New retro consoles! Retron 3 and Retro Twin

[wyethin]

Is there such a thing as a Sega Master System and/or Game Gear clone?

[Akito01]

woah, just confirmed, Super Metroid unplayable on the retron 3.. damn
Graphical glitches, you cant see your energy and It doesnt let me continue
from the second door when you start at the base, tested 3 different carts and
they do the same, and they all play fine on the retro duo =\

I'm not denying your experience, but as soon as I read this, I went and messed around with Super Metroid on my own. I didn't experience any graphical glitches of any kind, and everything looked and played normally. Either it is a defective unit, or different chipsets are being used (as a cost shaving measure?) across the RetroN3 line.

I've noticed other inconsistencies between peoples experience with the machine. For instance, someone reported that the button configuration is rotated when using the SNES pad, but for me all the buttons are correctly mapped when using a regular controller.

I also noticed that while the the wireless controller will not respond for NES and SNES games when there is a regular control pad plugged into it, this is not the case for the Genesis side -instead the pad is locked out when it receives a signal from the wireless controller. I'd be curious if this true across all machines or not.

[neojapan]

got 20 units from hyperkin, been testing on 2 units.

[neojapan]

Inside photos

http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r28/faramith/Retron/

[ooXxXoo]

AWESOME!!!...What's the number on that large single chip located on the Genesis side?....Its labeled TCT-**** ?... I can't really tell the rest of the numbers from the pic....Thanks!

[MarioMania]

Anybody posted any youtube Vids running Retro Twin & the Retron 3??

[Ace]

AWESOME!!!...What's the number on that large single chip located on the Genesis side?....Its labeled TCT-**** ?... I can't really tell the rest of the numbers from the pic....Thanks!

It's a TCT-6801. It's a different GOAC than the one used in the FC3 Plus.

And I think I see a Sony CXA1645 on the Super NES board. That should mean the Super NES video output should be nice and sharp, and very colorful.

Hey, I think pin B30 is connected on the GOAC! That could mean this thing is compatible with Master System converters.

[neojapan]

Quick Update: Seems we have 2 defective units.. coincidence that the only 2 we opened played super metroid with glitches, we opened 2 more for testing and super metroid works ok, still Castlevania 3 is not working on those 2 :( but 2 defective units so far.. hum I will test all units we received tomorrow just in case.

[T2KFreeker]

Super Metroid works nicely with my system. No problems there. I also have had no controller issues either like the ones described.

[j_factor]

Is there such a thing as a Sega Master System and/or Game Gear clone?

None with a cartridge slot.

[Ace]

And they're yet again AtGames clones, but the sound isn't as bad as the AtGames Geniclones, those are awful. On AtGames' Master System clones, the sound is a little bit high-pitched compared to the original Master System, but not to the extent of the AtGames Geniclones' ridiculously low-pitched sound. See for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4afj1_L-Yk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYJQ6JF_Egc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIBFIqnKtqc

[BetaWolf47]

And they're yet again AtGames clones, but the sound isn't as bad as the AtGames Geniclones, those are awful. On AtGames' Master System clones, the sound is a little bit high-pitched compared to the original Master System, but not to the extent of the AtGames Geniclones' ridiculously low-pitched sound. See for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4afj1_L-Yk

Thanks for the fix. This forum isn't cool with HTML like Sega-16.

[Ace]

Uh-oh, check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du-X9Wa2Spk

Now I see why Castlevania III doesn't work: IT'S THE OLD NOAC WITH THE SOUND ISSUES(just listen to Castlevania)! None of those ever worked with Castlevania III. Apparently, according to what StoneAgeGamer posted over at AtariAge, the prototype had a better NOAC than the production model. All I have to say is this: WTF? Either it's the truth or Hyperkin covering up their asses(I'm pretty sure it's the latter).

By the looks of it, I think I'll pass and just go with the FC3 Plus. I'll just add the 6 controller ports to the FC3 Plus I'll get.

