10 of the Coolest Retro Games Consoles

For many people, the words ‘cool’ and ‘retro’ cannot coexist in the same sentence. For others, those two things are one and the same — and it’s the latter selection of individuals that we’re here for.

Maybe it’s the nostalgia, maybe it’s the tactility, there’s just something undeniably magical about retro gaming. From seeing an old console blink into life to hearing the gentle ‘bleeps’ and ‘bloops’ that transport us back to childhood, you just can’t beat a Neo Geo or a Nintendo 64. 

Today, we’re inviting you to take a trip down gaming memory lane with us to revisit a time when blowing into a cartridge could solve (almost) any problem. 

Hit that power button and let’s begin.

1. Atari 2600 (1977)

First, we’re traveling back to the good old days — way back to 1977 when the Atari 2600 was first manufactured. If you’re of an age to remember playing this as a kid, we’re honored to have truly seasoned gamers in our presence!

The Atari 2600, with its woodgrain finish and humble joystick, was responsible for bridging the gap between the arcade and the living room like never before. A pioneer in home gaming, the Atari can be accredited with bringing classics from the arcades — Like Pac-Man and Space Invaders — into front rooms everywhere. 

Making use of interchangeable cartridges, Atari 2600 was revolutionary as gamers no longer had to buy an entire console per game; instead, they could just swap out the cartridge — cool! The console that began the transition from public to personal gaming, the Atari 2600 represents the very start of the golden age of video games. 

2. Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) (1983)

Remember when a few pixels and some beeps could keep us entertained for hours? Launched in 1983, the Nintendo Entertainment System (or NES) took the next giant step for mankind towards home gaming after the Atari 2600.

We have a lot to thank the NES for — for a start, this was the console that brought Mario, Link, and Donkey Kong into our lives and transformed video gaming from a niche activity into a cool, mainstream hobby.

While visually quite unassuming, with its blocky design, gray cartridges, and 8-bit visuals, the worlds that this console opened for teens and adults alike (namely Super Mario Bros and The Legend of Zelda) have earned it its place in the retro gaming hall of fame. 

3. Sega Genesis (1988)

Next up, we have the Sega Genesis (or ‘Sega Mega Drive’ if you’re from outside the US). Seg(a)waying consumers gently into the world of 16-bit gaming, the Sega is an undeniably cool retro classic console. 

Compared to its predecessors, the Sega had a super sleek design and much quicker processing, allowing for more fast-paced, challenging gameplay with the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage, and Altered Beast (‘Welcome to your doom!’ – we had to, sorry).

With the Genesis, Sega tried to level with Nintendo’s monopoly of the personal gaming sphere, providing gamers with a selection of ‘edgier’, action-packed games as an alternative. 

4. Nintendo Game Boy (1989)

Almost halfway through our list, we reach a monumental milestone in the form of the Game Boy. Arguably the most recognisable console, the Game Boy flipped gaming on its head in 1989 by initiating the handheld, portable gaming revolution. 

Despite its small size, the Game Boy offered up a surprisingly comprehensive gaming experience with a durable design and a surprisingly long battery life. While gaming on the go was unthinkable in the 80s until this point, portable gaming became a shining reality with the Game Boy, allowing gamers to enjoy all the classics like Tetris and Super Mario Land from the palm of their hand.

5. Sega Saturn (1994)

Taking things intergalactic now (or so to speak), the Sega Saturn launched gamers boldly into the 32-bit gaming universe in 1994 with an impressive console that strode far ahead of Nintendo for a while.

With innovative dual-CPU architecture and 3D graphic capabilities, the Sega Saturn stepped into the ring with other heavyweights like PlayStation. This was the console that gave us Nights into Dreams and Panzer Dragoon in a sleek CD-based format that offered a fresh gaming experience. 

Although the Saturn’s lifespan was relatively short-lived in comparison to other consoles from its era, we’re glad to see retro gamers and enthusiasts bringing this bad-boy back.

6. Neo Geo (1990)

Stepping aside from the Sega and Nintendo giants for a moment, the Neo Geo was a new console produced by Japanese company, SNK Corporation, in 1990.

For gamers, the Neo Geo really was the Rolls-Royce of consoles. Since the Neo Geo MVS (Multi Video System) was primarily an arcade game, its personal version had all the capabilities and quality of a large-scale console rolled into a household alternative. 

With cutting-edge graphics (for the time) and powerful software, the Neo Geo gave serious gamers something to get excited about. Giving us games like Metal Slug and King of Fighters, the Neo Geo oozed cool — but it came with a hefty price tag, making it a luxury that few gamers could afford in the 90s.

This top-tier console remains cherished by gaming enthusiasts everywhere and rightly so.

7. Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) (1990)

Returning to another console giant, we have the SNES — arguably the most popular console of its time. 

A standout in the retro gaming world, if you owned a SNES you were cool, no questions asked. With rich graphics and an unforgettable library of games, the SNES’s influence has spanned 3 decades and continues to captivate gamers and cosplayers alike, bringing us everything from Super Mario World  to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

Although not as powerful as the Neo Geo graphics-wise, the SNES had extremely smooth gameplay for its time and, fundamentally, was seen as the must-have console that all the cool kids had. If there was an award for the console that appeared on the most Christmas lists pre-2000, the SNES wins hands-down. 

8. Sony PlayStation 1 (1994)

Well into the 90s at this point, it’s time to talk about the Sony PlayStation 1 (or PS1). This console left a long legacy in the gaming world, with versions of the PlayStation still used and loved today. 

The PS1 marked Sony’s venture into the world of gaming, a move that revolutionized consoles everywhere. It was this console that made 3D gaming truly available to the regular gamer, bringing us absolute classics like Final Fantasy VII and Crash Bandicoot. With immersive soundtracks and a sleek design, the trailblazing PS1 has definitely earned its place on our list of cool retro consoles, becoming a symbol of 90s nostalgia and innovation. 

9. Nintendo 64 (1996)

More popular still, we have the N64. Of course, we weren’t going to leave this console off our cool list, not when it revolutionized multi-player gaming and brought us titles like Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and GoldenEye 007.

We know this blog is about consoles, but we have to take a moment to appreciate the N64 controller. The unique 3-pronged controller with more buttons than gamers had seen previously signaled a new era of control over the movement of characters on the screen and allowed for a more involved gaming experience. 

For many gaming enthusiasts, this was the console that opened the door to gaming as we know it and we have to agree. 

10. Sega Dreamcast (1999)

Lastly, we have the Dreamcast, Sega’s final foray into the hardware side of gaming.

We had to feature this on our list of cool consoles as, despite its reputation, the Dreamcast really pushed the boat out and added multiple unique features that were innovative for its time (and decidedly cool). One of these features was the VMU (visual memory unit) that acted as a never-before-seen mini-screen within the controller. The Dreamcast was also one of the first consoles to feature online play in the dawn of the internet. Even though the Dreamcast had a relatively short lifespan, it lives on as a cult favorite for retro gamers on account of its forward-thinking design. 

Recapture the retro gaming magic with Displate

Feel that? Yep, that’s nostalgia. Savor it while it lasts. Or, keep the nostalgia coming with Displate’s range of retro gaming metal posters. 

Whether you’re looking to give your gaming room an upgrade or are looking for the perfect present for your console-crazy friend, browse our range of gaming posters today. From Spyro to Sonic we’ve got something for every gamer in our library.