RetroDuo NES/SNES Clone Official Thread. Castlevania III, StarFox WORK, SMRPG WARNING

[MarioMania]

I don't see then on ebay..

[MarioMania]

you know what's get me..I asked about the FC light gun, It saying it's only works on th FC Twin..

Does it work on the Retro Duo?????

[N1xoN]

I was just wondering if there were any life left in this thread?
Like for instance;
Troglodyte, did you find out anything about checking the version of Super Mario RPG? Cuz if you did, that would be GREAT! However if what you said about changing carts fast is true, that would also be great? But the way I understood it, you only had one copy of SMRPG and that one worked on the RD? So, how is it a valid test? Sorry if i misunderstood something.

Any way, I purchased a RetroDuo a few months back. Been mostly playing NTSC games, haven't found a game that doesnt play (however only tried about 25...:P). But when it comes to PAL SNES games I'm S*IT out of luck...I recently found a retro game shop on my travels, in europe, so the games where PAL. And I though, "doesn't matter, the Retro Duo plays lots of PAL games!". However, like I said, outta luck...NONE of the SNES PAL games I tried worked. I got the shop owner to join me in my quest for a working title...but no. Got the message "This game is not designed for your.....", or a blank screen. Then we tried the games through a big black box with a floppy disc, can't remember the name, but it had a floppy to copy roms. And it worked, with some...not the Terranigma copy he had, which was the sole reason I brought the RetroDuo to the shop.

Now, I'm left wondering if there is a mod out there I could use to play PAL games without this big black floppy disc on top of my RetroDuo? It was expensive!

Oh, almost forgot...the NES part workes like a f*cking charm with PAL (or Europan version) games he had.

Thank you for your time, sorry for the long post...however it annoyes me...

[Ace]

What you'd need would be a 50Hz/60Hz switch on the Super NES side. It's a very simple modification. Let me first see your RetroDuo's motherboard and I'll be able to show you what needs to be done.

The reason why PAL games give a "This game is not designed for your Super NES" error is because they can detect the video output of whatever hardware they're being used on. They will only run on a Super NES or Super NES clone that runs at 50Hz(PAL frequency). Same goes for some NTSC games from North America or Japan: some will give the same error if they run on a PAL Super NES or Super NES clone. The RetroDuo is an NTSC machine(60Hz), so in order for PAL games to work correctly on the Super NES side(not sure how to do so on the NES side), you need to set the RetroDuo to output in PAL.

But there are also games that can detect the presence of a lockout chip, and I believe Terranigma has said check. If the game can't communicate with a lockout chip, it will not boot. I know you can add a lockout chip to Revision 2 FC Twins(the first version to have the Yobo branding; Revision 3 FC Twins have a different Super NES board and worse NES sound) as there's a solder spot on the Super NES board where you can solder a lockout chip. There's no such solder spot on the RetroDuo, so adding a lockout chip will be quite difficult. You won't be able to play games that absolutely require the presence of a lockout chip, but with a 50Hz/60Hz switch, you should be able to play the vast majority of PAL and NTSC Super NES games.

And a question for you: does your RetroDuo have static on the Super NES side's video output? For some reason, my RetroDuo, whenever I use the Super NES side, has 2 thick strips of static that scroll down the screen, and they are REALLY distracting. The worst part is that I can't seem to get rid of them no matter what I do. What I would like to know is if the problem depends on the paint jobs, on the revision of the RetroDuo, a universal problem on the RetroDuo, or just my console that has something bad in the video circuit. What color is your RetroDuo, and do you get those 2 strips of static scrolling down the screen when using the Super NES side(it doesn't matter whether it's used in Composite or S-Video, the static is always there).

[N1xoN]

First of all, thank you for your response, I was worried this thread was dead...I'll get right on that picture. I don't have the time or equipment to disassemble the RD right now.

I've seen that 50/60 hz mod mentioned but I thought it was to get the games to play in color on an PAL TV, looks like I was mistaken.

About your question, my SNES works 95% perfect. It's not perfect, but I didn't expect that either when I got it. But like I said the SNES is great, and I have not seen any of the lines you described. I just played through SMW and it was like I was a kid again, but with those lines I don't think I could have enjoyed it as much. In other words, I feel your pain...
Now, I should say that I'm playing on an "old" PAL CRT TV, it has S-video in and either it works like a coverter for the signal or it is compatible with both signals. If I use the SCART I get the famous black and white gaming experience.

My problem with the RD is the NES side of it, the sound. And I know that there is a fix for this in this thread, but I have not tried it. As it is SNES i usually play and the sound is not horrible either, maybe 70% of the original quality.

About Terranigma, I have noted that it does not work on the RD, but I figured I could give it a shot as it looks like all RDs are different...
Btw, do you know if the Terranigma repro cart works on the RD? I will soon find out if you don't cause I ordered it a couple of days ago. If you would like, I could post the games that I have, they all work on the RD.

