The NES Classic Edition has been out since Nov. 11. As hyped players scramble to find units that are punishingly hard to come by, the other half — dulled by the unavailability of the console — might look elsewhere for a retro gaming machine.
While reviews for the NES Classic Edition have so far been excellent, main complaints about the console are the inability to download more NES games apart from the 30 games that come preloaded, and its short controller cables. If these are deal-breakers for you, then you should definitely look at these retro gaming alternatives.
Analogue Nt Mini
The Analogue Nt mini is a pretty solid alternative for the NES Classic Edition. Not only can it play over 2,000 NES and Famicom games, but it can also support classic accessories, too. Analogue will also throw in an 8Bitdo NES30, a wireless NES Classic Controller replica into the mix, eliminating the concern for short cables.
The console itself outputs games at a maximum 1,080p via HDMI, but there are options for a number of high-quality analog video signals available. The console's design also can't be beat, sporting a sleek mishmash of aluminum covering the entire system.
The Analogue Nt Mini will set you back $449, which is already pricier than the starting price of the recently released PlayStation 4 Pro. Still, if its steep price doesn't bother you at all, then the Analogue Nt Mini is a solid choice for those looking for the optimum retro gaming experience.
Retro Freak
Those who have a sizable stockpile of their old gaming collection should look into Cyber Gadget's Retro Freak, a console the can read and play games from 12 classic systems including the NES, SNES, Genesis, among others.
Interestingly, install an SD card on the device and you can store your whole gaming collection. Easily mirroring what the NES Classic Edition essentially is, and then some. The console comes with its proprietary controller, but you can use other USB gaming controllers, too, if you fancy.
Retro Freak costs $179.99 on Play-Asia, but a premium version which includes a NES cartridge adapter and the classic pad is slated for release next year.
Nintendo 3DS/Wii U Virtual Console
If you already own a 3DS or a Wii U, Nintendo eShop still hosts a stunning library of old school games on its virtual console platform. For owners of the 3DS, you can download Game Boy, Game Boy Color, NES, SNES and Sega Game Gear titles onto your system.
For Wii U owners, you can download NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, DS and NEC TurboGrafx-16 onto your system.
Not all titles are available on the virtual console, but if you do spot a favorite on the eShop, then you might find it wiser to just purchase that instead of getting a new console altogether.
Raspberry Pi
For the more tech-savvy retro fans, turning the Raspberry Pi into a dedicated retro gaming system is also possible.
The setup is fairly simple, and a person who knows what a Raspberry Pi in the first place shouldn't find it difficult to go through the steps to turn the $35 Raspberry Pi into a retro machine.
There are a number of platforms it can emulate, and the setup isn't really extremely difficult to understand. A few downloads and installs later renders you a new retro system. You can follow Lifehacker's step-by-step guide for this, which also lists the number of consoles it can support.
Do you think these alternatives trump the NES Classic Edition? Feel free to sound off in the comments section below!
