15 Funny Retro Video Game Mods (That Are Secretly Awesome)

Relive your childhood gaming moments on an HDMI TV.

By PocketEpiphany

Published 4 years ago in Ftw

If you prefer playing old video games over the current ones, you're not alone. There's nothing quite like experiencing all of the greatest hits from your childhood with some good old retro gaming.

The only thing that can make that better is to improve the old consoles, which luckily you can do a ton of different ways. From flash drives to major system mods, there are countless options to turn your old consoles into something else altogether.

Just for fun, we put together a list of some of the more insane and impressive ways to trick out your outdated gaming systems.

1
Game Boy Advance Consolizer

If you can actually get one of these, the GBA Consolizer is a godsend that allows you to play Game Boy Advance games in HD on your TV.

While there are other ways to do this, this is generally considered the best way to play these games like never before.

2
UltraHDMI

There are third-party solutions to playing Nintendo 64 games on a modern TV, including the overpriced EON Super 64.

But the UltraHDMI is the best way to get a clear, lag-free N64 picture on your giant television. Just be warned: these graphics are a lot uglier than you remember.

3
Dreamcast Boombox

The Sega Dreamcast is already pretty damn retro. But what if you want to turn gameplay into even more of a throwback experience?

In that case, turn your Dreamcast into a playable boombox and listen to your old age on max volume.
4
Creating a Japanese PlayStation Account

Some of the tips on this list are simpler than others, and the simplest may be this: creating a Japanese Playstation account.

It’s free, easy, and legal, and it allows you to download early demos and even buy entire games that were never released in North America for the PS3 and PS4.

5
Modded Wii

In the world of system mods, modding your Nintendo Wii is possibly the easiest.

You can instantly turn your Wii into an awesome emulation machine and the fact that you can also play games on CRT televisions with no further mods makes this a great choice for hardcore retro lovers.
6
BMO Gameboy

In the Adventure Time cartoon, beloved character BMO is a walking, talking Game Boy.

In the spirit of this character, many modders have created functional (and usually improved) Game Boys with an outer shell that looks like this adorable character.
7
Terraonion MODE

Flash cartridges are nothing new, but Terraonion’s MODE is the new hotness because it lets you replace the optical drives of your Dreamcast, Saturn, and soon, Sony Playstation.

Simply load games on the drive and play with no worries about scratched discs or dying optical drivers.

8
Modded PSP

What is the best old console to mod? For many retro gamers, the answer is the PSP.

Modding lets you play downloaded PSP games or enjoy emulators for many of your favorite older consoles.

The crown jewel of this mod is that you can play picture-perfect versions of your favorite PlayStation games wherever you go.
9
Playstation 4/Xbox One Laptop

Some mods are more ambitious than others. For example, engineer Ed Zarick combined a Playstation 4, Xbox One, and PC into a single portable laptop.

This isn’t an easy task to replicate, but Zarick has shown us a new way to play this beloved generation of games.
10
Everdrives

When playing old games, you usually have a choice between emulated ROMs (which are easier but less authentic) an original hardware (which is authentic, but much more expensive).

Flash cartridges like Everdrive let you have it both ways: you can load an entire system library of ROMs (including hacked ROMs) to a single cart and play on the original hardware.

With a few Everdrives, you can effectively play every game available for your systems without breaking the bank or taking up a ton of extra space.

11
Transform Old DS Into GBA

Got an old DS sitting around, preferably one in rough condition? Instead of throwing it out, you can tear off the top and create a “new” system.

Many of the old DS models also played Game Boy Advance games. By ripping off the top you create an ergonomic GBA that with perfect backlight. This may be easier (and cheaper) than tracking down a GBA with the kind of backlight you want.
12
Portable PS2

What’s better than playing PSX games on a modded PSP? Playing PS2 games on the go.

YouTuber GmanModz managed to transform a PS2 into a portable device that plays downloadable PSX and PS2 games. That might make this the best portable device ever made.
13
Game Boy Keychain

Thanks to things like tiny arcades, miniaturized gaming is more popular than ever before. And you can take that to the next level with this Game Boy Keychain.

While it’s a new purchase instead of a console mod, it lets you fit thousands of games right onto your keychain. Talk about gaming on the go!

14
The Game Boy Reborn

Our list has featured a few different Game Boy style mods. But what if you want to go back to the very original?

There are a few downsides to the original Game Boy, including a screen that is difficult to view and batteries that run out way too quickly. But modern mods allow you to add a rechargeable batteries, backlighting, and even replace old buttons and cases.

The end result is the Game Boy you remember that looks and plays like never before.
15
The PiBoy

The Raspberry Pi has made emulation easier than ever, and there are various ways to enjoy the Pi on the go. But what if you wanted to do it with a real “old school” feel?

Some modders added a Pi to their original Game Boy shells. Alternatively, you can order kits with cases inspired by the original Game Boy shell.

Either way, you can enjoy the best of retro gaming and new technology right in your pocket.