Retron 3 does anyone have one?

[kyle]

I was looking at the Retron 3 it looks better than most clones. Plus it looks like you can use NES SNES and Genesis controllers with it? Who has one and what do you think of it? Where is the best place to order one.

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

As someone who owns one as well as a FC Mobile II for collecting purposes I suggest you do yourself a favor, get original separate consoles, clones suck overall and I am disliking them more and more as I personally experience them. I thought HEY how great to have multiple systems in one unit, still playing on original hardware but more compact except it ISN'T original hardware, it is a hardware NES all in one chip mostly and as such there are compatibility issues as well as What does play especially on the NES side is not always exact with differences in sound, color etc. You might think like I did the gains outweigh the loses, they do NOT. I thought hey at least it is new hardware, trouble is it is SHIT new hardware and so half the time a cart slot might not even work so the "advantage" of new hardware is lost. I am considering getting rid of my clones and never bothering with them again, save yourself the trouble and just track down the original consoles. IF you still insist in this foolishness (hey I speak from experience) Then get from Stonagegamer as he is a good guy and will give you honest opinion to:

 

stoneagegamer

Edited February 6, 2011 by OldSchoolRetroGamer

[Animan]

I agree. Clones are just plain HORRIBLE. Yes, they are newer machines and don't have some of the problems of an aging system, but the extra time it takes to blow out the cartridge or clean the system is more than worth it to play on real hardware.

 

That said, it is nice to have the 3 systems in one unit if you go somewhere, and don't want to fiddle with bringing 3 systems, but I can only recommend that if you can get a low price on it.

 

While were on the topic, do the clones work with the Super Game Boy and the Powerbase Converter?

[godslabrat]

As someone who owns one as well as a FC Mobile II for collecting purposes I suggest you do yourself a favor, get original separate consoles, clones suck overall and I am disliking them more and more as I personally experience them.

 

I have an FC Mobile II, and it's rather nice just for having something to carry around the house... but overall, I agree with OSRG here. I like using the portable in addition to my NES, but I could never tolerate it being my only system. I bought it strictly because of the portability factor. Using a clone as a main system, especially when real hardware is so cheap and plentiful, just doesn't make sense to me. It'd be different if it looked like the clones were improving over time, but with fluctuating NOAC designs, Genesis sound that never seems to get better, mis-mapped buttons, and a consistent feeling of chintzy plastic it doesn't look like Hyperkin, et al. want to raise the bar at all.

 

I recognize the attractiveness of a clone, I really do. I do have failing hardware, and I like to keep my options open for replacements. However, the clones really aren't suitable replacements, and it seems like they never will be.

[PsychoKittyNet]

I've seen a pic of a Retron 3 running a master converter if that's what you mean, had to take the damn thing apart though.....

[kyle]

I just dont collect for NES, SNES or Gen and don't care to. There are a few games I miss playing on NES and my wife really loves playing the SNES. I have a lot of Genesis games already but Genesis 1 has about had it. So this seems like it would be a good way to go for me. I could play all my Genesis games plus get the 15 or so NES games I want and the few SNES games my wife wants and be done with it,

[kyle]

I also LOVE that you can use NES, SNES and Genesis controllers with this clone it has two ports for each.

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

I just dont collect for NES, SNES or Gen and don't care to. There are a few games I miss playing on NES and my wife really loves playing the SNES. I have a lot of Genesis games already but Genesis 1 has about had it. So this seems like it would be a good way to go for me. I could play all my Genesis games plus get the 15 or so NES games I want and the few SNES games my wife wants and be done with it,

 

 

Well if you already have original controllers then maybe as I forgot to add the default controllers are also crap. If you've not been discouraged by the replies thus far and have made your mind up then go for it but don't say we did not warn you lol!

 

For what it is worth here is my video review I did a while back where I am actually a lot more forgiving but I have come to change my view since:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWrkifdQlIM

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TovPJZNARCU&feature=related

Edited February 7, 2011 by OldSchoolRetroGamer

[Chuplayer]

I posted links to a couple videos on the Retron 3 in the last Retron 3 topic, and the console seemed to handle the (limited number, admittedly) games that were thrown at it rather well.

 

But still, you're probably best off just getting the real consoles.

[PSony]

I used to have one but sold it and hooked up my Genesis model 1 and SNES again. It's nice that it saves space, but there are many problems:

 

-not all games are compatible: ones I've tried that don't work are Dragon Warrior (NES), Ecco Tides of Time (GEN), Virtua Racing (GEN)

-NES sound and colors are a bit off

-Genesis sound is off, and there is an annoying buzzing

-Genesis colors were a bit washed out

-Genesis side also has a weird issue where the screen slightly lightens/darkens when you press/depress a button

-SNES side, Star Fox has a graphical glitches on the last level

-wireless controllers are horrible: there is a delay when you rapidly mash buttons, button layout is weird on GEN/SNES, and you have to point it directly at the system

[jeremysart]

Well lets see.. Retron 3..

 

Emulates NES sounds all wrong.. don't believe me? Just pop in Megaman 2, or SMB 3.

