An Unnecessary Update? Hyperkin Retron 1 AV Clone NES Review

[@RoXolid]

Order the Retron 1 AV (Hyper Beach Edition) by visiting amzn.to/3cG6KQ4 Order the Retron 1 AV (Grey) by visiting amzn.to/2R03zdR Join this channel to get access to perks: kzbin.info/door/znAOWQLsiCAMNRq9fzQJpwjoin Follow Us on Social Media! Instagram - @RoXolidProductionsGK Twitter - @RoXolidStudios Facebook - facebook.com/RoXolidProductions/ Get early access to our videos and support RoXolid Productions for as low as a dollar a month through our Patreon page, www.Patreon.com/RoXolid Looking for some RoXolid Merch? Check out our T-Spring store for shirts and swag at teespring.com/roxolid-productions-official-s Would you like to have your products featured on RoXolid Productions? Do you have Questions? Comments? Email us at [e-mail]!!

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

Does the HD version have an S-Video output?

[@RoXolid]

It does not

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

@@RoXolid Rats! 🐀 🐀 🐀

[@RoXolid]

Yup

[@wyldelf2685]

@@RoXolid this updated clone NES exist so people can enjoy nes Zapper games on an affordable clone on their favorite 22inch-CRT that every retro-gamer owns or should ,,Rox now do you see ??😸🎮😋👍

[@transtremm]

The true test of lag is using the Zapper. If, “Duck Hunt” works with the zapper this system has ZERO lag when plugged into a CRT. Very nice.

[@RoXolid]

Yeah the Light Gun Games worked great

[@RoXolid]

It might not, not sure

[@RoXolid]

Interestingly enough the only system that ever had enough lag or latency to make games unplayable to me was the NES classic.

[@sasquatchdipper]

@@RoXolid I am currently having issues trying to play duck hunt on crt with Retron 2 HD through it's av output

[@thatguyinthepurple]

Castlevania 1 and 2 were released on the Famicom disk system but 3 was release on a cartridge. It has an special chip that gives it extra channels for that near SNES sound. The 3rd on the Famicom is my favorite version due to its better balance of difficulty.

[@jameshumphrey7463]

I was going to make the same comment

[@Zion767318]

Great review Gary! Thank you for taking the time to review this system. There are a few changes that could have been made that would have made this a decent option for CRT enthusiasts like myself. The fact that it’s still mono only, is a silly design choice in 2021. Making the Cadet controllers have only a five foot cable is also baffling when their main-line Cadets have ten foot cables. The big issue is the problem with the quality of the Player One port being incompatible with most controllers, even their own wireless Cadets. This issue could be down to manufacturing flaws with select systems and not something with every RetroN 1 AV sold? If these issues could be addressed, it would be like I said, a decent alternative to the RetroN 1 HD with having decent audio & video output. I’ll get in touch shortly to discuss getting it shipped out. Cheers!

[@RoXolid]

Thanks for all the support over the years, I was happy to do this review for you

[@markludwig9280]

Thank you for your videos. I enjoy them tremendously. My favorite system is the orginal NES and I saved up my allowance to buy this in 1986, I believe. The system at the time included ROB the robot. I still have the orginal box and everything that came with it. Thanks and take care.

[@RoXolid]

Thanks for watching! And if you ever want to part with that setup, let me know, lol

[@jeff97ish]

The 1st Castlevania is my favorite among the 3.

[@RoXolid]

It is where everything started

[@johnrussell8086]

You did mention that the sound is better than the HD. That is a very good thing in my books.

[@RoXolid]

It is! It's a lot more accurate than the HDMI output of the Retron hd. Now, I've never played the Retron HD through composite video so that may have similar audio performance on that side of the system. I'm actually going to test it out

[@Akito01]

Its fascinating to see you have the same kind of issues with the controller ports that I had on my old old Retron 3, where I could only get one of my original NES pads to work, and none of my third party controllers to work. When it comes to clones, I've been more partial to Retrobit because I feel like their NES color accuracy is better, but it is very encouraging to hear that they might have solved the sound issues that have plagued nearly all clone consoles for decades.

