Mental health has become an often-underlooked casualty of these turbulent times. Reports of anxiety and depression among U.S. adults have spiked nearly threefold since the coronavirus pandemic lockdowns began. And amid the chaos, more and more people have been playing video games while cooped up indoors.
If you want to relive your childhood, retro video game consoles can do the trick, with licensed copies of the original games and machine replicas that use modern technologies to deliver the vintage feel.
Explore the classics with these three throwback gaming consoles.
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Classic video game consoles
Sony PlayStation Classic
Even though the original PlayStation console is only about 25 years old, this retro version is available, and at a reasonable price. It comes preloaded with 20 retro games that PlayStation fans will love seeing again. It includes two controllers, so you can play with a friend. There is no AC adapter included with this console, so you’ll have to supply your own.
Nintendo Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.
Nintendo has fully embraced the retro gaming market, releasing a few different vintage consoles featuring a number of highly popular games, including Super Mario Bros.
Fans of the original game will have a lot of fun with this retro handheld console. Though the built-in screen is small, the console includes extra features to expand on the original games. And it’s available at a low price.
Game Monkey Neo Geo Mini Pro Player Pack
Originally, Neo Geo made full-size arcade games, so it didn’t have a console for home use. Now, gamers can buy a portable Neo Geo console that gives access to these vintage games, such as Aero Fighters.
This handheld device includes controllers, a built-in screen and an HDMI port for connecting to your television, though the graphics are poor when displayed on a modern TV.
Kyle Schurman is a writer for BestReviews, which spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for consumers.
6 video games to help you stay on track with fitness goals:
6 video games that can help you stay on track with your fitness goals
Ring Fit Adventure
Ring Fit Adventure for Nintendo Switch offers a way to get a fun workout at home.
Nintendo made home exercise waves years ago with Wii Fit, but if you ask me, it’s outdone itself this time with Ring Fit Adventure for the Nintendo Switch.
The main gameplay answers the age-old question, “What if, in order to attack enemies in a video game, you had to do a lot of squats?”
At first glance, the game just looks weird. The required “Ring-Con” accessory is just, well … a ring. It’s a flexible controller shaped like a steering wheel that you can tilt, squeeze and pull. One of your two Switch controllers goes into the ring while the other attaches to your leg with a Velcro strap, and the getup doesn’t exactly look like typical gym attire.
But the Ring Fit workout is no joke.
Through a series of fun mini-games and a sprawling role-playing adventure, you will work up one heck of a sweat by pushing, pulling and running in place.
Speaking personally, it’s some of the most fun I have ever had working out.
Beat Saber
Beat Saber
One of virtual reality’s shiniest gems, Beat Saber is an addictive rhythm game that lets you burn calories, enjoy great music and feel like a Jedi all at once.
Similar to games like Rock Band or Dance Dance Revolution, the point of Beat Saber is to hit specific notes in time with a beat. What makes this game unique, however, is that you are holding two (virtual) lightsaber-like blades with which you need to slash notes up, down, left or right. That’s a good enough workout for the arms, but your legs will get in on the action, too, as you duck and dodge your way past obstacles as songs play.
Beat Saber’s base game comes with a bunch of mostly original, mostly electronic music that you probably won’t recognize (though it’s fun to play through), but you can buy more song packs with hits from the likes of BTS, Imagine Dragons and Green Day.
Given that it requires a VR headset, this game has a higher barrier of entry than most others on this list, but I would go as far as to call it a must-have if you happened to get your hands on an Oculus Quest 2 over the holiday season.
Fitness Boxing 2: Rhythm & Exercise
Fitness Boxing 2: Rhythm & Exercise
Both boxing and dancing can be great ways to stay in shape, so Nintendo combined the two in Fitness Boxing and the new Fitness Boxing 2: Rhythm & Exercise. Taking a Nintendo Switch controller in each hand, you will jab, weave and uppercut various boxing-related icons in time with music.
It’s a bit simplistic and not as innovative or engaging as Ring Fit Adventure, but it serves its purpose and is easy to pick up and play for quick sessions.
One of the most disappointing things about Fitness Boxing 2, however, is the music. While the box boasts hit songs from artists like Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran and Ariana Grande, what you actually get are instrumental-only tunes that sound like they could have been the basis for an off-brand Kidz Bop album. It’s not a deal breaker, as the songs can still get your body moving, but don’t expect album-quality sound.
Just Dance 2021
Just Dance 2021
If your entire workout goal is to get moving with some popular music, the Just Dance series has been serving that purpose admirably for years. Featuring a wide array of current songs from artists such as Billie Eilish, Lizzo and Harry Styles, Just Dance is all about, y’know, making you dance.
If you’re playing on the Nintendo Switch, you can use the system’s included motion controllers, but you also have the option of connecting with your phone via the Just Dance mobile app, so just about anyone can hop in and play — for better or worse. The downside to this control method is that the tracking of your movements is less than perfect (and limited to just one arm, rather than your entire body), so Just Dance can often feel less like a game and more like an encouraging dance workout video.
Still, this hasn’t dissuaded fans. For diehards, there is also the option of a “Just Dance Unlimited” subscription, which grants access to hundreds of songs, with more added every month. You can even buy an Unlimited subscription for just a single day if you only want to pay for it when you’re hosting a dance party at your house.
Zombies, Run!
Zombies, Run!
This one will actually force you to leave your house, but it doesn’t require interacting with people.
Zombies, Run! is an old favorite for joggers who want to spice up their runs with the threat of a zombie apocalypse.
Using this smartphone app and a pair of headphones, you’ll be motivated to pick up your pace as the voice in your ear urges you to run faster to escape the undead horde at your heels.
It’s a clever concept that has stood the test of time.
Pokémon Go
If you’re not interested in running, dancing or strength training, it’s probably still a good idea to get outside.
And while you’re out there, why not use your phone to capture some pocket monsters, or get in your steps to hatch some eggs?
While the explosion of mainstream interest in Pokémon Go has mostly passed, the game remains extremely popular and continues to receive regular updates.
Whether you’re new to your Pokémon journey or have been away for a while, Pokémon Go is a pretty good albeit casual way to encourage yourself to take a walk.
