Top 5 Retro Consoles Worth Collecting
Are you a retro gaming enthusiast looking to start a collection? Or you're curious about the history and value of some of the most sought-after retro consoles. Either way, you've come to the right place! In this blog post, we will explore the top 5 retro consoles worth collecting according to our opinion. We will provide you with the backstory and value of each console to help you decide which is worth adding to your collection.
PSP
The PlayStation Portable (PSP) was released way back in 2004. It was the first-ever handheld console that used an optical disc format and Sony's special Universal Media Disc (UMD) format for games and movies. It was a huge hit and sold over 80 million units worldwide. Nowadays, collectors can't get enough of the PSP because of its cool design and amazing library of games.
Fun Facts about the PSP
The PSP was the first handheld console with Wi-Fi. This allowed users to play online games and download content from the PlayStation Network.
The PSP had an add-on GPS receiver that could be used with navigation software or games like Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.
The PSP had a web browser, which allowed users to browse the internet on the go.
The PSP allowed users to enjoy movies, TV shows, and music from both UMD discs and downloaded files.
The PSP 3000 had a built-in microphone, which could be used for voice chat in online games or recording voice messages.
Wii
The Wii was released in 2006 and it was a massive hit, selling over 100 million units worldwide! This console was the first to use motion controls, which made it popular among casual gamers and families. The Wii had an awesome collection of first-party games, including classics like Super Mario Galaxy and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Even today, the Wii is highly sought after by collectors because of its unique design, innovative gameplay, and its status as one of the best-selling consoles ever.
Fun Facts About The Wii
Code Name: Before the Wii was officially named, the console was known by its code name, “Revolution.”
Wii Sports: The game “Wii Sports” was included with the Wii console in all regions except Japan and South Korea. This game became incredibly popular and is often credited with the success of the Wii.
Wii Channels: The Wii introduced a new feature called “Channels,” which were essentially apps that allowed users to do things like check the weather, read news, browse the internet, and even create caricatures of themselves called “Miis.”
Wii Remote: The Wii Remote (also colloquially called the Wiimote) can be used as a handheld pointing device and detects movement in three dimensions.
Wii Fit: The Wii Fit game and balance board accessory were introduced to keep players active. It was a commercial success and helped establish a fitness-related video game trend.
Game Cube
The Game Cube was released in 2001 and was Nintendo's first console to use optical discs instead of cartridges. It was also the first console with a built-in handle, making it easy to transport. The GameCube featured an extensive lineup of first-party games, including beloved titles such as The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Super Smash Bros. Melee. Today, the Game Cube is highly sought after by collectors due to its unique design, impressive selection of games, and status as one of Nintendo's most beloved consoles.
Fun Facts About The Game Cube
The GameCube is not a cube. Its width and length are close at 5.9 inches and 6.3 inches, respectively, but its height is over an inch smaller at 4.3
It comes with two particular startup sounds. One can be triggered by holding the “Z” button on the startup screen.
The GameCube was the first Nintendo console to use discs to store the games. Unlike other consoles at the time, the GameCube uses small discs instead of full-size DVDs.
Nintendo DS
The Nintendo DS was the first handheld console and featured a dual-screen design, and it was also the first console to include a touch screen. This made it a huge favorite among casual gamers and families. The DS had an extensive library of first-party games, including notable titles like Nintendogs, Mario Kart DS, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, and New Super Mario Bros. Nowadays, collectors highly seek the DS due to its unique design, innovative gameplay and status as Nintendo's most successful consoles.
Fun Facts about the DS
The Nintendo DS is a handheld game console produced by Nintendo, released globally between 2004 and 2005. The Nintendo 3DS succeeded it in February 2011.
Development on the Nintendo DS began around mid-2002, following an original idea from former Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi about a dual-screened console.
The original Nintendo DS console has two 3-inch TFT LCD panels, separate processors, and up to 1 gigabit of semiconductor memory. The lower display of the Nintendo DS is overlaid with a resistive touchscreen designed to accept input from the included stylus, the user's fingers.
The DS is resilient. For instance, Neal Mueller and Chris Grubb took theirs to one of the harshest environments on Earth, the top of Mt. Everest, in 2005. Despite high altitudes, wet conditions, cold temperatures, drops, fierce winds, and the devices constantly spilled food and spices on them by the Sherpas who played with them in the Base Camp kitchen, the DSes worked perfectly.
The DS was initially called City Boy. The name was meant to imply that hip young adults would take their DSes with them as they went to work and play in urban centers daily.
Some retailers featured DS Download Stations that allowed users to download demos of current and upcoming DS games; however, due to memory limitations, the downloads were erased once the system was powered off.
PS3
The PS3 was released way back in 2006, and it was Sony's third home console. It was cool because it was the first console to use Blu-ray discs, so you could play higher-quality games and watch incredible movies. The PS3 had some great games, like Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and The Last of Us. Nowadays, collectors are all over it because it has a unique design and an impressive library of games, and it is Sony's 3rd most successful console.
