With our retro games collection gathering dust, we decided to have a look into different ways to bring them into our streams and content. While the Nintendo store offers a large array of classic remakes alongside the emulators, we already owned the games we wanted to play on older consoles. So let’s take a look at ways to get your retro Nintendo games onto your streams.
Connect To PC/OBS
The ultimate step to this mission will be connecting your desired game to your PC and some kind of broadcasting software. We use OBS for broadcasting but there are other options such as Streamlabs.
While there are a number of HDMI adapters and game capture cards that work well, most of our crew use the Elgato HD60 and above. Each variation has its bonuses and pitfalls, but in general we have found this to be one of the more reliable capture cards. While not stated explicitly, most capture cards can process any HDMI input given the correct set up.
Elgato also has its own broadcasting software if you’d rather use that.
Connect To N64, GameCube Or Wii
Older Nintendo systems used the same port to connect to your TV, so they are able to use the same adapters to connect to the capture card of your choice. This converts the data to HDMI, allowing you to show it on your broadcasting software.
There are a lot of HDMI adapters on the market but the ones that worked best included some kind of power booster input to make up for the low power output of the retro consoles. Our very own Mashashy uses these when streaming Metroid Prime on YouTube.
N64 Adapter – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D4QLB4JN?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1
Wii2 Adapter – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09PGYQ8TL?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3
Connect To Gameboy, Gameboy Colour and Gameboy Advanced
Broadcasting handheld games is a little more difficult but is still possible using Nintendo accessories built for older consoles. Both the SNES and N64 had Gameboy adapters which would connect your consoles. The GameCube later added a similar expansion that was able to read both Gameboy Color and Advanced cartridges.
While the SNES and GameCube versions are pretty flexible, the N64 adapter was only really usable this was with Pokémon and a few other games.
Although not something we have used ourselves, there are also capture cards designed specifically for early Gameboy systems that are pretty much plug and play.
Gameboy Capture Card – Amazon
Connect to DS and 3DS
Unfortunately, there are no current methods for streaming your DS and 3DS games without modifying your consoles. This isn’t an option we recommend trying, but there are vendors offering the service if there are no modern versions of your favourites already out there.
Stream Happy
As companies crackdown on emulation, it’s becoming harder to play our favourite classics. But hopefully, with this article, you will be inspired to try.