[@RoXolid]

The older analog-only/Composite clone systems generally had decent audio, but the video and games compatibility tends to be the points of pain.

[@RoXolid]

Retron 2 or Retron 2 HD? Because my HD's were fine

[@RoXolid]

Yep, they have both a Retron 2 and a retro on 2HD along with the Retron 3 and a Retron 3 HD

[@gamegab7271]

The Retron HD versions should have those color schemes as well! No reason why they can’t!

[@RoXolid]

It would have made more sense IMO than doing the AV versions

[@joshmcgootermier2301]

Give them a few months so they can do that good ol double dipping!

[@xmrschaoticx]

By chance do you know Will this play famicom games? I got my husband a Saint Seiya Famicom game and am trying to find something for him to play it on

[@RoXolid]

Yes, you just need a 60 to 72 pin adapter

[@xmrschaoticx]

@@RoXolid Thank you!

[@rescuecomplex5115]

Hello. Mario Bros PAL on my Retron 1 Av is way too fast. Any reasons for that, please? Thank you!

[@alexander2685]

Sold mine years ago glad to have a cheap option as I bought terminator 2,bettlejuice,jaws,total recall and germlins.3 the new batch happy to at least play them.

[@deathwishsquish9142]

Okay but do the pins break after putting 5 games in like the first retron 1 av? & do they not offer any solution but “buy a new one!” Like the old one?

[@RoXolid]

No issues thus far. These appear to be the same sorts of pins that the Retron HD has, and those were not problematic at all.

[@VideoGameXDomain]

I have the grey model of this and original NES controllers worked fine on front port. You must have had a dud or a bad model with hyper beach

[@supertombrother1988]

I didn't notice this the first time I watched this video, but the way the controller ports are positioned; you won't be able to use the NES four score for multiplayer games. This is disappointing for me because i actually have a four score.

[@RoXolid]

You're right! That's something I have (I have a Satellite) but never use.

[@NeonNightmares]

The coin sound on the Retron hd makes me really hate it. At first I thought this wouldn’t bother me much but no, after playing Mario for a while this makes you wanna rip your ears out. Now I’m wondering if you could take the board from this and put it in the hd console and solder their hd board onto this. Would it be their “ultimate” nes clone or would it sound shitty again because of the hd board? 🤔

[@Jankatana-ge4cf]

I just got one in the mail today because of the cool hyper beach color scheme I saw in this video. The color palettes in-game looked very accurate. I compared my famicom (rf), my front loader nes (av), and the retron 1, and the palettes all looked identical. SMB1 had the blue sky and good colors on the Retron 1. I tested on a CRT and it all looked great. I'm not sure if your HDTV and its settings is the culprit with the inaccurate color palette you got. (or they improved it within the last 2 years) Sound was close to accurate in most games (except kirby's adventure where it sounds really off). Sound is crunchier in comparison to the softer sound of original hardware which is noticeable but not terrible. For 25 bucks this is a great option for people not willing to spend big bucks for original hardware. Controller is really well designed too.

[@lucywillis4535]

Is it cheaper for only having av??

[@RoXolid]

It is

[@MVLGAMING]

Curious, with such a small amount more for a system that also includes HDMI. It does make you wonder, what were they thinking?

[@RoXolid]

I don't see it myself

[@treyslay753]

Great video. I bought a Retron AV about two weeks ago. I got the one with the NES colors. I really like it. I just use it to play on a crt. The controller is good, but the cord is a little short. They could've at least put a 7 foot cord on it. The av cord they include is terrible. I put it right in the trash. Luckily I have a ton of composite cables. Every controller I tried worked on it. Including official Nintendo controllers. Your system must have a defect with the controller port. It's not perfect, but overall I'm happy with my purchase.

[@RoXolid]

That's great to hear!

[@isaac-gaspar2-25]

HAVE YOU TESTED 8BITDO WIRELESS CONTROLS?

[@carlossantiago4621]

Thanks for the post!

