when did you get it and why? how often do you use it?
If you don’t own a retro system or console, what is the oldest system you emulate or which system would you like to own in the future?
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For me, my oldest system is an Atari 800xl (i’m counting early home computers). I purchased it on a whim when Netflix’s Bandersnatch interactive movie was briefly popular. I was studying (and still am) computer science and was curious on what you could all do on a home computer from the early 80s. Turns out, quite a lot and I’ve had a lot of fun sifting through the 50+ floppies i have finding everything from home finance software, a plethora home brew games, and even floppy magazines (a bunch of articles on a floppy. not sure the proper name)
when i first got it i was on it more than my modern computer, but after moving it has been gathering some dust in its box. i’m hoping to eventually find a home for it in my home so i can use it more.
a fun thing of note is that it still has the saran wrap on its chrome parts, and it has a Sears Service sticker on the bottom of it when one of the previous owners had it serviced.
My NES. My dad had a Pong machine that hooked up to old TVs, but it was in terrible condition when he threw it out after the divorce. If I remember correctly the connector required you to screw it into the contacts on the back of the TV - Old electronics were so bad lol
The earliest one I bought was an Amiga 500 which I still think is one of the greatest machines of all time. I loved the community - really creative. I also own a ZX81 which was the first machine I ever did any programming on
Atari 7800. I bought it from someone on craigslist about 3 years ago. The video was pretty fuzzy and audio wasn’t consistent, so I talked them down to a good price. I ended up modding it for composite video and audio, but I rarely play it. I didn’t grow up with an Atari, so I don’t have the nostalgia for the games, but I still think it’s pretty neat.
Oldest system, by release year its my Hong Kong 6 Switch Atari 2600. Local guy was selling it and it was in immaculate condition. Dust cover on the system, with boxed games.
At the time I was selling games and systems, so I kept the system and 2 games for myself. Don’t use it much since its a 2600, but I have it on my shelf.
Oldest system I own is my GBC, had it since before my youngest sibling was born and I still have it today. Obviously doesn’t get much use since GBA SP, but I still keep it around.
Ive got a Magnavox Odyssey. Gift from a family member who knew I collected older games. Its a bit older than I can really get into playing but its fun to bring out every now and then.
Personal computer. I got a Atari 130xe in middle school (newer version of the 800xl).
Put hundreds of hours on the thing. Had a 300 baud modem and connected to BBSs to download pirated games.
Actually fired it up 3-4 years ago. Most of the floppies still work !
Atari 2600 “Light Sixer” I got off FB Marketplace locally with 30 cartridges
Sega Mega Drive with the blue reset button. My pops got it for me when I was a kid to distract me. Doesn’t see a lot of use but I’ll never sell it, got the 32X for it as well which is just a regret brick.
Oldest functioning system is my NES. Oldest system overall is a Darth Vader Atari 2600 that I really need to repair
I think I have a famicom+disk system in storage somewhere. Got it as a college student studying in Japan.
I still have my original Game Boy that was a gift from my aunt and uncle. Still works but I rarely play it; need to find some of my other games for it.
I think it’s the NES for me too. It was my dad’s, and he kept it in good condition. He mostly only had sports games for it though, and Super Mario Bros. I’ve heard the NES came with a combo cart for SMB and Duck Hunt, but we don’t have Duck Hunt and Mario is on its own cartridge. We also don’t have a R.O.B. I have no idea what that says about what time period or in what package combo he might have bought the NES.
Most recently, I got a copy of Super Mario Bros 3 and I’ve been playing through that. I also still like buying new games for it whenever someone like Limited Run publishes them. When I was there last, I bought Alwas Awakening and it sure feels wild to be playing a game on the NES that’s also sold on Steam.
Mine is an Atari 2600. It’s my dad’s old one that I used to play as a kid, so it has a lot of sentimental value to me.
A Binatone 6-in-1 Pong machine from (if I recall) around 1977. My next oldest machine is a red-label Astro Wars from 1980.
Perhaps foolishly, I got rid of most of my older systems 20 years ago, so the oldest one I have left is my Sega Genesis.
