The ultimate mini console guide
22.9.2026
Translation: machine translated
From the NES Mini to the Playstation Classic to the Game Gear Micro â an overview of the most exciting and most superfluous re-released retro systems.
Around ten years ago, the release of the NES Mini kicked off a retro and mini-console hype that continues to this day â albeit in a weakened form. Time for an inventory of the best, the less-than-good, and the most interesting devices.
In this list, you will only find official releases that appeared as ready-to-use plug-and-play systems with several pre-installed games. I have excluded consoles or handhelds with interchangeable cartridges, such as the Evercade, because these devices are difficult to categorize.
You also won't find any entries here for Raspberry Pi DIY kits, re-releases of old consoles like those from Analogue, or those strange all-in-one products with 12,000 games on them, which I still don't understand how they are allowed to be sold legally.
I rate the consoles using emojis on a scale of 1 to 5: the included games (quality and quantity), the appearance of the hardware, and the cultural relevance, i.e., how important the original system was to the industry.
C64 Direct-to-TV (2004)
Source: Tulip Computers
The Commodore brand was passed around more often than a joint in a youth center band room. At the turn of the millennium, it briefly belonged to the Dutch company Tulip Computers, which willingly "rented" out the license. In 2004, this resulted in the C64 Direct-to-TV. The casing was based on the Competition Pro joystick of the 80s. There is no corresponding console.
30 games are pre-installed, including "Impossible Mission" and "Summer Games". "Turrican" is missing, as are "Last Ninja 2" and "3".
As one of the first devices to meet the criteria of this list, the C64 DTV certainly has significance. However, Commodore fans will find better alternatives.
Game selection: đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸
Design: đđ
Cultural relevance: đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸
Sega Arcade Legends Volume I - III (2004)
Source: Radica Games
Sega followed up shortly after. The idea is the same: a classic Mega Drive controller with three buttons, with the games stored directly on it. The second edition also included an incredibly ugly plastic block that was apparently supposed to represent a Mega Drive II. Everything feels equally cheap.
Four to six games are found on each joypad. That sounds like little, and it is. "Sonic the Hedgehog 1 & 2", "Altered Beast", and "Golden Axe" are classics. The rest is filler material. "Ecco the Dolphin" is also on there, but only psychopaths like this LSD trip turned into a video game. Fight me.
Game selection: đšī¸đšī¸
Design: đ
Cultural relevance: đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸
Neo Geo X (2012)
Source: SNK Playmore
The luxury car among consoles (games cost up to 30,000 francs) received a handheld re-release in 2012. However, it does not live up to the cult factor of the original: the display is poor and prone to tearing, and the audio quality is also only mediocre. On the plus side, at least one installment of every major SNK series is included: "Metal Slug", "Samurai Shodown II", "Fatal Fury", "Super Sidekicks", and "Art of Fighting". A total of 20 games are installed.
Game selection: đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸
Design: đđđ
Cultural relevance: đī¸đī¸
ZX Spectrum Vega (2015)
Source: Retro Computers
The only thing that gets middle-aged Brits and Digitec colleague David Lee more excited than beans on toast and that trashy sci-fi show with the blue phone booth is the Sinclair ZX Spectrum.
Thanks to the ZX Spectrum Vega, younger generations have been able to dive into the history of the home computer since 2015 and realize: "Wow, that's really few colors."
Back then, however, they were perfectly sufficient. Many British industry veterans took their first steps with the device. Among them are Tim and Chris Stamper, the founders of Rare ("GoldenEye"), as well as "GTA" co-creator David Jones. So, if you are happily cruising through Vice City on November 19th, your thanks also go to the electronics manufacturer from Cambridge.
Variety is also provided: around 1000 retro games await the archaeologically interested gamer, and game progress can even be saved: the Vega is one of the first mini-consoles with save states.
