RetroN explained

RetroN is a series of video game consoles created and developed by Hyperkin which allows users to play video games from consoles such as the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Super NES. Since the release of the RetroN 5, they have been connected via HDMI.[1] The latest in the series, RetroN Sq, was released in 2021.

Released

Note: The numbering in early RetroN models refers to the number of cartridge slots the system has, and not necessarily the order of release.

RetroN 3 (2010)

The was released in May 2010.[2] It supports Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Super NES (SNES) and Genesis games. It includes wireless controllers, as well as ports allowing for use of the original controllers released for each console. The RetroN 3 offers S-video or composite AV output. It retailed for $70, and came in two colors: red and black.[3] [4]

RetroN 3 HD, an updated version with HDMI output, was released on February 21, 2020.[5] [6]

RetroN 1 (2011)

The was released in January 2011, and only plays NES games.[7]

A re-release, known as both the RetroN 1 HD and RetroN HD, came out in 2017. It has HDMI output and a controller that more closely resembles that of the NES.[8] [9] IGN believed that Hyperkin released the RetroN HD in response to Nintendo's discontinuation of the NES Classic Edition. The console received a mostly positive review from GameSpot.[10]

RetroN 1 AV, an updated version with only composite video outputs, was released in early 2021.[11]

RetroN 2 (2012)

The was released in 2012, and plays NES and SNES games.[12] The RetroN 2 HD was shown at TooManyGames 2019,[13] and released soon after. It is an updated version with HDMI out.[14]

RetroN 5 (2014)

Originally planned as the, with four cartridge slots supporting NES, SNES, Genesis, and Game Boy/Game Boy Color/Game Boy Advance games.[15] [16] It was officially unveiled in March 2013 as the, with a fifth slot added for Famicom cartridges.[17] [18] [19] The RetroN 5 was released in 2014.[20]

The RetroN 5 received a mixed reception from critics. Huffington Post writer Michael Rundle gave the console a 4.5 out of 5 but wished it looked better and had the ability to play more consoles, such as the BBC Micro, Amiga, and Atari platforms.[21] Brian Easton of BoingBoing said the quality is good although it "requires more force to remove [the cartridges] than feels comfortable".[22]

The developers behind the RetroArch project claimed "the RetroN 5 violates several licenses". This was because the console used the Genesis Plus GX and SNES9x Next emulators to launch some games. Both of the emulators are filed under a non-commercial license, thus meaning they cannot be used in commercial products, such as the RetroN 5.[23]

Hyperkin released the first RetroN 5 special edition called Hyper Beach a few years later.

RetroN 77 (2017)

In 2017, Hyperkin announced the RetroN 77, a clone of the Atari 2600 video game console utilizing software emulation. Unlike recent clones in the Atari Flashback series, the RetroN 77 plays original cartridges as opposed to containing pre-installed games.[24] The console was expected to launch during the 2017 holiday season. The RetroN 77 comes with four pack in homebrew games; Astronomer,[25] Baby,[26] Muncher 77[27] and Nexion 3D.[28]

Supa RetroN HD (2018)

Following Nintendo's announcement of the Super NES Classic Edition, Hyperkin announced they were developing the Supa RetroN HD, a high-definition clone of the original SNES.[29] It was released on January 8, 2018.[30] Keeping in line with their previous RetroN consoles, the Supa RetroN HD supports original SNES cartridges rather than featuring built-in games.[31] [32]

Mega RetroN HD (2018)

A Sega Genesis clone console announced in January 2018,[33] [34] and released that October.[35] [36]

RetroN Sq (2021)

Announced in January 2020 as the RetroN Jr.,[37] it was renamed the RetroN Sq in December 2020,[38] and launched on March 25, 2021.[39] This console is designed to play Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games up to 720p on HDMI-compatible televisions through software emulation.[40] [41] Matthew Adler of IGN praised the console, rating it 8 out of 10.[42]