[N1xoN]

Sorry, forgot to tell you that I have the white and blue version.

[Ace]

I'm using my RetroDuo on an NTSC TV via both Composite and S-Video, and those strips of static are VERY noticeable, especially on bright colors. It's worse than my FC Twin, which has no static whatsoever. I'm wondering if the video encoder is maybe to blame. The encoder is a Samsung KA2198BD, and I've had a horrible experience with Samsung video encoders. They always gave me crap. Case and point - most Genesis/MegaDrive 2s in North America contain a Samsung KA2195D video encoder, which delivers absolutely ROTTEN video output: blurred, major pixelation, and worst of all, it suffers from the Top-Loader NES' vertical bar noise. Not a single Genesis 2 I got with a Samsung encoder had good video; they all sucked. The same goes with the RetroDuo vs. the FC Twin. The FC Twin makes use of a Sony CXA1645 video encoder, and I get no static strips on the Super NES side's video output. The RetroDuo, on the other hand, uses the KA2198BD, and while the picture quality itself is about the same(colors are a little less saturated on the RetroDuo), there are those 2 stupid strips of static that keep bothering me. I think it's time for a video encoder swap - since I have a fair bit of spare Genesis 2s I have for parts, I can try to swap out the KA2198BD for a CXA1645 in said Genesis and see what happens.

As for the sound, I will take a picture of my RetroDuo's NES board to show you what needs to be added to the NES sound circuit to fix up the heavily distorted audio. There are 2 components RetroBit omitted from the NES sound circuit. Add those, and the sound will be clean.

And in order to use SCART RGB on the RetroDuo, you to add an RGB amplifier inside the system, then add a plug for a SCART cable(use a MegaDrive or MegaDrive II multi-A/V out plug for the RGB output, as there's no space to put a SCART connector in the RetroDuo).

[Captain Wrong]

The NES side of mine outputs s-video in black and white. This is the second unit I've had and they've both done it. (Although the SNES side didn't work at all on the first one.) if i have both the S-video and composite plugged in, it lloks fine. Just the composite and it looks dark and dull. I'm assuming this isn't normal, but I fund it weird that two in a row had this problem. Other than that, I'm pretty satisfied.

[ZombieRyushu]

How does compatibility of the Retron 3 stack up against the Retro Duo? Is the Retro Duo still king of the clone hill?

[Ace]

RetroDuo is still the way to go. It's got a better NOAC than the RetroN3. The RetroDuo's got the accurate(despite heavily distorted sound that can be fixed) NOAC and is still one of, if not THE ONLY modern-day Famiclone that will work with problem games like Castlevania III and Rad Racer II, just to name a few. Just one thing: trash the power supply it comes with and get yourself another 5V power supply that's got center positive polarity and can output AT LEAST 600mA. I recently discovered that the reason why the RetroDuo has a tendency to display static interference on the Super NES side in both Composite and S-Video, as well as display static interference when playing NES games in S-Video, is because RetroBit's power supply is s***. I tried to use it on one of the very early Namco Plug and Play made by Jakks Pacific, the one made in 2003 to be more precise, while I was figuring out how to mod the thing to work with a power supply rather than batteries, and I got the exact same static interference on the Plug and Play just like on the RetroDuo, but to a MUCH worse extent, so there's some filtering going on in the RetroDuo, but it's clearly not enough. So it looks like we've got 2 options to fix this problem:

1) Replace RetroBit's 5V power supply with a different 5V power supply
2) Modify the system to work off a 9V to 12V power supply by adding a 7805 voltage regulator(I think I'll do this with my RetroDuo)
3) *possibly* replace a capacitor on the 5V input with a much stronger capacitor of about 1000uF or so, maybe even bigger. I believe RetroBit uses a 220uF capacitor to try and clean up the 5V signal, but it's too weak. I had similar problems with my Jakks Pacific Plug and Play with no capacitors on the power supply input(this was before I decided to make it run off a 10V power supply using a 7805 to bring down the voltage) where I'd get thick white horizontal lines that scroll down the screen in the exact same fashion as the RetroDuo's static strips. Using a 470uF capacitor made the lines less visible on the Plug and Play, but they were still there, so theoretically speaking, it COULD very well work the same way on the RetroDuo.

I'll report back once I go ahead and either change my RetroDuo's power supply, add in a 7805 or change the capacitor on the power input.

[MarioMania]

I could of swore Street Fighter Alpha 2 worked on the RD

How about The FC Twin Gun, I'm going to buy one for the RD

[hellraiser]

I could of swore Street Fighter Alpha 2 worked on the RD

How about The FC Twin Gun, I'm going to buy one for the RD

street fighter alpha 2 works on my retro duo...but sometimes it takes a few resets... I have no idea why.

i love the retro duo but man ....