Game selection: đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸
Design: đđđđ
Cultural relevance: đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸
NES Classic Mini (2016)
Source: Nintendo
In 2016, Nintendo provided the blueprint for the perfect nostalgia bait. The NES Mini is cute, well-made, and was immediately sold out everywhere. On online auction sites, the price rose to five times the original, while a debate once again erupted over Nintendo's inability to estimate the market. Also annoying: only one controller is included, and its cable is about twelve centimeters long.
The company, however, does everything right with the game selection: "Super Mario Bros. 1-3" are on it, both "Zeldas", the best "Mega Man", and other historically relevant titles like "Final Fantasy" and "Gradius".
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Design: đđđđđ
Cultural relevance: đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸
Super NES Classic Mini (2017)
Source: Nintendo
Sometimes lightning does strike twice in the same place: with the re-release of the 16-bit console, Nintendo repeated the success of the NES Mini and also showed that in Kyoto, they sometimes listen to fan feedback: this time, two controllers are included, and the cable even reaches the sofa.
Among the 21 games are once again some of the best representatives of the generation: "Super Mario World", "Super Metroid", and "Super Castlevania IV" have all aged excellently. Historians are also happy about the inclusion of "Star Fox 2" â the shooter had never been officially released before.
Game selection: đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸
Design: đđđđđ
Cultural relevance: đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸
Playstation Classic (2018)
Source: Playstation
Sony entered the mini-console business in 2018 with the same enthusiasm I use for dental floss. I tell myself: "Fine then," do a half-assed job, and hope no one notices. But Playstation fans are just as hard to fool as my dental hygienist, which is why the Playstation Classic was being dumped for half the price shortly after its release.
For inexplicable reasons, Sony opted for a plain, standard emulation with an unclean image. Furthermore, some games had the slower PAL versions loaded onto the console, and you will look in vain for customization options or CRT filters, just as you will for the analog sticks on the controller.
The game selection is okay. Provided you can do without classics like "Crash Bandicoot", "Gran Turismo", or "Silent Hill" and would rather play the worst version of "Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six". At least "Final Fantasy VII" and "Metal Gear Solid" are on board.
Game selection: đšī¸đšī¸
Design: đđđđ
Cultural relevance: đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸
Neo Geo Mini (2018)
Source: SNK
Does it work on the second attempt? Still not quite, but it's heading in the right direction. With its arcade design, the Neo Geo Mini pays tribute to its roots and is an absolute eye-catcher. This time, even the screen is decent, and despite its tininess, the little machine feels like it could withstand a moderately aggressive ragequit.
The 40 included games are excellently curated. The best beat 'em up ("Garou: Mark of the Wolves") is included, and the best side-scroller ("Metal Slug 3") as well.
Unfortunately, SNK skimped on the controllers. If you want to fight and shoot with two players, it will cost you another 70 francs. It is also disappointing that the image quality suffers noticeably when the device is connected to a TV or monitor via HDMI.
Game selection: đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸
Design: đđđđđ
Cultural relevance: đī¸đī¸
Sega Mega Drive Mini (2019)
"Genesis does what Nintendon't" â with this slogan, Sega took on Nintendo in the early nineties. Two console generations later, both iconic, both flopped, the declaration of war sounds less like a business plan and more like the moment someone says "Hold my beer" and finds themselves in the hospital shortly after.
But the Mega Drive was a banger. Both commercially and qualitatively, and with a very versatile game library. The 42 titles of the mini version capture that wonderfully. Pretty much everything you would expect is there: "Sonic the Hedgehog 2", "Streets of Rage 2", "Phantasy Star IV", and more cover the Sega side. Added to this are classics like "Road Rash II" and "Earthworm Jim", which gave the console its rebellious profile back then.