[@RoXolid]

You're welcome

[@GamerDan89]

Greetings from Aachen, straight outta Germanys Mancave :D Love your Content! I Really enjoy your depth of reviews! Huge Thank You ^_^

[@RoXolid]

Thank you so much! I want to get back to Germany some day! I was there in 2018 and I had a chance to do some game hunting in Lubeck and Ahrensburg! I actually posted both videos here to the channel :)

[@GamerDan89]

@@RoXolid I am binge watching your videos since a few days^^ I bet these I will find too^^ I am also very in love with older consoles and that stuff but to do that work like you do to make videos about it with this kind of quality, it is absolutely amazing! Thank you for doing that ^_^

[@RoXolid]

@@GamerDan89 Thank you so much Dan, I appreciate it! We are constantly trying to increase and improve our quality. Tscheuss!

[@GamerDan89]

@@RoXolid Your Tscheuss made my day Bro!😄😄😄 Huge thank you 🖖

[@RoXolid]

@@GamerDan89 Well when I was in Hamburg I also learned "Moin, Moin!"

[@TVsBen]

holy smokes a Famiclone that doesn't sound like garbage? That's amazing!

[@RoXolid]

I know, right? But it's also only composite and not HDMI sooo....

[@TVsBen]

Yeah that’s a bummer about no HDMI

[@RoXolid]

@@TVsBen They do have the HD Version which does have an HDMI out, so there is that option

[@matthubbard2607]

You might have said earlier but does it fix the weird color palette the hdmi one has?

[@RoXolid]

The palette does look different to me

[@mikey2toes966]

Did you test this on a crt or a flat panel tv? I think the video quality would be better if you player on a crt. Seem like this particular console was meant for that being the non hd version

[@RoXolid]

Both

[@Screwhead]

Castlevania 2 for me! I had the Worlds of Power novel with tips in it as a kid, and it was one of my favorite books at the time!

[@RoXolid]

I found one of those books just before Christmas last year, it is pretty neat

[@ManiactheBadger]

Does it work with Famicom Disk System?

[@RoXolid]

It does not

[@ONIFIVE]

Great video. I wonder if you open that and the Classiq AV if they have any similar internals?

[@RoXolid]

I would bet they're pretty similar

[@shawnortiz374]

My biggest question is, Is the color palette the same as the Retron HD? The biggest negative I saw in reviews on the HD is that colors were off. Otherwise it’s actually a pretty great little clone. Also is that color palette information on the main board on the HD or the video board? If it’s on the main board on both, and the Retron 1 AV has a more natural color palette comparable to the original NES, I would consider buying an AV and doing some mod work to combine the AV with the HD. This would save me allot of money as I’m considering buying an AVS.

[@RoXolid]

If you are considering buying an AVS, and you have the money, I would suggest simply getting an AVS. You will be MUCH happier in the long run. That being said, the colors are different on the AV vs the HD, at least AV vs HDMI output. I haven't tried the HD via Composite and need to.

[@shawnortiz374]

@@RoXolid I just really like the two Retron consoles because of size and aesthetics. The AVS is fine looking I don’t mind it, but I like the others better in that regard. I know I’d be much happier with an AVS, but I like to tinker and I’m cheap lol

[@RoXolid]

I thought the Retron AV had better color myself

[@alfredocanas6802]

is there any clone console that plays VRC games properly ?, I am fine with the MiSTer fpga but I am looking for a decent clone nes console that doesn't suck.

[@RoXolid]

VRC games? Like Virtua Racing? The Mega RetronHD does

[@alfredocanas6802]

@@RoXolid No, that's the mapper for Castlevania 3, konami released a bunch of custom chips during the famicom/nes days.

[@atheismcrew1524]

The NES Pursuit hack was originally Binary Land.

[@VideoGameXDomain]

Thanks for the video!!

[@RoXolid]

Thanks for checking it out

[@gregoryirwin263]

I know this is an older video but I was wondering if anyone could recommend a quality nes clone console that has composite video output and will work properly with all nes games and perhaps homebrew games as well that has been difficult for me to find

[@RoXolid]

If that's what you're looking for I would just get an actual NES. You'll have 100% compatibility and better pallet and audio.

