RetroN5: Hands on first look

[Tanooki]

I've been looking at USB-SNES adapters on ebay. I've seen a few like the Super Joy and some other I don't recall the name of, but then I found this one maker has this larger one that has NES and Genesis jacks on it as well, nothing over 20 shipped in any case.

The big one is from Mayflash, not familiar with them.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MayFlash-Sega-Mega-Drive-MD2-SNES-SFC-NES-FC-Controller-Adapter-for-PC-USB-/261466997269?pt=US_Video_Game_Controllers&hash=item3ce0a5c215

Would anything in particular be sure to work on an Ouya or not that could need a powered source or some lame drivers? I have $75 in amazon credit I can't think of anything to use it on and maybe when they do some Ouya discount again on it as I know it has fallen south of $70 on those I'd go for it.

I'd have to figure out the process of getting my google play purchases/freebies on the thing, but other than that it looks like a solid thing to have regardless, and perhaps as a HID bluetooth device the Moga Pro I have would work.

[stardust4ever]

I've been looking at USB-SNES adapters on ebay. I've seen a few like the Super Joy and some other I don't recall the name of, but then I found this one maker has this larger one that has NES and Genesis jacks on it as well, nothing over 20 shipped in any case.

The big one is from Mayflash, not familiar with them.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MayFlash-Sega-Mega-Drive-MD2-SNES-SFC-NES-FC-Controller-Adapter-for-PC-USB-/261466997269?pt=US_Video_Game_Controllers&hash=item3ce0a5c215

Would anything in particular be sure to work on an Ouya or not that could need a powered source or some lame drivers? I have $75 in amazon credit I can't think of anything to use it on and maybe when they do some Ouya discount again on it as I know it has fallen south of $70 on those I'd go for it.

I'd have to figure out the process of getting my google play purchases/freebies on the thing, but other than that it looks like a solid thing to have regardless, and perhaps as a HID bluetooth device the Moga Pro I have would work.Best USB controller ports ever made right here:

NES, SNES, and Genny in stock:
http://www.retrousb.com/index.php?cPath=21

[Tanooki]

Yeah I know he makes those and bunny does good work, but that one that supports multiple pads caught my eye as it costs what his does and does more.

I've been digging more and I'm kind of realizing there's no point to an Ouya. Rooting it looks to be complicated and easily screwed up bricking your device if you're not careful and I'm no hacker/modder so getting google play on it looks like a gambling bitch. The Nexus 7 (2013) I have is better than it anyways and isn't a headache so I'm wondering maybe if it would be wiser to get a MINI to HDMI plug and ramp that thing straight to the TV and get the same effect.

[stardust4ever]

Yeah I know he makes those and bunny does good work, but that one that supports multiple pads caught my eye as it costs what his does and does more.

I've been digging more and I'm kind of realizing there's no point to an Ouya. Rooting it looks to be complicated and easily screwed up bricking your device if you're not careful and I'm no hacker/modder so getting google play on it looks like a gambling bitch. The Nexus 7 (2013) I have is better than it anyways and isn't a headache so I'm wondering maybe if it would be wiser to get a MINI to HDMI plug and ramp that thing straight to the TV and get the same effect.I own an Ouya, downloaded all the emulators, but never use them. Shuffling ROMs around is a fugly process and it takes the fun out of Retro Gaming for me. I'm enjoying many of the indie games instead, but my primary use for Ouya is as a Pinball simulator. I've downloaded every Pinball table there is on Pinball Arcade. Crazy addictive.

And if you do get an Ouya, just use a PS3 controller with it. They work better than the stock controllers except for those games where you have to use touchpad. A few others don't work with PS3 but most do.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I've been looking at USB-SNES adapters on ebay.

The big one is from Mayflash, not familiar with them.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MayFlash-Sega-Mega-Drive-MD2-SNES-SFC-NES-FC-Controller-Adapter-for-PC-USB-/261466997269?pt=US_Video_Game_Controllers&hash=item3ce0a5c215

Would anything in particular be sure to work on an Ouya or not that could need a powered source or some lame drivers?

I use Mayflash products for everything. They make some truly excellent stuff. You can use literally anything on the Ouya. That adapter, or anything else. I don't own one, but I use another Mayflash SNES adapter and that's fine with me. The only potnetial pitfall is the Ouya getting confused if you have a NES and SNES and Genesis controller all plugged in at the same time, but if you do one at a time, that should be just fine.




I've been digging more and I'm kind of realizing there's no point to an Ouya. Rooting it looks to be complicated and easily screwed up bricking your device if you're not careful and I'm no hacker/modder so getting google play on it looks like a gambling bitch. The Nexus 7 (2013) I have is better than it anyways and isn't a headache so I'm wondering maybe if it would be wiser to get a MINI to HDMI plug and ramp that thing straight to the TV and get the same effect.

Um. Rooting the Ouya is dead simple. Everything on the Ouya is designed to be simple. You can brick the system if you do something monumentally stupid, but that's true of any device. And again, you don't need to get Google Play on the Ouya. I mean, WHY would you even want that to begin with? Yes there are ways of getting it, and the Ouya does have it's own web browser plus the one through XBMC plus any sideloaded ones.

The Ouya discover store is filled with so much content at this point I don't understand the desire to get stuff from the google play store that isn't designed for the Ouya in the first place.

if you wanna know how certain things work on Ouya, again email me the .apks.



And if you do get an Ouya, just use a PS3 controller with it. They work better than the stock controllers except for those games where you have to use touchpad. A few others don't work with PS3 but most do.

PS3/Xbox 360 controller support is only added to optionally by some devs, it's not a given. There's a lot of excellent games on Ouya that can't be played with a PS3 or 360 controller. I know it seems like I'm constantly defending every aspect of the Ouya, but the stock controller really isn't that bad. The more you use it, the more you gain a feel for it. Could it be improved? Absolutely. And it will. One of the reasons I'm looking forward to an E3 announcement of the 'Ouya 2' is to see what changes they make to the controller to improve it further.

[BlastProcessing402]

Obviously you haven't seen the statistics. Overall violent crime is down slightly, but mass shootings have actually had a dramatic increase over the past five or so years. All mass shootings will create a media circus whether the perp survives the aftermath or not. Mass shootings are far more common now than 15 years ago. A deranged FedEx employee just opened fire on 6 coworkers with a firearm last week as the most recent event.

http://www.ktvz.com/news/Study-School-shooting-deaths-down-from-past/17792282

http://www.freep.com/article/20121215/NEWS07/312150097/School-incidents-are-declining

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/13/school-violence-security-sandy-hook/3446023/

This is the last I'll post on the subject (in this topic anyway), and I wouldn't have posted about it a 2nd time if not being "called out" w/regard to statistics. Apologies to Satoshi and whoever else was getting miffed over the hijack.


Most HDTVs should be able to accept a 50Hz signal over HDMI, but please don't quote me on that. My 2006 Sanyo HDTV is extremely tolerant and even accepts 50Hz refresh rates over composite if I attempt to play PAL games on my NTSC Atari (although the bottom gets chopped off, and true PAL formatted signals (ie PAL timings, not NTSC @50Hz) display in grayscale). My ASUS Monitor accepts a forced 1080p 50Hz over DVI/HDMI no problem, even though it's not officially supported via handshake.


I'm not surprised that a monitor would accept 50Hz, but do find it interesting that a TV would. I know my Samsung (2-3 years old) won't do jack with such a signal. Maybe it's another way they're cheaping out on the things lately.

