Prime Day retro deals have been a mixed bag this year, but now that Big Deal Days is in its final stretch, we could see new discounts emerge. There's no guarantee that Amazon will price cut additional consoles, handhelds, controllers, and acessories today, but that is its pitch for this year's sale, and if it is giving us more to enhance our classic gaming setups with, it will be before midnight tonight.
I've actually been digging through Prime Day for anything tied to the best retro consoles since Monday. The start of the week served as day zero, so we're technically on day two of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days 2026, and I've already managed to pluck out retro handhelds and some excellent retro controllers. The trick here is to not get bogged down looking for massive savings, as with everything being ravaged by RAMageddon and AI data centre impact on components, finding pricer gadgets for less is tough.
I also wouldn't pay too much mind to those big shiny retro deals on Amazon's front page with red badges slapped on them. Yes, some of the gadgets and gizmos I'm looking for may pop up there, but you're more likely to have cheap pants thrown onto your screen than a worthwhile console or handheld. Simply put, you'll want to stick with me for the remainder of the sale, as I'll be showing you sneaky discounts and new-old-stock options that could soon be relegated to a collector's item on the second-hand market.
- Accessories: Replacement shells and cases from $10
- Handhelds: Portable systems from $40
- Consoles: Atari remakes from $100
- Controllers: Gulikit Elves 2 Pro with an adapter
UK
- Accessories: Storage and cables for under £10
- Handhelds: Emulation consoles for under £40
- Consoles: Watch out for C64 Mini deals
- Controllers: GameSir Pocket Taco now under £30
I've been covering all things retro gaming for decades, having previously contributed guides on classic games, oddball handhelds, and more for the likes of the BBC. These days, I spend my time crafting modern ways to play old favorites and getting the most out of your vintage hardware, and that means I'm primed to pick out all the offers that will actually help you revisit history's greatest outings this Prime Day.
Currently playing:
Banjo Tooie, Evercade Nexus
Space Station: Silicon Valley, N64
MediEvil, PS1
Best Prime Day retro gaming deals
When does Amazon Prime Day start?
Amazon Prime Day kicks off at midnight tonight, but discounts have already been popping up. In theory, the proper offers will be saved for tomorrow night, so make sure to check back in if you've not found the right price.
When does Amazon Prime Day end?
This specific Prime Day kicks off on Tuesday October 6, and wraps up on Wednesday October 7, at midnight. You've basically got two days, which used to be the traditional timeframe before Amazon started having a zillion weekly sales a year, to pluck out event-specific savings. As always, though, many of the discounts won't be subscriber-exclusive, so you might be able to nab some after the event.
Do you need a Prime membership for Amazon Prime Day?
Yes, you will need a Prime membership to grab Amazon's subscriber-exclusive offers. The age-old workaround to avoid immediately paying is to sign up for a free trial, but many discounts won't be officially tied to the sale. Simply put, you won't need a subscription for savings without the big red label, and plenty of retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, Newegg, and Woot will be running their own rival events.
Live updates
Round two of Prime Day retro deals
Framing the last stretch of Amazon's Prime sale might sound like a giant moon is going to crash into us. Therefore, in the name of being less dramatic, I'll simply say that since Big Deal Days comes to a close at midnight tonight, you've got until then to settle on any sale-specific savings.
In any case, if you don't know me, I'm Phil, and I deal in all things retro in these parts. I've been sniffing around for consoles, controllers, and accessories you can play the classics with all week, so I'd love it if you joined me for the final chunk of this year's subscriber sale. It's certainly been a mixed bag, but there's a chance fresh discounts could drop today before it all turns back into a pumpkin.
This wireless Sega Mega Drive controller got me out a bad placed (Metropolis Zone)
I'm pretty open about my mental health, and a few months back, I was trying to get faster at completing Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on the Mega Drive as a distraction from life. Originally, I was using my OG six-button pad, but while I regularly refurbish my gamepads, it admittedly needed a redo. Simply put, trying to make it through Metropolis Zone was absolute hell, so I decided to give a box-fresh 8Bitdo M30 a try.
To my absolute surprise, I felt like the M30 actually enhanced my skills in the blue blur's second outing. That's why I keep sending the Bluetooth version to my pals this Prime Day, as with 20% off, it's a must-grab for your Sega setup. I would have preferred it if the 2.4GHz version was discounted since that will save you using a Retro Receiver and technically features lower latency, but hey, I know most of you will be using modern emulation setups or your Switch anyway.
8Bitdo M30 Bluetooth controller | $29.99 $23.99 at Amazon
No FlipPad, no party
I really can't get my head around the lack of 8Bitdo FlipPad discounts right now. Prime Day feels like the perfect chance to entice players to turn their phones into Game Boys, yet the USB-C accessory stays firmly at full price. Its resistance to price cuts means its main rival, the GameSir Pocket Taco, is now cheaper; while that pad doesn't feel quite as premium, it offers standalone Bluetooth connectivity.
