General and Gaming => General => Topic started by: dashv on May 28, 2014, 04:33:02 am
Title: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: dashv on May 28, 2014, 04:33:02 am
Who Am I? I'm a hardcore retro gamer who gambled $152 (139.99 +tax) of his own hard earned cash on a Retron 5 and I'm sharing my experience with you.
I pre-ordered a Black unit back in Sept 2013. That unit remains in Amazon limbo. The unit I'm reviewing on is a grey unit I picked up at a local store on 5/27/2014.
That's my back story. On to the review!
The 10 Systems Supported:
Famicom
NES
GameBoy
GameBoy Color
GameBoy Advance
Genesis
Master System (using a Power Base Mini or Power Base Converter)
Mega Drive
SNES
Super Famicom
Hardware The console is incredibly light and much smaller than I expected. It's about the size of an SNES. The plastic feels less durable than a Sega Genesis Model 1.
The cartridge slots are a mixed bag. The NES slot is a little loose and games can wobble in the slot. For me this caused issues for NARC. I have to wiggle it to get it to be recognized.
I didn't have any problems with the SNES or GameBoy slots. All GameBoy variants, Super Famicom, and Super Nintendo games are equally easy to work with.
The Famicom and Genesis slots can be very tight depending on the cartridge. Sometimes I'm afraid I'm going to rip the console or the cartridge apart when I take it out. At one point I thought my Retron 5 had become a dedicated Earthworm Jim machine because it did not want to come out at all. The Mega Everdrive was the hardest to remove. *spoiler alert* it doesn't work anyway so I'd recommend not trying to put it in to begin with.
The biggest problem with trying to pull Famicom or Genesis carts out is the fear that you'll crush the console while holding it down to pull the cartridge out. I would strongly advise against not putting any kind of pressure on the plastic trim between cartridge slots or you could easily damage the case.
When inserting cartridges it's best to apply even downward force. Do not wiggle the carts in from an angle. When pulling carts out, grab the right or left corner and pull straight up. Do not wiggle games in and out.
Some folks are reporting damaged pins after a few uses. I've inserted and removed games from each slot over 100 times with no issues.
The dust doors protecting the slots seem sturdy enough but the lack of a dust cover for the GameBoy slot is baffling. You might be tempted to leave a GameBoy game in to keep the dust out but you can't because the Retron 5 does not (currently) allow multiple cartridges to be plugged in at the same time. In fact page 9 of the manual states "*do not insert more than one cartridge simultaneously, or risk damaging your Retron 5."
The manual is 20 pages (the book is much thicker because it's in multiple languages) and covers all the options and features. It also describes how to properly connect the Power Base Converter for playing Sega Master System Games. No complaints here.
The power adapter is multi region and comes with all necessary adapters. But the cord is only 3 feet long. Good luck plugging in without an extension cord.
Some retailers still claim that both HDMI and AV out are supported. This is not true. The console is HDMI out ONLY.
It does come with a heavy duty 6 foot HDMI cable. No complaints here.
The USB charge cable uses two ends that are normally never seen on the same cable and not the standard rectangular end to plug into the console like every other USB cable ever made. So don't loose the controller charging cable or you are screwed.
Controls To me the included controller feels cheap and is a royal pain to use on most games.
Forget about precision platforming in Mario or pulling off even the simplest of moves in Mortal Combat like Sub Zero's Freeze move or Scorpion's teleport punch. I honestly have no idea what the hell they were thinking with this thing. Try doing the crouch jump through the wall trick to get to -1 in Super Mario Bros and you'll instantly see what I mean. The buttons themselves are fine. It's the thumbstick microswitch design that's the problem. You'll find yourself not between axis when you want to be (up and right for example) and not making the transition from one axis to another when you want to (like running left in Sonic then crouching to go into a spin while still moving or running and sliding under a boss in Mega Man III).
Back to build quality... Within the first five seconds of having the system out of the box I was thinking I better never drop the controller or it's toast. Seconds later as I was trying to plug in the console with its 3 foot power cable I accidentally dropped the controller from a height of 2 feet and the thumbstick broke on impact.
5 minutes out of the box and I broke it. Needless to say I was not happy.
After taking the controller apart I discovered it was just a snap in piece of plastic that had popped out of place. After snapping it back in place it works fine now.
Well, it works as designed.
The controller does not feel or play like it's worth $40. Especially when you can pick up a $40 - $50 PS3 controller that has both analog thumbstick and dpad controls and force feedback that is practically indestructible.
Another problem with the Retron 5 Controller actually is a bug in the software. When you try to map A and B (+ and -) in the custom profiles section it actually has the opposite effect. Whatever you map to - won't work unless you press + and whatever you map to + will not work unless you press -. This should be easy to fix with a firmware update. UPDATE 6/14/2014 Retron5 Application update 1.31 (build 1435) fixes this.
For SNES, Genesis, and Game Boy the pack in controller being a bust is not a big deal. You can use any of your original controllers and they work great. But if you want to play NES with your original controllers and maintain your sanity there is something additional you will want to do....
For some reason they mapped Up+A+B to "Fast Forward" for every non Retron 5 Wireless controller in use for NES games. As the name implies it causes the game to go into fast forward when triggered. The problem is this is a legitimate button combo for several games including: Blaster Master, Ninja Gaiden 2, Ducktales and Super Mario 3. Just to name a few. At first this makes these games unplayable with anything but the Retron5 wireless controller.
Don't panic. You can use your original controllers to play NES games. But before you do you should reassign the hot key for "Fast Forward" to something you're not likely to press during normal gameplay. I reassigned mine to Select+Down.
In my opinion there should be absolutely NO hot key combinations out of the box. If there are then they should be completely removable if not desired! In this case you can't set "Fast Forward" to "none" the best you can do is reassign it. UPDATE 5/30/2014 Retron5 Application update 1.1 (build 1400) eliminates the default mapping (unless you already reassigned it. If you have already reassigned it, it is now possible to remove it altogether by going to Settings->Hotkey Configuration->Fast forward->Reset to default. Thank you Hyperkin for addressing this within 2 days of me mentioning it!
Original controller support is good and I cannot sense any input lag during normal gameplay. Some on the Hyperkin facebook page insist there is lag inherent to the Retron 5. I respectfully disagree and emphatically state. THERE IS NO USER PERCEPTIBLE INPUT LAG with the Retron 5. Folks will argue and flame me for saying so but here's the deal:
Not all HDTVs are created equal.
