Retro Console to Modern TV: HDMI Compatibility Chart
Wondering how to plug an NES, N64, Sega Saturn, or original Xbox into a TV that only has HDMI ports? This chart maps each major retro console to its easiest modern-TV connection, with the exact cable, adapter, or HD console we stock for the job. The G-Dreamer team keeps it updated as new adapters arrive, and everything linked below ships free within the US.
| Console | Native video output | Easiest HDMI route | Cable / adapter we stock | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NES | RF / composite | RetroN 1 HD console (720p HDMI) — no direct HDMI cable exists for the original NES | RetroN 1 HD Console, AV Cable for NES (6 ft) | Nobody makes a plug-in HDMI cable for the original NES. Either run a fresh composite cable into a TV that still has AV-in (or a generic composite-to-HDMI converter box), or play your cartridges on the RetroN 1 HD, which outputs 720p over HDMI and takes both NTSC and PAL carts. |
| Super NES (SNES) | Composite / S-Video (Multi Out) | 3-in-1 HDMI cable (720p) | 3-in-1 HDMI Cable (GameCube / N64 / SNES) | 720p output with a 4:3 / 16:9 aspect switch and stereo audio. Needs a 5V 1A USB power source (not included). Not compatible with the Super NES Jr. or some PAL consoles, which lack S-Video output. |
| Nintendo 64 | Composite / S-Video (Multi Out) | 3-in-1 HDMI cable (720p) | 3-in-1 HDMI Cable (GameCube / N64 / SNES) | The same cable covers SNES, N64, and GameCube — one purchase handles all three consoles. |
| GameCube | Composite / S-Video (Multi Out) | 3-in-1 HDMI cable (720p) | 3-in-1 HDMI Cable, 3-in-1 HD Pro Edition | Prefer no power brick? The HD Pro edition needs no additional power supply and adds a Mode button with 4 visual styles, still at 720p in 4:3 or 16:9. |
| Sega Genesis (Model 1 / 2) | RF / composite | Genesis HDMI cable (720p) | Sega Genesis HDMI Cable | 720p with a 16:9 / 4:3 switch and stereo audio. Includes an adapter for original Genesis Model 1 consoles, and the 7-foot length gives you room to sit back. |
| Sega Saturn | Composite / S-Video | Saturn HDMI cable (720p) | Sega Saturn HDMI Cable | 720p output with switchable 4:3 / 16:9 aspect ratios and stereo audio. Plug-and-play setup. |
| Sega Dreamcast | Composite; VGA-compatible AV port (480p on most games) | Dreamcast HD cable → HDMI, up to 480p | Dreamcast HD Cable (HDMI), HD VGA Cable | The Dreamcast tops out at 480p natively, so this HD cable delivers a clean 480p over HDMI rather than an upscaled 720p — still a big jump from blurry composite. Note that not every Dreamcast game supports the 480p VGA mode. If your display still has a VGA input, the VGA cable (640×480 with RCA audio) is a solid budget route. |
| Neo Geo AES / Neo Geo CD | Composite / RGB | Neo Geo HDMI cable (720p) | Neo Geo AES / CD HDMI Cable | 720p in 4:3 or 16:9 with digital audio, and it connects to any HDMI port. Comes with a 6-foot Micro USB power cable. |
| TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine | RF (stock US TurboGrafx-16); composite via AV adapter | RetroN GX HD console (720p HDMI) for cartridges | RetroN GX HD Console, AV Adapter for TurboGrafx-16, PC Engine Adapter | We don't currently stock a dedicated TurboGrafx HDTV cable, so the straight-to-HDMI route for original hardware isn't covered here — but the AV adapter gets a stock TurboGrafx-16 onto any TV with AV-in, and the PC Engine adapter makes Hyperkin's TurboGrafx AV and HDTV cables work with a Japanese PC Engine. For pure HDMI, the RetroN GX HD plays TurboGrafx-16 and PC Engine cartridges at 720p with optional scanlines. |
| Original Xbox | Composite / component (via AV pack) | Panorama HD cable → HDMI, 1080i | Panorama HD Cable for Original Xbox | Officially Xbox-licensed. Outputs 1080i with HD audio over a generous 7-foot cable — the highest-resolution route on this chart. |
| PS1 / PS2 | Composite / S-Video (AV Multi Out); component on PS2 | PS2 / PS1 HDMI cable (720p) | PS2 / PS1 HDMI Cable, Component AV Cable (PS2 / PS3), S-Video & AV Cable (PS One / PS2 / PS3) | One HDMI cable covers both PS1 and PS2 (7 feet, powered by the included USB cable). If your TV still has component or S-Video inputs, the analog cables are simple alternatives that also cover the PS3. |
| PSP 2000 / 3000 | TV-out via headphone jack + serial port (2000 / 3000 only) | PSP HDTV cable (720p) | PSP 2000 / 3000 HDMI Cable | 720p with stereo audio and a built-in Zoom switch to fill the screen. Requires a 5V 1A USB power source (72-inch Micro USB cable included). The original PSP-1000 has no video output at all, so no cable can add TV-out to that model. |
| Wii / Wii U | Wii: composite / component (Multi Out). Wii U: HDMI built in | Wii U uses its own HDMI port; for the Wii, AV cable into a TV with AV-in or a converter | Tomee AV Cable for Wii / Wii U | This composite cable supports up to 480i — same picture as the cable that shipped with the console. The Wii also outputs component video natively for a sharper picture on TVs that still take it, and the Wii U already has HDMI out of the box, so the AV cable is mainly for older TVs. |
Composite vs HDMI cables: what actually changes
Every console on this chart speaks analog video — RF, composite, S-Video — and most modern TVs either lack those inputs entirely or process them poorly, leaving you with a blurry, laggy picture. A dedicated HDMI cable converts that analog signal inside the cable and, on most of the Hyperkin cables above, upscales it to 720p, which is why they're the easiest plug-and-play fix. To be upfront: these cables are convenience-first. Purists chasing the absolute best image and lowest latency usually go the RGB route through an external upscaler in the OSSC or RetroTINK class — gear we don't sell, and which costs several times more once you add the right cables. For most players, a one-cable HDMI solution is the sweet spot between effort and picture quality.
When a cable isn't enough
If your console won't power on, won't read cartridges or discs, or has a drifting controller stick, no video cable will fix that — head to our Repair Parts collection for replacement shells, lasers, sticks, and more. And if you're missing controllers, memory cards, or other essentials, our Retro Gaming collection covers the rest of the setup.