RetroN 5

Story time: I originally bought a Retro-bit 3+ for $90 and I wanted to like it so badly. The RB3+ played NES/SNES/MD, which was all I needed, and it looked so nice with its smooth lines and red/white retro aesthetic. Welp, you get what you pay for... the RB3+ was a huge disappointment. I got the RB3+ to avoid the Hyperkin Retron 5 because reviews of Hyperkin products are such a mixed bag. Unfortunately, the RB3+ turned out to have terrible audio emulation (games will not sound the way you remember them), cheap build quality (the cart dust covers got scratched to all heck as soon as I started sticking carts into them), and game compatibility issues (multiple carts just would not play even after multiple cleanings and endless attempts to re-seat the pins). The Retron 5, by contrast, has been an excellent experience. I've played GB, GBC, GBA, NES, SNES, and MD games on it with no problems whatsoever. Games that I had to re-seat numerous times or just wouldn't launch at all on the RB3+ work on the Retron 5, first try. The console has an efficient and simple front-end/system management menu, which is nice. It isn't earth-shattering stuff, but it has plenty of basic options that allow you to customize your gaming experience to some extent. I like the option to add two types of scanlines: subtle and heavy (and none, of course). You can also use navigation sound effects or turn them off, and lots of other stuff. The only things I don't love are 1) the controller ports are all on the sides instead of on the front, so you have to take that into account if you are short on space, and 2) the overall design is kinda... let's just say it will never hang in the Louvre. But it does what it's supposed to do, so I can't hold that against it. Both of these are minor niggles -- the Retron 5 is good value for the money to gain access to 6 old systems (8 if you count the GG/MS adapter for another $50) and so far has shown to have great emulation quality and a very high compatibility rate as I haven't found any games yet which don't work (full disclosure: my collection isn't very big, so take that for what it's worth). I'm really liking my time with this console. Oh, before I forget: I've seen some people saying they like the pack-in controller. That's cool, people can like what they like. But, dude... it's flaming, hot garbage. I mean, I don't care because I'm using high-quality repro controllers for the systems it can run (ironically, Retro-bit makes some really good controllers for cheap), but let's call the balls and strikes here... the pack-in controller is pure trash. Cheap feel, sharp edges, face buttons feel terrible, shoulder buttons somehow feel worse, and what they heck even IS that weird joystick/nub/thing? Also, the process for wireless connection isn't done the way the manual explains it (I forget what the exact issue was, I just know I had to do some experimentation to get it to connect and it wasn't the way the manual laid it out). The face button labeling is also weird and unlike anything I've ever seen. I keep it perched on the back in its little alcove strictly for the purpose of navigating the menu if I'm too lazy to grab one of my not-crap controllers, unravel the cable, plug it in, etc., but I actively avoid touching that abomination. Again, I don't care because I don't use it and the console is absolutely still worth what you pay for it, but don't let anyone tell you this controller is anything other than what it is... which is terrible. Spend another $15 or so and get some decent SNES or Genesis pads and you'll be much happier. Heck, even the fourth-rate knockoff Playstation 1 pads I got 8 years ago packed in with some bootlegged Singaporean emulator box is better than the Lovecraftian horror Hyperkin tossed in my lap and tried to convince me was a gaming controller. Yick. Anyway, the Retron 5 is awesome... great value for money, especially if you have (or plan to have) a multitude of 8- and 16-bit carts to play. Don't be afraid to take the plunge on this. Highly recommend!