[pepeart]

I got my retron 3 today and only the snes powerpak works, the nes powerpak doesnt boot

[neojapan]

RETRON3 Update:

1. Tried my SMS Genesis adapter, had to open it up, but it works on the retron 3, some minor graphical glitches can be seen while playing sms games.
2. Game Genie is not working.
3. Retron3 production units where made using old NOAC, seems some monetary issues surfaced after prototype was made, so proto can play Castlevania 3 but production units wont.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r28/faramith/Retron/sega.jpg

Retro Twin Insides:

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r28/faramith/Retron/twin1.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r28/faramith/Retron/twin2.jpg

[Akito01]

Ok, alright, I've nailed it. The problems I was having with the responsiveness of the Genesis pad (specifically rapid-pressing on the B button) were because I was using a regular 3 button pad. I plugged in the 6 button pad that came with my GenCore clone, and it worked perfectly (apart from just being a cheap pad in general with far too short of a cord). I don't know what it is about the three button pad that would cause the RetroN to dislike it so much, but that is in fact the exact problem I was having. I guess now the hunt is on for a first party 6 button pad, even though I really liked the older pads (I don't have any six button games anyway).

[MarioMania]

So Hyperskin failed at this

I feel sad about people bought this POS

[Akito01]

I will say this as someone who was disappointed by what the system could have been compared to what we got -it was still worth the money. I have never been able to get a good picture out of the Genesis on the LCD I use for gaming, original hardware included. With the RetroN, it is looking effing sharp. Having that S-Video plug is pretty much worth it for that alone. I have the RetroN all hooked up with all three system controllers, and it isn't going anywhere unless and until something better comes along.

[MarioMania]

What Game Genie dosen't work on the system??

[Ace]

RETRON3 Update:

1. Tried my SMS Genesis adapter, had to open it up, but it works on the retron 3, some minor graphical glitches can be seen while playing sms games.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r28/faramith/Retron/sega.jpg


Awesome! There's something Yobo FC3 Plus won't work with, but this one does. As for graphical glitches, I also experienced that playing Master System games on the Yobo GN Twin(it works with a Master System converter, but you need to hack Genesis controller ports into the console for D-pad inputs to be registered). I think the TCT-6801 might be based off the TecToy-580G in that regard. The TecToy-580G is the GOAC used in the GN Twin.


2. Game Genie is not working.

*_*

How is that possible? The Game Genie uses an extra pin on the cartridge slot(B19), and it's connected to the GOAC. WTF?


3. Retron3 production units where made using old NOAC, seems some monetary issues surfaced after prototype was made, so proto can play Castlevania 3 but production units wont.

I doubt it has anything to do with monetary issues. I'm pretty sure Hyperkin knew that they were getting the outdated NOAC all along and is using this as a lame cover-up.


Retro Twin Insides:

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r28/faramith/Retron/twin1.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r28/faramith/Retron/twin2.jpg

The NES board looks strangely like that of the FC Twin, but with a few alterations around the left side of the board. It also seems as if part of the Super NES board is covered up. Could you move over the board that's covering the Retro Twin's Super NES board and take a picture? I'm curious to see if there's a solder spot for a lockout chip.

[MarioMania]

Why the hell did they gave Hyperskni the old NOAC anyways??

[PSony]

Found a review on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y2UqXXL0JQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQxlSI-8cgQ

Seems the A/B buttons are reversed on the wireless controllers on Genesis games.

Why do these companies always release a half-assed product?

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Is there such a thing as a Sega Master System and/or Game Gear clone?

TecToy has made a few GG/SMS on a chip units with on board games, but I'm not sure if any have cartridge slots. Perhaps in Brazil where that would be bigger business but none that have been brought to the US.

[BacteriaInfection]

So basically, these things are a piece of junk. Somehow, I'm not surprised.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

So basically, these things are a piece of junk. Somehow, I'm not surprised.

Clone buyers NEED to be REALISTS.

Most of the experienced clone collectors here are. I know I am.

