Budget Upgrade Paths: I Sold My Tesla but Want the Games Back
Exploring the cheapest ways to bring Tesla Arcade titles into your home or on the go.
Updated: 2025-09-29
Selling your Tesla does not mean you have to leave the games behind. Tesla Arcade is built on a library of indie and casual favourites that are widely available on other platforms — often with extras, DLC, and multiplayer options the car version never offered.
This guide highlights budget-friendly upgrade paths to keep those games in your life without breaking the bank.
Option 1: A Used Nintendo Switch
- Price range: ~£150–£200 (used or refurbished).
- Why it works: Switch carries many Tesla Arcade titles — Cuphead, Stardew Valley, Boomerang Fu, Cat Quest, Vampire Survivors.
- Extras: Portable design, couch co-op, access to Nintendo Switch Online for cloud saves and online multiplayer.
Option 2: Steam Deck (Refurbished)
- Price range: ~£250–£350 for refurbished models direct from Steam.
- Why it works: Full PC experience in handheld form. Nearly every Tesla title is available through Steam or Game Pass.
- Extras: Access to your entire PC library, mods, and emulation. Works docked to a TV for living room play.
Option 3: Mini Gaming PC
- Price range: ~£300–£500 for a budget-friendly build (e.g. Gigabyte Brix, MinisForum, or used desktops).
- Why it works: Runs the PC versions of Tesla games at higher quality. Perfect if you already have a monitor or TV.
- Extras: Expandable, handles work and browsing as well as games, and allows easy controller pairing.
Accessories that help
- Controllers: Xbox Wireless Controller, PS5 DualSense, or 8BitDo Pro 2 for multi-platform use.
- Subscription services: Xbox Game Pass or Humble Choice can cheaply fill in gaps in your Tesla library.
- Cloud saves: Steam Cloud and Nintendo Switch Online ensure progress is safe.
Final thoughts
If you’ve sold your Tesla but miss the games, there are affordable ways to bring them back. A used Switch is the most straightforward, a Steam Deck balances price with flexibility, and a mini-PC is a versatile long-term investment.
Each option costs less than a few months of car payments but gives you years of accessible, portable fun — with more features than Tesla Arcade ever offered.