The Best Modern Retro Consoles of 2024

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Whether you're nostalgic for a bygone era or want to experience a period of gaming that's older than you are, playing retro games on modern hardware is easier than ever. Best of all, there's a platform to suit every taste, budget, and form factor.

• PlayMaji Polymega

  Best Retro Console Overall See at Polymega

• Retroid Pocket 3 Plus

  Best Pocket Emulator $160 at Amazon

• Steam Deck OLED

  Best Retro Gaming Handheld $550 at Steam

• Xbox Series X

  Best Retro Gaming Home Console $445 at Amazon

The State of Retro Gaming in 2024

You're spoiled for choice when looking to play retro video games. There's no need to purchase dedicated hardware since you can use a PC, Android smartphone, Mac (especially the new Apple Silicon models), or your Raspberry Pi to scratch the nostalgic itch.

But buying (or building) something purpose-built for gaming has its benefits. This is especially true if you want to go the handheld route, with pocket emulators and handheld gaming systems hitting their stride since the launch of the Nintendo Switch in 2017.

You may also be able to repurpose some of your existing gaming hardware for retro purposes. This gives you a choice between playing the latest releases and dipping into old favorites, all on a single piece of hardware. That way, you've always got one main device to play on, whether it's portable or connected to the TV in your living room.

There are also options for collectors who value owning games in their original format, whether that's a cartridge or CD. Generally speaking, these mediums outlast the original hardware on which they were designed to be played. The sands of time are not kind to old silicon, and repairs can be costly and beyond the scope of many owners.

Hardware emulation is one area that purists may want to explore. If you crave an authentic experience that mirrors the original hardware to the point where software emulation simply isn't good enough, there are DIY and ready-built projects designed just for you. Budget,