[@jeff97ish]

5 foot cable and no power brick. What's going on with these products?

[@RoXolid]

I don't get it

[@jeff97ish]

@@RoXolid Me either.

[@RoXolid]

I think it's just to hit the price point

[@jeff97ish]

@@RoXolid Someone buying this for the first time with no other products might need a power brick.

[@RoXolid]

Maybe

[@Zion767318]

Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest was one of the first NES games I remember playing. I remember going over to a friends house and playing it for the first time. Of course at that time I had no idea what I was doing, but I remember having fun. 👍

[@RoXolid]

I think a lot of us had that experience when we were younger. It wasn't that we were button mashing, we just roamed around and it's like okay let's kill this guy, got to kill this guy, got to kill this guy

[@aiden1504]

Mine doesn't work

[@ubercow6611]

My friend got me this for my Birthday along with a copy of Super Mario Bros 3, but I can't seem to get it out in a way that would preserve the game. It felt rough going into the console and I don't want to use to much force to get it out because I don't want to break the game. Is anyone else having this issue?

[@RetroGamingWithEdgarRivera]

Hmm the Retron 1 AV really start to reminds old days of the Famiclone era when some games like Castlevania 3 won't and it has a questionable qualty control so I get your disappointment. I will say the sound ineded is almost on part of the orginal as well the color palette, but this is 2021 if this product came out in the early day of the Famiclone era it will fine but now days there is much better solucion out there. So yeah the Retron 1 AV despite has a almost authentic sound to the nes, I can safely say that the console is a step back.

[@RoXolid]

Hey Edgar, hope you're doing well, missed seeing you around

[@bpfurtado]

Does it run the Everdrive N8 Pro?

[@RoXolid]

I don't own any NES everdrivers to test, sorry

[@IowaRetroGamerDad]

Better just to get the Retron HD then! Great video!

[@RoXolid]

Yes! Thank you!

[@sportssimulationsonly]

NES my favorite system of all time.

[@RoXolid]

It's good, but not as good as the SNES to me.

[@sportssimulationsonly]

@@RoXolid yeah for sure I have nothing but love for SNES too

[@RoXolid]

Agreed

[@MasterControl90original]

is it possible to se a teardown? I am pretty sure this thing is just a rebadged and reskinned Retroad HM5

[@RoXolid]

It is not as I've sent it off to a channel supporter as thanks for their support

[@MasterControl90original]

@@RoXolid damn, it could have been interesting, thx anyway ;)

[@zemmik]

have the retrobit trio but on HD.... but only AV out??? why not both?? and 2 dollar more?? but i like the colours....but AV only.....do not understand why this product exists...

[@retrogamaniac3673]

Hi Gary, your detailed review is even too well made for such a so basic product! You never disappoint. But, in addition to that, I suggest you to add games like Pin-Bot and High Speed from Williams/RARE on your tests of these NES clone systems! Pin-Bot and High Speed, at least in their PAL versions (I live in Europe), start with a partially glitched introduction screen before to show a completely glitched female robot in the case of Pin-Bot, or a completely glitched red car in the case of High Speed. After that, the next step is an endless sine wave: that's the moment when both games stop to run. These two Williams' NES cartridges feature a special vocal synthesis module chip (or maybe just a sampler, now I don't remember that) that makes the clone systems going in crash! Today, I still can play these games ONLY on the original NES! These two games are my "must" to test on every NES clone system and any of these never worked with these games: I hope you'll start to consider even these ones as difficult games to get working, over the classic Castlevania III or Battletoads. I still never had to luck to get my hands of an NTSC cartridge of these, just to see if they could boot on a clone system: if you consider that even the FCEU emulator had several issues with the rom of these games in the past despite the regional differences (PAL A-B, NTSC), I'm supposed to believe that I would get the very same result when the games boot up! Cheers, Joseph

[@RoXolid]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@retrogamaniac3673]

@@RoXolid all deserved, pal! :D

[@RoXolid]

Oh, oh, fighting the urge not to reference the "I'm not your pal, buddy" episode of South Park. The urge is strong! LOL

[@retrogamaniac3673]

@@RoXolid you're fighting against an urge where's impossible to resist to, LOL!

