Skip to main content
TechRadar TechRadar the technology experts
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
RSS
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Phones
    • Popular Phone Brands
      • iPhone
      • Samsung Galaxy
      • Google Pixel
      • Nothing
      • Motorola
      • OnePlus
      • Xiaomi
      • Honor
      • Oppo
      • Huawei
    • Operating Systems
      • Android
      • iOS
    • More from Phones
      • Network Carriers
      • Phone Accessories
      • Phone Reviews
      • Phone Buying Guides
      • Phone Deals
      • Phone News
  • Computing
    • Laptops
      • Chromebooks
      • MacBooks
      • Windows Laptops
      • Gaming Laptops
    • PCs
      • Desktop PCs
      • Macs
      • Gaming PCs
    • Software
      • Windows
      • macOS
    • Components
      • CPUs
      • GPUs
      • Storage
      • Nvidia
      • Intel
    • Internet
      • Websites & Apps
      • Wi-Fi & Broadband
      • Social Media
      • Wordle
    • Security
      • Antivirus
      • Cyber Security
    • Tablets
      • eReaders
      • iPad
    • VR & AR
    • Peripherals
      • Monitors
      • Keyboards
      • Webcams
      • Mice
    • Popular Computing Brands
      • Dell
      • HP
      • Lenovo
      • Acer
    • More from Computing
      • Computing Reviews
      • Computing Buying Guides
      • Computing Deals
      • Computing News
  • AI
    • AI Platforms & Assistants
    • OpenAI
    • ChatGPT
    • Gemini
    • Apple Intelligence
    • Claude
  • TVs
    • TV Insights
      • TV Reviews
      • TV Buying Guides
      • TV Deals
      • TV News
    • More for your TV
      • Home Theatre
      • Soundbars
      • Streaming Devices
      • Projectors
      • Blu-ray
  • Streaming
    • Entertainment
    • Netflix
    • Prime Video
    • Disney+
    • Apple TV+
    • HBO Max
    • Hulu
    • Paramount+
    • How to Watch
  • Fitness
    • Fitness
      • Smartwatches
      • Fitness Trackers
      • Exercise Equipment
      • Fitness Headphones
      • Fitness Apps
      • Smart Rings
    • Watch Brands
      • Apple Watch
      • Fitbit
      • Garmin
      • Google Pixel Watch
      • Samsung Galaxy Watch
    • Wellbeing
      • Sleep
      • Oral Health
    • More from Fitness
      • Fitness News
      • Fitness Reviews
      • Fitness Buying Guides
      • Fitness Deals
  • Audio
    • Headphones
      • Earbuds & AirPods
      • Wireless Headphones
    • Speakers
      • Wireless Speakers
      • Sonos
    • Hi-Fi
      • Turntables
      • Portable Players
      • DACs
    • Audio Streaming
      • Spotify
      • Apple Music
    • More from Audio
      • Audio News
      • Audio Reviews
      • Audio Buying Guides
      • Audio Deals
  • VPN
    • VPN Services
    • VPN Security
    • ExpressVPN
    • NordVPN
  • Cameras
    • Camera Types
      • Mirrorless
      • DSLRs
      • Compact
      • Action
      • Video
      • Drones
      • 360 Cameras
      • Dash Cams
    • Camera Brands
      • Canon
      • DJI
      • Fujifilm
      • Nikon
      • GoPro
      • Insta360
    • More from Cameras
      • Camera Accessories
      • Camera Lenses
      • Camera Reviews
      • Camera Buying Guides
      • Camera Deals
      • Camera News
      • Photography
  • Home
    • Smart Home
      • Home Security
      • Smart Speakers
      • Smart Lights
      • Smart Scales
      • Smart Thermostats
      • Amazon Echo
    • Small Appliances
      • Air Fryers
      • Air Quality
      • Coffee Machines
      • Hair Care
      • Vacuums
      • Robot Vacuums
    • Home Brands
      • Dyson
