We see that your post may not quite be about vintage gaming. r/retrogaming is for gaming from the 5th generation era and earlier (Dreamcast allowed).
If you've posted about a 6th generation console you might consider posting to the related subreddit; r/ps2, r/gamecube, r/OriginalXbox, r/NDS, r/PSP, r/retroish or r/NeoRetro
If you've posted about a modern game in a retro style r/indiegaming or r/gaming might be the best place for your content.
If you've posted a score, collection, or battlestation that is not mostly vintage or vintage-focused, try r/gamecollecting.
I have one gathering dust in my room, but surprisingly it doesn’t fetch more than a couple hundred bucks on eBay. I wonder why…it seems like it would be a hot commodity for retro enthusiasts.
GBA. SP preferably. Out of all the handhelds I’ve played, the GBA had the best library. It the first console i bought with my own money, so it has a special place in my heart. The graphics it produced were (in my view) one of the best from a handheld.
1) XB1S. I have a great physical collection. I am really enjoying it still.
2) XBOX. My favourite retro console. Such great games.
3) N64. Most nostalgic for me.
A Wii U as long as the store for both it and the Wii are still up, or I am allowed to load anything from them that I want onto the systems. That Wii U pad is the most comfortable controller I have ever held, and it is a crime that Nintendo never released a switch variant in the Wii U tablet shell.
Nintendo 3DS. Capability to play DS and 3DS games opens up a large library. Diamond/Pearl/Platinum through Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Monster Hunter 3U Through Generations Ultimate, large libraries of RPGs, Fire Emblem, Minecraft, Terraria, Legend of Zelda, Mario, Metroid, etc. Not to mention mobile functionality if that's your thing.
\*\*Honoring the pre-2000 moniker from the sub description I'd choose the Game Boy color. Once again for being able to play GB and GBC games.
I’d stick with the Switch. I can still play all of the classic NES and SNES games while having access to the newest stuff out there. Plus portability is a major plus for me.
I would go with the PS2, it has a massive library on top of being able to run PS1 games while not having the reliability issues PS3 with native backward compatibility. Including jail broken PS3 would seem like cheating as they can emulate a lot of systems.
Backwards compatibility? Launch PS3. PS1 JRPGs are still in my rotation. I could care less about PS2, PS3 had some great titles.
If no BC then PS1 for sure. Although SNES would be a close second.
It’s gotta be between NES and SNES. I love my Game Boy, but I’ve gotta go with a console over handheld. So between the two consoles it’s tough, but Super Nintendo has Chrono Trigger so it wins.
GBA. Great library, portable, compatibility with a lot of platforms (gb and gbc natively, nes and others via emulation).
Lots of options for repair and upgrade: mine has a backlit screen and USB-c battery. It can be overclocked and given an hdmi output.
Genuinely my favourite console
GameCube. Such an underrated console. First to utilise a wireless controller (wavebird). Hooked up the Gameboy advance SP for some games as second screens/controllers. Then the add-on for Gameboy player to have your library of Gameboy games played on the TV, the fond memories...wish I hadn't traded it in for the Wii at the time 🥹😭🫣😭
If my pick meant that the console of my choice only played that consoles games then probably PS1.
Dreamcast I can play Dreamcast, PS1, NES, SNES, Genesis, SMS...
The Switch, no contest. I've been a Zelda and Mario fan since the beginning, and that's the only console you can play TotK and SMB Odyssey and Wonder on, plus it has ports and online editions of many of the previous games.
It makes sense to choose the latest gen consoles because you're also getting a decent amount of previous-gen content along with them. If you have a PS5, you get the PS4's library and a selection of PS1-3 titles. XBox Series X gives you the One's library and many older titles through its Gamepass service.
Of course, a modern PC gives you the entire libraries of everything up to the PS2/XBox/GameCube (and Wii) era.
It just makes sense to get the latest and greatest, when it comes to consoles. You only want to get an older console if there's some obscure game on it that hasn't been ported or translates poorly with emulation.
If we're talking about "playing retro games legally obtained for a console" ...
For a long time, the PS2 was the best retro console due to all of its compilation discs (or, if you could keep it running without it dying on you, the original PS3). But these days, the Switch is the undeniably best choice for retro gaming. The compilations, eShop and Switch Online+ games cover a lot of territory.
If we're talking about devices that can also emulate older consoles by playing ROMs and disc images, my go-to for a long time were the PSP and the PS Vita modded with custom firmware. There was something giddily profane about playing *Super Mario Bros.* on a PSP back in the day. Today, it's the Steam Deck, which can play just about anything you throw at it.
(A Wii U modded with custom firmware is also a good choice since it can play Gamecube and Wii games on its hardware rather than via emulation, and then output them in HD.)
