Retron 3 - pros and cons, opinions?

[atarigal]

First I want to say that yes, I've read the other recent (since October) threads on this product. The main reasons I'm thinking about buying a Retron 3 are as follows:

 

1. My LCD TV does not support the 240 resolution of the Sega Genesis. At the moment I am the proud owner of two Genesis paperweights. (I started a different thread about this if you want to go look.)

 

2. I'm afraid the same thing will happen with the NES (256x240 resolution) and so don't want to sink the $$ into that if it might not work on my TV.

 

3. I have no emotional attachment whatsoever to Nintendo and Sega and in fact have never played a SNES or Genesis in my life--so minor variations in color or sound on the games don't matter to me as I wouldn't recognize them anyway.

 

4. My kids would love to be able to play the old NES/SNES/Genesis games (so this is more for them than me, really, they know WAY more about these systems than I do and they love that pissed off Nintendo nerd dude).

 

So my main questions are... would this thing work on my modern TV? This is the Retron I'm talking about:

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003O3EFY2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=atariage&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B003O3EFY2

 

And, how horrible really is the sound? Is it minor variations that you can only recognize if you've played the games, or like some horrible unearthly screeching or something that happens? I can hear things in a really high register so I don't want a machine that's screeching at me every time I turn it on. Reading over the past threads, the sound seemed to be the main complaint aside from the controllers, which I'll just replace with originals anyway.

Edited May 25, 2011 by atarigal

[+Random Terrain]

Retron 3 -- pros and cons, opinions?

Oops:

 

http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/180943-albertweird-glitch-or/page__p__2267781#entry2267781

[atarigal]

Fixed the title.

[Reaperman]

1. My LCD TV does not support the 240 resolution of the Sega Genesis. At the moment I am the proud owner of two Genesis paperweights. (I started a different thread about this if you want to go look.)

 

I don't have that specific unit, but drawing on the knowledge gained from my pile of other clones, you're probably not going to get away from your genesis problems so easily. My GN Twin, which is probably a distant relation to the retron, has the same problems with my tv as any of my real sega units. Not that it matters much, genesis is usually the least playable on those multi-consoles anyway.

 

NES clone compatibility has come a long way over the years, and SNES on similar units is even better. If (for some strange reason) I only had room for one game system, it'd be hard to argue against that one.

Edited May 25, 2011 by Reaperman

[atarigal]

I don't have that specific unit, but drawing on the knowledge gained from my pile of other clones, you're probably not going to get away from your genesis problems so easily. My GN Twin, which is probably a distant relation to the retron, has the same problems with my tv as any of my real sega units. Not that it matters much, genesis is usually the least playable on those multi-consoles anyway.

 

NES clone compatibility has come a long way over the years, and SNES on similar units is even better. If (for some strange reason) I only had room for one game system, it'd be hard to argue against that one.

 

Well, crud. So do you think one of the "twin" systems would be better? Would NES work on my TV if Genesis doesn't? They both have the 240 resolution...

[Reaperman]

 

Well, crud. So do you think one of the "twin" systems would be better? Would NES work on my TV if Genesis doesn't? They both have the 240 resolution...

It's likely that NES will work fine. Genesis is all that I've found that doesn't work on my main TV--Mine's a different unit, your mileage may vary.

 

The twin units are a bit outdated compared to the 3-in-1's. The NES/SNES combo ones were generally good, but their time has passed. The world has moved on to 3-in-1's with new features and the same price tag. They probably aren't worth it next to competition like that.

Edited May 25, 2011 by Reaperman

[Algus]

Honestly, if you want my advice, you're better off investing in an older TV for your existing hardware or picking up something like the Sonic Ultimate Genesis Collection that is on PS3/Xbox 360

 

http://www.amazon.com/Sonic-Ultimate-Genesis-Collection-Playstation-3/dp/B001G33V8S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1306298891&sr=8-2

 

Or heck, even get a Wii for the virtual console

 

I would avoid shaky clones that are hard to get support for online. At least with the old hardware you can find forums like AA where there are these crazy tech gurus that know more about the machines then the original designers do.

 

Still, if you must have the physical games (that IS part of the fun for sure) then a Retron might do the trick in regards to getting NES games running and may require a smaller initial investment than getting a NES. I can't comment on the whole screen resolution thing because my LCD is just old enough that I don't have any problems with rigging up my old systems to it. I did, however, get a small CRT off of a friend when he was cleaning house so that I would have support for light gun games and not have some of the other problems that newer TVs have with old hardware.

 

They are dirt cheap now at flea markets and such and are probably the cheapest way to get you retro gaming outside of PC emulation.

[+wood_jl]

I second getting a CRT TV.