Game selection: đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸
Design: đđđđđ
Cultural relevance: đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸
Additional gaming accessories
CHF56.90
Square Enix Sega Hardware Series Bright Arts Gallery Diecast Minifigure Mega Drive
Sega Mega Drive
Capcom Home Arcade (2019)
Source: Capcom
Statistics prove that every household in this world has at least one version of "Street Fighter II" lying around. It is only logical, therefore, that the game is also included on the Capcom Home Arcade, along with 15 other arcade classics from the company. Among them is "Alien Vs. Predator", which had never been officially released for home use until then.
The hardware itself is heavy, bulky, and visually about as subtle as an ESC costume, but it delivers the most authentic arcade feeling of all the devices shown here.
As a curiosity, the Capcom Home Arcade is quite nice. However, the meager game selection, combined with the high price, clearly speaks against a purchase recommendation.
Game selection: đšī¸đšī¸
Design: đ
Cultural relevance: đī¸đī¸
TheC64 Maxi (2019)
Source: Retro Games
In 2018, the C64 Mini was released, which had some teething problems. The successor model did better in 2019: the keyboard is functional, the controller is better, and the games ... unfortunately, they are still not particularly exciting.
Depending on how you count, somewhere between 8,000 and 10,000 games were released for the home computer. Many of them groundbreaking and important. However, only very few of them are among the 64 included. "Boulder Dash" and "Jumpman", for example.
As a simple plug-and-play solution, the Maxi is currently the best option, but only due to a lack of alternatives. Technically savvy fans are better off grabbing the Commodore 64 Ultimate. It doesn't have any games built-in, but it fulfills almost all other wishes.
Game selection: đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸
Design: đđđđđ
Cultural relevance: đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸
TurboGrafx-16 Mini (2020)
Source: Konami
The PC Engine, as the Turbografx-16 was officially called in its Japanese homeland, is interesting for several reasons. The console did not have a regular European release at the time because sales figures in America did not meet expectations. Although the device was officially available for purchase in Great Britain, France, and Spain, the software mostly had to be imported from America. And that was expensive.
Shoot-'em-up fans didn't care. The NEC console holds some of the best specimens of the genre, and many of them can also be found in the mini-console's lineup: "Soldier Blade", "Blazing Lazers", and "Lords of Thunder" provide not only hard-hitting, rock-hard action but also plenty of inspiration for the name of your new metal band.
The adventures of the platform mascot Bonk are also represented, and if you want to know how rudimentary the first two installments of the "Ys" series play, you will find the answer here. Once again, the emulation pros from M2 were on board and did an impeccable job.
Game selection: đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸
Design: đđđ
Cultural relevance: đī¸đī¸
Game Gear Mirco (2020)
Source: Sega
The re-release of Sega's handheld was only released in Japan. You didn't miss much. There are four color variants, each with four different games. True to the name, the screen is tiny, which is suboptimal for reaction-heavy games like "Sonic" or "Shinobi". RPGs with text are almost unplayable.
The Game Gear Micro is more of an accessory than a video game device. At least the thing is cute and looks good as a keychain. Besides, the batteries last longer than 18 minutes.
Game selection: đšī¸
Design: đđđ
Cultural relevance: đī¸
Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros./The Legend of Zelda (2020/2021)
Source: Nintendo
If I had to reduce Nintendo to two series, it would be these two. There isn't enough space here to celebrate all the achievements of these two legendary franchises, and I couldn't add anything new anyway. So, just the facts: there are three to four titles per handheld. The plumber edition comes with "Super Mario Bros." and "The Lost Levels", aka the Japanese original of "Super Mario Bros. 2", as well as a Mario version of the "Game & Watch" title "Ball".
Link provides the better deal: "The Legend of Zelda", "Zelda II: The Adventure of Link", the first Game Boy installment "Link's Awakening", and on top of that, "Vermin" with Link in the lead role. Both handhelds come in the super-chic design of the LCD game consoles from the 80s and are priced according to the "Hey, these 80s kids are old now and have money and can be ripped off" principle.
