Nostalgia is a powerful emotion. Nothing can grab us by the feels quite the way the past can. Whether it’s the whiff of an old, familiar scent or a song from our childhood – it is a strong, intense feeling.
There’s a reason there’s such a market for retro things. Just look at the wild popularity of a TV show like Stranger Things. The sounds, sights and vibe of the 80s are immensely popular with current viewers.
And another aspect of older culture that prompts powerful nostalgia is retro video gaming.
So, in this article, we’re going to share a guide to personal retro gaming.
Buy an Arcade Machine
Did you know you can buy Arcade1UP Street Fighter today and take it home to begin your own personal arcade?
These retro arcade machines feature all the classics that you remember from your youth. Play Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Super Metroid, Double Dragon and more on these home arcade machines, which go a long way in perfectly replicating the feeling of the arcade.
A home arcade machine is a perfect way to capture the joy and thrill of being in an arcade, just turn out the lights, and you’re ready to rock and roll.
You might even want to go a bit crazy and dedicate a whole room to vintage arcade and pinball machines. After all, life is about having fun, isn’t it?
Find Some Retro Consoles
Did you know that you can find older retro console gaming machines easily on the secondhand market?
Some stores specialise in only selling retro gaming devices. You never know, there might be a store near you.
Otherwise, you can look at the online markets, such as Facebook, Gumtree and eBay. Chances are you can find an older machine for a bargain.
Consoles like the Nintendo 64, Super Nintendo Entertainment System (or SNES) and even older machines like Ataris and Commodores are available for those who look.
You can also hunt for these machines in garage or yard sales, swap meets and charity shops.
Some people like to build a collection and obtain all the old consoles, such as Segas and more.
Install Emulators
If you wanted to recreate the joy of some older handheld video games, such as titles you would find on a Gameboy, then you’re in luck.
With a piece of software called an emulator, you can download, install and play all the classics.
Games like Super Mario Land, Zelda, Castlevania and more are all available to play.
Emulators are installable software that emulates older game systems, such as the Gameboy.
You can install them on your smartphone or your personal computer. You can then download ROMs, which are virtual cartridges that you can load into your emulator.
You can even save your progress like the old school game systems, so you don’t have to start again from the beginning each time you lose.
Play Games in Your Browser
If the above ideas aren’t practical, affordable or suitable to your individual circumstances, you can even play retro video games from your computer browser.
This is a nifty and quick way to get your retro game fix.
In Summary
In this helpful article, we’ve explored home arcades and emulation in your very own guide to personal retro gaming.
You can purchase home arcade machines to set up your own gaming room, and if you’re clever, you can track down vintage gaming consoles such as the SNES or Sega.
Emulators allow you to play older handheld titles on your devices, and you can even play games in your browser.