 

I resisted LCD/HD/etc. for a long, long time. Recently came across 52" Sony. I don't like retrogaming on it. It seems there's a bit of a delay - ever-so-slightly - but I can notice it on old games I've been playing since I was 10.

 

When I moved out of the apartments at the U the other day, there were CRTs abandoned. There was a nice-looking 27" at next to the dumpster, and while I was thinking about it (I don't need any!) it started raining so that made my decision.

 

I know we don't all agree on this, but I just like the original hardware (and controllers), so I'm not a fan of those clone systems. I have the "Everdrive" carts, so the clone systems aren't an option, anyway.

Edited May 25, 2011 by wood_jl

[SlammedNiss]

What's the opinion here on AA on just getting an original Xbox and have it modded? The thing will run damn near any emulator with zero issues, and it wouldn't cost much more than a clone system. I do understand that some people enjoy the "real" thing, but if it's just playing the games that you're after, an Xbox seems like the logical solution.

[jadedrakerider]

Honestly, if you want my advice, you're better off ... picking up something like the Sonic Ultimate Genesis Collection that is on PS3/Xbox 360

 

I have Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, and I'm quite liking it. I very much like the variety of games (Platform, RPG, Puzzle, Beat'emup), but there are some classics that I would very much like to try, but would require the original hardware or emulation to run (Gunstar Heroes, Rocket Knight Adventures). I'm finding my computer can't emulate some games as well as I'd like it to (Fighting games, especially).

 

That being said, I'm quite pleased with many of these games being preserved on virtual consoles and/or remade conservatively. The Wii Virtual console is fantastic and I hope Nintendo keeps up the good work for many, many years to come.

 

Personally, I'd just go for the original hardware. My LCD HD-TV gives me options to stretch my screen, and I quite like the blocky 16-bit look. Especially when viewed from afar. That's personal taste, though.

 

@SlammedNiss

 

I really like the idea of modding an XBox Classic, but I haven't found a good way to do it. It seems a just out of my reach.

Edited May 25, 2011 by jadedrakerider

[Algus]

I totally agree jadedrakerider. The Ultimate Genesis Collection is limited but its also pretty affordable (which is why I suggested it). I think its a good way to get started with retro gaming while you decide whether its worth it to spend the money and dedicate the space on a proper retrogaming setup. Also it has Golden Axe 3, which isn't available on cartridge in the United States.

 

My favorite game from that era is B.O.B., which was made by Electronic Arts so it is obviously not going to be available on a collection that Sega puts out. That game alone justifies having the original hardware and a compatible TV, for me at least. There's tons of other great games out there that make the hardware worth owning that probably won't ever be on one of these anthologies as well. Cool Spot anyone? Heck, anything by the most awesome studio ever: Virgin Interactive.

[atarigal]

A CRT TV isn't going to happen. My place is very, very small, and there's literally nowhere to put one at the moment. We need the space for other things that are more important than video games, like my bed.

 

We already have a Wii but I'm not sure what you mean by "virtual console". We don't have PS3 or Xbox and I can't afford to spend $300 on one right now. Trying to do this as cheaply as possible for the moment.

 

Is anyone here actually running a Retron 3 on an LCD TV and has advice related to the actual unit?

[Algus]

If your Wii is set up for Internet and you go onto the marketplace, you can download a bunch of games for old systems. Nintendo refers to it as the "virtual console"

 

They have lots of different game systems supported, including all of their old systems besides GCN as well as the Master System, Genesis, TG-16, and so forth. Obviously not every game is available to be bought this way but there are a lot of classic titles for each system available. Though for some of the games, you will need the Wii Classic Controller or a Gamecube Controller to play them. The listings always tell you what accessories you need though.

[atarigal]

What's the opinion here on AA on just getting an original Xbox and have it modded? The thing will run damn near any emulator with zero issues, and it wouldn't cost much more than a clone system. I do understand that some people enjoy the "real" thing, but if it's just playing the games that you're after, an Xbox seems like the logical solution.

 

I'd like to hear about this too.

[atarigal]

If your Wii is set up for Internet and you go onto the marketplace, you can download a bunch of games for old systems. Nintendo refers to it as the "virtual console"

 

They have lots of different game systems supported, including all of their old systems besides GCN as well as the Master System, Genesis, TG-16, and so forth. Obviously not every game is available to be bought this way but there are a lot of classic titles for each system available. Though for some of the games, you will need the Wii Classic Controller or a Gamecube Controller to play them. The listings always tell you what accessories you need though.

 

Thanks, that might be an option. I'll look into finding that and seeing how much the old games are and the controllers.

