Retron 4 (console for snes\nes\genny etc)

[Atariboy]

They now have Super Nintendo videos and a single Game Boy Advance video up. And they seem to have heard complaints and are starting to mix up their output options for each video unlike what they were doing with their NES & Genesis videos.

 

The Game Boy Advance video maintains the correct 3:2 aspect ratio. I was worried that they might screw that up. Hope that the Game Boy & Game Boy Color side does similarly with its 10:9 aspect ratio.

 

I'm sure that this won't be perfect, but it looks and sounds very good so far in their videos.

Edited September 28, 2013 by Atariboy

[Atariboy]

Here are all of the demonstration videos up now. Note that this first video of Link to the Past is of the Game Boy Advance port.

 

Hopefully they show off some more GBA videos along with Master System, Game Boy, & Game Boy Color coverage. Some Famicom videos and footage of games that utilized special hardware like Star Fox & Virtua Racing would be nice as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 28, 2013 by Atariboy

[Atariboy]

 

Edited September 28, 2013 by Atariboy

[Andromeda Stardust]

Lookin' pretty good. Now if they can only show us some of the interface menus? What are they trying to hide?

[Atariboy]

One of those videos shows that. I think it's the Link to the Past GBA video. They change settings about halfway through so you get a good luck at their interface menu and what sort of options are provided.

[Atariboy]

I wonder if this emulates the optional FM sound of the Sega Master System that most American gamers have never experienced. If it does, I just might have to track down a Power Base Converter and a few cartridges after researching which games had it and how it sounds.

Edited September 30, 2013 by Atariboy

[goldenegg]

I'm interested to know if they've managed to provide support for flash carts. I'm doubting they'll work, but I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[Andromeda Stardust]

I'm interested to know if they've managed to provide support for flash carts. I'm doubting they'll work, but I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Flash carts with the luxury of save states plus HDMI would be king!

[Atariboy]

Careful since there's a certain someone that will dismiss that and tell you that the entire point of this is to play original cartridges and that you're all wrong to want to do something else with it...

[Kulp]

i pre-ordered a "black" console from amazon, and now amazon says estimated delivery jan 7th through jan 13th.

wtf

 

i go to click on the link for it and it apparently doesn't exist anymore...

 

the "grey" one still exists here: http://www.amazon.com/Hyperkin-RetroN-Gaming-Not-Machine-Specific/dp/B00DZIX394/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380742323&sr=8-1&keywords=retron+5

but it says december 31st. wtf again?

 

my local favorite video game store says he works directly with the distributor and that he will have them on December 10th.

 

so I'm thinking I should cancel my amazon pre-order and find another way to get one... even if i have to drive an hour away to pick one up on december 10th.

I could care less what color it is at this point, I just want the thing!!

Edited October 2, 2013 by Kulp

[Andromeda Stardust]

Careful since there's a certain someone that will dismiss that and tell you that the entire point of this is to play original cartridges and that you're all wrong to want to do something else with it...

While I agree that playing a game on a flash cart is not the equivalent of owning the actual game (if that's the case, then I can say I own Air Raid and a couple thousand other Atari games simply because i downloaded them on my Harmony), neither is playing on a PC emulator or even a clone console. Sadly I already own all of the devices the RetroN5 will emulate, but if it's good, this will eliminate a lot of clutter and wear and tear on my systems. Will I still pull out the originals from time to time to game on? Can I get a hail yeah!?

 

While some might think that playing a flash cart on real hardware or playing a real game cart on a clone console is not the same as using 100% original hardware, it is certainly a more authentic experience than using a PC emulator. Retron5 appears to be the first real effort at a clone that isn't "Chinese Junk" quality, and I respect that. Nobody should argue that having more gaming options is a bad thing.

 

Still missing three ports IMO:

 

2600/7800

TG-16

N64

 

Just call it the RetroN8

[Atariboy]

I'm fine with whatever people want to use it for. I think it should have every bit of functionality that makes sense.

 

I was taking a jab at someone that has posted in this thread earlier and at other forums proclaiming that people were essentially wrong for wanting that functionality since the entire point of this is to play original cartridges and anything else defeats the point of the Retron 5.

 

I want to see a Game Gear slot. An easy and economical way to play Game Gear games on tv would be great and I imagine that the handheld has enough popularity and is similar enough to what they're already emulating that it's at least something on the table going forward.