Upcoming

RetroN Ult

In June 2019, Hyperkin announced plans to release a Nintendo 64 clone system, which was shown at E3 that year.[43] [44] It is undecided if compatibility will be via emulation or hardware.[45]

RetroN DIY

Announced and shown at CES 2019, it purports to be a Do-it-Yourself kit, with a Raspberry Pi Zero and a custom board which features 2 SNES controller ports with a SNES/Super Famicom cartridge slot.[46] [47]

External links

Notes and References

  1. RetroN 4 Console Plays NES, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy — Through HDMI. Wired. Chris. Kohler. 5 March 2013. 19 August 2015.
  2. Web site: RetroN 3 Video Gaming System . hyperkin.com:80 . 12 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100523234819/http://hyperkin.com:80/index.php/retro-system-retron-3.html . 23 May 2010 . dead.
  3. Sorrel . Charlie . Three-In-One Retro-Console Uses Original Game-Controllers . Wired . 5 August 2022 . 6 July 2010.
  4. Web site: Flatley . Joseph . Nintendo, Sega controllers and carts find a new home in the RetroN 3 console . Engadget . 5 August 2022 . 6 July 2010.
  5. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084SPMPNX Amazon
  6. NEW Hyperkin Retron 3 HD Review! HDMI Genesis, NES & SNES Clone Console! . YouTube. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211127151308/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nBpeQFzZwU/. 2021-11-27.
  7. Web site: RetroN 1 NES Gaming System . hyperkin.com:80 . 12 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110112161754/http://hyperkin.com:80/index.php/retro-gaming/retro-system-retron1.html . 12 January 2011 . dead.
  8. https://www.slashgear.com/hyperkin-retron-1-hd-wants-to-fill-the-void-left-by-nes-classic-edition-15485190 Slash Gear
  9. https://awesomecardgames.com/game-console-review-hyperkin-retron-1-hd "Awesome Card Games" Website
  10. Brown, Peter. "Hyperkin RetroN HD Review: The Next Best Thing." GameSpot. 17 May 2017. Link to review.
  11. https://www.yahoo.com/now/unnecessary-hyperkin-retron-1-av-170003926.html A Yahoo Review
  12. Web site: Behold the Retron 2, A Machine that Is Both an NES and a SNES. Stephen. Totilo. 7 June 2012. 20 August 2015. Kotaku.
  13. Web site: limited . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/106988796002892/2287358914632525 . 2022-04-30. Hyperkin on Facebook . Facebook.
  14. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: HDMI SNES & NES In One Console - New Hyperkin RetroN 2 HD Review! . YouTube.
  15. Web site: Smith . Mat . RetroN 4 plays NES, SNES, Genesis and GBA carts, hides its looks (for now) . Engadget . 5 August 2022 . 6 March 2013.
  16. Web site: Hyperkin's RetroN 4 To Support SNES, Genesis, NES and GBA Software. Nintendo Life. Damien. McFerran. 6 March 2013. 20 August 2015.
  17. Web site: Fletcher . JC . 'RetroN 5' console plays NES, SNES, Genesis, GBA and Famicom, supports HDMI, save states . Engadget . 5 August 2022 . 24 March 2013 . Hyperkin's reveal of the 'RetroN 4' console at the Midwest Gaming Classic turned out to be the unveiling of the RetroN 5, with the addition of another cartridge slot for Japanese Famicom games (which have 60 pin connectors vs. the NES's 72 pin)..
  18. Web site: Langshaw . Mark . Hyperkin unveils RetroN 5 gaming console . Digital Spy . 5 August 2022 . 25 March 2013 . Hyperkin was expected to unveil a machine dubbed the RetroN 4 at the retro games convention, but altered the machine when a fifth cartridge slot was added in the latter stages of its development..
