Does Hardware Matter?

[Dynaknights]

Howdy, everymelon! 

For a few months, I've been wondering whether I should get genuine hardware (physical consoles and games) or stick to emulation like I have for the past few years in terms of retro gaming (retro gaming? Playing older games?). I was thinking of getting a 3DS or something like it because I've never owned any sort of console ever in my entire life and I'm curious what it's like to have one... 
I know the retro game market is pretty fucking abysmal, which is why I'm pitching this question. Is it worth it? Should I just stick to emulation and let's plays?? ',:/

[sunnyp4rk]

I prefer being able to play on actual hardware, but I also like to be realistic. If I can't easily get the hardware, then I'll just emulate.

[jester-addict]

Emulation is an amazing tool and realistically the only way many consoles can be experienced, but genuine hardware is something that can not be beat most of the time. The games were made with that system in mind and in nearly all cases are best with the system. They'd feel most at home, and all games should work with it out of the box, which some titles and emulation are still being worked on.

For the 3DS specifically, I can not recommend it enough. Yes the market is hellish but if you can get a working on for a good price, it is more than worth it, ESPECIALLY with the homebrew scene. I also recall 3DS emulation (the system and games itself not the emulation the console is capable of) not being great and or iffy, but that was a while ago and things may have gotten better. But nonetheless the 3DS kind of needs it's form factor in my opinion. The 3DS can also play many older games and systems either natively with Virtual Console or with homebrew, so it would be a good pick if you can only get the single console.

But sunnyp4rk brings up a great point, many consoles aren't easy to get your hands on, with emulation being an easier and cost effective solution. It is a valid solution, and has it's own pros with how advanced and feature packed many emulators are.

This is where I should also bring up my potential bias, I am a retro gaming enthusiast and collector, so I'm very much more willing to spend a lot on games, so of course keep in check with what you can do and afford.

I say make a list of any games you want to play, and figure out what systems they can be played on. If there's a console that can play most, if not all of them, see if you can go for it!

But also keep in mind, many systems are starting to age, I've heard things that around this year many GameCubes haven't been able to read discs due to the now 20-25 year old hardware starting to fail, so either get a system that has been fixed up already, or be ready to shell out your own for someone to repair. Or repair yourself if you have the knowledge.

Hardware doesn't always matter, but it can and does add so much to the experience, though if you can not afford that experience there is no shame in just emulating.   

There's more that could be said on this, and if you want any clarification or anything like that, feel free to ask me if you need!!! I'd be happy to discus this further if you need more info, take care!

edit: I am so sorry if this doesn't make too much sense It was nearly midnight for me and I saw topic I have a lot of interest in and just went on

[pepper]

I'd like to chime in and endorse jester-addict's reply above! If at all possible, for retro nintendo handheld gaming you cannot beat the feel of a 3ds. I have mine modded and it plays gameboy ROMs no problem, and it still runs great for ds and 3ds games! Homebrew is cool, and i also have my circle pad pro which lets me play the handful of 3ds games that required it (looking at you majoras mask). I've thought about looking for a new 3ds xl, as i just have the normal 3ds xl, but those go for upwards of $400 USD these days at my local retro game store and just looking at ebay just now all those sellers look so sketchy

All that said: I've been playing games since I was a kid and still have a lot of my own consoles and games, so what I have has only had one owner (me) and is still in very good condition! If I were to build my collection from scratch today it would be prohibitively expensive :< It's bonkers how expensive retro gaming got just in the last few years. I'd say maybe start slow, get a good 3ds, preferably locally if you can, and a few game carts, maybe mod it if you feel comfortable with that so you can run ROMs on the original hardware.

I personally wouldn't get that knock-off you linked, it doesn't look like it'd be worth the cost and you may as well just buy the original hardware for that price!

[Horsey Chobunso]

I definitely prefer playing retro games on original hardware, but I save costs by using flashcarts and custom firmware. In my experience, consoles are marked up on the secondary markup, but not nearly as much as games. It still feels bad to overpay for a GBA, but not as bad as paying more for Pokemon Emerald than I'd pay for a modern AAA game.

[Dynaknights]

Thank much to everyone for your helpful replies. :)

I was and still am pretty worried about how degraded older systems would be after all these years (especially for how highly they sell), but I'll give a legitimate 3DS (XL) a fair shot and stick to emulation for other consoles I can't get my hands on. I've been wanting to see what all the rage about homebrew is anyway, and they seem fun to have! Although, I guess I'm also pretty biased due to me just being interested in retro gaming as a whole for a while...

I'll be sure to leave an update when I get my hands on one!

[jester-addict]

Thank much to everyone for your helpful replies. :)

I was and still am pretty worried about how degraded older systems would be after all these years...but I'll give a legitimate 3DS (XL) a fair shot and stick to emulation for other consoles I can't get my hands on. I've been wanting to see what all the rage about homebrew is anyway, and they seem fun to have! Although, I guess I'm also pretty biased due to me just being interested in retro gaming as a whole for a while...

I'll be sure to leave an update when I get my hands on one!

Good luck!!! And for degradation standards, the 3DS is still in good shape!

And for modding the system for homebrew make sure to follow https://3ds.hacks.guide/ DO NOT do a video guide, the guide is updated very regularly and it is the best source for getting started with modding the system

Also do not pay for a "premodded" console that is an actual scam and violates a lot of modders and homebrew developers guidelines

[ThunderPerfectWitchcraft]

I'd say it depends. Some consoles, like the SNES, can be emulated with nearly perfect accuracy - and they don't have any gimmicks that makes original hardware necessary. The monitor you use will make a bigger difference than the console, if you ask me - CRT or the usage of a good filter does help a lot indeed.

But there are consoles with less developed emulation, or ones that have important gimmicks - the 3DS is imho such a case. Another example is Asteroids - I played it on original hardware a few years ago for the first time, and I was stunned about the effect the original monitor has - the single white dots are glistening, you can't emulate this on a modern screen.