 

Sadly, I suspect 2600/7800 support isn't on their radar or other classic American consoles. There's a fair bit of overlap for sure but there's definitely two distinct groups of classic console gamers. If classic American consoles ever get their attention over there in Asia, I would imagine a separate device aimed at that market would be a better way to go.

 

TurboGrafx-16 support on the other hand seems like a real possibility. They've just about priced themselves out of casual purchases with this and a lot of the dedicated classic gaming community that loves these consoles has an interest in the TG16/PC Engine.

Edited October 2, 2013 by Atariboy

[128Kgames]

i pre-ordered a "black" console from amazon, and now amazon says estimated delivery jan 7th through jan 13th.

wtf

 

i go to click on the link for it and it apparently doesn't exist anymore...

 

the "grey" one still exists here: http://www.amazon.com/Hyperkin-RetroN-Gaming-Not-Machine-Specific/dp/B00DZIX394/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380742323&sr=8-1&keywords=retron+5

but it says december 31st. wtf again?

 

my local favorite video game store says he works directly with the distributor and that he will have them on December 10th.

 

so I'm thinking I should cancel my amazon pre-order and find another way to get one... even if i have to drive an hour away to pick one up on december 10th.

I could care less what color it is at this point, I just want the thing!!

 

If you still want a black one and are OK ordering online:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16868181036

[Gregory DG]

Why do I get the feeling the Reton 5 is going to be a *HUGE* smash hit like none Hyperkin has had before?

[Andromeda Stardust]

Why do I get the feeling the Reton 5 is going to be a *HUGE* smash hit like none Hyperkin has had before?

Do I sense sarcasm? Retron5 is awesome because nothing like it currently exists!

Edited October 3, 2013 by stardust4ever

[Bill Loguidice]

"Huge success" is of course relative because this is a niche product, but within that niche I would hope it does exceptionally well considering all that this is offering our community. I would hope they could somehow sell a few hundred thousand units over its lifetime versus "just" tens of thousands.

[Gregory DG]

Do I sense sarcasm? Retron5 is awesome because nothing like it currently exists!

 

No sarcasm at all, I'm completely serious!

 

I think this will be a big hit for Hyperkin. Aside from missing our beloved Atari systems, this is about as perfect as a retro console can get. I can't wait to buy one!

[cybercylon]

 

No sarcasm at all, I'm completely serious!

 

I think this will be a big hit for Hyperkin. Aside from missing our beloved Atari systems, this is about as perfect as a retro console can get. I can't wait to buy one!

 

Edited October 5, 2013 by cybercylon

[Andromeda Stardust]

 

How do you know this for sure until it is actually out?

 

Don't get me wrong. I hope it is a decent product. But I wouldn't be surprised if this isn't just another horrible piece of junk, prone to breakage, etc.

Great way to rain on our parade...

 

PS - Ninja edits don't disappear from thread subscription emails!

 

Judging by the hype and the premium price tag, I have the impression that the Retron5 will not be "junk." I'm all too giddy for them to hurry up and release it!

[yell0w_lantern]

I am a bit skeptical. It seems less like real console hardware and more like a small computer running software emulators.

[Atariboy]

They're all small computers. Hopefully the emulation route is a huge benefit here.

 

Beyond being able to output a pleasant image to a HDTV, it's a chance to economically improve their replication of these platforms. Beyond the Super Nintendo chip design that was excellent with only a handful of issues, the NES & Genesis efforts have largely only been disappointing.

 

Judging from their videos, they've easily surpassed past chip designs for the NES & Genesis.

[Andromeda Stardust]

They're all small computers.

So is Ouya. It does N64 as well, but no cartridge ports.

[AtariLeaf]

I noticed stoneagegamer is taking preorders. Anyone taking the plunge on one of these?

[+Gemintronic]

I managed to lose my Retron 3 AC adapter and am too chicken shizz to stick on just any other AC adapter. More than half of my gaming is on emulation anyway (Retrode -> PSP)

 

May as well!

[goldenegg]

I noticed stoneagegamer is taking preorders. Anyone taking the plunge on one of these?

 

I have it pre-ordered through Amazon. SAG's shipping costs to Canada are really high. I believe shipping was going to be ~$45 from his store.