I WANT TO USE A ZAPPER!!!

[dra600n]

Bit the bullet and bought the retro duo today off of fleabay. Can't wait for it to come in, probably early next week. I would've waited to find just a regular NES cheaper than $45 shipped, but I'll be getting my repro cart of FF3j, and I'd seriously like to play that, as well as my FF5 import.

Hellraiser, won't the regular NES zapper work?

[hellraiser]

Hellraiser, won't the regular NES zapper work?

nope... well at least i cant find a way to use it.

the retro duo uses snes controller ports. so a regular Nes zapper wont work. theres a couple of you tube videos out there showing how to hack a nes controller to work on the system but they warn the zapper wont work. Ive read a few places
the company that makes the system was supposed to come out with an adapter but i havent found it. the FC twin has there own zapper that has an snes connection but ive read it wont work on the retro duo. (would love if some one could confirm this)

If im missin something someone please chime in...
to me this is one of the only real draw backs to the system other then the sound on smb3 and ninja gaiden..lol

[randomencountergames]

I wouldn't be so quick to judge the Retro Duo; based on the fact that you had a heater plugged into the same power strip / surge protector / outlet, or generally just within close physical proximity to the Retro Duo. Having sensitive electronics, like computers, TVs, Radios and not to mention game consoles, near Heaters, is never a good idea. They draw too much power, and often can cause large levels of interference.
I am not calling you out on this, or even trying to put you down, but they even teach this fact in the most basic level of electrical and
computer classes.


I wouldn't recommend either of these models. I have owned both the top loading NES and the Mini SNES. The NES top loader only has RF, and the mini SNES; only AV via standard RCA. The top loader also suffers from scan lines that are still visible when the AV mod is implemented (I confirmed this myself when I did the mod before selling mine). The original NES and SNES (which features S-Video, and can be modded to output RGB), are much better products. However, I personally like my Retro Duo better than these two original consoles. While I can't recommend it over the originals in all cases / for everyone, it is a very good product. I have had no scan line problems, but I will verify that by putting in my Super Game Boy, soon enough; to see if the lines are their and just faint.

Anyway, I do feel that the Retro Duo isa much better product than both the top loading NES, and the mini SNES. The products are much too expensive and very over hyped; especially do to the loss in video quality among both of them. I have had no apparent problems with the video quality / interference with my Retro Duo, so I can't really comment on these issues.


Just so you know, since I keep seeing you tell people a lot of things about the NES top loader. There is a version with the SNES/GC style AV out. You can also pass the RF through a VCR, and go out composite, along with clearing the picture up. The top loader is a great product and superior to any NES machine made for the US.

I love the Retro Duo, but honestly it has nothing on real hardware. Don't kid.

[dra600n]

nope... well at least i cant find a way to use it.

the retro duo uses snes controller ports. so a regular Nes zapper wont work. theres a couple of you tube videos out there showing how to hack a nes controller to work on the system but they warn the zapper wont work. Ive read a few places
the company that makes the system was supposed to come out with an adapter but i havent found it. the FC twin has there own zapper that has an snes connection but ive read it wont work on the retro duo. (would love if some one could confirm this)

If im missin something someone please chime in...
to me this is one of the only real draw backs to the system other then the sound on smb3 and ninja gaiden..lol

That makes sense about the zapper since the FC Twin uses NES port and the Retro Duo uses SNES ports...so I'm going to say you're out of luck with the zapper.

[Leo_A]

Just so you know, since I keep seeing you tell people a lot of things about the NES top loader. There is a version with the SNES/GC style AV out. You can also pass the RF through a VCR, and go out composite, along with clearing the picture up. The top loader is a great product and superior to any NES machine made for the US.

And as far as I'm aware, there's well under a half dozen of those NES top loaders with composite out confirmed to exist. For 99.9% of NES gamers, it basically doesn't exist and isn't a viable option.

And running the rf output of the NES to a VCR with composite output doesn't work any magic on cleaning up the RF signal. The deficiencies of RF out are still going to be present even though the signal is arriving to the television through composite cables. The most the VCR is going to do is boost the signal a bit, it doesn't do anything special to magically upgrade RF to composite video quality.

For the best video quality for models widely available in the US, the original is the way to go. Even top loaders modded for composite out fail to equal it in quality.

[TKO]

My adapter just died , already bough replacement. Good thing 5V 1Amp adapters are easy enough to find.^^;

Now I'm about to mod my unit to get rid off that Godly annoying NES audio distortion.:-P

[Insaneclown]

Im on my second 3 slot that means NES, Sega Genesis and SNES. First one died as too much booze got in my system from drunks at my old condo.

Now Im on a new one and the wires on the controllers are coming out. They couldve made the controllers reach longer. Mine cant even get to the couch. Also my Genesis port dims to black. Im thinking the system is going to die or it's burning out. This system has been well played at my house.

