4 New Retro Gadgets to Reel in Nostalgia

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As older millennials can attest, once you get to a certain age, there’s something oddly comforting about nostalgia, especially when it comes to old technology like VCRs, disposable cameras, and other ’80s gadgets. As a personal example, I vividly remember when my friends and I immediately stopped playing the original NES when the Super Nintendo came out. But now, a few decades later, there is nothing more exciting than firing up the original Nintendo and playing games like Super Mario Bros. 3.

Indeed, the lure of nostalgia is so strong that many companies have started releasing a wave of retro-inspired gadgets that combine old-school design with modern technology. Sometimes it’s hard to sift through some of the junk that fills online marketplaces like Amazon, so we’ve done the hard work for you. Below, you’ll find 4 retro gadgets that make the perfect gift for the millennial or Gen Xer in your life.

While devices that magnify screens are nothing new, the Anki HappiGo 12-inch magnifier turns your smartphone into an old-school CRT TV, complete with bunny ears. If you grew up watching TV in the 1980s and 1990s, this device will no doubt help you remember those glorious nights when millions of kids spent hours glued to their TVs watching shows like “Full House” on TGIF.

The device itself is very affordable and is priced at $22.99 on Amazon. Depending on device compatibility, the product works with iPhone models going back to iPhone 8. It also works seamlessly with a range of Android devices. The TV stand comes in four colors: technical gray, Rose gold, Vibrant orange, and Old brown wood. The build quality on the device is on the flimsy side, which means you can definitely find some solid smartphone amplifiers out there. But if you’re looking for a gift inspired by nostalgia, this one isn’t hard to beat.

If you want to go really retro, you might want to check out this Nixie Tube Clock from ClockTeck. This is a perfect example of a product that combines retro looks with modern technology. The watch itself has a design that dates back to the 1950s but is not lacking in modern sophistication. It’s easy to set up, and has different types of lighting that can be selected by tapping the bulbs. There are a variety of color options, and there’s even a countdown mode if you want to use the device as a timer. Of course, you can use the clock as an alarm. Other additional settings include brightness adjustment and 12/24 hour mode.

In terms of color options, the product ad shows that users can use the color picker on their smartphone to choose any gradient they like. You can also set it so that each tube itself displays a different color. Overall, the product has a great display, making it great for mood lighting or as a regular clock anywhere in your home. The product has a rating of 4.3, and is reasonably priced at $67.

When it comes to old school video games, Nintendo seems to get the attention. But the Sega Genesis was a solid games console in its own right. Following in the footsteps of Nintendo, which released the NES Mini a few years ago, Sega did the same when it launched the Sega Genesis Mini back in 2019. The device is a small console and includes two wired controllers. More importantly, it comes with 42 built-in games, so you don’t have to worry about cartridges like you did a few decades ago. Some of the games include: Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Contra: Hard Corps, Street Fighter 2, Virtua Fighter 2, Castlevania: Bloodlines, Streets of Rage 2, and many more.

Even if you didn’t play a ton of Sega Genesis games back in the day, there are more than enough titles here to make this thing worth checking out if you’re looking for some retro gaming action. When looking for a Sega Genesis Mini on Amazon, availability tends to fluctuate a bit. At the time of writing, there were a few left in stock. If you can’t find it on Amazon, you can also check eBay, where you may be able to find a slightly used system at a discounted price. Unfortunately, there is also a Sega Genesis Mini 2 that comes with 60 titles, but that device is a bit more expensive.

Before Spotify, iTunes, and even CDs, people listened to music on cassettes. If you’ve ever had the frustration of spooling tape back to cassette, it’s probably not something you want to revisit. While music on vinyl remains a niche market, cassettes have not made a comeback and probably never will. All that said, if you have fond memories of decades past cassettes, you might want to check out the Yanko Design Side A Cassette Speaker. The device is a Bluetooth speaker that looks like an 80s cassette tape. So if you want to connect the device to your smartphone or tablet, or your computer, the cassette speaker will work seamlessly.

When you’re offline, the speaker comes with microSD card support so you can preload a bunch of music and play it directly off the card. It’s worth mentioning that if you use a microSD card, the speaker can only play MP3 files. As for other features, the speaker can work up to 6 hours on a single charge. A full recharge from zero battery life takes 2 hours. In addition, the speaker itself comes with a stand, while maintaining a small footprint. Given its short length, you won’t hear the punchy sound you’d hear from a high-end device like Apple’s HomePod or other smart speakers from big brands, but if you’re looking for a decent Bluetooth speaker that’s incredibly easy to handle and transport – with a retro flair – you’d be hard-pressed to find something as cool as the Customer. It is currently available from Yanko Design for $49.