Recently, I decided to shake up my collection by trading in some Dukes of Hazzard collector items that had been tucked away in my attic for years. In return, I scored something that had been on my retro gaming radar for a while: a Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and an Atari 2600. As a longtime fan of retro tech—especially the Commodore 64 and Amiga 500—I’ve been growing more curious about classic consoles. When I saw an opportunity to swap some memorabilia for these iconic systems, I couldn’t resist.
I also picked up a few games to go with the ‘new’ consoles, diving straight into some Atari classics. I found E.T. (often dubbed the “worst game ever”), along with other like Ms. Pac-Man, Moon Patrol, and Space Invaders. For the NES, I added Super Mario Bros. 3 to the collection—a must-have for the NES.
Of course, bringing in two new consoles wasn’t as simple as just plugging them in. I had to get a little creative to make everything work. First, I reorganized my cabinets to create a dedicated space for the consoles. I added a small TV with the required RF input to handle the Atari 2600’s connection. A big win in the setup process was finding an HD recorder with RF input (thrift store, €15). This device not only lets me hook up the Atari and NES, but I also connected my Sega Mega Drive, which I already had. The HD recorder then connects to the TV, and since it’s handling the different inputs, I don’t have to manually switch inputs on the TV every time I want to change consoles. Did I mention that the TV didn’t come with a remote? Adding the HD recorder is a game-changer (pun intended) that makes the whole experience feel smooth and uninterrupted. The output of the HD recorder was also connected to my Commodore 1084S monitor, this way I can also play the old skool consoles on a CRT monitor.
One improvement I’m already thinking about doing is an AV mod for the Atari 2600. The RF signal is a bit weak, and an AV mod should make a noticeable difference in picture quality. It’s a project I’m hoping to do soon to really make the most of the Atari’s classic charm.
So, what’s next? The Nintendo SNES, perhaps? Or maybe a PS1? Time will tell, but there’s definitely room for more retro additions in the future.