionista shell.

To be fair to Analogue, though, the Supreme Pocket isn't a crime against fashion handhelds. Last year, Balenciaga revealed a fugly Game Boy clone that plays the Nokia 3310 Snake, and even Blaze teamed up with Kith to make a comparatively boring Capcom Super Pocket with a checkerboard logo. I reckon unless you care about making enthusiast retro devices into drip, you'll probably just wait for Analogue Pocket stock to replenish, and brand collab shenanigans aside, the FPGA powerhouse is well worth considering.

If you are itching to get hold of the Supreme Analogue Pocket, it's scheduled to arrive as part of the fall/winter 2026 collection alongside some bizarre counterparts. I'm talking everything from post-boxes, paintball guns, and a aggressively red Dyson vacuum, all of which make the Game Boy seem sort of sensible.

• Retro handhelds at Amazon
• Analogue Pocket accessories at Amazon

Swing by the best retro consoles for authentic remakes and modern emulation stations.

It looks like that "IRL homescreen" that brings the feel of a digital library to your physical game shelf is going from strength to strength. In fact, it now features a secret mystery bookshelf-style mechanism that will save you from indecisiveness when choosing what to play, transforming the process into a roulette lightshow.

Created by AlmostInventor, the IRL homescreen project still lets you highlight games for retro consoles or even new releases on your shelf like you would using a digital library. The invention still lets you highlight real game boxes, view projected game art animation below, and easily grab each disc thanks to motors that shunt it forward, but there's now a faux box in there that'll initiate a randomizer that'll pick for you.

In earlier builds, the IRL homescreen setup used a Gambling machine-style lever at the side. For what it's worth, I loved the arcadey look of that setup, but AlmostInventor has now swapped that out with something a bit more Scooby-Doo-inspired. Upon pulling the "RANDOMIZER: Roulette" box forward, the software behind the scenes turns the Wii-inspired selection sounds into a spinning Wheel of Fortune chirp complete with random box highlights before eventually landing on a single pick.

The idea of game-picking randomizers isn't new, and digital versions for Steam will throw your library onto a spinning wheel. I'm even guilty of using similar custom tools for picking everything from what films to watch to boring freezer meals on a Monday, where picking is pain, so my ADHD brain can absolutely see the appeal of a system doing that for physical games on my shelf.

The IRL homescreen is very much a "proof of concept" for now, as it's still confined to a single square of an IKEA unit and covers a short stack of games. Keep in mind that the mechanism behind it is 3D printed and relies on games being in a specific place so the projector can highlight them using software, but I'm extremely keen to see if it can expand to cover an entire bookshelf or collection.

Ultimately, the project is just a bit of fun, but it could be interpreted as an important statement piece. Sony is pushing ahead with the discontinuation of physical PS5 games in 2028, and infusing digital features into a real-life collection demonstrates that players still want the best of both worlds.

On a related note, a preservationist brings back physical PC games using custom discs, proving we could still have physical media that'll work with Steam, GOG, and the Xbox App.

• Physical PS5 games at Amazon
• Nintendo Switch 2 games at Amazon

Check out the best retro handhelds for ways to play classic capers on the go.

We've already got both a Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake on the way and a remaster on the 3DS, but the beloved N64 original is getting a redo. Not only does project "OoT unJPEG" swap out the 1998 version's fixed prerendered backdrops with full three-dimensional set pieces and free camera movement, but the dev confirms no AI was involved up front.

In a Bluesky reveal, modder Reonu shows off the Zelda OoT N64 ROM hack they've been working on for a year. "I'm remaking all of Ocarina of Time's prerenders in 3D, trying to match the N64 style rather than the 3DS one," explains the dev before confirming that the "provisional name is OoT unJPEG." Yes, that's a cheeky nod to the fact it swaps out the static backdrops for full 3D models, and while I love the low-res '90s art, the results are anything but a gag.

In addition to sharing a short demo that showcases Zelda OoT's Market with full 3D assets, free camera movement, and no load screens, Reonu also dives into the process. The dev says they've been using Blender and the Fast64 plugin to combine everything into one scene. That sounds like it'd be too much for Ninty's retro console to handle, but the modder has seemingly used some tricks as a workaround.

I've been working on this for over a year: I'm remaking all of Ocarina of Time's prerenders in 3D, trying to match the N64 style rather than the 3DS one. The provisional name is OoT unJPEG.It will be distributed as both a romhack that runs on real N64 hardware and a mod for Zelda 64 Recompiled.

— @reonu.bsky.social (@reonu.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2026-08-17T11:36:39.090Z

"Making this work on N64 hardware with ok performance was very hard and required me to write custom CPU culling code," says Reonu. "The N64 version also has LODs for all the buildings in the market to help with performance. These LODs won't be there in the recomp version."

For those of you unfamiliar with N64 technicalities, LOD, or Level of Detail, is an optimization technique available to the console's CPU. It can be set by developers to switch between high and low quality models based on the player's proximity to an in-game model. Dynamically changing asset quality will help the ROM run reasonably on a stock Nintendo 64, but I'm itching to see how it would fare on beefier hardware or an overclocked system.

My mind is specifically on the Analogue 3D for this one, since the 4K N64 has an overclocking mode that boosts its FPGA. By doing so, it could potentially run OoT unJPEG without taking a massive performance hit, allowing you to play on something that mimics the '90s console on a hardware level while providing enough modern juice to handle those new 3D assets.

Analogue's 4K system also just got a fancy new horizontal upscaling mode that helps sharpen things even further at 4K. The results are pretty spectacular even when sticking with OG Zelda: Ocarina of Time, so I can only imagine the extra pixels will help the OoT unJPEG look even crispier with new 2D textures injected.

On that note, Reonu is actually on the hunt for some artist help. "I'm not great at making textures (most of the ones here are either vanilla OoT textures, textures from other games, or photos of walls or floors I took IRL adapted into a texture)," admits the modder. "So if you're a 2D texture artist who would be down to help me with some things, contact me!"

I personally think even the current textures look pretty fantastic, and Reonu gets extra points for refusing to use AI for anything. Too many recompilations and retro port projects made using the tools are slipping out into the wild, and some of them lack any sort of disclaimers informing players who'd rather not support the tech. The last thing the original Ocarina of Time needs ahead of the remake stealing its thunder is sloppification, and OoT unJPEG embodies everything I love about the modding scene before AI haunted its halls.

If you'd rather ditch the jank of the OG N64, the port will be compatible with Zelda 64 Recompiled. That means you'll get the full benefit of a free camera and 3D building when playing the PC port, and everything looks far higher res as a result. I'd argue sticking with the '90s hardware limitations is part of the charm, though, so I'm hyped that Reonu is catering to both.

I'm not saying I won't play the new Zelda Ocarina of Time remake when it lands on Switch 2, but my heart belongs to the N64 version. I'd even choose it over the enhanced 3DS remaster, and Reonu's project feels very much like a demaster of that handheld port that fits the vibe of the OG. It needn't be said that as soon as OoT unJPEG is available to try, it'll be going straight on my flash cart, so I'll update you once I've set foot in the fully 3D version of Hyrule.

• N64 controllers at Amazon
• N64 accessories at Amazon

Swing by the best retro handhelds if you'd rather play N64 games on the go.

I don't normally consider myself a trend hopper, but when the physical media resurgence started popping off I knew I was in for a treat. With new tech surging in price, streaming brands getting greedier, and pride in ownership at an all-time low it was obvious something was about to give and I'm so glad it has. I do worry, though.

With all this rushing towards CD players, Blu-ray rippers, and retro handhelds, how many cheap plastic devices are going to make it into our carts, and eventually into landfill once the trend dies down? What if there was an ahead-of-its-time device that could scratch that itch for physical ownership without requiring the Temu factories to rev their engines? What if we could, rather than shelling out for the latest nostalgia tat, save older devices from their own e-waste fate?

Enter my one true love, the PSP.

The PlayStation Portable, first debuted in 2005 (in NA and EU), had its sights set on being more than a gaming handheld. At launch it not only promised performance closer to that of a PS2 than a PS1, but it heralded in one of Sony's most beautiful designs; the UMD. A shining beacon of creativity that faded to ash far too quickly.

The fact that this is a handheld console running disc games never quite gets the flowers it deserves in my opinion, and it's partly Sony's optimism in its format that keeps the PSP close to my heart. However, that UMD meant the PSP could stand as a portable gaming machine and media center all from your pocket. Ironically, now that Sony has become enemy number one in the fight against digitalisation, it's these little discs that are keeping that physical media itch scratched for me.

The UMD was a product of its time, Sony could never have expected to keep its games limited to the 1.8GB at hand. That doesn't mean it's not still impressive today, though. While it only really lasted about four years (after 2009, Sony was more focused on distribution via is PS Store, as evidenced by the all-digital PSP Go), current estimates put about 1,000 - 1,500 movies available on UMD, and nearly 2,000 games.

It gets even better, though.

Remember when I said the PSP had its sights set on being more than a gaming handheld? It really wanted to be a smartphone, well before ole Steve got on stage in 2007.

Thumbing through 'PSP: The Official Guide Book' on Internet Archive provides a clear look at just how Sony wanted the PSP to position itself in your pocket. The mag notes that "in November 2003, when Sony unveiled its prototype PSP to western journalists, mobile telephone functionality was mentioned among the list of possible features." (25). The spread on future applications speculates around then-rumored hardware upgrades, ranging from a USB keyboard for productivity to the then-"prototype" GPS add-on that would later become the Sony PSP-290 (still kicking around on eBay).

Unfortunately, the PSP never received its call and message functionality, though it could still tick a smartphone's other boxes; web browsing, mp3 playback, movies, photos (via the Go!Cam attachment), and of course gaming. The difference, even back then, was that it still put that physical media ownership at the center of its package. And it could well be the last device to truly be able to claim that.

So where does it stand today? Pretty tall if you ask me.

No, you won't get the latest Blu-ray releases on here (though there was a time when Sony wanted to package PSP-friendly versions of movies in with its Blu-Rays- as per Game Developer). You'll also need to rip your CDs before you can build up a song library you actually own.

But the PSP fights hard to keep your entertainment in your control in 2026. What other device can hold an entire (albeit in the case of movies and games, dated) media library in your pocket. And actually in your pocket, by the way - none of this Steam Deck bulk. It's all the physical media gadgets we've been yearning for rolled into one, and it pulls off that seemingly impossible (by 2005's standards) feat with grace and style.

If you're keen to join my PSP Appreciation club, you've only really got one option. These days, you'll find working PSP 1000s on sites like eBay and Vinted for between $50 and $120 (I generally see working devices for £40 - £100 in the UK), depending on their level of wear and how many accessories are included.

The real fun, though, starts under that 'working' price threshold. I've been hiding my second biggest reason for loving the PSP. It's a tinkerer's gateway.

The thing is remarkably easy to tear down and diagnose. It's got relatively few parts all told, and they generally hold up pretty well. Not only that, but there's a massive market for third party replacements over on AliExpress, and I would say 80% of PSPs I've polished up over the last few years have been fixable without a solder iron.

See, these things were popular and they were portable. They lived in the pockets of 00s denizens, so most of them are cracked and pretty filthy. A broken PSP for $30/£30 is pretty easy to find and, in my experience, most of them just need a good clean (obviously read descriptions carefully and be prepared to lose on this gamble if you're not experienced with more complicated fixes). The first PSP I rescued was sold at a discount due to dead face buttons and a wandering thumbstick. A new nubbin and some isopropyl alcohol later it's up and running like new.

Avoiding the inevitable rush of cheap tat when factories look to capitalize on the physical media trend while saving seemingly 'broken' tech from landfill? Count me in.

I'll go down swinging for the PSP for years to come, but if your EDC does it better, change my mind in the comments below.

We're also rounding up all the best retro controllers for other systems, or if you're looking to scratch a more modern physical media itch, Rosalie's tips and tricks for collecting Blu-Rays is also available.

It might feel like retro cables should be the cheapest part of a console setup, but oh boy, that's no longer the case. That's not to say you won't still see cheap wires at the usual online storefronts, but I'm finding that many of the once serviceable composite and SCART options will produce poor visuals at best and, in the worst-case scenarios, break your pricey old consoles.

If you're trying to figure out how to connect retro consoles to your modern TV or monitor, you've probably already looked at a few cables for your chosen system. While that will lead many of you to buy all-in-one HDMI adapters that connect straight to old proprietary ports once used by Nintendo, Sega, Sony, or a number of other brands, standalone upscalers require wires that conform to a traditional input standard, and low-quality options can cause a ruckus.

I've picked up what probably equates to a metric ton of retro console cables over the years, ranging from high-quality enthusiast-grade wires to cheapie Amazon and eBay cords that get the job done. For the past few years, though, I've found myself stuck between having to pay $40 dollars for the right quality, or around $10 for something that instantly breaks, and I feel like the scene is screaming for a middle-ground option.

Some retro cables are a borderline scam

Pick a retro console, head to Amazon, search for a cable, and you'll normally be presented with plenty of options. That's the exact course many of you will take upon fetching your old system from the attic or buying one second-hand, but quality issues could put you through a world of setup pain before you realize your setup isn't the problem.

I'll give you an anecdotal example, as while I have literal boxes of wires, I have recently tried to get away with a "cheap" Amazon cable for specific testing. A few months ago, I realized I'd loaned a friend my Sega Dreamcast SCART cable while trying to hook up to one of my CRT TVs. I only had a VGA box to hand, and the specific project I was working on required an actual SCART cable, which led me to order one using Amazon Prime.

Upon ripping it from its cardboard prison that featured zero other packaging, I swiftly realized something wasn't quite right with the RGB SCART cable I'd paid £8 for (roughly $10). For starters, it weighed next to nothing, and the plastic on both the console connector and TV side felt almost pliable when it should be pretty rigid. That wasn't even that big an issue, compared to the fact that the end that connects to the console wasn't remotely made to the right specifications, meaning while it looked vaguely right, the shielding and plastic sheath were completely the wrong size.

The part that worries me is the fact that it would potentially fit with a bit of force, but I can guarantee the connector would have damaged my Sega Dreamcast. Out of sheer curiosity, I decided to modify the end so that it could fit without wrecking my old dreamy pal, and surprise surprise, found that the cable wasn't outputting any signal to my TV.

Out of disbelief, I then split down the cable to see if there was a break in the wire, and found that half the SCART pins weren't soldered to their respective connectors. Simply put, the cord was never going to work, and that in itself could lead unwitting players to blame their otherwise functional Dreamcast.

I should note this is a worst-case scenario, one that features multiple red flags and could lead to your retro console being drenched in tears. Annoyingly, some users are leaving four-star reviews on that specific listing despite mentioning issues like only blue visuals showing up on screen (meaning red and green aren't active), meaning it's got a perceivable average 3-star score since there are only six entries.

This isn't a sign to avoid every no-name cable out there, as there are no doubt wires that work. Instead, I need you to be extra vigilant and assess whether a cheaper option is a safe bet, or if you should try and go with a brand name like Hyperkin or Retro-Bit. The issue is there's no guarantee either will make the exact cable you seek, and that's certainly the case when it comes to Dreamcast RGB SCART cables.

Even the cables that "work" can cause a retro rigmarole

I don't want to get too anecdotal, but I have also encountered a situation where a cheap retro cable "works", but causes all sorts of visual issues. The specific example I have in mind applies to Nintendo composite cables I once picked up when running a retro gaming event, and while poor quality levels didn't quite render them useless, the results were pretty horrible.

The main issue with poor-quality retro gaming cables is shielding, as analogue signals are extremely susceptible to interference. Keep in mind that if you're using a composite RCA phono cable, you've got video travelling through the yellow connector wires alongside left and right audio on the red and white channels in adjacent wiring, and when unsheilded, those signals can leak into one another.

As a result, you will then experience everything from buzzing audio to distorted lines and shaky visuals. If you use a low-quality S-Video cable on something like the N64, you might even get the video Luma (brightness) and Chroma (color) signals bleeding into each other, resulting in some nasty visual checkerboarding effects that really impact fidelity.

All unshielded cables are susceptible to the same symptoms, and while I used to find that cheap retro cables were adequately shielded, that's no longer the case. Even some "that'll do" aluminium tape around the internal wires is becoming less common, which is likely a bid to cut costs on manufacturing while hoping players won't realize or notice.

I mean this with kindness, but I know some people who won't notice some slight distortion when playing on old consoles, and they might even think it's just the way the visuals always looked. That isn't the case, and I suspect that by still making sales with few returns on subpar cables, some manufacturers have slowly decided to see what they can get away with.

High quality cables will make your wallet cry

Given that the retro console cables market is so chaotic, the fact that there are enthusiast-grade wire makers out there isn't surprising. In fact, companies that strive to make cords that carry flawless analogue visuals to TVs old and new have been in action for years now, but there's a price to pay for beyond cromulent connectivity.

The first company that naturally comes to mind is Retro Gaming Cables, a brand that I'd describe as the gold standard. It's been making wires for classic systems since the early 2010s, but really started to shine thanks to its premium quality "Packapunch" RGB cables after registering as a company in 2016.

I've got one or two Retro Gaming Cables to hand, but largely old versions and not as many as I'd like. That's largely due to their lavish price tags, as you're talking £26.39 (around $35) for an RGB SCART SNES cable, and that price used to be closer to £20 . No, I'm not arguing with that MSRP, as the level of manufacturing going into shielding these cords and using custom PCBs rather than soldering wires straight to pins adds up, but I personally can't afford to buy one for all my systems.

There is an argument to be made that if you can afford a really exuberant upscaler by the likes of RetroTINK, which can cost up to $750 if you go for the 4K version, then investing over $30 in a high-quality cable makes sense. If you're using something far cheaper like the OSSC or GBS Control, then the extra cost will make all the difference, and the fact I used to regularly find full retro consoles second-hand for less makes the price tag hard to swallow.

Of course, manufacturing anything in the modern age is an increasingly expensive affair, and even the few other brands out there are close in price to Retro Gaming Cables. The fact that true RGB solutions that provide superior colors, like SCART and component, were less common in the US plays a role in both pricing and availability, and it's the reason why options like the Retro-Bit Prism Component Cable for GameCube come in at a staggering $59 at Amazon.

Even if you'd rather go for standard RCA composite, you'll find that most brands are busy making straight HDMI adapters for consoles. Hyperkin has you covered on that front for Nintendo systems with its 3-in-1 HDTV Cable for SNES, N64, and GameCube, but at $34.99, it will make sense to grab an original wire if you've already got a separate upscaler.