STILL the originals are so much better but for compact wise...the 3 slot is the way to go.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Im on my second 3 slot that means NES, Sega Genesis and SNES. First one died as too much booze got in my system from drunks at my old condo.

Now Im on a new one and the wires on the controllers are coming out. They couldve made the controllers reach longer. Mine cant even get to the couch. Also my Genesis port dims to black. Im thinking the system is going to die or it's burning out. This system has been well played at my house.

STILL the originals are so much better but for compact wise...the 3 slot is the way to go.

It's a shame that the 3 slots (the FC 3 and the Retron) don't have the NES compatibility of the Retro Duo.

(Also double shame that the Retron has IR wireless instead of RF)

[hellraiser]

just an fyi...

My copy of madmax for the nes didint work.
It starts up but the controller dosent work.

I know, i know madmax is a crappy nes game but i love the movies!!!! oh well guess im stuck playing outlander for the snes side. Just squint my eyes and make belive!!!lol

[TKO]

Guys , I want to report that all the SNES Copier units that I tried on Retro Duo work perfectly ,not sure if that a new discovery though.

Anyway a new snes flashcard (Everdrive) I just bough is on it's way here, will see if it works on Retro Duo or not.

[TKO]

For those that are having sound issues with the NES portion of of the Retro Duo(scratchy sound+missing a few effects), here's a quick easy fix:

Good games to test this mod are Super Mario Bros.3 and Ninja Gaiden(play these for a few minutes so you'll notice the difference)...
Unplug from the Power outlet and Turn on and off the Retro Duo for a few seconds before doing anything else, so you'll get rid off any remaining current left....After completely carefully taking apart the RD motherboard from the shell, look at the back side of the NES portion(near the AV Jacks and closest to the NOAC)..Please ignore the gray ribbon wires, they belong to another mod...

http://usera.imagecave.com/capcom2000/hpim7781.jpg

Look directly at the NOAC and right above it between the NOAC traces,you'll see the words "rest" and "sound" written near the actual NOAC..There is a solder spot right under the word sound(This word is going to be found nearest to the Red RCA jack)

http://usera.imagecave.com/capcom2000/hpim7785.jpg

Get yourself a 0.1uf ceramic capacitor (104)...Add a bit of solder to this point under the word "sound" and attach a leg of the ceramic cap there....The other leg should be connected to the ground side of the White Rca Jack connector...(as show in these pics)..

http://usera.imagecave.com/capcom2000/hpim7816.jpg

http://usera.imagecave.com/capcom2000/hpim7817.jpg

Make sure to shield this new cap legs connections or you may experience a bit of ghosty lines on the video, not a huge problem though.....

After this, your NES games will sound just fine.....This worked great for me...And if anyone tries this, let me know if it worked for you..



So I've succesfully done the audio mod to my Retro Duo, now the NES audio is a hundred times better.

But I don't understand the part that says "Make sure to shield this new cap legs connections ".

What is Shielding? What an I suppose to do here , and yes my NES Video now has a bit of ghosty lines.

Thanks for the answers in advance.

[TKO]

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/2875/image301q.jpg



Works flawlessly with SNES Everdrive!

[hellraiser]

thanks for the follow up tko !!!!

[PSony]

Would the Everdrive/Super Everdrive work on Retron 3?

[TKO]

sorry for bumping an old topic but I just got Paperboy and rolling Thunder which work both perfectly with my blue-white v.2 retro duo so I don't know where that Incompatible:
Rolling Thunder (Verified incompatibile on video)

and

Paperboy (Verified) came from.

Both game work in retro duo.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I own a lot of Famicoms and Famiclones. I've owned every commerical Famicom except for a Titler, I composite modded an NES-101 toploader and I own a Yobo FC Game Console, Generation NEX, Handy Fami-Eight, RetroN3, GameAxe Color and I've still got my ol' clunker NES toaster.

I've read about half of this thread and am rather intrudged byt the Retro Duo. It's a Famiclone that plays MMC5 games and has more or less correct audio? Shocking!

I have a few questions.

1. To make sure I didn't read it wrong; the Retro Duo will output NES games in S-Video?

How in the hell did they do that? Outside of the Titler, the Famicom was never designed with S-video output and NOACs are true to form in that respect.

Another thing, how good is the S-video? How good are the colors in comparison to the real hardware? Does this Famiclone produce vertical lines like a stock NES-101 toploader or the NEX? I read that you can get proper S-video from the Retro Duo by hooking up only the S-video cable and leaving the composite cords disconnected. True/False?

2. Can someone please post links to detailed pics of the motherboard, particularity the NES portions? From a few scatter pics I've seen it looks like there's a main board for the SNES, and the NES is housed in two smaller daughterboards and connected by small ribbon cables.

