If you aren't really a hardware snob, does the Retron 3 do the job?

[RetroRich]

I can only fit 1 console on my shelf at a time, so whenever i want to go from snes, to genesis, to nes, I have to unplug everything and connect a new console. I'm getting a little sick of it.

I'm not too worried about not replicating everything 100%, so if you were in my situation, would a Retron 3 do the job?

[ArcadiaExeter]

i havent had any experience with the 3 but the retro duo , which i belive is from the same company, works great. ive bought 2 of them so far for members of my family and have had no complaints. i assume that the 3 would work just as well.

i thought about getting one before i desided to go with the actual consoles. personally its all about nostalgia for me. and im lucky enough to have a TV with a ton of hookups. right now i have an genesis, NES, 2600, WII, 360, and PS3 all hooked up at the same time.

[Mr Mort]

I've had a Retron3 for about 7 months, and I'm real happy with it. As far as I'm concerned, it's damn near perfect. The colors on the NES are a little washed out, and the sound is ever so slightly off on the NES and Genesis, but like you said, if you're not a real stickler for it you may not even notice it.
Like you, I got one to eliminate the amount of consoles attached to my TV. If I ever get in the mood for the perfect experience, I bust out the original consoles, but to be honest with you, I'm perfectly fine with how the Retron works on all 3 consoles, that I really never go back to the old ones much at all.
Also given the fact that you can plug in your original controllers, I think it's awesome.

I say go for it.

[Ace]

Answer: No.

Unless you manage to come across the RetroN3 Version 1, the later RetroN3 Version 2 and RetroN3 Version 3 (it does exist) are a bad idea. Those have VERY bad Super NES audio, so if you don't want to hear the audio in your Super NES games become an unbearably distorted mess, don't get a RetroN3 Version 2 or Version 3.

If you want a 3-in-1, I say go for the FC3 Plus. Aside from the lack of original NES, Super NES and Genesis controller ports, a less compatible NOAC and total lack of Stereo sound, it's overall a better clone than the latest RetroN3s. I used an FC3 Plus extensively when I had to relocate to a cramped temporary setup and really liked it (minus the aforementioned issues, but for what it is, the FC3 Plus is a damn good clone).

For 2-in-1s, FC Twin or RetroDuo v3.0 hands-down. Both are terrific clones of the Super NES, though they both have audio issues with NES games. The sound is distorted on both consoles, but the distortion is considerably worse on the RetroDuo v3.0. The RetroDuo v3.0, though, has better NES compatibility as well as S-Video.

But considering you only have space for one system, get an FC3 Plus.

[Jack_Burton_BYOAC]

To me, the answer is no.

If you are not going to use the real systems I think you would be better off to use a small pc with some high quality emulators like Nestopia/BSNES/Kega Fusion. If using the ROMS bothers you then you can download only the games which you own.

However, from a personal point of view I think you should just hook up one system and stick to it for a while. Don't switch games so often. When you put a game into the system, play it until you get tired, then go do something else. Then come back and start off again. In this way I think you get a better appreciation for many games than you do when you have a huge variety to switch between every 15 minutes.

[Oldskool]

Build a media pc and use that on your TV. That way you can run the best emulators available, watch dvds, listen to CD's, and play PC games on your TV which eliminates multiple machines.

[RetroRich]

I have a modded xbox with all the games and emulators. But then what is the point of collecting?

[Oldskool]

Some people care more about gaming than collecting.

[TheDoctah]

if you dont mind terribly emulated suond and off beat colors for some games, then sure, the thing is great. Personally I hate them though.

They make those retro adapters now too so you can play nes or genesis on a REAL SNES....

[Jack_Burton_BYOAC]

I have a modded xbox with all the games and emulators. But then what is the point of collecting?

You can collect the games and still get enjoyment from them without having to play them directly in the system. I'm sure some sealed game collectors don't have many qualms about burning a backup or using a flash cart and playing through it while the real thing sits on the shelf. Just knowing you have it there makes a huge mental difference.

Also, I don't know if you'd want to go the distance necessary to do it, but a properly built emulation-pc would have no trouble smoking an xbox as far as accuracy and image quality goes. Really, once you have it all set up it's -very- difficult to tell the difference between BSNES running in 240p and a real SNES doing RGB output. It would be way easier to tell the difference between a retron and a real SNES.

BUT

If you're not a hardware snob it wouldn't matter. Use the Retron. It lets you plug cartridges in and out. It lets you push a power switch. There's a lot to be said for those things...

[Rickstilwell1]

Wii's seem even easier to work with emulation-wise than old Xboxes. No FTP or specially compiled rom DVD discs necessary, just SD cards. Most games look really nice on the TV too. The only games I've had much trouble with were Atari games that required special control schemes that aren't emulated well or at all. The only thing I see that the Xbox really has over the Wii in emulation are a few emulators for less popular systems not emulated on the Wii yet (like 32X and Odyssey 2) and a higher games compatibility in MAME.

