Looking for a plug-and-play retro box for the living-room TV, you will keep running into three names: the Old Arcade U36 Retro TV Game Console, Nintendo's NES Classic Edition, and Sega's Genesis Mini. Old Arcade sells the U36. We do not sell the NES Classic Edition or the Genesis Mini. This is an honest side-by-side so you can pick the right living-room setup for your household.
The Short Answer
If you want a large multi-system retro library, two wireless controllers in the box, 4K HDMI and expandable storage for about $90, the U36 is the simplest buy that is still sold new. If you specifically want Nintendo's official 30-game NES lineup in a mini replica shell, look for a used NES Classic Edition. If you want Sega's curated 42-game Genesis lineup with two wired pads, the Genesis Mini is the official pick. Old Arcade does not carry Nintendo or Sega hardware; we are including both because shoppers compare them against living-room plug-and-play boxes like the U36.
Side-by-Side at a Glance
| Old Arcade U36 | NES Classic Edition | Sega Genesis Mini | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $89.99 (sale from $119.99) | $59.99 original MSRP; discontinued, resale only | $79.99 original MSRP (retail and used prices vary) |
| Games | Large built-in retro library across 40+ emulators on 128GB | 30 licensed NES games built in | 42 Genesis games built in (40 classics plus 2 bonus titles) |
| Video | HDMI up to 4K | HDMI, 720p | HDMI |
| Controllers in the box | 2 wireless 2.4GHz | 1 wired (second sold separately) | 2 wired USB pads (NA/EU models) |
| Storage | 128GB, expandable via TF card | Fixed internal library | Fixed internal library |
| Save / resume | Yes | Suspend points per game | Save states |
| Wi-Fi / account | None required | None required | None required |
| Still sold new? | Yes at Old Arcade | No (discontinued Dec 2018 after a brief relaunch) | Limited; often secondary market |
U36 details are from our product page. NES Classic details come from Nintendo's 2016 launch materials and public references. Genesis Mini details come from Sega's official materials and public listings. Check those makers for current availability.
Price and What You Actually Get
At $89.99, the U36 is a one-time purchase that includes the console, two wireless controllers, a 2.4G USB receiver, an HDMI cable and a USB power cable. AA batteries for the controllers are not included. There is no subscription and nothing else to buy to start a two-player game night.
The NES Classic launched at $59.99 with one controller. A second pad was a separate purchase. Production ended, came back briefly, then stopped again in December 2018, so most buyers today are on the resale market where prices often sit above the original sticker.
The Genesis Mini launched at $79.99 and, in North America and Europe, shipped with two wired three-button controllers, an HDMI cable and power accessories. Stock today is spotty; many listings are used or leftover inventory.
Games: Breadth vs a Curated Official List
This is the biggest fork in the road. The U36 is a multi-system box: 128GB of storage, 40+ emulators and a large built-in retro library you can browse by system. A TF card slot lets you expand storage later. It is built for variety across eras, not for one first-party catalog.
The NES Classic Edition is the opposite: exactly 30 licensed NES titles Nintendo chose, including Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Metroid and Mega Man 2. You cannot add games. That fixed list is the whole product, and for many fans that is the point.
The Genesis Mini sits in the same "curated official" camp with 42 Genesis games (Sonic, Golden Axe, Castlevania: Bloodlines and others, plus two bonus titles that were not on the original console). Again, the library is fixed; the draw is Sega's own curation and presentation.
If you want Nintendo's or Sega's official short list, buy those machines. If you want one living-room box that covers many classic systems without hunting cartridges, the U36 is aimed at that job.
TV Picture and Controllers
All three plug into a modern TV over HDMI. The U36 goes further with up-to-4K output, which helps older pixel art look cleaner on a large flat screen. The NES Classic outputs 720p; the Genesis Mini also uses HDMI (standard HD output on the mini consoles).
Controller feel is another clear split. The U36 ships with two wireless 2.4G pads and a USB receiver, so you can sit across the room without cords. The NES Classic includes one wired pad modeled on the original NES controller; a second pad costs extra. The Genesis Mini includes two wired USB pads, so two-player games work out of the box, but the cables stay in the mix.
New to HDMI retro setups? Our HDMI arcade system guide walks through getting a retro console running on a modern TV.
Setup and Everyday Use
None of these three needs Wi-Fi or an online account to play. Power the box, switch the TV to the right HDMI input, and you are in the menu. The U36 adds save-and-resume and a multi-language menu so the whole family can navigate. The NES Classic uses suspend points per game. The Genesis Mini includes save states.
Where the U36 pulls ahead for a busy household is expandability and wireless play: 128GB plus a TF slot, and two wireless controllers already in the box. The official minis win on brand authenticity and a hand-picked first-party game list.
Who Should Pick Which
- Choose the Old Arcade U36 if you want multi-system variety, two wireless controllers, 4K HDMI, expandable storage and a box you can still buy new for $89.99.
- Choose a NES Classic Edition if you specifically want Nintendo's official 30-game lineup in a mini NES shell and you are fine shopping used or collector listings.
- Choose a Sega Genesis Mini if you want Sega's curated 42-game Genesis set with two wired pads and that official mini-console presentation.
Comparing other Old Arcade living-room options? See how the Classic Console 771 stacks up against the NES Classic and Switch Online, or browse the full retro TV consoles collection. For a deeper look at the U36's hardware itself, read our U36 features and specs overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the U36 play the same games as the NES Classic or Genesis Mini? It is a multi-system retro console with a large built-in library across 40+ emulators. It is not Nintendo's or Sega's official mini hardware, and it is not a substitute if you only want those exact licensed 30- or 42-game lists.
How many players can use the U36 out of the box? Two. It ships with two wireless 2.4G controllers.
Does the U36 need Wi-Fi? No. Plug in HDMI and power, insert the USB receiver, and play.
Can I expand U36 storage? Yes. It has 128GB built in and a TF card slot.
Are the NES Classic and Genesis Mini still sold new? The NES Classic was discontinued after its 2018 relaunch. Genesis Mini stock is limited and often secondary-market. Always check current listings.
Where can I buy the U36? On the U36 Retro TV Game Console page. US orders over $60 ship free.
The Bottom Line
The NES Classic and Genesis Mini are excellent if you want a short, official first-party playlist in a mini shell. For a still-in-stock living-room box with wireless controllers, 4K HDMI, 128GB of storage and a much wider multi-system library, the Old Arcade U36 Retro TV Game Console – 4K HDMI, 2 Wireless Controllers, 128GB, 40+ Emulators is the practical pick at $89.99.
Old Arcade specs come from our product page as of November 2026. NES Classic Edition details are from Nintendo's 2016 launch announcement and public references. Sega Genesis Mini details are from Sega's official materials and public listings. Nintendo, NES, Sega and Genesis are trademarks of their respective owners; Old Arcade is not affiliated with Nintendo or Sega.