      • Philips Hue
      • Ring
      • Shark
      • Ninja
    • More from Home
      • Home Reviews
      • Home Buying Guides
      • Home Deals
      • Home News
  • EVs
  • Browse
    • By Type
      • News
      • Best
      • Reviews
      • Deals
      • Versus
      • How To
      • Opinion
      • Coupons
    • Popular Brands
      • Samsung
      • Sony
      • Microsoft
      • Apple
Tech Radar Pro Tech Radar Gaming
  • Phones
    • View Phones
      • iPhone
      • Samsung Galaxy
      • Google Pixel
      • Nothing
      • Motorola
      • OnePlus
      • Xiaomi
      • Honor
      • Oppo
      • Huawei
      • Android
      • iOS
      • Network Carriers
      • Phone Accessories
      • Phone Reviews
      • Phone Buying Guides
      • Phone Deals
      • Phone News
  • Computing
    • View Computing
    • Laptops
      • View Laptops
      • Chromebooks
      • MacBooks
      • Windows Laptops
      • Gaming Laptops
      • Desktop PCs
      • Macs
      • Gaming PCs
    • Software
      • View Software
      • Windows
      • macOS
    • Components
      • View Components
      • CPUs
      • GPUs
      • Storage
      • Nvidia
      • Intel
    • Internet
      • View Internet
      • Websites & Apps
      • Wi-Fi & Broadband
      • Social Media
      • Wordle
    • Security
      • View Security
      • Antivirus
      • Cyber Security
    • Tablets
      • View Tablets
      • eReaders
      • iPad
    • VR & AR
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Monitors
      • Keyboards
      • Webcams
      • Mice
      • Dell
      • HP
      • Lenovo
      • Acer
      • Computing Reviews
      • Computing Buying Guides
      • Computing Deals
      • Computing News
  • AI
    • View AI
    • AI Platforms & Assistants
    • OpenAI
    • ChatGPT
    • Gemini
    • Apple Intelligence
    • Claude
  • TVs
    • View TVs
      • TV Reviews
      • TV Buying Guides
      • TV Deals
      • TV News
      • Home Theatre
      • Soundbars
      • Streaming Devices
      • Projectors
      • Blu-ray
  • Streaming
    • View Streaming
    • Entertainment
    • Netflix
    • Prime Video
    • Disney+
    • Apple TV+
    • HBO Max
    • Hulu
    • Paramount+
    • How to Watch
  • Fitness
    • View Fitness
      • Smartwatches
      • Fitness Trackers
      • Exercise Equipment
      • Fitness Headphones
      • Fitness Apps
      • Smart Rings
      • Apple Watch
      • Fitbit
      • Garmin
      • Google Pixel Watch
      • Samsung Galaxy Watch
      • Sleep
      • Oral Health
      • Fitness News
      • Fitness Reviews
      • Fitness Buying Guides
      • Fitness Deals
  • Audio
    • View Audio
    • Headphones
      • View Headphones
      • Earbuds & AirPods
      • Wireless Headphones
    • Speakers
      • View Speakers
      • Wireless Speakers
      • Sonos
    • Hi-Fi
      • View Hi-Fi
      • Turntables
      • Portable Players
      • DACs
    • Audio Streaming
      • View Audio Streaming
      • Spotify
      • Apple Music
      • Audio News
      • Audio Reviews
      • Audio Buying Guides
      • Audio Deals
  • VPN
    • View VPN
    • VPN Services
    • VPN Security
    • ExpressVPN
    • NordVPN
  • Cameras
    • View Cameras
      • Mirrorless
      • DSLRs
      • Compact
      • Action
      • Video
      • Drones
      • 360 Cameras
      • Dash Cams
      • Canon
      • DJI
      • Fujifilm
      • Nikon
      • GoPro
      • Insta360
      • Camera Accessories
      • Camera Lenses
      • Camera Reviews
      • Camera Buying Guides
      • Camera Deals
      • Camera News
      • Photography
  • Home
