Retro Gaming & Emulation
Nostalgia hits different on a handheld with 10,000 games
Dive into the golden age of gaming with emulators and retro consoles. Play NES, SNES, Game Boy, PS1, and arcade classics on your computer, phone, or a dedicated handheld. Rediscover games that defined genres, find hidden gems you missed, and experience the pure gameplay focus that modern games sometimes lack.
How to start
- 1Download RetroArch (free, multi-platform emulator) on your PC, phone, or tablet
- 2Find legally available ROMs — many classic games have been released as freeware
- 3Start with iconic titles: Super Mario World, Chrono Trigger, or Tetris
- 4Configure controls — a USB or Bluetooth controller makes a huge difference
- 5Explore curated 'best of' lists for each console to find hidden gems
What you'll need
- Computer or smartphoneEssentialFree
- RetroArch (free emulator)EssentialFree
- USB/Bluetooth game controllerNice to have~$25
- Dedicated retro handheld (e.g., Anbernic)Nice to have~$60
Where to learn more
Plot twists
Ways to spice this up when the basics get boring.
- Challenge yourself to beat a notoriously hard NES game
- Randomize a classic RPG with a randomizer mod for a fresh experience
- Host a retro game night with friends using local multiplayer
- Try gaming generations you missed — discover the Sega Saturn library
- Play fan translations of games that never left Japan
Retro games are designed for short sessions — most have instant save states so you can pause and resume anywhere. No cutscenes, no tutorials, just pure gameplay.
The original Game Boy sold over 118 million units and was so durable that one famously survived a bombing in the Gulf War and still works today.
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