I never, ever "expect" perfect hardware.

I never expect 100% compatibility, I never expect perfect sound, perfect color, perfect controls, etc.

Some clones wind up being very broken and unplayable from a hardware standpoint (Famicom/NES backward button syndrome is a deal breaker on any NES clone) some are very playable and well designed but only wind up being a "novelty" (The FC Mobile II is great, but I'm not actually going to carry it around like a GameBoy or PSP) and some wind up hitting the mark in several areas including good compatibility and hardware features on par or slightly above the original (the Retro Duo always comes to mind) ... but if you put ANY clone under a microscope and make a list of "what doesn't work" none are going to come out smelling like roses.

None of them will ever, ever replace the real thing ... but the ability to play a large portion of titles from the NES/SNES/Genesis library via one console via wireless controllers OR original console controllers ... the price of admission is more than reasonable IMO.

And that aside,

can anybody confirm if the controllers are RF wireless or are they that crappy IR wireless?

[StoneAgeGamer]

They are IR. I wish they would have used the FC-16 Go controllers and RF. Those controllers are nice and the RF goes pretty far as well.

P.S. I know Yobo made the FC-16 and not Hyperkin, but these guys steal designs from each other all the time since many are made in the same factory.

What I really think Hyperkin should have done is release a line of RF wireless controllers for the NES, SNES, and Genesis with dongles. Kind of like Messiah did, but actually make them good controllers. These controllers could also have been also compatible with the RetroN series of systems (I think they may be making RetroN2 and RetroN as well). So you could sell retailers just the controllers loose without the dongles to be a cheaper option for RetroN owners.

That way you are killing two birds with one stone. Some nice wireless controllers (which I think the market really needs) and you have other wireless controller options for people who buy RetroN systems as well.

[Zapf]

edit: fuck, beaten

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

They are IR. I wish they would ahve used the FC-16 Go controllers and RF. Those controllers are nice and the RF goes pretty far as well.

BAH!!!

Oh well, another one misses the mark ever so slightly.

And if anybody has any "issues" with the included wireless controller movements not feeling right, working right or "lagging" on screen they can chalk it up to the IR.

I would assume that via the control ports I can use my Messiah RF Wireless NES and SNES controllers/receivers with no problems ... of only Messiah made wireless Genesis controllers.

[StoneAgeGamer]

BAH!!!

Oh well, another one misses the mark ever so slightly.

And if anybody has any "issues" with the included wireless controller movements not feeling right, working right or "lagging" on screen they can chalk it up to the IR.

I would assume that via the control ports I can use my Messiah RF Wireless NES and SNES controllers/receivers with no problems ... of only Messiah made wireless Genesis controllers.

Lol, if only Messiah didn't go belly up.

[tentencanidae]

It's a damn shame about the compatibility problems with the Generation Nex Console. It was really sharp looking. I almost bought one.

[T2KFreeker]

RETRON3 Update:
Retron3 production units where made using old NOAC, seems some monetary issues surfaced after prototype was made, so proto can play Castlevania 3 but production units wont.


Uhm, I wouldn't be passing around that "Monetary Issues" rumor because it isn't true.

[Cloud121]

So what happens when I boot an NES game with the S-Video plugged in? Obviously can't have both the yellow plug and S-Video plugged in at the same time.

Black screen? Distorted graphics?

[Akito01]

So what happens when I boot an NES game with the S-Video plugged in? Obviously can't have both the yellow plug and S-Video plugged in at the same time.

Black screen? Distorted graphics?

I have them plugged in at the same time with no problems (at least with the TV I have the system plugged into). The S-video just gives a black screen with NES games, but gives a normal picture with the RCA plug.

[Ed Oscuro]

Most TVs are pretty good at ignoring the video on the yellow plug but if you've set the wrong input it might possibly select it instead of the S-Video. Best to just leave it unplugged.

[Cloud121]

Another question I didn't see answered in the thread. How are the Sonic Lock-Ons? And I'm going to assume Battletoads crashes on level 2 as usual?