8Bitdo FlipPad | $29.99 at Amazon
GameSir Pocket Taco | $34.99 $27.99 at Amazon
Retroid Pocket 5 stock is allegedly depleting
I'm not sure how much I buy into the "only 16 left in stock" red warning messages at Amazon, but given that the Retroid Pocket 5 is being reduced to clear, it could be dwindling. Its current 12% discount helps it serve as a more affordable premium handheld compared to its rivals and own Pocket 6 successor, and there's a chance that by the time Black Friday retro deals roll into town, this punchy portable will be long gone.
Retroid Pocket 5 | $219 at Amazon
Since you all keep asking about Count Pac-Man...
I've got a lot of weird stuff in the office, and some of you have been asking about my spooky pie-shaped assistant. I actually picked up this adorable wee Vampire Pac-Man plush directly from the toy retailer Toynk last year and had him shipped from the US all the way to sunny Scotland. However, the plush seems to have now made its way to Amazon, so you can grab the coin-ops Count for far less than I did, and I can confirm he's an excellent lil guy for your game room.
Toynk PAC-MAN Halloween Vampire plush | $17.99 at Amazon
What's your favorite retro console?
I know we're all here to dig for Prime Day deals, but I'm pretty sure many of you would rather just share your love for retro consoles and classic games. Therefore, I want to know what your personal favorite system from yesteryear is, as I love hearing from readers about their specific setups and experiences throughout the years. We've got a lovely comments section down below where you can share your own story, and I might even delve into some specific examples and look for gadgets that'll suit your needs.
I need more people to know about the OSSC
The OSSC, or Open Source Scan Converter, is well known within retro gaming enthusiast circles. However, I'm not convinced players and readers at large are fully familiar with what it can do for your classic console setup. Yes, it will benefit systems that support RGB video output, like the SNES and Sega Genesis/Mega Drive the most, but it will take those old visuals, use line doubling to enhance the resolution, and give you a super clean and punchy signal with next to no lag.
Yes, it's an investment compared to cheap HDMI adapters, but the results speak for themselves. The OSSC is one of the few gadgets that I'd always recommend you pick up during Prime Day, as for under $100, it's going to provide you with top-tier 1080p visuals that will keep your old consoles feeling fresh and accessible if you've upgraded your TV.
OSSC HDMI upscaler | $111.99 $89.59 at Amazon
My go-to PS2 upscaler has also been Prime Day'd
I primarily use the OSSC for upscaling retro console visuals, but there's a specific reason I use a GBS-C with the PS2. Sony sequel system largely outputs 480i, and weaving "interlaced" lines of visuals into solid frames your modern screen understands can result in jittery, distracting visuals. While the Open Source Scan Converter sticks with Bob deinterlacing that specifically causes the shaky visuals, the GBS-C features motion adaptive de-interlacing that helps stabilize textures and background assets that would normally be jumping all over the place.
GBS-C HDMI upscaler | $89.90 $71.92 at Amazon
One of these days, I'll buy this tiny Burger Time arcade machine for my kitchen
Woot is hellbent on getting me to put a countertop Burger Time arcade machine in my kitchen. I would be all over this deal at Woot that brings the Quarter Arcades machine down under $100 if I actually had the space, but as things currently stand, there's barely enough room for my toaster in my shoebox-size space. Therefore, I need anyone who grabs this adorable cabinet to let me know so I can be jealous, as I know from my time with the Bubble Bobble version that this funny functional tiny machine hits all the right notes.
Numskull Quarter Arcades Burger Time | $249.99 $84.99 at Woot
I'm not seeing any fresh deals on day two
Despite Amazon claiming new deals would drop each day during its October Prime event, I'm not seeing anything fresh on the retro gaming front. All the discounts I'm coming across were around yesterday, so I'm sceptical on whether the retailer will serve up anything new. That's no one's fault but the online giant, and given that we're in a cost of living crisis, I feel like it could be doing more to help players enhance their setups.
8Bitdo's beautiful N64 controller is still hiding at Woot
If you love the original N64 controller's vibe, but really can't stand the trident grips that seemingly require three hands, 8Bitdo has you covered. Its grey N64 Bluetooth controller is still available at Woot with a pretty respectable 22% off, and those colorful buttons really complement the contemporary, yet authentic, take on Ninty's OG gamepad design.
8Bitdo N64 Bluetooth controller | $44.99 $34.99 at Woot
I'm pretty salty about the C64 Mini
For years, the original C64 Mini was my go-to system for quick and easy access to the microcomputer's classics. The fact that it was under $50 for a pretty long time at Amazon helps, and the arrival of the brilliant but pricey Commodore 64 Ultimate reinforced my love for the tiny plug-and-play alternative.
I am a bit peeved that the OG beige version has been virtually replaced by the black version at Amazon, and the latter isn't getting any Prime Day discounts. It's admittedly cheaper than its full MSRP, but still sitting higher than the older version was in previous years. You'll still get largely the same emulation-based machine with some homebrew games included instead of commercial releases, but I'd rather the original was still available.
