Oct 02, 2025

The Forgotten Consoles of the 80s: Where Are They Now?

Ah, the 1980s. A neon-drenched decade of big hair, synth-pop, VHS tapes—and video game consoles. While everyone remembers the NES or the Sega Master System, there’s a graveyard of lesser-known (but equally fascinating) machines that time, and your cousin who never returned them, forgot.

But here's the kicker: they're not dead. Nope. Some of these quirky consoles are alive and kicking, collecting new games, fan mods, and—believe it or not—miniaturized re-releases. So let's hop in the DeLorean, punch it to 88 MPH, and rewind to the forgotten heroes of pixelated glory.

Vectrex: The Vector Vanguard

Let’s start with the Vectrex, which sounds like the name of a sci-fi villain but was actually a sleek, all-in-one console that had a built-in screen. Not a joke—a CRT monitor right in the unit. No need to borrow grandma’s TV.

Instead of the chunky pixels of its peers, the Vectrex used vector graphics. Think clean lines, glowing wireframes—basically, every game looked like Tron. Released in 1982, it came with 28 official cartridges before bowing out just two years later. But this little guy? Still vibing in 2025.

Working units now go for $400–$550
Over 50 new homebrew games have popped up—including 2024’s Count Vecula (yes, that’s a vampire pun and yes, we love it)
There’s even a Vectrex Mini launching this November, with a crisp OLED display and a $99 price tag

If that doesn’t scream “comeback,” I don’t know what does.

And if you’re planning to pair your Vectrex with a look that screams retro, our crew at Newretro.Net has you covered. Leather jackets that would make a biker from 1983 cry tears of joy, and VHS-styled sneakers to match the aesthetic. No CRT required.

ColecoVision: The Arcade Dreamer

Ah, the ColecoVision. In 1982, this thing was the gateway drug for arcade lovers who wanted that sweet Donkey Kong hit at home. With a Zilog Z80 processor humming at 3.58 MHz (blazing for the time), ColecoVision promised arcade-accurate ports—and mostly delivered.

But the gaming crash of ’83 came in like a wrecking ball, and by 1985, ColecoVision was no more.

Still, it refuses to be a footnote.

Current market value: $150–$370 depending on condition (and whether the seller includes the bizarre roller controller)
Over 60 new homebrew titles are available through CollectorVision, a dedicated fan store
The Phoenix, a modern HDMI-ready clone powered by FPGA, breathes new life into the system for $325

You read that right. Retro gaming nerds are recreating old consoles with modern tech. Imagine if someone rebuilt your Walkman with Bluetooth—same vibe.

Atari 7800: The Crash Survivor

Most people know the Atari 2600, the granddaddy of them all. But the Atari 7800? It was the awkward middle child. Released in 1986, it was Atari’s comeback kid after the crash. Too little, too late? Maybe. But it's getting the last laugh today.

With a 6502C processor and backward compatibility with 2600 games, it had potential. Just… not a lot of marketing.

Fast-forward to now:

Units go for $60–$250 depending on condition and accessories
Devs are using a tool called 7800Basic to crank out new titles
Want HDMI? Check out the Atari 7800 Plus, a modern remake for around $90–$130—complete with wireless controllers

It’s kind of like when your high school class clown suddenly shows up at the reunion looking like a GQ model. Where were you hiding this glow-up, Atari?

Sega SG-1000: The Prequel You Missed

Before Sonic, before the Genesis, there was the SG-1000—Sega’s first home console, released in Japan in 1983. This thing is the great-grandparent of every Sega console that followed.

Specs? Another Z80 chip, and games that looked like a hybrid of NES and arcade titles. But it was quickly replaced by the Mark III, which became the Master System.

Still, the SG-1000 isn't just a museum piece in 2025:

It fetches anywhere from $190 to $600 on resale sites
Homebrew devs are reviving it with games like AntiAir (2024) and a goofy brawler called Whack ’Em Smack ’Em Byrons
It’s got great emulation support now, including a full MiSTer FPGA core

Not bad for a console that predates Back to the Future.

If you want to look like someone who knows their retro history, trust us: wear it on your sleeve. Literally. Grab one of our 80s-inspired denim jackets from Newretro.Net, and people will assume you’ve got an SG-1000 hidden in your closet. Or a time machine. Either way, they’ll nod in respect.

Super Cassette Vision: The Quiet Underdog

Here’s one you probably never played, but should’ve—Super Cassette Vision, the sequel to the lesser-known Cassette Vision from Japan’s Epoch Co. Released in 1984, it had improved graphics and actual controller buttons (you laugh, but its predecessor had dials. Yes, dials.)