    • View Home
    • Smart Home
      • View Smart Home
      • Home Security
      • Smart Speakers
      • Smart Lights
      • Smart Scales
      • Smart Thermostats
      • Amazon Echo
    • Small Appliances
      • View Small Appliances
      • Air Fryers
      • Air Quality
      • Coffee Machines
      • Hair Care
      • Vacuums
      • Robot Vacuums
      • Dyson
      • Philips Hue
      • Ring
      • Shark
      • Ninja
      • Home Reviews
      • Home Buying Guides
      • Home Deals
      • Home News
  • EVs
  • Browse
    • View Browse
      • News
      • Best
      • Reviews
      • Deals
      • Versus
      • How To
      • Opinion
      • Coupons
      • Samsung
      • Sony
      • Microsoft
      • Apple
Tech Radar Pro Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • Exclusive Apple interview
  • iPhone Air
  • iPhone 17 Pro
  • Best laptop
  • ChatGPT
  • Best VPN
  • Best web hosting
  • NYT Wordle today
Don't miss these
The Cassette iOS app on an iPhone.
Phones This glorious iPhone app brings back the lost joy of watching family VHS tapes – only with your forgotten smartphone videos
Mickey Mouse Music Box Record Player by Fisher Price
Seasonal Sales Disney Store’s bringing back classic toys with a modern twist in its new retro toys collection
The Apple Music app icon against a red background on an iPhone.
Apple Music Apple Music is celebrating 10 years with a personalized ‘All Time’ Playlist, and there’s a way for Spotify listeners to get in on the action
An man inserts a tape into the We Are Rewind GB-001 boombox
Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers I tried the modern boombox design that mixes cassettes with Bluetooth – and it was like slipping back into my favorite pair of shoes
A Pure Aura radio/speaker being placed on a bedside table in a bright room
Audio Pure's stylish speakers are a more joyful way to start your day
The iPod Classic on a window sill.
Audio I found my old iPod Classic in a shoe-box, spent the week burning CDs to iTunes and now I can't go back to Spotify
Maxell MXCP-P100 cassette player on a light grey background
Portable Media Players Maxell's Bluetooth cassette player is probably the tape revival player you're most likely to want to own – if you can get one
Maxell MXCP-P100S cassette player on a wooden surface. It's a Walkman-esque player with a built-in speaker
Portable Media Players Maxell adds a little speaker to its Walkman-esque tape player, and this is one launch I hope stays in Japan
Old magazine rolled up placed on top of pile on a coffee table.
Pro I journeyed into the web archive of an iconic consumer electronics magazine – here’s what I found
AOL
Computing AOL ends dial-up: Why the goodbye to that scratchy sounds matters
Ozzy Osbourne
AI Platforms & Assistants This Ozzy Osbourne tribute video may have 5.8M views, but it just shows everything wrong with AI slop (and what the hell is that music?)
Still from The Playlist
Netflix This forgotten Netflix TV show has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and tells the story of how Spotify changed music forever
A screenshot from the game Mixtape
Gaming Mixtape is filled with style, vibes, and heart and absolutely won me over at this year’s Summer Game Fest
Man turning on the Sony WH-1000XM6
Audio I review headphones, earbuds, and Bluetooth speakers for a living – here are 7 failsafe tracks I used to test them
Screen shots of Spotify's AI DJ generating a new listening session
Spotify I dismissed Spotify’s AI DJ for years – here’s why I’m finally warming up to the streaming giant’s most divisive feature
  1. Tech

