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?

—

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.

  • Hubi@feddit.orgEnglish
    11·
    6 months ago

    My Commodore 64. I have a ton of cassettes and floppies with games. Some even with intros from scene release groups, which are pretty fun. I should probably digitize them at some point to preserve them. I don’t use it much though due to the risk of the original power supply frying the computer. I’ll have to buy a modern replacement at some point.

  • Mnemnosyne@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    8·
    6 months ago

    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.

  • jqubed@lemmy.worldEnglish
    5·
    6 months ago

    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.

  • kusttra@lemmy.worldEnglish
    5·
    6 months ago

    The oldest system I have would be the NES. My brother received it sometime before I was born. I’m just holding onto it for him, though - it doesn’t get played right now. I actually intend to clean it all up and retrobright it before sending it back to him… eventually… The oldest system I have that still gets occasional use would be my Gameboy Color, which I received, with Pokemon Red, for Christmas when I was 8 or 9. Unfortunately, I need to find a better plastic polish, to take some light scratches out of the lens, and until I do, it will remain disassembled… I’ve also been contemplating using the board for a complete boxypixel overhaul, but there’s something about still having my full original GBC that I’m having a problem getting over…

  • Durandal@lemmy.todayEnglish
    4·
    6 months ago

    Oldest console probably Atari 2600

    Oldest PC Commodore VIC20

    Oldest electronic handheld Parker Brothers Merlin

  • ElectricMachman@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
    4·
    6 months ago

    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.

  • dan1101@lemm.eeEnglish
    4·
    6 months ago

    Original 6-switch Atari 2600. Spent so many hours playing it. Hope it still works haven’t tried it in decades.

  • Etterra@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    6 months ago

    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

  • saltesc@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    6 months ago

    GameBoy Pocket. Screen needs a swap though. Copped some sun and the display has darkened bad.

  • MXX53@programming.devEnglish
    4·
    6 months ago

    Atari 2600. Got in a few years ago from my in laws. Still hook it up and play berzerk from time to time.