RetroN

This article is about a series of video game consoles. Not to be confused with Retron, a sequence of DNA.

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 RetroN 3 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)

A RetroN 1, meant for playing NES games

The RetroN 1 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.[10] The console received a mostly positive review from GameSpot.[11]

RetroN 1 AV, an updated version with only composite video outputs, was released in early 2021.[12]

RetroN 2 (2012)

The RetroN 2 was released in 2012, and plays NES and SNES games.[13] The RetroN 2 HD was shown at TooManyGames 2019,[14] and released soon after. It is an updated version with HDMI out.[15]

RetroN 5 (2014)

The RetroN 5, a system that plays various game systems through software emulation

Originally planned as the RetroN 4, with four cartridge slots supporting NES, SNES, Genesis, and Game Boy/Game Boy Color/Game Boy Advance games.[16][17] It was officially unveiled in March 2013 as the RetroN 5, with a fifth slot added for Famicom cartridges.[18][19][20] The RetroN 5 was released in 2014.[21]

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.[22] Brian Easton of BoingBoing said the quality is good although it "requires more force to remove [the cartridges] than feels comfortable".[23]

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.[24]

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

RetroN 77 (2017)

A RetroN 77 with controller

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.[25] The console was expected to launch during the 2017 holiday season. The RetroN 77 comes with four pack in homebrew games; Astronomer,[26] Baby,[27] Muncher 77[28] and Nexion 3D.[29]

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.[30] It was released on January 8, 2018.[31] Keeping in line with their previous RetroN consoles, the Supa RetroN HD supports original SNES cartridges rather than featuring built-in games.[32][33]

Mega RetroN HD (2018)

A Sega Genesis clone console announced in January 2018,[34][35] and released that October.[36][37]

RetroN Sq (2021)

Announced in January 2020 as the RetroN Jr.,[38] it was renamed the RetroN Sq in December 2020,[39] and launched on March 25, 2021.[40] 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.[41][42] Matthew Adler of IGN praised the console, rating it 8 out of 10.[43]

Upcoming

RetroN Ult

In June 2019, Hyperkin announced plans to release a Nintendo 64 clone system, which was shown at E3 that year.[44][45] It is undecided if compatibility will be via emulation or hardware.[46]

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.[47][48]

References

  1. ^ Kohler, Chris (5 March 2013). "RetroN 4 Console Plays NES, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy — Through HDMI". Wired. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  2. ^ "RetroN 3 Video Gaming System". hyperkin.com:80. Archived from the original on 23 May 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  3. ^ Sorrel, Charlie (6 July 2010). "Three-In-One Retro-Console Uses Original Game-Controllers". Wired. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  4. ^ Flatley, Joseph (6 July 2010). "Nintendo, Sega controllers and carts find a new home in the RetroN 3 console". Engadget. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  5. ^ Amazon
  6. ^ NEW Hyperkin Retron 3 HD Review! HDMI Genesis, NES & SNES Clone Console!. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-11-27.
  7. ^ "RetroN 1 NES Gaming System". hyperkin.com:80. Archived from the original on 12 January 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  8. ^ Slash Gear
  9. ^ "Awesome Card Games" Website
  10. ^ With NES Classic Edition Discontinued, Retron HD Is Another Option - IGN News, retrieved 2021-02-27
  11. ^ Brown, Peter. "Hyperkin RetroN HD Review: The Next Best Thing." GameSpot. 17 May 2017. Link to review.
  12. ^ A Yahoo Review
  13. ^ Totilo, Stephen (7 June 2012). "Behold the Retron 2, A Machine that Is Both an NES and a SNES". Kotaku. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  14. ^ "Hyperkin on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-04-30.[user-generated source]
  15. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: HDMI SNES & NES In One Console - New Hyperkin RetroN 2 HD Review!. YouTube.
  16. ^ Smith, Mat (6 March 2013). "RetroN 4 plays NES, SNES, Genesis and GBA carts, hides its looks (for now)". Engadget. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  17. ^ McFerran, Damien (6 March 2013). "Hyperkin's RetroN 4 To Support SNES, Genesis, NES and GBA Software". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  18. ^ Fletcher, JC (24 March 2013). "'RetroN 5' console plays NES, SNES, Genesis, GBA and Famicom, supports HDMI, save states". Engadget. Retrieved 5 August 2022. 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).
  19. ^ Langshaw, Mark (25 March 2013). "Hyperkin unveils RetroN 5 gaming console". Digital Spy. Retrieved 5 August 2022. 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.
  20. ^ Metro.co.uk, GameCentral for (13 April 2014). "The problem with RetroN 5: the retro console – Reader's Feature".
  21. ^ Pitcher, Jenna (28 November 2013). "Hyperkin delays RetroN 5 until Q1 2014". Polygon. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  22. ^ Rundle, Michael (17 November 2014). "Hyperkin RetroN 5 UK Review: Your New Solution To Retro Gaming". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  23. ^ Easton, Brian (19 July 2014). "With 10 consoles in one, does the Retron 5 have what it takes?". BoingBoing. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  24. ^ Schulenberg, Thomas (28 September 2014). "RetroArch authors: RetroN 5's emulators, code violate licenses". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  25. ^ "Atari 2600 fans get the revival console they deserve". Engadget. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  26. ^ "Astronomer 2600 Official website". Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  27. ^ "Baby 2600 Official website". Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  28. ^ "Muncher store website". Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  29. ^ "Nexion 3D on AtariAge". Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  30. ^ "Supa RetroN HD Revealed as SNES Classic Competitor". PCMAG. 2017-08-07. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  31. ^ "Hardware Review: Hyperkin Supa Retron HD: Time To Dust Off Those SNES Carts - Nintendo Life". 28 February 2018.
  32. ^ McFerran, Damien (4 August 2017). "Hyperkin Reveals HDMI SNES Clone, The Supa RetroN HD". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  33. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (28 February 2018). "There's another console that lets you play SNES games in HD". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  34. ^ Higham, Michael (17 January 2018). "The Best Retro Gaming Hardware Coming In 2018". GameSpot. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  35. ^ Sega Nerds
  36. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Mega Retron HD Review Hyperkin HDMI Sega Genesis Clone Console!. YouTube.
  37. ^ 8-Bit Central
  38. ^ Nintendo Life 1
  39. ^ Old School Gamer Magazine
  40. ^ Input Magazine
  41. ^ Nintendo Life 2
  42. ^ McFerran, Damien (26 February 2021). "Hyperkin Explains How The RetroN Sq Is Bringing The Game Boy To Your Living Room". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  43. ^ Adler, Matthew (30 April 2021). "Hyperkin Retron Sq Review". IGN. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  44. ^ N64 Today
  45. ^ Makuch, Eddie (5 June 2019). "N64 Clone Console Coming, See First Video Here". GameSpot. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  46. ^ "Hyperkin Isn't Quite Sure What Route To Take With Its N64 Clone Console Yet - Nintendo Life". 14 June 2019.
  47. ^ Hack Informer
  48. ^ Retro RGB