The retro edit
Retro console gift guide: the right one for every person and budget
A retro console is one of the few presents that works for people who have everything, people who have not played a game in twenty years and people who play every day. The trick is matching the console to the person. Here is how we would choose, what to add to the box and what to do before you wrap it.
By person
For a family
The Game Stick Lite 4K is a compact HDMI option with two wireless controllers. Before giving it, check the required card, power supply and model-specific setup instructions. Prepare your own legally obtained files and test the complete setup in advance so the recipient knows how to start.
For someone who used to play and stopped
Think about how they played. If they remember a TV and a second controller, the Game Stick Lite 4K. If they remember a handheld, the Trimui Brick, which is small enough to feel like the pocket consoles they grew up with.
For a commuter
The Trimui Brick for pocket size, or the Brick Pro for a bigger screen, joysticks and a 5000 mAh battery for longer journeys.
For someone who likes things that are well made
The Trimui Brick Hammer. It is machined from metal, weighs 159 grams and comes in five finishes. It is the handheld that feels like a gift in the hand.
For a teenager
The R36S in one of its six colours, or the R36MAX2 if they want a bigger screen. The R36MAX2 comes with a carry case, a stand and a screen protector, which makes a fuller box to open.
For the serious player
The Trimui Smart Pro S in the hand, with its widescreen display and the most power of our handhelds. Or the G99 4K TV Console for the living room, which reaches up to N64 and PSP games.
For a couple
Any TV console, because each comes with two controllers. The X8 TV Game Stick is the stronger choice for PS1 games and adds Android apps, and our guide to hosting a two-player game night makes a good card to go with it.
By budget
- Under $60: the Game Stick Lite 4K or the R36S.
- Under $100: the X8 TV Game Stick or the R36MAX2.
- $100 to $150: the G99 or any of the four Trimui handhelds.
What to add to the box
- A USB phone charger. The handhelds come with a USB-C cable but no plug, and a TV stick is happier on a charger than on some TVs' USB ports.
- Two AA batteries with the X8. Its remote control needs them, and they are not included.
- A note with five games you think they will love. It turns a library of thousands into a place to start.
Before you wrap it
Order early and check our shipping policy for current delivery times, especially before holidays. If you are giving a handheld, consider charging it first so it is ready the moment it is opened. And if you are not sure which one to choose, send us a message about the person, and we will tell you what we would give them.
