Digital Download or Legacy Hardware and Software.

When Retro gaming, do you go out and buy the older consoles and games or do you prefer the ability to download the games from online stores on the latest console? Which is more convenient for you? Is it easier to play Super Mario Bros on the Classic NES controller or the Wii U controller?

I prefer playing on the original hardware, but I do both. I've lost count of how many versions of Sonic, Streets of Rage, and NiGHTS that I have.

Original hardware. However, as of now I'm down to one brand new N64 controller and have been using the wii vc versions just because Gamecube pads are easier to come by.

off topic: I cannot seem to get FzeroX downloaded on the wii VC. I keep getting an error message. I have downloaded Wave Race and Mario64 on the same wii.

All original here. Sealed and CIB. I always feel that emulation/digital doesn't feel right. I may be crazy.

Interesting. Always figured most people used the digital store fronts from PlayStation and Nintendo. Are older systems pretty easy to find? Or are these legacy consoles systems you guys had since their release?

I use digital stores. I like the convenience.

I do both.

I would do both if I had the money and the space. So basically I just download older titles via Wii or PSN.

The latest consoles aren't made to run on CRT displays (retro games just don't look right on modern HDTVs), so I'd prefer playing them on the original hardware rather than the latest consoles.

The other alternative is playing on PC with a CRT monitor, preferably with CRT shaders. But it's still not quite the same as playing on the original hardware with a CRT TV.

I've had all of mine since release except for like three of them, but it's not hard to find old systems and for decent prices in general. It's the games that are expensive, not so much the hardware.

Depends. CRT is a must. I know you are also a big Mario64 person. The wii vc version is pretty good, in ways better than the 64 on in terms of frame drops/slowdown. The pc emulation of Mario 64 is not that hot and plays a bit differently. Finally got the fzerox to download on the wii and it plays much worse than the 64 counterpart. It is a shame there isn't a controller setup option on the wii for 64 games. The gamecube controller is great buy the analog shoulders can be a bummer at times. A good n64 analog stick is just stellar. They don't make em like they used to.

I collect consoles & games physically, but I play them on original emulation (Wii VC, PSN, XBL etc.)

Something about playing ROMs on emulators at times doesn't feel right.