Prime Day Retro Deals: Why Small Upgrades Beat Big Hype

Are you hunting for retro gaming deals this Prime Day? If so, you might be feeling a bit let down. According to a retro gaming expert, Prime Day isn't great for retro deals. The event is a bit of a damp squib this year, likely due to the global cost of living crisis and AI data centres impacting the hardware scene. But don't lose hope—there are still ways to score some solid savings.

The expert points out that the structure of the sale might trick you into thinking remakes and emulation systems will be cheaper. Sadly, that's not the case. Instead, focus on smaller setup improvements. Think lower-priced gadgets like retro controllers and HDMI upscalers that help connect your old consoles to a modern TV. By ignoring the faux hype around "big deals," you can benefit from what's essentially a needless secondary sale. Plus, most savings aren't even subscriber-exclusive.

One easy way to upgrade your authentic retro setup is with a new controller. There are tons of modern retro gamepads that hook up to your old machines via a dongle or Retro Receiver. They make your inputs feel new and cut the cord. The expert isn't suggesting you replace all your original controllers—especially if you collect and restore accessories. But top picks like the 8Bitdo N64 controller and the Gulikit Elves 2 Pro are worth a look as wireless alternatives. Just note that not every option is cheaper for Prime Day, so your choices may be limited if you want specific gadgets.

If you've ever looked into HDMI upscalers, you know they can be an eyewatering investment. RetroTINK makes incredible 4K options, but most players need something cheaper. That's where Prime Day can help. Go-to upscalers like the OSSC and GBS-C normally get a price cut—and this October, both are under $100. You'll need an additional composite transcoder for systems without RGB output, but they make a huge difference for less than you'd think. The GBS-C is great for interlaced output with motion adaptive deinterlacing, while the OSSC provides cleaner scaling with next to no input lag.

For those who want more from original machines without emulation, Prime Day also has helpful hacks. Gadgets like the Summercart64 (a flash cart for Zelda ROM hacks) and the PSXMemcard Gen 2 (a modern memory card using SD storage) let you run homebrews and backups on PS1, PS2, and N64. They're plug-and-play and serve similar roles for both systems. The Summercart64 spoofs the cartridge slot to run ROMs from storage, while the PSXMemcard Gen 2 uses pre-installed Free Mcboot tricks to softmod your PlayStation 2. Both are worth a look if you're into retro console tinkering.

The expert hopes that by highlighting affordable retro gadgets, you'll focus on little discounts that add up to bigger savings. Ultimately, Prime Day has dropped the ball this year by neglecting pricier devices like retro handhelds and consoles. If that puts you off giving the retailer your business, that's completely acceptable. But if you've been waiting to work on your retro console setup, you can still make the most of the situation.

So, what do you think? Will you be picking up any of these small upgrades for your retro setup?