Everything You Need to Create Your Best Home Gaming Den
Gaming is one of the most popular, but also potentially most expensive, activities you can do right now. It’s easy to go too far and end up spending thousands you don’t need. But it’s also easy to underspend and not use your equipment to its full potential, settling for less when you could spend a little more to get a much better experience. Because it can be a very confusing space with so many different consoles, model numbers, and ways to play, I’ve put together this tutorial to help you get the hang of things. No matter your background, everyone should be able to play, and my goal is to present a variety of options to make that possible.
What should you place in your gaming space?
There’s a difference between a living room with a gaming console and a space built specifically for gaming. A variety of settings can provide an occasional gaming session, and really, as long as you’re having fun, whatever suits you is good enough. But if you’re ready to take gaming from “something you do occasionally” to a full-fledged hobby, there are plenty of options to let you enjoy the game the way you want.
Do you need a free online game or better graphics? Try a gaming PC. Do you want to be able to play on the go, but with a wider selection of games than on Nintendo Switch? Steam Deck is a great choice. And then there’s the rest of your gaming gear, from the controllers to the TV you’re playing on, there are a ton of factors to consider.
Consider specialty devices like retro laptops or arcade machines and you can truly transform your space—maybe even a little too much. (It’s easy to overdo it.) That’s why it’s helpful to have a shopping list in mind. Understanding what kind of experience you want and what games you like to play is the first step, which brings me to…
What system are you playing on?
Gaming devices have changed a lot over the years, but there are now five main current-generation systems for gaming. Understanding which one you like best is the first step in creating your gaming space, as it will determine what displays and accessories you need. Let’s quickly go through each system and find out what it does best.
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Sony PlayStation 5 : The PlayStation 5 is the more popular of the two “hardcore” gaming consoles widely available now, and is focused on 4K images and high frame rates. It supports most third-party game releases, but also has an extensive collection of exclusive games or games only available on PS5. Many of Sony’s exclusives focus on cinematic, storytelling-heavy experiences, making the PS5 a good choice for people who enjoy prestige series. If you enjoy watching Game of Thrones , you’ll probably enjoy story-based games on PS5.
Sony also recently announced an updated PS5 model, the PlayStation 5 Pro , which will feature AI upscaling technology that will help the console support better graphics at higher frame rates. However, it won’t come with a disc drive out of the box and will cost more than $200 more than the standard PS5. If you’re just starting out, you probably won’t need this. It’s unlikely there will be games that only he can play, instead he’ll focus on the same games as the regular PS5, but better.
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Microsoft Xbox Series X/S : The Xbox Series consoles are the main competitor to the PlayStation 5 and offer access to much of the same game library, with the exception of Sony exclusives. The biggest difference is that there are actually two models here: the Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S. The Series X is most similar to the PS5, but the Series S is more scaled down: the graphics are aimed at lower resolutions like 1440p, and the frame rate is often approaching 30 frames per second. The Series S also doesn’t have a disc drive, so it can only play digitally, but it’s smaller and cheaper to compensate. However, it has access to the same games as the Series X, even if its performance lags.
Xbox has historically lagged behind Sony when it comes to exclusive games, but Microsoft’s recent acquisitions of studios like Activision-Blizzard and Bethesda have begun to correct that reputation. Due to historical precedent, many of these studios’ games are still multi-platform, but it’s unclear how long this will remain so.
With the Xbox Series S, Xbox could be a good place for gamers on a smaller budget to start getting a more “hardcore” blockbuster experience.
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Nintendo Switch : The Nintendo Switch is one of the cheapest ways to get into gaming because not only is it cheaper out of the box, but it also works as a handheld console so you only need one device. It’s the least graphically powerful mainstream option, even lagging behind later smartphones, but it simply emphasizes gameplay and usability over flashy graphics.
The Nintendo Switch is the exclusive home to Nintendo-developed games that are often so good that even PlayStation or Xbox gamers will have a Switch on hand just to play them. These include classic franchises like Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda , and with the recent success of games like Super Mario Wonder and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom , these venerable series show no signs of slowing down.
The Switch is also a great place to play indie games, as its built-in portability means they’re easy to take on the go, even if they’re not designed for a mobile port. This technically applies to every Switch game, but lighter pick-and-play games play especially well with the console’s strengths and weaknesses.
