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[Lothars]

People do yourself a favor and don't buy emulator consoles. Real hardware is so much better.

Meh not really especially when you have to have a specific tv for retro hardware. It's still worth to own the retro hardware but I'd rather have a Retron 5 or something like this Retrofreak to play the games.

 

[gingerbeardman]

I'm tempted!!

But after the whole Retron 5 debacle, I'd like to make sure it's not using stolen source code. Do we know anything about the OS on this thing yet?

I asked and they said they have nothing to share at this time.

It'll be an Android or a Raspberry Pi derivative.

 

[NoFaceNico]

I asked and they said they have nothing to share at this time.

It'll be an Android or a Raspberry Pi derivative.

That scares me. It's so hard to develop an emulator, yet so easy to steal from open source developers. Sure there are commercial versions of their software, but if I remember correctly, there is no commercially available version of the most popular Genesis or SNES emulators that were used in the Retron 5. Mark my words- this console will use stolen code.

And now that I know it uses Android or Pi, I'm no longer interested. If it's Android, then I guarantee it'll have lag and if it's Pi then I'd have more fun by building my own. It's nothing against clone consoles, I like them, but that's because they're trying to clone the hardware so it does feel like owning the original console and they don't have a clumsy front end OS. If I'm going to go through the trouble of getting the original cartridges, then I don't want to have to deal with an Android front end.

 

[gingerbeardman]

I don't want a 3D printed console, which is what this looks like. It takes skill to create an ergonomic controller for one, never mind hardware that works.

Android/Pi is just my hunch.

 

[GreenMonkey]

I'd buy this or the Retron 5 if they had ROM support also. All I really want is an emu box with legacy controller ports. I'd like real cart support too, but that's secondary.

 

[stan423321]

That scares me. It's so hard to develop an emulator, yet so easy to steal from open source developers. Sure there are commercial versions of their software, but if I remember correctly, there is no commercially available version of the most popular Genesis or SNES emulators that were used in the Retron 5. Mark my words- this console will use stolen code.

That's not how open source works. Retron was problematic because Hyperkin didn't give credit to original authors. Actual FOSS projects can't mind someone building on their work.

 

[NoFaceNico]

That's not how open source works. Retron was problematic because Hyperkin didn't give credit to original authors. Actual FOSS projects can't mind someone building on their work.

No, actually, that's not how open source works. The problem isn't that the authors weren't given credit.

From Libretro [read: the open source developers whose code was stolen] when they exposed Hyperkin:

... for its Sega Genesis/Mega Drive module. This core has been licensed under a non-commercial license. It can therefore not be sold as, or part of, a commercial product.

SNES9x is licensed under a non-commercial license. Like Genesis Plus GX, it can therefore not be a part of a commercial product.

Open-source is not a matter of doing with it as you please. The license is there for a reason and it needs to be followed, and it dictates how you should go about your business when deciding to make a commercial product out of such software. GPL is known as a ‘viral license’ which means that the community behind this uses the viral nature of the GPL as an effective strategy to ensure more and more software gets licensed under the GPL, since every bit of GPL code that gets incorporated into another project needs to be made GPL or GPL-compatible as well otherwise it’s a violation of the license. As it stands right now, the software for the Retron5 is very likely illegal to distribute.

TL;DR version: Open Source licenses can get tricky but the biggest rule is that you have to follow the license for the software you're using. Simply put, the SNES9x and Genesis Plus GX emulators were made under a license that prohibits commercialization, so it's very obvious that Hyperkin violated that license.

 

[bryanee]

I'll buy something like this as soon as they can do N64 games.

 

[TheWraith]

I'm kinda curious as well. Really would like to know if the scanline mode is much better then the Retron's poor approximation when compared to a Framemeister or even other emulators for example.

 

[Justinh]

ping me when one of these retro things plays dreamcast.

