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Best old consoles to buy to avoid the anti-physical future, ranked
This Destructoid feature ranks the best retro games consoles to buy as a way of enjoying physical games amid growing concern over the decline of physical media in the industry. The list is aimed at collectors and older gamers looking to revisit classic libraries, singling out machines that excelled in areas modern consoles have largely abandoned, such as 2D fighters, split-screen multiplayer and backwards compatibility.
The rundown includes the Sega Saturn, praised for its 2D fighting games and hidden gems like Panzer Dragoon Saga; the Nintendo 64, valued for party games and classics such as Super Mario 64 and Zelda: Majora's Mask; the Sega Dreamcast, noted for strong single-player and multiplayer titles plus a high proportion of 60fps games, though it now averages over $300 (roughly £240) on eBay; the GameCube, highlighted for its Zelda titles, Resident Evil remake and Super Smash Bros. Melee; and the Xbox 360, commended for backwards compatibility that allows access to seven Halo games and other classics like Mass Effect 2 and BioShock.
In short
- Destructoid ranks retro consoles worth buying for physical games
- Sega Saturn, N64, Dreamcast, GameCube and Xbox 360 all featured
- Article responds to fears over the decline of physical game releases
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Buying older consoles can preserve access to games that are difficult to experience in their original physical form, while offering distinctive libraries built around local multiplayer, 2D fighting and backwards compatibility. For collectors and returning players, owning the hardware and discs can make revisiting those games more reliable and tangible than depending on changing digital storefronts.
The case against
A console’s physical format does not guarantee lasting access: ageing hardware and discs can fail, and some recommended machines or games are costly to find. Emulation and digital re-releases may offer a cheaper, more convenient way to play many classics, so buying old hardware is not the only way to resist losing access to them.
Explained simply
Physical games are bought on discs or cartridges, while digital games are downloaded or accessed through online services. Some players worry that as consoles and shops move towards digital sales, it may become harder to keep or revisit games independently of those services.
Older consoles offer another way to play, with libraries of games designed for their own hardware and, in some cases, support for earlier games. The Sega Saturn and Dreamcast were made by Sega, while the Nintendo 64 and GameCube came from Nintendo; Microsoft’s Xbox 360 followed later. Each is associated with different kinds of games, from two-player fighting and party games to larger single-player adventures.
These machines appeal to collectors and people who want to revisit games from earlier generations. Availability and cost vary, and older games may require original discs or cartridges and compatible hardware.