Listen to the retro sounds that defined the 80s and 90s

News
By SJ Azar published 31 August 2015

Happy ears throughout the years

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Beeping marvellous

Beeping marvellous

It's a sad day when you realise that you'll never hear the sound of a dial-up modem again. That digital crunching noise that seared phone lines around the world as people connected to this thing of wonder -the Internet - for the first time.

It's also a sad day when you realise there's a whole generation of kids being born who will never know sounds that represented such a simpler time.

Back then, we had to have patience, maybe go away and make cups of tea as our internet connection established, yelling when someone would pick up the phone and try and make a call, disconnecting us from our MUD game. Remembering the abject joy when our favourite games console loaded up, eventually, without demanding we download a two-hour update before we're allowed to play anything.

There are many sounds that we associate with those simpler times. Here are some of our favourites.

Page 1 of 14
Page 1 of 14
1. Dial up modems

1. Dial up modems

Such a good sound that over 4 million people have listened to this clip of a dial up modem, proving we're not the only one to miss it.

Page 2 of 14
Page 2 of 14
2. Windows 95 startup/shutdown

2. Windows 95 startup/shutdown

All the excitement at your OS finally booting up culminated in this Windows Start sound. You might have had to make a cup of tea while it loaded, but that sound meant you were ready to pop minesweeper up and try, once more, to beat it.

Page 3 of 14
Page 3 of 14
3. PS One start up sound

3. PS One start up sound

This sound was as wonderful as some of the games that were made for it. The original Playstation boot-up noise got us in the mood for adventures and competitive button-bashing with more progressive audio than previous consoles.

Page 4 of 14
Page 4 of 14
4. Sega Megadrive

4. Sega Megadrive

"Seeeeyyy-gaaaaaa". Need we say more?

And who could forget the bundled game you got with the Mega Drive, Altered Beast, with its synthesised voice? "Wise fwom your gwave"

Page 5 of 14
Page 5 of 14
5. Super Mario does a fireball.

5. Super Mario does a fireball.

Nothing beats the 'blup blup' sounds of Mario shooting a fireball. The NES provided those first moments where fans all over the world were born and dreamed in 8-bit action.

Page 6 of 14
Page 6 of 14
6. The Commodore 64

6. The Commodore 64

Another epic loading sound, this is the Parallax boot sound made for the Commodore 64. Just stick it on loop.

Page 7 of 14
Page 7 of 14
7.The GameCube startup sounds

7.The GameCube startup sounds

Not technically a 90's console, it was released in 2001 so it's close enough to join this older batch of sonic nostalgia finds.

Did you know it possible to vary your Gamecube boot experience with the right key presses? If not, we pity you. Luckily, you can hear them right here:

Page 8 of 14
Page 8 of 14
8. The sound of a dot-matrix printer.

8. The sound of a dot-matrix printer.

Having homework, reports or graphs to print was always a chore because of how long it took. Printing was both highly irritating (and loud) and also oddly soothing as the printer screeched out the sounds of your work - and you were lucky if you managed a page a minute.

Page 9 of 14
Page 9 of 14
9. An old CD Drive opening and closing.

9. An old CD Drive opening and closing.

The worst thing about the CD Drive was accidentally getting something stuck in there. Sometimes at night, we still hear the noise...

Shout out to all the parents and grandparents who used it as a cup holder before they were shown the light.

Page 10 of 14
Page 10 of 14
10. Whiz Kids (TV Show)

10. Whiz Kids (TV Show)

Made in 1984 and very short-lived, this TV show followed hot on the heels of Wargames. Revolving around computer geeks who happened to use their skills as investigators, the show's opening titles pretty much encapsulates our fascination with 80s computer tech.

Page 11 of 14
Page 11 of 14
11. Microswitch joysticks

11. Microswitch joysticks

The microswitch joystick. The loud clicking noises you made frantically bashing at the buttons was the closest thing we'd come to the arcade experience at home. Here's gaming mavern Ashens taking us through a myriad of controllers you might have seen at home.

Page 12 of 14
Page 12 of 14
12. MSN Messenger

12. MSN Messenger

This sound of a message popping up in MSN Messenger was the sound of friendships being forged, relationships being destroyed and people coming back from an interminable AFK.