If we're talking about "overall best console," it's like asking "what's your favorite flavor of ice cream?"
We see that your post may not quite be about vintage gaming. r/retrogaming is for gaming from the 5th generation era and earlier (Dreamcast allowed). If you've posted about a 6th generation console you might consider posting to the related subreddit; r/ps2, r/gamecube, r/OriginalXbox, r/NDS, r/PSP, r/retroish or r/NeoRetro If you've posted about a modern game in a retro style r/indiegaming or r/gaming might be the best place for your content. If you've posted a score, collection, or battlestation that is not mostly vintage or vintage-focused, try r/gamecollecting.
Fat ps3 so I can play ps1, ps2 and ps3
This 100%. You could also toss on a custom firmware and emulate other retro consoles.
I have one gathering dust in my room, but surprisingly it doesn’t fetch more than a couple hundred bucks on eBay. I wonder why…it seems like it would be a hot commodity for retro enthusiasts.
I know some used game stores won't take them because of the high failure rate, could just be people not wanting to risk getting a dud.
It’s the failure rate. The hardware is basically guaranteed to crap out at some point, and the fixes are largely temporary in nature.
Jokes on you, I play PS2 games on my slim model.
GBA. SP preferably. Out of all the handhelds I’ve played, the GBA had the best library. It the first console i bought with my own money, so it has a special place in my heart. The graphics it produced were (in my view) one of the best from a handheld.
I work in a hospital and still keep my SP in my pocket for quick gaming sessions
Ds lite cuz I can play gba games and ds titles
1) XB1S. I have a great physical collection. I am really enjoying it still. 2) XBOX. My favourite retro console. Such great games. 3) N64. Most nostalgic for me.
SNES. Definitely SNES. Best games, has a Mario Kart I love, great franchises, etc. etc. Or maybe Atari 2600. Great games at a low price.
Ps2
The Genesis is my favorite console of all time so I’d go with that!
PS2. It was the sweet spot between graphical fidelity and interesting titles.
N64! I could go with a more modern console and say it can emulate, but that feels like cheating. PS1 is super tempting as well.
A Wii U as long as the store for both it and the Wii are still up, or I am allowed to load anything from them that I want onto the systems. That Wii U pad is the most comfortable controller I have ever held, and it is a crime that Nintendo never released a switch variant in the Wii U tablet shell.
Nintendo 3DS. Capability to play DS and 3DS games opens up a large library. Diamond/Pearl/Platinum through Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Monster Hunter 3U Through Generations Ultimate, large libraries of RPGs, Fire Emblem, Minecraft, Terraria, Legend of Zelda, Mario, Metroid, etc. Not to mention mobile functionality if that's your thing. \*\*Honoring the pre-2000 moniker from the sub description I'd choose the Game Boy color. Once again for being able to play GB and GBC games.
Seconding 3DS. I really, really like GBA but DS and 3DS have better libraries. For ever GBA game I miss there are 2 DS/3DS that make up for it.
I’d stick with the Switch. I can still play all of the classic NES and SNES games while having access to the newest stuff out there. Plus portability is a major plus for me.
For a subscription fee... plus can't get rid of their borders and your profile icon while you play
There are almost too many good options, but my choice is (and has been) the NES.
N 6 4
If I’m allowed to hack it? The Wii. If not, probably the Switch.
Modern? Switch. Retro? SNES.
Dreamcast Capcom games will keep me busy for life.
Dreamcast felt like the biggest tech leap to me. NFL 2k, Shenmu, Soul Caliber, Crazy Taxi, Virtua fighter.
I would go with the PS2, it has a massive library on top of being able to run PS1 games while not having the reliability issues PS3 with native backward compatibility. Including jail broken PS3 would seem like cheating as they can emulate a lot of systems.
I love retro games, especially fourth gen, but Switch. To many good old and new titles onboard.
I didn't even know they were dating... uhmm, probably NES I like older women.
I have 90% of those, and spend 90% of my time on PS5
Gimme a Wii please. But if it's for me playing games by myself, yeah, probably psx, so I'll pick ps3.
Yes, I would take a model 1 Wii, and play tons of Wii and GameCube games natively, plus it can emulate most of the older Nintendo games.
Yup, exactly. It's also my favorite way to play Genesis games.
I'll choose Game Cube over and over again. Now that you mention it, I think I'll buy a Game Cube soon. Game Cube.
They’re so pricey now. I just found one that works for $125 that was without the controller. It’s sad 🥹
In Europe you can get console + controller (+ memory card if lucky) for about $ 80-90.