Note that the successor to the Nintendo Switch is just around the corner , so it might be best to wait until it’s announced before purchasing a Switch. Even if you don’t need the latest model, the price of your current system is sure to drop once its replacement hits the market.
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PC : PC is the most customizable gaming experience you can get right now, as there are hundreds of different options, as well as the ability to create your own. This means that it represents both the peak of graphics and the pinnacle of experimentation, but it also tends to be a little clunky.
In general, PC is best for people who either have a lot of money, a lot of patience, or want to play more underground games that haven’t yet gone through the process of getting a console version. It’s also useful for transferring your library between systems, since you won’t have to re-purchase games when moving from one PC to another, whereas consoles aren’t guaranteed to be backwards compatible with their predecessors.
The PC is also the best place for certain genres of gaming, with shooters and MMORPGs especially benefiting from keyboard and mouse controls. Lately, it’s also become a good place to pick up games to play on the go, with devices like the Steam Deck almost giving PC gamers a Nintendo Switch-like experience.
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Mobile devices . It is impossible to talk about modern games without mentioning mobile devices. Technically, the iOS App Store is currently the largest gaming ecosystem on the market, but it always seems to have an asterisk next to it.
This is because most games are simply not available on phones. While Apple has experimented with bringing more traditional games to the App Store , most mobile games are built specifically for the platform and are often monetized differently to meet the varying expectations of mobile users.
This means that phone gamers typically can’t play the latest blockbuster releases, but are instead forced to make do with free spin-offs that often have compromised controls that work better on a touchscreen, as well as plenty of microtransactions to compensate for the lack of upfront costs. This is n’t always popular with gamers , but it can create very loyal fans thanks to the constant updates these games receive.
Critics have raised ethical concerns about the way some microtransactions on mobile devices mirror gambling , but there’s no denying that the platform is here to stay. And if you have the right controller and know the upper limits of your phone’s capabilities, there are certainly plenty of ways to play with a device that you’ll still want to carry with you wherever you go.
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Old systems . Finally, there are older gaming systems that can be played on a budget. While decades-old systems like the Super Nintendo are now so retro that they have a vintage quality that can really drive up prices, some last-gen systems like the PS4 and Xbox One are still gaining popularity. Particularly in the case of PS4 and Xbox One, many third-party games are still created with these systems in mind. Before you spend hundreds on an upgrade, check to see if the console you already have supports the games you want. You might not get the best graphics or the highest frame rates, but you can save the money you would have spent on an upgrade and spend it on whatever Sony or Microsoft has in store next.
The best TVs, speakers and monitors for gaming
However, creating the right gaming space is about more than just your gaming system. You also need to consider what you are going to watch your game on. For example, purchasing a console for 4K gaming is pointless if your TV only supports resolutions up to 1080p.
Typically, here you will have to ask yourself one big question, and then a bunch of smaller follow-up questions. The question is: are you going to play while sitting on the couch or at your desk? There is no right answer here. Many people prefer to play on the couch because the last thing they want to do after a long day at work is sit down at a desk for fun. At the same time, desktop gaming brings you closer to the action, makes it easier to play certain types of games, and gives you more control over any apps you might be running in the background.
Regardless of your answer, you’ll have to ask yourself what size your screen should be, what resolution you want (higher resolution means more detailed images), and how many frames per second you need support (more frames means a smoother image, but maybe It’s difficult to maintain higher fps along with detailed graphics). However, your answers may vary depending on where you play.
If you’re gaming from your couch, you’ll need a larger screen, and with that you’ll likely need a higher resolution. If you play on a table, you can make do with a smaller screen where more detailed graphics are less noticeable and you may be willing to sacrifice some resolution for higher fps.
Gaming on the couch also likely means you’ll be using speakers, while gaming on a desk makes headphones a more likely option.
If you have an idea of what your setup will be like, here’s a basic guide to get you started.
First, try not to choose a display with a resolution lower than 1080p. It’ll be hard to find at this point, but 1080p is the minimum for most games these days. Go for 4K if you can, but if you often game at higher frame rates, 1440p will also be sufficient since there’s a good chance you’ll be downgrading the graphics from 4K anyway to better support that frame rate.