Make sure your HDTV is set to "Game" mode if it has one and turn off ALL special processing such as "Tru-motion, Super Resolution, Noise Reduction, etc." This works for most people. If you purchased a TV that does not allow you to turn off lag inducing features... I'm sorry. :(
It's worth noting the Retron 5 does not recognize a Sega Master System controller in the Genesis port. It also doesn't recognize an Atari 2600 or ColecoVision controller in the genesis port (people have asked, so I tried). It also won't properly recognize 1 of my 2 standard nes controllers (both of which work fine on my real NES). I haven't tested light guns yet. Hyperkin has said in the past that it "should work with an HDMI to CRT adapter". At some point I'll put that statement to the test and let you know what I find out.
I was pleasantly surprised to find the SNES mouse works just fine. Your Mario Painting days are far from over.
Any controller can be used to toggle through the menus. No matter what controller you use A is always accept. B is always "back".
Emulation & Compatibility The emulation is pretty damn good. From the nearly 400 games I and small team of other folks have tested only a few official titles are unplayable:
Balloon Boy / Funny World (unlicensed game) Veggie Tales: LarryBoy and the Bad Apple (GBA) Talespin (Genesis)
None of the game genies work. This wouldn't be a big deal if the Retron5's built in Game Genie cheat support worked as advertised.
Now that the console is "Officially Released" you can download the cheat files here: http://www.retron5.com/cheats/ (http://www.retron5.com/cheats/).
The good news is you can add your own cheats using an XML editor and this program to convert GameGenie codes to hex: http://www.romhacking.net/utilities/23/ (http://www.romhacking.net/utilities/23/)
The bad news is neither my codes nor the codes they provided seem to work at all. I expect this will be addressed soon in a firmware update.
None of the SD bashed flash carts I tried (SD2SNES & Mega EverDrive) worked. Hyperkin has made it clear they have no interest in supporting flash carts and the argument against it (piracy) is valid from a business standpoint.
Sonic and Knuckles works but the lock-on feature to put knuckles in sonic 2 & 3 does not work. UPDATED 6/14/2014 Update 1.31 (build 1435) adds lock on support for everything but sonic 2
Together with some folks from the Retron 5 Community I have compiled a compatibility list. If you want us to try to something that's not on the list leave us a comment on this post and we'll see what we can do. The list is constantly updated as our collections expand and new firmware's are released. Some games even have links to Retron 5 gameplay footage we've recorded.
So far we have encountered very few games that will not load or play at all:
The Legend of Zelda - 5 screw gold cartridge (it turns out my cart is physically damaged and I'm lucky anything played it) Tailspin (works on my RDP and Sega Model 2 does not get detected at all when plugged into the Retron 5) Balloon Boy / Funny World (works on my RDP and Sega Model 2. The cartridge is an unlicensed game from RealTek) According to posts on Hyperkin's facebook page Unlicensed RealTek games are a problem in general. UPDATED 6/14/2014 Still broken with Retron5 Application update 1.31 (build 1435)
I've encountered one game that has a game breaking emulation bug: Veggie Tales: LarryBoy and the Bad Apple (GBA) - Graphics glitch so bad when the screen scrolls that the game is unplayable. UPDATED 6/14/2014 Still broken with Retron5 Application update 1.31 (build 1435)
Mega Man X (SNES) is playable in spite of some lingering bugs that are game breaking.
At launch (firmware 1.0) save slot copying from cartridges was very quirky. Everything from saves not copying to some saves (Gameboy and NES) actually being wiped out. But save support has been dramatically improved with firmwares 1.1 (build 1400) and 1.31 (build 1435). Thankfully this area continues to improve with each update. Check the compatibility list for game specific details.
Even while busy with E3 Hyperkin has been swiftly responding to major issues with firmware updates. This is a good sign. Megaman X and Cheat support will likely be fixed soon.
Graphics
This part is somewhat subjective but I will try to speak to the facts.
Except for two issues I noted in the emulation section and in the compatibility list all games I've tried so far are faithfully reproduced.
Super GameBoy games play colorized like they would on the Super GameBoy itself. The Super GameBoy borders are not displayed. GameBoy DX games play colored like they would on a GameBoy Color. Regular (black and white) GameBoy games that played in color on a GameBoy color or GameBoy Advance (thanks to clever hacks by Nintendo) only play in black and white on the Retron 5.
Across the board some games look better than others on a 55 inch LED TV. The ones that look good and the ones that look like garbage might surprise you.
Super Mario Land 1 for the Original GameBoy blew me away. There is so much fine detail that we never saw on the small blurry screen it's breathtaking. Doom for the SNES on the other hand... Looks like absolute garbage. If you really must play Doom on the Retron 5 play the GBA version. I swear to God it looks much better.
For every console the colors are true. Some Game Boy Advanced games seemed a bit washed out. But closer inspection revealed those games were washed out on the original hardware as well. For example Super Mario World for the GBA.
The Retron 5 gives plenty of video options. You can force it to output the true resolution which can make the ugly games look better but they will also be much smaller. In case you're wondering SNES Doom looks horrible regardless of the resolution.
Frame rate feels right. Not a scientific statement I know. Especially with some folks insisting "there is input lag". I say again "No there is not! Try another TV if you can't fix the first one you tried!"
Update 6/16/2014 A user on the Hyperkin page has posted a video demonstrating lag on his display using an Original SNES vs the Retron 5. You can check it out here: http://youtu.be/Fh6dQt22Bt4 (http://youtu.be/Fh6dQt22Bt4). I am in the process of setting up my own test to attempt to reproduce his findings and to eliminate the 1 person using two controllers margin of error.
I saw no perceptible display or input lag after I made sure my TV was set to "GAME" mode for the HDMI input I use for the Retron 5. I do have a formal test rig I plan to use to test for input and display lag. For now all I can say is I can easily pull off the SMB world 1-3 1-up trick with the turtle on the stairs and the SBM 3 never ending goomba pipe 1-up trick. These would be next to impossible pull off with input lag.
Aspect ratio is preserved by default, leaving black bars to the left and the right of the gameplay area. But you can set it to stretch (fill the whole screen) or zoom (crops top and bottom) or even the original resolution. Whatever is to your liking.
Regarding the filters:
The ability to add scan lines sounds nice but currently they are way too subtle. On my couch 10 feet away I can't barely tell the difference with scanlines on vs off. UPDATED 5/30/2014 Retron5 Application update 1.1 (build 1400) tweaked the scanline feature a bit and it looks much better now. Thanks again Hyperkin!
For eye candy the h2qx filter is the best of bunch. It removes the most jaggies while keeping edges crisply defined.
You will want to be sure overscan is turned off or your gameboy games will have their edges cut off. UPDATED 6/14/2014 Retron5 Application update 1.31 (build 1435) now calls this "Display Overscan" and you want it turned on.