[mimo]

What's the opinion here on AA on just getting an original Xbox and have it modded? The thing will run damn near any emulator with zero issues, and it wouldn't cost much more than a clone system. I do understand that some people enjoy the "real" thing, but if it's just playing the games that you're after, an Xbox seems like the logical solution.

 

I'd like to hear about this too.

For what they cost, an original Xbox running XBMC with a load of emulators installed should be a must in any gamers collection (IMO)

The emulators are very impressive in the main, and I use mine (both of them) a lot for MAME,Amiga,Genisis,SNES and Atari emulators.

Yes a modern PC would probably do a better job, but I don't always want to be on a PC, in my living room, xbox and 42" Plasma TV are a great solution.

A hacked Wii is also a good choice, and with the ability to use the Wiimotes or wireless 'cube controllers are a good second choice

Edited May 25, 2011 by mimo

[Reaperman]

What's the opinion here on AA on just getting an original Xbox and have it modded? The thing will run damn near any emulator with zero issues, and it wouldn't cost much more than a clone system. I do understand that some people enjoy the "real" thing, but if it's just playing the games that you're after, an Xbox seems like the logical solution.

Call it strange on my part, but I've always found the "zero issues" with xbox emulation unbearable, and the tons of issues with clone hardware far preferable. Xbox has (far) better compatibility and reproduction, but there's control lag. I guess it's a compromise that I won't make.

 

I haven't tried Wii VC games yet, are they better?

For the record, this is my favorite of the clones. Granted it only does SNES.

Edited May 25, 2011 by Reaperman

[Rex Dart]

If you aren't going to use the original hardware, you're best off using an emulator. A modded xbox or wii works great, as a few posters before me have pointed out. I had a bunch of fun playing SNES lightgun games with my wiimote in a pistol-grip shell.

[SlammedNiss]

Call it strange on my part, but I've always found the "zero issues" with xbox emulation unbearable, and the tons of issues with clone hardware far preferable. Xbox has (far) better compatibility and reproduction, but there's control lag. I guess it's a compromise that I won't make.

 

I haven't tried Wii VC games yet, are they better?

For the record, this is my favorite of the clones. Granted it only does SNES.

I guess I've never noticed any controller lag before.

 

To the OP, you should be able to pick up a pre-modded Xbox for about about the same price as a Retron3, maybe a little more. But for the extra money, you will have the ability to play NES, SNES, TG-16, Sega Master System, and more, all on one system. You'll also have the ability to load original Xbox games onto the HDD and play directly from there. Either PM me or check out Xbox-scene if you need more info or have any questions.

[+wood_jl]

What's the opinion here on AA on just getting an original Xbox and have it modded? The thing will run damn near any emulator with zero issues, and it wouldn't cost much more than a clone system. I do understand that some people enjoy the "real" thing, but if it's just playing the games that you're after, an Xbox seems like the logical solution.

 

I'd like to hear about this too.

 

I third this. However, WHERE TO SEND IT TO GET IT MODDED. I wouldn't think of trying to solder on this microscopic stuff. Would have to send it in. We may be too late for there to be such an industry left.

 

I posted a thread here (somewhere) where you can get PS2 (slim, of course) pre-modded brand new for $150. But they still make those. They haven't made Xbox for 4-5 years, so sending it in is the only option. WHERE? WHO?

[+wood_jl]

To the OP, you should be able to pick up a pre-modded Xbox for about about the same price as a Retron3, maybe a little more. But for the extra money, you will have the ability to play NES, SNES, TG-16, Sega Master System, and more, all on one system. You'll also have the ability to load original Xbox games onto the HDD and play directly from there. Either PM me or check out Xbox-scene if you need more info or have any questions.

 

Where? Where to send the money?

[+remowilliams]

I third this. However, WHERE TO SEND IT TO GET IT MODDED. I wouldn't think of trying to solder on this microscopic stuff. Would have to send it in.

 

Both the Wii and the Xbox make excellent set top emulation boxes when modded (I'm still partial to the Xbox though). And both can be accomplished in software, no soldering needed.

[atarigal]

To the OP, you should be able to pick up a pre-modded Xbox for about about the same price as a Retron3, maybe a little more. But for the extra money, you will have the ability to play NES, SNES, TG-16, Sega Master System, and more, all on one system. You'll also have the ability to load original Xbox games onto the HDD and play directly from there. Either PM me or check out Xbox-scene if you need more info or have any questions.

 

Thanks, after reading this thread a couple times, this is the option I am now leaning towards. Like I said, it's more for my kids than me, so as long as they can play the games together they should be happy. None of us needs a totally accurate experience anyway since the Nintendo/Sega was after my generation and before my kids.

[DracIsBack]

Anyone seen one of these units for sale new in Canada? Really want to avoid shipping across border.