The two proprietary accessory ports on the front of the NEX match those of the original consoles, allowing the use of any old (or recently acquired) peripherals from the golden age of gaming. The NEX is supplied with one wired controller which, just like the base unit, beautifully recaptures the look and feel of the old Nintendo campaigner with the added benefit of a sturdy build quality and a compliment of fully working buttons. Also available are a pair of additional, wireless controllers, as the base unit has built-in receivers for the 2.4GHz, 4-channel system.

The wireless controllers have a slightly different design to the wired version, featuring an actuator more akin to modern thumb sticks than the traditional “D-pad”. If I had to find a negative aspect of the NEX (and, as a fair and impartial reviewer, I feel I must), then it’s to be found here, in the wireless controllers. Perhaps if I didn’t have the robust wired controller to compare them to, I might never have considered it, but the new “thumb pad” gives a slightly weak impression. While it must be pointed out that I’ve experienced no problem whatsoever with the wireless controller functions, only time will tell if they’re really up to the endurance test of an impassioned gamer’s heavy hand. That said, we sit a lot further from our television sets than we used to, and the extended freedom of a wireless controller definitely shouldn’t be overlooked.

Another benefit over an eBay bargain NES console is the connectivity of the NEX. Featuring the now standard composite outputs (video, audio left and audio right), phono connectors are right there for connection directly into the front of your TV and/or stereo. At present the NEX outputs its video in NTSC format, though it should be known this reviewer is based (quite happily) in the UK, where a majority of modern TVs will accept both the regional PAL standard and the US system – but international buyers should check their compatibility first. The supplied power adapter is also, naturally, designed to fit a US power socket, yet it quite happily accepts a voltage range from 110v to 240v, so a cheap travel adapter immediately gets international gamers up and running. Although Messiah are careful not to promise 100% game compatibility (which, to be fair, would be impossible due to the sheer number of NES and Famicom games made), the review unit has been tested with a variety of US, European and Japanese games without hitch.

With a wireless arcade stick in the works, the NEX looks set to establish itself a more than respectable place in the current videogame market, and with a wallet friendly price tag of $59.99, it really should be on the list of any avid gamer with a few old NES games packed away in the attic. The truth of the matter is, that while my Xbox 360 gathers dust, the whole family and a collection of new and old inquisitive friends compete rabidly for the high score on Donkey Kong, while I find myself scouring eBay on every coffee break building myself an impressive collection of Nintendo classics. The NEX quite literally lives up to the claim on the box of “bringing gaming back to life”.