I can see the appeal for that... Except for the NES.

I gave my last cartridge blowie a long time ago.

The best of both worlds, I've got Flash Carts for all my retro consoles and I'm (slowly) working on ODEs for the others! In the cases where an ODE removes the disc drive, I have secondary consoles! My partner hates that the entertainment stand is covered in video games but loves that most of the boxed games are in storage!

It is not, nor can it

I've got an Anbernic 353p and I LOVE it for handheld, but trying to use it as a console has proven tricky. I just want a device that I can plug into my TV and play games on with a minimum of tinkering. I shouldn't need to remap controllers every time I turn the thing on. I don't care to follow along with a three+ hour long tutorial to get all the settingsjust right. Plug into TV. Turn on. Play game.

This is where original hardware, or even those SNES Mini or Playstation Classic devices have appeal, because they aren't tinkering hobby devices, they're game systems first, last, and only. Everything above and beyond that should be very optional.

Both are awesome.

One for general use, not scuffing up my gear or games, travel, etc.

The other when I want to really have a beer and just retro out for an afternoon.

Where's the lie?

Miyoo Mini

Something about the wire on a NES controller that makes it feel right.

I like the balance of EmulationStation + Pi. And original hardware controllers modded to work via USB.

Best of both worlds

I feel this in my very soul.