  19. Web site: The problem with RetroN 5: the retro console – Reader's Feature. GameCentral for. Metro.co.uk. 13 April 2014.
  20. Web site: Hyperkin delays RetroN 5 until Q1 2014. 28 November 2013. 19 August 2015. Polygon. Jenna. Pitcher.
  21. Web site: Hyperkin RetroN 5 UK Review: Your New Solution To Retro Gaming. The Huffington Post. Michael. Rundle. 17 November 2014. 19 August 2015.
  22. Web site: With 10 consoles in one, does the Retron 5 have what it takes?. Easton. Brian. BoingBoing. 19 July 2014. 19 August 2015.
  23. Web site: RetroArch authors: RetroN 5's emulators, code violate licenses. Engadget. AOL. Thomas. Schulenberg. 28 September 2014. 19 August 2015.
  24. Web site: Atari 2600 fans get the revival console they deserve. 2021-02-27. Engadget. en-US.
  25. Web site: Astronomer 2600 Official website . . 22 June 2018.
  26. Web site: Baby 2600 Official website . . 22 June 2018.
  27. Web site: Muncher store website . . 22 June 2018.
  28. Web site: Nexion 3D on AtariAge . . 22 June 2018.
  29. Web site: Supa RetroN HD Revealed as SNES Classic Competitor. 2017-08-07. 2021-02-27. PCMAG. en.
  30. Web site: Hardware Review: Hyperkin Supa Retron HD: Time To Dust Off Those SNES Carts - Nintendo Life. 28 February 2018.
  31. Web site: McFerran . Damien . Hyperkin Reveals HDMI SNES Clone, The Supa RetroN HD . Nintendo Life . 5 August 2022 . 4 August 2017.
  32. Web site: Yin-Poole . Wesley . There's another console that lets you play SNES games in HD . Eurogamer.net . 5 August 2022 . 28 February 2018.
  33. Web site: Higham . Michael . The Best Retro Gaming Hardware Coming In 2018 . GameSpot . 5 August 2022 . 17 January 2018.
  34. https://seganerds.com/2018/01/15/hyperkin-is-making-a-new-genesis-plug-and-play-system-called-the-mega-retron-hd Sega Nerds
  35. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Mega Retron HD Review Hyperkin HDMI Sega Genesis Clone Console! . YouTube.
  36. http://www.8-bitcentral.com/blog/2018/MegaRetroN.html 8-Bit Central
  37. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/01/this_cube-like_console_play_will_play_every_game_boy_game_on_your_tv Nintendo Life 1
  38. https://www.oldschoolgamermagazine.com/hyperkin-announces-new-name-and-console-features-for-retron-jr-project Old School Gamer Magazine
  39. https://www.inputmag.com/reviews/retron-sq-review-firmware-update-gba-fix-roms-hd-gaming-console Input Magazine
  40. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/05/hardware_review_retron_sq_-_an_affordable_way_to_play_the_entire_game_boy_library_on_your_big_screen_tv Nintendo Life 2
  41. Web site: McFerran . Damien . Hyperkin Explains How The RetroN Sq Is Bringing The Game Boy To Your Living Room . Nintendo Life . 5 August 2022 . 26 February 2021.
  42. Web site: Adler . Matthew . Hyperkin Retron Sq Review . IGN . 5 August 2022 . 30 April 2021.
  43. https://n64today.com/2019/06/05/ultra-retron-n64-clone-console N64 Today
  44. Web site: Makuch . Eddie . N64 Clone Console Coming, See First Video Here . GameSpot . 5 August 2022 . 5 June 2019.
  45. Web site: Hyperkin Isn't Quite Sure What Route To Take With Its N64 Clone Console Yet - Nintendo Life. 14 June 2019.
  46. https://hackinformer.com/2019/01/12/c-e-s-gaming-highlights-hyperkin-my-arcade-arcade1up-retro-bit Hack Informer
  47. https://www.retrorgb.com/hyperkin-announces-hyper-blaster-hd-for-nes-and-retron-diy-for-snes.html Retro RGB

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