C64 Mini Black Edition | $65.98 at Amazon
Is using a DualSense with the PS2 blasphemy?
Look, I reckon I'm something of a retro gaming purist, but I completely get the desire to play old games with a new controller. Luckily, you can pair new-fangled gamepads like the DualSense to the PS1 and PS2 using 8Bitdo's excellent Retro Receivers, and while the one of Sony's systems specifically has yet to receive a Prime Day discount (everyone say booo), there are versions for other consoles with discounts.
8Bitdo Retro Receiver for PS1/PS2 | $24.99 at Amazon
More Retro Receivers at Amazon
All the retro console deals are waiting for Black Friday
With every October Prime Day that passes, it becomes increasingly clear that it's supposed to be a minor prelude to Black Friday. At least, that's the case now that margins on gadgets are slimmer, meaning brands are reluctant to consent to multiple big price cuts in a year. As a journalist who's been involved in this sort of thing for over a decade, I really think we need to approach Amazon's sale differently, but my tl;dr on that is that if you want bigger discounts, you'll want to wait for Black Friday retro deals to kick in at the end of November.
Yes, you can use the new GameCube controller with a real GameCube
From the moment I clapped eyes on Nintendo's new GameCube controller, I was to use it with a real GameCube. Originally, I was planning to use 8Bitdo's Retro Receiver, but that was before I realised the Switch 2 has a screwy new protocol that blocks the pad from working. Thankfully, the open-source Blueretro Bluetooth adapter ended up saving the day with support, and it's still the dongle I use to this day.
For this one, you'll want to stick with AliExpress, as Amazon isn't very good at discounting Blueretro accessories. There are listings, but they are double the price, so I'd patch Prime Day and just grab it cheaper elsewhere.
Blueretro GameCube controller adapter | $13.74 at AliExpress
This isn't a Super Pocket deal
No, really, that red deal badge on the Amazon listing might lead you to think the Super Pocket is discounted, but it really isn't. In fact, if you take into account previous price hikes, you're paying more compared to at launch, and the Capcom version has specifically dipped to $59.99 in the past.
This isn't really Blaze's fault, as Evercade US listings at Amazon are pretty scrappy. If you're after a Super Pocket and prices are stuck at MSRP, I'd suggest just going straight to the company's FunstocksUS storefront since that'll cut out the middleman. In any case, I need you to ignore that "lowest price in 30 days" badge, as it's pretty misleading, to say the least.
Super Pocket Capcom Edition | $69.99 at Amazon (full price)
You can already grab Hyperkin's upcoming SupaBoy handheld for $10 less
Hyperkin is set to release two new SupaBoy handhelds in what is effectively a relaunch of the old SNES portable. You'll need to wait until the end of the month for the two new flavors, but if you're not fussed about colorways, the previously released blue and pink "Hyper Beach" version is actually available now and $10 cheaper.
As far as I'm aware, the new handhelds will use the same design as the previous SupaBoy. Therefore, you shouldn't be losing any compatibility or features by going for the 2021 version. I'll hopefully be testing the new revision when it's available, but if you do fancy taking a punt on this portable, you can do so right now.
Hyperkin SupaBoy Hyper Beach edition | $119.99 at Amazon
Will retro consoles end up cheaper AFTER Prime Day?
It sounds absurd, but there's every chance that Prime Day will wrap up and some retro consoles, handhelds, and accessories will show up for less. Not every brand or seller is working to Amazon's schedule, and while you should be getting the deepest discounts during the event, I've absolutely witnessed rogue deals in previous years after things wrap up.
What I will say is that any current discounts that are explicitly tied to the sale will likely go back up in price, but they shouldn't get cheaper. If that happened, it would completely defeat the point in the event at all, and even as things currently stand, it's purpose is a little questionable.
I've been eyeing up this SNES controller for a while, and Prime Day might give me a push
I either use a real SNES controller, some cursed third-party job from my collection, or the 8Bitdo Retro Receiver and Gulikit Elves 2 Pro. Things are fine that way, but I have been thinking about introducing a dedicated SN30 wireless controller into my setup just to change things up. Availability is sometimes spotty on these, but you can actually grab 20% off the transparent black and green versions thanks to Prime Day, bringing them down to a nicer sub-$25 price.
8Bitdo SN30 SNES controller | $29.99 $23.99 at Amazon
Side note: thank you for reading my retro ramblings
In between scrolling for retro-related deals, I just wanted to say a massive thank you to any of you who regularly read our classic consoles and handhelds coverage here at GamesRadar+. The internet is a bit of a weird place right now, and it's harder than ever to get all the right reviews, news, features, and even sale-related live blogs like this to the right players.
Your support is valued, and while it feels like Skynet is about to do its thing, I'll continue to provide your feeds with in-depth retro console coverage, ramblings about old games, and everything in between. For now, though, let's see out Prime Day and keep an eye out for any unexpected discounts that are actually worthwhile.
See more retro gaming gadgets at Amazon