Game selection: đšī¸
Design: đđđđđ
Cultural relevance: đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸
Sega Mega Drive Mini 2 (2022)
Source: Sega
42 Mega Drive games are not enough for you? Okay, you greedy guts: here are another 60. The successor model by no means has to settle for leftovers. "Out Run", "Golden Axe II", and "Ristar" once again provide the best Sega fodder. Also on board are the real-time strategy pioneer "Herzog Zwei" and the immortal "Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers".
Added to this are some Mega-CD games. Among them the trashy-great "Night Trap". In this FMV game, the goal is to protect a few teenagers in their underwear from ninja vampires by trapping the enemies with crappy "Home Alone" traps. 10/10.
Game selection: đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸
Design: đđđđđ
Cultural relevance: đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸
A500 Mini (2022)
My older brother had an Amiga. Several of my friends had Amigas. Nevertheless, I have never held an original Amiga game in my hands in my entire life. Either my entire environment was criminal, or it was brutally easy to steal the software.
That is not a criticism. Thanks to the poor copy protection, I was able to play "The Settlers", "Cannon Fodder", and "Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis". Unfortunately, none of these games are on the A500 Mini. While some hits like "Speedball 2", "The Chaos Engine", and "California Games" are included, all in all, the selection of the 25 titles is rather meager.
The emulation includes A500 (OCS), ECS, and the AGA chipset of the A1200. Loading your own games onto it is very easy â entirely in the tradition of the original copy protection.
Game selection: đšī¸đšī¸
Design: đđđ
Cultural relevance: đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸
Atari 400 Mini (2024)
Source: Retro Games
Both the Atari 2600+ and its successor model, the 7800+, are actually the better products, but due to the cartridge functionality (no games on the actual system), they cannot be considered for this listicle. 8-bit nostalgics who want a classic mini-system don't have to suffer, however: the 400 Mini delivers exactly that, albeit with some compromises.
25 (plus two hidden) games are clearly too few in 2024, there is only one controller, and the cable is rather short. On the plus side, the price is right at around 70 francs. "Missile Command", "M.U.L.E.", and other included titles are, of course, undisputed video game history â historically relevant and still fun today.
Game selection: đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸
Design: đđđđđ
Cultural relevance: đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸
The Spectrum (2024)
Source: Retro Games
Almost ten years after the Vega, the English hardware manufacturer Retro Games Ltd. is attempting a re-release of the eighties home computer and is doing almost everything right. The emulation is excellent and comes with additional options for personal fine-tuning and a rewind function.
48 games are pre-installed, meaning The Spectrum, unlike its quasi-predecessor, focuses on quality instead of quantity. "Manic Miner", "The Lords of Midnight", and "The Hobbit" should still be well remembered by many fans of the UK system. Or maybe not, after all, that was over 40 years ago, and I sometimes forget what I had for breakfast yesterday.
Game selection: đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸đšī¸
Design: đđđđđ
Cultural relevance: đī¸đī¸đī¸đī¸
Preview
Further retro and mini-consoles are announced for the last quarter of 2026. Given that many of the devices listed above are sold out, it is worth keeping an eye out for them now.
THE A1200
Full-size Amiga 1200 replica with a working keyboard, 25 games ("Turrican", "Beneath A Steel Sky"), and HDMI. Coming at the end of the year.
NEOGEO AES+
SNK and Plaion are rebuilding the luxury block of the 90s: no emulation, but reproduced chips, compatible with original cartridges. Released on November 12th and is at least morally questionable, as SNK now belongs to the Saudi Crown Prince.
My Arcade Gamestation
Retro Go
Handheld with an 8-inch display and over 200 Capcom and Bandai Namco titles. Announced for 2025, postponed to 2026.
Rainer Etzweiler
Freelance Editor
rainer@rockstar.chIn the early 90s, my older brother gave me his NES with The Legend of Zelda on it. It was the start of an obsession that continues to this day.
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