Fun Facts About The PS3
The Air Force Research Laboratory built the 33rd most powerful supercomputer in the world using the PlayStation 3 networked together.
The PS3 was first announced at the E3 convention in 2005 and finally hit shelves in Japan on November 11, 2006, and in North America on November 17
PCMag, Reddit, YouTube, YouTube, The New York Times (Wirecutter)
FAQ
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A retro console is an old-school video game system you can't find in stores anymore. These consoles are usually more than 10 years old, and they make people feel nostalgic, like remembering good times, mainly if they played them when they were younger or want to see what gaming used to be like.
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Collecting retro consoles can be an excellent and satisfying hobby for a bunch of reasons. First off, you get to have a blast playing old-school games that are still a ton of fun and tricky even now. Plus, you can discover how video games have changed and evolved over time. It's also neat to check out the different looks and unique stuff each console had and how they shaped the world of gaming.
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Starting a retro console collection is pretty flexible, and it depends on what you like, how much cash you've got, and what's around you. Here are a few ways to kick it off:
Go Online: You can shop for these old consoles on websites like eBay, Amazon, or Craigslist. They've got lots of options.
Thrift Store Hunt: Visit nearby second-hand shops, flea markets, or garage sales. Sometimes, you can find fantastic deals or hidden treasures.
Swap with Fellow Collectors: Trade your stuff with other collectors or join online groups and forums. That's where you can pick up tips and tricks from the experts.
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A retro console's worth depends on many things, like how rare it is, what shape it's in, how well it works, how much people like it, and what you like. Here's how you can figure out if a retro console is a gem:
Do Some Homework: Look online to see how much others are willing to pay for that console and how much they want it. That'll give you a good idea.
Check Reviews: Read what fellow collectors and gamers say about it online. Ratings and rankings can help, too.
But at the end of the day, the real value of a retro console is about how much joy it brings you and how much you're ready to spend on it.
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Each of the top 5 retro consoles has a large and diverse library of games that cater to different tastes and genres. Here are some of the best games to play on each console, according to various sources :
PSP: God of War: Chains of Olympus, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core, Persona 3 Portable
Wii: Super Mario Galaxy 2, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Metroid Prime Trilogy, Xenoblade Chronicles, Wii Sports Resort
Game Cube: Resident Evil 4, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Pikmin 2, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Nintendo DS: Pokemon Black and White, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, Mario Kart DS, Chrono Trigger DS, Professor Layton and the Curious Village
PS3: The Last of Us, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Red Dead Redemption, Bioshock Infinite, Batman: Arkham City
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Keeping your retro consoles in good shape is essential to ensure they keep working and looking great. Here's what you can do:
Store Right: Keep them in an excellent, dry spot, far from direct sunlight or hot stuff. And keep away from dust, too.
Clean Up: Use a soft cloth or a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol to clean them regularly.
Handle with Care: Don't drop them, and don't let them get wet.
Cable Check: Ensure the wires and connectors aren't rusty. If they are, swap them out.
Doing these things will help your retro consoles stay awesome for a long time.
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Hooking up your retro consoles to today's TVs can be puzzling because they use different video stuff. Here's what you can do:
Get Adapters: You might need adapters or converters to make them work with your TV's HDMI slot. You can pick these up online or at stores selling retro gaming gear.
Go Retro: If you've got an old TV with the same connectors as your consoles, that's a pretty cool way to keep it old-school and accurate.
Doing these things allows you to enjoy your retro games on modern TVs without hassle.
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Modding or hacking your retro consoles can be a way to enhance their performance, functionality, or appearance. You can do things like:
Installing custom firmware or software to unlock new features or run homebrew games and apps
Replacing or upgrading the hardware components to improve the speed, storage, or graphics
Adding or changing the LED lights, buttons, stickers, or shells to customize the look and feel
However, modding or hacking your retro consoles can also be risky and illegal. You can damage your console, void your warranty, or violate the terms of service. You can also expose your console to viruses, malware, or piracy. You should only mod or hack your retro consoles if you know what you are doing and at your own risk.
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You're in luck if you're hungry for more info about retro consoles and gaming! Check out these places online:
Retro Gamer: This magazine and website is all about the world of retro gaming. You'll find news, reviews, features, interviews, and more.
Retro Gaming Network: This is like a whole bunch of subreddits on Reddit that focus on different parts of retro gaming. You can chat about consoles, games, collections, mods, etc.
RetroArch: Here's pretty cool software – it lets you run emulators and games from all sorts of retro consoles on your PC and other gadgets.
The Retro Hour: Listen to this podcast if you want to hear from retro gaming pros and experts. They chat about retro gaming and what's happening in the scene.
With these resources, you can dive deep into retro gaming and learn a lot of neat stuff. Enjoy!
