Although you might have a vast collection of state-of-the-art video games to play, sometimes, it’s nice to discover or revisit the classics that helped to get us to this point in technology. But you may wonder how to do this. We offer different methods for playing retro games today.

Find Ports and Remasters

The easiest way to play old games is to find ports and remasters for your modern systems. Ports are usually about the same as their original counterparts. The look and feel of playing them will be similar, save for a difference in your controller, though you can change the controller you use if you want. Sometimes, ports will also come with extra content that the original game didn’t have, which is a bonus for choosing them. Remasters differ from ports in that they have updated graphics and sound to make them feel smoother and more attractive. The degree of change that a remaster introduces varies from game to game.

Buy a Retro Console

There are different methods for playing retro games with retro consoles as well. You may be able to buy a compilation console that includes a small library of old games that you can’t find on recent systems. These usually plug into your television and provide an experience that is closer to that of their first appearances since they come with retro-style controllers. Compilation consoles are also pretty affordable, so it shouldn’t be too much of an investment to get one. If you’re a purist, though, you could find used retro consoles and games online on sites like eBay and Craigslist. Going this route might require you to purchase extra equipment to make the systems compatible with your newer monitors or TV, however.

Build Your Own Console

Electronics enthusiasts can have fun building their own retro game consoles as well. Creating a console yourself can give you a unique sense of satisfaction and save you some money. The Raspberry Pi is a popular product that many makers use for electronics projects and it can serve as the foundation for a retro game console. You can find easy-to-follow guides on the internet that show you how to use Raspberry Pi for retro gaming. There is an open-source software known as RetroPie that does most of the heavy lifting for you when it comes to coding your Pi. Companies like Sega readily sell ROM images for their classic games that you can download onto your DIY console. Hobbyists have also made lists of legal means to find ROMs that you can refer to with a quick internet search.