I noticed Star Fox works. Do the other Super FX games work fine? Doom, and Yoshi's Island to be exact.

Absolutely need to know if Beggar Prince and Legend of Wukong work as well.

Appreciate the help.

[M15fit]

I'd buy the Retron for sure, if it's ever available in Australia. I wonder how my super ufo would look sitting on top of it? Anyway, I'm sure it has it's faults, but it beats having 3 consoles hooked up via composite.

[jbjabroni]

Has there been any definite on the snes controller mapping? Some users say their units SNES controllers are mapped correctly and some say theirs are not. I've tried to contact Hyperkin on the issue but have yet got no response. If the SNES ports are indeed mapped incorrectly then its a sad day, as I would have gotten this clone

[underscore ego]

My brother and I have one at the house, and our SNES controllers seem to be mapped fine.

[jbjabroni]

I hope that they are, if so then its a great clone for me as those incompatible games except with maybe the exception of Castlevania 3 aren't important for me. Hopefully I can get a answer soon from Hyperkin as to this SNES Mapping Issue.

[underscore ego]

The SNES emulation is almost perfect, to my admittedly-untrained senses. The NES slot doesn't load properly maybe 1/100 times, but I can never tell if that's a system issue or because of old boards on the games themselves. And also, I can't get a copy of Dragon Warrior (your average, run-of-the-mill DW1) to boot up for the life of me. The only compatibility issue for the SNES that I've encountered is SMRPG, which has been expected.

[Lanzo]

Has there been any definite on the snes controller mapping? Some users say their units SNES controllers are mapped correctly and some say theirs are not. I've tried to contact Hyperkin on the issue but have yet got no response. If the SNES ports are indeed mapped incorrectly then its a sad day, as I would have gotten this clone

I just tested Darius Twin and Donkey Kong country on both systems and for all the buttons they use they seem to be correct.

[jbjabroni]

The Following was StoneAgeGamers Post On His Experiences With the RETRON3:

Playing NES games:
Packed-in Controllers - Wow amazing they actually seemed to have gotten to mapping correct playing NES with the pack-in controllers. A = B and B = A. I also believe Y = turbo B and X = turbo A. Unfortunetly this is one of the few places they got it right.
Offical NES controllers - Mapping is fine. They work as expected. The controller ports are a little tight though, however I was using a 3rd part controller and this may have been why they were tight.

Playing Genesis games:
Packed-in Controllers - Wait these controllers were modelled after the Genesis controller, yet are mapped wrong? Yes. For some stupid reason if you are playing Genesis games with pack-in controller A = B and B = A. This won't affect you on some games, but any game that requires you to be holding A and hitting B or holding B and hitting C its impossible. I played Road Rash 2 with these controllers and it was basically unplayable because I could not hold the throttle and punch at the same time. Obviously this mapping does not affect Sonic games.
Offical Genesis controllers - I was expecting the A/B mapping to be backwards on these as well, but to my surprise they seemed to have mapped the official controllers correctly.

Playing SNES games:
Packed-in Controllers - There's a little chart on the back of the controller telling you what buttons are mapped to whch buttons. You read the SNES chart and it all makes sense. A = B, B = A, C = R, etc. However its not right. Somehow these controllers are mapped like how the Retro Duo controllers were laid out. Y = B, B = A, X = Y, and A = X. Confused? Yeah it is confusing. Personally I like how the Retro Duo laid the buttons out better, so this did not bother me. However, I know it may bother some people. Also C = L and Z = R. So those are backwards from what you may expect.
Offical SNES controllers - Well at least they are mapped correctly with official controllers right? Wrong. They are mapped the exact same way with official controllers. I forgot to test if R/L are mapped correctly. I assume they are.



After reading this it makes me wonder if this is just an issue of defective units, of which I have already heard multiple resellers and buyers of this device having experienced. If so just another question that will probably prohibit me from getting this device.