Likewise, don’t choose a display with a refresh rate lower than 60Hz. The higher the refresh rate, the more frequently your screen can refresh, so you can think of “Hz” as a limit on the number of frames per second. While some games still run at around 30fps, most are at least now trying to hit 60fps, and you’ll have a suboptimal experience with most games without their support. Luckily, most screens these days are at least 60Hz or even 75Hz, meaning gamers can look at 120Hz or 144Hz screens instead. Lately they have become less expensive, with 240Hz or 360Hz screens taking over the market share they once had. Personally, I can’t tell much of a difference between 144Hz and framerates above that, and since it’s difficult to run most games above 144fps without major graphical compromises, I think this should work for most people.
If you’re buying a TV , try choosing OLED. This is not only because it has higher contrast and therefore a better image, but also because OLED’s self-illuminating pixels mean it tends to have less input lag, so there will be less time between pressing a button and the screen responding. Meanwhile, a computer monitor does not have to be OLED. OLED monitors tend to be rare and expensive at this point, but most computer monitors are already designed with low response times in mind since their manufacturers can count on all their customers to use them for interactive content. OLED is still a good choice if you can find one you like, but otherwise IPS is a good alternative. TN is a bit of an outdated technology and is probably best avoided if you see it on something you want to buy.
One note if you do buy a TV: make sure you have motion smoothing turned off when gaming. If your TV has a game mode, it should turn off automatically. Motion smoothing generates extra frames to try to artificially achieve a higher frame rate than your content initially supports, but it also requires a slight delay in video input, which can make games less responsive. This goes against the whole point of higher fps, which is why any frames you get should come straight from the gaming system and not be generated by the TV.
In terms of sound, here you can choose speakers and headphones. When shopping for speakers, you may want to opt for a soundbar that combines multiple channels into one acoustic bar, while headphone users will likely want a pair with open back or active noise cancellation.
If you’re shopping for speakers , know that the more speakers you have, the better your surround sound will be. Look for terms like “5.1” and “7.1,” where the first number indicates the number of full-range speakers you have and the second number indicates the number of subwoofers you have. A soundbar can rely on multiple speakers, but the more the better. Additionally, if the device has Dolby Atmos support, this will help with surround sound, as well as virtual surround sound, which can send sound across the entire room to make it sound like it’s coming from a speaker that isn’t there. It’s not as good as having true surround speakers, but it may be an option to get a similar effect on a budget.
If you’re looking for headphones , I suggest going with open-back or active noise-canceling ones so you can hear your own voice better. Headphone users often have to communicate with teammates, and for me, at least, it’s hard to talk if I can’t hear myself. Open-back headphones ensure that your voice isn’t muffled, but they also allow outside noise to pass through and pass it on to those around you. Instead, active noise-canceling headsets use external microphones to help you hear yourself, meaning you won’t be spreading noise. To use an ANC headset to listen to your own voice, simply switch it to “transparency mode.” It also lets outside noise out to some extent, but the benefit is that you can turn it off when you’re not talking for a more isolated experience.
This is a lot to keep in mind, and yet I have only scratched the surface. To help you further, here are some great options to get you started on your search for the right TV, monitor, or audio solution for you. If nothing attracts attention, know that this is a large space. There are plenty of unusual options out there, including gaming headphones and wearable speakers . You can also buy headphones for your console or a soundbar for your PC , and there are special options for that.
The Best Controllers and Gaming Accessories
Once you’ve figured out what you’re going to play and how you’re going to see and hear your game, you need to figure out how you’re going to interact with it. There are two big options for this: controllers, keyboards, and mice.
Controllers are practically synonymous with gaming. These handy little devices are ergonomic, lightweight, great for playing from the couch or with multiple players, and can be inexpensive. These days, they also tend to come with a variety of buttons, joysticks, triggers, and sometimes even rear paddles, so you have plenty of options to control your character.
However, controllers also have disadvantages. The biggest problem is that their sticks provide less fast aiming and they have fewer buttons than a keyboard and mouse. In general, they are best suited for platformers, action games, and other games that require a lot of quick character movements, thanks to analog controls and a variety of buttons that can be pressed with just a few fingers.
On the other hand, keyboards and mice have more precise pointer control thanks to the mouse and more buttons. They excel at role-playing games, shooters, and strategy games, but may fail at platformers or other games that require characters to move quickly.