[YoshiM]

I use Mayflash products for everything. They make some truly excellent stuff. You can use literally anything on the Ouya. That adapter, or anything else. I don't own one, but I use another Mayflash SNES adapter and that's fine with me. The only potnetial pitfall is the Ouya getting confused if you have a NES and SNES and Genesis controller all plugged in at the same time, but if you do one at a time, that should be just fine

I saw a couple YouTube videos with a guy using the Mayflash hardware for N64 and that piqued my interest. I'm liquidating most of my game collection for a variety of reasons, one of which I'm now seeing it all as "stuff" taking up space that doesn't get played often enough to warrant ownership. However when time and mood strikes I do love me some retrogaming.

Might have to check those adapters out.

[Atarileaf]

Satoshi, do you know of an adapter that will work on the ouya to use Atari controllers? Specifically I'd like to hook up my paddles since any game relying on analog paddle movement such as warlords or circus atari is almost impossible to play with a digital controller like the ouya controller.

[Tanooki]

I own an Ouya, downloaded all the emulators, but never use them. Shuffling ROMs around is a fugly process and it takes the fun out of Retro Gaming for me. I'm enjoying many of the indie games instead, but my primary use for Ouya is as a Pinball simulator. I've downloaded every Pinball table there is on Pinball Arcade. Crazy addictive.

And if you do get an Ouya, just use a PS3 controller with it. They work better than the stock controllers except for those games where you have to use touchpad. A few others don't work with PS3 but most do.

I've got Pinball Arcade too, a bit bitter though as I had all of season 1 and a few of 2 on my iPad before it was wrecked, and I can't get my money back through a license transfer which is pure bullshit. In time i'l lget them back as they're my favorites, but I'm holding out maybe if they do a one day anniversary sale or something and have held off on that since late last year. I hope one day they get the rights to do the old Williams Indiana Jones table, my personal favorite and the stern sequel stinks.


Satoshi my reasons for Googleplay are just one and it's simple. I don't want to pay for the same game or app twice. I 'own' a version of android on my nexus 7 2nd gen and games tied to it, and Ouya is Android too and I'd like to use my licenses there too so I'd need google play. I have no skill or experience in software modding stuff so that's why I was touchy about it. I ordered a $15 cable to use my tablet on my TV so I really don't need the Ouya because the Nexus with my Moga Pro controller will get the same satisfaction minus any Ouya specific games and I think I could live without that.

It's good to hear mayflash is solid. I'm considering that piece from them, but they also have a WiiU Controller Pro/PS3 controller bluetooth/usb box you can jack in and use those controllers on a computer and that maybe worth my time too.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Satoshi, do you know of an adapter that will work on the ouya to use Atari controllers? Specifically I'd like to hook up my paddles since any game relying on analog paddle movement such as warlords or circus atari is almost impossible to play with a digital controller like the ouya controller.

I'm not that hardcore into Atari gaming (if I want to play Atari, I'll just use my Gemini) but this is probably what you're looking for if you want to use paddle controllers on your Ouya:
http://home.comcast.net/~tjhafner/2600-daptor.htm




Satoshi my reasons for Googleplay are just one and it's simple. I don't want to pay for the same game or app twice. I 'own' a version of android on my nexus 7 2nd gen and games tied to it, and Ouya is Android too and I'd like to use my licenses there too so I'd need google play.

I've never bought anything through the google playstore, so I honestly don't know how that would work. Everything I've ever checked out from googleplay was free.

What games do you have that you want to transfer from google play to Ouya? Sideloaded games like that would show up in the builds section, not be integrated with the Ouya games.


I have no skill or experience in software modding stuff so that's why I was touchy about it. I ordered a $15 cable to use my tablet on my TV so I really don't need the Ouya because the Nexus with my Moga Pro controller will get the same satisfaction minus any Ouya specific games and I think I could live without that.

Sure, if that suits your needs more, then you don't need an Ouya. but personally, I'd rather have a console than use a tablet, use the Ouya controller over the Moga (my best friend has one, and man is that d-pad stiff!) and I guess that I like the very concept of the Ouya being a small company's product that stands up in defiance to everything modern console games stands for with it's predominantly 2D based indie games and not the multi-million dollar blockbuster FPS titles on the other consoles.

[Atarileaf]

I'm not that hardcore into Atari gaming (if I want to play Atari, I'll just use my Gemini) but this is probably what you're looking for if you want to use paddle controllers on your Ouya:
http://home.comcast.net/~tjhafner/2600-daptor.htm



Thanks, I knew of this and am leaning toward getting one but am unsure of its Ouya compatibility. I asked on Atariage and no one responded. I suppose it'll be a leap of faith.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Even if it doesn't work, the great thing about the ouya is that it's open source stuff so you can contact the author of the 2600 programmer asking about that and request he add in a fix for that. I've done that with some past ouya devs and they've been super great about getting back to me and implementing the fixes I request as they're small and can be done in a matter of minutes in most cases.

[Tanooki]

I get your argument about supporting the little fish, but the roadblocks stop me not having much money I dont see it a plus. Having to rebuy some games, I dont have a lot but I have some and most I bought with sales so its a pile of $1-5 stuff I dont want to pay twice for. And then you have the $100 vs the $10 cable to get the same thing. The Moga Pro conotroller I have isnt stiff on the dpad or analog so its very comfy. If it wouldnt come down to jailbreaking the ouya to use my stuff Id be over putting money towards one, but right now the cable suits me. Between it and the moga i luckedinto new at a flea market for $10 its the best solution.

I do stick to my avoiding to rebuy thing just because I still dont have pinball arcade which I had invested $50into and it ticks me off I cant transfer the apple license to android as its the same thing and the same price.

Surprise surprise, the cable that should have been here Wednesday arrived today! Came from about a 45min drive away in Lexington. Damn it's amazing how well it casts an image of my tablet to my TV as it's so clean. I was doing a little Terraria on the TV along with Out There and a few others and it's just plain sharp. Now i"m really wishing I had Pinball Arcade again. :\ I may just have to cave and pay up for the $30 season passes to get my stuff back but it stings having paid about that much already on Apple which I'll never see again. :(

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Hey, I'm not knocking ya. If that works for you, then great.

I'm just saying personally that's not the choice I would make.

I am being completely honest when I say there isn't a single day that goes by that I regret buying an Ouya. It's one of the best purchases I've ever made. I get as much use out of it as my PS3, and considering the library on the PS3....that's saying something.

[YoshiM]

I am being completely honest when I say there isn't a single day that goes by that I regret buying an Ouya. It's one of the best purchases I've ever made. I get as much use out of it as my PS3, and considering the library on the PS3....that's saying something.

Statements like this make me want to give that little box a chance.

[stardust4ever]

Statements like this make me want to give that little box a chance.Do it.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Statements like this make me want to give that little box a chance.

Well why not right? The barrier to entry is pretty low at $100, and even if you really don't like it, you can very likely recoup most of your money selling a like-new Ouya on the secondary market. If it were like, $300 or something, I think the situation would be very different, but really, all the people that I've ever spoken to that hate on the Ouya are people that have never owned one.

[Atarileaf]

Ouya's probably my favorite console purchase in a very long time. It gets more play than my PS3 at this point and I love my PS3. Great games, fantastic emulation, and XBMC, 1080p, all in a tiny box for $100. I would think this would be a no brainer purchase for the average gamer and collector.

PS - No, I don't get paid by the folks at ouya, just really like their product.