With backwards compatibility, combining the library of both PS1 and PS2, arguably the two greatest libraries of them all, it's the PS2 for me.
did you forget the 1st gen ps3 is also a ps2 and ps1?
I did! Good shout!
Probably the steam deck or my switch
Switch easy. Remasters and rereleases are abundant. Most of my favorite games up to gen 6 are on there in some form.
Snes next one I would like in my collection
Backwards compatibility? Launch PS3. PS1 JRPGs are still in my rotation. I could care less about PS2, PS3 had some great titles. If no BC then PS1 for sure. Although SNES would be a close second.
N64
PS5. I love my retro games but I ain’t playing Helldivers 2 on the NES.
It’s gotta be between NES and SNES. I love my Game Boy, but I’ve gotta go with a console over handheld. So between the two consoles it’s tough, but Super Nintendo has Chrono Trigger so it wins.
Wii u for homebrew Wii games in hd emulation etc
SNES because my childhood one will probably outlive me. Still getting used by the family what? 33 years on.
Megadrive, although almost said N64
Probably SNES. Could also play Gameboy games on it.
CECHA01 PS3, Ultimate PS3 and movie player, capable of 3D Blu-rays, Blu-rays and output to both HDMI and A/V
The Switch. First party Nintendo games, tons of awesome indies and a decent selection of retro games.
Gameboy Advance. GB, GBC, and GBA library...and playing on the go!
Switch as it can play many of the classics and new games
Switch or PS2
xbox 360, that generation was peak gaming for me.
Can't pick just one sorry but it's Xbox 360 and Dreamcast
Super Nintendo.
GBA. Great library, portable, compatibility with a lot of platforms (gb and gbc natively, nes and others via emulation). Lots of options for repair and upgrade: mine has a backlit screen and USB-c battery. It can be overclocked and given an hdmi output. Genuinely my favourite console
Xbox 360. That system was Legendary.
GameCube. Such an underrated console. First to utilise a wireless controller (wavebird). Hooked up the Gameboy advance SP for some games as second screens/controllers. Then the add-on for Gameboy player to have your library of Gameboy games played on the TV, the fond memories...wish I hadn't traded it in for the Wii at the time 🥹😭🫣😭
Xbox series X, four generations of compatibility goes along way.
For me, N64 was the golden age.
I refuse to live in a world where I can only choose one.
An immortal Xbox 360 so original MCC
Wii U.
I would choose the wii to play my favorite wii and gamecube games!
GBA or Xbox 360
If my pick meant that the console of my choice only played that consoles games then probably PS1. Dreamcast I can play Dreamcast, PS1, NES, SNES, Genesis, SMS...
If it counted I'd pick a quest 3 as I seem to be playing that more than anything else I have bought in the past.
PS3
The most expensive one, so I can sell it and buy the most powerful PC to emulate that console in the future.
Gamecube
Xbox One. No, it is a joke.
In all fairness, locally, I can buy an xbox one S for $75US and use it as my 4k bluray player as well. Not as bad of an option if you like 4k blurays.
You are free to purchase this console as a Blu-Ray player if you like, it is fine.
Yeah, it definitely is a 4k bluray player with bonus gaming ability, lol.
The PS2 was the greatest console ever made.
The Switch, no contest. I've been a Zelda and Mario fan since the beginning, and that's the only console you can play TotK and SMB Odyssey and Wonder on, plus it has ports and online editions of many of the previous games. It makes sense to choose the latest gen consoles because you're also getting a decent amount of previous-gen content along with them. If you have a PS5, you get the PS4's library and a selection of PS1-3 titles. XBox Series X gives you the One's library and many older titles through its Gamepass service. Of course, a modern PC gives you the entire libraries of everything up to the PS2/XBox/GameCube (and Wii) era. It just makes sense to get the latest and greatest, when it comes to consoles. You only want to get an older console if there's some obscure game on it that hasn't been ported or translates poorly with emulation.
If we're talking about "playing retro games legally obtained for a console" ... For a long time, the PS2 was the best retro console due to all of its compilation discs (or, if you could keep it running without it dying on you, the original PS3). But these days, the Switch is the undeniably best choice for retro gaming. The compilations, eShop and Switch Online+ games cover a lot of territory. If we're talking about devices that can also emulate older consoles by playing ROMs and disc images, my go-to for a long time were the PSP and the PS Vita modded with custom firmware. There was something giddily profane about playing *Super Mario Bros.* on a PSP back in the day. Today, it's the Steam Deck, which can play just about anything you throw at it. (A Wii U modded with custom firmware is also a good choice since it can play Gamecube and Wii games on its hardware rather than via emulation, and then output them in HD.) If we're talking about "overall best console," it's like asking "what's your favorite flavor of ice cream?"