Modern laptops can run most emulators very easily. You probably aren't going to be able to emulate more modern consoles like the Switch but there's entire generations of console gaming back catalogue that you will have access to.

If it's new ground for you, maybe just look up some Top 100 [console] articles online and pick out whatever take your fancy from the list and give them a try. There's plenty of games that are duds and ones that just haven't aged well but there are some absolute gems as well.

If you have a bit of spare cash available or if you're really enjoying retro gaming, I'd recommend investing in a Bluetooth controller that is cross-platform compatible. If it works on iOS/PC/Android (if you ever happen to get yourself a tablet or something down the track) then you are essentially able to turn any Bluetooth capable device into a gaming platform and you won't be locked into one particular platform by buying their proprietary controller.

Also consider looking into the indie gaming scene. There are YouTube channels that give reviews and playthroughs of indie games that have been released recently and ones that are about to drop. Some are going to be beyond the specs of your laptop but plenty of them are very light on demands for system requirements.