With regards to slowdown and flicker... Folks, emulators have spoiled us. Some emulators posses the ability to remove graphical issues the original systems were prone to. Things like image breakup and slowdown.
The Retron 5 does not appear to posses this ability (yet?). Games like Blaster Master will slow down in the same places and for the same reasons as it does on a real NES. Sprites in Double Dragon and Battletoads breakup from time to time just like they do on the real systems.
If you want the authentic experience the Retron 5 is trying hard to give it to you. If you want all the roughness we dealt with in the past but have long since forgotten about smoothed over maybe you'll get that in a future firmware.
Sound The enhanced sound is amazing. I love the sound from the Retron 5 with the same intensity that I hate the controller. :)
Some of these games you have to hear to believe. For every game the sound was at least as good as the original. But most often better. I have sound and bass enhancement on. Land an uppercut on an opponent in Mortal Kombat 2 and the subwoofer will shake your floor. Just as God intended.
The Streets of Rage trilogy sounds amazing. So does Blaster Master, Journey to Silius, and Kirby's adventure. Every game I tried sounded pretty good. But the games I mentioned in particular have been notorious for giving clone systems a hard time. The Retron 5 handles them with accuracy and respect.
Lastly Sega Master System games (played through a Power Base Converter) play with full FM Synthesis emulation. Good stuff indeed.
Summary The main strengths of the Retron 5:
1) The sound is amazing across the board.
2) The Emulation is pretty solid.
3) Firmware updates are being released regularly addressing the biggest issues with the system. Hyperkin seems committed to continuous improvement of the Retron 5.
The main issues with the Retron 5:
1) The controller. This is a hardware design issue. If it bothers you like it does me. The only solution is to use original controllers. My advice to Hyperkin is bite the bullet. Let us use our PS3 or other Blu Tooth controllers. Even my 11 year old son doesn't want to use it.
2) Not recognizing some games, inconsistent save game support, and (just a few) graphical glitches. Many of these are being fixed (or have been already via firmware updates) and this is where the choice to go emulation rather than system on a chip is paying off big for Hyperkin.
3) There is a hardcoded hot key combo for NES games when using a non wireless controller. UPDATED 5/30/2014 fixed in Retron5 Application update 1.1 (build 1400)
So given all the above is it worth it?
For $100 hell yes. If you are locked in with a pre-order at $100. DO NOT LET IT GO!
At $140? I would have said no on launch day but I have to say yes now. The Hyperkin is hitting hard with firmware updates. While one could (rightly) argue many of these tweaks should have been known and addressed before launch it's good to see Hyperkin is wasting no time addressing issues.
The core emulation is pretty spot on. Games that typically have problems with clone systems like Battletoads (NES), Starfox, and Donkey Kong Country play flawlessly.
I think it's worth stating that if the $40 premium is at all due to the pack-in controller I think Hyperkin should seriously consider selling future Retron 5s for $100 without it.
For more than $140? Hell no. The scalpers on ebay (and even New Egg now) charging over retail price are ripping you off and you should give them hell for it.
The bottom line is at an MSRP of $139.99 the Retron 5 is a solid investment that should improve over time and with a few firmware updates. Especially if you don't have the original consoles or they've long since died. It's not a perfect console but it's the closest thing I've found yet.
If you've already got all the original consoles, game genies, a game action replay, game saver plus, a soldering iron, and plenty of tabbed batteries to keep your saves going you should probably hold out for the Retron 6. :)
Title: Re: Retron 5 First Impressions
Post by: bobster on May 28, 2014, 08:52:26 am
This is a pretty in depth review! Thanks for giving us your thoughts. I've been kicking around the idea of getting one, but I've got most of my systems already hooked up.
Title: Re: Retron 5 First Impressions
Post by: blipcs76 on May 28, 2014, 09:24:28 am
Thanks for the review! I'm certain I'm getting one still, but it's too bad to hear about the controllers being so wonky. I have the Messiah wireless NES controller and it also has a hard to use gamepad. Well, it might be a decent second controller for games that aren't dependent on precision.
Title: Re: Retron 5 First Impressions
Post by: beng76 on May 28, 2014, 04:19:31 pm
Nice review. I have one of these on preorder so I am not sure how quickly I may get one. I am pretty far back in line. Maybe they will have some of these issues worked out by the time I get mine.
Title: Re: Retron 5 First Impressions
Post by: htimreimer on May 28, 2014, 06:24:21 pm
The Genesis slot on the other hand. Holy cow it's tight. Like I'm afraid I'm going to rip the console or the cartridge apart every time I take it out. At one point I thought my Retron 5 had become a dedicated Earthworm Jim machine because it did not want to come out at all. The Mega Everdrive was the hardest to remove thought. Since it doesn't work I'd recommend not trying to put it in to begin with.
LOL, it sounds a lot like the commodore VIC-20 cartridge slot, you need the strength of 20 bodybuilders and even then you feel like your gonna break the system and the cartridge
Title: Re: Retron 5 First Impressions
Post by: Jakandsig on May 28, 2014, 06:51:46 pm
Looks like it still needs a bit of work. But at least the price is not high.
Title: Re: Retron 5 First Impressions
Post by: burningdoom on May 28, 2014, 07:46:43 pm
The Genesis slot on the other hand. Holy cow it's tight. Like I'm afraid I'm going to rip the console or the cartridge apart every time I take it out. At one point I thought my Retron 5 had become a dedicated Earthworm Jim machine because it did not want to come out at all. The Mega Everdrive was the hardest to remove thought. Since it doesn't work I'd recommend not trying to put it in to begin with.
LOL, it sounds a lot like the commodore VIC-20 cartridge slot, you need the strength of 20 bodybuilders and even then you feel like your gonna break the system and the cartridge
The Saturn cartridge slot is the same way. I just leave my Saturn GameShark in the thing all the time, because I'm afraid something is gonna break every time I try to pull it out.
Title: Re: Retron 5 First Impressions
Post by: dashv on May 28, 2014, 08:15:59 pm
Looks like it still needs a bit of work. But at least the price is not high.
That's exactly how I see it. If they were charging PS4 or Xbox One prices I would be upset. All things considered the console does a heck of a lot for what you're paying for.
Title: Re: Retron 5 First Impressions
Post by: scott on May 28, 2014, 08:49:16 pm
The Genesis slot on the other hand. Holy cow it's tight. Like I'm afraid I'm going to rip the console or the cartridge apart every time I take it out. At one point I thought my Retron 5 had become a dedicated Earthworm Jim machine because it did not want to come out at all. The Mega Everdrive was the hardest to remove thought. Since it doesn't work I'd recommend not trying to put it in to begin with.