What I will say is that, depending on your respective console or system, there are sometimes small businesses catering to specific needs at lower prices. That certainly applies to Retro Computer Shack, an eBay seller I've used throughout the years for microcomputer cables. If you caught my Commodore 64 Ultimate review, I'm using that vendor's wire to hook the FPGA system up to a CRT, and I still use their Sega Mega Drive RGB SCART with a 3.5mm feed for stereo audio.

The gap here is clear: if you're not looking for an all-in-one HDMI for a console, your options are cheap no-brand cables or enthusiast-grade wires by Retro Gaming Cables or something by HD Retrovision at vendors and stores that carry its stock. It could be the case that it's impossible to make something more affordable for less without compromising on quality, and I'm willing to accept that reality. However, the cost of cables does add to the overall expense of retro gaming as a hobby, and I'd love to see more budget options that are once again dependable.

If you've got a go-to retro cable brand, let me know in the comments section below, as there might be a hidden gem at local game stores worth highlighting!

• HDMI upscalers at Amazon
• Retro consoles at Amazon

Swing by the best retro controllers for new pads that still feel authentic.

Eight months on from its CES 2026 unveiling, 8Bitdo's FlipPad has officially arrived on the Game Boy controller battlefield. Its primary combatant is the GameSir Pocket Taco, a mobile accessory that also offers a classic Ninty handheld feel that sits atop your phone screen, but the newcomer could have the upper hand if you're only interested in playing on your doomscroller.

I'll forgive you if you thought the 8Bitdo FlipPad and the GameSir Pocket Taco were the same thing given their shared vibes. But, for the sake of clarity, the former is brand new to the best retro controllers ring and wears a $30 price tag around its waist. I'd argue it's also a lighter-weight option since it sticks a USB-C that jams straight into your phone, whereas its main rival boasts a built-in battery and Bluetooth.

Yes, it does sound like you're getting a beefier gamepad for $5 extra if you order the Pocket Taco. Doing so makes sense if you've got the appetite for using tiny, authentic-feeling Game Boy controls on more than your smartphone, as it does pair wonderfully with everything from PCs to the Analogue Pocket in docked mode. That said, 8Bitdo knows how to make a stand-out gamepad, and for the majority of players, its approach might be a better fit.

It's cheesy, but sometimes less is more when it comes to retro accessories. It certainly feels like 8Bitdo is deliberately aiming for that with the FlipPad, as the controller sticks with a single rubberized "pad" on a hinge that rests on your screen using friction. That provides just enough room to fit a physical d-pad and four face buttons, along with top L1 and R1 on the front rather than shoulders at the top.

That means your phone isn't going to have extra junk in the trunk, as the entire gamepad exists at the front of your phone. I know for a fact plenty of you prefer using your smartphones without cases for the slicker feel (tut tut), and 8Bitdo is helping maintain that sense of sleekness even when bashing some Pokémon. Better still, if you do need to take a call, you can "flip" the pad down like an old Motorola MicroTAC, just in case you need to make a call or mess with your phone or access emulator settings.

Having spent countless hours at this point with the Pocket Taco, I can see why the FlipGo could feel far more natural to use. Don't get me wrong, I think GameSir has a more comprehensive recipe here since it takes advantage of your phone's rear and adds real shoulder buttons (great for GBA DOOM, FYI) while also sneaking a 600 mAh battery, but not everyone will dig the extra bulk.

I've also found myself awkwardly taking the phone filling back out from between the Pocket Taco to tweak emulators when more phone space is needed. The GameSir app should technically let you re-scale your phone space to the top half for ease of use, but I've found it rarely kicks in reliably when switching between different screens. It's a small gripe, albeit one 8Bitdo apparently saw coming a mile away.

One of the Pocket Taco's biggest strengths, the battery, could also be a caveat for specific players. Unlike the new 8Bitdo FlipPad, GameSir's contender isn't designed to sap power from your phone, meaning it'll have to become part of your charging ritual. The fact that it also relies on Bluetooth may also cause the eyes of purists looking for minimal latency to twitch, but hey, if you're that into accuracy, you should just mod a Game Boy Color or something.

I'll be getting hands-on with the FlipPad soon, and given the controller maker's track record with accessories like the 8Bitdo N64 Controller and M30 Mega Drive pad, I suspect I'll have happy thumbs. There is a massive catch in that Asus' silly offset ROG Phone 8 Pro placement; I'll have to find another handset for the review, and that's perhaps a testament to the GameSir Pocket Taco's versatility over using just USB-C.

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Upon pre-ordering Commodore's recently announced TAC-2 joystick, you may have received a shipping shock at checkout. The resurrected accessory comes in at $49.99 / $37, but with all the end shipping and localized taxes applied, early birds ended up paying closer to $100.

I figured something wasn't right with those TAC-2 joystick shipping costs, so I decided to reach out to Commodore for an answer. The microcomputer maker was quick to offer up an explanation, with Chief Strategy Officer Jim Squires clarifying that the shipping price for the retro controller should be $19 all in, and buying more than one should save you some cash.

"There was a hiccup that impacted the first 83 purchases who were overcharged for shipping," confirms Commodore. "Those users were proactively refunded $11 yesterday. The correct amount for shipping is $19 USD no matter where you are around the globe."

The shipping seemingly wasn't alone in hiking TAC-2 shipping prices, as Commodore says that while the standard shipping price is $19, US tariffs were contributing an extra $5.

"We're changing our policy effective immediately and will absorb these additional costs for US customers." Commodore clarifies before admitting, "It will reduce our margin, but we just want to make things as fair as we can for folks."

Having just checked in on the cart situation right now, I can confirm TAC-2 shipping prices are lower. If you're ordering from a US address, one joystick should come in at $68.99 before sales tax with the $19 shipping factored in, and if you order two, a 10% combined shipping discount code is automatically applied.

Even with multibuy discounts and those US tariffs kept at bay, I get why you wouldn't want to pay $19 on top for the new $50 TAC-2. Shipping costs tend to haunt me when trying to buy fancy new retro consoles and accessories, and the fact I'm in the UK means I pay more for that privilege. It does feel like Commodore is doing its best to get those additional costs lower, though, and that makes sense given that part of the remake pitch is to save you paying "upwards of $100 or more" for an original stick.

Keep in mind, though, this new Commodore-branded TAC-2 isn't just a like-for-like remake of the iconic '80s joystick by Suncom. It now comes in a bunch of colorways to match the Commodore 64 Ultimate and its upcoming FPGA-powered C64C sibling, and it replaces the OG TR418 tire valve and brass ball mechanism with a "single form, solid steel, chrome-plated shaft assembly."

Not only should it eliminate one of the original TAC-2's "rare" structural flaws, but it'll also be box fresh. To many players, getting to waggle a stick that hasn't potentially accumulated decades of grime is a selling point on its own, and the fact it'll keep its DE-9 connector means it'll work with other vintage systems like the Atari 2600 and a bunch of other microcomputers.

That said, it's not the only joystick with original port compatibility out there; Retro Games Ltd resurrected the Quickshot II, and it's available for $33.99. You can also buy fresh Atari joysticks in various Pac-Man ghost colors for $69.99, but I'd be lying if I said the single-button accessory doesn't personally give me the ick to use.

The TAC-2 is scheduled to start shipping on October 20, 2026, so we've got a few months left until the joystick's grand return. Given that the C64C Ultimate is meant to land later this year, I suspect both the microcomputer and accessory could land around the same time, and there's no saying what Commodore could announce before then.

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Preservationists are fighting to keep physical media alive, but it turns out even shiny new PC games can be popped on discs and cartridges. In fact, you can theoretically turn any external storage you've got lying around, like old SD cards and USB sticks, into a game that will then automatically run when connected to your rig, and you don't have to use DRM-free storefronts.

Yes, we've witnessed enthusiasts using SSDs as faux retro console cartridges for your PC, but Archades Games (Ryan Enstrom) is going the extra mile with even more options. If you were at the Utah Retro GameXpo, you may have actually spotted the creator at a booth showcasing various discs that will work with Steam, GOG, and the Xbox app. However, if you're stuck on an entirely different continent like me, YouTuber Keegbots has you covered with a 7-minute chat on how the whole thing works.

"I started making digital games into physical games last year, and thanks to Sony, it's given me a nice boost this last month," explains Enstrom. When asked whether the discs rely on homebrew software, the creator clarifies that it's "all just on Windows right now" before delving into how the format uses existing operating system features and some clever "simple batch scripts and PowerShell" as workarounds.

The first example on the Archades Games table actually utilizes GOG's DRM-free and offline installers, something the storefront actively encouraged last month. The preservationist says those games simply require popping the installer in a folder, setting up a traditional autorun script, then burning it to a disc.

"GOG is the best way to go since they're all DRM-free," the creator advises while citing the licence covering offline installers. That said, the other storefront games featured at the table aren't sailing the seven seas of piracy (even though it looks exactly like a market stall from my childhood), as Enstrom confirms those still conform to digital rights management structures and clarifies, "I'm not interested in bypassing DRM."

That part of the conversation is the creators' queue to highlight the "cartridges" dressed up with pretty vinyl labels at the end of the booth, and they're actually harboring an HDD secret. While some of the examples, like Indiana Jones and the Golden Circle, are installed on SATA SSDs that are "still fast enough to run 99.9% of all games," some of the collection actually uses old 2.5-inch mechanical drives.

Given the price of storage right now, I'm delighted at the idea of recycling old HDDs into PC game cartridges. Sure, install times will be slower compared to the best SSD options today, but most games from before 2020 will load just fine from mechanical drives (I should know; I was still using one until then). The part that arguably matters more is getting each game's respective storefront to play nice with external media, and, surprisingly, the Xbox app is well equipped.

"The Xbox app is a lot nicer than it used to be," Enstrom claims. "It can dynamically detect drive changes, so you pop it in, it knows the game's installed and will run it, you pop it out, it knows the game is now installed anymore." That's something that's missing from Steam on Windows, as the app will still think the game you've played is installed locally.

It's extremely clear that Enstrom has been pouring his heart and soul into this physical PC game project for months, and he's even conjured up a custom UI for multi-carts like the Metal Gear Solid collection. As a fun side to the main quest, the creator has also made custom Blu-rays that package retro games and their respective ROMs together, meaning they will automatically install and launch. Keep in mind these are strictly for personal use only, but the idea of bundling emulators with ROMs in this fashion isn't too dissimilar to the way your Super Pocket will load Evercade cartridges.

Again, these discs and cartridges aren't going to be for sale, not unless publishers decide to pinch the idea and use it to resurrect physical PC games. That would be the ultimate middle finger to Sony, and I reckon even this personal-use proof of concept shoots down any reason to end PS5 discs in 2028. If you simply want to turn your own digital collection into something you can actually hold, Archades Games has you covered with a bunch of video tutorials and explainers.

If anything, projects like this give me hope that the gaming scene won't let physical media go down quietly. Let me know in the comments if you'll be turning your digital games into physical discs and carts, and if you'd rather just download everything, feel free to argue your corner.

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The newly resurrected Commodore has already proven itself with the C64 Ultimate, but it's about to put one of my favorite '80s joysticks back into production. While I admittedly use a Sega Master System controller with most of my microcomputers, the Suncom TAC-2 is the one stick I would reach for thanks to its slick, premium design, and it's getting a comeback in various new flavors.

In a press release, Commodore announces that the Suncom TAC-2 is making a grand return in five new colorways. Short for "Totally Accurate Controller", the joystick will come in five colorways, with the BASIC Beige, C= White, Knight Black, and Starlight Edition versions serving as matches for their respective Commodore 64 Ultimate and C64C models for $49.99.

If you've got a gold Founders Edition C64 Ultimate, you're also in luck, as there will be a limited edition TAC-2 for $64, featuring a "gold PVD coated ball and matching premium PVD buttons." If you're not fussed about fancy peripheral pairing, though, all five will boast an authentic yet enhanced design that eliminates historic flaws.

“While the Commodore 64 Ultimate was designed to support all classic C64 peripherals, getting your hands on vintage hardware like the TAC-2 is sometimes easier said than done,” explains Commodore's CEO AND "Chief Joystick Waggler" Peri Fractic.

“The TAC-2 was always a personal favorite of mine, from its sleek silvery design to its almost indestructible nature, and we’ve taken every effort to ensure the Commodore TAC-2 is a faithful re-release of the original’s tactile history that looks, feels, and plays just like you remember.”

While I do tend to reach for the best retro controllers with d-pads and, well, a shape actually designed for your hands, there are a few go-to joysticks in my collection. One of them is indeed a TAC-2, and while mine is currently in storage, the new version will completely eliminate a flaw that could affect my original if it's one of the rare unlucky sticks.

"Unlike the original, Commodore has replaced the shaft – previously made from a TR418 tire valve and an attached brass ball," confirms Commodore in response to anyone whose original joystick is now faulty. The microcomputer maker does describe the flaw as rare, citing that the OG was "tested to 3 million moves without failure,” and having felt how robust the old stick is for myself, those stats are believable.

Still, Commodore aims to make a perceivably indestructible joystick even stronger by adding a new steel shaft, all while retaining the precision and quiet functionality (particularly compared to sticks with leaf contacts or old microswitches) of the TAC-2.

All the actual functionality that matters for playing old C64 games aside, the new TAC-2 will also just make for a nice display statement piece. It's got that whole retro futurism vibe that makes sense when you compare it to both the Atari 2600 joystick and even chonkier favorites like the Quickshot II. The new colorways build upon that with colorways that tie in with both the new FPGA systems and your old breadbins, albeit with a sprinkling of LED shenanigans.

Commodore is doing a pretty good job keeping the new hardware announcements flowing, and I'm itching to see if it can prove its mettle in the retro console peripherals pit. If everything works out, it will place the micromputer maker in an ideal position for when it's finally ready to remake other systems like the Amiga, and even if the recently announced licensing deal doesn't pave the way for that anytime soon, I'll happily take a bunch of resurrected controllers and sticks for the C64 and any other compatible machines.

At the very least, remaking the TAC-2 should help get some players who are really not into Commodore's Callback flip phone back on side, and it's a signal that it's still a gaming hardware company at its core.

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Ayaneo is embracing a weird drip-feed strategy with its KONKR Pocket Advance. Not only did it break up its GBA clone handheld into a sprinkling of breadcrumb teasers post-launch, but it's now slowly revealing new colorways that apparently over 15,000 of you missed out on.

That's according to Ayaneo's stats shared in a live sharing session, as CEO Arthur Zhang reveals that "15,000+" KONKR Pocket Advance units have sold so far. That has apparently helped the best retro handheld contender become a number 1 seller at Chinese retailer JD.com, and while I'm happy for the Game Boy Advance homage, the same stream features yet another "you should have waited" colorway drop.

Yes, Ayaneo did just drop a KONKR Pocket Advance colorway that's basically a pink GBA homage to Princess Peach. However, as if that wasn't painful enough for players among those 15,000+ buyers who would have bought the Sarkura-shelled version, there's now a transparent "Onxy Ice" variant with big 2000s vibes.

The Onxy Ice KONKR Pocket Advance is the first translucent model to hit the lineup, featuring a shell that gives you a slightly smoky peek at the handheld's innards. I can almost guarantee some of you have been waiting for a GBA clone with this get-up specifically, so if you already settled for one of the existing colorways (Coral, Navy, Grey, or the new jammy pink version), this reveal is going to sting.

The inconvenient cherry on top of this GBA clone release strategy is that while the pink version revealed just days ago has the previous early bird discount, the Onyx Ice version starts at $109. For whatever reason, the transparent plastic bumps the actual full MSRP up to $129, despite boasting the same 3GB/32GB starting specs. You'll have to fork out $149 for the 4GB/64GB flavor once the introductory period is over, and that's the sort of pricing I feared in the first place.

Considering the still available GameCube Indigo (Navy) and NES grey Pocket Advance models are still available for $89, it feels like transparent tech fans are getting a raw retro handheld deal. If I were sitting wishing there was a translucent GBA flavor, only to have one dangled in my face after pre-ordering another colorway, I'd be pretty disgruntled, and I'm struggling to see a reason for the strategy beyond keeping the hype going.

I've witnessed retro players get really upset with the likes of Analogue for releasing different flavors of its Analogue 3D a month after launching black-and-white 4K N64 consoles. That situation was still iffy, but the KONKR Pocket Advance has already had two previously unannounced colorways within its first week.

I'm sure fans will be pretty vocal about Ayaneo's strategy here, but the KONKR Pocket Advance is shaping up to be a solid modern GBA. The gaming handheld maker has a real knack for making portables that feel lavish in the hands while providing punchy specs, and if I can take it for a test run, I'm sure it'll keep up with my modded GBA consoles.

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Retro Games Ltd, the minds behind the upcoming Amiga 1200 remake, just put a big smile on my gaming magazine-loving face. While many of my favorite '80s and '90s newsstand issues went out of print decades ago, PLAION just nudged me to say the first wave of THEA1200 units in the UK will come with a 36-page, full-colour A5 copy of ZZAP!, including reviews, features, and even an Alien Breed comic.

I collect, restore, and set up the best retro consoles today partly in the name of preservation and history. However, magazines are an important relic from previous generations that are easily forgotten, and by including a successor to ZZAP!64, the biggest Commodore publication in the UK, Retro Games Ltd is helping its Amiga 1200 remake feel all the more special.

In an email, PLAION (the company helping put THEA1200 into production) says, "the printed magazine will only be included with the first production run. Once launch edition stock has sold through, future manufacturing runs won't include it, so we hope it'll be a nice bonus for those who jump in early."

I am slightly bummed out that it won't be a standard inclusion with THEA1200, especially since the full-size microcomputer remake is just under £170. I also feel like while the US was too busy reading the more sophisticated AmigaWorld, players from across the pond would appreciate the UK-specific chaotic vibes of the new Zapp! mag by Fusion Retro Books.

I've already had a taster of what the modern version of ZZAP! has to offer, having flicked through its sister mag "Crash" while reviewing The Spectrum White Edition. The freebie issues aren't just a novelty extra: you're getting a solid publication that not only helps feed the experience of playing the built-in classics like it's the '80s, but everything from the artwork and page layouts makes me wish I'd contributed.

The specific issue of ZZAP! Amiga included with THEA1200 should also be a treat, and it doesn't hold back on big journalistic scoops. Rather than recycling articles from back in the day, Fusion Retro Books has compiled an excellent breadth of words, including the following exclusives:

• Reviews of Defender of the Crown, Turrican II: The Final Fight and Reshoot Proxima 3
• A feature on Settlers II by Nico Barbat from Look Behind You
• Richard Löwenstein on why Reshoot Proxima 3 is ‘the game that THEA1200 deserves’
• The story behind the iconic Boing Ball Demo, written by Mike Battilana, CEO of Amiga Inc
• ‘Amiga Dreams’, featuring memories from Jon Hare, Barry Leitch and Mark Greenshields
• An exclusive eight-page Alien Breed 35th Anniversary comic

The mini version of ZZAP! mag could actually be your gateway to reading physical games media again, and that's a cause I can get on board with. Retro Fusion Books actually publishes a whole bunch of UK microcomputing revival magazines, including the aforementioned ZX Spectrum "Crash", "AmtixCPC" for Amstrad CPC owners, and its own multiplatform "Fusion Magazine" that could make for a nice companion to your Retro Gamer sub (print media is far from gone, yo!)