3. Except for its power switch and controller input, is the NES portion completely independent of the SNES board? In other words, could one in theory remove the NES portion from the RetroDuo, rewire it slightly and make it a standalone Famiclone? I ask because this might be the perfect candidate for a mod project I have in mind.

Along the lines of that question, does the RetroDuo havea 7805 voltage regular and built-in video amplifier? the less I have to rebuild, the better :P

Can I get measurements of the NES boards, both the one with outputs and the cart connector?

4, Kinda obviously not, but does this NOAC handle Famicom expansion audio for the VRC6 and VRC7 and other chips? lol I guess I'm being greedy now.

5. I'm curious if anyone has modded the RetroDuo to use NES 7pin controllers as the SNES used the 4021 just as the NES did and its possible to wire up an adapter.

6. I was reading here that people had issues with certain colored units. A quick ebay look reveals there's now two colors: black and red and silver and black. Is the silver/black one a newer revision? Any reason to choose one over the other?

Thanks.

[TKO]

Please Satoshi_Matrix buy a Retro Duo. So you can test compatibility with Powepak for me. lol

After my Rolling Thunder and Paperboy works with my Retro Duo, I no longer believe in compatibility test in Youtube video.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I'll gladly buy one, but can anyone address my questions?

[TKO]

I'll gladly buy one, but can anyone address my questions?

Sure I don't know all the answer since it's kinda technical stuff.

1. Yes , but it look worst than that of composite. so you better stick to composite for NES. S-video do look a lot better when use to output SNES.

2.I have some low res-picture that I took before I did the audio mod in my pc will post some when I find it.

4. No , the game will work but no expansion sound. I tried Madara , Crisis Force , Drakular 3 and Esperdream they all work but no extrachennel for audio only normal audio.

5. You can easy mod NES controller to work with Retro Duo, just have to swap few wire color.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Hey guys, I've got another question. I see some people have modded the Retro Duo removing the NES section and leaving it as a standlone SNES for portables. I'd like to do the opposite;

Can I remove the NES daughterboard and set it up as a standalone Famiclone? I take it it shares controller data lines with the SNES main board as well as the power switch, but is that all? I've looked over pics of the boards and can't seem to find a 7805 voltage regulator anywhere. how can that be?

[TKO]

Come to think of it, I'm not sure if it's the pin converter that make the extra sound from VRC6+ disappear since it the cheapest converter I could find or is it the Retro Duo itself.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

The audio output lines from Famicom games pass through unused pins on the NES, and so most adapters don't carry the signals. If the Retro Duo is capable of outputting expansion audio, then the problem is your adapter.

Do mod a NES to Famicom 72 to 60 pin adapter for expansion audio, you need to solder in a .001 uf capacitor and a 47k resistor. The first thing is to bridge Famicom pins 45 and 46 together as they both carry cartridge audio. Then, lead them to one of the NES pins which I've not figured out which yet. Either pin 18 or 19.

When I get my Retro Duo, I'll be sure to find out.

[Leo_A]

I don't know what you saw in this thread, but the sounds from the NOAC still sound very incorrect on the RetroDuo. And the s-video output doesn't really work on the NES side if you want a decent picture. It only works in the sense that something is able to be displayed on the screen when using s-video on the NES side.

You'd get pretty much the same thing buying the factory produced NOAC portables already available on the market.

[TKO]

Well , Retro Duo audio is 90% correct if you do the audio mod. Unlike the other NOAC. I know because I own Retro Duo , Retron3 and 2 more clone from 90s.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Alright, so today I got my Retro Duo. I'm a little disappointed that mine sadly, wont play Rolling Thunder OR the Powerpak.

Mine's black and silver. What gives? I thought this was the new one? Maybe I have an stock?

I guess I'll have to to try and get another one....

anyone know of a seller that's guaranteed to have the newer ones?

[MarioMania]

I got a question

When I play my repro Super Mario Bros. 2 (J) with my Game Genie in my NES it plays fine, But in my Retro Duo(Black & Red Model) it crashes when the Game & GG in there

Super Mario Bros. 2 (J) plays fine in my Retro Duo..

In Super Mario All Stars on the SNES Side..I can't switch Controls on Type A or B..it's keep's on going back to Type B

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I feel I should add this to this epic thread for those who still don't own a Retro Duo and want to listen to me talk about it :roll:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDJBY9PWqTk

[Satoshi_Matrix]

let me shoehorn this one in too. Here's a followup to the Retro Duo review where I should even more games, plus a way you can get version 1.1 of Mario RPG to run on the Retro Duo!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDJBY9PWqTk

[Mnemonic]

This seemed like the appropriate place to post this, so here goes.