I have found that in building a perfect emulation PC, you should really ask the people who are already doing their gaming that way exactly what parts or brand/model they bought to acheive that status and copy them. Getting the right PC for your needs is very hit or miss.

[BricatSegaFan]

Build a media pc and use that on your TV. That way you can run the best emulators available, watch dvds, listen to CD's, and play PC games on your TV which eliminates multiple machines.

Get a lot of power strips and switch boxes. Problem solved and you can play the real thing. Emulation is such a nasty word IMHO.

[RetroRich]

You can collect the games and still get enjoyment from them without having to play them directly in the system. I'm sure some sealed game collectors don't have many qualms about burning a backup or using a flash cart and playing through it while the real thing sits on the shelf. Just knowing you have it there makes a huge mental difference.

Also, I don't know if you'd want to go the distance necessary to do it, but a properly built emulation-pc would have no trouble smoking an xbox as far as accuracy and image quality goes. Really, once you have it all set up it's -very- difficult to tell the difference between BSNES running in 240p and a real SNES doing RGB output. It would be way easier to tell the difference between a retron and a real SNES.

BUT

If you're not a hardware snob it wouldn't matter. Use the Retron. It lets you plug cartridges in and out. It lets you push a power switch. There's a lot to be said for those things...

I'm trying to find the happy medium between using emulation and actual cartridges. One thing is for sure, the quality from the xbox beats anything the consoles could ever produce.

[RetroRich]

Wii's seem even easier to work with emulation-wise than old Xboxes. No FTP or specially compiled rom DVD discs necessary, just SD cards. Most games look really nice on the TV too. The only games I've had much trouble with were Atari games that required special control schemes that aren't emulated well or at all. The only thing I see that the Xbox really has over the Wii in emulation are a few emulators for less popular systems not emulated on the Wii yet (like 32X and Odyssey 2) and a higher games compatibility in MAME.

I have found that in building a perfect emulation PC, you should really ask the people who are already doing their gaming that way exactly what parts or brand/model they bought to acheive that status and copy them. Getting the right PC for your needs is very hit or miss.

If i could, i would just pay someone to build one for me and load it up

[homerhomer]

Functionally yes, the Retron will work for what you need but there asre some things that you probably don't know so I'll let you in on my experience.

The good
Component hookup
Centralized solution for NES, SNES and Genesis
Affordable
works with original console controllers


First thing first, the sound if off. I didn't notice to much on the NES (Super Mario's Jump, ugh ) and didn't have SNES games but damn the Genesis music was bugging me. The second thing that I wasn't happy about was the color palette was just not right. I don't consider myself a snob but something just always seemed wrong with the color. Then there was the controllers, while I was able to use the ones that came with the unit, they were HORRID. The good news is you can just plug your original controllers into the unit. Besides feeling hollow and very light weight the last issue I had was just the overall quality of the unit was really bad. For instance, it smelled like cheap plastic, the sort of smell that you get from a new shower certain liner. On the unit I had, some of controller labels were wrong too, it was getting embarrassing once I noticed that.


If these thing don't bother you and eventually get to you, then "Yes", the retron 3 will work just fine.

[goldenegg]

I'm trying to find the happy medium between using emulation and actual cartridges. One thing is for sure, the quality from the xbox beats anything the consoles could ever produce.

You can buy a Retrode and use original carts with your emulators.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I'm not too worried about not replicating everything 100%, so if you were in my situation, would a Retron 3 do the job?

Okay. That seems to be the key.

If by "not replicating everything 100%" you're okay with, aside from some audio and video anomalies - a selection of fully incompatible games, then I'd say the Retron 3 is just fine and will take care of the need for swapping three consoles.

However,

On top of other good suggestions (modded XBOX, PC with emulators) I'd say a jailbroken Wii (original with Gamecube controller ports) with all of the classic system emulators, a 32 Gig SD card in the front slot and a 32 Gig usb stick in the back is a great alternative with a wealth of really good wireless and wired controller options.

If you're okay with emulators, a modded XBOX is nice, but it's huge and a bit of a PITA to get set up. A Wii is pretty much idiot proof to get letterbomb jailbroken IMO and you can download/install all the latest emulators ON the system itself once it's got the homebrew browser channel running.


The only thing I see that the Xbox really has over the Wii in emulation ... and a higher games compatibility in MAME.

Oh, YES. MAME is a hot freaking mess on Wii, which sucks, because there's obviously the potential to get it up and running as well as MAME on other devices ... there's just no developer support left there any more. It's very good on XBOX though.

[ArcadiaExeter]

..a selection of fully incompatible games..

this is what stops me from going with one to save space. at some point im going to run out of space for all my consoles but there is no point in replacing them with something that wont play all my games.