Half of “broken” retro gear is just dirty contacts. This guide shows you exactly what to buy and how to clean carts, ports, and controllers—safely and fast. Disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, RetroRigged earns from qualifying purchases. Quick Picks (TL;DR) Contact Cleaner (precision): DeoxIT D5 for stubborn oxidation in … Read more
Load many of your own games from one microSD card and play on real hardware. This beginner-friendly guide covers the best flash carts for NES, SNES (FXPak), N64, Genesis/MD, Game Boy, and GBA — what to buy, features that matter, and how to avoid junk. Legal note: Use flash carts with homebrew and legally dumped … Read more
Best Safe Power Supplies for Retro Consoles (2025) One of the biggest risks to your retro consoles isn’t the TV or controller — it’s a bad power supply. Here’s how to avoid frying your NES, SNES, N64, GameCube, Wii, Genesis, or PS1 with a cheap brick, and which modern replacements are safe. Key Takeaways Avoid … Read more
Modern TVs weren’t built for analog consoles. Here’s how to get a clean, low-lag HDMI picture from NES, SNES, N64, GameCube, Wii, Genesis, PS1, and more — explained in plain English for beginners. Quick Picks (TL;DR) Fastest beginner route: Console-specific HDMI adapters/cables (cheap, plug-and-play; quality varies by console). Best overall image quality: RetroTINK or OSSC … Read more
The Nintendo Wii is still a party monster and a fantastic retro box for Virtual Console, GameCube (on Wii models with GC ports), and WiiWare. If your original Wii Remote drifts, your Nunchuk cable is flaky, or you want a comfy pad for RPGs and 2D classics, this guide rounds up the best Wii controllers … Read more
Whether you’re replaying Melee, speedrunning Sunshine, or diving back into the library, the right GameCube controller makes everything click. Below are the best options for original GameCube hardware, plus the top ways to use GC pads on Switch and PC—with low-lag picks and beginner-friendly setup tips. Quick Picks (TL;DR) Original hardware, best overall: OEM wired … Read more
From stick fixes to premium wireless replacements, here’s how to get the most out of your Nintendo 64 today. Why the N64 Controller Needs an Upgrade The Nintendo 64 controller is one of the most iconic — and divisive — gamepads ever made. Its three-pronged design and infamous analog stick were revolutionary in 1996, but … Read more
The Super Nintendo’s library still feels perfect today—tight platformers, JRPG classics, and shooters that need a great D-pad. If your original pad is worn or the cable is flakey, it’s time for a modern SNES controller that keeps the classic feel while adding reliability (and often wireless freedom). Below, we’ll cover the best 2.4GHz low-latency … Read more
The NES still slaps in 2025—tight platformers, arcade-style shooters, and incredible homebrew. What doesn’t hold up? Crumbling cables and mushy D-pads on decades-old controllers. The fix is simple: grab a modern NES controller that keeps the feel of the original but adds reliability and comfort. In this guide, we’ll cover the best wireless 2.4GHz pads … Read more
Starting with retro gaming shouldn’t feel like an engineering class. The goal is a setup that looks clean on a modern TV, feels great in the hands, and doesn’t fry rare hardware. This guide is a no-nonsense starter kit with gear that works for SNES, NES, N64, Genesis/Mega Drive, and PlayStation—and scales with you as … Read more