Of course, your main reason for picking up THEA1200 should be for its Amiga abilities, and it could take Retro Games Ltd to new heights. It'll almost certainly be the only full-scale microcomputer of its kind with a fully functional keyboard and AmigaOS Workbench on the scene for a while, even though Commodore has struck a deal that could pave the way for an Amiga-flavored successor to the Commodore 64 Ultimate. Theoretically, a machine with an FPGA chip replicating the OG hardware could beat RGL's emulation-based approach, but we're still at the hypothetical stage of those conversations.

If you're not up for a waiting game, I'd consider picking up THEA1200 in the UK for that nifty new mag. Pre-ordering early will also save you from the horrors of price inflation, as Retro Games Ltd's previous Amiga remake, the A500 Mini, has reached monstrous price heights I can't even bear to look at.

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Apparently, being late can pay off if you're all about pink portables, as Ayaneo just dropped another GBA clone as part of a KONKR Pocket Advance restock. The new "Peach" version is a hat-tip tribute to a certain Italian plumber's crowned companion, and while it's an outstandingly pretty portable, I feel like it should have been available before now.

On Friday, Ayaneo officially unveiled its KONKR Pocket Advance "Peach" edition in all its pink jammy glory. The two-toned Sakura-paletted portable starts at $89, just like its best retro handheld counterparts that only just reached the battlefield, and its launch coincides with a restock of the other colorways following pretty high demand.

In an email update, Ayaneo admits that demand for the KONKR Pocket Advance "far exceeded our expectations." In an effort to explain the initial availability situation, the handheld maker explains that "some SKUs sold out so quickly that they had to be temporarily removed from sale," while also revealing that it "immediately started working with our suppliers to explore every possible solution," which ultimately resulted in a second wave of stock after "working late into the night" to secure components.

Despite efforts to get more KONKR Pocket Advance units into production, Ayaneo says "the restock is limited." That said, dropping the new pink GBA after the first wave of pre-orders seems to have been the plan all along, and I'd be lying if I said the strategy sits right with me.

Revealing additional colorways and versions after players rush for pre-orders is becoming a trend in the handheld scene. We're not just talking a chunk of time after the initial launch, as in many cases, companies are dropping new variants before initial orders have even shipped.

Ayaneo isn't the only handheld maker guilty of this, as Blaze recently unveiled an Evercade Nexus DOOM edition that now has players itching to swap their initial pre-order. I have no doubt that early KONKR Pocket Advance adopters are now wishing they'd waited until it was "too late" so as to grab the pink GBA instead, and that could breed resentment.

Of course, if you went straight for the "Coral" Pocket Advance that borrows the look of a Spiced Orange GameCube, you made the right call. That specific colorway is currently sold out, meaning the only available models are the "Navy" version or the NES-inspired "grey".

I can't promise I won't try to get hold of the pink GBA for my Kirby shrine, as I already missed my chance to grab a portable to pair with the Spiced Orange cube. At the same time, I do fully believe the Peach version should have been part of the original lineup, and seemingly withholding models won't go down well availably dries up quickly in the second wave.

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Nothing will ever beat having physical games to hand, but having a home screen library of digital games has its perks. No, I'm not being paid by Sony to say that, nor do I think being able to instantly flick through artwork and pick out games using a controller is worth trading any sense of ownership, but I've just come across an invention that brings virtual game selection to an actual shelf.

Described as an "IRL Homescreen", retro console fan and gadget-maker almostinventor shows off a physical game collection with a digital selection twist. At first, I thought I was looking at AI nonsense, but the ensemble actually uses a projector paired with a rail system that's designed to make Wii game boxes glow upon being selected before being pushed forward with larger game art displayed underneath.

Effectively, you're getting a setup that looks like a digital library UI that lets you pick out games using a Wiimote or a controller, but exists in real life. Yes, there is something silly about the whole thing since you can just get up and use your eyeballs to look at spine labels, but if you're like me and struggle to both process what game boxes actually say when they're sitting in a row, be it in my collection or on a shelf, it's actually incredibly useful.

Visuals and mechanics aside, the IRL home screen is driven by a laptop connected to an ESP32-C3 Robot control board with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which then translates presses to specific vertical positions used to highlight boxes and engage the back rail mechanism. That does mean that the system isn't detecting game boxes and instead displays artwork and box glow based on positioning alone, but it's still an impressive approach.

The natural limits here are that the current setup is confined to just a small selection of boxed games within an IKEA KALAX unit. I imagine that adding more games to the row will come with accuracy caveats, as you'd need to reposition the projector so it can play the game art/startup animations while still being able to highlight the boxes, and multiple shelves should be more complicated.

If, like me, you have an absurd number of games on shelves, implementing this setup for the lot will be convoluted. I would love to see this proof-of-concept grow to that level, though, as it really would help fight the notion that Sony's decision to kill physical PS5 discs is a necessity for library convenience. Plus, it even has a slot-machine-style lever at the side that enables a randomiser, saving you from making pesky decisions before your session.

Everything from the presence of that ominous Wii music to the chirping Wiimote selection sound effect alludes to the IRL home screen being able to actively launch games. Those vibes in other videos appear to be faux for now, but I'm wondering if there's a way to harness homebrew apps to combine functionality so that backed-up games start up via physical selections.

I'll be keeping tabs on almostinventor's IRL home screen project to see where it's headed, and considering the creator has already shared experiement with using "the force" to select games using hand tracking, I suspect there's more to come.

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I won't lie, I was expecting the Anbernic RG SP to land with an unsavoury, but the GBA SP clone is making big impressions with its pre-order price tag. While even the cheapest portables are taking a battering thanks to AI component demand, this clamshell is holding onto a sub-$60 MSRP that's actually lower than its predecessor.

I should caveat that the Anbernic RG SP is sitting slightly lower at $57.99 due to "early bird" discounts. Normally, the retro handheld will set you back $64.99, and that's if you order directly from Anbernic. Still, even that full MSRP is respectable since it matches the RG35XXSP from two years ago, and it demonstrates the portable maker is trying to keep prices steady.

Yes, we are talking about low handheld specs that, logically speaking, should be outside the RAMageddon blast zone, but that's sadly not how this works. Even the modest Super Pocket, Blaze's Evercade cart-wielding portable, fell folly to price hikes last month, and it comes armed with just 256MB of DDR RAM and a quad-core ARM chipset.

There are multiple layers to the AI-fuelled debacle surrounding component demand that's rooted in all production rather than specific parts, so no device is really safe. Therefore, it's worth commending Anbernic for keeping the RG SP under $60, as its rivals aren't faring quite as well

For instance, Ayaneo Pocket Advance pre-orders just landed, and I'm not opposed to its $89 price tag by any means; it will eventually jump up slightly higher to $109. The GBA clone is technically new, but it's pretty similar to the previously released Pocket Air Mini in terms of specs, and it landed for a lower introductory price. That would suggest there's something narrowing the margins that will lead to slight price increases, even if they are pretty small.

Ultimately, I think it's worth rooting for the handheld makers actively keeping prices sensible right now, and Anbernic is one of them. Yes, it does dabble with higher-end hardware, with the Anbernic RG Cube serving as an example of a more premium portable, but it seems to be making the right calls by focusing on its core affordable offerings that helped it ascend as a renowned brand in the first place.

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Blaze just officially answered whether the Evercade can run DOOM, as a new collection is coming on October 30. Better still, the original boomer shooter, its sequel, and a bunch of mission packs and Deathmatch levels will arrive alongside a special edition Evercade Nexus handheld that looks like it's from the bowels of hell mars.

Available to pre-order today at 10 pm EST / 3 pm BST (UK), the Evercade Nexus DOOM Edition will set you back $249.99 / £199.99, so slightly more than the vanilla version. But, you will be furnished with a bunch of demonic delights, including the new collection cartridge, a Mars red case, a cartridge keychain, a double-sided poster with the shooter's OG artwork, and a bonus comic.

Of course, the DOOM retro handheld itself is also dressed up in demon-infested, space facility attire, complete with hazard warning trim and UAC logos. The cursed caveat here is that the portable is limited to 3,000 units, so you'll have to strafe straight to Blaze's Funstock when the gates open today.

Dropping this new DOOM handheld is a bummer if you've already pre-ordered the vanilla or Rare edition Evercade Nexus, though, and I've already noticed a few buyers query whether they can switch their pre-orders. I doubt there's a system in place for anything like that, but at least the collection is available on its own.

On its own, the DOOM Evercade collection will set you back $29.99 / £24.99, but it's already sold out at Funstock US. Hilariously, you can still grab it as a double pack alongside the Banjo Kazooie collection for $59.98, which feels like a DOOMslayer and Isabella-level team-up, if I do say so. If you are just looking for the boomer shooter, it should hit Amazon at some point before October 30.

I'm not remotely short of ways to play DOOM, and I've just finished building an MS-DOS PC specifically for playing '90s shooters with authentic Soundblaster audio. On top of that, I've been hitting up the GBA version on a custom Game Boy Advance with microswitch shoulders for strafing, and yet, I'm still itching to try this Evercade version.

Perhaps it's the sheer volume of DOOM included on the cart, as it includes the aforementioned six extra mission packs, including The Plutonia Experiment from Final DOOM and No Rest for the Living. The split-screen local multiplayer helps drive home the experience I was originally looking for with the PS1 version, negating the need for two consoles, games, and a link cable.

Sure, DOOM on the Evercade might not feel technically impressive given the platform now has 3D romps like Banjo Kazooie (check out the Super Pocket Rare Edition for more on that), but gaining the grandaddy of first-person shooters is still an accolade. Blaze's handheld and retro console ecosystem is becoming a physical gaming force to be reckoned with, and it could gain a massive player base once the big dogs in the industry become all-digital.

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The original console wars have been consigned to history, but players are still flying specific system banners even today. For a bit of fun, I thought I'd try to find out which machine that's "retro" today is considered the greatest of all time in the eyes of you, the reader, and surprise, surprise, the SNES is the current victor.

In a poll included across articles, I asked readers: What's the best retro console of all time? 20% of everyone who answered so far took their chance to declare the Super Nintendo the absolute GOAT, but the rest of the votes have been cast for the 15 other systems on the ballot.

I should note that you can still vote for the greatest console of all time, as I'd like to keep the poll open so that every retro-loving player can have their say. That means you could help prop up the SNES' claim to the throne, or help another iconic box, like the Sega Genesis (Mega Drive) or the mighty PS2 snatch the crown, and the latter has a chance of usurping Nintendo's '90s contender.

There's just a 3% gap between the SNES and the PS2 thus far, and the latter's clout makes sense since it remains the best-selling console of all time according to figures shared by Sony. By comparison, the Super Nintendo ranks way down at number 16, but the latter is a system that has ascended beyond its original hardware thanks to its legendary library.

Admittedly, I've kept the poll to just home consoles right now, but I reckon modern retro handhelds are having an impact on the numbers. Recency bias will have absolutely influenced some votes, and from my experience, most players end up emulating the best SNES games like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Mario World, Super Metroid, and various other romps on new portables.

You could say that the fact Nintendo Switch owners have official access to a bunch of SNES greats via their online subscriptions keeps the platform more relevant today. However, if you have your original carts to hand and backed up, there are gizmos like the Anbernic RG Cube that can provide shiny new emulation perks, a screen that hits CRT notes, and a layout that is better suited to the Super Nintendo.

Effectively, affordable and approachable access to retro platforms can help consoles stay in the hearts of players. Of course, if you're like me and have held onto every system you've ever owned and amassed plenty of others throughout the years, your opinion will still be rooted in original hardware.

If that applies to you, then you may have voted for any of the other main home consoles. Or, if you've not actively looked into new ways to play or how to connect your retro console to a modern TV or monitor, you may have simply opted for your childhood system. Having a soft spot for the machine that kick-started your video gaming journey makes complete sense, but I do wonder if answers will change off the back of new hardware remakes.

For instance, if I specifically asked this same question when the Analogue 3D, a new FPGA-powered N64 with 4K abilities, arrived, I suspect there would be a surge in Nintendo 64 votes. Even the OG Xbox could garner some favor off the back of Microsoft's (admittedly lacklustre) launch of emulated classics on PC, and big moments like that could help even more obscure machines gain favor.

That's not to say the SNES won't still reign supreme once more of you have cast your vote. In fact, it might even end up with a larger claim to the throne than its current 20% figure, but at the same time, it feels like consoles from across every generation to date are biting at its heels.

So, this is my call to you, my lovely GamesRadar+ retro readers, to cast your vote and crown your favorite console. If the SNES is indeed usurped, or amasses even more power over the vintage video game domain, I'll be sure to let you know, and I'm planning on keeping this poll open so you can all have it out in the comments.

P.S. - If you're from the future and the figures have already crowned a new retro console monarch, watch this space for an updated summary.

Swing by the best retro controllers for fresh pads that still boast authentic buttons.

The Commodore 64 Ultimate marked the return of the legendary microcomputer brand, but resurrecting the Amiga is an entirely different ritual. It involves making sense of the now fragmented IPs that were grabbed by multiple parties in the '90s following the company's demise. However, we're now one step closer to seeing a proper FPGA comeback thanks to "landmark agreements."

In a report by Amiga-news, the publication delves into two Amiga deals between Commodore International, the IP holding Amiga Corporation, and Hyperion, the developers of AmigaOS 4 & 4.2 Codebase (thanks, Time Extension). The first agreement draws up a licensing framework that respects the rights of both the new FPGA microcomputer maker and the latter trademark holder, whereas the second resolves a dispute that's been ongoing since 2009.

In a statement, the Amiga Corporation confirms that it recognises Commodore International's ownership while providing some context:

"Following the 1996 liquidation of Escom, one of Amiga's predecessors in interest, the "Commodore" and "C=" trademarks took a separate path from the other assets. Tulip Computers acquired the trademarks and used them for Commodore-branded PCs. Subsequent transfers brought the trademarks to the present Commodore company. In the agreement, Amiga recognizes this ownership. The copyrights in the historical software, documentation, and other Commodore and Amiga works remained in the chain of title now continued by Amiga. Under the same agreement, Amiga licenses CBM 8-bit software and documentation to Commodore for use in its products.

Amiga retains the right to use and reproduce the Commodore marks in historical and descriptive contexts, including as they appear in original software, documentation, notices, keyboard symbols, on-screen texts, and other content."

Simply put, there's now a licensing agreement in place between Commodore and the Amiga Corporation for software and documentation. This helps remove barriers to the resurrected microcomputer maker creating a modern version of the hardware, but the additional Hyperion deal contributes to those efforts.

The Amiga Corporation says, "Hyperion Entertainment will continue to develop and distribute AmigaOS 4 under license from Amiga. The rights in the independently developed AmigaOS 4 code have never been disputed, and the new agreement preserves that position while clearly defining the Amiga software and trademarks licensed for continued AmigaOS 4 development and commercialization."

I get it, you want to know if you're getting a Commodore Amiga Ultimate now that these licensing deals are in place. The short answer is no, not immediately, but the path is now clearer should CEO Christian Simpson (Perri Fractic) decide to branch out into more complex remakes using FPGA tech.

According to the Amiga corporation, "the principal rights and assets of the Commodore and Amiga eras rest with Amiga." The licensing agreement means Commodore International isn't barred use, and the former party positively proclaims that "Forty-two years later, the circle is closing."

The big questions now are whether Commodore International can make an Amiga Ultimate that doesn't fall victim to RAMageddon, especially with added licensing costs, and whether it would want to. Keep in mind we already have an emulation-based Amiga A1200 remake on the way by Retro Games Ltd, as the retro console maker previously bypassed Hyperion to get around roadblocks.

Once THEA1200 is out in the wild, it may prompt Commodore to consider its own take on the Amiga with elevated FPGA hardware accuracy. For now, though, the company seems focused on getting its C64C Ultimate into the hands of enthusiasts while using its controversial Callback 8020 flip phone to explore new ways to grow its business.

Swing by the best retro handhelds if you'd rather emulate C64 and Amiga classics on the go.

Final Fantasy 9 isn't a PS2 game, but I've just noticed my PS2 memory card has a Final Fantasy save that looks like it has the wrong text. It's actually taken me 20 years to realise that the tiny low-res icon looks like it belongs to the earlier PS1 RPG, and there's a very silly reason why it looks that way.

You see, I've been messing around with an upscaler that solves jittery PS2 visuals using motion-adaptive interlacing. It'll also scale up any retro console that supports RGB output, but it's the systems that rely on interlaced graphics that benefit most from the gizmo.

While the GBS-C's motion-adaptive deinterlacing does an excellent job weaving separated horizontal fields together into a static frame, it's far from perfect. For the most part, you won't notice anything out of sorts, but after sharing a quick photo of my old PS2 memory card screen running through the upscaler, I received comments asking, "What's with the Final Fantasy "9" save icon?"

I originally figured the internet at large was getting its Final Fantasy roman numerals mixed up, but soon realised my old save really looks like it says "Final Fantasy IX" over the villainous Judge Gabranth sprite. Trust me when I say I squinted at the tiny icon for a solid 10 minutes on my actual display rather than through my hastily snapped photo, and I'm pretty certain the pixels read "IX" rather than "XII."

I'll admit, I started to get excited that Square Enix had somehow managed to typo its Final Fantasy 12 save icon art, or that there was perhaps another more interesting developmental reason for the blip. That was before I realized this was very likely a symptom tied to deinterlacing a low-resolution icon, and it all ties back to the way low-res CRTs used to work.

Here's the thing: the text on the Final Fantasy 12 logo on the memory card grid isn't meant to be legible. If you really want to get a good look at it, you can press X and bring up the full rotating 3D rendered model along with the copy and delete menu. What you're actually seeing before that is a version compressed to very few pixels that, when displayed on a CRT at the mercy of interlacing, pixel bleed, and phosphor glow, still vaguely looks like "Final Fantasy XII" at a normal distance.

When you take that same icon, blow it up on a modern screen using nearest-neighbour upscaling and deinterlacing techniques, you end up with distorted pixels. It just so happens that, in the case of Final Fantasy 12, it warps its roman numerals to look like they belong to a different game in the series, which serves as an eye-catching example of an upscaling caveat.