There are also some genres that may encourage you to purchase specialized equipment, such as fighting games or racing games. Typically, however, purchasing an arcade stick or racing wheel is more of a bonus than a requirement: publishers usually try to optimize their games for all players, which means building with controllers in mind by default. I have a few of these controllers that I really like, but you don’t have to worry about them when you’re just starting out.
If you play on a console, you usually have to use a controller. There are games that support mouse and keyboard, and devices that allow you to connect a mouse and keyboard for games that don’t, but often developers may view this as cheating due to the superior pointing controls and may take action against you. On PC, you’ll have a mouse and keyboard by default, but you can also get a controller to make playing certain games easier.
Once you’ve decided whether you’re going to use a controller or a keyboard and mouse, it’s time to choose one. Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo make their own controllers, but there are also many third-party options, and third-party manufacturers are the only option when purchasing keyboards and mice. This can be a little confusing.
When purchasing a controller, consider your budget. Cheaper controllers may have wireless connectivity disabled, while more expensive ones may have rear steering wheel paddles that allow you to access additional controls with the fingers you hold the controller with. The default controllers for all three major consoles generally have a good feature set (except perhaps on the Switch, where the Joy-Cons that came with your console may limit some games) and are a good starting point if you don’t use controllers The Joy-Cons that came with your console. I don’t know where to look.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking to expand your options, start your search with the Xbox Elite Controller , DualSense Edge , and Nintendo Switch Pro Controller . These are premium controllers for each of the major consoles that have additional features such as rear joysticks or interchangeable joysticks (with the exception of the Switch Pro controller, which is essentially just a basic traditional controller for Switch users who prefer not to use the Joy -Cons). However, they can be expensive, so third-party options are a good alternative.
There are many options when switching to a third party provider, but there are a few things I want to keep in mind. Firstly, does it have 2.4GHz connectivity? Many controllers advertised as wireless only connect via Bluetooth, which can result in input lag. 2.4GHz wireless controllers tend to be more stable. Secondly, does it work with your platform? Some controllers are limited to mobile, PC, or only a specific console. Be sure not to waste money on a controller that you won’t be able to use. Third, does it have hall effect joysticks? Hall effect wands are a more recent innovation that aims to reduce the number of moving parts touching each other when using a controller. They use magnets for joystick input and can increase the life of your joystick over time. They also allow you to tweak things like dead zone, or how much of your joystick’s movement is actually picked up by the controller. While not a necessity, they can be a nice bonus, and it’s often possible to get a controller with Hall sticks for the same amount as an official premium controller that doesn’t have one. Hall effect controllers don’t automatically get better, but a good controller from a company like 8BitDo is certainly a good seed for the future. There are also Hall effect triggers that can adjust how much of the trigger press is read by the controller.
Finally, when purchasing a keyboard and mouse, you have a variety of options available to you. The main things to keep in mind are connectivity, what type of switches you need, and how many buttons you need.
First of all, you can use almost anything you want to connect. Gamers used to rely on wired hardware, but thanks to 2.4GHz wireless adapters, wireless keyboards and mice now tend to keep up with wired hardware when it comes to input lag. You’ll pay more to cut the cord, but as long as you don’t connect via Bluetooth, you’ll be fine.
Second, your switches may be mechanical or membrane. Mechanical switches are more old-fashioned and clicky, with physical components under each key, while membrane switches instead register input by contacting a single long panel that sits underneath the entire keyboard. In general, gamers prefer mechanical keyboards due to their more noticeable feedback, but they are noisier and usually cost a little more.
Thirdly, pay attention to the keyboard layout. Do you need more room to move your mouse? Then you might want to ditch the number pad and get a keyboard with a 75% keyboard. Do you need a number pad for macro keys instead? Then you’ll need a full-size keyboard. If you go outside the box, you’ll quickly get used to talking about keyboards in terms of percentages, which refer to whether the keyboard has inputs such as a numeric keypad or a function bar.
The number of buttons you need also applies to mice. Gaming mice usually have a few extra buttons on the side for more in-game actions, and there are specialty mice that offer even more, such as MMO mice. Generally, a gaming mouse should be lightweight and have a left-click, right-click, scroll wheel, and at least two side buttons.