LOL, it sounds a lot like the commodore VIC-20 cartridge slot, you need the strength of 20 bodybuilders and even then you feel like your gonna break the system and the cartridge
The Saturn cartridge slot is the same way. I just leave my Saturn GameShark in the thing all the time, because I'm afraid something is gonna break every time I try to pull it out.
And that's why I switched to a Action Replay. haha
Title: Re: Retron 5 First Impressions
Post by: Bwigdahl on May 28, 2014, 09:31:17 pm
I read over your review and didn't see this mentioned but which controllers work with the GB/GBA games?
Edit: Just saw that you can use any controller with any game... That is fucking awesome. I'm starting to really want one of these things, but I'm going to wait to see how all of the bugs iron out.
Title: Re: Retron 5 First Impressions
Post by: soera on May 28, 2014, 10:56:21 pm
Im kind of at a crossroads with this system. I want it for my living room for my HD TV and definitely want wireless controllers but so far, thats the one review thats consistent across the board is how shitty the ones that come with it are.
I also really am not sure I want to drop $100 on this thing til its totally been put through the mill and all the kinks removed.
Title: Re: Retron 5 First Impressions
Post by: atarileaf on May 29, 2014, 06:31:00 am
I also really am not sure I want to drop $100 on this thing til its totally been put through the mill and all the kinks removed.
Exactly what I'm going to do. I'll revisit buying a retron 5 at the end of the year and see (1) how the machine is physically holding up ie cheap plastic breaking easily, percentage of dead or dying systems, etc and (2) how the expected firmware updates fix any software issues.
I did the same thing with the Ouya since it had quite a few problems out of the gate but a year later bought one and am loving it. I hope to say the same thing about the R5
Title: Re: Retron 5 First Impressions
Post by: Jakandsig on May 29, 2014, 10:20:57 am
Looks like it still needs a bit of work. But at least the price is not high.
That's exactly how I see it. If they were charging PS4 or Xbox One prices I would be upset. All things considered the console does a heck of a lot for what you're paying for.
Yeah, but you know how people are called testers at the launch of new console machines. I think we should still sit back for a bit and observe.
Title: Re: Retron 5 First Impressions
Post by: dashv on May 31, 2014, 05:14:29 am
Looks like it still needs a bit of work. But at least the price is not high.
That's exactly how I see it. If they were charging PS4 or Xbox One prices I would be upset. All things considered the console does a heck of a lot for what you're paying for.
Yeah, but you know how people are called testers at the launch of new console machines. I think we should still sit back for a bit and observe.
Speaking of testing. They released a new firmware today so I grabbed it and updated my review & compatibility list accordingly.
Title: Re: Retron 5 First Impressions
Post by: bikingjahuty on May 31, 2014, 10:19:54 am
Nice review!
The Retron 5 is definitely the most impressive 3rd party retro console I've seen, and the only one thus far I'd consider purchasing some day. I know this is probably asking too much, but until I can play all of the games from each platform it supports, I'kk hold off and continue to play on original hardware.
Title: Re: Retron 5 First Impressions
Post by: pacpix on May 31, 2014, 07:36:58 pm
Thanks for the thorough review on the console. I will probably pick one up sometime this summer.
Title: Re: Retron 5 First Impressions
Post by: Bwigdahl on May 31, 2014, 08:52:35 pm
Local store here just got some in. Selling them for 180. I'm still gonna wait, but it's good to see that they seem to be addressing the issues quickly with the firmware updates.
Title: Re: Retron 5 First Impressions
Post by: atarileaf on June 01, 2014, 07:54:24 am
Local store here just got some in. Selling them for 180. I'm still gonna wait, but it's good to see that they seem to be addressing the issues quickly with the firmware updates.
Whoa, way too much.
Title: Re: Retron 5 First Impressions
Post by: dashv on June 02, 2014, 12:44:03 am
Local store here just got some in. Selling them for 180. I'm still gonna wait, but it's good to see that they seem to be addressing the issues quickly with the firmware updates.
Whoa, way too much.
I agree. Way too much.
Heads up. I've massively updated the compatibility list to reflect the situation with save games and a second contributor has joined the compatibility effort.
MMan!
He's even providing in game video so you can see how it looks and sounds on the Retron 5. :)
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review
Post by: abe on June 04, 2014, 02:57:51 pm
When you say it's HDMI only, does that mean we're stuck with HDMI for both video and audio output?
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review
Post by: dashv on June 04, 2014, 10:50:42 pm
Should it be set to Unofficial or official release?
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review
Post by: abe on June 07, 2014, 12:23:19 pm
Pat the NES Punk just posted a fairly in-depth review of the Retron 5. I thought it was pretty helpful and worth watching. It's nice to see that more and more people are getting to reviewing the console, though its flaws are really starting to show through now. :-\
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review
Post by: foxhack on June 07, 2014, 04:05:51 pm
Should it be set to Unofficial or official release?
It's clone hardware, therefore unofficial (unlicensed) since it's not approved by the original hardware creator.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: kamikazekeeg on June 24, 2014, 07:25:37 pm
Anyone use the Retron 3? I'm thinking of grabbing it for just general game playing since I can't manage to put together a working NES or get the cords I need for a Genesis, so why not save money and get the Retron 3 for like 40 bucks where it plays both. I'd get the Retron 5, but it's way too costly right now. I understand some of the limitations the system has, though I was curious about whether it had the same saving/loading issues that I saw the Retron 5 had.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: dashv on June 24, 2014, 09:11:15 pm
Anyone use the Retron 3? I'm thinking of grabbing it for just general game playing since I can't manage to put together a working NES or get the cords I need for a Genesis, so why not save money and get the Retron 3 for like 40 bucks where it plays both. I'd get the Retron 5, but it's way too costly right now. I understand some of the limitations the system has, though I was curious about whether it had the same saving/loading issues that I saw the Retron 5 had.
If the Retron 5 is out of your price range you should actually go for the Super Retro Trio. It has better compatibility than the Retron 3 and way better controllers.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: kamikazekeeg on June 24, 2014, 09:50:57 pm
Anyone use the Retron 3? I'm thinking of grabbing it for just general game playing since I can't manage to put together a working NES or get the cords I need for a Genesis, so why not save money and get the Retron 3 for like 40 bucks where it plays both. I'd get the Retron 5, but it's way too costly right now. I understand some of the limitations the system has, though I was curious about whether it had the same saving/loading issues that I saw the Retron 5 had.
If the Retron 5 is out of your price range you should actually go for the Super Retro Trio. It has better compatibility than the Retron 3 and way better controllers.
