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

[Flojomojo]

 

I think an iPad with iCade is about as close as we'll get, and is probably better than an HDTV version. Honestly, without a true vector monitor, it will likely never be better than "almost there."

If you want the iPad with iCade Vectrex to be more true to the original, you need a small humming motor and a faint whiff of smoke to simulate the dread of it bursting into flames. I like the flat, battery-powered version BETTER than the original, personally. Though it does lack the home-brew stylings of John Dondzilla.

[Andromeda Stardust]

Vectrex would be quite doable over HDMI. Overlays could easily be added to the video output matrix. I hope they do an HDMI Vectrex Flashback someday.

[Atariboy]

He wasn't talking about the practicality. Rather, he was saying that you can't really do justice to a vector display on a HDTV.

 

If you've never seen a vector monitor like a Vectrex or late 70's/early 80's arcade cabinet in person, it's hard to understand. The increased resolution of a HDTV helps a bit, but the way everything glows, leaves trails, and such just isn't the same.

 

Some emulators try to simulate that, but it basically ends up like fake scanline simulation. It sort of provides something reminiscent of the real deal and some will enjoy the effect, but it's still far off how it really looks on an actual vector display.

Edited July 15, 2014 by Atariboy

[Zap!]

New BETA update with lots of changes!

 

Changes since v2.0 BETA 1 include:

• IPS patch support added (allows application of translation patches, graphic/level hacks etc)
• Added support for SNES SPC7110 cartridges
• Fixed screen shaking in some GBA games
• File manager is now able to operate on folders (select with long button press) and copy/remove folders recursively
• Misc game compatibility fixes (Fantasy Zone, Sky Kid, Youkai Club)

IPS patching notes: You may now specify one IPS patch file to apply on a per game basis, which may be used to apply language translation patches, graphics hacks, or even total conversions. IPS files must be stored on an SD card (no restriction on the file path). With the target cartridge inserted, navigate to Game Menu -> Patches -> Select IPS patch. You may then navigate the SD card to select the desired patch to apply to the currently inserted cartridge.

Please note that as the IPS patch file format does not include any mechanism for verifying any data before or after patching, it is important that you use the correct IPS patch file corresponding to the target game. If an incompatible patch file is used then likely the game will simply fail to start. To make matters even more complicated, many older IPS patch files require that they be used with ROMs that contain headers, or are interleaved - neither of which may be supported here. The IPS must target the RAW game dump. Check the readme included with your patch to determine if it is suitable.

File manager folder manipulation: You may now also operate on folders through the file manager. To select a holder, hold the A/+ button on the controller down until the context menu appears. From here you can copy/remove as you can with files, except that when operating on folders anything you do will be carried out recursively. This means that removing a folder will delete any contents - so be careful

 

http://www.retron5.in/?src=d67d8ab4f4c10bf22aa353e27879133c

[Phredreeke]

http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?52092-looking-for-Retron-5-hack-to-play-Roms&p=772664&viewfull=1#post772664

It seems that Hyperkin have stolen at least one of the emulators used by the console.

[Andromeda Stardust]

http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?52092-looking-for-Retron-5-hack-to-play-Roms&p=772664&viewfull=1#post772664

It seems that Hyperkin have stolen at least one of the emulators used by the console.

Is it really much of a surprize that hyperkin couldn't be arsed to write it's own emulators???

[goldenegg]

Is it really much of a surprize that hyperkin couldn't be arsed to write it's own emulators???

 

There's absolutely no reason to have expected them to write their own emulators. What should have been expected is that they'd properly license the emulators they ended up using.

[Phredreeke]

There's absolutely no reason to have expected them to write their own emulators. What should have been expected is that they'd properly license the emulators they ended up using.

Exactly. You don't write an emulator in a day, much less five.

 

You can find emulators for most systems that are licensed under GPL (requires releasing modified source code and including the license, but allows for commercial use)

 

SNES is problematic though, because the SNES9X license does not allow for commercial use, ZSNES is licensed under GPL but is coded in x86 assembly so it's not an option on the ARM-based CPU used in the Retron 5 (and its emulation is subpar compared to SNES9X and Higan) and Higan is licensed under GPLv3 but has too high system requirements for a cheap SoC as the one used in Retron 5. The best (legal) choice would be licensing SuperGNES I think.

 

There's a similar problem with the SEGA systems, as Genesis Plus GX has a license that doesn't allow for commercial use, as with SNES9X.

[+Gemintronic]

Same deal as the Neo Geo X people. All they had to do was follow the license of the emulator they chose to use. Retroarch (what Retron seems to use) is GPLv3. It doesn't prohibit making money. It prohibits not sharing your improvements.

[goldenegg]

I'm extremely disappointed with Hyperkin now. They make such a huge deal about how they care about the community and then they do something like this. The emulator developers should get donations from the community for a legal fund, as I doubt they'll be able to afford legal council on their own. A precedent needs to be set, showing that the community won't just sit back quietly when this happens.