 

Oh! And I only used it a couple of times, the last time I plugged it in to play an NES game with a freind, it did not power on. Hmm.. $65 down the drain.. funny, same thing happened with my Yobo FC2.

 

Yeah, no clones. I figured it would be cool to have a 3 in 1 system to save from all the plugging and unplugging, mess of cords and what have you.. turns out it was just a waste of money.

 

Now the FC 16 Go, and the other portable systems like FC Mobile 2 and the mobile Genesis, very cool!

[StoneAgeGamer]

Actually in my opinion the RetroN3 Revision 2 is probably the best clone there is, to some that may not be saying much. Some things to consider if you do by one:

• Wireless controllers than come with the system are useless, don't buy this expecting to use them. If you don't already, buy some official NES, SNES, and Genesis controllers at a good 3rd party controller.
  
• NES emulation on the Revision 2 is better than original RetroN3. For example it does support Castlevania 3. I am not sure if sound is better or not, but I have heard it is.
  
• Buy from a store or someone who will accept returns. Clones are clones, they do seem to have a higher failure rate than most electronics. HOWEVER, from my personal experience selling thousands of clones over the years I have only had 1 or 2 RetroN3s ever returned, and I have yet to have a Revision 2 returned. If you compare this to the failure rate of other clones, it really blows them out of the water. I have a stack of 11 FC-16 Go's and 7 GenMobiles waiting to be sent back to manufacturer. Not a single RetroN3.
  
• A few other defects were fixed on the Rev. 2. Such as the mysterious 4th selection position of the knob.
  
• If you bought one from us we would be happy to test the unit before we even ship it, just request it in the comments section of the order. At least this way you know it worked when it left our place.

[jeremysart]

Unfortunately, my unit was tested before I recieved it, and after using just a couple of times, it will not turn on.

And when it did work, the sounds for the NES were wrong, like I said, most notable with Megaman games and Super Mario 3.

 

I am done with clones. This is the second time a tested unit stopped working on me. Not to mention, no matter what clone you get, the controllers are cheaply made. The one redeaming quality of a few of the clones is being able to use first party controllers on the unit..

 

I do enjoy my handheld units though, I have had no problems with my FC-16 Go, and I use it fairly often, and modded it so I can play my SFC games in it.

 

Dont let my opinion stop you from buying one, but just don't be surprised if it breaks, sounds are emulated wrong, or if it feels like your destroying your cartridge trying to pull it out of the machine.

[StoneAgeGamer]

Unfortunately, my unit was tested before I recieved it, and after using just a couple of times, it will not turn on.

And when it did work, the sounds for the NES were wrong, like I said, most notable with Megaman games and Super Mario 3.

 

I am done with clones. This is the second time a tested unit stopped working on me. Not to mention, no matter what clone you get, the controllers are cheaply made. The one redeaming quality of a few of the clones is being able to use first party controllers on the unit..

 

I do enjoy my handheld units though, I have had no problems with my FC-16 Go, and I use it fairly often, and modded it so I can play my SFC games in it.

 

Dont let my opinion stop you from buying one, but just don't be surprised if it breaks, sounds are emulated wrong, or if it feels like your destroying your cartridge trying to pull it out of the machine.

 

If you have room for original hardware I am all for it. Honestly even though I sell clones all my systems I have hooked up are originals. I was just giving my opinion on the system as far as defective rate compared to others I have and did sell in the past. So far RetroN3 seems to have the least amount of problems. That being said I probably sell 4 times as many GenMobiles and FC-16 Go's.

[TwinChargers]

I've been quite happy with the Sega Gopher I purchased from StoneAgeGamer. For a clone, the build quality feels very nice. I also like the fact that you can play the games right from the SD card, so there is no lugging around a bunch of carts to play on the go. Sure, it has some of your typical clone problems like imperfect sound and some incompatibility, but you have to come to expect that when dealing with these type of things. With clones, you have to take them for what they are, cheaper alternatives that usually substitute some quality for convenience.

[PSony]

FC-16 Go is awesome. It's pretty much the only clone worth getting. Plays identical to a real SNES (although doesn't work with Super Mario RPG), excellent RF controllers, good screen and LOUD speakers.

 

I used to have the handheld Genesis clones (GenMobile and Retrogen), but they have horrible sound and controls and are mono only.

 

The Gopher isn't too bad. It has better build quality, screen, and controls than the GenMobile and Retrogen. Game compatibility is better. Too bad it still has the same horrible sound.

 

Retron 3 is meh. It tries to be three consoles but can't even get one right.

 

So yeah those are all the clones I've had.

[HatefulGravey]

As a rule I stay away from all things clone as well. People at the local game store I now stay away from call me a purist and mock me a bit, but the fact is it is hard to beat the original for any system. If you are going to cheat use emulators. Its all to easy to hook a PC up to your modern TV and go nuts anymore so why deal with poor quality that cost money?

[5200Fanatic]

The clones might not be as good as the originals in some ways, but the Retron 3 sure is convenient, plus it uses the original controllers if you have them.

Edited February 9, 2011 by 5200Fanatic