Using a "line doubler" like the OSSC stands a better chance of accurately representing even the lowest pixel text on the PS2, but you still end up with something that doesn't read like the full-resolution text. I suspect Bob de-interlacing still distorts the pixels in the same way regardless, changing their alignment to a completely different numeral, but I can't speak for more expensive FPGA-powered devices by the likes of RetroTink.

Big whoop, I hear you cry. Why should you remotely care about a few distorted pixels on an old PS2 memory card screen? I'll admit that I don't think this is a reason not to upscale your PlayStation 2, but I want to record the incident so no one gets the wrong idea.

I previously went searching to see if anyone had reported their Final Fantasy 12 PS2 memory card save showing the wrong thumbnail text, just in case there was a more elaborate reason. Immediately, I was rushed with Google AI claims that it's likely a "placeholder left over from development," which isn't remotely the case.

Therefore, this is me taking the opportunity to pre-empt any weird theories on why it looks like the PS2 memory card icon reads "Final Fantasy IX", as all it takes is someone to regurgitate AI nonsense to circulate falsified history. At the same time, this does help highlight how retro console upscaling technology works and why it will struggle to provide the exact same look as an old CRT TV, and while quirks like this aren't remotely a biggie, it could influence your setup plans.

• PS2 memory cards at Amazon
• Retro upscalers at Amazon

Swing by the best retro handhelds for portable emulators you can take on your travels.

It feels like nothing you can play games on is safe from price hikes right now, and that includes previously affordable retro handhelds. In fact, the demanding AI data centre demons released from the Pandora's Box ravaging RAM prices are also biting at Qualcomm's heels, and portable console brands like Retroid are already firing metaphorical flares.

Qualcomm chips are the beating heart of many of the best retro handheld newcomers scheduled for 2026. Existing popular portables, like the Ayn Thor and Retroid Pocket 5, are also powered by Snapdragon 865 and 8 Gen 2 SoCs, so plans to "raise prices by double digits" shared by Bloomberg are an undeniable omen.

Four days on from that original report, and Retroid has already signalled that its new Nova handheld could be impacted. In an update posted to X, the portable console maker actually kicks off with some good news, announcing that the black version starts shipping tomorrow. The company further clarifies launch plans, explaining that the 16-bit, Crystal, GameCube, Ice Blue, Clear, Purple, and Watermelon models will be on a 1-2 day rotation, and a dedicated assembly line means the "current backlog should be gone within three weeks."

The last thing the retro handheld scene needs is more component hikes, as memory prices are already causing a ruckus. Ayaneo has already had to adjust pricing on its Pocket models, and its handheld gaming PCs now cost up to and beyond $4,000. Yes, the latter is the same situation even the big dogs like Valve find themselves in with hardware like the Steam Machine, but it feels like the walls are narrowing in on affordable, mobile-based options.

Even the excellently priced Super Pocket has been hit with a price increase, which is surprising given the Evercade console is armed with a mere 256MB RAM and a low-spec Cortex-A7 quad-core chipset. It's becoming evidently clear that's its not just devices using the components being gobbled by the AI industry falling victim to "RAMageddon"; it's actually just anything that uses parts made in a fab or foundry, as TSMC, Intel, Samsung, and all the other fabrication giants now have new, multi-billion-dollar priorities.

That's not to say new retro handhelds will completely come to a halt in 2026, as newbies like the Anbernic RG SP and Ayaneo GBA clone are still inbound, and the Retroid Nova is rolling out to players who pre-ordered. In the current climate, not taking prices for granted and picking up portables when you can seems to be the way to go, even if that means paying slightly more than previous years.

• More retro handhelds at Amazon
• More retro consoles at Amazon

Swing by the best retro consoles for classic remakes and emulation machines.

I've been trying to perfect my PS2 setup for years now, but there's been one modern upscaler symptom haunting my favorite 2000s outings. While Sony's iconic sequel system looks perfectly fine on an old CRT TV, most of the console's releases rely on interlaced graphics that don't play nice with new screens. The result is jittery visuals that just look plain weird compared to 20 years ago, and solutions used to be far too pricey.

For a while now, I've had an OSSC at the heart of my retro console setup. FYI, that stands for Open Source Scan Converter, and I fully believe it's one of the top upscalers out there that comes with minimal caveats, and that's in part because it's a "line doubler" that multiplies horizontal pixel rows to ramp up resolutions.

That approach introduces practically no lag since it's processing visuals line by line, not unlike a CRT. Unfortunately, my relationship with the OSSC has its demons, as its Bob deinterlacing techniques fail to solve my flickery woes. The good news is that I've found a side upscaler that is specifically great for PS2 games, even if I won't be leaving the OSSC for it.

The other upscaler in my current affair is none other than the GBS Control (GBS-C for short), an open-source HDMI converter that started life as a DIY kit. It's effectively another doohickey that will allow you to connect retro consoles to modern TVs or monitors, and it boasts specific abilities that give it an edge when dealing with pesky interlaced graphics.

Interlacing is a tricksy workaround that's been used since the dawn of television sets, and it was originally developed to combat broadcast bandwidth. The technique essentially splits a frame into odd and even fields, then displays both rapidly on screen.

If you caught my deep dive on retro console scanlines, the same idea of lines appearing on screen so fast that your eye sees a completed frame applies, but rather than drawing each horizontal row progressively, interlacing will technically scan odd fields then even to make a perceivable full frame.

I should be clear that some PS2 games are compatible with progressive scan, but there are reasons why the console didn't default to 480p. The biggest is that most consumer CRT TVs in the early 2000s tapped out at 240p or 480i (576i in PAL regions like the UK and Australia), so sticking with interlaced visuals helped avoid compatibility issues. It also helped save on memory, which in turn enabled developers to work with enhanced textures and high-detail assets.

CRT TVs weren't immune to the intrinsic flicker on interlaced graphics, but it was less notable on a tube screen. That's largely thanks to the way phosphors gradually fade on screen, which helped soften the rapid interlacing of horizontal rows in conjunction with the display's shadow mask/apperture grille layer and pixel bleeding. If you take those same visuals and let deinterlacing convert them into solid frames, though, the jitter is extremely visible.

The main issue with standard deinterlacing techniques today is that it doesn't remedy the previous masked symptoms. While upscalers like the OSSC run circles around native TV solutions by eliminating lag, blurriness, and ghosting tied to using algorithms that weave horizontal lines together, "bob" deinterlacing emphasises the way interlacing inherently works.

To actually make a single frame, Bob takes even horizontal pixels and uses them to fill the odd interlaced lines and vice versa. That results in a pixel shift effect with every frame that switches pixel positions, leading to a repeated bobbing effect tied to the respective refresh rate. Simply put, PS2 games running at 60Hz will switch back and forth from odd and even rows 60 times a second, and that's the flicker you'll see on things like text and background textures.

Enter motion-adaptive deinterlacing, a technique that can actively detect if pixels are changing. It will still use the old weave approach with odd and even lines with no movement, while applying Bob algorithms to anything with movement. It's a "best of both worlds" solution that ditches the jitter while embracing the sharpness, low latency, and smoothness of Bob for when fast-paced movement is most likely to cause artifacts.

Here lies the GBS-C's specific PS2 superpower, as unlike the OSSC, it can apply motion-adaptive techniques to interlaced signals. Keep in mind I've been using the latter line doubler with gaming monitors and TVs for years now, so I'm well used to the flicker of Bob deinterlacing, especially when static menus and background textures are present. Therefore, when I clapped my eyes on the GBS-C's algorithms in action, I was pretty blown away.

I had almost gotten used to the janky jitter when playing some of my go-to PS2 romps, and I'll admit that the symptoms are sometimes subtle. For instance, in Silent Hill 2, the chaotic jiggle largely applies to background elements, like brick wall textures and static objects that calm down when James is running around. Seeing the lines on the pavement or building masonry shake around does hamper efforts to soak in the survival horror's eerie atmosphere, though, and it's easy to spot the difference with motion adaptive interlacing applied.

Having access to motion adaptive upscaling is absolutely a sole reason to grab a GBS-C, especially if your eyeballs have already wrestled with more aggressive PS2 examples like Dead or Alive 2. However, it also happens to be an impressive upscaler in its own right, offering up a wide array of settings you can control via built-in screen or a more expansive Wi-Fi menu.

The latter was a bit of a pain to get up and running, as you have to use the GBS-C as a hotspot then point it towards your home connection. Once you've got that sorted, however, you'll have access to vital settings like motion adaptive upscaling, resolution presets up to 1080p, and plenty of picture control dials. There's even a pretty in-depth dev mode that provides access to even more bells and whistles if you're really nerdy about retro console outputs.

At the same time, if my time using the GBS-C has taught me anything so far, it's that it lacks the same visual punch as the OSSC. Line doubling provides far sharper results than a "traditional" frame buffer device, as multiplying raw pixel rows simply looks better than the softer Bilinear Scaling used by the GBS-C.

I'm planning to experiment with using both the OSSC and GBS-C in conjunction, as it could be the perfect solution for my PS2 setup specifically. I'm wary that picking up two upscalers isn't remotely cost-effective, though, so if you want sharp line doubling and motion adaptive deinterlacing, it might be worth looking at the pricier OSSC Pro.

What I will say is that the results provided by all these upscalers will fall short compared to the RetroTINK-5X Pro or RetroTINK-4K. Those are two enthusiast-grade options with FPGA chips that will run rings around the GBS-C's motion adaptive upscaling with zero lag and ridiculously sharp visuals. The catch is that they cost between $300 and $750, which will absolutely be out of bounds for a lot of retro enjoyers.

For those of you on a budget, I'd say the GBS-C will provide you with a superior PS2 experience compared to using your TV's native abilities or a cheap upscaler. Just keep in mind that, just like the base OSSC, this gadget exclusively deals in RGB signals via SCART, component, or VGA, so you'll need to use the right cables or convert composite-only consoles like the NES.

Check out the best retro controllers for authentic gamepads with modern perks.

Scanlines! It's a phrase often hurled around the retro gaming space, and one you'll find on your "an enthusiast said I'm playing old games wrong" bingo card. The issue is that while it is indeed a visual effect that can be enabled when using emulators and retro console remakes, they won't always make your shiny new screen look like an old CRT TV, and that could put you off using the effect.

As someone who specializes in connecting retro consoles to modern TVs and monitors while also being a CRT TV enthusiast, there is a big fat myth tied to scanlines. While using an overlay that adds horizontal black gaps can enhance definition and add pixel separation, you won't magically get the same visuals as a tube set. There's way more going on with your old idiot box than that, and understanding those old visuals will help set your expectations.

When testing the best retro consoles today or using the originals, I typically enable scanlines. Adding in horizontal black lines can come with caveats, but for the most part, it will add useful pixel separation that helps sprites and textures look less like blocky blobs on modern displays. But, to help you work out whether you actually care about using the effect, I want to dive into what scanlines actually are and the various ways systems today can mimic an old CRT.

What even is a scanline?

By definition, a "scanline" is a horizontal row of pixels drawn rapidly by an electron beam to make a full CRT TV picture. Yes, your old box would make up a full image within a split second by blasting electrons against a phosphor-coated screen, which made for a very rock 'n' roll way of generating frames.

Unless you've got some really high refresh rate eyeballs, you won't be able to see a CRT actively drawing horizontal lines. In fact, there's every chance that if you grab an old tube set right now and feed it a clean signal that matches its native resolution, you won't even see the distinctive black spaces that are dubbed "scanlines" today. That's because those gaps were more of a symptom rather than a feature, one that just so happened to add some extra pixel separation when gaming.

I own too many CRTs for my own good, ranging from a backbreaking 32-inch Aiwa set to an impossibly small 3.7-inch Sony Trinitron TV. Whether or not you can actually see distinct scanlines on each comes down to the resolution of a retro console, the cable type, and the display's own screen type, as all three can work to make the black space between rows less visible.

Standard Definition used to be, and still techniclly is, 480p, meaning 480 lines drawn horizontally using progressive scan. That's fancy speak for every one of those lines being drawn in order from top to bottom, but that means some trickery is required when using a 240p retro console like the NES, SNES or Sega Genesis.

The workaround involves the CRT filling its 480p screen with 240 rows of pixels by leaving every odd line blank. That results in a full image still being displayed on screen, but with distinctive black spaces between. That quirk is exactly what modern scanline effects attempt to replicate today, but there are other forces at play also messing with the look of raw pixels.

Behind the mask

When letting a CRT TV blast your eyeballs, scanlines likely won't be the first thing you see. If anything, you're more likely to notice the defined pixels that look like separate dots rather than a linear line of squares. What you're actually seeing is the image being drawn behind a metal plate, or "shadow mask", designed to guide electron beams directly to red, green, and blue phosphor dots.

Most consumer CRT TVs use a shadow mask, and it actually provides a distinct look that may distract you from scanlines altogether. The metal plate actually channels the electron beams into a triangle formation, or triad, that can reduce the visibility of direct, horizontal rows, portraying a more staggered pixel look.

Naturally, simply adding in horizontal black lines to retro console visuals on a modern LCD or OLED doesn't quite hit the same CRT notes as a shadow mask screen. Rather than getting that staggered triad color effect that adds pixel definition, you instead get a bolder horizontal effect that won't quite look like an old tube.

At the same time, not every CRT uses the same phosphor plate either. For instance, Sony Trinitron models are heralded for their Aperture Grille technology, which separates phosphors with tiny vertical wires. The idea is that the positioning will only allow the appropriate color through, rather than trying to block more light with a solid mask.

As a result, Trinitron CRT images are brighter, boast better color accuracy, and have enhanced sharpness thanks to the higher-pitch vertical dots. That is to say, there's less of a gap within each vertical stripe compared to using Shadow Mask triad clusters, and that in turn produces a pretty different look in terms of pixel separation.

Effectively, there's way more to making your classic games look like they're on a faux Cathode-Ray Tube. Scanlines are really just one part of a visual symphony that presents old sprites and textures the way their designers intended, rather than a bunch of scaled-up blocky pixels. Knowing that elements like CRT masking techniques, color bleeding, and phosphor positioning will provide different results will ultimately help you achieve the look you're looking for, whether that's based on something from memory or a collectively agreed gold standard.

Modern scanline techniques

It might feel like CRT TVs vanished from gaming setups aeons ago, but in reality, the screen type only properly retired in the late 2000s. That's the point where I noticed LCD panels properly take over the consumer market, and as someone who kept using old consoles with those displays, it became quickly apparent that they were missing a trick when it comes to classic visuals.

I was actually extremely late to the LCD part, having only picked up a budget 720p 28-inch LCD set in 2007 for my Xbox 360. It only took me a couple of months to realise that, while Bioshock looks phenomenal in "HD", consoles like my Sega Mega Drive looked a bit off even when using a clean RGB SCART input.

Naturally, the subpar upscaler in that supermarket brand LCD TV was committing more than just visual atrocities, but my immediate concerns were sparked by pixel separation. I really couldn't jam with Blaze in Streets of Rage looking like a bunch of blocks, and it kickstarted what would be a decade long quest to bring scanlines back to my setup.

I should note that for years, the only way to really inject scanlines back into my favorite games was by way of "modern" retro consoles. Yes, I did experiment with using standalone VGA scanline generators, like the SLG3000, but that was more designed for CRT arcade play rather than mimicking consumer sets. It wouldn't be until 2014 when the Hyperkin Retron 5 arrived on the scene that I'd first get a taste for scanline overlay effects as a feature baked into a system.

The approach with basic modern scanlines is pretty straightforward, as it simply requires adding an overlay of odd or even horizontal black lines over retro console images. That helps provide pixel separation and something that is reminiscent of old CRT TV visuals, and the Retron 5 was one of the first to provide that.

Since then, scanline overlays have matured, but basic implementations still come with the same caveats attached. Firstly, adding horizontal black lines alone isn't really enough to give proper CRT vibes, and scaling-related symptoms like uneven thickness and unadjustable intensity can be distracting. Darkening half the lines on screen also reduces overall image brightness, and depending on your screen, the remaining active pixels might look a bit too dim.

These are issues that still persist with systems like the Hyperkin Retron GX, and even scanlines with some layer of adjustability included in the likes of the Evercade Alpha still aren't super close to a real CRT. That's not to say we aren't seeing progress, though, as HDMI upscalers and FPGA consoles like the Analogue 3D are introducing more elaborate effects that leverage the latest screen tech and add more than just horizontal black lines.

Analogue's 4K N64 specifically proudly provides "display filters" rather than just basic scanlines. Rather than just slapping an overlay on top, the feature is a real-time processing option that weaves in accurate CRT effects that mimic every classic display type. The system includes everything from the look of a Sony Trinitron PVM and BVM sets to consumer-grade tube TVs that use Aperture Grille or Shadow Mask tech.

Better still, the Analogue 3D can now even leverage "advanced HDR" tricks to facilitate the same pixel brightness on new screens. That helps each phosphor look like it's actually firing from an electron gun rather than just being mimicked on an OLED or LCD, and the result is damn convincing.

Analogue isn't the only company going the extra mile with CRT effects, though, as I'm seeing more ways than ever to add more convincing scanlines and masking. The OSSC line doubler I use for most consoles has a wide array of dials for adding in scanlines in real time; the newer OSSC Pro can even enable Shadow Mask and Aperture Grille overlays.

If you'd bring the Analogue 3D's advanced CRT filters to your entire setup, Retrotink also has you covered with its 5X Pro and 4K upscalers. They will make your bank account weep, but on top of providing FPGA-powered upscaling with motion-adaptive deinterlacing, they can also produce the same look as a Sony Trinitron or classic consumer set using similar processing techniques.

I'm fully aware I've been exclusively talking about hardware solutions, but modern emulators can also provide excellent scanline and CRT effects. Frontends like RetroArch include preset shaders for retro console cores, with CRT Royale being a prime example of a shader that can do more than just horizontal lines. Almost every emulation suite today at least has basic filters built-in, so it's worth messing around with those if you exclusively run your own ROMs on a retro handheld or PC.

Sneaking scanlines into your entire setup

I've been routinely asked whether there's a magic solution for adding scanlines to an entire setup. The answer is yes, as I've tested a doohickey that adds CRT scanline effects using HDMI, and it's not as atrocious as you'd think. Naturally, you'll have to use an upscaler or an adapter if you're using retro consoles with analogue output, but once you've got that sorted, it will inject adjustable effects into the pipeline before the image reaches your modern screen.

Of course, the effect produced by the standalone HDMI scanline generator still suffers from those classic caveats mentioned above. However, it includes on-board dials and switches for everything from scanline thickness to aspect ratio and even RGB color adjustment. The cherry on top is being able to switch between odd and even black lines, which will really help get you closer to the look you're after.

