There’s something genuinely lovely about a mini console. No setup headaches, no emulator configuration, no hunting for ROMs. You plug it into your TV via HDMI, pick up a controller that’s basically identical to the one you had as a kid, and the games are just there. It’s retro gaming without the friction.
The big manufacturers had a golden run of mini console releases between 2016 and 2022 — NES Mini, SNES Mini, Mega Drive Mini, PS Classic, Neo Geo Mini — and most of them are still available, often at significantly reduced prices compared to launch. Here’s our honest assessment of the ones worth buying.
At a Glance
| Console | Games | Controllers Included | Verdict | Approx. Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNES Mini | 21 | 2 | Best overall | ~£60–80 |
| Mega Drive Mini 2 | 60 | 1 | Best Sega | ~£60–80 |
| Mega Drive Mini 1 | 42 | 2 | Best value Sega | ~£40–55 |
| Neo Geo Mini | 40 | 0 (sold separately) | Best for arcade fans | ~£40–60 |
| PS Classic | 20 | 2 | Skip it | ~£20–30 |
Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo — Best Overall Mini Console
~£60–80 | 21 Games | 2 Controllers | HDMI
The SNES Mini is the gold standard of mini consoles and it’s not particularly close. Nintendo’s approach was simple: take 21 of the best games ever made for the system, put them in a perfectly proportioned miniature cabinet, include two controllers with proper cable length, and call it done. The result is the most consistently praised mini console ever released.
The game selection is exceptional. Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Metroid, Street Fighter II Turbo, Donkey Kong Country, F-Zero, Kirby Super Star, Super Mario Kart, Mega Man X — this is not a list padded with obscure fillers. Almost every game on the cart is genuinely great, and the inclusion of Star Fox 2 — a previously unreleased SNES game from 1995 that Nintendo held back at the time — makes it a genuine collector’s piece.
The controllers are accurate reproductions of the originals and feel excellent. The HDMI output is clean. Save states work exactly as you’d hope. It just works, immediately and reliably, in a way that feels effortless.
The only complaints at launch were the short controller cables (Nintendo later released extension cables) and the lack of additional games. Neither significantly dents what remains the best plug-and-play retro experience available.
Included highlights: Super Mario World, Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Metroid, Street Fighter II Turbo, Donkey Kong Country, F-Zero, Kirby Super Star, Mega Man X, Star Fox, Star Fox 2, Super Mario Kart, Yoshi’s Island
Pros: Outstanding game selection, two controllers included, accurate proportions, clean HDMI output, save states
Cons: Only 21 games, controller cables short (get extension cables), discontinued so stock varies
→ Check price on Amazon UK (SNES Mini)
Sega Mega Drive Mini 2 — Best Sega Mini Console
~£60–80 | 60 Games | 1 Controller | Amazon Exclusive | HDMI
Sega’s second mini console doubles the game count of the original and adds something genuinely surprising: Mega CD titles. The Mega CD was Sega’s CD-ROM add-on from the early 90s — notoriously expensive at the time and largely forgotten since — but the Mini 2 includes several Mega CD games, making it the only easy legal way to play them on modern hardware without sourcing original hardware.
60 games is a generous library, and the selection leans harder into the deeper cuts of the Mega Drive catalogue alongside the expected classics. Sonic CD (from the Mega CD library), Virtua Racing, Thunder Force IV, Castlevania: Bloodlines, Alien Soldier — there’s genuine depth here for people who know the system well. Available exclusively through Amazon UK.
The main complaint is that only one controller is included — a notable step down from the original Mini which shipped with two. For a system whose best games include two-player classics, you’ll want to budget for a second controller. The original Mega Drive Mini controllers are compatible.
Included highlights: Sonic CD, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Virtua Racing, Castlevania: Bloodlines, Thunder Force IV, Alien Soldier, Night Striker, Bonanza Bros, Fantasy Zone
Pros: 60 games, Mega CD titles included, Amazon exclusive (reliable stock), authentic design, save states
Cons: Only one controller included, needs second controller purchase for two-player, some expected titles missing
→ Check price on Amazon UK (Mega Drive Mini 2)
Sega Mega Drive Mini 1 — Best Value Sega Option
~£40–55 | 42 Games | 2 Controllers | HDMI
If the Mega Drive Mini 2 is too expensive or hard to find, the original Mega Drive Mini is the better value buy. 42 games, two controllers included, and a game list that covers the Mega Drive’s greatest hits more comprehensively than the sequel: Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage 2, Mortal Kombat II, Earthworm Jim, Gunstar Heroes, Phantasy Star IV, Shining Force, Strider — this is the Mega Drive’s back catalogue done properly.
It’s the more mainstream-friendly option of the two — the games most people remember are here. For anyone who grew up with a Mega Drive, the original Mini will trigger more immediate nostalgia than the more obscure selections on the Mini 2.
