I have spent $250 on original hardware for the “true experience”. Even bought a soldering kit and learned how to do it to upgrade the screens.

I ended up ignoring the GBA because the shoulder buttons don’t register, and I ignore the GBC because the D-pad is sharp and leaves welts in my thumb, and that’s an OG D-pad, too, not some Funnyplaying knockoff. Also, in turning on the games for this picture, I found out the batteries in the flashcarts had run dry and that RTC now longer works on them.

Meanwhile, a chinkheld can play those same games with a brighter, bigger screen, no need for AA batteries, and the ability to put the game to sleep at any time.

“Original hardware” might be my biggest regret I’ve had in terms of wasted money, and I bought the Datafrog 2000. They’re basically just expensive paperweights I can look at, but never actually play, like Gunpla.

I legit cannot see any argument in favor of original hardware aside from “I care more about reliving my nostalgia than actually having fun playing videogames.”