Your mileage with a standalone HDMI scanline generator will vary depending on your system of choice and screen. I do think it's worth a look if you can grab one for cheap, though, as it hooked my HDMI-modded N64 up with some much-needed pixel separation (the console's raw signal is pretty messy).

My hope is that by understanding why players rave about scanlines in retro games, you'll have an easier time deciding whether you care about the effect. Simply playing games raw without any overlayers or processing effects added in is completely valid no matter what those pesky enthusiasts shout at you online. That said, if you are craving CRT vibes but don't want to find a real tube set, you'll now know exactly how to go about transforming your modern display into a faux 20+ year old television set.

Swing by the best retro controllers for modern versions of classic console pads.

Last week, Eyepatch Entertainment unveiled their bananas attempt at Super Mario 64 on the 3DO. That initial version was actually pretty impressive, featuring a distinguishable Peach's Castle and even Bob-omb Battlefield, but its Mario spite has been keeping me up at night.

Thankfully, the developer has shared a Super Mario 64 3DO update, and the plumber is looking far less haunted (cheers, Time Extension). In fact, the whole N64 conversion is looking a lot better running on the real retro console hardware, with Eyepatch Entertainment signalling that "real progress" has been made with the project.

"The frame rate is better and worse than last time you saw this," admits the dev before explaining that it "costs time to get the renderer looking better." That creates a time dilemma between working on performance versus fidelity, which feels like the real challenge ahead of Mario 64 on the 3DO specifically.

I'm pretty astounded at what Eyepatch Entertainment has achieved in just a week. Yes, the game still looks jittery, and the dev is clearly still ironing out how the 3D assets are drawn and pulled based on proximity, but it's looking real close to an actual playable conversion of Mario 64. The demonstration even features some classic penguin rescue gameplay, but you thankfully can't yeet the babies off any cliffs right now (that has always upset me.)

Eyepatch Entertainment's new video features both good and bad news for anyone hyped about Mario 64 on anything other than a 64. The first tidbit is that there's also a Sega Saturn version in the works that runs at 60fps, but it's not quite ready to show yet. The part that's a bummer is that, while plenty of players have already asked for an ISO for running on emulators or an actual 3DO, they apparently don't want to invoke Nintendo's wrath.

"I don't think Nintendo, even though this does not really look like Mario 64, would be very happy with me distributing this," the developer caveats. "If it were possible, I would give it away. I don't care if you want to torture yourself with this. But until then, I guess that makes me the number one player in the world at 3DO Mario 64, which I guess someone has to claim."

I need Eyepatch Entertainment to know that I'd happily give myself a migraine playing Mario 64 on the 3DO. It'll likely always be a cursed endeavour, but I'm even more invested now that Mario doesn't look like pixelated creepypasta. At the same time, I get why the dev is wary of the big N, but it would be funny to see it get riled up about its first 3D game replicated for a system that had no chance against the N64.

Swing by the best retro controllers to pair an authentic new pad with your classic console.

Upon catching Anbernic's RG SP teaser, I assumed an old clip had reached my feed. After all, the handheld maker already has two GBA SP clones, so it's reasonable to think it wouldn't have a third stab. It turns out I'm a big idiot, as it is indeed cooking up another model that ditches the previous portable's embedded thumbsticks.

The trailer in question reveals the Anbernic RG SP in all its clamshell glory, but not before highlighting its prior retro handhelds. In a bid not to mask over previous GBA SP clone portables like the Anbernic RG35XXSP from 2024 and its RG34XXSP successor, the teaser presents both in a timeline before revealing what's actually changed.

As I've already spoiled, highlighted improvements actually include taking away a feature, as it's now "stickless for pure nostalgia." The resulting eyeroll almost injured my peepers, but I am actually happy that Anbernic is focused on making something that looks close to a GBA SP.

Contributing to those latter GBA SP clone efforts is a 25% thinner top screen bezel, which should help reduce some of the previous bulk to OG Nintendo handheld levels. The overall profile is 10% slimmer too, so I'm pretty keen to inflict a weird Game Boy Advance Pepsi challenge on my friends.

Just like before, though, modern prevents the Anbernic RG SP from creating a Spider-Man pointing meme scenario. The control panel is still uncanny, largely thanks to the d-pad, four face buttons, and the middle toggle that Ninty original used for brightness, but the side microSD card slot and bottom 3.5mm jack are tells. You've also got a momentary power button on the side instead of a slider and an "R" reset button, not to mention that the cartridge slot is understandably gone.

As for the specs, you're getting the same H700 quad-core chipset as before, meaning the RG SP should be capable of emulating up to the PS1 and Dreamcast on its 3.4-inch 720 x 480 IPS screen. It hasn't revealed a full spec sheet yet, as it's unclear how much RAM the Linux handheld will be rocking, although I suspect we'll get 1GB.

I'll be sure to fill you in on full specs when they land, but at least we've got an Anbernic RG SP flavors list. It'll be available in metallic silver, pink, blue, and black, matching Nintendo's original colorways. The other biggie is that there's no MSRP yet, but I'd be slightly insulted if it's way more than the RG34XXSP since that clamshell is $67.99 at AliExpress. I'm not holding my breath since component prices are continually spoiling handheld releases in 2026, but perhaps Anbernic will weather RAMageddon by sticking with what it knows.

Swing by the best retro consoles for FPGA remakes, emulation machines, and more.

The Playdate is a handheld haven of low-spec creativity, but one dev is going the extra mile by making a 3D "Metroidbrainia" for Panic's portable. Not only does the outing use its own "tiny" 3D renderer that even gets DOOM running on the monochrome indie game machine, but it also allows for outdoor cityscape platforming inspired by Mirror's Edge.

In a Bluesky clip, developer Cristina Ramos shows off her first-person exploration game Katavatis running on Panic's gaming handheld using the aforementioned 3D renderer. "I was told you couldn't do 3D on the Playdate, so I did it," proclaims Ramos before adding, "Then I was told there was no way I could create exterior levels like those in Mirror's Edge, so I proved them wrong again."

The developer's clips provide receipts for that claim, as she clearly demonstrates what appears to be a 1-bit Mirror's Edge running on the Playdate. The defiance accompanying the clip does appear to be slightly tongue-in-cheek, referencing the "back of the box" synopsis for Katravatis that reads "they told us climate change is a hoax," but honestly? I also figured 3D rendering would be a stretch for Panic's plucky portable.

I was told you couldn't do 3D on the Playdate, so I did it.Then I was told there was no way I could create exterior levels like those in Mirror's Edge, so I proved them wrong again.

— @saffroncr.bsky.social (@saffroncr.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2026-07-22T12:13:47.276Z

Naturally, I'm more than hyped to try this climate-apocalyptic, Metroidvania romp on an actual Playdate, but Katavatis is also coming to Steam and Itchio. The indie dev has actually documented their journey making a 3D renderer for the handheld on her latter page, and while the deep dive admits that the portable lacks the power to draw 3D scenes like a '90s 3DFX Voodoo PC card or the OG PS1, the results are closer to the likes of the 3DO or Sega Saturn.

The full devblog for the Playdate 3D renderer is a fascinating read, and does a fantastic job explaining what three-dimensional graphics actually are and how they're even possible on something like the Playdate. Keep in mind the portable is powered by a very low-key ARM Cortex-M7 chipset and just 16 MB of RAM, so seeing a perceivable 3D adventure platformer running on the hardware is wild.

Ramos says now that the 3D renderer is in a "good enough" state, it's paving the way for gameplay prototypes. The dev has already uploaded snippets of these to YouTube, and she's already answered the age-old question of whether it can run DOOM (it can). Again, if you've not got the indie retro handheld, Katavatis will be hitting Steam and Itchio, and I can't wait to explore the Metroidvania's abandoned deep-sea facility in all its 1-bit 3D glory.

Check out the best retro consoles for remakes of OG systems and emulation machines.

30 years ago today, the Game Boy Pocket arrived to show up its '80s DMG sibling. While Ninty's OG brick started the handheld fire way before July 21, 1996, the slimmer, refined portable doubled down on everything that made the original so great while resetting the bar for what a good portable experience feels like to this very day.

Alright, I'll admit that the lack of backlight makes the Game Boy Pocket feel super primitive compared to the best retro handhelds today. Nintendo was seemingly allergic to lighting (outside of its Japan-exclusive Game Boy Light experiment) until the 2000s, when it released the GBA SP, but that doesn't mean it simply slimmed down the DMG.

In fact, side by side, the Pocket makes the 1989 Nintendo Game Boy feel like stoneage tech. By ditching the murky green bogwater screen and swapping to a monochrome LCD with less ghosting and an enhanced polarizing film, Ninty was able to keep the handheld throne from more advanced competitors like the existing Game Gear, Atari Lynx, and the Nomad, Sega's full-blown portable version of the Genesis.

Yes, the Pocket was a stopgap until the Game Boy Color arrived on the scene, but it's still arguably more important. Nintendo could have done what many combatants in the gaming handheld scene do today and reactively aim for big specs and features to keep up with its competitors, but instead, it focused on incremental quality-of-life improvements that refined an already great formula rather than pouring it down the sink and trying to brew something punchier.

Even if modern contenders biting at the heels of devices like the Steam Deck OLED aren't with the Pocket's program, Ninty's second handheld has become somewhat of a blueprint. That makes sense given that it directly addressed criticisms with the original, like the aforementioned ghosting, the DMG's bulky brick nature, and better power efficiency, but it's an idea that companies today still embrace.

You could say the storm of emulation handhelds that's been roaring since the arrival of the Bittboy in 2019 is thanks to the Pocket's principles. The whole ecosystem today is still based on that idea of embracing the original Game Boy tech, with portable makers like Anbernic making homages like the RG35XX Plus that do more than Ninty's handheld, but borrow the exact vertical spirit and pockatable vibes.

Sure, the Pocket isn't the only handheld pleasantly haunting the modern handheld scene. Recently, Ayaneo announced a remake of the GBA, and Anbernic already has its and a clamshell RG35XXSP. That's driven by players who used those specific originals back in the day, but the Pocket format persists regardless, and sticking with refining the basics has helped produce some wonderful modern takes.

Some Pocket homages feel obvious by name, but might not actually look like a tribute. I'm specifically thinking of the Super Pocket, a budget Evercade handheld that is designed to provide excellent portable access to Blaze's cartridge ecosystem. It admittedly does squeeze extra shoulder buttons and four face inputs onto its vertical layout, but boons like battery longevity and its pocket-friendly size all link back to Ninty's second Game Boy.

On the premium side of things, the Analogue Pocket feels like an "on the nose" Game Boy Pocket tribute. This time, the name is a massive giveaway, as despite being significantly larger than the Ninty original and boasting a superior modern 1660 x 1440 3.5-inch LCD display, it sticks with the same flat, rectangular design with subtly curved edges.

The whole point I'm making is that, despite being a sequel to a more iconic handheld that arrived 30 years ago, the Game Boy Pocket is still making an impact. You can even transform your original portable into something that'll visually trade blows with the top emulation contenders today, thanks to screen mods that are similar to the Game Boy Color AMOLED touchscreen I showcased a few years ago.

TLDR: Happy Birthday, Game Boy Pocket! I'm sure you'll continue to inspire the handheld scene with your pocketability and refined vertical looks as they continue to age gracefully.

Swing by the best retro consoles if you're looking for a way to emulate classics or run original carts.

SNES DOOM might not be the closest thing to the OG MS-DOS boomer shooter, but it has evolved. Its modern metamorphosis arguably kicked off with the arrival of FX3 carts, a souped-up version of the original cartridges featuring a turbocharged Super FX that enhances performance and allows for more levels, but the creator of my favorite open-source retro controller adapter firmware has also made dual analogue stick support a thing.

A few weeks ago, Jacques Gagnon announced on BlueSky that they'd finished an FX3 SNES DOOM rom hack that adds BlueRetro dual analogue joystick support. The patch builds upon the enhancements brought by the cart created by Limited Run Games and Randy Linden, the original dev behind the "impossible" Super Nintendo port and Bleem!

Today, the BlueRetro dev shared an update to that previous feat, revealing that since SNES DOOM FX3 now runs on Mesen, it's now easier than ever to rip and tear with dual sticks. That means you don't need to use a real Super Nintendo and an FX3 cart, as the emulator will let you use modern controls on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Finally done with my SNES Doom FX3 rom hack that adds BlueRetro dual analog joystick support while maintaining existing rumble support! Details in reply below!

— @darthcloud.blueretro.com (@darthcloud.blueretro.com.bsky.social) 2026-07-20T15:04:38.914Z

Just as a reminder, you've got Gagnon to thank for the wireless adapter firmware that helps link the best retro controllers today to your original systems. The specific dongle I use to pair my Switch 2 GameCube adapter with an actual GameCube is powered by Blueretro software, and it's currently the only firmware that plays nicely with Nintendo's new gamepad protocol.

If you're using an actual FX3 SNES DOOM cart, just know that while the dev has tried to "make the install procedure safe," the dual analogue stick patch has only been tested on one unit. Therefore, Gagnon warns, "you have to keep in mind you might end up bricking your FX3 cartridge, lose the warranty, endup sad, etc..." as a disclaimer alongside a link to the project.

That's where using Mesen instead to try SNES DOOM with dual analogue sticks comes in handy, as you won't be messing with any physical ROM chips. I sadly don't have an FX3 cart yet, so I'll likely use the emulator in my free time later to take the shooter for a spin using something like the Gulikit Elves 2 Pro to retain that SNES pad feel.

Swing by the best retro consoles for systems that'll play original carts and run your ROMs.

Old LCD games look like stone-age tech compared to even handhelds like the OG Game Boy, but they're still worth preserving. That's something BrickEmuPy hopes to achieve, as the project has already preserved over 60 portable classics, and it's seemingly the first to preserve Nintendo's Mini Classics keychains for emulation.

Created by developers Azya52 and Andrei Cherniaev, BrickEmuPy is a "Handheld LCD games emulator in Python with PyQt6." Highlighted by the folks at Time Extension, the project has already preserved everything from Tamagotchis and Digimon Digivices to those Legend of Zelda and Super Mario wrist watches I begged my parents for back in the '90s.

Notably, it also appears to be the first project to dump Nintendo's Mini Classic keychain gadgets that function like a tiny retro handheld. The developers specifically dumped the Soccer version from 1998, but if I'm being real, I'm more hyped for more cursed portables to join the current list of 60 classics.

I've got a big soft spot for janky old LCD games, and I've got quite a few in my collection. I'm talking questionable rivals to Nintendo's Game and Watch series by the likes of Systema, Tiger, and a bunch of others that no brand will own up to.

Yes, I know a very small minority of players would be rushing to emulate the Monster Munch Bat LCD block game that was once given as a prize by Walkers (Lays to you US peeps), or a two-button portable that inexplicably features both "Vampire Attack" and "Melon Mover", but by preserving access, they'll live on when their physical form crumbles to dust.

I'm also a big advocate for preserving physical hardware experience, especially since we're sailing towards an all-digital future. You haven't "lived" until you've tried a cursed Game Child knock-off for yourself, even if the games were borderline unplayable out of the box. That said, providing a way to emulate the ROMs themselves is half the battle, and it'll be fun seeing which oddball portables are immortalised via the project.

Swing by the best retro consoles for remakes and emulation systems that pack a punch.

Now and then, I remember that the Polymega exists, usually through eye-catching game announcements. This time, it's caught my eye by way of a compilation featuring my favorite Sega Mega Drive shmup, Truxton, its sequel, and a bunch of other terrific hits by the iconic Japanese arcade publisher.

Polymega Collection Vol. 20 specifically features Truxton (Tatsujin), Truxton II (Tatsujin OU), Alcon (Slap Fight), and Grind Stormer (V‑V) (cheers, Time Extension). FYI, the bracketed aliases are the Japanese names for each release, and all four are vertical shooters that represent what Toaplan was all about back in the '90s.

The last time I caught wind of a Polymega release was when Body Harvest, an N64 precursor to GTA, arrived as part of Volume 15. Since then, the emulation-based best retro console contender has continued to receive proprietary CDs that ditch original cartridge formats for something that'll work on the machine's $549 base unit or the Polymega PC app.

To this day, I still play Truxton on a Sega Mega Drive hooked up to a CRT TV. It's a gruelling shooter that cares not for your feelings, and it'll easily knock your confidence for weeks via revenge bullets and sneaky flanking ships. I know, I'm not remotely making this classic shmup sound fun, but learning the patterns, collecting power-ups to amass the right kind fire power, and getting those alien dorks before they get you is phenomenally rewarding.

The draw with Truxton also lies in its simplicity. Unlike many other shooters after, Toaplan's arcade caper sticks to dogfight basics. You'll collect speed power-ups and have access to red, blue, and green weapons all with their own range and patterns, yes, but other than that, there are no gimmicks getting in the way of your deep space mission.

The first game is considered a "bullet-hell" experience, but Truxton II really takes the biscuit. It butters you up with incredible FM synth tracks before subjecting you to pure shmup sadism, and it's certainly one for those of you who've mastered the comparatively tame first romp.

I really love the idea of one CD featuring some of Toaplan's staple shmups, but the Evercade already beat Polymega to the punch with this complication. At least, it almost did, thanks to its Toaplan Arcade 1 and 2 collections, which pack a bunch more of the developer's hits onto two cartridges.

I don't want to start ranting on about how you can already play Truxton and its accompanying shmups for less in HD using something like the Evercade VS-R, or even on the go with the ridiculously affordable Super Pocket. If anything, I'm just pleased to see a bunch of great arcade capers officially land on more modern retro consoles, and the Polymega does have the fact that it supports Mega Drive controllers via its optional cartridge and gamepad port module (yes, I know these are arcade machine ROMs, but I'm a '90s console baby).

Ultimately, I'm just happy the Polymega player base is getting a nice steady supply of game releases. Volume 20 isn't even the latest releases sequentially, as Volumes 21 and 22 have been announced with respective Fixeight and Snow Bros headliners, and each is packed with other outings by Toaplan.

Swing by the best retro controllers for new buttons for your old systems.

Ayaneo has finally revealed what its Konkr Pocket Advance looks like, and yep, it's a GBA clone. I was holding out for a homage to the original 2001 handheld, and that's exactly what we're getting this time around, but we should probably wait for the specs before getting too hyped.

In yet another teaser, Ayaneo reveals a detailed render of the Konkr Pocket Advance that reveals the entire front. To the untrained eye, it's pretty much exactly like Nintendo's original GBA, complete with a cross d-pad, prominent top triggers, and black bezel framing its widescreen display. However, just like with most modern retro handheld remakes, there's plenty of modern touches here that give the game away.