Is it 30 to 40 bucks better than the Retron 3?
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: dashv on June 24, 2014, 09:53:39 pm
Anyone use the Retron 3? I'm thinking of grabbing it for just general game playing since I can't manage to put together a working NES or get the cords I need for a Genesis, so why not save money and get the Retron 3 for like 40 bucks where it plays both. I'd get the Retron 5, but it's way too costly right now. I understand some of the limitations the system has, though I was curious about whether it had the same saving/loading issues that I saw the Retron 5 had.
If the Retron 5 is out of your price range you should actually go for the Super Retro Trio. It has better compatibility than the Retron 3 and way better controllers.
Is it 30 to 40 bucks better than the Retron 3?
Haven't directly compared the 2. But the consensus seems to be higher compatibility and better controllers on the SRT. I guess it's up to you what that's worth. :)
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: kamikazekeeg on June 24, 2014, 09:56:08 pm
Anyone use the Retron 3? I'm thinking of grabbing it for just general game playing since I can't manage to put together a working NES or get the cords I need for a Genesis, so why not save money and get the Retron 3 for like 40 bucks where it plays both. I'd get the Retron 5, but it's way too costly right now. I understand some of the limitations the system has, though I was curious about whether it had the same saving/loading issues that I saw the Retron 5 had.
If the Retron 5 is out of your price range you should actually go for the Super Retro Trio. It has better compatibility than the Retron 3 and way better controllers.
Is it 30 to 40 bucks better than the Retron 3?
Haven't directly compared the 2. But the consensus seems to be higher compatibility and better controllers on the SRT. I guess it's up to you what that's worth. :)
That's true. Controllers might not be a big deal, since I have SNES and NES controllers, though maybe not working Genesis controllers that I've come to find...The compatibility is debatable for me since I assume that Sonic & Knuckles continues to not work right on it which sucks, but watching Retron 5 reviews, the non-working games seemed to be either the multi-carts, weird carts, or more obscure titles and I'm more focusing on the more known games to play right now with these systems.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: dashv on June 24, 2014, 11:33:48 pm
Anyone use the Retron 3? I'm thinking of grabbing it for just general game playing since I can't manage to put together a working NES or get the cords I need for a Genesis, so why not save money and get the Retron 3 for like 40 bucks where it plays both. I'd get the Retron 5, but it's way too costly right now. I understand some of the limitations the system has, though I was curious about whether it had the same saving/loading issues that I saw the Retron 5 had.
If the Retron 5 is out of your price range you should actually go for the Super Retro Trio. It has better compatibility than the Retron 3 and way better controllers.
Is it 30 to 40 bucks better than the Retron 3?
Haven't directly compared the 2. But the consensus seems to be higher compatibility and better controllers on the SRT. I guess it's up to you what that's worth. :)
That's true. Controllers might not be a big deal, since I have SNES and NES controllers, though maybe not working Genesis controllers that I've come to find...The compatibility is debatable for me since I assume that Sonic & Knuckles continues to not work right on it which sucks, but watching Retron 5 reviews, the non-working games seemed to be either the multi-carts, weird carts, or more obscure titles and I'm more focusing on the more known games to play right now with these systems.
I have been actively testing the last few beta builds of the next Retron 5 firmware and I have to say. The next update is going to be effing amazing. Compatibility was already at 97% with what's been tested with the current public firmware... After this next update they are going to be 98-99.
These guys are working their asses off. In some cases they have literally fixed games on the spot after I sent them a screenshot. :P
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: kamikazekeeg on June 25, 2014, 01:57:30 am
I have been actively testing the last few beta builds of the next Retron 5 firmware and I have to say. The next update is going to be effing amazing. Compatibility was already at 97% with what's been tested with the current public firmware... After this next update they are going to be 98-99.
These guys are working their asses off. In some cases they have literally fixed games on the spot after I sent them a screenshot. :P
That's good though. Later on I'll get one for sure once they get everything patched and the price drops abit, cause it looks really good.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: sperypt on July 03, 2014, 12:25:13 am
I was wondering if I could contribute to the compatibility form you have through Google Documents? I have found some issues in games that are not mentioned and I have games that are not included on the list.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: dashv on July 03, 2014, 01:08:39 am
I was wondering if I could contribute to the compatibility form you have through Google Documents? I have found some issues in games that are not mentioned and I have games that are not included on the list.
Always happy to get new contributors to cover more games (especially problem games). PM me your email address and Facebook info (if you have a facebook account).
I like to get to know the folks who are contributing. :)
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: soera on August 07, 2014, 02:44:43 pm
Well, I just got charged my Amazon for $99.99 ... I dont have anything else I was waiting on so Im assuming they are sending out my Retron 5 soon.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: dashv on August 08, 2014, 01:16:52 am
Well, I just got charged my Amazon for $99.99 ... I dont have anything else I was waiting on so Im assuming they are sending out my Retron 5 soon.
Holy crap that's late for a pre-order.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: strider on October 12, 2014, 07:16:16 am
Hi dashv.
Great reviev of the Retron5. Was very helpful for my decision to get one. Well, I am from Switzerland, Europe and got the console, although there is no official launch of the Retron 5 in Europe yet. (Thanks to eBay, I got one.)
First of all: It is the 2nd console I have, had to send the 1st one back, as it arrived broken. The one I am having now seems to be fine.
What I am really thankful for, is your compability list you generated - AWESOME! Thanks. Wanna give something back now, and would like to add my whole own collection to your list.
What I see: As the console came out in the US only, not that many games (european and japanese versions) are on the list. Guess I can help here..
So far, out of my 81 games in my collection: 3 do not run at all:
Mega Man 5 (Rockman 5) - JAP Famicom. Is loading up to 100%, then cart unknown shown. Screen is freezing in black & white immediately. Other Famicom games (e.g. Rockman 2 and 4) in my collection do work. As I have no original Famicom console anymore: the cartridge is untested.
Devil Crash - JAP Mega Drive. Is loading up to 100%. Retron5 is recognizing the game! But game does not start: screen is blinking black and then white, black, white, etc.. Cartridge works fine on my original Mega Drive console, so cartridge is tested.
Gynoug - JAP Mega Drive. Is loading up to 100%. Retron5 is recognizing the game! But game does not start: screen turns immediately red (Rerton5 background red). Nothing works. Cartridge works fine on my original Mega Drive console, so cartridge is tested.
All the following games are working! (Sorry, some of them are already on your masterlist, but having many JAP and EU games that are not on the list.)
