Be it Christmas or your friends upcoming birthday, you’ll be needing a go-to list of retro gaming gifts that can help you with any of your gift buying needs.
These retro gaming gifts range from a handful of pennies all the way up to a small loan, so don’t feel as though this is the normal price to spend on retro gamers.
This list will fit all budgets, and believe us when we say that any gift on this list will go down well, because I have personally tested every single one.
So let’s jump right in with the ultimate retro gaming gifts list!
1. A Handheld History
Hands down, the best retro gaming gift of the year has to be our very own coffee table book, A Handheld History.
We maybe biased but we have proudly crafted a premium, hardback coffee table book about the history of handhelds.
We have partnered with talented journalists, the gaming industries best artists and well known influencers to give you a nostalgic tome that takes you back through the best handheld games consoles of all time.
Big names like our very own Brandon Saltalamacchia, Jason Bradbury, Kevin Kenson and Ashens were involved with this book.
With over 260 pages of incredible content this thick book will go down well with any retro gamer, especially if they have (or had) a passion for handheld gaming.
You will also be supporting Retro Dodo and the future of the A Handheld History series should you snag a copy, so let me personally say a big thank you if you do!
2. RG353M
The RG353M is currently our favourite handheld of the year, perfect for retro gamers wanting to emulate a bunch of their favourite games on the go.
The reason the RG353M is currently king is due to the build quality and the affordable performance.
The RG353M is surrounded in a high quality matte metal case. It has a 3.5″ touch screen, a 1.8Ghz Quad-Core CPU, 2GB RAM, 3500MAH battery capacity and Wifi/Bluetooth.
This allows the device to emulate Dreamcast games flawlessly. That’s right, this can play all of your favourite Dreamcast games on the go for up to 5 hours on a single charge.
It can also emulate Gameboy Advance, Nintendo DS, most PSP games, Playstation 1, NES, SNES, Neo Geo and more.
That power met with a stunning screen, new hall joysticks and a simple to use Linux OS is what makes this an incredible handheld, a handheld that will last years because it’s basically immune to bumps and scratches because its made from Optimus Prime’s butt cheeks.
This is one of the best retro handhelds on the market, and it makes the perfect gift for retro gamers who love handhelds.
3. Grid Studios Retro Art
You may have seen these floating around our instagram recently and that’s because the more they release them, the more I want to collect them all.
These are retro art pieces from a company called Grid Studios, they simply take apart broken retro tech and frame them in a way that looks like insect taxidermy.
They layout every piece of retro tech, for example we have the Gameboy Advance SP edition that look absolutely stunning and it’s a great way to use broken consoles in a way that can be seen as art and maybe even preservation.
Alongside that they package these up incredibly well, to a point where you could call this product a premium piece of art, everything is assembled very well.
I personally have four of these and none of the parts have fallen off the backboard or broken, nor has the frame for that matter, so i can comfortably say these are some of the best retro gaming pieces of art that you can buy.
4. Evercade VS
The Evercade VS uses cartridges to play old retro games from the past. Evercade’s goal for the VS console is to bring back the physical culture of games and to help the return of couch coop games in modern day homes.
The console itself can connect up to four controllers and even two cartridges at the same time. Previously Evercade built a handheld, but now they want you to play with friends and family using the exact same cartridges as the handheld.
They have over 200 games available for the console and handheld so choosing something that you love won’t be a problem. THe user interface is incredibly easy to use making it great for children and for us oldies that wan’t that nostalgic feeling again.
The games we played were emulated flawlessly with no hiccups at all, making the gaming experience a refreshing experience on a HDTV.
The console itself retails for £99 and the cartriges start at around 20. These cartridge come with a selection of games, so you’ll have a wide number of choices when you pick up a single cartridge.
Overall it’s a refreshing console to play on in a time where everything is so digital and the fact that they’re bringing back physical cartridges and user manuals really makes me enjoy collecting games again.
5. Zelda Game & Watch
Nintendo recently released a new handheld, no not the Switch OLED, but this, the Legend of Zelda Game and Watch.
This is a respectful nod to one of NIntendo’s first ever handhelds which was released back in the 80’s, now in 2021 they have modernised it with a bright display, longer battery life, USB-C charging and multiple games in one.
That’s right, this one here features three Zelda games, that’s The Legend Of Zelda, The Adventure Of Link and finally Links Awaekning.
Playing Links Awakening on this tiny device just feels incredible. Not only that it has Vermin and a couple of interactive timers should you want to use this as a clock.
This is a great gift for Zelda fans and handheld collectors. It’s a great product that we can’t help but love, yes it doesn’t do much but it’s a piece that’s going in my collection anyway.