For instance, you're getting four face buttons rather than two, just like with Anbernic's RG34XX GBA-inspired device. That serves as a reminder that this thing isn't just for running Game Boy Advance romps, as while we don't have a specs list yet, it'll likely emulate at least up to the PS1, or maybe even the GameCube since it borrows its delightful Spiced Orange getup.

Other details, like the two extra menu buttons on the right and the embossed Konkr logo at the bottom, all give the jig up too. What's perhaps more subtle when not next to a real GBA is the handheld's overall size difference, as this portable wields a larger screen. I'm not convinced it's the same 6-inch display as the existing Konkr Pocket Fit, as the aspect ratio, but if the faux Famicom controllers in the render are also to scale, we could be looking at something around 5 inches based on comparative measurements.

Keep in mind these teaser images only reveal the front, so it's hard to get a sense of its complete design. You can just about see a USB-C port at the bottom for charging, a microSD card flap on the left, and a volume wheel on the right, meaning we do know where all the main IO resides. I'm pretty sure there's a 3.5mm headphone jack next to that aforementioned wheel too, which could leave the top completely clear for additional USB-C ports or a dedicated HDMI.

I'd imagine that the rear will be kept relatively clear for cooling vents, but I'm curious to see whether Ayaneo has messed with the OG GBA design in the name of ergonomics. In theory, it could get away with adding some subtle grips without changing the overall vibe, even if many would argue against anything but a flat back panel.

Going by first impressions alone, the Konkr Pocket Advance looks to be a faithful homage to the real Game Boy Advance. The entire vibe is in line with Ninty's original vision, and it even avoids neglecting purely aesthetic elements like the plastic molding on the sides. Ayaneo should consider my interests firmly piqued, and I'll be patently waiting to see if its eventual specs and price tag make it a no-brainer for OG GBA nerds.

Take a peek at the best retro controllers for fresh, but authentic gamepads.

The Panasonic 3DO and Super Mario 64 are two things that probably shouldn't go in the same sentence. One is a stupidly expensive retro console from the '90s that couldn't remotely keep up with proper fifth-gen contenders, while the other helped usher in a new age of 3D gaming.

That contrast hasn't stopped one Panasonic FZ-10 owner from trying to run Super Mario 64 on the 3DO, as developer Eyepatch Entertainment is working on a cursed conversion (h/t, Time Extension). Rather than trying to make a traditional "port" of Nintendo's iconic plumber platformer, the retro console enthusiast is building a 3D engine that uses "real Super Mario 64 decompilation assets" that are then rendered using the 3DO's CEL co-processor.

"What you're seeing right now, this is a from the ground up 3D engine for the 3DO" explains the creator while showcasing rather haunted-looking Super Mario 64 demo footage. The video features both footage running on a Panasonic FZ-10 connected to a CRT and the Opera 3DO emulator side by side, which helps hammer home some of the limitations of the old oddball console.

"Uh, this shouldn't work," claims the dev before admitting that it "doesn't really work." Yet, right before our eyes is something that just about resembles the landmark platformer that blew our 2D-trained minds back in the '90s. "I took inspiration from that GBA port," explains Eyepatch Entertainment before labelling the project as "basically just homebrew and not a port."

The creator doubles down, saying, "you can't call this a port," revealing that it uses map data to generate "a suitable Mario model that will run in 2D." In my eyes, that's actually more impressive than a traditional port when you consider the massive 3D incapability of the OG hardware here, as the demo recreates everything from Peach's Castle to Bob-omb Battlefield complete with its resident Chain Chomp.

Technically speaking, Eyepatch Entertainment is right when they say Mario 64 can't run on the 3DO at the start of the video. However, this whole project highlights a core element of developing multiple versions of games for systems in the '80s and '90s. Sometimes, technical sacrifices had to be made to get big hits on your chosen platform, and while this is certainly a more extreme case of that, it's absolutely giving "simplified Game Boy port" vibes.

Sure, Nintendo's icon might be reduced to an "animated sprite" and bound to torturous tank controls, and the lack of sound and rock-bottom frame rate lows are entirely different issue entirely. But, in my eyes, this is still Mario 64 on the 3DO, and if I was presented with this back in 1993, I'd probably have a blast.

In fact, I'd have a blast right now trying to run Mario 64 on my Panasonic 3DO FZ-1, so I'll be keeping an eye out for the project if it's shared on the interwebs.

Take a peek at the best retro controllers for faithful new gamepads.

I don't know what Nintendo was thinking by releasing a Virtual Boy remake without its oddball controller in the first place. However, the retro community at large as once again stepped in to fix things for the big N-dawg, as there's now a mod kit that will transform your original controller, should you have one, into a wireless gamepad that'll work with the Switch 2 Online collection.

Fully demonstrated in a new video by chaotic (but lovable) retro console tinkerer James Channel, the Virtual Boy controller mod replaces the OG retro controller innards with new RetroOnxy Bluetooth guts. That allows it to then serve as an authentic gamepad for the Virtual Boy for Switch 2 released back in February, but it'll also work with PC, Meta Quest headsets, and even the goggles it originally came with thanks to a Blueretro adapter.

As far as mod conversions go, this one is remarkably simple. At least, James Channel makes it look easy as he converts a Virtual Boy controller belonging to a faulty headset. The bulk of the project involves replacing the gamepad's original board with the new Bluetooth version, which has its own new button contacts that align with the original membranes and plastic.

As you probably guessed, this mod kit completely cuts the cord, replacing the original wire with wireless capabilities. The design cleverly repurposes the through-hole for the cable as an indicator light pipe that signals connectivity, status, and player number through sequential flashes, making the package feel that bit more like a real new Nintendo controller.

For power, you'll still need to use the original battery holder at the back, but you've got options there too. You can choose to use AA batteries if you wish, but it'll also work with DC power adapters, and modern lithium battery packs that recharge via USB-C if you're done with '90s power vibes.

Seeing the modded Virtual Boy controller in action really makes me question why Nintendo skipped its own remake. James Channel puts the pad to the test in both games like Mario Tennis, Jack Bros, and Vertical Force, with the latter shooter helping demonstrate the gamepad's serviceable low latency. A quick Super Mario Bros session also backs that up while proving it can work with games outside the Virtual Boy app, despite its oddball dual d-pad layout.

An additional handy feature sandwiched in there ties to Switch 2 gamepad button mapping. While the pad lacks inputs like Home, you can use shortcuts to still navigate the gaming handheld and access the Virtual Boy app's settings dials. That, again, makes this accessory feel almost official, and makes me more annoyed that we didn't just get an official version.

Of course, such a nifty controller mod comes at a price, as you're looking at $99 for the PCB and a staggering $249 for a complete controller if you're really not into modding or don't have an OG pad. The latter price does make sense given the '90s controller is hard to come by and is normally paired with a more expensive OG Virtual Boy system.

I reckon Virtual Boy enthusiasts will be all over this controller mod kit, whereas casual players might be fine with Joy-Cons or a Pro pad. I should note that the 8Bitdo N64 controller works exceptionally well with Virtual Boy games since it has a d-pad on the left and c-buttons that feel like a Switch d-pad on the right, meaning you've got almost the right controller layout (if you ignore that single stick).

Swing by the best retro consoles for emulation systems and remakes with HDMI capabilities.

Kirby and Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai and Square Enix are celebrating the 43rd anniversary of the release of Nintendo's first major home console, the Famicom.

As Super Mario Bros and The Legend of Zelda are fresh off celebrating their 40th anniversaries, and Donkey Kong celebrated its 45th last week, Nintendo's first proper home console – not counting the single-game Color TV-Game series, which had been released beforehand – the Famicom celebrates its 43rd today. While it would take another couple of years for the console to arrive as the NES in North America (and another couple on top for the UK), the Famicom dropped in Japan on July 15, 1983, with Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., and Popeye in tow.

Sakurai, whose sole NES credit is directing Kirby's Adventure, which was one of the final Nintendo-published releases on the system, posted on Twitter (via machine translation) wishing the console a happy 43rd anniversary. He added that the platform – despite consoles releasing before and after – had the biggest impact on him as a game creator.

Square Enix also posted a short video celebrating the release of the classic console, showing the original Final Fantasy booting up on the platform (with a Dragon Quest box sitting off to the side). The two most iconic and influential JRPG series of all time both started on the platform, making it a crucial place for the genre.

Back in 2023, Sakurai released a video about the Famicom on his 'Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games' YouTube show, where he dubbed it "perfect". The director opened the video saying, "I can proudly say I've developed a game for the Famicom, aka the Family Computer. That makes me pretty lucky!"

Sakurai bought the console in 1983 – owning one of the earlier models which featured square buttons instead of the circular A and B buttons seen by the time the NES was released. As for one reason the console remains such an iconic part of his life, he points out the massive leaps in game development back then, using the gulf in scope between 1983's Mario Bros. and 1985's Super Mario Bros. as an example.

He points out that there are a number of game developers like Nier's Yoko Taro, Devil May Cry's Hideki Kamiya, Kingdom Hearts' Tetsuya Nomura, and Doom's John Carmack who are the same age as Sakurai, "but only a small handful of them ever actually developed a game for the Famicom."

Sakurai adds, "If the Famicom had never existed, the shape of the modern game market – really the entire video game industry – would be completely different." And that even though the games are easily available and may seem quaint now, Sakurai says, "what I really want to stress is that at the time, it truly was an absolute dream machine."

Super Smash Bros creator Masahiro Sakurai sometimes "sounds exactly like Goku," ex-Tekken boss says: "A Saiyan who genuinely believes he's just another ordinary human"

Screenshots on the Analogue 3D are finally a thing thanks to update version 1.4.0, and it's been a long time coming. I've been waiting for the ability to snap 4K photos in some of my favorite N64 outings since the FPGA remake landed last year, but the feature is actually more advanced than I was expecting.

According to the Analogue 3D version 1.4.0 patch notes, the update will help you "capture, preserve, and share your favorite gameplay moments exactly as Analogue 3D renders it with Original Display Modes." Just like with modern systems, the retro console can now instantly snap a shot either using the star button on the 8Bitdo N64 controller or pressing Z + Start + R on a real pad, which can then be reminisced over in a dedicated gallery.

I was expecting the Analogue 3D's 4K N64 screenshots to be a basic screen grab, but now that I've finally got to grips with the virtual camera, it's actually way more impressive. Taking a snap actually works a bit like the Memories save state feature that debuted last month, only rather than sending you to a specific moment, it retains an in-game frame that you can then tweak just like you would with live game visuals.

That means you can freeze a moment in an N64 game, mess around with all the CRT filters and effects normally available when running a game, then export an image file to the SD card when you're done. Effectively, you're not simply slapping effects on top of a screenshot; you're instead putting it through the same post-processing as the gameplay itself, which theoretically results in more authentic-looking screen grabs.

I spend a lot of time experimenting with how to connect retro consoles to modern TVs and monitors, and screen capturing can be a pain. Active gameplay can look one way on a display, while looking different entirely once you've used something to snap a frame, then uploaded it to other places where effects might not look like you intended.

By that, I mean that an N64 screenshot might look fantastic with Sony Trinitron aperture grille effects while playing, but various factors mean a screengrab could be portrayed differently when exported to other devices or subjected to online compression. It's for that reason that being able to switch between filter styles and toggle different effects like HDR after the fact is pretty neat, as it'll mean you don't have to start from scratch to get something that looks universally "right".

For a while now, I've been itching to start a retro gaming snap book filled with "memories" of my classic capers. The basic idea is that every time I complete a game, I'll print off a bunch of screenshots highlighting the journey and iconic moments, then stick them onto a page alongside some field notes and scribbles.

Yes, the project ties to my longing desire to disconnect from the internet, and the Analogue 3D will partially help with that. Getting the screenshots off of the 4K N64 still requires accessing the SD card using a modern device, sure, but I could technically turn the ritual of sharing gameplay with friends into a purely analogue experience that doesn't involve logging into accounts or uploading JPEGs to social media.

That said, I would welcome more Analogue 3D Wi-Fi features should they be in the pipeline for the future. As of yet, the console maker hasn't enabled the device's internet connectivity, but it could be used to wirelessly grab saved screenshots or even directly upload them online. Now that we have the screenshots and gallery feature, the stage is absolutely set for that functionality, and I'm looking forward to seeing more Nintendo 64 photo albums pop up across the net.

If you need more of a reason to fetch Analogue 3D update version 1.4.0, just know that it also adds some visual polish to the OS, improves thumbnail load times, and applies fixes to quirks with d-pad navigation and multiple Controller Paks in San Francisco Rush.

Swing by the best retro controllers if you're on the hunt for the perfect N64 pad.

GameSir may have some of the best PC controllers under its belt, but it's taking square aim at Xbox fans with its latest T7 Pro drop. The Retro Green colorway has just dropped on the brand's site, yet another callback to that OG Xbox aesthetic we've all been yearning for amongst... well... everything that's happened this year.

The $49.99 / £55.99 Hall effect controller blasts that translucent aesthetic with its primary-colored face buttons and a whole bunch of ambient LEDs. That gives it a slightly livelier aesthetic than Retro Fighter's take on the classic design, with the Hunter's translucent chassis simply letting its screws do the talking.

That means the effect seems to wear off by the time we get to the grips, but that RGB lighting looks like it'll be doing most of the talking anyway.

Translucent yearning aside, the T7 Pro has a sturdy lineup of features at its disposal. While those after one of the best Xbox Series X controllers for more competitive pursuits might begrudge those membrane ABXY buttons, the wired connection keeps things zippy and fuss-free, while Hall effect analog triggers still make use of two-stage trigger stops for twitch-reflex movement as well.

That all comes packaged up with four rumble motors and the obligatory back buttons - configurable in the GameSir Nexus software.

If you weren't a child of the transparent Xbox era, though, that's not a feature set that's going to be setting the world alight. For $50, you can also pick up the GameSir Cyclone 2 (now $49.99 at Amazon), the gamepad we rate as the best value on the market. This is a TMR controller (an upgraded version of Hall effect tech), with a wireless 1,000Hz polling rate, a charging dock included, and larger back buttons.

That would be my recommendation if you'd called me as the fun police, anyway. I'm always down to jig with some translucent tech, and the Retro Green T7 Pro manages is certainly calling to a heritage with all the style and vibes of the best retro controllers.

• See all controller deals at Amazon

On the other side of the console wars back in the day? We're also rounding up the best PS5 controllers and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers for more options across the market.

It's easy to see why the Casio Loopy, a Japanese console with a built-in sticker printer, didn't get an official port of DOOM. That hasn't stopped enthusiasts in the past, though, and the '90s 32-bit system that once targeted girl gamers with its lilac getup and library of "cosy" and romantic cartridges now runs id's ultra-violent boomer shooter.

I'm well used to seeing absurd DOOM ports, but the 1995 Casio Loopy wasn't on my bingo card (cheers for highlighting, Hackaday). You've got developer Throaty Mumbo to thank, as they took it upon themselves to acquire the retro console (something I've yet to do), and get the MS-DOS shooter running using a "Floopy Drive".

Yes, I snorted at the name too, but the Floopy Drive is effectively an open-source flash cart for the Casio Loopy. After trying out some other homebrews, like "Floopy Bird" and the DOOM/Wolvenstein 3D-inspired "Anarch", the dev decided to take a crack at making an actual DOOM port inspired by the SNES version of the shooter.

Throaty Mumbo sadly doesn't document the actual Casio Loopy DOOM port development, but they do show off the results. The developer started off by making a version for an emulator before trying to run it using the Floopy Drive, and while the first attempt was a bit slow and lacked MIDI audio, two days' extra work seemed to do the trick.

Of course, getting DOOM running on something like the Loopy isn't child's play. Notably, Throaty Mumbo says while the game and Casio's retro console both use MIDI, the shooter uses a different sound font (Roland SC-55), meaning drums and other layers are out of sync. To combat this, the dev seemingly went through each instrument, then narrowed things down (sadly with help from Claude AI) to pick out more appropriate tones.

The result is naturally far blockier looking than if you used an actual MS-DOS PC, but it's pretty much on par with the SNES version. That's a mean feat given the Loopy doesn't have access to a co-processor like the Super FX chip built into Nintendo's cart. What I'm more impressed with is the approach to audio, as Throaty Mumbo ends up modding the Floopy Drive to also support PCM sound effects on top of the MIDI tracks.

That in itself involves using a Raspberry Pi RP2040 board in conjunction with a PCM5102 for analogue conversion to the cartridge pins. Having previously even wrestled with my custom Windows 98 PC and Soundblaster 16 sound card regarding running both MIDI and sound effects without conflicts, I am pretty shooketh that a Casio Loopy can pull it off with a bit of modding.

As a finishing touch, the developer whips up a custom label for the DOOM cart, which really brings out the pastels of the console's shell and buttons. The ultimate cherry on top, though, is using that integrated sticker printer to make a cursed screenshot, which is then added to a scrapbook with the other more fitting girly pop shots.

I've never been more tempted to grab a Casio Loopy, especially since it's one of the only consoles I don't already own. I reckon I may have to swing past by friend Alan at Forgotten Worlds in Stewarton, Scotland to see if he's got the oddball machine in stock, and if that happens, I'll absolutely be looking at playing DOOM and printing kawaii pictures of every Cacodemon I encounter.

Swing by the best retro handhelds for ways to play classic capers on the go.

I've been dreading potential Super Pocket price increases for a while, and AI component demand finally made it happen. While the cartridge-based retro handheld's creators, Blaze, say they "absorbed rising costs across manufacturing, components, and freight for as long as possible," the portable and its carts will become more expensive in the UK and Europe.

In an Evercade cartridge and Super Pocket annoucement, Blaze CEO Andrew Byatt breaks the news by saying, "I wanted to speak directly to our customers," regarding pricing changes for both regions. Byatt clarifies, "This is not a planned price rise, and it is not a decision we have taken lightly," but confirms that absorbing cost increases is "no longer feasible."

The specific price increases will see Evercade cartridges increase from £19.99 / €24.99 to £24.99 / €29.99, while the Super Pocket will jump from £49.99 / €59.99 to £59.99 / €69.99. Byatt adds that the "memory and flash storage costs have risen sharply," something that is "affecting the whole consumer electronics market, including gaming."

It's worth noting that, at the time of writing, I'm still seeing Super Pocket models for their original MSRP at Amazon. The Rare Edition (the one with Banjo-Kazooie) is still available for £49.95, and the Technos Edition remains the cheapest at £42.95. I suspect the hikes will kick in once the retailers' current stock depletes, so keep that in mind if you've been thinking of grabbing one.

Naturally, news of price increases sparked by AI data centre demand isn't news at this stage. RAMageddon is ripping its way through the entire games and entertainment industry, driving up once sacred console MSRPs higher as components like RAM become scarce. The fact it's impacting even a low-spec handheld like the Super Pocket, though, demonstrates that even some of the cheapest systems aren't safe from the storm.

