I have a last gen GoogleTV with chromecast, I think it has 1gb of ram.
Using an app called cannoli and an Xbox controller I can play everything up to PS1 and some Dreamcast/Gamecube.
I believe I could buy similar/better specced hardware from AliExpress (device + controller) for around $80AUD.
The hardware, even with prices as they are is not the problem.
You can play NFS underground 2 in browser on an old iPhone.
https://nfsu2.xyz/
There are multi-terabyte archives of roms available online.
But we hit a crossroads of legality, required technical skill, and curation.
I’d love to be able to relive the excitement of Gran Turismo or Pokémon blue, or split screen golden eye, but I find the only retro games I really enjoy are pick up ones like crazy taxi or simpsons hit n run.
I could imagine an intentional curated collection of optimised knock offs on a sub hundred dollar device potentially being a cool thing.
Ala super tux cart, super smash tux, tuxnite, tux pro skater, tuxemon, call of tux, tuxparty, tux sports, etc.
Instead we will probably just get cloud gaming and AI remasters of things we’ve already purchased.
I was craving to get back into gaming recently and settled on just getting one of the $50 linux handheld in the game boy form factor. There are enough fun games to last me a lifetime, and I don’t have to deal with accounts, dlc, pay to win, etc.
Just a piece of hardware I actually own that can run whatever I want.
This is Nintendo's area. I remember playing a Switch game called Pico Park at a friend's party. Handles up to 8 players on a big TV and requires you to figure out cooperation.
I have a last gen GoogleTV with chromecast, I think it has 1gb of ram.
Using an app called cannoli and an Xbox controller I can play everything up to PS1 and some Dreamcast/Gamecube.
I believe I could buy similar/better specced hardware from AliExpress (device + controller) for around $80AUD.
The hardware, even with prices as they are is not the problem.
You can play NFS underground 2 in browser on an old iPhone. https://nfsu2.xyz/
There are multi-terabyte archives of roms available online.
But we hit a crossroads of legality, required technical skill, and curation.
I’d love to be able to relive the excitement of Gran Turismo or Pokémon blue, or split screen golden eye, but I find the only retro games I really enjoy are pick up ones like crazy taxi or simpsons hit n run.
I could imagine an intentional curated collection of optimised knock offs on a sub hundred dollar device potentially being a cool thing.
Ala super tux cart, super smash tux, tuxnite, tux pro skater, tuxemon, call of tux, tuxparty, tux sports, etc.
Instead we will probably just get cloud gaming and AI remasters of things we’ve already purchased.
I don't need AAA, I need _fun_. I want to play games on my sofa with my friends around my TV with beers and pizza.
I could probably cope with a raspberry pi, some old Xbox controllers and roms, but I'd pay for convenience and consistency.
I want my ps6 to be a modern reimagined N64 social laugh
I was craving to get back into gaming recently and settled on just getting one of the $50 linux handheld in the game boy form factor. There are enough fun games to last me a lifetime, and I don’t have to deal with accounts, dlc, pay to win, etc.
Just a piece of hardware I actually own that can run whatever I want.
The Ayn Thor is exactly this, but for people that placed the bar one or two console generations later
It's weird that in 2026 that a raspberry pi is now too expensive to fit in the BOM for a $300 console.
Raspberry pi enshittified. Plenty of other low cost SBCs out there.
I was at Costco today and they were selling a licensed 220$ 80-in-1 console that was made up of games from Capcom and Bandai Namco.
I didn't see anyone looking at it, despite having games like SF2.
Creating a trusted brand is probably going to be the chicken to the "simple and cheap console" egg.
This is Nintendo's area. I remember playing a Switch game called Pico Park at a friend's party. Handles up to 8 players on a big TV and requires you to figure out cooperation.
A PS2 pretty much covers this. Pretty convenient, although it's going to be about 300 with accessories.
I want the opposite. I want single player immersive games with great graphics, immersive sound and excellent story and gameplay.
Sounds more like nostalgia than anything else :( - And yes I wish we could go back to that too.
You’re just looking for a Switch,
or PC gaming with a controller.
Step out of the default offerings.
Okay but would that take innovation, or would it take the reversal of the dual plagues of tariffs and the hoarding of hardware by the AI industry?