Top 5 Retro Consoles Worth Playing in 2026

Retro gaming has never been more popular. Whether you're a lifelong fan or discovering classic consoles for the first time, 2026 is a fantastic year to dive in. Old hardware is more affordable than ever, game libraries are enormous, and there's something genuinely special about the way these older machines play.

At Console Mate, we're passionate about keeping retro consoles alive and running. Here are our top five picks for the best retro consoles worth playing right now.

1. Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)

The SNES is arguably the greatest console ever made. Its library is stacked with all-time classics — Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Donkey Kong Country, Final Fantasy VI, and Chrono Trigger are just the beginning. The 16-bit graphics hold up remarkably well, and the gameplay is tight, inventive, and endlessly replayable.

Original SNES hardware is widely available second-hand, and cartridges are plentiful. If you only play one retro console, make it this one.

2. PlayStation 1 (PS1)

Sony's original PlayStation defined an era. The jump to 3D gaming felt revolutionary at the time, and while the polygonal graphics can look rough by modern standards, the creativity and ambition of the game library more than makes up for it. Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil, and Final Fantasy VII are all stone-cold classics.

PS1 hardware is cheap, robust, and easy to find. It's an essential piece of gaming history that deserves a place in any collection.

3. Nintendo 64

The N64 introduced the world to 3D platforming done right. Super Mario 64 still feels incredible to play. Add GoldenEye 007, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Banjo-Kazooie, and Mario Kart 64 and you have one of the most iconic game libraries in history.

The controllers are famously quirky but deeply nostalgic. If you grew up in the late 90s, the N64 will hit differently than any modern console ever could.

4. Game Boy Advance SP

The Game Boy Advance SP is the best handheld Nintendo ever made before the DS era. The clamshell design is compact and durable, the backlit screen on the AGS-101 revision is bright and clear, and the game library is extraordinary. The GBA plays both original GBA games and original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges, giving you access to over a decade of Nintendo handheld history in one device.

Pokemon FireRed, Metroid Fusion, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, and The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap are all must-plays. If you're travelling, the GBA SP is the perfect companion.

5. GameCube

The GameCube is Nintendo's most underrated console, and prices have reflected that — though they've risen sharply in recent years as collectors wake up to just how good it is. The Resident Evil 4 remake may have introduced a new generation to that story, but the original GameCube version is still a masterpiece. Add Super Smash Bros. Melee, Metroid Prime, Wind Waker, and Luigi's Mansion and you've got a console that punches well above its weight.

The controllers are some of the best ever designed and are still sought after for competitive Smash Bros. today.

Where to Start

If you're just getting into retro gaming, we recommend starting with the SNES or PS1 — both offer incredible value, massive game libraries, and hardware that's easy to find and maintain. If you want something portable, the Game Boy Advance SP is hard to beat.

Console Mate stocks parts, accessories, and cables for all of these platforms. Whether you need a replacement power supply, new AV cables, or a fresh battery pack, we've got you covered — same day dispatch, shipped from Australia.