Retro & Arcade Gaming: (Just like Mum used to make)
Old games never really die — they just find new homes. PC gaming has an unbroken line back to the earliest arcade machines, and in 2026 playing the classics has never been easier. GOG and Steam carry thousands of preserved titles. Emulation covers everything else. And the hardware to play them properly — arcade sticks, retro controllers, dedicated setups — is better than it’s ever been.
This is the section for people who love where games came from as much as where they’re going.
Arcade & Fight Sticks
There is nothing quite like a proper arcade stick for fighting games, beat ’em ups, and classic arcade titles. The satisfying clack of a Sanwa joystick, the crisp snap of the buttons — it changes the experience entirely. Our guide covers every budget from first-time buyers to tournament-ready hardware.
Retro Controllers
Modern controllers are designed for modern games. For retro titles the D-pad matters above everything else — and most modern controllers get it badly wrong. Our guide covers the best retro-inspired controllers available, with 8BitDo dominating for good reason.
Classic Games on PC
The PC back catalogue is enormous and most of it is still genuinely worth your time. Half-Life, Diablo II, Grim Fandango — these aren’t just historically important, they’re great games. Our guide covers the best classics available to buy and play on PC right now.
Retro Console Games
The games that made those consoles worth owning — and where to play them in 2026. Whether you’re going digital via Switch Online and PS Plus, or hunting physical copies at car boots and CEX, here’s what’s worth your time.
Retro Computers
Eight-bit beeps, rubber keys, and tape decks that took four minutes to load a game. The home computers of the 1980s shaped British gaming in ways the console market never quite did. We cover the originals worth tracking down and the modern replicas that plug straight into your TV.
Retro Consoles
From the NES to the Dreamcast, two decades of console gaming produced some of the best games ever made. Whether you want original hardware, a modern mini console, or something premium from Analogue, here’s how to approach every major machine.
LOOKING BACK
Some games deserve more than a mention in a roundup. Once a month we go back to a game that mattered — what made it, why it still does, and where you can find it now.
RASPBERRY PI
A tiny computer, a microSD card, and a weekend afternoon. The Raspberry Pi can become a retro gaming machine that plays thousands of classic games across dozens of systems — from the NES and SNES right through to PlayStation and Dreamcast. Our guide covers every model, the best software to use, and how to get started.