[Tanooki]

The only regret I think the Ouya would give me is what I stated, and for a supposedly open box it takes some good hoops to run through having to hack it to get google play on there just to use what I paid for, that's why I went with the cable. I've got $75 in Amazon credit I have no idea what to do with I could have used on it next time it went on sale.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

You know, after you asking about the Google Play Store, I looked up on how to get it on the Ouya, and just like everything else you can do on the Ouya...the process is dead simple. I'm not exaggerating - a child could do it. I installed the google play store on my Ouya within minutes, going from a standpoint of having no idea how to do it. and beleive me, I'm not some genius when it comes to this kind of stuff. It really is as straightforward as it can get.

Wanna know how to root an Ouya? Download a .apk file called RootMyOuya and put it on the root directory of your Ouya.
Wanna know how to do that? Turn your Ouya on, and plug a micro USB cable into it. If you have a PC, the pc will auto-detect it as a mass storage device. Open the folder called OUYA and that's the main directory. Drag and drop the RootMyOuya apk there. [If you have a mac, you just need one extra step, and that's to download and install a very simple program called Android File Transfer.] Or, you can put that apk on a USB thumb stick and then plug that into the back of your Ouya and then navigate to it.

Once the RootMyOuya apk is on the root directory of your Ouya, unplug the micro USB cable, grab the Ouya controller and navigate your Ouya through the four GIANT icons to MAKE. Click on BUILDS and you'll see an icon that says RootMyOuya. Launch it.
Wanna know how to activate it? Well, RootMyOuya has a single, novelty sized clickable button that any cartoon villain would be proud to press that says "Root My Ouya". Click on that button and guess what happens? Your Ouya is now rooted.

If you can download an apk from the internet on your computer, transfer it to your Ouya, navigate to the MAKE/BUILDS section, launch the app and click a giant glowing blue button, then the rest of the procedure to install google play is literally child's play.

If you like I can even walk you through the rest of the procedure.

[stardust4ever]

I've got $75 in Amazon credit I have no idea what to do withThere's a ton of stuff I could buy with a $75 Amazon credit. $25 more bucks buys you an Ouya. \\^_^/

http://www.amazon.com/

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Yeah, if you're American, there's really no reason not to do it. As a Canadian it was considerably more difficult and expensive.

[YoshiM]

Well why not right? The barrier to entry is pretty low at $100, and even if you really don't like it, you can very likely recoup most of your money selling a like-new Ouya on the secondary market. If it were like, $300 or something, I think the situation would be very different, but really, all the people that I've ever spoken to that hate on the Ouya are people that have never owned one.

I forgot to mention I do have one as I got it as part of the Kickstarter. I was disappointed by the controller as it would lose signal and act funky on top of the whole sticky button and plate issue and the games at the time just didn't grab me like I hoped. The most I used it for was "Just Rain" to help my daughter fall asleep on the couch when she was sick. So I boxed it until digital rainfall was needed again.

It's good to read positives from people who don't seem like they are Ouya zealots. And it's easy to get swept up in the negativity when one already has issues with the product.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I totally understand how you feel. The Ouya laugh was rough.

You had people who had donated through kickstarter getting their consoles after several months of delays, and even the early access kickstarter version of the Ouya was inferior to the retail release!

The Ouya launch titles were hit-and-miss, with some truly terrible ports of games that should've been good, like Giana Sisters, ported for the excellent Giana Sisters DS. On Ouya though, Giana Sisters managed to have both visual and audio glitches and replaced all the beautiful sprites with ugly flash animation drawn characters.

And yeah, it took a good while for the Ouya's library to grow into something respectable.

HOWEVER, this is all in the past. Firmware revisions that fix basically everything that was wrong about the Ouya at launch and several quality games being released every week have turned the tables back in the Ouya's favor.

When I first bought my Ouya, I had very little interest in playing the games. It was all about the emulators. But now, there's just so much awesome stuff on Ouya that actually the emulators are the sideshow to the main attraction which are the neo-retro games.

If you own an Ouya, boot it up, update the firmware, browse the Discover Store. There's now a lot of great stuff on Ouya.

[stardust4ever]

I forgot to mention I do have one as I got it as part of the Kickstarter. I was disappointed by the controller as it would lose signal and act funky on top of the whole sticky button and plate issue and the games at the time just didn't grab me like I hoped. The most I used it for was "Just Rain" to help my daughter fall asleep on the couch when she was sick. So I boxed it until digital rainfall was needed again.

It's good to read positives from people who don't seem like they are Ouya zealots. And it's easy to get swept up in the negativity when one already has issues with the product.I can relate a bit to that. I bought my Ouya pre-launch from a Kickstarter backer who was underwhelmed and disappointed. I had mixed feelings at first. Ouya was awesome, but certain aspects of it sucked at the same time.

My controller had a design flaw where the analog triggers reset their position whenever I pressed a face button. Face buttons and triggers would get stuck. I modded the controller with a Drumel drill to fix the mechanical issues. There were also severe lag issues and signal drops. I ultimately determined that the aluminum case acted as a Faraday cage, blocking the signal. I bought a retail controller at launch that did not exhibit the sticky triggers/buttons.

For the case, I had a custom acrylic case made to increase airflow and allow the wifi/bluetooth an unobstructed signal. My Ouya was now able to get a reliable connection to the router in the next room. I started using a spare PS3 controller with my Ouya, which still gets a better lag-free signal compared to the retail controller I bought at launch. I still use the Ouya controllers to run software that won't work with PS3.

Every couple months an update pops up that makes the Ouya more awesome. Either way, I am glad to have seen this little fun box succeed and become what it is today. I hope you give it another try. I'll be first in line with the 2nd generation Ouya comes out! ;)

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I've never had any problem with the standard faceplates. I like that it's metal and cool to the touch. That said, I'd love to see your modded controller to get a better idea what you're talking about.

Also, until there's any news at all about the Retron5, this is now officialy the Ouya thread. ^^;

[Tanooki]

I can't tell and maybe it's because it's late if you're trying to be rude and condescending or not, but I'm sure it really is as easy as you said, but no I've never rooted anything ever on any device nor have I hacked any console to do anything 'interesting' too. I am from the US, but I'm not sure why being Canadian would be a bad thing on Amazon with $75 in credit.

At this rate as I said, I got that cable and can pop my tablet into the TV which kind of solved the problem. Beyond that I'd really have to dig into the nature of the Ouya to see if I'd find enough utility in it personally between its unique games that don't leave it, other apps too, and perhaps that XMBC media center setup as it could make for a nice MP3 player I suppose.


So you root the Ouya with those steps, then what's it take to fire up Google Play? Is there a rooted app for it, and then you just have it dump the games to the Ouya? Like I said it's not off the table, but I'd just need to go dig some more now that I have that tablet cable. I could definitely see since the controller supposedly sucks(whatever) using the Wii U Pro, PS3 or even the moga pro if that will work right(read conflicting stories.)

[stardust4ever]

Posted in wrong thread. Moved.
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?168131-Official-Super-Retro-Trio-Review-amp-Preorder-Thread&p=2000213&viewfull=1#post2000213

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I can't tell and maybe it's because it's late if you're trying to be rude and condescending or not, but I'm sure it really is as easy as you said, but no I've never rooted anything ever on any device nor have I hacked any console to do anything 'interesting' too.

I wasn't trying to sound rude at all. Please don't take it that way. I'm trying to reassure you that rooting an Ouya is anything but complicated or difficult. It is really, really easy. Even softmodding an Xbox (which people commonly say is easy) is difficult compared to the process of rooting an Ouya. Literally, all you do is download a file from the internet, put it on the Ouya, launch it on the Ouya, and then click the giant blue button that essentially says "click here to root your Ouya".



I am from the US, but I'm not sure why being Canadian would be a bad thing on Amazon with $75 in credit.

