Prime Day retro deals can really help you put together a classic console setup, but you admittedly need to be savvy with how the sale works. While you can jump into the event and pick up bits and bobs, discounts on systems, handhelds, controllers and accessories won't always be staring you in the face. Luckily, I'm well-versed in where to look, and what exactly to pick out, so I figured I'd lend you those skills live as the offers roll out.
The biggest piece of advice I can give when trying to grab the best retro consoles and setup bits this Prime Day is to focus on all the small things. That's not just a Blink-182 reference; it also means that if you target the low-priced enhancements for your setup, you'll end up with more meaningful savings. You're more likely to get a real discount right now on retro controllers, accessories, and tech that isn't being ravaged by RAMageddon and AI-driven component shortages, whereas price cuts on expensive retro handhelds and systems may simply reduce prices to near "normal."
If we're lucky, we'll get real Prime Day retro deals this year with the big red badge slapped on them. The good news is if that fails to happen, I'll still be here showing you ways to grab cool classic gaming stuff for less, and that includes highlighting stealth discounts, new-old-stock that could soon vanish and end up astronomically expensive 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
My go-to OG Xbox controller isn't discounted, but it's a cheaper alternative to the X25
Your main reason for picking up the Retro Fighters Hunter should be to play games on the OG Xbox. It comes with a 2.4Ghz dongle specifically for the retro console, after all, but it also includes a USB adapter for modern machines. I'd try to wait for some discounts to kick in, but this green translucent gamepad could be a nice alternative to Microsoft's special edition X25 if you're simply looking for something with transparent 2000s vibes.
Retro Fighters Hunter wireless controller | $59.59 at Amazon
I really want Big Deal Deals to bring Banjo Kazooie Super Pocket bargains
The Super Pocket Rare Edition isn't just a Banjo-Kazooie handheld, but the bear and bird are likely the reason you want one. It's currently the most expensive of the budget Evercade handheld bunch, although there is a listing that'll let you nab it for $69.99, which happens to be the same price as its siblings. I'm really holding out for proper discounts on this punchy little portable, though, and if it ends up under $60 for Prime Day, I'd snatch it right up.
I love real PS1 memory cards, but this one can act like 60,000 of them (?!)
No, really, the modern-day PSxMemCard, an accessory that uses an SD card to store game saves, will give you 60,000 PS1 virtual memory cards. It can also act like up to 8,000 PS2 cards, and as someone who still has a big pouch of them for my setup, that's absolutely bananas. Virtually unlimited retro console storage isn't the only reason to keep an eye on this gadget over Prime Day, though, as it also comes with FreeMcboot preinstalled, and that will help you play backups, homebrews, and bypass pesky region locks.
PSxMemCard Gen 2 for PS1/PS2 | $37.99 at Amazon
My "Jack of all trades" retro controller is back with a worthwhile extra
The Gulikit Elves 2 Pro currently wears my best retro controller overall crown, and that's largely thanks to its fantastic, comprehensive design that suits consoles from across the generations. On its own, it's perhaps not ideal for DIY emulation setups since it uses Bluetooth, but thanks to a bundle, you can grab the gamepad with a Goku 2 Wireless Adapter that'll let you sync up to systems with less than 3ms latency. The offer means you're pretty much getting the dongle for free, and it's the version I would have picked up if it were an option (grumble, grumble).
Gulikit Elves 2 Pro + Goku 2 wireless adapter | $35.93 at Amazon
Is Big Deal Days a big deal for retro gaming?
Whether you call it Prime Day or "Big Deal Days" as Amazon now likes to dress it, it's hard not to feel disillusioned by the retailer's sale. Readers consistently ask me if the event will actually feature worthwhile retro gaming gadgets, and while it can cough up the goods, you shouldn't get too caught up looking for exclusive offers. I'd argue the period is best spent looking for sneaky discounts and prices readjusting themselves to stealth record lows, as not every bargain will either be wearing a big red badge or be hiding behind a subscriber wall.
Keep an eye on this PS2 HDMI upscaler
Plenty of cheap adapters will help you hook your PS2 up to newfangled displays via HDMI, but most suffer from the same shaky deinterlacing symptoms. It's a caveat you'd previously just have to deal with if you wanted to plug the 2000s system into something that isn't a CRT, but the GBS Control (or GBS-C for short) is an HDMI upscaler that kicks those jitters to the curb while letting you scale RGB signals for supported retro consoles up to 1080p.
It's not the HDMI I'd upscaler for every retro console out there, but it's certainly a fantastic option for the PS2 specifically that could end up even better value during Amazon's October Big Deal Days event.
GBS-C HDMI upscaler | $89.90 at Amazon
Spruce up your PS2 setup
Again, I'm still waiting for Big Deal Days to actually kick off, but I figured I'd start thinking about retro setup starter packs. This one is specifically for those of you looking for how to play PS2 games, as there are quite a few gadgets I'd immediately jump on to give Sony's second system a modern second wind. I'll also pluck out each individual accessory and dive into why it's worth grabbing, but here's a shortlist to get you started.
8Bitdo Retro Receiver | $24.99 at Amazon
PSXMemcard | $39.99 at Amazon
Retro Fighters Defender | $54.95 at Amazon
GBS-C HDMI upscaler | $89.90 at Amazon
Readying up for Retro price cuts
Hey all, Phil here!
It's once again time for me to roll up my mom jeans and get ready to wade in the Prime Day muck for some decent retro price cuts. I suspect we'll see actual discounts once Big Deal Days officially starts tomorrow, Tuesday 6, but the early bird often gets the wriggliest retro worms. Simply put, there's a chance we'll find sneak savings ahead of the actual subscriber event that'll save you thinking about it for the rest of the week, and if you're trying to dial in your classic console setup as the spooky season commences, then you'll grab a beverage and join me.