[jbjabroni]

Got an official reply from Hyperkin today:

"Thank you for your interest in the Retron3,

All wired connectors are mapped correctly. If they are not working it would be due to a defective unit.

Hyperkin
sales@hyperkin.com"

[PSony]

I got my Retron 3 today and it already replaced my Genesis and SNES. It's very convenient to go from playing Genesis to SNES with just a flick of the knob instead of having to plug and unplug av cables, in addition to how much shelf space and power outlet space it saves. And for me there's the bonus of playing NES games since I don't own an NES. There is a minor annoyance of having to unplug the s-video cable for NES games and plug it back in for Genesis and SNES games.

Composite video is very dark, but for Genesis and SNES you would want to use s-video anyways. S-video is very bright and sharp.

The Genesis sound is a little inaccurate. I noticed in Sagaia that the sound effects are louder than the music and a bit of the soundtrack is off key. Also, there is a little buzzing noise on NES and Genesis games. I can live with it. At least it doesn't sound totally butchered up like my Atgames GenMobile. Most of my other games don't sound too different than on a model 1 Genesis. SNES sound is perfect. I have no idea about NES since I never owned one.

The packed-in controllers are only good for NES games. For Genesis, not only are the A/B buttons swapped, but so are the X/Y buttons. Sometimes I forgot and pressed the wrong buttons. For SNES, L is C and R is Z, unlike what the box and the back of the controller suggests. These controllers don't work too well for games like F-Zero or Mario Kart where you have to use L/R and the face buttons at the same time. The controllers use IR so you have to point them at the system. I would have gladly paid more for RF controllers like the ones that are included with Yobo's FC-16 Go (which I also got with the Retron 3). I also noticed the problem with rapidly pressing a button or the dpad and not having all the presses registered. Also, the diagonals on the dpad aren't very good. This controller is totally useless for fighters and beat-em-ups. Fortunately the controller ports don't have any problems.

Also, the NES and Genesis cartridge slots have some sort of deathgrip. I have to press against the system so that I don't lift the whole thing while I attempt to yank the cartridge out. The SNES slot is surprisingly smooth and easy to insert and remove cartridges.

I've heard from other Retron 3 owners that Street Fighter Alpha 2 (SNES) doesn't work, but it works perfectly fine on mine.

Here's my game compatibility list:

Working:

Genesis:
Air Diver
Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
Alien Storm
Altered Beast
Art of Fighting
Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP II
Battletoads
Battletoads/Double Dragon
Beyond Oasis
Bimini Run
Bonanza Brothers
Bubsy II
Budokan: The Martial Spirit
Burning Force
Championship Pro-Am
Chase H.Q. 2
Chiki Chiki Boys
Columns
Comix Zone
Crossfire
Cyborg Justice
Dashin' Desperadoes
Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf
Double Dragon
Double Dragon 3: The Arcade Game
Double Dragon V: The Shadow Falls
Dungeons & Dragons: Warriors of the Eternal Sun
Ecco the Dolphin
El Viento
Elemental Master
Eternal Champions
Gadget Twins
Ghouls 'n Ghosts
Golden Axe
Golden Axe II (pack-in controller's Mode button doesn't seem to do anything, so you have to use original Genesis controller)
Gynoug (European)
The Humans
Jungle Strike
King of the Monsters
Lotus II: RECS
Lotus Turbo Challenge
Marble Madness
Mega Bomberman
Mercs
Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat 3
Mortal Kombat II
Ms. Pac-Man
Paperboy
Paperboy 2
Phantasy Star IV
Phelios
Pit-Fighter
Populous
Ranger X
The Revenge of Shinobi
Road Rash
Road Rash 3
Road Rash II
Rocket Knight Adventures
Sagaia
Samurai Shodown
Saturday Night Slam Masters
Shadow Blasters
Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi
Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Maste
Sol-Deace
Sonic & Knuckles (and any lock-on combination)
Sonic 3D Blast
Sonic Classics
Sonic Spinball
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Space Harrier II (European)
Steel Empire
Street Fighter II -- Special Champion Edition
Streets of Rage
Streets of Rage 2
Streets of Rage 3
Strider
Sub Terrania
Super Hang-On
Super Monaco GP
Super Street Fighter II
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Hyperstone Heist
Thunder Force II
Thunder Force III
ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron
Top Gear 2
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Urban Strike
Valis III
Vectorman
Virtua Fighter 2
Virtual Pinball
Whip Rush

