Retro Gaming Is Booming — and It's Great for the Planet Too

Dig out an old console and plug it into the telly, and within about thirty seconds you're ten years old again. It's no wonder retro gaming is booming. What's less obvious is that it's also one of the most sustainable hobbies going, because the best way to play the classics is to buy the original kit that's already out there.

Why retro gaming is having a moment

A lot of it is nostalgia. People who grew up on PlayStation, Nintendo and Xbox are now adults with their own money, and they want to replay the games they remember. But it isn't just nostalgia. Younger players are discovering older games too, and parents love handing their kids the same titles they grew up with. Simple controls, quick pick-up-and-play sessions and games that are fun on the sofa with other people never really went out of style.

Why retro is sustainable by default

Making a games console takes a lot: mining and refining materials, running factories, packaging it and shipping it around the world. All of that happened years ago for the consoles on our shelves. Every time one finds a new home, it's another console that didn't need to be manufactured, and another working machine kept out of a drawer or a bin.

It's the same story as with phones. Electronics that stop being used don't always stop existing: they get forgotten in lofts, then thrown out with general rubbish, where the materials inside are lost for good. Buying and selling pre-owned keeps them in circulation where they belong.

Built to last

Consoles from a few generations back were built to be played for years, and plenty still run perfectly. That's the quiet beauty of retro: you're buying something that has already proved it lasts. Every console and game we sell is tested before it goes on the shelf, and it's covered by a 12-month warranty, so you're not taking a gamble on something that might not work.

Why the real thing beats a download

There's a charm to original hardware you just can't copy: the weight of the controller, the click of a cartridge, the glow of a disc tray. It's part of the fun. It's also the more sustainable choice, because a console that's already been made and is already working is a far lower-impact way to play than buying yet another new device. And when you're done, it can be passed on again. A good console can have three, four or five owners over its life.

Looking after retro kit

A little care keeps old consoles going for years. Keep them somewhere with good airflow, give vents a gentle dust now and then, store discs and cartridges upright and out of direct sunlight, and wind leads loosely rather than tight. Simple habits like these mean the console you buy today can easily be handed to someone else in another ten years, which is exactly how a circular economy is meant to work.

It's kinder on your wallet, too

New hardware loses value fast and brand new games are expensive. Pre-owned consoles and games typically cost a fraction of the new price, and older titles can be remarkably cheap. That means more games for the same money, and more left over for extra controllers so everyone can join in. If you'd like to spread the cost, Easy-Pay lets you reserve with a 20% deposit and pay the rest over 12 weeks, with no credit check and nothing added to the price.

What to look for when you buy

A few simple things make all the difference. Check the console comes with the right leads and at least one working controller. Look for clean discs and cartridges. Ask whether it has been tested and what warranty comes with it. Buying from a shop rather than a stranger online means you can see it, ask questions, and come back if something isn't right. Stock changes all the time, so it's worth popping into our Blackpool or Fleetwood store to see what's come in.

Got old consoles or games at home?

If there's a console or a box of games gathering dust in your loft, someone else would love to play them. Bring them in and we'll tell you what they're worth. You get cash in hand, and your old kit gets a second life with another player, rather than a place in a landfill.

Fancy a trip down memory lane? Browse our pre-owned games & consoles or pop into our Blackpool or Fleetwood store and see what retro finds we've got in this week.