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The 55 dollar question...

Posted: January 26th, 2019, 12:09 am
by zetax
If you had $55 just burning a hole in your pocket, which option would you choose (and why)...

1. A PS1 Classic

2. A C64 Mini

3. A Raspberry Pi 3B+ with case/fan

I know the PS1 Classic has gotten a lot of grief, but the collector in me kind of wants one. The C64 could be fun, as much for hooking up a keyboard and trying some Commodore BASIC programming as for playing the built in games. And the Pi, installing RetroPie and/or MAME and messing around in that space.

Any thoughts/opinions would be appreciated.

Re: The 55 dollar question...

Posted: January 26th, 2019, 1:11 am
by Stalvern
The Pi. If you're going to plug an emulator into your TV, there's no reason to limit your library or even system, and the PS1 Classic might genuinely be the crappiest way to play PlayStation games short of loading up Bleem! on a Dreamcast.

Re: The 55 dollar question...

Posted: January 27th, 2019, 10:02 am
by snakeboy
Unless you're a big-time collector of plug n plays, I would say definitely go with the Pi.

Re: The 55 dollar question...

Posted: January 27th, 2019, 2:10 pm
by DrLitch
zetax wrote:If you had $55 just burning a hole in your pocket, which option would you choose (and why)...

1. A PS1 Classic

2. A C64 Mini

3. A Raspberry Pi 3B+ with case/fan

I know the PS1 Classic has gotten a lot of grief, but the collector in me kind of wants one. The C64 could be fun, as much for hooking up a keyboard and trying some Commodore BASIC programming as for playing the built in games. And the Pi, installing RetroPie and/or MAME and messing around in that space.

Any thoughts/opinions would be appreciated.


Raspberry Pi 3B+ in a heartbeat.
Even outside of video game emulation, it is fun to play around with. Lots of uses.

PS1 Classic is a fail.
C64 mini I know nothing about.

Re: The 55 dollar question...

Posted: January 29th, 2019, 9:06 pm
by Rev
Yeah, if you're considering the Pi as an option against these plug and plays, I would recommend just going with that. I think there is definitely a collectible + convenience of getting plug and plays (for example I got a snes classic for my nephews for X-mas) however none of them are comparable to just using a Pi. If you're willing to set it up and are considering it an option, you should just get one.

Re: The 55 dollar question...

Posted: January 29th, 2019, 9:28 pm
by C64_Critic
At this point I'd go with the USA version of the C64 mini. I already have a Raspberry Pi, and it's great for general old-skool console emulation so if you DON'T already have one of these, I'd make that the top choice. Naturally, I have a soft spot in my heart for the USA version of the C64 mini though and am still considering picking one up.

Re: The 55 dollar question...

Posted: January 30th, 2019, 7:28 am
by GTS
My vote goes for Option 4: Preorder Mortal Kombat 11.

Re: The 55 dollar question...

Posted: January 30th, 2019, 1:11 pm
by lynchie137
I'd probably go for the C64 mini. I never had one nor did I know anybody in my circle of friends who had one either when I was a kid. So I'm very curious as to how good a gaming machine it actually was. And since I really don't have the time, space or money to spend on an actual C64, the games and some of the accessories it had, this seems like the most viable and cost effective way to experience some C64 action for myself....

Re: The 55 dollar question...

Posted: January 30th, 2019, 1:42 pm
by scotland
lynchie137 wrote:I'd probably go for the C64 mini. I never had one nor did I know anybody in my circle of friends who had one either when I was a kid. So I'm very curious as to how good a gaming machine it actually was. And since I really don't have the time, space or money to spend on an actual C64, the games and some of the accessories it had, this seems like the most viable and cost effective way to experience some C64 action for myself....


I worry about the longevity of my C64's capacitors, so I did get the mini....*now* I hear they are working on a full sized unit, hopefully with a working keyboard (with the C64 layout).

I don't have Raspberry Pi - but it does sound intriguing.

Re: The 55 dollar question...

Posted: January 30th, 2019, 4:00 pm
by noah98
I'd go with the C64 Mini. Super fun console and easy to work with. Update the firmware, hookup a keyboard and a thumb drive and you are good to go. So many games to play and it handles them well. Plus it looks really cool 8-)