I have a silver/black RetroDuo that I have noticed a rather unusual quirk with. For some odd reason, if I plug in a classic SNES controller (the standard type that came shipped with the SNES) into one port, and an SN ProPad controller into the other port, I experience what I can only describe as a "hardware conflict." Whatever game I play with this controller configuation seems to react quite oddly. Often, button presses are "switched," some buttons do not function at all, others may fire randomly of their own accord. In one scenario (playing Super Mario World) the SN ProPad controller in slot 2 actually overrode the commands of the classic controller in slot one. I could literally play both players (port 1 and port 2) from just port 2 with the ProPad.

(A google image search for "sn propad" will quickly show the controller in question.)

Just so I'm clear, here's a specific rundown of controller functionality on my RetroDuo, from the controllers I have available to test with:

Classic SNES controller, only controller plugged in - Works Fine
SN ProPad controller, only controller plugged in - Works Fine
RetroDuo controller, only controller plugged in - Works Fine
Classic SNES controller + Classic SNES controller - Works Fine
RetroDuo controller + RetroDuo controller - Works Fine
Classic SNES controller + RetroDuo controller - Works Fine
RetroDuo controller + SN ProPad controller - Works Fine
Classic SNES controller + SN ProPad controller - Hardware Conflict

I have had no problems using any controller combination on my classic SNES.

My google-fu pulled this old thread up, but I can't say for certain if it's a related issue: http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146166

My instinct tells me the combination of the ProPad's architecture and the RetroDuo's architecture is clashing somehow, perhaps the common controller ground combined with SNES controller + RetroDuo signal oversensitivity. But honestly, I really don't know... I can only make wild guesses at this point.

If there's anyone else out there who can test or confirm this issue, I'd appreciate it. Until then, I figure there's no harm reporting my issue as a heads-up for others. :)

[kedawa]

Does it matter which controller is in which port?

[Satoshi_Matrix]

That sounds like a problem with the how the third party controller was designed. I'd simply suggest not using it.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

This seemed like the appropriate place to post this, so here goes.

I have a silver/black RetroDuo that I have noticed a rather unusual quirk with. For some odd reason, if I plug in a classic SNES controller (the standard type that came shipped with the SNES) into one port, and an SN ProPad controller into the other port, I experience what I can only describe as a "hardware conflict."

The ProPad is the one with the individual turbo settings for each button, no?

While I don't know what would cause the problem, it looks like you've diagnosed the functionality (in terms of what problems it causes) well enough, good info to add to the knowledge base.

[Mnemonic]

Does it matter which controller is in which port?

Nope, doesn't matter which controller is in which port.


The ProPad is the one with the individual turbo settings for each button, no?

While I don't know what would cause the problem, it looks like you've diagnosed the functionality (in terms of what problems it causes) well enough, good info to add to the knowledge base.

Well, I hope it's an isolated occurence (for the sake of others). Still, I figured no harm mentioning it.

[kedawa]

It may just be drawing too much power and dropping the voltage elsewhere in the console, causing the malfunction. By itself, it's not a problem, but an official pad being connected is enough to push it over the threshold.
I would imagine that the pack-in controllers that come with it use even less power than the official SNES pads, since they're using more modern components.

[FrankSerpico]

Hey, fellow NES clone players. I just picked up a Yobo FC Game Console at Goodwill for 5 bucks. Unfortunately, it came without the pack-in av cables and I'm having some trouble getting it to work with some generic av cables from around the house. Anyone else have any experience with this particular clone?

[Tupin]

Okay, issue here. I have Super Mario RPG, and it does not work in my Retro Duo. It has no "A" on the back, it just has "08". Doesn't this mean it is version 1.0 and should work?

[Cloud121]

Nevermind. I actually mistook this for the RetroN3 thread. Gonna go try to find that thread now.

[MarioMania]

I was playing the Retro Duo a few nights ago...I found out I needed the V2 Game Genie to work right, The V1 Game Genie doesn't work well

On the V1 GG, you have to keep entering code everytime you reset

[TKO]

I was playing the Retro Duo a few nights ago...I found out I needed the V2 Game Genie to work right, The V1 Game Genie doesn't work well

On the V1 GG, you have to keep entering code everytime you reset

Are you talking about NES Game Genie or SNES Game Genie?

Which one need to be V2 to work right?

[Ace]

Have any of you guys heard anything about a RetroDuo v3.0? I keep seeing things about it on the Internet, but no concrete evidence of its existence. Could someone check if it truly does exist and if so, what's changed between the RetroDuo v2.0 and the RetroDuo v3.0?

EDIT: Well, I've partially answered my own question - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcbnWDk99QY

The RetroDuo v3.0 DOES exist, and the differences I can see right off the bat are the following:

1) The boxart is completely changed
2) The RetroDuo's logo has changed
3) The controllers no longer have a high-gloss finish, but rather a matte finish

I'm gonna keep looking around for some more information on this version of the RetroDuo.

EDIT 2: Oh hell no - www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhJjLoAFxZc

THEY STILL HAVEN'T FIXED THE ABSOLUTELY HORRID NES AUDIO!!!! Are you f***ing kidding me?!

