Retro Video Game Holiday Gift Guide!
Posted by Steven Collier on Nov. 21st, 2015
Updated 2022
Nintendo, Super Nintendo, GameBoy, Sega, Retron 5, N64 Consoles, Games, Cartridges! It gets so confusing when you're trying to buy a gift for any retro video game fan in your life. Where do you start? Well, have no fear. DKOldies is offering more help than its usual free shipping and 120-Day warranties this holiday season. Today, we are proud to present you with this handy gift guide that should help clear up a lot of questions you might be experiencing.
Holiday Gift Guide Quick Links:
Nintendo NES: NES Most Popular, NES For Kids, NES For Mom and Dad
Super Nintendo: SNES Most Popular, SNES For Kids, SNES For Mom and Dad
Nintendo 64: N64 Most Popular, N64 For Kids, N64 For Mom and Dad
Game Cube: GameCube Most Popular, GameCube For Kids, GameCube For Mom and Dad
Game Boy: Gameboy Most Popular, Gameboy For Kids, Gameboy For Mom and Dad
Genesis: Genesis Most Popular, Genesis For Kids, Genesis For Mom and Dad
Do I want an Original or New Retro Gaming System?
If you're looking to buy a gaming system, this is the main question you need to figure out. So, let's take a look at what makes our systems unique.
ORIGINAL VIDEO GAMING SYSTEMS
Original Systems are the authentic Nintendo and Sega products you remember from your childhood. They are all 100% refurbished and work like new, but are becoming increasingly scarce.
Best Selling Original Game Systems
1. NES Mario 123 Pak
5. Gamecube Platinum Mario Pak
Shop All Original Gaming Systems
New retro video game consoles are systems that are being produced today. They will play your original Nintendo and Sega cartridges. On some models, you can play multiple platforms on one system, use original controllers and have many features, like HD ports and internal save drives that they just didn't have long ago.
Best Selling New Game Systems
1. Retron 5
2. Retron3
3. SupaBoy
WHAT GAMES SHOULD I BUY?
Alright, now that we've got the system primer out of the way, you're probably wondering what games you should even buy for these systems. Well read on, because below we've compiled lists for each system that should answer that very question!
NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM (NES)
The NES was released all the way back in 1985. Nintendo's original system was where many of the most iconic video game franchises got their start, and as such is held in high regard by gamers of all ages. Despite its dated hardware, the NES is a must-own system for any retro gamer.
1. Mario 3
4. Donkey Kong
5. Battletoads
Shop All Popular NES Games
NES Games for Kids:
1. TMNT
2. PaperBoy
3. Duck Tales
4. Chip N Dale
Best NES Categories For Kids:
Family, Disney, Games Under $10
NES Games for Mom's and Dad's:
3. Contra
5. Metroid
Best NES Categories for Mom and Dad
SUPER NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM (SNES)
Released in 1990, the successor to the NES benefited from a great many technical improvements. If the NES defined what we know as retro gaming, the SNES perfected it. It's the best console for any child of the 90s.
4. Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Shop All Popular SNES Games
SNES Games for Kids:
2. Mario Kart
3. Lion King
4. Aladdin
Best SNES Categories for Kids:
Family, Disney, Kirby Series, Games Under $10
SNES Games for Mom and Dad:
3. Star Fox
4. Mega Man X
Best SNES Categories for Mom and Dad:
Action, Sports , Madden, Mortal Kombat, Rare Games
The N64 was released in 1996, and introduced a new generation of 3D games to the market. Many of its flagship titles are still played by millions of young gamers every year. This is a fantastic console for the millennials in your life.
1. Mario 64
3. Goldeneye
1. Mario Party
Best N64 Categories for Kids:
Family, Games Under $10
N64 Games for Mom and Dad:
2. Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time
3. Legend of Zelda Majora's Mask
Best N64 Categories for Mom and Dad:
The Gamecube was Nintendo's first console to use disks instead of cartridges. Released in 2001, it was host to many brilliant, but overlooked games and is easily Nintendo's most underrated console. This system is advanced, fun, and approachable for gamers of all ages.
2.
Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess
4. Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Shop All Popular Gamecube Games
5. Pokemon XD
Gamecube Games for Mom and Dad:
3. Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life
5. Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
NINTENDO GAME BOY ADVANCE SP (GB, GBC, GBA)
The Game Boy Advance SP is our most popular handheld system, and with good reason. It can play Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games!
1. Tetris
2. Pokemon Red
3. Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
Shop All Popular GameBoy Games
Shop All Popular GameBoy Advance Games
3. Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
Best GameBoy Categories for Kids:
Pokemon Series
GameBoy Games for Mom and Dad:
1.
Dr Mario
2. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Best GameBoy Categories for Mom and Dad:
Castlevania, Final Fantasy Series
In the 90s, there was only one console that could rival the overwhelming popularity of Nintendo. That console was the SEGA Genesis. Released in 1989, the Genesis hosted dozens of exclusive games that remain popular to this day.
Shop All Popular Genesis Games
1. Aladdin
2.
Spider-Man
3.
X-Men
Best Genesis Categories for Kids:
Family, Games Under $10
Genesis Games for Mom and Dad:
3. Ms Pac-Man
Best Genesis Categories for Mom and Dad:
Action, Sports
We've just restocked the DKOldies Boutique with the best looking gaming garb on the market. So, if your looking to get some sweet Tees for yourself or anyone else this holiday season, visit our online store!
3. But Wait, I Still Have More Questions!
No worries, our DKOldies help line will be happy to clear up anything you might still be wondering about. Just go to our home page, and click the blue "Contact Us!" tab in the lower right corner of the screen. This will allow you to chat in real time with our DKOldies Help Staff. They can be reached during our regular business hours:
Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 3:00pm ET.