Retro Consoles: Worth Collecting or a Passing Fad?

16 July 2025

Let’s be real for a second — there's something magical about blowing into an old NES cartridge like it’s a sacred relic. (Yes, we all did it, and no, it didn't actually help.) But here we are in the 2020s, and retro consoles are making a bigger comeback than bell-bottom jeans and vinyl records combined. So that begs the big question: _Retro consoles — worth collecting, or just another shiny fad screaming “look at me!”?_

Grab a Capri Sun, pull up a bean bag, and let’s time-travel back to the glory days of pixelated perfection — and figure out if this nostalgia trip is legit or just a money pit.

What Even Counts as a Retro Console?

Before we get too hyped, let’s establish what we’re even talking about here. “Retro” is a moving target. For Gen X, it might be the Atari 2600. For Millennials, it’s the SNES and Sega Genesis. For Gen Z? Believe it or not, PS2 and GameCube are now considered RETRO. (Let that sink in while you clutch your bad back.)

So for the sake of this ramble, we’ll define retro consoles as any system that’s no longer in production and is older than 15 years. That means systems like:

- NES, SNES
- Sega Genesis, Saturn, Dreamcast
- PlayStation 1 & 2
- Nintendo 64, GameCube
- OG Xbox (yes, already!)
- Even handhelds like the original Game Boy and PSP

Nostalgia: The Ultimate Marketing Drug

We don’t collect retro consoles because they’re practical. We collect 'em because they hit us right in the feels. There's just something about that chunky SNES controller or the Game Boy's green-tinted screen that transports you straight back to a simpler time — when your biggest worry was beating that one Mega Man level, not paying rent.

Think about it:

- Remember renting games from Blockbuster?
- Blowing your allowance on used games from Funcoland?
- Swapping Pokémon cartridges at school like they were gold bullion?

For many gamers, owning a retro console is like bottling childhood happiness in plastic and silicon.

The Rise of the Retro Renaissance

In the last decade alone, retro gaming has exploded like a well-placed red shell in Mario Kart. You’ve seen the signs:

- Nintendo dropped the NES and SNES Classic Editions (and they sold out faster than toilet paper during a pandemic).
- Sega released the Genesis Mini.
- Analogue and other boutique companies are creating high-end retro systems with HDMI output for modern TVs.
- And let's not forget the explosion of Raspberry Pi-based emulation stations.

Even game companies are catching the nostalgia train. Who needs new IPs when you can repackage 25-year-old games and slap on a “Remastered” sticker?

Reasons Why Retro Consoles Are Worth Collecting

Alright, now let’s get into the meat and potatoes. Are retro consoles worth actually collecting? Here’s why we think the answer is a resounding heck yes.

1. Original Hardware = Authentic Experience

Playing Super Mario World on an original SNES is like listening to Zeppelin on vinyl — there’s a texture to it. The feedback, the clunky plastic, the CRT fuzz — it’s all part of the charm. Emulation is great and convenient, but it just doesn’t quite deliver the same magic.

2. Games That Aged Like Fine Wine

Some retro games are timeless. Tetris? Still slaps. Chrono Trigger? Artistic masterpiece. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night? Chef’s kiss. These games were crafted with care, creativity, and — let's be honest — a deep desire to make players cry in frustration.

3. The Thrill of the Hunt

Ever gone to a flea market or garage sale and stumbled on a mint condition N64? That’s like finding Excalibur in a pile of coat hangers. There’s a certain rush in tracking down lost gems, rare editions, and forgotten treasures to complete your retro shrine.

4. A Trip Down Memory Lane

Retro consoles aren’t just about the games — they’re time machines. Booting up a Sega Genesis might remind you of late nights with siblings, fighting over who gets to be Player 1. They’re physical reminders of moments we forgot we remembered.

5. They Can Be A Solid Investment

Some collectors treat retro consoles like stock portfolios. That EarthBound cartridge? Worth hundreds now. Sealed games? Could fund your retirement (or at least your next graphics card). As long as demand keeps rising, rarity equals value.

The Downsides (Because It Ain’t All Peachy)

Okay, let’s reel it in. Retro gaming isn’t just Power Glove high-fives and pixelated perfection. There are some real downsides worth talking about.

1. Retro Ain’t Cheap Anymore

Gone are the days of snagging an SNES for $20. The more popular retro gaming gets, the higher the prices climb. Some games now cost more than your monthly car payment (I'm looking at you, Stadium Events).

2. Hardware Doesn’t Last Forever

Consoles from the ‘80s and ‘90s weren’t exactly built for a three-decade life span. Capacitors leak, disc drives fail, and good luck finding someone who still knows how to fix a Sega CD.

3. Scalpers and Repro Mayhem

The retro market is full of fake cartridges, reproduction boxes, and shady sellers looking to cash in on nostalgia. One wrong eBay click and you may end up with a “Pokeyman Yellow” cart that doesn’t even boot.

4. Space and Dust: The Eternal Foes

Collecting retro consoles means collecting cables. And controllers. And power bricks the size of small refrigerators. Unless you’ve got a dedicated game room, be prepared to sacrifice some serious shelf space.

Are Retro Consoles Just a Fad?

Let’s get real — trends come and go. Remember Tamagotchis? Fidget spinners? Ice bucket challenges? But retro gaming has stuck around longer than most trends, and here’s why:

- It’s not just a trend — it’s a culture.
- Gamers are aging, and they want to reconnect with their roots.
- Younger generations are discovering these games for the first time and loving them.
- Influencers and YouTubers keep these classics in the spotlight.

So is it a fad? Maybe for some. But for others, it’s a lifelong love affair.

Tips If You’re Thinking of Starting a Retro Collection

Wanna dip your toes into retro waters? Here’s a quick cheat sheet for the noobs out there:

- Start small: Don’t go out and drop a grand on rare carts. Grab a SNES Mini or a second-hand Game Boy and feel it out.
- Research like a nerd: Learn how to spot fakes, check for battery corrosion, and avoid the dreaded “disc rot.”
- Join the community: Forums, Facebook groups, Reddit — they’re full of helpful nerds just like you.
- Keep it clean: Use plastic sleeves, clean your carts, and don’t store consoles in your damp basement (unless you hate them).
- Respect your wallet: It’s easy to get carried away. Don’t sell your kidney for a boxed copy of Little Samson (unless... well, DM me first).

Final Verdict: Worth Collecting or a Passing Fad?

Here’s the hot take: retro consoles are absolutely worth collecting — if you’re in it for the right reasons.

If you’re just chasing the hype, yeah, it might feel like a fad. But if you love the games, appreciate the history, and want a tactile connection to the glory days of gaming, then it’s more than worth it.

Start small, stay smart, and don’t be afraid to geek out. Whether you're revisiting your childhood or discovering pixelated joy for the first time — retro consoles are here to remind us that great gaming never dies. It just gets a little dustier.

Bonus: Top 5 Retro Consoles to Start Your Collection

Thinking about dipping your toes in retro gaming but don't know where to start? Here's a little starter guide:

1. Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)
- Why? Timeless classics, durable hardware, and easy to find.

2. Nintendo GameCube
- Why? Rising in popularity, solid game library, and WaveBird wireless controllers? Game-changer.

3. PlayStation 2
- Why? One of the largest game libraries ever — from Final Fantasy to Tony Hawk.

4. Sega Genesis
- Why? Iconic sound, strong lineup, and it's a good excuse to finally beat Sonic 2.

5. Game Boy Advance (GBA)
- Why? Portable, backlit if you mod it, and home to some of the best 2D games ever made.