NES - FAMICOM GAMES
Ice Hockey - NTSC Life Force - NTSC Cobra Triangle - NTSC Bionic Commando - NTSC Mega Man 1 - PAL Mega Man 2 (Rockman 2) - JAP Famicom Mega Man 3 - PAL Mega Man 4 (Rockman 4) - JAP Famicom Mega Man 6 - NTSC Ice Climber - PAL Kung Fu - NTSC Pac-Man - NTSC Gradius - NTSC Blades of Steel - NTSC Probotector 2/Super C - NTSC Puzznic - NTSC 1942 - NTSC SMB3 - NTSC Tennis - NTSC Duck Tales - NTSC Journey to Silius - NTSC Mike Tyson's Punch Out - NTSC Probotector 1/Contra - PAL Blue Shadow - PAL Zelda 1 - NTSC Donkey Kong Classics - NTSC SMB1 - PAL
MD Games / Genesis Games
Mega Games 2: Str Rage 1/Rev Shinobi 1/Gold Axe 1 - PAL Rambo 3 - JAP World of Illusion - PAL T2 - The arcade game - JAP Quackshot - PAL Strider - JAP Sonic Classics: Sonic 1 / Sonic 2 / Dr. Robotnik - NTSC Micro Machines - NTSC Micro Machines 2 Turbo - PAL Virtua Racing - NTSC EA Hockey - PAL Super Soccer - PAL NHL 95 - PAL Italia 90 - PAL Musha Aleste - JAP Splatterhouse 2 - PAL Gunstar Heroes - JAP Castle of Illusion - JAP Road Rash 2 - NTSC Aladdin - NTSC Thunder Force 3 - JAP Mickey Mania - PAL Sunset Riders - PAL Elemental Master - JAP Frogger - NTSC Tatsujin - JAP Mega Probotector - PAL Shadow Dancer, Shinobi 2 - JAP Phelios - JAP Thunder Force 4 - JAP Alien Soldier - PAL Bare Knuckle 3 - JAP
SNES Games / Super Famicom Games
Alien 3 - PAL Donkey Kong Country 1 - NTSC Super Punch Out - NTSC Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting - PAL Thunder Spirits - NTSC Super Aleste - JAP Super Mario Kart - JAP Super Probotector / Contra III: Alien wars - JAP Super Mario World - PAL Gradius III - JAP Darius Twin - JAP Super R-Type - JAP Mortal Kombat II - NTSC Super Turrican 1 - JAP Mega Man X (Rockman X) - JAP Mega Man X2 (Rockman X2) - JAP Street Racer - JAP Mega Man 7 (Rockman 7) - JAP Mega Man X3 (Rockman X3) - JAP
Explanation: NTSC = US cartridge = NTSC-US PAL = European cartridge = PAL A or B JAP = Japanese cartridge = NTSC-J
all cartridges are originals
System Software v0.2.2 Application version v2.1 Cheat database v1.1
So hope this helps everybody and may my list will make it to your compability list as well. And mainly: lets make Hyperkin to fix the Gynoug, Devil Crash and Rockman 5 issue!
Happy gaming! Srider
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: dashv on October 12, 2014, 01:17:12 pm
Great reviev of the Retron5. Was very helpful for my decision to get one. Well, I am from Switzerland, Europe and got the console, although there is no official launch of the Retron 5 in Europe yet. (Thanks to eBay, I got one.)
First of all: It is the 2nd console I have, had to send the 1st one back, as it arrived broken. The one I am having now seems to be fine.
What I am really thankful for, is your compability list you generated - AWESOME! Thanks. Wanna give something back now, and would like to add my whole own collection to your list.
What I see: As the console came out in the US only, not that many games (european and japanese versions) are on the list. Guess I can help here..
So far, out of my 81 games in my collection: 3 do not run at all:
Mega Man 5 (Rockman 5) - JAP Famicom. Is loading up to 100%, then cart unknown shown. Screen is freezing in black & white immediately. Other Famicom games (e.g. Rockman 2 and 4) in my collection do work. As I have no original Famicom console anymore: the cartridge is untested.
Devil Crash - JAP Mega Drive. Is loading up to 100%. Retron5 is recognizing the game! But game does not start: screen is blinking black and then white, black, white, etc.. Cartridge works fine on my original Mega Drive console, so cartridge is tested.
Gynoug - JAP Mega Drive. Is loading up to 100%. Retron5 is recognizing the game! But game does not start: screen turns immediately red (Rerton5 background red). Nothing works. Cartridge works fine on my original Mega Drive console, so cartridge is tested.
All the following games are working! (Sorry, some of them are already on your masterlist, but having many JAP and EU games that are not on the list.)
NES - FAMICOM GAMES
Ice Hockey - NTSC Life Force - NTSC Cobra Triangle - NTSC Bionic Commando - NTSC Mega Man 1 - PAL Mega Man 2 (Rockman 2) - JAP Famicom Mega Man 3 - PAL Mega Man 4 (Rockman 4) - JAP Famicom Mega Man 6 - NTSC Ice Climber - PAL Kung Fu - NTSC Pac-Man - NTSC Gradius - NTSC Blades of Steel - NTSC Probotector 2/Super C - NTSC Puzznic - NTSC 1942 - NTSC SMB3 - NTSC Tennis - NTSC Duck Tales - NTSC Journey to Silius - NTSC Mike Tyson's Punch Out - NTSC Probotector 1/Contra - PAL Blue Shadow - PAL Zelda 1 - NTSC Donkey Kong Classics - NTSC SMB1 - PAL
MD Games / Genesis Games
Mega Games 2: Str Rage 1/Rev Shinobi 1/Gold Axe 1 - PAL Rambo 3 - JAP World of Illusion - PAL T2 - The arcade game - JAP Quackshot - PAL Strider - JAP Sonic Classics: Sonic 1 / Sonic 2 / Dr. Robotnik - NTSC Micro Machines - NTSC Micro Machines 2 Turbo - PAL Virtua Racing - NTSC EA Hockey - PAL Super Soccer - PAL NHL 95 - PAL Italia 90 - PAL Musha Aleste - JAP Splatterhouse 2 - PAL Gunstar Heroes - JAP Castle of Illusion - JAP Road Rash 2 - NTSC Aladdin - NTSC Thunder Force 3 - JAP Mickey Mania - PAL Sunset Riders - PAL Elemental Master - JAP Frogger - NTSC Tatsujin - JAP Mega Probotector - PAL Shadow Dancer, Shinobi 2 - JAP Phelios - JAP Thunder Force 4 - JAP Alien Soldier - PAL Bare Knuckle 3 - JAP
SNES Games / Super Famicom Games
Alien 3 - PAL Donkey Kong Country 1 - NTSC Super Punch Out - NTSC Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting - PAL Thunder Spirits - NTSC Super Aleste - JAP Super Mario Kart - JAP Super Probotector / Contra III: Alien wars - JAP Super Mario World - PAL Gradius III - JAP Darius Twin - JAP Super R-Type - JAP Mortal Kombat II - NTSC Super Turrican 1 - JAP Mega Man X (Rockman X) - JAP Mega Man X2 (Rockman X2) - JAP Street Racer - JAP Mega Man 7 (Rockman 7) - JAP Mega Man X3 (Rockman X3) - JAP
Explanation: NTSC = US cartridge = NTSC-US PAL = European cartridge = PAL A or B JAP = Japanese cartridge = NTSC-J
all cartridges are originals
System Software v0.2.2 Application version v2.1 Cheat database v1.1
So hope this helps everybody and may my list will make it to your compability list as well. And mainly: lets make Hyperkin to fix the Gynoug, Devil Crash and Rockman 5 issue!