[The Dord]

EDIT 2: Oh hell no - www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhJjLoAFxZc

THEY STILL HAVEN'T FIXED THE ABSOLUTELY HORRID NES AUDIO!!!! Are you f***ing kidding me?!

What are they thinking? :confused:

[MarioMania]

Well seeing with the NES Game Genie by hitting reset, you just reset the Game

On the SNES Game Genie, you could enter the code by reseting the Game..you have to turn the system off for the NES part

TKO - I though you alreay know this.....

[TKO]

Well seeing with the NES Game Genie by hitting reset, you just reset the Game

On the SNES Game Genie, you could enter the code by reseting the Game..you have to turn the system off for the NES part

TKO - I though you alreay know this.....

Hey MarioMania , thanks for clearing things up! I haven't use real SNES Genie hardware for a while since I got a Everdrive. I usually patch codes in to the game so I kinda forget their differences.

[NayusDante]

When are they going to improve the stupid d-pads?

NES audio on a clone is never going to be perfect. I'm okay with mine. It's not as clean or crisp as the real thing, but it's darn close.

[kedawa]

It's not bad for a clone controller. I can play Street Fighter II Turbo with it and not miss many inputs.

[MarioMania]

I mean will The Action Gamemaster (Genesis) Side will work with the Retro Duo and the Super NES

Also will The Action Gamemaster (Genesis) work with Virtua Racing, Power Base Converter for Master System Games??

[TKO]

What is Action Gamemaster (Genesis)? Do you mean Genesis-On-A-Chip cartridge adapter for SFC? If so I planned to order two of them, will see if the Retro Duo is compatible with them or not. Although , from what I gather at this point , the compatibility of the adapters themself are kinda lame.

[MarioMania]

It's for the RDP.Old_Skool_Fool told me not to post it there....

[buzz_n64]

What is Action Gamemaster (Genesis)? Do you mean Genesis-On-A-Chip cartridge adapter for SFC? .

There's a Genesis cart adapter the the super famicom??? If so, have a link?

[MarioMania]

It's for the Retro Duo Portable..

I'm trying to get answers if the Adapter would work in the Retro Duo and the SNES

[SuperNewb]

Hey everybody,

So I'm finally ready to take the dive and by a famiclone... I'm just starting to worry about my toploader's longevity. I know back in the day the RetroDuo sort of ruled the world, can anybody update me on how it's holding up against the competition in 2011?

Thanks!

[Satoshi_Matrix]

The Retro Duo continues to be one of the better Famiclones out there with a strong SNES support as well. I would recommend checking out my NES/Famicom Starter Guide that I wrote for people like you in mind. This goes over the strengths and weaknesses of a great many options to help you choose what's best for you.

http://satoshimatrix.wordpress.com/2011/04/06/nesfamicom-starting-guide/

[SuperNewb]

The Retro Duo continues to be one of the better Famiclones out there with a strong SNES support as well. I would recommend checking out my NES/Famicom Starter Guide that I wrote for people like you in mind. This goes over the strengths and weaknesses of a great many options to help you choose what's best for you.

http://satoshimatrix.wordpress.com/2011/04/06/nesfamicom-starting-guide/

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3

I'll have time to read this tonight but it looks amazing. Thanks!

[Taiyaki]

Edit;Sorry wrong thread.

[The Burnin8or]

I have a RetroDuo v.3 and NES games via the s-video connection are not very good. I wasnt expecting it to be good or even work really so its no big deal but I'm curious if it is the same thing with prior versions of the retroduo?

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I have a RetroDuo v.3 and NES games via the s-video connection are not very good. I wasnt expecting it to be good or even work really so its no big deal but I'm curious if it is the same thing with prior versions of the retroduo?

That's because the NES/Famicom and NOAC clones of it are all INCAPABLE OF PRODUCING S-VIDEO. What you're getting is a distorted composite signal being routed through the S-Video Luma line. How that gets visualized differs from tv to tv. It may appear fuzzy, dark, or not appear at all. When you want to play NES games on the RetroDuo, disconnect the S-video signal and use the composite lines. This will produce a cleaner image.

[The Burnin8or]

Right, thats why I really wasnt expecting it to work at all (I didnt realize they were even dumping the composite into the svid luminance). I was just curious if they did the same thing on the prior models.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

yes they did.

[ZombieRyushu]

Is there a way to correct the bad signal in the NES side when S-Video is used?

[ZombieRyushu]

The RetroGen adapter for the Retro Duo doesn't pass its video into the RetroDuo, At least not the v2.0. You have to use the supplied A/V cable. Which is garbage. Composite A/V Cables connect to the cart. The RetroGen Adapter seems to pass video only into the RetroDuo Portable. And maybe even in the RetroDuo v3.0, but I can't say for sure. This is unacceptable. There's no way to mix the video out of the converter within the Super NES itself. Are there any Genny adapters that Don't work this way for the Retro Duo?

