Piepacker takes multiplayer retrogaming online – and PieReader brings your carts along for the ride

With Antstream bringing streaming retro games to your PC and Evercade VS using carts to send retro goodies to your telly, you might wonder if there’s room for more old-school gaming services and hardware. Piepacker (premium from $40; free version also available) has found a gap – in online multiplayer. The browser-based service has you battle friends in over 60 titles, including Sensible Soccer and Worms Blast. Built-in video chat lets you grin wildly and see your opponent’s pain as you win at the last second (even if you’re both sporting 3D face filters). But what if your favourite titles aren’t available? There are two bring your own game (BYOG) systems for that. One requires a “legally acquired ROM”, but the second is much more fun. With the Kickstarter-exclusive PieReader (from $100), you can plug in real NES, SNES and Mega Drive carts and play your games online with friends, wherever they happen to be. The console connects to your PC, includes four controller ports for local gaming and has an optional glass dome – ideal for pretending you’re living in an episode of The Jetsons.

Craig Grannell Contributor

About

I’m a regular contributor to Stuff magazine and Stuff.tv, covering apps, games, Apple kit, Android, Lego, retro gaming and other interesting oddities. I also pen opinion pieces when the editor lets me, getting all serious about accessibility and predicting when sentient AI smart cookware will take over the world, in a terrifying mix of Bake Off and Terminator.

Areas of expertise

Mobile apps and games, Macs, iOS and tvOS devices, Android, retro games, crowdfunding, design, how to fight off an enraged smart saucepan with a massive stick.