There’s a lot more I could cover here, including different types of mechanical switches, trigger stops, and the like, so take this more as a starting point. With that in mind, here are some good backup products to get you started on your search. However, I will warn you of one thing: the mouse and keyboard combo is great for light office work, but not for gaming. You’ll likely want to purchase your gear separately to ensure the best quality, as combinations often require a compromise to offer two pieces of gear at a reasonable price.
Games on the go
This article may be about building a gaming den, but there’s still plenty to do on the road. In the past, this section would have been as long as “buy a Game Boy,” but today you have a few more options.
Typically, here you will have to choose between three options. The first one you probably already have, and the other two overlap with the consoles we’ve already discussed.
These days, the most convenient way to get into handheld gaming is through your phone. You probably already take it with you wherever you go, games on it are generally free, and there are thousands of options on the App Store and Google Play Store.
Mobile gaming is a great option for everyday use, but it does have its drawbacks that more dedicated gamers may quickly run into. The first is the lack of physical controls, which makes it difficult to play games that require tight feedback and fast input. Perhaps more damaging is the game selection. While some more traditional games are available on mobile devices, many mobile games use a live service model instead, which can make it difficult to play more than one game at a time and may encourage some players to overspend.
There are ways around this by purchasing a smartphone controller or subscribing to Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass, which give players access to exclusive games that don’t have in-app purchases. However, for richer experiences on mobile devices there are usually only a few options. This is where my next picks come in handy.
The most traditional choice for portable gaming at the moment is the Nintendo Switch . Simply pull it out of the TV dock and it becomes a regular old-school portable console, allowing you to take your entire Switch library with you. There’s almost no downside here other than it’s a bit larger than older handhelds, and some games even run better on handhelds since they can be rendered at lower resolutions. It’s a convenient choice for taking more traditional physical-based games with you from home, but again, there are a few issues to consider.
The biggest one is probably that Nintendo Switch 2 is just around the corner, so even if you don’t need the latest device, now is not the best time to buy a Switch. It will likely drop in price once its successor comes out. Secondly, the included Joy-Cons for handheld games can be uncomfortable during long sessions. Luckily, you can get more ergonomic replacements for little money.
The Switch is also the weakest portable option, trailing even most modern smartphones. Thanks to clever optimizations, most of the best Switch games don’t suffer too much from this, but the console’s power limits the type of games it can support, even if it generally has a wider range of options than mobile devices.
For those who want the most versatile option, there’s a portable gaming PC . The most popular of these is the Steam Deck, an affordable, ergonomic device with similar power to the PlayStation 4. The Steam Deck is essentially a Linux gaming laptop, but in a Nintendo Switch form factor, with a wide screen and built-in controls on both sides . It has a slick user interface that makes it easy to download and play games from your Steam library, but it can also use a traditional desktop interface to browse the web or set up games outside of Steam.
As you’d expect, like most PC gaming devices, it’s a little less basic than other options, but the trade-off is that it’s more powerful and more customizable. Gaming experts will appreciate the good controls, but it may not be the best first device.
There are also some compatibility issues, although I found that my Steam Deck could run most of my Steam library without issue, even if it said the game was not supported. I also appreciate that I don’t have to buy games specifically for the Steam Deck to play them there, which arguably makes the platform more open than competitors like the Switch, despite any compatibility issues. Instead, you can play PC games on the deck and other devices without any problems, except in those rare cases when the deck is unable to run the game.
In these situations, you might want to opt for an alternative portable gaming PC instead, like the Asus ROG Ally X. These competitors tend to use Windows, which can be a bit finicky in a portable format, but that means they can run anything that can run on a regular computer. Each has its pros and cons: Competing portable PCs tend to be more expensive than a Steam Deck, although sometimes more powerful, but usually don’t have the option to mount an OLED screen.
As with most PC game purchases, it will take some research to find the right one for you, although I still recommend the Steam Deck as the best option for most people, with a basic LCD display that is sometimes out of stock. model starting at $350 and OLED model starting at $549. Just like the Nintendo Switch, the Steam Deck supports docking stations for connecting to a TV, although the official one must be purchased separately for $79. Competitors also usually support docking stations, or at least a USB-C cable that can be used for video output instead.
