The gaming world is booming, and the number of UK gamers is expected to grow from 44.32 million in 2021 to 51.88 million in 2025! Over the last year or two we’ve seen new consoles and games launch such as the Nintendo Switch OLED, PS5, and Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. But with search interest for ‘retro gaming’ on the up, it seems many of us are currently looking for a hit of gaming nostalgia.
With console gaming being the second-most popular type of gaming in the UK and over a quarter (26%) of us using consoles to play, hyperfast broadband provider, Hyperoptic has delved into the world of gaming nostalgia, to uncover the most sought-after consoles and games that players would most like to see make a comeback, or be modernised. Not only that, but the study also unveils just how much money players would spend to get their hands on the consoles.
Based on the percentage of gamers that most want the console to make a comeback or be modernised, the top 10 desired consoles and how much gamers would be willing to pay are:
| Console | % of gamers that want the console to make a comeback/be modernised | The average price gamers are willing to pay |
| Nintendo DS | 61.0% | £150.82 |
| PlayStation 1 | 60.6% | £159.16 |
| PlayStation 2 | 57.9% | £167.53 |
| SEGA mega drive | 57.0% | £146.45 |
| Nintendo Game Boy | 56.8% | £141.15 |
| The Commodore 64 Games System | 53.5% | £162.80 |
| Nintendo 64 | 53.0% | £153.92 |
| Nintendo Game Boy Colour | 52.3% | £154.64 |
| Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) | 51.8% | £160.62 |
| Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP | 51.2%
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£162.60
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Nintendo consoles are leading the way, with six consoles making up the top 10. Taking the top spot is the DS. Released globally between 2004 and 2005, gamers would be willing to spend over £150.00 to purchase the handheld console. But you can still grab the original, second-hand addition for as little as £15.00 today.
The PlayStation 1 and 2 make up the top three, with gamers willing to spend 5% more on the PS2 which was first launched back in 2000.
However, considering the consoles that didn’t make the top 10 most desired list, it seems gamers would be willing to spend the most money, overall, on the Xbox One console – £201.24 to be precise. Over two-fifths (44%) chose this as one of the consoles they’d want to see make a comeback/be modernised, making it the 20th most desired console.
Now we know the most sought-after consoles, looking at the nostalgic games gamers would most love to see make a comeback or be modernised, without further ado, the top 10 gems are:
| Game | % of gamers that would love to see the game make a comeback/be modernised |
| Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) | 38.0% |
| Super Mario Kart 64 (1997) | 33.4% |
| Space Invaders (1978) | 28.3% |
| Tetris (1984) | 25.8% |
| Super Mario Bros (1985) | 25.3% |
| Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) | 24.3% |
| Donkey Kong (1981) | 21.4% |
| Crash Bandicoot (1996) | 20.3% |
| Tekken (1990) | 13.0% |
| The Legend of Zelda (1986) | 12.8% |
1991’s Sonic the Hedgehog claims the top spot, with almost two-fifths (38%) of gamers opting for the game. Other classics on the list include Taito’s 1978 Space Invaders, and Tetris, a game focused on finding the best way to arrange coloured blocks – who would’ve thought this would still be as popular today? Nintendo’s 1981 arcade hit, Donkey Kong, is also another classic game that over one in five (21%) players want to see modernised. We can only dream…
Commenting on the study, Charles Davies, MD ISP, at Hyperoptic, says:
“One in six (17%) gamers spend six to 10 hours, per week, gaming, whilst a tenth (10%) play games between 11 to 15 hours. Therefore, players need to have hyperfast speeds when it comes to their connection to ensure they have a fun, and immersive gaming experience.
“At Hyperoptic we have ultrafast broadband for gamers to ensure players can download games and updates quicker, shoot first and stay in the game for longer, without the hiccups that can often occur due to poor connection.”
For more information on the top consoles and games, head across to: https://hyperoptic.com/blog/the-most-sought-after-nostalgic-consoles-and-games-revealed/
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