6. Power Idolz
You have seen these awesome phone chargers on our Twitter lately and that’s because we managed to get our hands on the Sonic Pow Idolz.
These are created by Numskull Designs and are quite simply wireless phone chargers that look like video game and movie characters.
The one we have here is Sonic but what’s unique about this wireless charger is that it has the body of a the original Sonic The Hedgehog on Mega Drive. This is where the charger is situated, so when your phone sits on the game, it charges.
Overall it’s a great affordable product that fits all ages, they’re also launching VHS version too like this Back To The Future version and this Jaws version. Like many of Numskull’s products they like to bring out new variants quite frequently so if these do interest you, keep an eye on the links below!
It’s a simple, yet thoughtful gift!
7. LEGO The Mighty Bowser
If you’re a lover of Super Mario and a LEGO fan then this LEGO Bowser has to be the ultimate gift.
It features over 2,800 pieces which is bigger than LEGO’s popular Nintendo Entertainment System set from last year!
Throughout the build you will be greeted with epic easter eggs and hidden compartments. Once built it comes with a bunch of playability features.
Firstly the bowser itself can be picked up and has limbs that can move and bend allowing you to place it in random positions depending on your setup.
You can even control the head, neck and eyes using a hidden button, this will help give your Bowser even more character.
The Mighty Bowser can even shoot a fireball from its mouth, the press of another hidden button will fire a projectile to protect itself.
This is the one of the best LEGO Nintendo sets in fact it’s probably one of the best Nintendo gifts, especially for those who love Bowser.
8. Pixel Frames
We all want to make our gaming rooms look as awesome as possible, right? And for us, sometimes posters just don’t make the cut.
So we picked up ourselves these awesome Pixel Frames.
They’re dioramas inside of a frame that makes it look as if the game is being viewed from a 3D perspective.
They have a wide selection of games to choose from too!
For example, our favourites are the Sonic The Hedgehog variants, but there are also Street Fighter, Mega Man, Castlevania, Contra, Altered Beast and more scenes from your favourite titles to choose from!
These will only set you back around $20 too, making them the perfect affordable gifts for your gaming friends and family.
9. Gameboy Cartridge Display Case
If you’re like me then all of my Gameboy cartridges just sit in a generic plastic tub, collecting dust when in reality I should put them on show and be proud of what games are in my collection.
But after many years of searching there’s been no real authentic way to show off your collection without it being out of a protective case… until now.
Books4Games are a small independent businesses ready to create awesome storage solutions for retro gamers, and we had the privilege of testing one of their first samples.
This is their Gameboy storage solution that features an impressive Zelda illustration on the front and 12 slots that fit Gameboy cartridges.
Originally they are meant to fit cartridges in dust protectors, but we far prefer them out raw, and it’s also the perfect size for double stacking your best Gameboy Advance games!
Books4Games are launching their first Kickstarter on the 1st November, so be sure to get first dibs as I am sure these will sell fast!
10. Funkey S
Imagine a tiny Gameboy Advance SP. Yeah, that’s basically what the Funkey S is. It’s technically the world’s smallest foldable games console too!
Put simply, the Funkey S is a retro handheld emulator that can emulate a wide number of games consoles up to and including the Playstation 1.
Yeah, you read that right, this little device can play your best PS1 games with no problems at all. It uses ROM files to do so and it comes ready to load straight out of the box with an easy to use user interface that makes it playable for all ages.
The build quality is also really good, and when you shut the clamshell, it sounds like original GBA SP!
This is a great gift for video game collectors and those that like playing games on the go.
11. 8BitDo Pro Controller (Atomic Purple)
The 8Bitdo Pro Controller is a superb wireless controller for retro gaming enthusiasts, and recently 8BitDo revealed a transparent purple edition that will certainly get retro gamers excited.
Not only is this controller incredibly comfortable, but it has also taken its style from the original GameBoy and can connect to any of your modern-day consoles, including the Nintendo Switch.
So, if you’re fed up of those tiny annoying joy-cons, then you can pick up one of these and your friend or family member will be completing Link’s Awakening in no time!
8Bitdo is renowned for creating some of the best Bluetooth controllers on the market, and their designs are like no others on the market. They’re oozing with nostalgia!
It can even connect to smartphones and the upcoming Analogue Pocket, which is another console that you should definitely consider having in your collection!
12. TUBBZ Cosplaying Ducks
POP! figures are so last year; the latest collectable on the block is Tubbz.
We’re talking cosplaying ducks with a touch of retro.
And no, we’re not ‘quackers’.
