Best games consol for occasional gamers

[SonicHedgeHog]

Back in the day we had an X Box and spent far too much time playing Wallace and Grommit and a winter sports game whose name escapes me. Yesterday my wife hinted she might like a new games console so we can relive 20 years ago. Trouble is I haven’t a clue where to start. We just want to buy a few games and play. We don’t want serious online gaming with in-game purchases and a million things to learn before you can get started. Just pop in a disk, press play and have a bit of fun. Help!

[Pistom]

You have a wife who wants to play retro computer games with you.

I want to make it clear, this is not making fun of you but that must be awesome.

It's a pastime I've always had to do on my own.

Sorry, I can't help with a suggestion but hopefully someone here can.

[Normodog]

https://lightningmodzuk.co.uk/product/v2-5xl-elite...

This will be all you'll ever need for retro multiplayer gaming.

[Luke.]

Nintendo Switch gives you a massive backlog of SNES, N64, Gameboy games and even the Megadrive for notta lotta cash.

https://www.nintendo.com/us/switch/online/nintendo...

https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/sega-ge...

[Defcon5]

Likewise the Xbox with game pass gives you access to a large back catalogue of previous Xbox games

A word of warning though - only 2d platformers are worth revisiting

Don’t try and play syphon filter, or goldeneye however good you remember them being.

[AB]

Normodog said:

https://lightningmodzuk.co.uk/product/v2-5xl-elite...

This will be all you'll ever need for retro multiplayer gaming.

That looks good, do you have one?

I'm tempted.

[pistonheadforum]

AB said:

Normodog said:

https://lightningmodzuk.co.uk/product/v2-5xl-elite...

This will be all you'll ever need for retro multiplayer gaming.

That looks good, do you have one?

I'm tempted.

That's a bit expensive - cheaper versions are available. Check out Wicked Gamer and Collector on Youtube for different (cheaper) equivelants.

[pistonheadforum]

Nintendo Wii or Nintendo Wii U and a couple of classic games.

[Sporky]

I'd second the Switch. Plus it works as a handheld.

[Normodog]

pistonheadforum said:

AB said:

Normodog said:

https://lightningmodzuk.co.uk/product/v2-5xl-elite...

This will be all you'll ever need for retro multiplayer gaming.

That looks good, do you have one?

I'm tempted.

That's a bit expensive - cheaper versions are available. Check out Wicked Gamer and Collector on Youtube for different (cheaper) equivelants.

I do have one, it's ace. I went for this due to the ongoing support from Lightningmodz.

They have a members Facebook group that the company monitors so that any snags can get ironed out. Based in Scotland and seem like a top bunch of guys.

It works for me as I don't have the time to download and curate my own collection, with this everything works well like an official console.

[Jamescrs]

nuyorican said:

I bought an N64 and a Wii from a charity shop a few years back to scratch my retro gaming itch.

To be honest, I bought a few games, DOOM, Resident Evil, Mario Kart, Super Mario 64 etc, and then never played them. But at least the whole lot only cost me abut £30. I suspect it might be the cables and adaptors that make the old tech work with a new TV. that put me off. Might try again for the winter.

Considering getting a Switch just for a more elegant all in one solution. Would the Switch play the Wii games too?

A switch won't play Wii games, it does have some similar options such as a sports game similar to Wii sports and if you buy a Standard or OLED switch, and not a Switch lite you do get detachable controllers which can work in a similar way to the old Wii controllers.

I'm not really aware of any consoles which are similar to the Wii, it was very unique.

[Turn7]

Defcon5 said:

Likewise the Xbox with game pass gives you access to a large back catalogue of previous Xbox games

A word of warning though - only 2d platformers are worth revisiting

Don’t try and play syphon filter, or goldeneye however good you remember them being.

Loved Syphon Filter ! Gabe Logan....

[LunarOne]

Amiga emulator and then Lemmings, SWIV, Elite, Stunt Car Racer or Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge.

Or is that too retro?

[Hoofy]

Pistom said:

You have a wife who wants to play retro computer games with you.

I used to play Diablo 1 with my ex-wife. In mass battles it got a bit messy and I've killed her character a handful of times... and have a collection of her ears. I'm sure this contributed to our divorce.

[SonicHedgeHog]

Normodog said:

https://lightningmodzuk.co.uk/product/v2-5xl-elite...

This will be all you'll ever need for retro multiplayer gaming.

Looks interesting. Does it come with all the games pre loaded or do you buy them separately? Also wondering if there is a list of games anywhere?

[C n C]

Jamescrs said:

nuyorican said:

I bought an N64 and a Wii from a charity shop a few years back to scratch my retro gaming itch.

To be honest, I bought a few games, DOOM, Resident Evil, Mario Kart, Super Mario 64 etc, and then never played them. But at least the whole lot only cost me abut £30. I suspect it might be the cables and adaptors that make the old tech work with a new TV. that put me off. Might try again for the winter.

Considering getting a Switch just for a more elegant all in one solution. Would the Switch play the Wii games too?

A switch won't play Wii games, it does have some similar options such as a sports game similar to Wii sports and if you buy a Standard or OLED switch, and not a Switch lite you do get detachable controllers which can work in a similar way to the old Wii controllers.

I'm not really aware of any consoles which are similar to the Wii, it was very unique.

An alternative to the Wii which is easier to connect to modern TV kit would be a Wii U. This connects via HDMI for 1080p video and 6 channel sound output also via the HDMI interface. It is also compatible with all of the original Wii games, and works with the original Wii controllers.

Wikipedia article
Nintendo specs

[Donbot]

Word of warning, every 'retro' console I've played round other people's houses have been ste. Either the selection of games is crap, the emulator itself is crap or the controller is crap. Normally all three.

You are much better off going down the PC emulator route and buying a gamepad. Yes it is a bit of a ball ache and you will have to do a bit of research, but once you have it set up you can play anything.

Eg Duckstation for PS1 or PCSX2 for PS2 etc.

You don't even need a powerful PC / Laptop to run them. Anything modern will do.

Plus you can buy retro games from steam etc.

Edited by Donbot on Sunday 15th September 14:08

[Steven_RW]

SonicHedgeHog said:

Back in the day we had an X Box and spent far too much time playing Wallace and Grommit and a winter sports game whose name escapes me. Yesterday my wife hinted she might like a new games console so we can relive 20 years ago. Trouble is I haven’t a clue where to start. We just want to buy a few games and play. We don’t want serious online gaming with in-game purchases and a million things to learn before you can get started. Just pop in a disk, press play and have a bit of fun. Help!

I'd just buy a nice condition second hand PS4 Pro that is local to you on gumtree or facebook market place. Get one with two controllers and a stack of games. Aim to pay something between £100 (hopeful) to £150 (more realistic but you go for the negotiation). If after 6 months you decide it was a waste of cash stick it back on market place and move it on for nearly the same price.

[Normodog]

SonicHedgeHog said:

Looks interesting. Does it come with all the games pre loaded or do you buy them separately? Also wondering if there is a list of games anywhere?

Everything is pre loaded onto the console, each game is tested and the emulation is great. I know they don't install games if they can't get them to run smoothly.

There are games lists, open the description tab, then click on each console, will bring up the list for each console.

[DirktheDaring]

Pandora’s Box if you want an all in one retro plug and play (just need a monitor).