Included highlights: Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage 2, Mortal Kombat II, Earthworm Jim, Gunstar Heroes, Phantasy Star IV, Shining Force, Strider, Castle of Illusion
Pros: Strong game selection, two controllers included, widely available, good value
Cons: Older selection feels less adventurous than Mini 2, no Mega CD content
→ Check price on Amazon UK (Mega Drive Mini 1)
Neo Geo Mini — Best for Arcade Fighting Game Fans
~£40–60 | 40 Games | No Controllers Included | Built-in Screen | HDMI
The Neo Geo Mini is the most distinctive device in this list — it’s shaped like a miniature arcade cabinet, complete with a tiny joystick and buttons on the front and a built-in 3.5-inch screen. You can play it as a handheld tabletop device or connect it to your TV via HDMI for the full experience.
The Neo Geo was SNK’s outrageously expensive home arcade system from the 90s — cartridges cost £200 each at the time, making it the preserve of the extremely wealthy or the extremely committed. The Mini puts 40 of the best Neo Geo games — King of Fighters series, Metal Slug series, Samurai Shodown, Fatal Fury, Garou: Mark of the Wolves — into something you can buy for under £60. For fighting game fans and arcade enthusiasts, that’s remarkable value.
The important caveat: no controllers are included in the standard box, and the built-in joystick is too small for comfortable extended play on a TV. The Neo Geo Mini Pad controllers are sold separately at around £15–20 each and are essentially required for a proper TV gaming experience. Budget accordingly.
Included highlights: Metal Slug (1, 2, 3, X), King of Fighters series, Samurai Shodown series, Fatal Fury series, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, Blazing Star, Shock Troopers
Pros: Unique arcade cabinet design, built-in screen, 40 excellent games, best legal way to play Neo Geo classics
Cons: No controllers included (budget extra £30–40), built-in joystick too small for TV play, needs mini HDMI cable (not always included)
→ Check price on Amazon UK (Neo Geo Mini)
PlayStation Classic — Skip It
~£20–30 | 20 Games | 2 Controllers | HDMI
The PlayStation Classic is the cautionary tale of the mini console era. Sony released it in 2018 at £89.99 — significantly overpriced for what it delivered — and it was widely criticised on launch for poor emulation quality, odd game choices, and the decision to use PAL (50Hz) versions of most games rather than the faster NTSC versions, introducing slowdown into titles that didn’t have it originally.
The game selection is the main issue. Where Nintendo chose 21 genuine classics for the SNES Mini, Sony’s 20-game lineup includes some baffling omissions — no Crash Bandicoot, no Spyro, no Gran Turismo 2, no Tomb Raider — alongside several forgettable PAL-region fillers. The included controllers are the original PlayStation pads without analogue sticks, which means games that require analogue input don’t work properly.
It’s now available for around £20–30 secondhand, which is closer to its actual value. At that price the emulation issues become more tolerable, and the hardware itself is well made. If you can find one cheap and just want Tekken 3, Final Fantasy VII, and Metal Gear Solid in one box, it’s not a disaster. But it’s the weakest entry in the mini console category and the only one we’d recommend against at full price.
Pros: Cheap now secondhand, two controllers included, good build quality
Cons: Poor game selection, PAL slowdown on most titles, no analogue sticks, emulation quality below standard
→ Check price on Amazon UK (PS Classic)
What About the NES Mini?
The NES Mini — Nintendo’s first mini console, released in 2016 — predates everything on this list and is worth a mention. It includes 30 NES games and was the device that proved the market for mini consoles existed. Stock is increasingly difficult to find at sensible prices in 2026, and the SNES Mini covers a later, better era of gaming. But if you have a specific fondness for 8-bit NES classics — original Zelda, Metroid, Mega Man 2, Ninja Gaiden — it’s worth hunting down if the price is right.
Mini Console Buying Tips
Check stock carefully
Most of these consoles are discontinued. Amazon Marketplace sellers often list them at significantly inflated prices. Check that you’re buying from Amazon directly or a reputable seller, and compare against secondhand prices on eBay and CEX before paying a premium.
You’ll probably want extension cables
The SNES Mini and Mega Drive Mini controllers have relatively short cables. 8BitDo and other manufacturers make compatible extension cables for around £5–10 each — worth buying at the same time.
Check you have the right HDMI cables
Most mini consoles include a standard HDMI cable. The Neo Geo Mini uses mini HDMI — check what’s included in your specific bundle before assuming you’re ready to play out of the box.
USB power supply
Most mini consoles are powered by USB but don’t include a USB power adapter — just a cable. Any standard 5V USB adapter will work, including a phone charger.
Our Verdict
The SNES Mini remains the best mini console you can buy — an almost perfect collection of 21 genuine classics in an authentic form factor. For Sega fans, the Mega Drive Mini 2 is the more adventurous pick with its 60-game library and Mega CD inclusions, while the original Mega Drive Mini is the better value option for anyone who just wants the hits. And for fighting game and arcade enthusiasts, the Neo Geo Mini is unlike anything else in the category.
Skip the PS Classic unless you find it for under £20 secondhand.
If you want to go deeper into retro gaming, see our How to Build a Bartop Arcade Cabinet guide and our Best Retro Gaming Controllers picks.
Prices correct at time of writing and may vary. Stock on discontinued consoles fluctuates significantly — check current availability before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.