SNES:
Darius Twin
Donkey Kong Country
Gradius III
HyperZone
Mario Paint
Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat 3
PilotWings
Sim City
Star Fox
Street Fighter Alpha 2
Street Fighter II
Stunt Race FX
Super Bomberman 2
Super Double Dragon
Super Mario All-Stars
Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World
Super Mario Kart
Super Mario World
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Super Nova
Super R-Type
Super Star Wars
Thunder Spirits
Top Gear
Top Gear 2
U.N. Squadron
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game

NES:
Batman
Pro Wrestling
Ring King
Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. 2
Super Mario Bros. 3

Non-working:

Genesis:
Ecco: The Tides of Time
Virtua Racing

NES:
Dragon Warrior
Laser Invasion

Accessory compatibility list:

Working:
official controller (SNES)
Performance Superpad (SNES)
official 3-button controller (Genesis)
official 6-button controller (Genesis)
official 3-button Megafire controller (Genesis)
official/Majesco 6-button turbo controller; 6-button-style casing (Genesis)
official/Majesco 6-button turbo controller; 3-button-style casing (Genesis)
official 6-button arcade stick (Genesis)
Game Genie (Genesis)

Non-working:
official wireless controller (Genesis) - controller port spacing is different so receiver won't fit; might work with extension cables
Acclaim Dual Turbo wireless controller (Genesis) - same issue as above

EDIT: Also StoneAgeGamer, I ordered a Mario/Duck Hunt cart but you sent me a non-working one. It just boots up to a screen of garbled mess. The casing is pretty torn up too.

[StoneAgeGamer]

Please in the future e-mail returns@stoneagegamer.com if you have an issue with a product you purchased from us. Although I do browse forums a lot I could easily miss this.

[TKO]

SAG , is there any thing wrong with Retro Twin? Why won't you stock them any more. Is FC twin , the older design better?

[PSony]

Please in the future e-mail returns@stoneagegamer.com if you have an issue with a product you purchased from us. Although I do browse forums a lot I could easily miss this.

Well, it's only 99 cents so it's not big deal, but I got the refund. I just wanted to let you know you might want to test these carts out first.

[StoneAgeGamer]

SAG , is there any thing wrong with Retro Twin? Why won't you stock them any more. Is FC twin , the older design better?

Retro Twin, which is now known as C2 (I think they got in some legal trouble with the name and had to change it) has a big flaw. The plastic that holds the cart in place for the NES is formed for Famicom games and not NES so its almost impossible to get an NES cart to fit in there without modifying the plastic piece.

I had 6 of them in stock a month ago and sold them all for $20/ea. because of this problem. I had to modify each one myself to prevent returns on the item. So no unless they fix this problem I will no longer carry them.

FC Twin is still a solid system.

[StoneAgeGamer]

Well, it's only 99 cents so it's not big deal, but I got the refund. I just wanted to let you know you might want to test these carts out first.

Unfortunately as much as I would love to test every single cart, I do not have time after cleaning the carts and shrink wrapping to also test each one. 99% of the time the carts work perfectly fine, so the time invested in testing everyone is not really worth it.

For example, this is the first cart (for any system) that I have sold this year that someone told me it did not work. Probably only the 3rd cart ever since I opened 3 years ago that someone told me was bad.

I apologize for the bad cart and if someone ever does get a bad cart we will replace or refund in a quick manner.

[Cryog]

I've heard from other Retron 3 owners that Street Fighter Alpha 2 (SNES) doesn't work, but it works perfectly fine on mine.