Happy gaming! Srider
Private message me your email address and I'll grant you permission to edit the list! :)
There is also an unofficial forum now just for the Retron 5 at: Https://www.retro5.net
Thanks for posting!
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: kamikazekeeg on October 12, 2014, 05:34:55 pm
So apparently there was abit of a scandal with the Retron 5 recently? Something about using other peoples emulators without crediting them or I guess asking for permission, and then they just raised the price up by 20 bucks.
What I'm going to wait for is a HD NES that might get released eventually. Played a prototype, that was the most super of prototypes, but might've been one of the best NES experiences I've ever had lol Visually astounding, it would play NES games normally with no emulation, and it had a controller that was the most clicky of buttons and was amazing.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: jasonpointer on November 12, 2014, 03:53:52 am
I would like for you to add the following to the Retron 5 Compatibility List on Google Docs:
Pokemon Emerald - GBA - NOT Recognized - Does NOT Copy Saves to Retron or vice versa - Does NOT Wipe Out Saves - Everything else is YES
Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages - Game Boy Color - I would like to concur that it does NOT Copy Saves to Retron or vice versa.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: haloofthesun on November 14, 2014, 03:14:04 pm
So I picked up a Retron 5 today. I was enjoying it and just trying out a bunch of different games until suddenly it stopped recognizing SNES carts. 6 of the pins are already bent. I've been taking them all out properly (lifting from the corner) and while the grip is tight, it wasn't a problem. Except on Super Castlevania IV. The console just wouldn't let that game go, and even though I removed it properly, I'm gussing the pins got bent on that one, because after that it wouldn't read most of the carts I tried:
Earthworm Jim (I couldn't even get it to recognize the game was inserted), Jurassic Park, ActRaiser, Aladdin, Super Mario World - and it didn't recognize some that had previously worked: E.V.O., Family Feud, Wild Snake, Breath of Fire.
It recognizes and will play some, but for Link to the Past the graphics were so messed up it's unplayable.
Very unhappy. Guess I'll be trying to send it back.
EDIT: Oddly enough, I'm not having any problems removing games from the NES slot like the majority of people seem to have. It's just the SNES slot that's super tight.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: redblaze57 on November 15, 2014, 01:57:28 pm
I would like for you to add the following to the Retron 5 Compatibility List on Google Docs:
Pokemon Emerald - GBA - NOT Recognized - Does NOT Copy Saves to Retron or vice versa - Does NOT Wipe Out Saves - Everything else is YES
Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages - Game Boy Color - I would like to concur that it does NOT Copy Saves to Retron or vice versa.
I've had no problem with Pokemon Emerald on mine, in fact I don't even get the internal battery has dried up message
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: bloodybaron on November 15, 2014, 10:53:13 pm
I didn't read through every post on this thread, but I was wondering if anyone has tried downloading the fan translations for some of the famicom games and seen if that worked or not? I've only read about the retron 5's ability to do that and wasn't sure if most games had a translation or if this was even a thing at all haha. Just wondering cause I have a couple of dragon quest games on the super famicom that I'd love to play if there was a semi decent translation, but I wanted to see if anyone else has tried this yet.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: dashv on November 16, 2014, 01:49:08 am
I didn't read through every post on this thread, but I was wondering if anyone has tried downloading the fan translations for some of the famicom games and seen if that worked or not? I've only read about the retron 5's ability to do that and wasn't sure if most games had a translation or if this was even a thing at all haha. Just wondering cause I have a couple of dragon quest games on the super famicom that I'd love to play if there was a semi decent translation, but I wanted to see if anyone else has tried this yet.
Oh yes. They are indeed a thing. :D
The Retro5 forums are your best place to see the latest conversions and translations.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: haloofthesun on December 09, 2014, 06:41:17 pm
Just as an update to my earlier post, if anyone is curious about their quality of customer support and the return process:
I know there's a lot of confusion and conflicting reports about how well Hyperkin handles these situations. Some people have said they've had to email and call, and ended up having to talk to several different people. For me, all I did was send an email and they replied the next day. They were very polite about it and told me to provide proof of purchase and take a picture of the bent pins and send it, and once I did they gave me my RMA number and that was it. After I sent it to them it only took about 2 weeks to get it back, and it's all working fine now. So far, anyway. A lot of people have said it took a month or even longer to get their console back. I asked upfront how long it would take on average, and the representative said usually 2 weeks but very rarely no more than 3. I don't know if that's true, but that's how it worked out for me.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: tarkana2 on February 19, 2015, 02:04:36 pm
I'd like to add to the Retron 5 compatibility list. My console has version 2.2 installed. the data on my copy of Legend of Zelda: Link's awakening (original GB version) was wiped when I inserted the game. I was able to copy a new save back to the cartridge.
Secondly, my copy of P.OW.: Prisoner of War on the NES comes up as unknown (the cart has been tested and works fine on my NES console.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: bobster on February 19, 2015, 02:24:35 pm
So the thing that's been piquing my interest the most in the Retron 5 is the support for real time translation files. Now that it's been out a while, has that concept taken off at all? I don't have any imports, but I've certainly been considering it if the community providing translation files is pretty active.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: abe on February 19, 2015, 09:04:00 pm
So the thing that's been piquing my interest the most in the Retron 5 is the support for real time translation files. Now that it's been out a while, has that concept taken off at all? I don't have any imports, but I've certainly been considering it if the community providing translation files is pretty active.