I brought up the fact that I'm Canadian as a major hurtle because 99% of all Amazon sellers will not ship to Canada. At all. And Amazon.ca has 1/100th the selection of Amazon.com. Hey look the Ouya came out. Can I buy it on Amazon.ca? Of course not! It's not available. Hey look the Retron5 is coming out. Can I preorder it on Amazon.ca? What, are you kidding? Hey look a textbook I need for school. I'll just buy that on Amazon and...have to wait literally four months for delivery. As an Canadian, Amazon is a terrible place to shop. So to get an Ouya, I had to buy one from ebay and pay a heafty import fee that ended up bringing the overall price to $165. Even so, it was money well spent. I love my Ouya.



So you root the Ouya with those steps, then what's it take to fire up Google Play? Is there a rooted app for it, and then you just have it dump the games to the Ouya? Like I said it's not off the table, but I'd just need to go dig some more now that I have that tablet cable. I could definitely see since the controller supposedly sucks(whatever) using the Wii U Pro, PS3 or even the moga pro if that will work right(read conflicting stories.)

Exactly right. Once your Ouya is rooted, you download an installer, which puts the Google Play Store as a sideloaded app. This isn't complicated or difficult either. You click and access it on the Ouya just as you could your tablet or anything else. You can download directly from the Play Store to the Ouya and then the games or apps you download through the Play Store automatically get added to the sideloaded apps list in the MAKE/BUILDS section. Not everything on the Play Store works with the Ouya, but most apps do.

The controller does not suck. Not the current one. The kickstarter one does yes. But here's the great thing about the Ouya - even if you do hate the controller, you don't have to use it for the majority of games. Most things also support the PS3 controller, Xbox 360 conrtroller, or pretty much anything else that's either USB or Bluetooth.


[my video content]
Please delete this. I'll share this on my own, thank you very much, and not in this thread. This content belongs on page 3 of the Super Retro Trio thread, but page 3 hasn't rolled over yet. When it does, I'll post. For now, please delete these links.


it seems strange that Retrobit did not at least have a toggle switch to disable the NTSC CIC and allow most PAL games at least the opportunity to boot.

You don't understand. They couldn't have done that. The PAL SNES uses a TX0003812530 CIC, which is completely different from the TX0003812529 required to run NTSC games. These cannot be swapped, these cannot be disabled. Disabling them would render the system bricked. The PAL SNES market is a small one, so just like Yobo and Hyperkin, it's also unlikely that Retro-Bit will make a PAL version of the Super Retro Trio, although they could.

[stardust4ever]

Please delete this. I'll share this on my own, thank you very much, and not in this thread. This content belongs on page 3 of the Super Retro Trio thread, but page 3 hasn't rolled over yet. When it does, I'll post. For now, please delete these links.Sh**, posted this in the wrong damn thread. Moving over. Page 3 is still a virgin. Take her now before it's too late! :snuggle:




You don't understand. They couldn't have done that. The PAL SNES uses a TX0003812530 CIC, which is completely different from the TX0003812529 required to run NTSC games. These cannot be swapped, these cannot be disabled. Disabling them would render the system bricked. The PAL SNES market is a small one, so just like Yobo and Hyperkin, it's also unlikely that Retro-Bit will make a PAL version of the Super Retro Trio, although they could.Funny how "region free" clones run 98% of NTSC and Jap games, and many PAL games. Retrobit added the CIC technology so that it can run the remaining 2% (SA-1 games) but completely disable 100% of PAL titles as well as many bootlegs. There are mods to disable the lockout on an NTSC or PAL SNES, but it's complicated. Still, there's no reason Retrobit couldn't have built in some sort of CIC bypass.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Funny how "region free" clones run 98% of NTSC and Jap games, and many PAL games. Retrobit added the CIC technology so that it can run the remaining 2% (SA-1 games) but completely disable 100% of PAL titles as well as many bootlegs. There are mods to disable the lockout on an NTSC or PAL SNES, but it's complicated. Still, there's no reason Retrobit couldn't have built in some sort of CIC bypass.

Gahh man its so frustrating when you say dumb things.

A. There is no such thing as a "region free" Super Famiclone. You either have an NTSC clone, or a PAL clone.
B. The PIC microcontroller Retro-Bit uses only bypasses the CIC check SA-1 games do to thwart floppy diskette copy devices of the late 90's. It's not actually a region checker.
C. The SRT like other clones will play PAL SNES games - up unto the 1993 cutoff. PAL games after Super Mario All-Stars won't work on NTSC hardware, and vise versa.
D. Most unlicensed Hong Kong originals (what you call 'bootlegs') are PAL, but they do indeed work on NTSC hardware.
E. Yes, there IS a reason they didn't make a CIC bypass - it can't be done in any existing clone because a clone cannot have both a TX0003812530 and a TX0003812529. Also, once again, PAL support is not important to Retro-Bit or any other clone maker because the region produced very few exclusive games and the PAL market is much, much smaller than the NTSC one.

[Tanooki]

Well if I end up with one which is possible, thinking may wait out E3 if they have an Ouya2 coming a few months later with more power to it and then decide to cash in on an cheaper old one or the new. If I do I'll go digging for the google play ouya app so it can fire up the store. I'm aware that not everything works, but most things will, it just depends on what. I'd bet a few of my touch only games would hate the thing even if the controller has that panel like Galaxy Legend and Out There. I've never looked much into the Ouya controller beyond a mix of the bitching about the kickstarter and the launch controller still having delay input problems screwing up gameplay and everyone howling how the PS3 pad was better.

[Drclaw411]

Shouldn't be long now before mom&pop shops start getting them.

http://hyperkin.com/retro/retron-5.html

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Well if I end up with one which is possible, thinking may wait out E3 if they have an Ouya2 coming a few months later with more power to it and then decide to cash in on an cheaper old one or the new. If I do I'll go digging for the google play ouya app so it can fire up the store. I'm aware that not everything works, but most things will, it just depends on what. I'd bet a few of my touch only games would hate the thing even if the controller has that panel like Galaxy Legend and Out There. I've never looked much into the Ouya controller beyond a mix of the bitching about the kickstarter and the launch controller still having delay input problems screwing up gameplay and everyone howling how the PS3 pad was better.

Yeah, that's a good idea. Wait a few more weeks and let's hear from Ouya at E3. If you do decide to pick up an Ouya, send me an email and I'll help you get google play set up on it.

[stardust4ever]

Gahh man its so frustrating when you say dumb things.
You said so yourself, "All PAL games will not work", in your video. I repeat what you said in your video and you call me "dumb". I assumed this statement also included the pre-1993 games that check the hardware refresh rate / CPU timings and display an error message on NTSC hardware. Now you have changed your story and admit that PAL games released before SMAS will run on the Trio, and the CIC lockout is only activated when an SA-1 chipped game is detected. Make up your dang mind or add annotations to your SNES video to correct this error. :confused:

Yes, it would be possible to disable the region lockout with a toggle switch. Mods exist to do this on real hardware so I assume it can be done on clones as well, although it is a bit more complex than the NES region mod (cut pin #4 on the lockout and forget).

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Wrong again. At no point did I say that "All PAL games will not work".

What I actually said:

"Now, the first thing I should note is that this system [the SNES portion] is region locked. It is NTSC, so if you live in a PAL country, you're not going to be able to play the majority of your PAL games. …PAL games simply won't work on this, for the most part."