[@RoXolid]

I'm not your guy, buddy! HA! I feel so much better now

[@MegaDrive20XX]

Dracula's Curse is still my favorite.

[@RoXolid]

Great game

[@johnrussell8086]

Does it work with everdrives?

[@RoXolid]

Don't know, I don't own one for the NES.

[@isaac-gaspar2-25]

IT DOESN'T WORK ORIGINAL TIME CONTROLS? WILL 8BITDO WORK?

[@RoXolid]

Original controllers do work. No idea on 8BitDo as they have terrible communication and customer service on any requests I've made so I don't use their products

[@johnrussell8086]

A good test for the cables would be Ninja gaiden. Right at the beginning of the first level the fence in the background creates a rainbow effect. If that does not show then the output would be quite good for AV. I would have preferred s-video as this is more than adequate for the NES. I'm aware the original could not output this without a mod but this is a clone system.

[@RoXolid]

The problem with going with us videos the fact that you then increase the cost of the system. And, are people now more likely to have HDMI or S-Video on their television and have an easier way to connect one or the other? With S-Video you still need to have an analog audio output whereas with HDMI you have a single cable for everything

[@braddahl2098]

I like rocking crt and hd at the same time on the HD version. My kids lost their minds that one could play duck hunt on the crt while the other 2 watched on the HD tv.

[@jonathonearl482]

No power supply included??????

[@RoXolid]

Nope

[@TwistedIdentity]

I think Castlevania 3: Dracula's Quest is probably my favorite.

[@RoXolid]

Such a great version

[@pungisotu]

Castlevania 1 my favorite.

[@RoXolid]

That's where it all began

[@pungisotu]

@@RoXolid for sure. I can remember playing Castlevania for the first time with my brothers and not realizing to advance I had to go down the stairs to the water underneath. Good times.

[@RoXolid]

That's awesome

[@Matt_Desrochers74]

Good video. I definitely think this is a pointless system. Of course, in my opinion, I think it's a waste of money when you can just get a Retron 5 which I've had for 4 years now. I have a question though...you said "Famicom version of Duck Hunt" in that it was the only game on the cart? My Deluxe NES system that came with ROB, which I still have to this day, came with Duck Hunt and Gyromite on separate NES carts. Were you thinking you couldn't get Duck Hunt on an individual NES cart or were you just saying that yours happens to be the Famicom version?

[@RoXolid]

Mine happens to be a stand alone Duck Hunt only Famicom cart I bought in January 2020

[@OrdoNekro]

I honestly wish Hyperkin would have just released all of their controllers in hyper beach edition colours, rather than the consoles.

[@RoXolid]

I can see that

[@jerryvalle6634]

NES pursuit was made from a game called "Binary Land"

[@RoXolid]

Very cool, thank you for that

[@KTJohnsonkidThunder]

IREM -- Pronounced "Eye-Rim" It seems like they got the sound right on the console, but the colors are still off given it's run on a Nintendo-On-A-Chip (NOAC) like all other Famiclones. I probably would stick to an FPGA console like the Analogue NT or AVS instead.

[@RoXolid]

If you even know what an FPGA is you are not the target audience for this. This is designed for those who have a handful of NES Carts and their NES broke and they just want to play on the cheap. I have heard both Eye-Rim and Eye-Reem for decades. Tomato, Tomato

[@KTJohnsonkidThunder]

@@RoXolid I see. I wouldn't mind getting either one of them though. My NES is still working but I barely use it. It's packed away at the girlfriend's house. I would get the AVS to play some Famicom carts on there, but I imported a Famiclone from Japan a while back to play a few Famicom games though and it came with 30 built-in games.

[@RoXolid]

You can get a 60 to 72 pin adapter to play famicom carts on the NES

[@OperantSound]

The sky in Mario is purple....

[@RoXolid]

Yes, the color palette isn't accurate

[@retrobear9367]

I would love to build a Gameboy with that color scheme

[@RoXolid]

I get that

[@sportssimulationsonly]

SIMON'S CURSE IS DA BEST!

