this post was submitted on 27 Jan 2026
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Who buys crazy expensive "new retro" consoles and why? (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by squaresinger@lemmy.world to c/retrogaming@lemmy.world
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This is not meant as an attack in any way, anyone can obvously buy whatever makes them happy.

I'm just really curious who buys consoles that aren't that old for such high prices.

I can see the appeal of holding childhood consoles in your hands again, and I can also see the appeal in collecting cool really old stuff. But I struggle to understand why someone would buy e.g. a New 2DS XL for €300 or more.

So just out of curiosity, if you are someone like that, what's the appeal that makes it worth spending so much money, instead of e.g. just going with a steam deck and an emulator instead?

Edit to avoid confusion: I am not talking about new reproduction systems (like the N64 Mini) or premium emulation/FPGA systems (like the Analogue Pocket or the MISTer), but about original game consoles that aren't supported any more but also aren't really old. Something like the DS/3DS, PSP, Wii U, Playstation 3. Some of them are now more expensive in mediocre second-hand condition than they were when they were new.

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[–] A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I think its mostly for connecting to modern TVs.

Cause it doesnt matter if you get one of those new FPGA consoles, or buy an original console and spend money modding it for HDMI and other shit.. it typically comes out to similar cost.

Unless theres been a radical change in price in the last year, HDMI mods for consoles are stupidly, insanely expensive. like 150-200 a pop last i checked, regardless of console.

HDMI mods don't apply to handhelds, of course, but i think the same basic premise of modding an original or buying a FPGA repro probably still comes down to cost and if you personally want to do the work or not.