This cuts off PAL games made from 1993-1999. Prior to that, PAL games will run, although with visual glitches.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Getting back on topic for once, Hyperkin has released one of those dreaded unboxing videos, but turns out we get some pretty cool new info here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5mSm7h3wyo

Here's what's new that Hyperkin hasn't revealed before:

-Retron5 controller is pre-charged when shipped.
-RetroN5 controller microswitches are loud, at least as loud as a Neo-Geo CD controller.
-RetroN5 controller has a battery life of 5-6 hours on a full charge. (personally, that sounds really, really low, considering other bluetooth controllers such as the PS3 controller lasts around 40 hours on a full charge! Hyperkin must be using a tiny battery. I'll have to see what would be involved in upgrading it to something with a higher capacity)
-Includes an HDMi cable, USB charge cable for the controller
-AC adapter includes variable heads for all regions - NTSC, UK, Europe
-The system has a boot-up splash screen. Moreover, it doesn't appear to be a super annoying one.
-The power button is a two state switch and not a push button like the NES-001.

[stardust4ever]

Nice writeup Satoshi! :) (let's put past disagreements behind us, 'kay?)

Some thoughts on the video review; I could hear the clickies as he rotated the digital thumbstick around. That doesn't bother me provided the force required to activate the switches is light enough. The clickiness don't bother me, as I am a fan of microswitch joysticks/buttons. I find the responce more tactile than mushy buttons, since you get instant feedback when the switch is actuated, something not possible with traditional gamepads like NES. And those are good btw. I predict the Hyperkin gamepad will be awesome in my large man hands. The squareness of the original NES pad never bothered me, and it appears the larger and more ergonomic pad will be comfortable... for me. Obviously some will hate it, but those people still have the option to use original game pads.

I'm a little disappointed that the Hyperkin guy did not insert a game, and someone on NA thought it was arrogant of Hyperkin to do their own unboxing, but with all the endless delays, it was necessary to instill confidence in buyers.

Retron5 is done; the final revision is here, and units will begin shipping out shortly.

Between my Super Retro Trio and the Retron5, I've got two of the best clones ever made, and better things are surely to come. Add the upcoming RetroUSB HDMI NES to the mix, and my pentultimate collection of SD and HD clones will be complete... Until someone releases a high definition HDMI N64! Or a highly compatible 2600/7800 clone with an A/V or HD output that doesn't look and sound like total ass... :p

[Satoshi_Matrix]

http://retroactive.be/tech_n64_hdmi.php

[stardust4ever]

http://retroactive.be/tech_n64_hdmi.phpWhile I'm sure the retroactive HDMI mod will have nicer than stock video output, it's still just a fancy 480p line doubler. I remember playing Mario 64 in 1600x1200 HD resolution on my circa 1999 PC. It was breathtaking and I could see every brick in Peach's Castle! N64 games can be really beautiful when rendered natively in HD. As it stands, the retroactive HDMI mod is still technically line-doubled 240p at native resolution; as such the display will be inferior even to the native 480p Wii-U Virtual Console. I may still give the HDMI modded N64 a try pending review if it isn't stupid expensive.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Are you kidding me? Of course I'll be pricy. it's a niche item that will be produced in a very limited quantity.

[stardust4ever]

Finally a real down-to-earth Retron5 review that everyone can appreciate! ROFL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrswqZaOs7w

[Zap!]

^^^ That was hysterical, I just put it on my classic gaming Page (https://www.facebook.com/zapclassicvideogaming). :)

[Manhattan Sports Club]

From what I've read about this product, it looks like another sham from Hyperkin. The built in OS-based emulation was long awaited in the clone market, but from my experience with the company, they should be avoided as much as possible. Cheaply made, often defective shit that has a mildew scent. I have a chinese famiclone that plays games significantly better than the RetroN 1, which is a joke. What shocks me most of all is the $500 price tag that some ignorant people will actually pay. The only portion I'm interested in is the NES/Famicom portion because I don't have any official NES hardware at the moment. Thankfully, I will be investing in the RetroZone HDMI NES that is coming out soon. I'm looking forward to that one because it promises FPGA hardware-accurate compatibility and is not some cheap mass-produced clone. It will even support FC and NES cartridges. If I had anything good to say about Hyperkin, it would simply be that the N64 AC adapter by them which I bought is doing it's job.

[Zap!]

From what I've read about this product, it looks like another sham from Hyperkin. The built in OS-based emulation was long awaited in the clone market, but from my experience with the company, they should be avoided as much as possible. Cheaply made, often defective shit that has a mildew scent. I have a chinese famiclone that plays games significantly better than the RetroN 1, which is a joke. What shocks me most of all is the $500 price tag that some ignorant people will actually pay. The only portion I'm interested in is the NES/Famicom portion because I don't have any official NES hardware at the moment. Thankfully, I will be investing in the RetroZone HDMI NES that is coming out soon. I'm looking forward to that one because it promises FPGA hardware-accurate compatibility and is not some cheap mass-produced clone. It will even support FC and NES cartridges. If I had anything good to say about Hyperkin, it would simply be that the N64 AC adapter by them which I bought is doing it's job.

Yeah, $500 would be crazy. The Retron 5 should be in the $130 range, but I have it on lock for $99 from Amazon. The biggest advantage I see is that it plays multiple systems so you don't have to have so many out, and the HDMI port. I agree it's not for everyone. It's for me though, and I can't wait until it arrives.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Finally a real down-to-earth Retron5 review that everyone can appreciate! ROFL

>that video
>> my face
http://willows95988.typepad.com/tongue_cheek/images/2007/03/27/dollhead3.jpg



From what I've read about this product, it looks like another sham from Hyperkin. The built in OS-based emulation was long awaited in the clone market, but from my experience with the company, they should be avoided as much as possible. Cheaply made, often defective shit that has a mildew scent. I have a chinese famiclone that plays games significantly better than the RetroN 1, which is a joke. What shocks me most of all is the $500 price tag that some ignorant people will actually pay. The only portion I'm interested in is the NES/Famicom portion because I don't have any official NES hardware at the moment. Thankfully, I will be investing in the RetroZone HDMI NES that is coming out soon. I'm looking forward to that one because it promises FPGA hardware-accurate compatibility and is not some cheap mass-produced clone. It will even support FC and NES cartridges. If I had anything good to say about Hyperkin, it would simply be that the N64 AC adapter by them which I bought is doing it's job.

Man I love it when people make shit up.

>The Retron5 is delayed! Therefore, it must be vaporware! It's a sham! My life is a lieeeeeeee!!1111
>Operating system based emulation - ...What?
>RetroN1 - is the same Famiclone as the Retro Entertainment System by Retro-Bit, is the same Famiclone as the Yobo FC Game Console, is the same as the Innovation Neo-Fami. OMG HYPERKIN IS TO BLAME FOR THIS BUDGET FAMICLONE!!!11111
>Famiclones made of plastic smell like MILDEW - lolwut I don't even know what to say to such an absurd statement. PCB plastic = mildew ladies and gentlemen!
>$500 price tag - wow. You really are digging into the depths of your butt to pull of these statements!
>HDMI NES - this will be FPGA based, which is another way of doing a NOAC. See: not what Hyperkin is doing with the Retron5.


Listen.

Hyperkin isn't the greatest clone maker by a long shot, but your criticism there are either wrong, so stupid it's hard to take you seriously, or both. I agree the HDMI NES shows a lot of promise and I'm looking forward to that as well, but Hyperkin's going with Android based emulation here. Likely emulators based of FCEUX, which is hardware accurate. It's Retro-Bit who continues to use NOACs, and lazily as well. They have made better NOACs in the past yet their newest clone uses the same old NOAC from at least two years ago.