[+remowilliams]

So, no running roms because of 'IP / infringement concerns' but it's okay to break the licenses and steal the emulators? Oops!

[Andromeda Stardust]

So, no running roms because of 'IP / infringement concerns' but it's okay to break the licenses and steal the emulators? Oops!

Hypocrisy in it's finest...

[goldenegg]

I posted about this on their FB page. First, they provided a "what are you talking about?" reply and now they're just denying it. Given the people involved who've confirmed which emulators are in use, Hyperkin needs to give a more detailed response to explain the current findings.

[Zap!]

I'm extremely disappointed with Hyperkin now. They make such a huge deal about how they care about the community and then they do something like this. The emulator developers should get donations from the community for a legal fund, as I doubt they'll be able to afford legal council on their own. A precedent needs to be set, showing that the community won't just sit back quietly when this happens.

 

It might bother many here but I doubt the average Joe will care enough to not buy (or return) a Retron 5. Simply doesn't affect many people enough to care. Not saying that's right, but it's the way it is.

[+Gemintronic]

Well, those crowing about Hyperkin taking the moral high route will have less fodder. Even those justifying lack of IPS support were eventually proven wrong by Hyperkin themselves.

 

At least this means custom firmware is on the horizon now that a few expert individuals have done it.

[goldenegg]

 

It might bother many here but I doubt the average Joe will care enough to not buy (or return) a Retron 5. Simply doesn't affect many people enough to care. Not saying that's right, but it's the way it is.

 

I never said anything about people returning their consoles or people not buying it in the first place. If Hyperkin is at fault with licensing, they should not be able to sell the product until that's resolved.

[128Kgames]

Seems this type of thing is par for the course with these devices; if memory serves me Tommo got ripped a new one when it was discovered the Neo Geo X was running someone elses Neo Geo emulator, and had code for emulators for other systems as well (or something to that effect).

[Zap!]

 

I never said anything about people returning their consoles or people not buying it in the first place. If Hyperkin is at fault with licensing, they should not be able to sell the product until that's resolved.

 

Ok gotcha. This is a slippery slope to talk about. Part of me is sorry I even replied, because opinion is that I don't care what Hyperkin did. I enjoy their system and will continue doing so. I respect others opinions on the matter though, and would like to keep things civil (like we're going now).

[Andromeda Stardust]

Good news on the Retron5 front. I've heard through the grapevine via the AssemblerGames thread, that Retron5 has been rooted to enable dumping ROMs directly to the SD card. The patch has not been made buplic yet because of issues with signing the downloads (each Retron needs a token to get a download update). Currently the root files have to be hacked back into the file downloaded from Hyperkin, but rest assured it has been rooted.

 

Karma's a bitch. Hyperkin deserved to be hacked after stealing the emulator code. I hope the developers of the stolen emulators can get financial compensation from Retron staling their work.

[Atariboy]

I doubt Hyperkin is too worried about hobbyist having hacked their system. They're not in the software business, they're in the hardware business. How this would do anything except perhaps sell more Retron 5's is unclear.

 

They might not publicly admit to this, but the more functionality the end user brings to this, the better it is since it leads to a more capable product that will be more attractive to a segment of potential customers (Such as those that would appreciate being able to use this as a rom dumper but otherwise aren't interested enough to make a purchase).

Edited September 12, 2014 by Atariboy

[goldenegg]

How this would do anything except perhaps sell more Retron 5's is unclear.

 

 

In order to sell more consoles though, they first need to solve their problems with getting the system to retailers. Those of us who have the system just got lucky. There are many people who still haven't received their original pre-orders. Even Amazon hasn't been able to complete their pre-orders for the console.

 

They really did bugger up the release of this system pretty bad. At least they've been putting a good deal of support behind it with software updates. It really is a much improved product now than it was when I got it during the launch window.

[Gregory DG]

Funny, I've been looking forward to the Retron 5 being able to play ROMs... Except now that I think of it, it pretty much defeats the purpose of the device in the first place. Why do you need a huge machine with 5 cartridge ports if it can play ROMs?

[Atariboy]

For when you don't have the cartridge?

 

Plus, I find with multicarts that even though I'm often just playing what I already have in cartridge form, the convenience itself is appealing. There's something to be said for not always having to switch out cartridges even on a cartridge based console.

 

I'd prefer the best of both worlds if it were up to me. Both options have their place, it's not an either-or situation.

Edited September 12, 2014 by Atariboy

[goldenegg]

Hyperkin removed their replies to my FB post. I wonder if they're going to prepare an official response.

[R.Bear]

Seeing the quality of their previous systems, to be honest it was too good to be true for them to actually do a system right for once. I'm not surprised.