I'm not sure I like framing this as a "bright side", but if you're in the US, Evercade cart and Super Pocket prices are staying the same. You could say that's because US players were already paying more for the gadgets since they were previously hit with turbulent tariffs, but Blaze's CEO reveals "recent tariff reductions have helped us offset some of the pressure."

The timing of this Evercade price increase news is unfortunate. Sure, other systems like the Evercade VS-R, EXP-R, and Evercade Alpha are safe. However, with news of Sony's plans to kill off physical PS5 games causing a ruckus, many players will be looking to bastions of physical gaming like the Super Pocket as an ecosystem jumping-on point.

Personally, I'm not convinced the price increases serve as a reason not to buy a Super Pocket right now. Even at £60 / €70, it's still pretty affordable and will set you back less than a new Switch 2 or PS5 game. Plus, its lineup of over 500 games across numerous physical boxed releases is only going to grow, and even 3D classics like Tomb Raider and Banjo-Kazooie (currently via the Super Pocket Rare Edition) are increasing in number.

Price increases suck, so this is certifiably bad news for anyone looking to start an Evercade collection. Despite this, Blaze reassures its player base that it'll continue to "remain focused on what we believe matters: physical products, officially licensed games, curated collections, no subscriptions, no complicated set-up and a growing library for players and collectors."

The next big Evercade release on the cards for 2026 is the Super Pocket Activision Edition, and while the price hike will put a damper on things, I reckon it's curated collection of third-party Atari classics will go down well. It'll then be all eyes on the shiny new, 3D-focused Evercade Nexus, and we can only hope the handheld scene stabilizes by the time October hits.

Swing by the best retro consoles for premium remakes and emulation systems.

It feels like a given that Ayaneo would make a premium Game Boy Advance clone, but its latest teaser all but confirms plans for an OG remake. Dubbed the Konkr Pocket Advance, the newcomer apparently pays tribute to "a legendary handheld that defined the golden age of portable gaming," and that certainly sounds like Ninty's 2000s portable to me.

In a teaser post, Ayaneo frames the Konkr Pocket Advance as the retro handheld remake fans have been waiting for. "This time, we pay tribute to a true icon," claims the admittedly vague announcement, which almost feels like it's throwing self-shade at the new Ayaneo Pocket Micro 2. That portable instead borrows cues from the Game Boy Micro, just like the same suggests, so all the emphasis on the word "Advance" with this newcomer feels like an obvious nod to the 2001 version.

Of course, since the teaser includes no actual images of the Konkr Pocket Advance, there's no guarantee it's a clone of Nintendo's first 32-bit handheld. The branding ties to a long lineage of models, and we could end up with another clamshell clone of the GBA SP not unlike the Anbernic RG35XXSP. I'm personally hoping that doesn't transpire, as the OG horizontal bat-wing design doesn't get enough love in 2026.

For those of you out of the loop, Konkr now serves as Ayaneo's "budget" handheld brand. It's supposed to serve as a line between affordable Android emulation systems and beefier premium gaming handhelds like the Ayaneo Flip DS. That said, the company has blurred that line with releases like the Ayaneo Pocket Micro 2, as it starts at $239 and places more emphasis on luxury with its CNC shell and Snapdragon 865 chipset.

For the Konkr Pocket Advance to truly "pay tribute to a true icon", it will need to nail a few key things. At the top of that list is price and availability, as handheld fans are already worried the portable will be limited to 100 units just like the Pocket Micro 2. It also needs to aim for the same MSRP range as the Anbernic RG34XX, even if that means sticking with specs that stop at PS1 emulation.

Nailing the "Advance" aesthetic could also make or break the next Konkr handheld. All the hints sound like we're getting a modern Game Boy Advance remake, and if that's the case, getting the details right will be crucial. Ultimately, many players will be looking for something that feels like GBA to use, but boasts a bright and vibrant modern screen paired with elevated controls, and those should be ingredients rather than a completely new formula.

Take a peek at the best retro consoles if you're putting together a classic gaming setup in your living room.

I'm well used to seeing the Game Boy camera used in all sorts of kitschy, weird ways. I even brought mine to my family's Christmas get-together, and let me tell you, no one is recognizable in the snaps. So, upon hearing that someone managed to strap the old Nintendo handheld and accessory combo to a telescope and to take a photo of Jupiter from millions of miles away, it's safe to say I was baffled that it worked.

In an email to Time Extension, director, musician, and video game enthusiast Chris Graue presents a bizarre contraption that attaches Ninty's retro handheld and the Game Boy Camera to the Mount Wilson Observatory in California. Created in collaboration with camera and electrical department professional Drew van Oort, the project takes the 2BitToy Game Boy Camera specifically and makes it compatible with C-mount lenses.

"According to the GBC Astrophotography community, I've got the record for the longest lens and furthest object photographed with one," claims Graue. That's hardly surprising given we're talking about using the Observatory's 60-inch telescope as a lens to shoot something in space.

Can I take a moment to remind you we're talking about a four-bit greyscale, 128-pixel camera based on tech from 1998 taking a photo of Jupiter? Hilariously, the telescope it's using as a lens is even older, as it was seemingly first built in 1908. To actually pair the retro handheld with the scope, Graue says they 3D printed a 1.25-inch tube that combines with adapters to suit the 4-inch eyepiece (provided by Geovanni the "telescope man").

In a video documenting the project, Graue first attempts to snap a photo of the moon. It takes some twiddling, but eventually, he ends up with something that's not just white pixels. However, that apparently wasn't ambitious enough, as the telescope is then shifted to face Jupiter, and while the field of view is limited to the planet's edge, you can just about make out the stripes.

You've probably noticed that Graue isn't using a stock Nintendo handheld. It's actually using a backlit screen not unlike the Game Boy Color AMOLED touchscreen I used to mod my handheld, and it's wearing a striking green and orange shell. The getup is really just for vibes, but swapping out that original DMG non-backlit screen is essential if you want to stand a chance of seeing a distant planet like Jupiter. That said, Graue also uses an original Game Boy printer to get a physical copy of the photo, which feels more magical than looking at it on a modern panel.

The takeaway here, as Graue puts it, is "yes, if you're committed enough, you too can take a picture of Jupiter with your Game Boy Camera." The musician has even included the 3D print files for the aforementioned adapter, just in case you have access to a telescope bigger than my house.

This is certainly one of the wildest use cases for the Game Boy Camera I've come across yet. While Graue's project is inspired by the scene's commitment to keeping the accessory in use, it also doubles as promotion for his band, Louser, and its latest tour. So, if you appreciate bananas projects, the least you can do is go check out the pop-punk band.

Swing by the best retro consoles for ways to play your favorite oldies on authentic hardware.

Pour one out for the Lenovo G02, as the controversial retro handheld is now dead and buried. By that, I mean there should be no signs of the device on Chinese marketplaces like AliExpress and Alibaba, but if you look hard enough, you'll see it lurking in the shadows.

Lenovo caused quite the stir with its scrappy retro handheld back in May. Not only did many think it was a "fake" portable wearing the brand's well-known tech branding to dupe players with a faux sense of quality, but Retro Dodo later highlighted that the device was indeed real and being loaded with most likely illegal ROMs by third-party sellers.

In an update, Retro Dodo claims the Lenovo G02 is officially gone from retailers, but I suspect it has nuked the branding alone (cheers, Time Extension). While you'll no longer find anything originally tied to the Lenovo brand, even after a cheeky sub-brand name swap to dodge some of the original heat, I'm still seeing identical 4.5-inch Linux portables at AliExpress with swapped-out branding.

In truth, this is exactly what I thought would happen with the G02. The brand previously clarified that the retro handheld wasn't a first-party device, and the branded product wasn't intended to be sold outside of China. Simply put, unlike something like the Legion Go S, this portable likely existed before Lenovo's involvement, and the badge on the box was due to licensing rather than any sort of manufacturing or distribution involvement.

Of course, the real controversy with the G02 Retro handheld lies with its games. As I've covered before, it's common practice for third-party sellers to buy portables like the likes of Anbernic in bulk, then include a dodgy microSD card loaded with unlicensed ROMs. That becomes an issue when you're then presented with a household tech name like Lenovo upon powering on said portables, as that then places the brand within proximity of piracy.

Just to be clear, there's no reason to suggest Lenovo actively allowed third-party sellers to include illegal ROMs with any handheld tied to its brand name. The company says that it "does not authorize the sale of this device outside of China, including third-party platforms such as AliExpress or other reseller sites. Any such sales are not conducted or sanctioned by Lenovo or its authorized licensees."

That ultimately means the listings at Aliexpress and Alibaba came from elsewhere, and the models still live potentially have zero ties to Lenovo or its branding. In theory, that means models like the "new" New GUSGU H7 won't feature the Lenovo intro splash screen or packaging of the G02, making it just like the other crummy emulation handhelds at Amazon and Chinese retailers.

Don't get me wrong, I love scrappy consoles (that's why I was excited to introduce everyone to Sony's cancelled PS1 inside a DualShock last week.) However, the G02 serves as a reminder that the world of retro handhelds can feel a little rogue, and you're better off sticking with portables that have been tried and tested.

Check out the best retro consoles for classic system remakes and emulation boxes.

The Nintendo Switch is dead; long live Nintendo Switch. As my least-favorite console of the last decade, entombed in its dock until my fiancée decides to finish The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, I'm surprised by how sentimental I feel in the wake of Nintendo's latest announcement. Sales of the original Switch family in the UK and Europe will cease in early 2027, just in time for the last-gen console's 10th anniversary.

It's darkly poetic that a console should die a month out from its birthday. But this is no true death. Rather, I see the end of its reign in EU markets as a step toward a new future – one where the Switch OLED, Lite, and classic editions are forever enshrined among other discontinued consoles that can still be enjoyed today. And yes, that means the OG Switch is officially retro.

Down but not out

Hear me out before you hunt down my email or unload your vitriol in the comments section. We are living in a very strange new world when it comes to gaming trends and markets. What's new is too expensive, and what's old is too viable to dismiss.

The price of a new Nintendo Switch 2 console has risen globally by $30-50 since its launch last summer. Xbox Series X consoles have seen an even steeper price hike in recent months, while a brand new PS5 Pro has risen to almost $1,000 in Sony's latest round of retail refreshes. The global RAM shortage and other side effects of the AI boom are the culprit here. To top it all off, the impending cessation of physical PS5 game discs by 2028 will see Sony embracing a digital-only future that will suck for everyone.

Not only are gamers being priced out of their own hobby, the element of choice in how we collect our games is suddenly being eroded. There's something slightly heartening, then, about Nintendo's decision to sunset its original Switch.

It’s easier to be kinder to discontinued consoles. They shift from being a site of active and ongoing critique, whether it be a price hike or something as industry-quaking as threatening physical ownership altogether, to historical time capsules. It's probably what's making me look upon my own classic Nintendo Switch with a little more softness as I anticipate the fact that this, too, shall pass.

And pass, it must. It's the natural way of things, and it doesn't mean a console is immediately no longer fit for enjoyment. I remember when the Nintendo DS Lite was discontinued. The 3DS had been booming for three years by that point, but instead of demanding a new handheld for my 19th birthday two months before I went to University, I held on to it. Why would I replace something that still worked fine?

My DS Lite – a limited edition silver and black model with the Guitar Hero logo emblazoned on the front – still sits in my bedside drawer. The charger cable is more of a charger tangle at this point, stiff and yellowed with age, though perfectly capable of re-juicing the decades-old handset whenever I please. I break it out for the odd visit to The Sims 2's Strangetown or to feed my Nintendogs from time to time. Someday, I hope to copy my friend: years after receiving a classic DS for Christmas when we were just 11 years old, she passed it down to her son as his one and only device when he turned six. His friends are definitely jealous, even the iPad kids – the dual screens and stylus combo is just as exciting today as it was in 2004, apparently.

Old and still gold

Games consoles as heirlooms sounds like a strange concept. But each and every one is a piece of technological history. The best DS games are just as playable now as they were in 2006. Given the formatting demands of a DS game, many can't be accessed on any other family of consoles. They're windows to the past, allowing us to experience the simplicity of days gone by, and I wouldn't part with my DS Lite or PS2 for anything.

But unlike the DS Lite or PS2, you might not view the Switch as a retro console yet. You'd be right about that in theory. The Switch doesn't quite meet the textbook definition of retro just yet – just like the PS4 or Xbox One, the more appropriate term might be last or past-gen. But with tech specs having always lagged just behind Sony and Microsoft's since it launched in 2017, the line between "retro" and "last-gen" is blurrier than ever. The latter infers an inherently unfavorable comparison to current gen consoles, outdated in the face of modernity. Retro proudly claims neither. It refuses to compete, and therefore becomes cool again.

Maybe it's not time for Switch to be considered retro, but in my mind, it's felt old-school since 2020. As new games get pricier and consoles have fewer marked improvements justifying each generational leap, our notion of retro consoles needs to evolve past the point of "something 15 years old or more". What's so different about my mother's friend's husband gifting my brother his old PS1 back in 2001 and me hoarding my old Nintendos for the kids I don't have yet? Both are examples of video games as precious commodities being passed down to – you guessed it – the next generation. It just so happens that when a console gets discontinued, it only gets more special because of the memories you have attached to it.

Check out the best Switch games to play on your OG console right now in 2026. Who needs new ones, anyway?

Blaze just announced an Activision edition of the Super Pocket, and it's for all of you who wondered why classics like Pitfall aren't on the Atari version. You could say that there are just so many gems by the publisher that they deserved their own handheld, and while that's partly true, the publisher is also hoarding a bunch of my favorite 2600 games.

Coming in at the usual $69.99 / $59.99 via HyperMegaTech, the Super Pocket Activision Edition is dressed like a homage to Pitfall. It's wearing a magnificent five-stripe trapezoidal rainbow that borrows design cues from that platformer's box art while using the publisher's original logo color scheme. It certainly looks like something that's packed with 34 licensed '80s classics, and the list includes romps by another big Atari developer.

Yes, it's got Pitfall, its "Lost Caverns" sequel, and River Raid for some scrolling shmup goodness. The entries I'd grab this retro handheld for, however, are by Activision's old third-party rival, Imagic. Any time I fire up the Atari 2600+ or my janky old original, I end up reaching for carts like Demon Attack, Dragonfire, and Moonsweeper, and this portable means I can play those anywhere I'd like.

• Barnstorming - Activision
• Beamrider - Activision
• Boxing - Activision
• Checkers - Activision
• Chopper Command - Activision
• Cosmic Commuter - Activision
• Demon Attack - Imagic
• Dolphin - Activision
• Dragonfire - Imagic
• Enduro - Activision
• Grand Prix - Activision
• H.E.R.O. - Activision
• Kabobber - Activision
• Kaboom! - Activision
• Keystone Kapers - Activision
• Laser Blast - Activision
• MegaMania - Activision
• Moonsweeper - Imagic
• Oink! - Activision
• Pitfall! - Activision
• Pitfall II: Lost Caverns - Activision
• Plaque Attack - Activision
• Pressure Cooker - Activision
• Private Eye - Activision
• River Raid - Activision
• River Raid II - Activision
• Robot Tank - Activision
• Seaquest - Activision
• Skiing - Activision
• Sky Jinks - Activision
• Spider Fighter - Activision
• Stampede - Activision
• Starmaster - Activision
• Thwocker - Activision

Naturally, there are more Activision releases on the new Super Pocket than Imagic, and you could probably release a separate version of the latter. But given that games from both publishers are absent from many handhelds and modern retro consoles, I'll take what I can get. Plus, if you're making a point of collecting all of Blaze's Evercade models, this one is going to stand out within the current lineup.

Just like those other models, the Super Pocket Activision Edition boasts all the same budget handheld bells and whistles. You're still getting a serviceable 2.8-inch IPS display, a circular d-pad, four face buttons, and an admittedly cramped set of shoulders around back. It's also one of the last bastions of physical gaming since it has a cartridge slot for Blaze's expansive Evercade collection, which provides it with access to over 500 other outings.

In fact, if you prefer the Activision version's striking '80s getup to the primary colors of the Super Pocket Rare Edition, you could pick this one up instead and still have access to Banjo-Kazooie come October. Yes, it'll run early 3D games just like every other Evercade console, and if you're patient, you'll even get Banjo-Tooie in the same collection.

The Super Pocket Activision Edition lands September 28, but it may take a while for pre-order links to show up worldwide. It'll arrive just before the Evercade Nexus, Blaze's flagship handheld that boasts thumbsticks and beefier specs for the increasing number of 3D romps entering its ecosystem. Every handheld and console will run the same games, though, so you'll have options that won't make your bank account flinch.

Take a peek at the best retro controllers and treat your console to a new pad.

Turns out even the Sega Dreamcast isn't safe from the horrors of AI, as the tech appears to be messing with promotional keychains. While engaging in the usual social media doom-scrolling, my thumb came to a halt upon seeing a bastardized version of the retro console, its controller, and VMU, all of which featured garbled text and weird button glyphs.

Currently live at the Sega Shop, the offending Anime Expo Dreamcast keychains in question are actually really cute. They pay homage to the publisher's last best retro console contender, its accompanying controller, and a VMU with a Chao sprite from Sonic Adventure. That's enough to sell me on what would be an excellent collectable for my Sega collection had AI not destroyed the details.

At a glance, you might not realise anything is wrong with these Dreamcast keychains. Upon zooming into Sega's logo, though, it becomes apparent that it's not using real letters, instead wearing a vague cursive-shaped line that has been altered by AI. The buttons on the controller are particularly offensive, with the "B" looking more like a messy circle.

Upon auditing the site for other instances, I found that most of the accessories featured in the Anime Expo range and the general store weren't altered by AI. There's even another Dreamcast keychain that, despite using heavy grain, appears to be an image with untouched details. There is one other offender, though, and it's a set of Crazy Tazi air fresheners that have already flagged for gen AI shenanigans.

Previously highlighted by Danny8bit on X, the Crazy Tazi air fresheners in question suffer from the same garbled text as the Dreamcast keychains. In an attempt to replicate the issues, the site SEGAbits ran the art through gen AI tools and ended up with the same sort of image after using real artwork. This is all neatly summarized in a Time Extension report from last month, and it gives me hope that AI isn't directly making the artwork for the merch.

It appears that the issue lies with Sega taking real product images and using AI to place them on specific backdrops. By doing so, the apparent tools are doing more than just cutting out objects and popping them on top of an orange background, or hanging them from a car mirror in the case of the Crazy Taxi air fresheners, resulting in undesired alterations to details AI simply can't regenerate.