I'm assuming you're talking about the Retron 5's IPS patch support, yes? IPS patches have been around for a long time and there's no shortage of translation patches for all sorts different consoles. There are still active communities of people translating games, and many of the most notable Japanese exclusives (for games on the systems playable on the Retron 5) have already gotten multiple fan translation patches. Some fan translations for games even have their own websites. I can send you a PM with a link to one of the sites I use to get translations from if you'd like, since I'm not sure if we're supposed to be linking to that sort of stuff on VGCollect. The site doesn't have any ROMs or any of that on it though, so it should be fine.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: bobster on February 19, 2015, 09:34:30 pm
So the thing that's been piquing my interest the most in the Retron 5 is the support for real time translation files. Now that it's been out a while, has that concept taken off at all? I don't have any imports, but I've certainly been considering it if the community providing translation files is pretty active.
I'm assuming you're talking about the Retron 5's IPS patch support, yes? IPS patches have been around for a long time and there's no shortage of translation patches for all sorts different consoles. There are still active communities of people translating games, and many of the most notable Japanese exclusives (for games on the systems playable on the Retron 5) have already gotten multiple fan translation patches. Some fan translations for games even have their own websites. I can send you a PM with a link to one of the sites I use to get translations from if you'd like, since I'm not sure if we're supposed to be linking to that sort of stuff on VGCollect. The site doesn't have any ROMs or any of that on it though, so it should be fine.
Yeah the IPS patches was what I was talking about. I guess I'm a little out of the scene for translation patches. I used to use English translation patches all the time for SNES ROMS. I'm not sure they were IPS file format back then lol.
As for linking it on VGCollect, it's perfectly acceptable. Foxhack has blessed the action as he's actually contributed to many patches himself.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: abe on February 19, 2015, 09:53:39 pm
So the thing that's been piquing my interest the most in the Retron 5 is the support for real time translation files. Now that it's been out a while, has that concept taken off at all? I don't have any imports, but I've certainly been considering it if the community providing translation files is pretty active.
I'm assuming you're talking about the Retron 5's IPS patch support, yes? IPS patches have been around for a long time and there's no shortage of translation patches for all sorts different consoles. There are still active communities of people translating games, and many of the most notable Japanese exclusives (for games on the systems playable on the Retron 5) have already gotten multiple fan translation patches. Some fan translations for games even have their own websites. I can send you a PM with a link to one of the sites I use to get translations from if you'd like, since I'm not sure if we're supposed to be linking to that sort of stuff on VGCollect. The site doesn't have any ROMs or any of that on it though, so it should be fine.
Yeah the IPS patches was what I was talking about. I guess I'm a little out of the scene for translation patches. I used to use English translation patches all the time for SNES ROMS. I'm not sure they were IPS file format back then lol.
As for linking it on VGCollect, it's perfectly acceptable. Foxhack has blessed the action as he's actually contributed to many patches himself.
Here it be: http://www.romhacking.net/translations/ (http://www.romhacking.net/translations/)
I'd say that IPS tends to be the most common, then again I haven't dealt with these a whole lot in a while so I might be a wee bit wrong. :-[ While IPS seems to be the dominant format, there are some other types on there (like UPS) that seem to be fairly common.
The new support of the IPS patches is one of the things that really got me interested with the Retron 5 too. :)
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: tarkana2 on February 19, 2015, 11:09:50 pm
My retron 5 just wiped my save for Metroid II (GB). Does the console have a known issue with importing original gameboy saves?
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: foxhack on February 19, 2015, 11:38:53 pm
I'm assuming you're talking about the Retron 5's IPS patch support, yes? IPS patches have been around for a long time and there's no shortage of translation patches for all sorts different consoles. There are still active communities of people translating games, and many of the most notable Japanese exclusives (for games on the systems playable on the Retron 5) have already gotten multiple fan translation patches. Some fan translations for games even have their own websites. I can send you a PM with a link to one of the sites I use to get translations from if you'd like, since I'm not sure if we're supposed to be linking to that sort of stuff on VGCollect. The site doesn't have any ROMs or any of that on it though, so it should be fine.
Talking about game translations and patches is fine as long as you guys don't start posting blatantly illegal stuff, like full games.
And yes, I used to do this stuff. (http://www.foxhack.net/trans/) Romhacking.net doesn't have my stuff listed under this name, though - because the site owner refused to let me change my name there. Despite me using the name for years everywhere else. Bleh. :P
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: dashv on February 20, 2015, 02:21:14 am
Most folks have covered the patches thing already. But I wanted to mention the unofficial Retron 5 forums have a rather extensive catalog of known working patches for the Retron 5:
Also the save game behavior has always been hit and miss with the Retron 5. The most recent firmware is pretty good. But earlier ones would destroy a lot of saves depending on how the cart actually implemented it.
This is in spite of Hyperkins repeated statements that the Retron 5 doesn't wipe saves.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: superderek on September 28, 2015, 02:10:30 pm
Just thought I'd throw in what looks like a compatibility issue with a Famicom game that I own, per the instructions in the compatibility list on google docs. Ganbare Goemon Gaiden: Kieta Ougon Kiseru (がんばれゴエモン外伝きえた黄金キセル) doesn't appear to be compatible at this time. The Retron5 fails to dump the ROM after multiple attempts, but reads fine on other consoles.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: coolcrab on December 03, 2015, 08:39:50 am
Hi
I just tried Joust (NES) out on the retron 5 and for the life of me I could not get the multiplayer to work. Could someone check this and confirm?
Cheers, Alex
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: coolcrab on December 22, 2015, 05:06:56 pm
Hi,
Here is my game collection with what works and what not. I left out the multicarts.
Ok. Can you guys give me edit rights for the file? I've got a lot of gb games that are not on the list.
Pm me your email address and I'll add you to the editor list. :)
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: coolcrab on January 25, 2016, 03:28:46 am
done
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: boltio3 on April 01, 2021, 01:46:32 pm
Hi, I'm new in this forum. I'm still using a retron5, and I see that nobody is posting here anymore, so... I just wanna ask if there's still somebody here interested in the list of compatibility of retron5. I can help with some PAL games, and some JAP games.
I'm also here because "The Legend Of Zelda: Oracle of Ages" for GBC (PAL) isn't recognized, but playable (with glitches) in my retron5, so if somebody could help me with that, would be awesome.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: dashv on July 04, 2021, 08:36:11 pm
I will give it a try.
I kinda stopped with the list as Hyperkin doesn’t release firmware updates anymore.
Title: Re: Retron 5 an In-depth Review (Updated 6/14/2014)
Post by: supersoundwave on July 28, 2021, 07:27:56 pm
I'm writing to contribute to the games compatibility list – the game that I noticed which does not seem to work well is R.B.I Baseball '94 for the Sega Genesis.
There are graphical glitches, and the game just goes to a black screen at certain points.
While it could be just my copy, I cleaned the cart, and it's the only game that doesn't work for me. I would be curious to know if anyone else can get this game to run smoothly.