This is not meant as an attack in any way, anyone can obvously buy whatever makes them happy.
I’m just really curious who buys consoles that aren’t that old for such high prices.
I can see the appeal of holding childhood consoles in your hands again, and I can also see the appeal in collecting cool really old stuff. But I struggle to understand why someone would buy e.g. a New 2DS XL for €300 or more.
So just out of curiosity, if you are someone like that, what’s the appeal that makes it worth spending so much money, instead of e.g. just going with a steam deck and an emulator instead?
Edit to avoid confusion: I am not talking about new reproduction systems (like the N64 Mini) or premium emulation/FPGA systems (like the Analogue Pocket or the MISTer), but about original game consoles that aren’t supported any more but also aren’t really old. Something like the DS/3DS, PSP, Wii U, Playstation 3. Some of them are now more expensive in mediocre second-hand condition than they were when they were new.
I have a Wii U too, but I got that thing for €60 back then.
If I would be getting into that right now, I’d just load up CEMU (or other emulators) onto my living room PC. That one also works with Wiimotes and other Bluetooth controllers. It also nicely plays PS1 and PS2 games (haven’t tried anything newer yet). Setting up these emulators was super easy so far.
On the Wii U I don’t have to fuss with emulators, but instead I have to hack the console and fuss with whatever’s the current homebrew solution. (Btw, I should really update some time. I’m sure I am way outdated by now.)
Different strokes I suppose. I first tried emulation on the Rock 5B that I have running Android TV but it did not perform.
I don’t have a living room PC and couldn’t get one for CAD 200 + Wii remotes + mayflash dolphinbar.
For ease of use with a little kid who is starting to game, this has worked out.