I'd be appalled if the above Dreamcast keychains show up IRL with AI-generated details, and I do suspect these are "placeholders". That's no real excuse, but it is one being increasingly used regarding game assets during development. Crazy Taxi: World Tour has already come under scrutiny for seemingly using the tech, so I'm hoping a legendary gaming brand I care deeply about isn't about to fall down a big artificial slop rabbit hole.

Take a peek at the best retro controllers for new gamepads with a classic feel.

Turns out there's an appetite for Commodore's Callback flip phone, and the so-called "dumbphone" has apparently matched the C64 Ultimate in first-month sales. That's quite the feat given that we're talking about a device that used to cost $500 before being reduced to $400, but the microcomputer lover in me has an eyebrow firmly raised at the company's reaction to the achievement.

In a post to X, the Callback 8020's pre-order stats are described as "The biggest moment in Commodore's modern history!" (thanks, Time Extension). Don't get me wrong, I actually think the flip-phone has the potential to help people avoid the horrors of social media while still being "connected", but I can't help but feel bad for the machine that marked the brand's resurrection.

Yes, you could argue that if it weren't for the Commodore 64 Ultimate, the brand would be stuck back in the '80s, serving as an immortalised alternative to the best retro consoles. At the same time, releasing things that aren't just microcomputers makes sense when it comes to the overarching "grow Commodore" battle plan.

Still, I am worried about the underlying taste the Callback 8020 is potentially leaving in the mouths of retro gaming fans. Again, I am looking forward to seeing what a flip-phone that's anti-doomscrolling can deliver to those of us looking to escape our aggressive social media rectangles, but at the same time, it's getting off on the wrong foot with some of its marketing tactics.

For starters, Commodore seems to have a nasty habit of using AI for its Callback 8020 promotional videos. That's certainly a guaranteed way to get my back up, even if it claims to use the tech "sparringly". It's also coming under fire for creating a garish crossbody holster for the flip-phone that feels more like a gag than something you'd pay $24 for, not to mention you can grab very similar accessories on AliExpress for half the price.

I'll still be looking to try out the Callback 8020 if I can, as I do think it's important to see if Commodore's additional tech boasts the same quality as its microcomputer range. Plus, while the brand is currently raving about its phone, I'm sure it's aware that most of its fan base is eagerly awaiting the C64C Ultimate variant, and maybe, just maybe we'll see something Amiga-shaped in the future too.

Swing by the best retro handhelds for ways to take your classic collection on the go.

Using new controllers with retro consoles might sound sacrilegious, but I'd argue modern gamepads can classic setups. Not everyone cares about using authentic accessories, and while I have a massive collection of original gamepads, even I like to kick back with something modern and comfortable that cuts the cord from time to time.

I've been showing people how to use new controllers with retro consoles for decades, and it's now remarkably easy. It feels like only yesterday that I had to conjure up convoluted combinations of adapters or mod systems to grant them modern gamepad abilities, but now, it's as simple as grabbing the right adapter or dongle.

Whether you simply want to use your DualSense with every retro console, or you're looking to grab one of the best retro controllers made today for a specific system, I've got you covered. There are plenty of wireless adapters out there that will pair modern PlayStation and Xbox pads with systems spanning back to the PS1, Sega Genesis, and even NES, and there are workarounds for platforms without an original port dongle.

Choosing a contemporary pad for your old console

I know many of you with a modern console won't have to think about grabbing a controller specific for your retro console. If you've already got a PS5 Dualsense, Xbox Wireless, or even a Switch 2 Pro controller to hand and are hellbent on using it, you're already prepped to pair it with a bunch of old systems.

That said, if you're looking for a pad specifically for a retro setup, you'll want to consider connectivity before grabbing a random controller. Largely speaking, I'd advise sticking with gamepads that use Bluetooth connectivity, as these will boast the best compatibility and lower latency with the wireless adapters and "Retro Receivers" that work with old controller port standards.

Modern Xbox controllers and PlayStation pads like the DualSense use "low energy" Bluetooth when connecting to PCs or smartphones. This is different from the "classic" Bluetooth 2.1 standard used by the DualShock 4 and the Wii U Pro, but that accessory can still connect easily to most adapters and dongles. Things start to get tricky when it comes to the first versions of the Xbox One gamepad, as those rely on a proprietary wireless connection.

Simply put, you will need either "classic" or "BLE" Bluetooth for controllers to work with retro console adapters. Only version three of the Xbox One gamepad (model 1797) will work since it uses the latter, but even accessories using wireless protocols can throw compatibility hurdles at you. For instance, the shiny new Switch 2 controller uses BLE, but Nintendo decided to modify the protocol to block compatibility with other devices.

The good news is that, as long as the gamepad is using Bluetooth, workarounds are on the table. In fact, I've already worked out how to use the Switch 2 GameCube controller with a Blueretro Bluetooth adapter, and it's all thanks to speedy open-source updates via its creator.

Alternatively, there are purpose-made wireless controllers that come with a 2.4GHz adapter. These gamepads will work natively with your old systems since they plug straight into OG ports, and the dongle will translate the signal to something the console's pinout understands. While Bluetooth adapters work in a similar way, using 2.4Ghz can facilitate lower latency since it doesn't have to deal with processing more complicated protocols.

Of course, the above mainly applies if you're aiming to play wirelessly. If, for whatever reason, you'd rather stick with a wired gamepad, you can do so using specialist adapters. However, your options will be pretty limited compared to if you stick with Bluetooth or a specific 2.4GHz controller with its own dongle.

Dongles, adapters, and retro receivers

Providing you've got a Bluetooth controller to hand, or something purpose-made for your old system, we can get thinkin' about sync'n. If you've got a gamepad that fits into the latter box, like the Retro Fighters Hunter for Xbox or even an 8Bitdo M30 2.4Ghz, you'll still be pairing your pad to its dongle in the same manner as standalone Bluetooth options, so bear that in mind if you're confusingly staring at blinking lights right now.

I'll focus on the Bluetooth side of things first, as you'll need to grab the right adapter for your console. The two brands I'd primarily focus on are 8Bitdo and Blueretro, as both make a bunch of dongles that will plug straight into most mainstream systems. There are absolutely gaps, and availability can be spotty on some models, but most of the biggies have a receiver option or a modern gamepad of some kind.

The pairing premise with every adapter I've tried is the same across the board. Each dongle will normally have a sync button designed to find your controller when placed into pairing mode. 2.4Ghz receivers are normally quicker at picking up gamepads since they have their own dedicated channel, whereas Bluetooth pads can take a few seconds.

Naturally, the process of putting your controller into pairing mode will differ across models. Getting the DualSense to pair involves holding the "Share" and middle "PS" buttons until the light bar flashes, whereas the Xbox and Switch 2 Pro controllers have a dedicated sync button at the top that you hold for three seconds.

The big caveat here is that if you pair a Bluetooth controller like the DualSense to something like a retro receiver, you'll then need to repair it with your PS5 afterwards and vice versa. This is one of the main reasons I end up picking up separate retro controllers rather than using one gamepad for every system, as while it only takes a few seconds every time, it's still an extra step in the retro setup rigmarole.

Circling back to wired controllers, the process still involves popping an adapter in your console's port. The difference is that gadgets like the Brook Wingman for SNES have a USB port on the front, allowing you to hook straight up using a cable. Yes, using one of these should, in theory, minimize latency caused by the wireless protocol side of things, but there's naturally still a translation layer to convert inputs to the pinout. Plus, the Super Nintendo version of this adapter is the only one I can find right now, so you won't be doing this with every console.

2.4Ghz vs Bluetooth controllers for retro consoles

Speaking of latency, you might be wondering if there's a huge difference between 2.4Ghz vs Bluetooth controllers when it comes to retro consoles. Having tested both types of wireless pad side by side to measure latency, I can confirm there is a difference, but it's not as impactful as you'd perhaps think.

To get some sort of measurement, I used slow-motion camera footage of my CRT to measure the input delay in milliseconds using the Gulikit Elves 2 Pro and an 8Bitdo Sega Genesis Retro Receiver versus a 2.4GHz M30 gamepad on the same console. The latter was undeniably quicker, registering button presses within 4ms on average. Its Bluetooth rival measured in at 18ms, which is a sizable difference on paper, but didn't feel especially laggy during real use.

In all honesty, if you absolutely need pinpoint precision button presses for speedrunning or serious play, you won't want to be using a wireless controller anyway. Original wired gamepads will ping presses through the controller port pins within a millisecond, so modern pads aren't going to beat that. If you absolutely need to cut the cord, though, 2.4Ghz is the snappiest option, whereas Bluetooth is perfectly serviceable for most players.

What about charging?

There's one massive drawback when it comes to using modern wireless controllers: how do you charge the thing? Your retro console certainly isn't going to provide your pad with enough juice, and even if you could somehow plug a USB cable into your wireless adapter, you'll need an alternative power source to hand.

If you're planning on using the likes of the DualSense with both your PS5 and retro consoles, then you could just ensure you stick to a charging schedule when it's near the modern system. That doesn't solve the issue of playing and charging, though, and for that, you'll really need to use a separate USB power source near your setup. In the past, I've actually grabbed a power bank so that I could keep playing when out of juice, as it felt less awkward than using a power brick and a trailing cable.

I should note that if you count the PS3 and Xbox 360 as retro consoles (they are 20 years old, after all), then those can actually charge your pads. That's largely a PSA for anyone with a Retro Fighters Defender, as while it won't have access to power when paired with a PS1 or PS2, Sony's third console can charge via its front USB ports just like it would with a DualShock 3.

Things to consider

There's nothing stopping you pairing new gamepads with any old system you like using the above methods. However, you'll really want to consider whether each pad is suited to your retro console of choice in terms of ergonomics and features.

For instance, some controllers will have a flat design more in line with early '90s NES, SNES, and Mega Drive pads, whereas others will include modern grips. I find that when playing more contemporary shooters and genres designed with at least the DualShock 2 in mind, playing with something that resembles pads of the era helps provide a more comfortable experience, not to mention the triggers usually feel more suited.

There are also specific features that could hamper functionality in specific consoles. The GameCube serves as the perfect example, as while its analogue triggers aren't used across its entire library, staple adventures like Super Mario Sunshine to take advantage of pressure sensitivity. So long as you think about some of the finer perks and quirks tied to each system and pad before diving in, you should be ready to have an excellent time playing classic games using modern-day buttons.

Take a peek at the best retro handhelds if you'd rather take your collection on the go.

It turns out Sony had plans for a battery-powered PS1 crammed inside a DualShock controller, and it would have been a plug-and-play precursor to the PlayStation Classic. Armed with a memory card slot and a moulded composite video cable, it would have provided the Brazilian market with a way to play ten classic games via a memory card, but "Sony Licensing couldn't get their act together about the royalty terms."

Dubbed the PlayStation PUGA, the retro console Dualshock hybrid features in a talk by legendary game developer Brian 'Biscuit' Watson. Hosted at The Retro Collective vintage computing museum in Chalford, UK, the ex-DMA Design dev spills the beans on their 40-year-long career within the industry, which includes his time at Sony working on PS2 emulation and the cancelled PS1 plug-and-play prototype.

"Yes, it's a PlayStation controller, but it's a PlayStation controller with PS1 inside of it," explains Biscuit as he shows off the prototype. "It worked off batteries; it was specifically for the Brazilian market, because they had import restrictions, so the consoles you could only get on the grey or black market there," adds the Scottish developer.

Elaborating on why the "PUGA" was intended for Brazil, the industry veteran explains that by manufacturing the PS1 plug-and-play in the country, "you got around a lot of their import regulations." This is a strategy that has been used throughout console history, with the likes of Sega teaming up with Samsung to make Mega Drive and Master System consoles in South Korea due to Japanese import bans.

Sadly, Biscuit says the prototype he has to hand no longer works as he doesn't have the software to get it out of debug mode. When it was functional, though, the developer says, "it really was working really well! We had about ten games on a 4GB card," but laments that the project was ultimately cancelled due to licensing issues.

"The unfortunate problem is that Sony licensing couldn't get their act together about the royalty terms for each of the games." That is to be expected when dealing with third-party developers, and Bisucit touches on Rockstar and "a few other places" wanting too much in terms of royalties. However, the dev says that "even if it was a Sony game, they had to negotiate with a separate unit of Sony, and they were never happy about how much royalties they were getting."

To add salt to the wound, Biscuit says that due to the cheap MSRP, the royalties would have been roughly 10 cents per unit, but the internal disputes were enough to end development. "I almost left Sony over that one," he admits, while revealing that it's the first project he worked on that was cancelled.

Delving into specs, the developer reveals that it uses a TI-OMAP 3530 system-on-a-chip with an ARM CPU, meaning it's effectively an older version of the MediaTek MT8167A chipset within the PS1 Classic. While it also appears to have a DC jack in the centre next to its composite video cable and memory card slot, it also has space for four AA batteries around back, and that's apparently enough to keep it running for 20 hours.

Yes, the PlayStation PUGA sounds like it'd be closer to one of those cheap plug-and-play consoles from the 2000s shaped like SpongeBob or a questionable Spider-Man appendage. Yet, the software was later used in the Sony Xperia Play, and I can't help but feel like Sony was doing more to provide access to the classics even in the early 2010s, even if that phone hybrid was a flop.

Given the news this week that Sony will end PlayStation disc production in 2028, it feels like it won't be returning to more physical ideas like the PUGA or even the PS1 Classic anytime soon. Yes, the company's mini console has its issues, but it and its cancelled plug-and-play predecessor at least felt like more of an effort to preserve some sort of offline physicality, and that's something we'll desperately need as we sail to an always online digital future.

Check out the best retro handhelds if you're itching to play PlayStation classics on the go.

PlayStation just got a taste of its own medicine for choosing to end physical PS5 discs in 2028, but it's not Xbox getting revenge. Instead, it's Evercade cartridge maker Blaze taking shots at Sony with a satirical homage to the company's "this is how you share your games on PS4" campaign, and the gag has never been more relevant.

Just like the original PlayStation video from 13 years ago, Blaze has shared a "This is how you share a game on Evercade" tutorial on its social channels. In the clip, the retro handheld maker's head of communications, Sean Cleaver, hands a physical copy of the Neo Geo collection to marketing manager Ben Grunbaum. The result? Absolute cinema.

Naturally, this video is just a bit of fun, but it serves the same pro-physical media purpose as the 2014 clip with former PlayStation president Shuhei Yoshida (who just shared a Steam Machine review, FYI) and then vice president Adam Boyes. Just like if Microsoft went through with its DRM plans that would have tied physical Xbox One games to an internet connection, ditching discs altogether brings an end to simply handing friends and family the games you paid for.

I can say without a doubt that if it weren't for borrowing games from friends, renting from video stores, and buying second-hand, I would not be in this job. Gaming as a hobby would have been financially out of the question in my working-class household, and that's why I will fight to keep physical media alive and advocate for preservation.

Of course, if any modern retro console maker were going to start shouting about physical media in response to Sony, it'd be Blaze. We're talking about a company that has built its own physical cartridge ecosystem over six years, and there are now over 500 ports of games spread across multiple cased releases with their own manuals.

Not only that, but Blaze has managed to create a specific piece of hardware for every playstyle that will work with its carts. The range includes everything from the very affordable Super Pocket, the same handheld that just got Banjo-Kazooie via a Rare Edition, to an Evercade VS-R home console designed for your TV, and even an Evercade Alpha bartop arcade machine that puts its rivals to shame thanks to its physical game support.

Naturally, Blaze is a different beast to PlayStation, and while there's crossover when it comes to retro games, Sony's platform is arguably more complex. That's not to say I think it has a right to end physical media, but it will have a bunch of reasons at the ready for an all-digital future, some of which will include controlling what you do with your games.

Where Blaze could really benefit from taking the physical media fight to Sony is by releasing more classics that you could also buy on a PS5. You can already buy even some of the PS1's biggest hits for your Evercade, including the Tomb Raider Trilogy, so the retro console maker could snatch players who'd normally buy said oldies in disc form.

The Evercade could also become a haven for Indie games, especially since it already has a bunch of collections by Mega Cat Studios and Bitmap Bureau, and since the upcoming Evercade Nexus boasts beefier specs, it could welcome more elaborate outings to its library. I'll be keeping a close eye on the company as we sail towards an all-digital mainstream future, and I'm hoping remaining physical rivals throw Sony's plans off course.

Take a peek at the best retro controllers if your old system needs a fresh pad.

Sorry, 3DO fans, but it looks like the underdog '90s console isn't getting a comeback after all. While resurrected publisher Empire Interactive was originally set on "remastering retro games" and eventually figuring out how to bring back the hardware itself as a mini system, it turns out the company lacks the required rights.

In a downbeat black and white Linkedin post, Empire Interactive explains why the recently announced 3DO project is now cancelled. "After careful consideration, we have decided to abandon both the console production and the idea of remastering retro games," announces the publisher before explaining, "the reason for this decision is the emergence of multiple parties claiming ownership rights over both the games and console manufacturing process."

This is the part where I pretend to be surprised that the 3DO revival isn't happening, and I figured remaking the best retro console contender would be a minefield even if it does go ahead. After all, the hardware itself was originally made by third parties like Panasonic and LG, and it turns out Empire Interactive has only acquired the rights to "The 3DO Company."

In an email to Time Extension, Empire Interactive's newfound "founder", Işık Şekercigil, admits, "We acquired the rights to The 3DO Company brand, not the 3DO console brand. Although they may seem identical, they are legally different." The publisher's boss then explains that the trademark is registered "under The 3DO Company and is limited to the game development and publishing category. It does not include console manufacturing or any hardware technology development."

Yes, the 3DO is the tangled spaghetti monster of rights and trademarks you'd expect given how many entities were originally involved. It sounds like Empire Interactive indeed only has "The 3DO company" name established by EA founder Trip Hawkins under its belt, rather than any specific games or consoles.

Whether that name even covers releases published by The 3DO Company in the 2000s, like the Army Men games or Portal Runner for the PS2, remains to be seen. However, Empire Interactive says, "Given the niche nature of this market and the likelihood of prolonged legal disputes, we have chosen not to engage in lengthy legal proceedings. Instead, we will focus our efforts on developing our own next-generation games."

Effectively, it sounds like any plans for projects with the 3DO branding are now dead in the water. The other rights owners contesting Empire Interactive's claims, Throwback Entertainment and former Limited Run CEO Josh Fairhurst, may yet shed further insight into who owns what. Nevertheless, if you're itching to try the failed OG '90s console for yourself, your best bet is to check out how to connect a retro console to a new TV or monitor and dust off the real deal.

Swing by the best retro handhelds if you'd rather play 3DO classics outside this summer.