Page 13 of 14
Page 13 of 14
13. And finally...Bill Gates

13. And finally...Bill Gates

We present Mr Bill Gates, in quite an early promotional video for Microsoft. What is love, indeed.

Page 14 of 14
Page 14 of 14
SJ Azar
Read more
The Cassette iOS app on an iPhone.
This glorious iPhone app brings back the lost joy of watching family VHS tapes – only with your forgotten smartphone videos
 
 
Mickey Mouse Music Box Record Player by Fisher Price
Disney Store’s bringing back classic toys with a modern twist in its new retro toys collection
 
 
The Apple Music app icon against a red background on an iPhone.
Apple Music is celebrating 10 years with a personalized ‘All Time’ Playlist, and there’s a way for Spotify listeners to get in on the action
 
 
An man inserts a tape into the We Are Rewind GB-001 boombox
I tried the modern boombox design that mixes cassettes with Bluetooth – and it was like slipping back into my favorite pair of shoes
 
 
A Pure Aura radio/speaker being placed on a bedside table in a bright room
Pure's stylish speakers are a more joyful way to start your day
 
 
The iPod Classic on a window sill.
I found my old iPod Classic in a shoe-box, spent the week burning CDs to iTunes and now I can't go back to Spotify
 
 
Latest in Tech
A Nikon camera next to an iPhone Air and new Bose headphones
ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Apple's iPhone Air debut to Spotify finally getting Lossless music
 
 
ICYMI
ICYMI: the 8 biggest tech stories of the week, from IFA 2025 to the Hollow Knight: Silksong launch and the iPhone 17
 
 
Apple iPhone 16 in Pink, Teal, and Ultra Marine
Another big Apple event tip has landed: get ready for the iPhone 17, Apple Watch Ultra 3, AirPods Pro 3, and more
 
 
A sign of the IFA logo, with the Messe Berlin complex in the background
Best of IFA 2025 awards – our 15 favorite tech reveals at the show, from next-gen TVs to stair-climbing robo-vacs
 
 
The Flipepr Zero, iPhone 16 Pro, and DJI Mic 3 next to each other.
ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Apple's iPhone event teaser to a possible car theft threat
 
 
Peacemaker, Google Pixel 10, and Hornet next to each other.
ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Google's Pixel 10 release to Gamescom's biggest reveals
 
 
Latest in News
Karaoke mode with Sing in Apple Music on tvOS, showing Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan
Your Apple TV 4K gets a free upgrade to tvOS 26 today – here are 5 changes to try
 
 
Yuffie in FF7 Remake Intergrade
If you're hankering to play Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade on Switch 2, then be warned: it's massive and will be a Game Key card
 
 
Spotify app on a smartphone
It’s about time – Spotify is finally upgrading its free tier with these Premium-style features
 
 
An iPad Pro next to a hand holding an Apple AirTag and a MacBook Pro on a table
Forget the iPhone 17 – these are the next 10 Apple products rumored to be coming soon
 
 
Borderlands 4
Amid a tidal wave of performance complaints on PC, the first Borderlands 4 patch has arrived to address stability – but no one knows what it does
 
 
A person holding an iPhone running iOS 26.
iOS 26 lands today – here’s exactly when it’s coming to your iPhone, and which models are compatible
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. 1
    I've been using iOS 26 for months – here are the 5 things you should try first
  2. 2
    This robovac uses agentic AI to make its own cleaning decisions, and I'm not sure whether to be excited or terrified
  3. 3
    One small step for servers, one giant leap for Axiom Space and IBM Red Hat as prototype data center reaches the International Space Station
  4. 4
    Your Apple TV 4K gets a free upgrade to tvOS 26 today – here are 5 changes to try
  5. 5
    I'm a smart home tech editor, and these are the 3 best wireless video doorbells that you can install in minutes

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...