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Is there a way to correct the bad signal in the NES side when S-Video is used?

What are you talking about? NOACs are completely incapable of producing S-video to begin with. The RetroDuo feeds a composite video signal through the S-video line in order to prevent a black screen. How your tv interrupts this varies. Some TVs will produce a black and white image, while others will display it perfectly fine. If you're getting some sort of weird results, that's your TV's fault. Use composite video only then.


The RetroGen adapter for the Retro Duo doesn't pass its video into the RetroDuo, At least not the v2.0. You have to use the supplied A/V cable. Which is garbage. Composite A/V Cables connect to the cart. The RetroGen Adapter seems to pass video only into the RetroDuo Portable. And maybe even in the RetroDuo v3.0, but I can't say for sure. This is unacceptable. There's no way to mix the video out of the converter within the Super NES itself. Are there any Genny adapters that Don't work this way for the Retro Duo?

*Sigh*. This isn't a fault of the RetroGen. The SNES hardware has no video output pin in the cartridge port. It was never designed to output a video signal from anywhere but its own PPU. The RetroGen doesn't (and can't) use the SNES motherboard for anything other than power and control signal inputs, both which are mapped in the cartridge port.

Clones like the RetroDuo are based on the original hardware. Therefore, no, the RetroGen does not pass video directly through the RetroDuo or any other SNES, clone or otherwise. Only the RetroDuo Portable has been designed to do this in order to display a singal to its internal LCD. How you find this "unacceptable" is baffling - If the video signal were somehow routed through the RD's internal video output, it would degrade, and still not work with S-video.

The RetroGen produces a vivid composite video output that far exceeds the original Genesis hardware. The reason for that IS because it comes with a cable that plugs directly from its outputs maximizes the quality you'd get there is no pathway degradation because the RetroGen AV cable is tapping the source of the signal. It's a brilliant design.

[MarioMania]

I'm bumping this back

How does the Super 8 Adapter compere to the Retro Duo with the NES Mod??


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO5ICApvVNY

[sageru]

A new power adapter might fix the video issues? I have not just static strips, but really awful looking video all around in my retro duo 3.0. I can find all sorts of 5V/1A adapters with unknown polarity. I also can find universal adapters, but every single one of those has 4.5V, 6V, but not 5V. For those, polarity is a non-issue because of the switchable tips. Does anyone know if:

1) There is a specific 5V and 600+mA adapter that would have the right (center positive) polarity?
2) 4.5V would be enough to power the RD?
3) If 6V would be too much/damage the console (keeping in mind it doesn't have a voltage regulator)

Thanks.

Edit: Also, does anyone know what the measurement/size of the power connector going into the RD is? I think I might have found my AC adapter.

Edit: I found a replacement AC adapter, and will report back.


RetroDuo is still the way to go. It's got a better NOAC than the RetroN3. The RetroDuo's got the accurate(despite heavily distorted sound that can be fixed) NOAC and is still one of, if not THE ONLY modern-day Famiclone that will work with problem games like Castlevania III and Rad Racer II, just to name a few. Just one thing: trash the power supply it comes with and get yourself another 5V power supply that's got center positive polarity and can output AT LEAST 600mA. I recently discovered that the reason why the RetroDuo has a tendency to display static interference on the Super NES side in both Composite and S-Video, as well as display static interference when playing NES games in S-Video, is because RetroBit's power supply is s***. I tried to use it on one of the very early Namco Plug and Play made by Jakks Pacific, the one made in 2003 to be more precise, while I was figuring out how to mod the thing to work with a power supply rather than batteries, and I got the exact same static interference on the Plug and Play just like on the RetroDuo, but to a MUCH worse extent, so there's some filtering going on in the RetroDuo, but it's clearly not enough. So it looks like we've got 2 options to fix this problem:

1) Replace RetroBit's 5V power supply with a different 5V power supply
2) Modify the system to work off a 9V to 12V power supply by adding a 7805 voltage regulator(I think I'll do this with my RetroDuo)
3) *possibly* replace a capacitor on the 5V input with a much stronger capacitor of about 1000uF or so, maybe even bigger. I believe RetroBit uses a 220uF capacitor to try and clean up the 5V signal, but it's too weak. I had similar problems with my Jakks Pacific Plug and Play with no capacitors on the power supply input(this was before I decided to make it run off a 10V power supply using a 7805 to bring down the voltage) where I'd get thick white horizontal lines that scroll down the screen in the exact same fashion as the RetroDuo's static strips. Using a 470uF capacitor made the lines less visible on the Plug and Play, but they were still there, so theoretically speaking, it COULD very well work the same way on the RetroDuo.

I'll report back once I go ahead and either change my RetroDuo's power supply, add in a 7805 or change the capacitor on the power input.