Nostalgia can do it for you, but not so much as to spend a lot of money on a real Nintendo Entertainment System, you are in luck, because there are a few clone alternatives with which you will be able to play those retro games that gave you such a good time and without having to waste time on Wallapop or spend hours bidding on Ebay. In this post we are going to tell you the five alternatives most interesting that you can currently find on the market, as well as the information that you should know to differentiate a clone from an emulator.
What do we mean by clone console?
Before we begin, let's clarify that a clone is technically not the same as an emulator. It is not the same to make your console with a Raspberry Pi (and give it the shape of an NES) than to buy a clone console. The latter must be compatible with original cartridges in order to consider them suitable.
Are clone consoles legal?
It may sound crazy to you, but in the case of the NES, other. First, because Nintendo licensed its patents at the time. And, second, because being a console launched in 1983, its license leads expired a few years.
Advantages and disadvantages
Most current NES clones surpass the original. They are smaller, have a guarantee and also have Current technology, as output HDMI. Of course, the price is an advantage, and we will be able to play the original cartridges without any problem. Among the disadvantages, there are some problems with the sound, something that is usually common in this type of product.
The 5 Best NES Clones
RetroUsb AVS
Released in 2016, the RetroUsb AVS is something of a makeover from the original NES. It has its own firmware with upgrade options, image and sound quality improvements and allows to connect four knobs from NES, as well as any original cartridge. As against, it is a bit more expensive than most of its competitors.
Old Skool Classiq 2 HD
Two in one. NES and SNES on the same device. Its design is more inspired by the Super Famicom, and has two different controls to be able to play each system. Has 720p output and option to change aspect ratio. It is not badly priced, although the sound is not its strong point.
8-Bit HD Entertainment System
This console is manufactured by Gamerz Tek and went on sale in 2017. It has hd output and has both two slots and two controls. The design is quite consistent with the original and as against, it only has some problems with the sound output. Despite this, he has a price pretty decent.
Analogue NT Mini
If you are looking for a quality alternative, the Analogue NT Mini is your NES clone. Its manufacturer has a great reputation in this world and, although the console is not cheap, it has some outstanding specifications. The device comes with two 8Bitdo NES30 controllers, Exit analog by various sources, as well as output digital Full HD thanks to its FPGA design, which exactly replicates the behavior of the original console. Has four controller slotss and offers the best image and sound quality on the market. The console's design is nothing like the NES at all, but it's well worth it.
TinyNES
This NES is as small as the game cartridges themselves. It has analog output, a fully Minimalist and full compatibility with two 8Bitdo controllers. It was born as a project of through crowdfunding and has reached its fundraising goal. In fact, you can buy a unit directly from the profile itself Tall Dog Electronics at CrowdSupply.