when did you get it and why? how often do you use it?
If you don’t own a retro system or console, what is the oldest system you emulate or which system would you like to own in the future?
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For me, my oldest system is an Atari 800xl (i’m counting early home computers). I purchased it on a whim when Netflix’s Bandersnatch interactive movie was briefly popular. I was studying (and still am) computer science and was curious on what you could all do on a home computer from the early 80s. Turns out, quite a lot and I’ve had a lot of fun sifting through the 50+ floppies i have finding everything from home finance software, a plethora home brew games, and even floppy magazines (a bunch of articles on a floppy. not sure the proper name)
when i first got it i was on it more than my modern computer, but after moving it has been gathering some dust in its box. i’m hoping to eventually find a home for it in my home so i can use it more.
a fun thing of note is that it still has the saran wrap on its chrome parts, and it has a Sears Service sticker on the bottom of it when one of the previous owners had it serviced.
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A 1984 MSX home computer. It was the first computer I had. My grandfather gave it to me in 1985 when he upgraded to a new model. I didn’t have a lot of software for it, but it had Microsoft Basic built-in. With a lot of books from my grandfather, I learned to not only program in Basic, but Z80 assembler as well. I used that thing so much I wore out the keyboard.
I recently picked up a matching color CRT monitor for it. I never had a color monitor for it and only hooked it up to the family TV infrequently. I saw the color monitor locally for cheap and after doing a lot of repairs and fixing it up it looks awesome. Really cool to see how good of an image my old computer could do. Still love the old black and green monitor though, that’s how I remember it.
Computer is still running and with a big memory expansion I even have DOS 2.0 running on it. Somebody hacked FAT16 into that, so I can theoretically access 4GB of data. On a machine that only has 64kb of ram to start with.
Vic20 is my oldest machine. After that is either my dead C64 or OG macintosh.
NES Power Set! The power pad was loads of fun!
didn’t know about the power set. super cool bundle and the box for it is awesome. did it come with the track and field game?
Depends on how you count it. I had an NES in the 1980s but did that classic kid thing where I sold it and all my games for the next generation (SNES). Therefore my oldest system is the NES I got around 2007.
I feel like many have a similar story. for me it was my n64 for PS2 games.
I sold my PS2 and every game I owned for it for like 3-4 360 games. About 5 or so years later I massively regretted that. Ended up trying to go for a full PS2 PAL collection, likely to compensate. Stopped collecting at around the 600+ mark.
Perhaps foolishly, I got rid of most of my older systems 20 years ago, so the oldest one I have left is my Sega Genesis.
Personal computer. I got a Atari 130xe in middle school (newer version of the 800xl).
Put hundreds of hours on the thing. Had a 300 baud modem and connected to BBSs to download pirated games.
Actually fired it up 3-4 years ago. Most of the floppies still work !
I think I have a famicom+disk system in storage somewhere. Got it as a college student studying in Japan.
The oldest functioning system I have is an Atari 2600. it was originally my mother’s.
My oldest running system is a Commodore 64C with a 1541-2 floppy drive but that is for years only a nice accessories on my wall, because my MiSTer Multisystem completely replaced that (and my Amiga 500 and my SNES and all other retro consoles I own) in every way.
I have a Timex Computer 2068, a ZX Spectrum clone made my Timex Portugal. My dad bought it sometime in the 80s. I still turn it on from time to time, mostly out of nostalgia. That one is the oldest in my house. I was too young to remember it being bought but it had to be some time between 1985 or 1987.
I also have the first model of the European Sega Master System made in 86 or 87 but I bought it second hand less than a year ago.
PS3, modded with HEN 1.5 TB SSD.
I have an Atari Lynx that I picked up at a garage sale. Never actually played it, though…
My Commodore 64. I have a ton of cassettes and floppies with games. Some even with intros from scene release groups, which are pretty fun. I should probably digitize them at some point to preserve them. I don’t use it much though due to the risk of the original power supply frying the computer. I’ll have to buy a modern replacement at some point.
Oldest console probably Atari 2600
Oldest PC Commodore VIC20
Oldest electronic handheld Parker Brothers Merlin
Ive got a Magnavox Odyssey. Gift from a family member who knew I collected older games. Its a bit older than I can really get into playing but its fun to bring out every now and then.