[Tanooki]

Satoshi I know you're banned at NA, but there's a parallel Retron5 thread over there that probably would piss you off into a fury. You got Guntz and oddballz along with pegboy over there hammering the hell out of the thing much like that post that set you off there. Lie after lie, misconceptions, misdirections, twisting facts. Refusing to listen to anyone who just wants to wait on real reviews to those already sold on the features. Ultimately they're acting like white southern trash racist rednecks of the 60s basically because they feel hardware should use hardware, software should use software. Retron5 is unwelcome much like a mixed race baby would be in Birmingham Alabama around 1965 if you know what I mean. :D Seemingly system on a chip is perfection and that anything emulation is a fraud, fake, phony and will never be right or even right enough to be allowed to be tolerated and shouldn't be allowed to sully a cartridge. It's getting on my nerves because it just goes in circles one lie after the next.

Hell I maybe on the same page as them in less than 30 days, whenever these damn real reviews show up and not hand picked brainless plugs to help sell the machinery. So it seems the retron5 to a few is evil incarnate because it's an emulator lying to people that it's hardware, lying that it's playing the actual cartridge, and lying because it never will be 100% perfect to true original or totally accurately cloned hardware and should be stomped out for it.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I don't need to read any specific threads to know that NA is filled to the brim with idiots from many of the active users right through to literally every single one of the mods. This is the same shit I had to deal with years ago when I dared to defend NOAC clones like the RetroDuo as better options than aging original hardware, or that there's nothing at all wrong about repros of super expensive NES games like Little Samson.

Speaking from personal experience, each one of their mods are beyond useless. I feel like the mods are nothing more than corrupt police officers who not only ignore the law, but only enforce parts of it they personally want to.

That's why I've stopped posting there and have been completely inactive there for at least the past six months. The fact that I'm apparently now "banned" there is hilarious to me as I've done nothing to warrant that - hell I don't even log on, much less post anything. Just think about how that works.

Maybe NA has a "ban inactive users" policy? That would make as much sense as everything else going on there. I have literally no idea who I'm "banned" there, and I frankly do not care. NA is a terrible community filled with elitist idiots.

What was it that you said? NA people who "refuse to listen to reason and ultimately act like white southern trash racist rednecks of the 60s"?

YUP. That about sums up my experience over the years I actively posted on NA. See the thing is, normally, I would fiercely stood up for my rights that I was unfairly treated on NA, but that's such a cesspool of a forum, I literally just gave up and stopped posting. And was then banned for it. What does that say about NA?

[JSoup]

You know, it's strange.
I sort of get the impression that a bunch of people around here don't like NintendoAge.
I'm not sure why I get that impression, but there it is.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I can't speak for others, but in my case, my hatred for NA stems from a cascading series of negative experiences that ultimately resulting in me giving up on the entire forum.

[feel free to skip this post if you don't care about my history and why I hate NA so much]

On no other forum -gaming or otherwise- have I encountered such an elitist crowd, but what really makes it worse is that the mods are no better. On more than one occasion, I had an absolutely terrible experience with their mods. I think that if ranked, they'd get a effectiveness rating of 0/10.

First, it was minor things, like me posting my videos and written content there and relentlessly being attacked for daring to have opinions that different from the elitist crowd over at NA, namely that NOAC clones were a viable and sensible alternative to aging NES hardware, and that repros of commercial NES games, especially ones that were considered "holy grails" should be acceptable and allowed to be bought and sold everywhere, including ebay and forums. Then, I was issued a 'warning' that my continued 'promotion of piracy' would result in a suspension. I explained to the mods that I'm not promoting anything, merely expressing an opinion that even if repro sales potentially did eat away at the value of the originals, then that was a good thing rather than something to be feared. Guess what? For explaining my views, I was suspended for a week. Hurray for freedom of speech!

Later, a guy commissioned me to work on an modded xbox for him. Even before he paid, I told him there would be a delay due to my best friend's wedding where I was both the best man and the wedding planner. I told him this well in advance. It was no sudden thing. Then the guy reported me to NA's damn nazi admins.

As a result of that, I was accused and sentenced to their "hall of shame" in one swift stroke without contacting me or asking me for my side of the story. I was pretty outraged. The reasons listed were that was a "chronic excuse maker blaming delays on weddings". I sent all of their mods long written angry messages explaining why that was complete bullshit, and in fact was giving the guy free extra work for the extra time.

After doing all of this, I finally got back a favorable reply and was promised that the mark would be temporary, and once things were sorted out (which they were in very short order) the mark would be removed. Turns out that was a giant lie, and their ridiculous, false reasons for listing me in their hall of shame became a permanent blemish that still negatively effects me. The NA mods are nothing short of ineffective bastards. NA makes things incredibly one sided.

So after that, I said to hell with NA and stopped posting there, or even logging in. Now apparently I'm banned there, which to me is the greatest ironic joke in the world since meanwhile, I'm well known and liked on many forums. Good riddance NA. I don't miss you one little bit.

[stardust4ever]

Satoshi, I feel for you man. I reposted your SRT vids in the NA thread and they replied back not to pay any attention and that you were a scammer. For a long time not all HOS members were banned from posting, and not all banned members were HOS material. They recently updated their system replacing all banned members avatars with a generic "banned" avatar, and possibly may have retroactively banned all former HOS entries. I believe once you get on their shitlist, it's impossible to restore your reputation. Despite our differences, your blog has been invaluable to me and you seem to know your stuff and can't be all that bad.

[Manhattan Sports Club]

Man I love it when people make shit up.

>The Retron5 is delayed! Therefore, it must be vaporware! It's a sham! My life is a lieeeeeeee!!1111
>Operating system based emulation - ...What?
>RetroN1 - is the same Famiclone as the Retro Entertainment System by Retro-Bit, is the same Famiclone as the Yobo FC Game Console, is the same as the Innovation Neo-Fami. OMG HYPERKIN IS TO BLAME FOR THIS BUDGET FAMICLONE!!!11111
>Famiclones made of plastic smell like MILDEW - lolwut I don't even know what to say to such an absurd statement. PCB plastic = mildew ladies and gentlemen!
>$500 price tag - wow. You really are digging into the depths of your butt to pull of these statements!
>HDMI NES - this will be FPGA based, which is another way of doing a NOAC. See: not what Hyperkin is doing with the Retron5.

Listen.

Hyperkin isn't the greatest clone maker by a long shot, but your criticism there are either wrong, so stupid it's hard to take you seriously, or both. I agree the HDMI NES shows a lot of promise and I'm looking forward to that as well, but Hyperkin's going with Android based emulation here. Likely emulators based of FCEUX, which is hardware accurate. It's Retro-Bit who continues to use NOACs, and lazily as well. They have made better NOACs in the past yet their newest clone uses the same old NOAC from at least two years ago.

Don't take what I say too seriously, I am far from stupid, and if I were to take what you said seriously I would say you were eager to exact revenge without any further evaluation to consider the other possible understandings that would potentially clarify my somewhat vague post. However, this is not the case. My exaggerated comments here fall in line with my rather hyperbolic/tongue-in-cheek humor to entertain readers. ;)

But on a semi-serious note:
-My comments had nothing to do with it being delayed, that's not what I was alluding to.
-In terms of OS based emulation, I meant that it was based on software on the machine rather than the generic NOAC method they were using in the past.
-I am well aware that Hyperkin's Retron1 is the same as the others, but I call them out by name since the subject is, of course, about Hyperkin.
-Maybe not quite mildew, maybe more like bleach, or some other funny smell.
-A few places are indeed selling it new for about $400-$500. Must be the pre-release models.
-From what I understand FPGAs are considered more reliable as they are more expansive.