I think this thing is even better, but it is pretty expensive, and I don't know how to rip my Dreamcast games yet. The only thing that worries me about using my Dreamcast is the damn disc drive dying on me. My last one died last year so I had to buy another one, and this one was made later on.

 

[gingerbeardman]

13-minute video of this running at COMPUTEX TAIPEI 2015 back in June

Can anybody translate the audio?

I'm really intrigued by this now. Software and user interface looks decent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q2FDGhVTKU

 

[biocat]

The release date has been officially set for Halloween.
http://s.gamespark.jp/article/2015/10/22/61161.html

I'm kind of excited, but Cyber Gadget usually makes pretty trash peripherals.

Against my better judgement, I preordered the Amazon limited edition, but my estimated shipping date isn't until January next year. Obviously I'm not part of the first shipment.

 

[D-VoN]

So (dumb question here), does this thing play actual cartridges or roms?

 

[biocat]

Cartridges, but you can dump the image to the console in a proprietary format.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Seems like folks are getting theirs now. I saw this on Instagram.

 

[djdac]

Found an unboxing vid.

https://youtu.be/aja5CPp6e-U

 

[gingerbeardman]

Mixed reviews on Amazon.co.jp 😒

 

[FSLink]

Mixed reviews on Amazon.co.jp 😒

Something about the Super Famicom connector?

 

[gingerbeardman]

Something about the Super Famicom connector?

From what I can gather the connector has broken for some people.

 

[gingerbeardman]

So it seems this runs Android after all.

It's been hacked wide open:

N64 Emulator:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnArsOSe9Aw

libretro (PCSX ReARMed)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGFtjjg-svo

libretro (Final Burn Alpha)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IpGJvM-eKY

libretro (Beetle/Mednafen PCE FAST)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8gJeeTJADY

libretro (PicoDrive)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGQE2Atg_U0

libretro (Genesis Plus GX)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ5aa27XvNY

 

[NoFaceNico]

/snip

I fucking knew it, another Android box.

Those emulators aren't easy to make, do we know if they were using stolen code out of the box for the cart based stuff they run?

 

[TheWraith]

Fiddled with one earlier today in a store, scanline filter was really underwhelming way too thin.

 

[masq]

got mine today.
I'm a little underwhelmed tbqh

Tried a Super Famicom game (Sonic Wings) and a Genesis game (Super ThunderBlade), both played well, no issues there. The SFC connector is ridiculously tight, I thought I was gonna break it when removing the cart.

The pack in controller is garbage. Didnt get the deluxe version, so no way to try original controllers. Its supposed to support DS3/4 as well, will try that later.

Also, for some reason, I was thinking that this thing supported US NES carts (it doesnt).
Thats a huge letdown. Oh Well.

Let me know if you guys have any specific questions and I will try to answer.

 

[NoFaceNico]

Let me know if you guys have any specific questions and I will try to answer.

That sucks you can't use original controllers without the extra adapter. And yeah, it seems the SFC slot has broken for a few people.

Any lag? Try SMB1 and jump from one green pipe to the next without hitting the ground in world 1-1. Or play the quick draw minigame in Kirby's Adventure. Both are usually hard to do on an Android based device because of the lag.

Are you able to change the menus into English?

Also, I see you have some gripes about the device, if you ever want to sell it used let me know, the subs on my channel keep asking me to review this device but the price is too much for me.

 

[masq]

That sucks you can't use original controllers without the extra adapter. And yeah, it seems the SFC slot has broken for a few people.

Any lag? Try SMB1 and jump from one green pipe to the next without hitting the ground in world 1-1. Or play the quick draw minigame in Kirby's Adventure. Both are usually hard to do on an Android based device because of the lag.

Are you able to change the menus into English?

Also, I see you have some gripes about the device, if you ever want to sell it used let me know, the subs on my channel keep asking me to review this device but the price is too much for me.