Sadly, it was dropped by 1987, but collectors and fans have kept the dream alive:

Units sell in the $136–$150+ range today
It’s got a small but loyal fanbase—ROMs are fully dumped, and fan translations for Japanese-only games are still popping up

This console is like that cult classic movie your artsy friend won’t shut up about. It wasn’t mainstream, but for those in the know? It’s gold.

Let’s pick up right where we left off—because the rabbit hole of forgotten 80s consoles is deep. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, a red-eyed LED console shows up and reminds you: this was a wild time in gaming history.

Strap in, grab your VHS sneakers (yeah, we make those at Newretro.Net, because why not walk on nostalgia?), and let’s explore two more relics that are still turning heads in 2025.

Adventure Vision: The LED Spinner That Shouldn’t Have Worked (But Did)

If you’ve never heard of the Adventure Vision, that’s okay. Most people haven’t. This bizarre little console dropped in 1982 and was pulled from shelves almost immediately after. Why? Oh, maybe because it had:

A spinning mirror-based LED screen
Only four official games
No real path forward… but also no competition like it

Instead of using a traditional display, the Adventure Vision created images by spinning LEDs in front of a mirror—think of it as a very determined Lite-Brite on caffeine. It was a technological marvel... and also one of the biggest commercial flops in console history.

Yet in the collector world?

Working units in 2025 go for $5,400 to $12,000 (yes, with four games!)
There's a niche emulation scene that’s kept the spirit alive
Reproduction parts and cartridges are available thanks to the dedication of a small but mighty fanbase

Let that sink in: a console that’s essentially a spinning flashlight with a controller is now worth as much as a used car. Retro rules, modern drools.

And speaking of retro—imagine pairing that glowing LED aesthetic with our neon-accented sunglasses from Newretro.Net. Go full cyberpunk. Look like you just walked out of a synthwave music video. It’s a vibe, and you deserve it.

Atari XEGS: The Console That Thought It Was a Computer (And Kind Of Was)

Now for one of the strangest console identities of the 1980s: the Atari XEGS.

Released in 1987 (by which point the console war was already well into round 3), the XEGS tried to be a console and a computer. It was part of the Atari 8-bit computer family but came in a plastic shell with detachable controllers so you could pretend it was a gaming console. Honestly, it was the Clark Kent of gaming devices—nerdy exterior, secretly full of potential.

Here’s why it’s still relevant today:

Complete sets sell for $200–$460
It’s compatible with a massive Atari 8-bit software library, meaning hundreds of titles if you know where to look
Works great with modern multicarts like the AVGCart or Side3, which let you play everything from Pac-Man clones to original homebrews

The XEGS never had a chance to shine in its own time, but in 2025, it’s become a cult favorite. Collectors are embracing it for what it wasn’t trying to be—a console with no identity crisis.

The Rise of Homebrew: How These Consoles Are More Alive Than Ever

Here's a twist: most of these “dead” consoles? They’re getting new games. Developers and hobbyists are creating titles for these systems—some with full box art, soundtracks, and even faux shrink wrap for that perfect unboxing moment.

What’s fueling this revival?

Accessible dev tools like 7800Basic and SG-1000 emulators
The FPGA movement (like MiSTer and the Phoenix) which emulates old hardware with extreme accuracy
A deep nostalgia loop that makes us want real buttons again

Let’s be real: sometimes a guy just wants to slam a cartridge into a console and hear that click. No software updates. No logins. Just vibes.

Why This Matters (Yes, Even If You’re Just “Retro-Curious”)

If you’ve ever:

Blown into a cartridge (even though it doesn’t really help)
Gotten too excited by a CRT’s soft glow
Or just like the look of that chunky early-'80s tech

…then these consoles aren’t just curiosities—they’re part of your DNA.

And even if you missed this era entirely, you can still flex the vibe. That’s why Newretro.Net exists. We're not just slinging denim jackets or VHS sneakers for fun (although it is fun)—we’re keeping a whole aesthetic alive. One where games were weird, graphics were blocky, and nobody had to patch a game after launch.

One More Thing Before We Sign Off...

What’s the takeaway from all this?

That even the most obscure console—ones with spinning LED screens or three-year lifespans—can find new life in the hands of passionate fans. Whether it’s a mini remake, a fan translation, or just someone blogging about it (👋), these machines still have stories to tell.

So if you ever see a dusty plastic box at a garage sale that looks like it came from a spaceship? Don’t walk away. You might just be holding a piece of gaming history.

And hey—if you’re gonna dive into the retro rabbit hole, might as well look the part. We’ll be waiting at Newretro.Net, armed with pixel-perfect jackets and enough attitude to match any forgotten console comeback.

Game over? Not even close.