[Tanooki]

That's why I've stopped posting there and have been completely inactive there for at least the past six months. The fact that I'm apparently now "banned" there is hilarious to me as I've done nothing to warrant that - hell I don't even log on, much less post anything. Just think about how that works.

Maybe NA has a "ban inactive users" policy? That would make as much sense as everything else going on there. I have literally no idea who I'm "banned" there, and I frankly do not care. NA is a terrible community filled with elitist idiots.

What was it that you said? NA people who "refuse to listen to reason and ultimately act like white southern trash racist rednecks of the 60s"?


All I know is some thread(I think it was stardust mentioning you) had someone say you were banned for some scamming a member I think. I don't remember and I don't recall you ever being a crook either. They could have been wrong but I don't think they list as policy why they ban people at all short of overkill crooks ratted out in the hall of shame. Also I didn't peg everyone at NA as 60s like racist segregationsts, just guntz, pegboy and oddballz with their blind pure hatred of mix and match boxes because emulators and hardware shouldn't intermix. I put that out there on NA for shock value, but all the diatribes overshadowed it and no one noticed or commented but it is true. On the whole I like the site and enough people there, but you do have a strong supply of cranks and abusers who get away with shit and don't get the door for it. They do not have a ban inactive users policy that I've seen.

Satoshi I feel for ya on your reasons though. starting with your minor things part. I've seen many banned for not being pro-VGA, pro-collector over gamer with games and their packaging, it's just weird to me, but I just choose to ignore it to a point. I've been banned there too for being 'negative' the only mod there I'd really call unstable. I've gotten into arguments over their so called 'repros' since they're bootlegs and the hypocrisy of stealing games from PAL/JP regions to make warez, but not being allowed to do it of high end US titles either for our market or to another (like earthbound rechipped/shelled for PAL.) Come close to being booted over that and like for like restoration work on shells, stickers and manuals too. They even went as far as making it a warning, then ban offense for even discussing restoration stuff that matches originals closely or entirely.

That xbox issue I do remember now and that wasn't right. The problem I've noticed is that some other sites seem to use NA as a book to go by with little things, one being trust, much like an ebay or amazon rating, so I wouldn't be surprised if that black mark dogs you anywhere else someone may look for references which just isn't right.




Manhattan - FGPA is the way to go if you want something nicely done and accurate but they're expensive and get far more the more complex they are which is likely why these clone systems are dumping shoddy chinese crap on a chip setup for cheap android/arm boxes that can run an emulator, because the accuracy alternative would price them right off the market they need most, the casual people with memories.

[stardust4ever]

FPGAs are expensive, yes, but they seem to be the best option if one does the R&D to program a quality product. Brian Parker aka Bunnyboy of RetroUSB is releasing his HDMI NES soon. I'm not entirely sure how much the chips cost, but an FPGA is extremely versatile. Hyperkin could just as easily gone the FPGA route like what RetroUSB is doing, but throw in a few extra cart slots and some boot firmware to reprogram the FPGA, and the Retron5 could have used a single FPGA acting as SOAC to run 5 different consoles. Plug in a cart, and the system reprograms the FPGA to run that selected game. No emulation, and with updatable firmware via SD card, any existing bugs can be fixed. Given Hyperkin's mass market distribution, they could have gone FPGA and still held the price down to $139 and still throw in their BT wireless controller.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I believe once you get on their shitlist, it's impossible to restore your reputation
which has proven to be true, despite what their lying admin told me more than a year ago. Reason #4080 why I hate NA.

Anyway I really don't want to continue this NA bashing talk. My final word on the subject is that I was treated unfairly and as long as their community consists of elitists and corrupt admins, I wouldn't post there even if I could.





But on a semi-serious note:
-My comments had nothing to do with it being delayed, that's not what I was alluding to.
-In terms of OS based emulation, I meant that it was based on software on the machine rather than the generic NOAC method they were using in the past.
-I am well aware that Hyperkin's Retron1 is the same as the others, but I call them out by name since the subject is, of course, about Hyperkin.
-Maybe not quite mildew, maybe more like bleach, or some other funny smell.
-A few places are indeed selling it new for about $400-$500. Must be the pre-release models.
-From what I understand FPGAs are considered more reliable as they are more expansive.


-Then what were you alluding to?
-Yeah, it's software emulation. Operating System based emulation though does not really make sense. I mena, everything has an operating system.
-You admit that, but still singling out the generic nature of the Neo-Fami NOAC from 2005 and blaming Hyperkin for it is totally unfair to Hyperkin. They had nothing to do with its design, just the marketing of the one they sell.
-I know what you're talking about, and that's the smell of freshly molded PCB plastic. If you've ever worked with a 3D printer you'll have experienced a similar scent.
-Really? Can you link to such things? I'd love to read about that. That's funny to me.
-FPGAs are more expensive, but they aren't nessesarily better. It all has to do with the engineering. NOACs could be 100% accurate if the chinese designers bothered to make them so, and the task is more difficult than you might think. An FPGA NES is an interesting concept though, as that's firmware upgradable and has the potential to exceed the original hardware's specs as well adding more available RAM and making it kind of an NES 2 like some NOAC clones have done. If they wanted, RetroZone could in theory start a new homebrew line of NES 2 games. I could elaborate on this but this is purely theoretical.

[Manhattan Sports Club]

Satoshi, this one store on Amazon is taking pre-orders for $500, look at the guy selling one new:

http://www.amazon.com/Hyperkin-Inc-RetroN-Not-Machine-Specific/dp/B00DZIX3CQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400518884&sr=8-1&keywords=Retron+5

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Hm, I wonder what the situation there is.

Could be that price is an error, the seller is trying to sell one of the prototypes, or is just being incredibly greedy.

[stardust4ever]

Probably one of those DOA prototypes. That D-bag wannabe will take the money and run, run, run...

[JSoup]

I can't speak for others, but in my case, my hatred for NA stems from a cascading series of negative experiences that ultimately resulting in me giving up on the entire forum.

[feel free to skip this post if you don't care about my history and why I hate NA so much]

On no other forum -gaming or otherwise- have I encountered such an elitist crowd, but what really makes it worse is that the mods are no better. On more than one occasion, I had an absolutely terrible experience with their mods. I think that if ranked, they'd get a effectiveness rating of 0/10.

First, it was minor things, like me posting my videos and written content there and relentlessly being attacked for daring to have opinions that different from the elitist crowd over at NA, namely that NOAC clones were a viable and sensible alternative to aging NES hardware, and that repros of commercial NES games, especially ones that were considered "holy grails" should be acceptable and allowed to be bought and sold everywhere, including ebay and forums. Then, I was issued a 'warning' that my continued 'promotion of piracy' would result in a suspension. I explained to the mods that I'm not promoting anything, merely expressing an opinion that even if repro sales potentially did eat away at the value of the originals, then that was a good thing rather than something to be feared. Guess what? For explaining my views, I was suspended for a week. Hurray for freedom of speech!

Later, a guy commissioned me to work on an modded xbox for him. Even before he paid, I told him there would be a delay due to my best friend's wedding where I was both the best man and the wedding planner. I told him this well in advance. It was no sudden thing. Then the guy reported me to NA's damn nazi admins.

As a result of that, I was accused and sentenced to their "hall of shame" in one swift stroke without contacting me or asking me for my side of the story. I was pretty outraged. The reasons listed were that was a "chronic excuse maker blaming delays on weddings". I sent all of their mods long written angry messages explaining why that was complete bullshit, and in fact was giving the guy free extra work for the extra time.