Created by Numskull, these ducks are the perfect retro gaming gifts for those that like to show off their love of gaming characters in a slightly adorable manner.
Some of the characters that you can purchase are Spyro, Crash Bandicoot, Dr Neo Cortex, Batman, Blanka, and many more!
These feathery friends are well designed, they look great on your desk, and they even come in an actual bathtub display allowing them to be stacked and given pride of place on your mantlepiece!
A cheap, affordable present that will certainly put smiles on faces and happily sits in our retro gaming gifts list!
13. QuarterArcades
For those that go beyond the 90’s gaming scene, there are incredible 1/4 scale replica arcades cabinets by Numskull.
We have two of these arcade cabinets and can confirm that not only do they play perfectly because they use the original game ROMs, but they also look amazing in your geek room or game cave!
We have the Pac-Man and Galaga versions; both are great, and both light up on the top section when turned on, making them look even cooler when on show.
An arcade cabinet is not a cheap present, but they will keep you entertained for hours, even in 30 years time.
They make great ornaments and are a great way to entertain guests. Plus the detail in the design on these things is so on point they look just like the real thing!
14. Hang On To Your Hat (Music From Super Mario 64)
One of the jazziest and best retro gaming gifts for the Mario fan in your life has to be Hang On To Your Hat (Music From Super Mario 64). Not only is this one of the greatest video game soundtracks on vinyl, but it’s an absolute groove-fest that we can’t get enough of.
Whether you’re into big band jazz or just love Metal Mario, this recreation of the epic tunes from Super Mario 64 will leave you footloose and fancy free as you two-step towards the kitchen.
Listening to Bob-omb battlefield with even more groove just made me smile for the rest of the day.
With an 8-page booklet and two gold-coloured LPs filled with jazzy Mazza music, this gift is sure to be a winner with any retro Nintendo fan.
Pixel Crib has nicely given Retro Dodo 10% off their vinyls using the code “RETRO DODO”.
15. Sega Mega Drive 2 Mini
We know what you re thinking, and yes, the SEGA Mega Drive Mini 2 is the perfect SEGA mini console.
Launching in October 2022, it’s another dive into the nostalgic archives of Sega’s back catalogue for us to enjoy, all preloaded on a small replica of the mighty machine itself.
The original Mega Drive was an unprecedented success, but the Mega Drive 2 was the machine that everyone loved the most.
And with classics like Earthworm Jim 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 3D, Streets of Rage 3, and Ecco the Dolphin, it’s not hard to see why!
60 games com pre-loaded onto the Mega Drive 2 Mini. Just hook up the HDMI, plug in the USB power cable, and start playing!
16. RetroFlag GameCube Nintendo Switch Controller
We all know RetroFlag for their GPi Case handheld, but we never expected them to come out with a GameCube Joycon set for the Nintendo Switch.
With transparent casing and the legendary GameCube buttons and sticks in all the right colours, this Switch Setup trumps any style of Joycon we’ve played with thus far.
Ok, so it’s not a Nintendo licensed product, but it sure feels like the real deal to us. There’s no drift to be had here either thanks to the hall joysticks, and the fact that the GC coloured face buttons are bigger than the standard Switch buttons makes gaming even more enjoyable.
With a great build quality, swish triggers, and that effortlessly-cool and nostalgic design from Ninty’s purple powerhouse, this RetroFlag controller set will revolutionise your handheld Switch setup forever!
It’s only available from the US and Canada at the moment, but hopefully we’ll see a European launch soon!
17. Sonic The Hedgehog Tiger Electronics Handheld
Of course, if we’re going to to get nostalgic over retro handhelds, then we can’t miss out this absolute belter from Tiger Electronics.
I remember playing this game so much as a kid that passers-by probably thought it was glued to my hands. It’s a trip down memory lane, and ever more current now that we finally know the Michael Jackson 100% worked on the Sonic 3 soundtrack.
Tiger pumped out so many of these single-game themed handhelds back in the day, and while the might not be as swish as the Nintendo Switch or as fancy as the Steam Deck, they still know how to put a smile on our faces.
Gamers take Sonic through 6 stages in a bid to stop Robotic from wreaking havoc. Join forces with Sonics friends as you dodge and dive through courses, call Tails when you need help, and collect Chaos Emeralds.
Everyone needs a little more Sonic in their lives!
A 29 year old fella that’s had a Gameboy addiction ever since he was a child. Brandon is the founder of RetroDodo and created a YouTube channel with 240,000 subscribers dedicated to retro gaming products. He now wants to create the No.1 site to showcase the latest retro products from around the globe.
