3 affordable retro consoles you can buy at GameStop

There’s no doubt: Retro games are on the rise, partly because modern electronics are becoming more expensive and partly because they’re gaining popularity among collectors. While we can mitigate the effects of RAM and storage shortages by relying on retro gaming to avoid the high costs of current-generation gaming consoles, the impact of collectors is harder to ignore. The good news is that many flash carts can lower the overall cost of retro gaming, allowing gamers to focus their budget on the consoles themselves. That is, if you haven’t already created a retro gaming setup using the hardware you already own.

Luckily, GameStop has taken it upon itself to expand its retro selection for modern times. This means it sells a wide selection of older consoles and games at affordable prices, which is precisely what this article is about: affordable retro consoles you can buy at GameStop. We’ve chosen three consoles that each cost under $200: the PS1, the GBA for some portable goodness, and the slightly more niche Dreamcast to round out the selection.

Of course, these are all older systems, meaning their condition will depend on the item you buy, so like all second-hand goods, be sure to research and compare a few units to ensure you get one that looks and works well. GameStop at least tests all units to make sure they work, with a pre-owned warranty that includes a seven-day refund window, but appearances may vary, so keep a close eye on them while you shop.

If you’re looking for a large library of retro games, the PS1 is a great place to start. After all, the console has sold over 102 million units, representing a library of over 4,000 titles. Although many have never been released in English, the good news is that many English hacks are available for games never released in this region. This is where soft modding a PS1 comes in, which requires loading a PS memory card with custom software like FreePSXBoot.

GameStop tends to offer the PS1 and PS1 Slim for around $70, which is very affordable, although game prices can differ depending on whether it’s a full game in the box with the manual or just the disc. But even the most coveted titles like Vagrant Story (~$50) and Suikoden II (~$100) aren’t that bad compared to platforms where classics can sell for $300 or more a piece. When it comes to retro games, prices are relative, but thankfully the PS1 hasn’t yet been fully exploited like some other retro systems (you’re looking, Neo Geo Pocket), probably because there are still so many PS1 games and consoles.

In other words, the PS1 is a good starting point for retro gaming for anyone who doesn’t want to spend a fortune before starting a title. You can itch your nostalgia with a few classics, and once you get bored, there are plenty of gaming hacks to explore, from fan translations to backports of non-PS1 games. It’s easy to keep busy with a retro PS1 at home, all without breaking the bank.

The Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP is a retro console that can play almost every title in the Game Boy line, from GB to GBC to GBA. That’s over 3,000 games across all three. The only downside is that the first SP (AGS-001) used front lighting, which can wash out colors in a game. Later models (AGS-101) switched to proper backlighting, with two brightness levels to choose from. GameStop doesn’t specify which model you’ll receive when ordering online, so you may want to head to a physical store, especially since the GBA SP models sell for $160, bordering on affordable.

The console is only part of the expense, and some Game Boy titles can be expensive; be sure to investigate the cost of each title. The good news is that there are plenty of affordable flash carts on the market, from simple ROM carts to ones that can accommodate the entire library with a microSD, gadgets that make retro gaming look modern. Flash carts also make it easier to play hacks; there are tons of colorized ROMs from the original GB, as well as tons of translations that allow fans to explore classics that never made it stateside.

Yes, a Game Boy Advance SP is more of an investment than a PS1, but you get portability with your purchase while still having access to a similar sized library. Games are also much smaller than discs and easier to store, which can be important if you plan to collect them. Overall, if you’re interested in the world of retro gaming, a Game Boy Advance SP offers many benefits that make it a great place to start your journey without putting too much strain on your wallet.

If you want to explore a smaller, more specialized retro platform, the Sega Dreamcast offers a library of over 600 games. Many of them are real gems, like Shenmue, Jet Grind Radio, and Phantasy Star Online. A Dreamcast and controller typically costs $160 at GameStop, and there are plenty of reasons why retro gaming enthusiasts love old controllers like the Dreamcast one. However, this price does not include the Visual Memory Unit (a memory card), which costs around $25. Make sure you consider both things, as well as which games you want. Titles like Crazy Taxi can be found for $20, but more collectible games like Jet Grind Radio often cost $50.

The Sega Dreamcast has a thriving modding community, with new games released for the platform, as well as fan mods and translations. The Dreamcast can run custom software; you just need a console that supports MIL-CD, and many do. The underside of the machine will reveal a circled zero or one, both of which indicate MIL-CD support, allowing you to play software burned to a CD-R. However, a machine with a circled two may not support MIL-CD, so head to a physical store where you can inspect the console.

Ultimately, if you’re interested in a much more focused retro experience, one where you won’t get lost in the weeds of a giant library, the Dreamcast offers a variety of quality games that are still affordable. And if you buy the right hardware, you can easily play the majority inexpensively by spinning up a CD-R drive, leaving you with the option of occasionally purchasing the original on disc the next time you visit GameStop.