After doing all of this, I finally got back a favorable reply and was promised that the mark would be temporary, and once things were sorted out (which they were in very short order) the mark would be removed. Turns out that was a giant lie, and their ridiculous, false reasons for listing me in their hall of shame became a permanent blemish that still negatively effects me. The NA mods are nothing short of ineffective bastards. NA makes things incredibly one sided.

So after that, I said to hell with NA and stopped posting there, or even logging in. Now apparently I'm banned there, which to me is the greatest ironic joke in the world since meanwhile, I'm well known and liked on many forums. Good riddance NA. I don't miss you one little bit.

Jesus.
My only issue if that a lot of the regulars will jump up your ass if you disagree with anything.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

NintendoAge - just like NeoGAF, but somehow worse!

[JSoup]

NintendoAge - just like NeoGAF, but somehow worse!

You know, I've only been using NeoGAF for a few months, but....yeah, that's a good way to put it. They have a problem with "What? You don't agree with the majority and can't explain why in at least six paragraphs that involves quantum physics? WELL FUCK YOU!".

[stardust4ever]

You know, I've only been using NeoGAF for a few months, but....yeah, that's a good way to put it. They have a problem with "What? You don't agree with the majority and can't explain why in at least six paragraphs that involves quantum physics? WELL FUCK YOU!".
Quantum Physics, LOL!

As more of a gamer than a collector, I do find myself the minority at Nintendoage, but there's some nice guys there too. I went to an awesome Christmas party in Plano last year. Ferris Beuler holds an awesome house party; everyone brought stuff to trade and sell so it was kind of like a mini swap meet. I'll admit that some of the inner circle can be pretty ugly sometimes though. I've often seen moderators engage in flame wars like it's some kind of sport. Of course, the other mods never call them out for it. That's dudebro acountability for you.

Another thing that's pretty shitty, every time a new female member posts a topic in the introduction forum, dozens of guys flock to the thread like magnets trying to figure out if she's genuine or just some über geek trolling the forum. The few ladies who sign up get scared off pretty quick. Also, the asshole who posted this assinine video needs to be castrated:

Okay can't find the video (hopefully it got deleted), but a couple years back a video posted to youtube where a dude holds up a sheet of paper that says "rule 21: No Vaginas Allowed!" referring to NintendoAge. wtf?

:bad-words:

[Tanooki]

You know, I've only been using NeoGAF for a few months, but....yeah, that's a good way to put it. They have a problem with "What? You don't agree with the majority and can't explain why in at least six paragraphs that involves quantum physics? WELL FUCK YOU!".

I mostly enjoy using NA as there are a lot of nice gamers there in the minority, but damn if that didn't actually make me laugh for real. :D It's true, if you don't align to a certain set of beliefs when it comes to various self inflicted hot topics like VGA, limited edition numbering runs of homebrew, bootle...I mean repros of stuff that isn't from the JP/PAL areas or US unreleased (ie: solid copies of US titles), wanting to restore a game with a new shell or new passable copied label, and a few other misc things you're asking to get textually burned at the stake. Some stuff got bad enough posts are now corralled into single threads to keep the bitching contained while other stuff is a warning or a straight up ban such as with copycat/restoration stuff. To think about two years ago and change, aside from the VGA part none of it happened and now it's hot button butthurt over stuff people should really not be taking that seriously at all.

I feel like the old fart of the bunch there because I did it all with games at least (not kiosks, nfrs, protos, displays, etc) by around 2002-3 with a couple thousand games and a few dozen systems/handhelds in all. I went though enjoying boxes and manuals back when they maybe if you were lucky added $5-10 to the total, nothing was pieced out, no one gave two shits about some non-accountable at all VGA(with no public criteria for grading), or penis contests of who can charge the most for some semi-common or obscure game as you see on ebay. I'm over it really, so unless the paper comes at a $5-10 premium I don't bother and i don't bother buying unless I will or do intend to play it anymore unless it's stupid cheap to flip so at this rate I can even afford my hobby anymore.

[Advanced]

NintendoAge - just like NeoGAF, but somehow worse!

Satoshi_Matrix was banned from Nintendo Age for being a known fraud, liar, and thief. You consistently delayed shipment of goods, failed to do so, and when questioned, spewed excuse after excuse. This happened for a lengthy amount of time, during which, you were given ample opportunity to redeem yourself. You chose not to, thus resulting in your permanent banishment from the site.

http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=7&threadid=114465

http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=6&threadid=94490

If your infamy follows you everywhere, then that is a good thing. Other members here and elsewhere should know to avoid dealings with you. The community does not need anymore scammers and thieves. You selected to cheat people, to perform transactions in duplicitous and shady manners, and the community as a whole should be aware of it.

Use the experience to mature and learn respectful honest behavior. No one trusts a liar, and you're going to find that life is a lot more difficult if you engage people using deceit, crookedness, and dishonesty.

[Atarileaf]

Jesus, mods need to clean up the useless drama bullshit in this thread.

[Leo_A]

Jesus, mods need to clean up the useless drama bullshit in this thread.

It's gotten so bad that I've had to use the ignore feature and doubled the size of my ignore list...

[Tanooki]

Removed by request, no need to feed the buzzards.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

This thread has gotten way off topic. This thread shouldn't have anything to do with anything other than Hyperkin and their long delayed RetroN5.

In the absence of a mod, can't we all just agree to only post Retron5 related content here?

[JSoup]

Jesus, mods need to clean up the useless drama bullshit in this thread.


It's gotten so bad that I've had to use the ignore feature and doubled the size of my ignore list...

Didn't...didn't we all already agree that this isn't that big of a deal and not something to get our panties in a bunch about? Calm down.....
Also, on a forum like this with hardly 20 active posters, I can't see how anyone could possibly have an ignore list more than two people long and still expect to see any posts.

[Zap!]

Back on topic, any new news on the Retron? :)

[Satoshi_Matrix]

nope.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1.0-9/1940026_537873139654405_4659935978477688114_n.jpg

[Atarileaf]

Didn't...didn't we all already agree that this isn't that big of a deal and not something to get our panties in a bunch about? Calm down.....
Also, on a forum like this with hardly 20 active posters, I can't see how anyone could possibly have an ignore list more than two people long and still expect to see any posts.

My response was to some NintendoAge member creating an account for the sole purpose of bashing another user.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Thanks, but like I was saying to Tanooki, it would be best to simply pay the troll no mind. I've already explained in full the situation there. Beyond that, do not feed the troll.

[Drclaw411]

Looks like it won't be long now. Hyperkin has a facebook of one of their guys standing in front of a big ass shipping crate full of retron 5 units.

[Stevemede]

Satoshi_Matrix was banned from Nintendo Age for being a known fraud, liar, and thief. You consistently delayed shipment of goods, failed to do so, and when questioned, spewed excuse after excuse. This happened for a lengthy amount of time, during which, you were given ample opportunity to redeem yourself. You chose not to, thus resulting in your permanent banishment from the site.

http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=7&threadid=114465

http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=6&threadid=94490

If your infamy follows you everywhere, then that is a good thing. Other members here and elsewhere should know to avoid dealings with you. The community does not need anymore scammers and thieves. You selected to cheat people, to perform transactions in duplicitous and shady manners, and the community as a whole should be aware of it.

Use the experience to mature and learn respectful honest behavior. No one trusts a liar, and you're going to find that life is a lot more difficult if you engage people using deceit, crookedness, and dishonesty.

Been lurking this thread cuz i'm interested in the Retron 5 and theres some good info on here. But a user I know was also scammed by Satoshi over at the Racketboy forums:

http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=584004#p584004

I dont know, but this guy seems kinda shady. I guess you have to watch who you do business with. anyways, i'm excited for the retron 5 so thats the important thing