Just like with TV gaming, there are many ways to add variety to your portable gaming experience. Here are a few options to get you started:
Seating, streaming and retro
Finally, gaming is more than just a console and a screen. If you really want the perfect gaming space, you’ll also need to take seating into consideration, and if you want to share your experience, you’ll need streaming hardware. Plus, a few fashionable accessories to express yourself can really make your space feel special.
If you’re a console gamer , you’ll probably be playing on the couch or chair you already have, but that doesn’t mean comfort isn’t an issue. Here you can consider a gaming pad that will make holding the controller for long periods of time more ergonomic. It’s also a great way to make modern portable devices that can be a little heavier than older ones and be easier to hold.
You can even buy laptop desks that make it easier to control your mouse and keyboard from the couch, allowing for a hybrid between a console and a PC. Just connect your computer to your TV, plug in your wireless mouse and wireless keyboard, get your laptop desk, and you’re good to go.
However, if you’re playing at a table , dozens of gaming accessories will be vying for your attention. There are gaming chairs, gaming tables, headphone stands – everything works.
From experience, I would say that you don’t need to decorate your gaming table. Instead, I think the best gaming desk has about the same setup as the best office desk. This means that the height of luxury here will be an ergonomic chair and an adjustable desk.
Personally, I use the Herman Miller Embody on my desk and it feels much nicer on my back than any of the “chair racers” that are so popular among streamers. If you can afford a premium ergonomic chair, it will probably be better than a gaming chair.
However, a gaming chair is still a decent choice if you can’t afford an office chair, as the high backs and adjustable settings that many have will still serve you better than the Amazon Basics swivel chair. Just keep in mind that the bucket seat style that’s popular among gaming chairs these days isn’t always suitable for sitting for long periods of time.
Likewise, you don’t need a standing desk. My desk isn’t adjustable, but I get by just fine thanks to the extra keyboard tray I attached to it.
Here’s a good trick: In addition to checking out new products, check out your local Facebook store. Often companies sell premium office-quality chairs and desks for cheap, and while gaming-oriented furniture may be fine in a pinch, it has a good chance of beating any bucket seat you can get, and for a fraction of the price.
Here are a few of my favorite seating options:
Once you’ve decided on your seating area, it’s time to dive into the specific equipment. Here I will talk about the two most popular subcommunities: streamers and retro gamers.
In addition to the equipment to play and watch their own games, streamers also need to worry about their audience. This means investing in a suitable webcam, microphone, headphones, a powerful enough computer for streaming (or a console capture card), and maybe even high-end hardware like a soundproofing or macro tablet. You can really get into weeds here if you want, so I’ll stick to one simple mantra: start small. It always sucks to buy a whole bunch of hobby gear only to find out you don’t like it, and your early audience will likely understand if you don’t have the best audio or video quality right out of the gate. . By starting with the basics, you can find what works for you and move on to a customization that suits your specific needs, rather than spending hundreds on something you may not need or need.
Retro gamers are in a similar boat. Thanks to the magic of emulation, you can play most retro games without any additional hardware, and that’s where I’d recommend starting. But if you do get into the hobby, you can buy all sorts of special equipment.
You can purchase refurbished old consoles, premium hardware emulators like Analogue Pocket , or build your own arcade cabinet . But if you’re just starting out, consider purchasing a pre-made gaming machine or a retro-style laptop.
These days there are companies like Arcade1Up that do the hard work of creating arcade games for you. Their devices are more affordable than real slot machines, but are still large enough to achieve the same effect at home. It’s easy to fall down the rabbit hole of installing multiple games next to each other, and most of them include multiple games. You won’t have the versatility of a DIY cabinet since you’ll be stuck in the Arcade1Up ecosystem, but it’s a good place to start to add some authentic retro flair to your gaming space.
Meanwhile, if you miss the smaller size of the retro gaming handhelds of yesteryear, consider a Game Boy clone. Companies like Retroid and Anbernic specialize in this, installing software emulators on small devices that often mimic the form factors of past laptop computers. These machines typically use the same processors as Android phones, but their custom firmware and built-in controls make them feel like something out of the past.
Again, streaming and retro gaming is a whole rabbit hole in itself, so I’ll help you out with a short list of reliable alternatives:
Keep it humble
At the same time, you have everything you need to set up a games room, and even more. Remember, you don’t need everything here. Just like our favorite games, there’s no shame in starting low and working your way up.