Problably your Retron3 is the revision 2 version.Castlevania III and Super Mario RPG works fine too.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Problably your Retron3 is the revision 2 version.Castlevania III and Super Mario RPG works fine too.

Saywhatnow?

There's a confirmed revision of the Retron3 that plays Castlevania III?

[Cryog]

Yes.The new RetroN3 packing is like 13x11x4 and has no window flap on the front. This version is the new revision 2 version.

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/8928/img0048ot.jpg
Retron3 revision 2 mainboard

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/751/img0051zk.jpg
New Label

(Sorry for the low quality pictures)

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

SWEET! Thanks for the info!!

[TKO]

Damn , I just got an old model like a month ago. Should have wait a little longer.

Anyway does the new NOAC compatible with NES PowerPak? I know the one in the previous model doesn't work.

[PSony]

I don't think mine is a revision 2 as it doesn't have the new sticker and the box has the flap with the window. SFA2 does work on it though. Might have to track down a copy of SMRPG and see if that works.

Where did you get the revision 2 from and what are the dates on the circuit boards?

[Cryog]

I take pictures of the 2 versions.

RetroN3 version 1 : date of purchase: may 26, 2010
Location: NeoJapan Video Store (Puerto Rico)
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/148/retron3ver101.th.jpg (http://img443.imageshack.us/i/retron3ver101.jpg/)http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/5411/retron3ver102.th.jpg (http://img842.imageshack.us/i/retron3ver102.jpg/)http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/1713/retron3ver103.th.jpg (http://img338.imageshack.us/i/retron3ver103.jpg/)http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/7431/retron3ver104.th.jpg (http://img163.imageshack.us/i/retron3ver104.jpg/)http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/4474/retron3ver105.th.jpg (http://img12.imageshack.us/i/retron3ver105.jpg/)

RetroN3 version 2: date of purchase: october 26, 2010
Location: NeoJapan Video Store (Puerto Rico)
http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/9136/retron3ver201.th.jpg (http://img716.imageshack.us/i/retron3ver201.jpg/)http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/900/retron3ver202.th.jpg (http://img14.imageshack.us/i/retron3ver202.jpg/)http://img602.imageshack.us/img602/3421/retron3ver203.th.jpg (http://img602.imageshack.us/i/retron3ver203.jpg/)http://img573.imageshack.us/img573/3061/retron3ver204.th.jpg (http://img573.imageshack.us/i/retron3ver204.jpg/)http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/4665/retron3ver205.th.jpg (http://img87.imageshack.us/i/retron3ver205.jpg/)

*The packings are different.
*The chipset for the SuperNES mainboard are diferent (all of them).
*In the new version the system selection circle only select 3 consoles (there's one left in the old version).

[MarioMania]

Does version 2 work with Virtua Racing on the Genesis Side??

[PSony]

Just got Super Mario RPG and it works on my version 1.

[Cryog]

3 Videos of me playing Castlevania III on the RetroN3 .... :D

RetroN3 rev.2 - Castlevania 3 Dracula's Curse stage-1 "Beginning"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XywCjHZgAwU

RetroN3 rev.2 - Castlevania 3 Dracula's Curse stage-2 "Clocktower"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM8vjG8_slM

RetroN3 rev.2 - Castlevania 3 Dracula's Curse stage-3 "Mad Forest"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz9VW7WfKmc

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Got my Retron3 yesterday, only had a chance to check out NES compatibility. I'm particularly impressed with the audio quality.

And hoo baby those included infared wireless controllers are perhaps the most horrific things I've ever used to control an NES game, ever. Thank god these things have real controller ports.

[Cloud121]

Has the MegaDrive audio improved at all in the new revision?

Edit: I guess I was blind when I first looked at the new pictures. The Model 2 is called "Tri-System", whereas my Model 1 is called "3 in 1 System".

[xtreme500]

Agreed. Those circular "feet" make it look uglier than it already is. When will we ever get a good-looking clone?

