🕹️ THE STORY BEHIND RETROREVIVE
"My fondest memories are playing local multiplayer with my family."
It started at my grandpa's place on a Saturday evening in Melbourne.
Every week, my three brothers and I would eat dinner at his house — and every week, we'd race to the lounge room afterward. Because that's where the N64 lived. It was the standard grey model, but our grandpa had spoiled us with a massive game library — Bomberman 64, Pokémon Stadium 1 & 2, Super Smash Bros., and more. With four brothers, we always had a full roster for multiplayer. Those Saturday night duke-outs are some of the best memories of my childhood.
At home we had the Wii, which was the new thing at the time. But leaving the N64 at grandpa's made it special — it was our only gaming entertainment on those Melbourne Saturday evenings, and that made every session feel like an event.
🎮 FROM PLAYER TO COLLECTOR
My first personal console was the Nintendo DS Lite. There's just something so fun about having a touch screen and something quirky about that clamshell design. I was hooked immediately. From there I moved to the 3DS, and eventually I started collecting — not just playing, but appreciating these consoles as pieces of gaming history.
If my house was on fire, I'd grab my New Nintendo 3DS XL. It's a Swiss Army knife — backward compatible with the entire DS library, easy emulation access, and actually portable enough to grab and go. It does everything.
🙋 THE PART THAT SURPRISES PEOPLE
Here's something you probably wouldn't guess about someone who runs a retro game store — I'm a huge health enthusiast. I've played competitive sports my entire life. I love being outside and staying active just as much as I love gaming.
But here's the thing: just like sports, video games bring people together. That's why I'm passionate about both. Those Saturday nights at grandpa's weren't just about the N64 — they were about being together with my brothers, competing, laughing, and making memories. That's the same thing that happens on a sports field.
"I used to think I'd outgrow video games. I was wrong. Nowadays I replace mindless phone scrolling with one gym to beat in Pokémon or a few levels in a Mario game. It's actual fun — sometimes challenging, always rewarding. I genuinely believe that's a healthier habit than doomscrolling."
As I got older, I always thought I wouldn't have time for video games with work and sport commitments. But I realised that was the wrong way to think about it. You don't need four-hour sessions to enjoy gaming. You just need a few minutes of something intentional — something that's actually fun and sometimes challenges you — instead of reaching for your phone out of habit. That's what these handhelds are perfect for.
💪 WHY RETROREVIVE EXISTS
I started RetroRevive because I believe these consoles still have so much life left in them. They shouldn't be sitting in someone's drawer collecting dust — they should be in the hands of someone who'll love them.
Whether you grew up with these consoles and want to relive those memories, you're a parent looking to share something meaningful with your kids, or you're a collector building something special — I get it, because I'm one of you.
Every console I sell is something I've personally tested. I include a game recommendation card in every box because I want you to not just own a console, but actually experience the games that make it worth owning. This isn't a warehouse operation — it's one person who genuinely cares about what they're selling and who they're selling it to.
HAND-TESTED
Every button, screen, and function checked personally
RETROREVIVE CARD
Game recommendations & review QR code in every box
30-DAY WARRANTY
Because I stand behind what I sell
MELBOURNE BASED
Shipped with care from a real person
5+ YEARS SELLING
Customer-first across eBay, Etsy, and local sales
CUSTOMER FIRST
The experience matters more than the transaction
💬 WHY RETROREVIVE OVER EBAY OR MARKETPLACE?
I've been selling consoles and games locally and on platforms like eBay and Etsy for over five years. The difference with RetroRevive is that this isn't a side hustle — it's a project built by someone who genuinely cares about what they're selling and who they're selling it to.
My goal has always been customer first, and that won't change. When you buy from a random eBay listing, you're taking a gamble on condition, on testing, on whether the seller even knows what they're selling. When you buy from me, you're getting a console that's been personally tested by someone who plays these, backed by a 30-day warranty, packed with care, and shipped with a RetroRevive card that includes game recommendations and a QR code so you can share your own gaming story.
The customer experience is by far the most important thing to me. That's not a tagline — it's something I've learned over five years of doing this.
❤️ STORIES FROM CUSTOMERS
One of my favourite things about selling consoles is the conversations that happen around them. These aren't just transactions — they're moments.
"I've had customers order a Nintendo 3DS and tell me they're buying two so they can play alongside their partner or best friend. A quick exchange about shipping turns into a long conversation about which Pokémon game they're going to play first, what team they want to build, and their childhood memories of their favourite games. Those conversations are why I do this."
Then there are the parents. I've had so many parents come to me after being begged by their kids to find a 3DS that has all the Pokémon games. They turn to me and ask me to sort them out. I always love that — parents doing their best to surprise their kids and give them a genuinely memorable present. Knowing that a console I tested and packed is going to light up some kid's face? That's the best part of this whole thing.