Really, this review is 4.5 stars. This console is a blast to use. I’ve got over 100 Genesis, NES, and SNES games on my shelf, and until now, I relied on emulation. But nothing beats the feeling of popping in a physical cartridge and jumping straight into gameplay. It’s nostalgic, satisfying, and just works. I usually avoid scanlines, but the implementation here is subtle enough that I forget it’s even on. The system includes all the modern quality-of-life features: save states, fast-forward, cheats, and even super easy ROM patching. That last one has me buying Famicom and Super Famicom games on eBay, currently I am patch titles like Legend of Zelda—it’s addictive. Sadly it's only one patch per game. It’s easy to use and genuinely fun, but it’s not without flaws. Reproduction cartridges are hit-or-miss. Most American releases like Moonwalker, Chrono Trigger, and Lufia II work fine. But translated imports like Clock Tower and Live A Live don’t boot—oddly, Back to the Future II and Bahamut Lagoon do. There is custom firmware that may fix all this, but I am just enjoying Deja Vu for the NES right now to care, and yes I added a patch to make it uncensored which I added a screenshot for. At $155, it’s a bit pricey. If you don’t care about save states, ROM patching, or support for Famicom, GBA, GBC, and GB, the Retron 3 HD might be a better value at around $60 less. But for my needs, this system is fantastic. Bonus: it comes with a SNES-style controller, which is a huge win—especially compared to the Retron’s default controller, which is laughably bad. * All screenshot has scanlines turned on.

I've had this or about a month and have been very happy with it. Productivity around the house is at a new low, thanks to the Retron 5. I've been collecting games for these systems since they were new and still have all of my original consoles. They look great on a CRT TV, but not so much on these new-fangled HDTVs. Originally, that was why I purchased one of these; so I could keep my original consoles hooked up to TVs they were designed to be played on and to use this for the living room TV. But I've gotten much more out of it. First of all, the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games look phenomenal. So much better than through the Gamecube's GB adapter. That alone made my purchase feel worthwhile. Secondly, the cheat codes. I'm not a big fan of cheat code usage, but have to admit it has been a ton of fun sitting down with my 6-yr old son and playing through 2-player co-op games together without any frustrations. It's a great way to kill 30-45 minutes and see areas of a game I've never been able to make it to personally. Thirdly, game patches. So much potential here! I installed a patch that alters the common Tetris NES game (not the Tengen one) to include 2-player co-op. My wife and I have spent hours playing it, and she hasn't played a classic video game with me in ages. There are also tons of fan translations for games that never made it to the States and many of those games are still dirt cheap to import. Quality of the hardware is still questionable and I sincerely hope it's still running a year from now. The pack-in controller isn't as bad as some people say, but I still prefer using the original controllers. I find the shoulder buttons are easily hit on accident, but having the extra buttons for taking screenshots or fast-forwarding un-skippable parts is very handy. There have been a few games that I've had some issues with (graphical glitches, game locking up at certain parts), but they have been very few. I've reached out to Hyperkin on their Facebook page and they gave me a personal response about trying to have the issues fixed in the next firmware release. That really impressed me. Overall, I'm very impressed.

質感は安っぽいと言われますが軽いって感じです。特に素材が薄いとかと言う感じはしません。カートリッジスロットは互換機にありがちな堅め仕様で抜く時にギリギリ金属音がします。ちょっと怖い気もしますが互換機慣れしている方でしたらそんなに気にはならないかと・・・。互換性ですが、他のサイトでも書かれていますけどハードウェア互換ではなくソフトウェア互換です。再現もかなりのものでメガアダプタも問題なく使用できました。RetroN3の時にも思いましたが、やっぱりHyperkinは中国で生産するのですね。コントローラーはちょっと斜めに入り易くて設定等で勝手に横入力されるのでコロコロ設定が変わり何かと難がありますが、純正コントローラーが使用できるので特に問題はありませんでした。RetroN3の時もそうでしたが、サンソフト製のメガドライブカートリッジは形状違いの為セットできませんね。本体をちょっと削ると問題なく動くと思いますが今回の本体はちょっと高いので抵抗もあります。

It is perfect, the wireless controller froze for a couple days, I had to take it apart an disconnect the battery, reconnected it an then it worked fine, thr console itself is exactly what it says it is , best purchase I made in a while a must have for retro gamers

Verarbeitung könnte besser sein aber für das Geld ist es ok 👌.

An absolutely fantastic console. Play all your old console games in the one place. Save space and no need to look for different controllers.