Have you seen the RetroN 1 Silver/Black? Looks better than any NES imo. The controllers that come with the RetroN 1 are $h!t, but it has NES ports so it's OK. BTW I'm not talking about the RetroN 3.

[Cloud121]

A little bump...

To go along with my question of whether or not the MegaDrive audio has improved in Revision 2, Battletoads still crash after Level 2?

I'm mainly concerned about the MegaDrive audio though.

[daoud]

Any idea (list) of the PAL games compatibility?

[Akito01]

I'm curious to compare notes with anyone else who has a revision 2. I just got mine today, and discovered a couple of issues.

The first almost had me returning the machine, but being obstinate, ended up fixing the issue myself. It looks like they tried a few things to sturdy it up over the first revision. For one, they now have some kind of white plastic reinforcement piece for the upper part on the inside to firm up the cartridge port openings. They also went nuts with some kind of white silicone or glue or something on some of the internal connections, such as where the ribbon cables are soldered onto the board. This included a glob of the stuff near the base of the NES pin connector that ended up being so thick and high that it prevented an NES cart from properly being inserted. It came off fairly easy with a pair of needle nose pliers, thankfully, but it meant having to open up the machine to do it.

The NES controller I had been using on my older Retron and original NES wouldn't work on the new Retron, but using one of the two or three other spare controllers I had kicking around proved to be no problem, so perhaps this isn't so much an issue with the Retron itself. Hard to say.

Amusingly, and I'd be curious if any other revision 2s have the same thing, the NES controller ports are identified on the RetroN3 as for the Genesis, and the Genesis ports labeled as NES controller ports.

One thing I noticed right away is that the video output for the NES is quite a bit better than on the original Retron. For instance, in Donkey Kong, the word 'oil' is clearly legible on the burning barrel in the first level. I also tried Battletoads, and was able to play a fair distance into Level 2, defeating the grey electric drone thing, before having it crash. Typically, the game crashes mere moments into that level, so that's something.

Haven't experimented enough with the Genesis side yet, but I played a bit of Sonic 2 and didn't see or hear anything terribly offensive to my sensibility. S-video output still has that subtle vertical banding, which never really bothered me since it isn't often very noticeable , but I'd still be curious to know why it exists.

Hard to say if it was totally worth the upgrade from version 1 to 2, but I'm definitely happy with the system overall. Still tons of room for improvement for any potential future 3-in-1 systems that might come along. Proper wireless controllers would be awesome.

[stalepie]

deleted .

[stalepie]

Start your own company and make your own pirate consoles.

[Cryog]

A new Retron3 revision 3 is on the market right now !!! :oops:

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

A new Retron3 revision 3 is on the market right now !!! :oops:

Any word on how revision 3 differs from earlier versions?

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I might be willing to buy another Retron3 just so I can have one in the den and my bedroom at once. How can I tell revision 3 apart from revision 2? Differences in the packaging or otherwise?

[TKO]

Is it true that Retron 3 Ver.3 has poorer SNES audio than Ver.1 and Ver.2?

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Is it true that Retron 3 Ver.3 has poorer SNES audio than Ver.1 and Ver.2?

Since we haven't actually discussed anything here about the quality of V3 vs. V2 or V1 can you link to where that position is being discussed?

[TKO]

I've seen it on the comment on ace9921's video in youtube. a person say that the later Retron3 produces poor quality Snes sound for supergameboy.

[nouserever]

i have a retron 3. its pretty good

[Ace]

I've seen it on the comment on ace9921's video in youtube. a person say that the later Retron3 produces poor quality Snes sound for supergameboy.

I've actually posted a clip from a later version of the RetroN3(I don't even know if it's Version 2 or 3 anymore), and the Super NES audio overall is absolutely dreadful. Have a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2g3MaUNWa4

That is F-ing nasty.

Oh, and if what I have is a RetroN3 Version 3, I sadly have to say that Virtua Racing STILL doesn't work. WTF, Hyperkin??? Yobo got the FC3 Plus working with Virtua Racing, why in hell don't you do the same???