Video summary

All 7 Mini Consoles ranked BEST & WORST

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product(s) reviewed

This video ranks multiple “mini console” retro systems (no single product). Key products discussed:

  1. Sony PlayStation Classic (worst pick)
  2. SNK NEOGEO mini
  3. Commodore 64 Mini (C64 Mini)
  4. NES Classic Mini
  5. Sega Genesis Mini
  6. TurboGrafx-16 Mini (PC Engine in Japan)
  7. Super NES Classic Edition (best pick)

Overall verdict

Best: Super NES Classic Edition (favorite; praised for an excellent game lineup and that “Nintendo knocked it outta the park”).

Worst: Sony PlayStation Classic (least favorite due to weak/odd game selection and poor video output details).

Mid-tier highlights: Sega Genesis Mini, TurboGrafx-16 Mini, and NES Classic Mini. Notable drawbacks: SNK NEOGEO mini and Commodore 64 Mini.

Unique points mentioned about each mini console

1) Sony PlayStation Classic (least favorite)

Pros

  • Includes two controllers
  • Some games included are great (e.g., Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid)
  • Looks cool
  • Modding scene exists (easy to add your own games), though the ranking is based on stock

Cons / issues

  • “Classic” branding doesn’t match the selection; missing many true “classics” (examples mentioned: Tomb Raider, Wipeout, Crash Bandicoot)
  • Includes PAL versions that run at lower frame rates
  • Graphics look rough on big HD TVs (early polygon look); wishes for smoothing options
  • Considered the worst in the lineup overall (stock retail)

User experience

  • Stock experience feels incomplete/odd; picture quality on modern TVs is disappointing.

2) SNK NEOGEO mini

Pros

  • Best aesthetics in the lineup: “I do really like how this looks”
  • Only one shown with a built-in screen
  • SNK released five different versions (collectible value)
  • Game mix: classic NEOGEO fighting, shooters, and run-and-guns
  • Games play fine even with complaints about controls

Cons / issues

  • Not truly portable: no ability to use your own batteries; still must plug into the wall
  • HDMI output is blurry and looks bad
  • Thumbstick feel: removed the “clicky thumbsticks” NEOGEO is known for (disappointing, though not a deal breaker)
  • Game collections differ per version, which can make collecting “pretty crazy”

User experience

  • Works great on its built-in screen; HDMI output quality is the major letdown.

3) Commodore 64 Mini (C64 Mini)

Pros

  • Includes 64 games
  • Unique strength: free BIOS upgrade lets users put their own games on it without hacking
  • The games “look and run great”

Cons / issues

  • Launched with less than expected classic licensing—not enough “classic games” for typical C64 fans
  • Being a “computer,” it should have a keyboard:
    • No physical keyboard included
    • Some games expect space bar or function keys
    • Workaround: controller brings up a virtual keyboard, which is awkward
  • Included controller was prone to breaking / not sturdy (common complaint)
  • Mentions a later product: a full-sized Commodore 64 with a working keyboard, but not covered in depth here

User experience

  • Best for those who want a C64 “console-like” experience and value the easy BIOS-based add-your-own-games feature, but keyboard dependency and controller sturdiness are friction points.

4) NES Classic Mini

Pros

  • Strong, first-party-backed classic NES lineup: 30 NES games
  • Games run/play great; “stone-cold classics”
  • Nintendo’s first-party access helps it pack the games people want
  • Controller cable complaint is the only major downside mentioned at the time

Cons / issues

  • Painfully short controller cord (controller cable length)

User experience

  • Described as nearly complaint-free aside from cable length; high reliability and enjoyment.

5) Sega Genesis Mini

Pros

  • Includes 42 games
  • Strong collection of first-party and third-party titles
  • Highlights “Tower of Power” as a hilarious/awesome peripheral bundle:
    • CD attachment
    • 32X
    • Cartridge adapter
    • Notes these peripherals mostly don’t work, but exist for “uber fans”
  • Real-world use example: used at a housewarming party and got a lot of play

Cons / issues

  • North American version includes only three-button controller (accurate to original release) but disappointing for fans wanting six-button; mentions games that take advantage of six-button controls
  • Notes Sega did sell an official six-button controller (speaker doesn’t own one)

User experience

  • Popular in group settings; emphasis on fun and strong game list.

6) TurboGrafx-16 Mini (PC Engine / SuperGrafx included)

Pros

  • Big library: 58 games (with note that it may count some doubles depending on TurboGrafx-16 vs PC Engine viewpoint)
  • Includes TurboGrafx-16, PC Engine, CD-ROM games, and SuperGrafx
  • Main menu lets you swap views: TurboGrafx-16 vs PC Engine
  • Many shooters, but not exclusively shooters
  • Controller includes turbo switches (helpful for shooters)
  • Hidden unlocks referenced:
    • On PC Engine side selecting “Salamander”:
      • Select twice → bell sound → unlock Force Gear
      • Select three times → unlock TwinBee
      • Hold Select + press 1 → updated version of Salamander
  • Other presentation touches:
    • CD-ROM menu selection plays a CD drive spin-up sound
    • Option to play via TurboExpress (portable device) mentioned as a fun feature
  • Called “high on this list” due to sheer game quality

Cons / issues

  • No major negatives explicitly stated; mainly praised.

User experience

  • Feels feature-rich and playful (hidden content + authentic-ish audio/menus).

7) Super NES Classic Edition (favorite / best)

Pros

  • Comes with 21 games including an exclusive:
    • Star Fox (released exclusively here; originally canceled)
  • Better controller cable length than some others (longer cables noted)
  • Speaker doesn’t even use the long cables due to third-party wireless controllers (e.g., 8BitDo wireless solutions work well)
  • Biggest reason: excellent SNES game lineup, including many that people want to own/play:
    • Examples mentioned: Contra III, Donkey Kong Country, EarthBound, F-Zero, Final Fantasy VI/III (as stated), Kirby, Zelda, Mega Man X, Secret of Mana, Super Castlevania IV, Super Metroid, etc.
  • Called the “perfect” small package and top favorite

Cons / issues

  • No major drawbacks stated beyond mentioning the cables (that they’re long enough).

User experience

  • Strong “collectible and playable” factor; feels like the most complete classic SNES package.

Comparisons made (within the rankings)

  • Nintendo advantage: first-party rights help deliver the most desired classic libraries (NES Classic and Super NES Classic emphasized).
  • Stock vs modding: acknowledges mod scenes exist for adding games, but ranking is primarily based on stock retail versions (with C64 highlighted as having a legit no-hack BIOS upgrade instead).
  • HD output vs built-in screen:
    • SNK NEOGEO mini: built-in screen is fine; HDMI output is blurry.
    • PlayStation Classic: early graphics look rough on HD TVs; wishes for smoothing.

Ratings / numbers explicitly given

  • PlayStation Classic: labeled least favorite (no numeric score)
  • NEOGEO mini: no numeric rating
  • C64 Mini: 64 games
  • NES Classic Mini: 30 games
  • Sega Genesis Mini: 42 games
  • TurboGrafx-16 Mini: 58 games (with counting nuance)
  • Super NES Classic Edition: 21 games
  • No star/score numbers were provided beyond “best,” “worst,” and the ranking order.

Who said what (speakers)

  • Single speaker (Metal Jesus) is presenting all views; no other speakers are contributing distinct perspectives in the subtitles.

Original video