As a retro game collector myself I take a lot of pride in my collection & rather than my games just being a dust collectors on the shelf I try to play them as often as possible. So one of the main benefits with the Retron5 is the fact it plays multiple systems all off the one console which are: - Nes - Famicom - Snes - Megadrive - GameBoy - GameBoy Colour- GameBoy Advance - It will also play Master System games if you have the Megadrive/Master System converter. - Plus games from all regions so Pal Ntsc & Ntsc-J. So I like that I can have one system set up to my tv & get to play a big chunk of my collection all off the one Retron5, now this is possible without a Retron but you'll have a bunch of systems all set up with extension leads & cables trailing all over the place, also unless you have a scart switcher or a 5to1 scart adaptor you'll be having to swap the wires over every time you want to play a different console. I also love that I can plug the original retro controllers into the ports down the side of the system, which just adds to that nostalgic feeling. there's three controller ports on either side of the system 1xNES 1xSnes 1xMegadrive. Now one big advantage for me is the fact the Retron runs a hdmi out so not only can I hook it up to my 4k tv, it also means I can run it through my Elgato capture card & record my gameplay which helps as I use my Retron5 for almost all of my retro game footage over on my YouTube & Twitch channels. Another big factor for me is most of my main retro systems are all boxed, some of which are in near mint condition, so I really don't like to use them, if I have to use one on a regular basis i tend to buy a second playable system so I can keep my main console mint, now yes it would be nice to use all original system's but these things aren't cheap & at times can be very temperamental, so with the Retron being a brand new system it should be a lot more reliable & I still get to play a big selection my games without breaking any of my original consoles, plus the cost of buying all the systems separate would be a lot more expensive than buying the Retron. So depending on which side of the fence you are on, in the Retron's options there's a few things you can tweak, now if you all about it being 100% original you can turn all filters off & have scan lines on ect but on the flipside if you want it to look as good as it can then there's settings to smooth out the graphics & make it look a lot better. (i'll add a couple pics below to show you how much better it can look on the Retron with filters on, the game is TailSpin on a original Megadrive vs on the Retron5 with smoothing & filters on) So here's what you get in the box: -1x Retron5 -1x Wireless Controller -1x Power Cable with adaptors to fit any socket, uk,us ect -1x HDMI think it was 1.5m long? -1x Charger Cable for the controller -Info & Stickers So although I have given this a 5star rating its not a 100% perfect product but with that being said, the good things totally outweighs the bad. GOOD POINTS - its hdmi so can be set up to any tv with a hdmi port - can be ran through a cap card for recording game footage - has memory built in so you can now save your retro games! - plays carts for the systems from all regions without any adaptors ie pal, ntsc, ntsc-j - has ports down both sides so you can plug in & use your original controllers. nes, snes, megadrive - can map the buttons, set default controllers ect for both the Retron & original retro controllers - has filters to make your retro games look better than ever before - has sd slot on the back if additional memory is needed BAD POINTS - the controller is horrible! it works ok but it just doesn't feel nice in your hands, 100% would be better off just buying a original retro controller or a new unofficial one & plug it into the controller ports on the side - games can be tight to pull out of the slots. this does get easier the more its used, but for ease it should of been designed with a eject button like on the snes - Some times it wont read a cart 1st time, most the time it just needs to be reinserted, if it still don't read its probably because the contacts are dirty so just give the cart's contacts a quick clean, this has always fixed it for me, but then it would still happen on a original system if it was a dirty cart, well unless you use the magic blow, anyone who grew up in 80's & 90's knows what I'm on about.lol ^_^ I done a lot of research into it before I bought my Retron as I heard a bunch of horror stories on YouTube of games getting broke, pins moving & so on, but I can honestly say I've owned one for around a year now & I've never ran into any of those issues. I think Hyperkin had some issues in the early Retron5's but i'd like to think that has all been addressed by now. If your still not 100% sure about playing your Little Samson in your Retron, worst case just use a universal adaptor/game genie in the slot & then whatever expensive retro game in the top of that, then no retro game would even have to go in the Retron slot, I haven't got any really crazy expensive games like Little Samson's or Dino Peak's, but I've always played every game I own directly through my Retron5 & have never had any issues.