Here is a list of my console emulators (often available as “mini” versions), sorted by release date.

• Nintendo Classic Mini (2016)
• SNES Classic Mini (2017)
• Neo Geo Mini (2018)
• PlayStation Classic (2018)
• Sega Mega Drive Mini (2019)
• Evercade VS (2021)
• Sega Mega Drive Mini II (2022)
• Atari 2600+ (2023)
• Evercade VS Atomic Edition (2023)
• Evercade VS-R Tomb Raider Collection (2024)
• Evercade Alpha Mega Man Edition (2024)

When Nintendo unexpectedly announced the Classic Mini in 2016, demand was so high that the small console sold out in a matter of seconds—and was traded on the secondhand market for months at significantly inflated prices. The device features 30 pre-installed NES games, including absolute classics like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Mega Man 2, and Castlevania, and connects directly to the TV via HDMI. The included controller is a faithful miniature replica of the original NES controller. Nintendo unexpectedly discontinued production in 2017 but resumed it in 2018 due to customer demand. The Classic Mini impressively demonstrates just how strong the nostalgia for childhood games is.

A year after the NES Classic Mini, Nintendo followed up in 2017 with the SNES Classic Mini—and hit the mark again. The console includes 21 games, including such top-tier titles as *Super Mario World*, *A Link to the Past*, *Super Metroid*, *Yoshi’s Island*, and even the previously unreleased *Star Fox 2*. Here, too, demand far outstripped supply, leading to long waiting lists and panic buying. Technically, in addition to an HDMI output, the SNES Classic Mini also offers save slots and a rewind function—convenient features that the original, of course, didn’t have. A must-have for all fans of the 16-bit era.

SNK celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2018 with the Neo Geo Mini—a miniature tabletop version of the classic Neo Geo arcade machine, complete with its own built-in 3.5-inch display. Depending on the version, the device includes 40 to 42 pre-installed games from SNK’s golden age, including Metal Slug, King of Fighters, and Samurai Shodown. It can also be connected to a TV via the HDMI output, and the included controller is reminiscent of the classic arcade joystick. The striking retro design makes the Neo Geo Mini a real eye-catcher on any desk—even for non-gamers.

In 2018, Sony attempted to replicate the success of Nintendo’s Mini consoles with the PlayStation Classic—but the result disappointed many fans. The device came with 20 pre-installed games, including classics like Final Fantasy VII, Tekken 3, and Resident Evil, but also some unexpected fillers. Criticism focused primarily on the use of outdated 50 Hz PAL versions of some games, which caused noticeable slowdowns, as well as the lack of analog sticks on the included controllers. Added to this was a comparatively high launch price. Sony significantly lowered the price just a few weeks after launch—an unusual move that left a lasting mark on the console’s reputation.

What Sony failed to achieve, Sega did much better in 2019 with the Mega Drive Mini. The device included 42 carefully selected games—including Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and 2, Streets of Rage 2, Castlevania: Bloodlines, and even the previously unreleased Darius—and was widely praised by fans and critics alike. The emulation was precise, the game selection was well-balanced, and the compact design was cohesive. Particularly pleasing: Sega collaborated with the Japanese emulation specialist M2, which is known for its high-quality work. The Mega Drive Mini is considered one of the best mini-consoles ever released.

In 2022, Sega made its second attempt: The Mega Drive Mini II expanded the library by 50 additional titles, thereby filling gaps left by the first Mini. Particularly noteworthy was the inclusion of Mega CD games—including *Sonic CD* and *Night Trap*—which were available on a Mini console in this form for the first time. The Mega Drive Mini II was also emulated by M2 and implemented with great technical care. Internationally, it was initially released only in Japan, forcing Western fans to order imports—a circumstance that only served to further enhance the device’s cult status.

In 2023, Atari returned to the market with the 2600+—and did something unusual in the process: The new console isn’t just an emulator; it can actually play genuine original Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 cartridges. The cartridge slot format has been faithfully reproduced, so the entire physical game collection remains playable. With ten pre-installed games and a modern HDMI output, the 2600+ appeals to both nostalgia seekers and newcomers alike. The design closely mirrors the classic wood-grain look of the original. For owners of an existing Atari collection, it’s one of the most practical mini-consoles available.

Blaze Evercade

The Evercade VS is the living-room counterpart to Blaze Entertainment’s Evercade handheld series. Instead of pre-installed games, Evercade uses an open cartridge system featuring licensed game collections from various publishers—ranging from Atari and Namco to indie developers. The VS was released in 2021 and, in addition to two-player mode on a TV, also offers the ability to use all Evercade cartridges that run on the handheld. The concept is refreshingly different from typical mini-consoles: no fixed game library, no subscription, just physical cartridges—an approach that goes over well with collectors and retro enthusiasts.

Die Evercade VS ist das Wohnzimmer-Pendant zur Evercade-Handheld-Serie von Blaze Entertainment. Anstelle vorinstallierter Spiele nutzt Evercade ein offenes Kassettensystem mit lizenzierten Spielesammlungen verschiedener Publisher – von Atari und Namco bis hin zu Indie-Entwicklern. Die VS kam 2021 auf den Markt und bietet neben dem Zwei-Spieler-Modus am Fernseher auch die Möglichkeit, alle Evercade-Kassetten zu nutzen, die auf dem Handheld laufen. Das Konzept unterscheidet sich erfrischend von typischen Minikonsolen: keine feste Spielebibliothek, kein Abonnement, nur physische Kassetten – ein Ansatz, der bei Sammlern und Retro-Fans gut ankommt.

The Evercade Alpha is Blaze Entertainment’s 2024 take on classic arcade cabinets in miniature form—a tabletop arcade machine with its own display, joystick, and buttons that accepts Evercade cartridges. The Mega Man Edition came with an exclusive Capcom cartridge featuring several Mega Man classics and was released in a limited run. The device combines the nostalgia of the arcade experience with the modular Evercade system—and it looks great, too.