The best mini consoles of 2023

Retro Games Ltd. really has knocked it out of the park with this miniature version of the Amiga A500. Following on from the C64 Mini, the company has used its expertise to accurately model the A500 case, mouse and an appropriately styled gamepad. This definitely ticks the ‘mini console’ box with its 25 in-built games, but fans are asking the question: “Will there be an A500 Maxi?”We’d be astonished if an Amiga A500 Maxi wasn’t on the cards. Watch this space.

The keys are for show - but an on-screen keyboard and, of course, that mouse, will help things along. With a 16-bit mouse-driven system at your fingertips, the game selection becomes a lot more familiar to PC fans, with point-and-click adventures like Simon The Sorceror, sci-fi platformer Another World and arcade-style games like Speedball 2 and Zool.

Once again we have full emulation of the original operating system, and also the 600 and 1200 OSs. USB support for your own software is there too, as is the HDMI TV connection up to 720p. And it's a steal at this price.

To the modern eye, the Commodore 64 doesn't even look like a gaming console. Well, that's because it isn't – it's a hobbyist home computer. Early pioneers of gaming did all they could to use the C64's processing power to create some really great, characterful and quirky games.

The C64 Mini is partly responsible for the mini console craze and is an accurately scaled-down version of the ‘breadbin’ Commodore 64. The little keyboard doesn’t work, however, but the microswitch joystick has all of the controls you need to be able to navigate the carousel of included games. And there are plenty, with an apt 64 titles to enjoy -  from California Games to Impossible Mission and classic space shooter Uridium.

Not only does this come with a micro-switched joystick, it also has three boot modes – C64 basic, VIC-20 (the C64s predecessor) and the games carousel. There are 64 installed games, including; Battle Valley, Cosmic Causeway, Robin of the Wood, Boulder Dash and Netherworld. True to the C64's origins, users can even add their own games, and programs and update firmware (via a USB-stick, which is slightly less 1982).

When the PlayStation One hit the shelves in 1995, it redefined the face of home console gaming forever, with its incredible 3D graphics and trailblazing game catalogue. The Classic console includes two iconic wired controllers and comes with 20 preloaded games, including Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil, Tekken 3 and Ridge Racer Type 4. While there aren't as many games available on this as there are with SEGA's offering, the quality more than makes up for it. Two controllers are included for those looking to tournament with a buddy.

Although there are only 20 games included here, they do at least have some excellent titles. Relive your Final Fantasy VII battles alongside classics like Tekken 3, Ridge Racer Type 4, and Jumping Flash. Plus, you won’t need to plug in any of those old memory cards, as the save slots are handled internally. In many ways, given that everyone will have their favourite PS1 games, it was probably asking too much to have even more games crammed into this thing. But, although we would have liked to have seen Tomb Raider and Wipeout, we do at least have Resident Evil and Syphon Filter to keep us up way past bedtime.

In 1992, Super Nintendo Entertainment System took what made the 8-bit NES so incredible and turned it up to 16. Despite having such a wide catalogue of games, Nintendo has managed to distil the essence of the original console into the mini plug-and-play with only 21 games. Some of the brightest highlights include Super Mario World, Super Mario Kart, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Metroid, Star Fox 1 and 2, Contra III an_d Donkey Kong Country_.

When compared with the other consoles in this list, the price tag and modest game catalogue may put some buyers off. We aren't here to tell you that it isn't expensive, but if you can stretch to the asking price, you're in for an absolute treat. Plus, the price does include two controllers.

While Sony's PlayStation One shook up the 90's home console market, way back in 1987 Nintendo's Entertainment System was paving its way. This mini console is loaded with 30 8-bit classics which, to this day, continue to exert their influence over the gaming industry. These games include Super Mario Bros 1, 2 and 3, Kirby's Adventure, Metroid, Donkey Kong, Final Fantasy and The Legend of Zelda.

Those looking to battle it out with friends will need to purchase the second controller separately, as only one is included in this bundle. Like many new gadgets, this also doesn't come supplied with a power adapter - but a standard USB one from any other device will do the trick (as might the USB port in your TV if it has one).

While this is much more of a mini console than anything else, it's really a scaled-down arcade cabinet., But, given the titles it's running (and the rarity of the Mega Drive Mini) this is one of the few machines out there for Sega fans. A replica of the full-size multipurpose Sega Astro City arcade machine from the 90s, it'll also connect to the TV as well, which is a huge bonus.

The arcade-style stick and six buttons are a nice addition here, signalling the type of retro gameplay you can expect. And the titles don’t disappoint either. There are a grand total of 37 to choose from, with a 720p version of Virtua Fighter, plus Altered Beast, Wonderboy, Alien Syndrome and more. It’ll look great on the shelf too.

Replicating the original SEGA Mega Drive which first hit European shores in 1990, the Mega Drive Mini is a fantastic and joyful machine. It's loaded with a huge 42 16-bit classics, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Street Fighter II and Ecco the Dolphin, and comes with two controllers so you can battle it out with a friend.

We particularly love the authentic look of this. It's captured the essence of what made the original so great to look at. It may not be able to take any carts, but those controllers are really faithful and will be instantly familiar to anyone who owned the original. It is, though, discontinued - so you may have trouble finding one at a reasonable price.

We love this new version of the legendary Atari 2600. It’s a slightly smaller version of the original - so while it doesn't tick the 'mini' box it is scaled down to some degree. It comes with a 10-game cart that includes Adventure, Haunted House, and Missile Command. You can buy new carts too, but the original 2600 ones will also work.

This is probably one of the best consoles on this list for a truly retro look and feel - right down to the wood-effect trim. It’ll connect to your TV and can play Atari 7800 games too - but, as with most of these consoles, you won;t find manh running reproduction original hardware or chips. Thankfully, the emulation of this old hardware is great on all of these systems.