The cheap end done right: what works, what doesn't.
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Under fifty dollars you are buying an 8-bit and 16-bit machine with a bonus of some PS1. That is not a criticism — that library is thousands of games deep.
The risk at this price is listings that claim every console ever made. Buy for the systems you actually want and treat anything beyond PS1 as a bonus.
Runs NES, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy and GBA smoothly with a screen that matches their aspect ratio. The sweet spot at this price.
Boots straight into a menu of games with no setup, which is what you want for a child or a non-technical relative.
If portability is not the point, a plug-in mini console gives a bigger picture and two-controller play for the same money.
For 8-bit and 16-bit systems, yes — those emulators have been mature for two decades. Build quality and battery life are where the money was saved.
Usually yes, with occasional slowdown in the heavier 3D titles.
No. Ignore listings that claim otherwise at this price.
Most ship with one, but a faster card of your own is a cheap and worthwhile upgrade.