Cant try SMB1 because I only have US NES games and dont have a FC adapter, but I didnt notice any lag. I am terrible at detecting that type of stuff though. I also just tried a PS4 Dual Shock 4, works fine with it and the system has some preset button configs in the UI for using other contollers.

You ARE able to set the UI to English. I have some basic Japanese knowledge, so I found it easily, but it shouldnt be difficult to figure out anyway.

 

[masq]

Tried a few more games:
Super Star Soldier PCE
Bonks Adventure TG16
Cybernator SNES
Gunstar Heroes GBA

All ran good, GBA games are pixelated hell when not using any of the filters though.

Cant wait to get some quality time with this ever the weekend.
Also ordered an NES -> FC adapter.

 

[KingSlime]

I have become interested in getting one of these, but have heard it has overheating issues. Can anyone who owns one comment?

 

[LayLa]

I have become interested in getting one of these, but have heard it has overheating issues. Can anyone who owns one comment?

I got one recently and have heard of overheating issues but haven't encountered any myself. A new firmware came out the other day and one of the update notes claims they've fixed the problem.

One hush hush "feature" of the console is the ability to add roms to the SD card without having to dump carts, including Game Gear, Mark III and SG 1000. I haven't done it myself but have heard that dumping whole romsets is pointless as the file management system can't cope with the volume of data.

 

[KingSlime]

Thanks for the response. I wonder how many ROMs it takes to "overload" the system. The overheating thing still makes me a bit weary.

 

[LayLa]

Thanks for the response. I wonder how many ROMs it takes to "overload" the system. The overheating thing still makes me a bit weary.

I imagine it only causes problems when it's in the thousands, I've dumped two hundred carts so far and there has been no problem. If the possibility of overheating bothers you keep an eye out over the coming weeks to see if the new firmware has made any difference.

I should note that the Mark III is the original Japanese name for the Master System so it is supported (but I don't know if the separate cart dumping adapter supports Master System carts).

 

[jonno394]

Hmm, torn between this and the retron 5. Currently investigating both as an option to starting a retro cartridge collection. Does this offer the translation patch option that the Retron 5 offers, that would make getting a nice SFC collection a possibility.

 

[Sakujou]

is there actually something out there able to run ps2 games properly except the original ps2?

the same goes for n64.

iam really interested in playing some old classics which are not available on psn/eshop....

but i dont want to hookup my old stuff on a hdtv which looks so bad

 

[LayLa]

Hmm, torn between this and the retron 5. Currently investigating both as an option to starting a retro cartridge collection. Does this offer the translation patch option that the Retron 5 offers, that would make getting a nice SFC collection a possibility.

yes you can use ips patches. Also you can reassign buttons however you want & set up macros e.g. I use a SNES Asciipad and have set up select+start to return to the menu.

 

[tim_pkmn89]

is there actually something out there able to run ps2 games properly except the original ps2?

the same goes for n64.

iam really interested in playing some old classics which are not available on psn/eshop....

but i dont want to hookup my old stuff on a hdtv which looks so bad

The backwards compatible PS3.

 

[KojiKnight]

how many FOSS licenses does it break?



of course it's possible. it would just take hard work.

Most licenses only ask for you to release your modified source code, that's not hard at all.

 

[Cynn]

Hmm, torn between this and the retron 5. Currently investigating both as an option to starting a retro cartridge collection. Does this offer the translation patch option that the Retron 5 offers, that would make getting a nice SFC collection a possibility.

I went with the Retron for patches and all of the controller ports being built in.

 

[jonno394]

yes you can use ips patches. Also you can reassign buttons however you want & set up macros e.g. I use a SNES Asciipad and have set up select+start to return to the menu.

Cheers for the clarification

I went with the Retron for patches and all of the controller ports being built in.

Yeah that and native NES cartridge support are pluses. I'm not really knowledgeable on PC Engine/Turbo Grafx games tbh, so doubt i'm really missing out if I didn't opt for the one that includes that!