[@TheUnlikelyToad]

Castlemania 3: Trevor's Revenge is my jam!

[@RoXolid]

I think they're all great myself

[@TimDavis77]

Of the original NES Castlevania trilogy I’d have to say the first one, but I haven’t played Castlevania 3 much yet so that may change soon

[@RoXolid]

If you have the option to play the Famicom Disc Version of Castlevania 3 I recommend it, the audio is AMAZING

[@MichaelMonn]

Definitely the 1st one for me.

[@TimDavis77]

@@RoXolid I actually have the Famicom version of it as well as an Everdrive. Just modded my NES for expansion audio and am waiting on a 3D print to house my Gyromite Famicom to NES adapter.

[@RoXolid]

It's that the Voultar mod?

[@TimDavis77]

@@RoXolid something similar yeah

[@joshmcgootermier2301]

I just got one of these for CRT play. It’s wonderful in the sound department compared to most things I’ve tried. I think this is geared more to people who don’t care for playing these consoles on an hd tv. In my case if the audio is wrong I can’t play it so the HD version of the system never appealed to me. This so far seems much better than wrestling with my original NES consoles, even with the few nit picks.

[@RoXolid]

So if you don't mind my asking, not criticizing honestly curious, why did you go with a clone versus an actual NES?

[@joshmcgootermier2301]

@@RoXolid I have two original consoles...but I also have a three year old and a four year old. Outside of that, and I've only had the device for two days, it has started with no issues so far any game that I've used so far. I've done the modification to my normal consoles to reduce the pins needed but a top loader makes the process much easier. In all actuality though, I should leave it at the kids. I want them to play the games, and I've had a pi hooked to crt using composite, but for me this feels pretty close to the real thing without damaging what I know about the game. Sorry for the lengthy response. But yeah, the length of the cable on this thing is pretty horrible.... But at least now I know the tv won't actually blind me.

[@RoXolid]

@@joshmcgootermier2301 Thanks for the detailed answer. Did you know there was an HDMI option as well, were you looking for something just on the cheap, did HDMI not matter? Here's why I ask, and like I said in the video, I don't understand where this fits in the market when Hyperkin has the Retron 1 HD which does all this, with a longer controller cable & HDMI out for only a few dollars more.

[@joshmcgootermier2301]

@@RoXolid You said the sound seemed to be slightly improved over the HDMI version and that’s why I made the purchase based on your review. Normally if I want accurate emulation on an HD television I will use a shield tv along with one of the many 8bitdo controllers. I think you are right in all of your opinions. For someone that has limited options to play original cartridges the HDMI system is surely the way to go. Using 8bitdo’s wireless controller adapter for GameCube and Wiii controllers with an NES classic controller is about as near perfection as you can get. I am a special circumstance I assume compared to most.

[@RoXolid]

The sound is vastly improved, but I need to check the AV output of the Retron HD to see if it's better than the HDMI side as well

[@jacksquatt6082]

Castlevania II was my favorite, because it was an adventure game. Had never seen that before: a platformer game that had adventure aspects to it. So fight me on that! Simon's Quest is my fav!

[@RoXolid]

I don't hate it like many others do. Once of the first games I beat

[@jacksquatt6082]

@@RoXolid Oh cool! I loved it, honestly. The only complaint I can agree with is that the translation made some of the adventure puzzles *really* hard to complete, unless you had a guide. Imagine trying to beat it for the first time without any guide. That would be like shooting needles in a barrel with a slingshot at night after they had sunk to the bottom.

[@RoXolid]

I beat it thanks to a VHS tape!

[@jacksquatt6082]

@@RoXolid I ended up using one of those "How to win at nintendo games" books, if you remember those. They were written only with inked words on the page, no maps or other pictures, and they were not great.

[@RoXolid]

I had them!

[@Broken_Yugo]

The NES only ever natively outputted composite video, that's what it's supposed to look like. That such basic legacy support has been removed from modern TVs (and 240p rarely implemented right) is problematic, but if you're serious about this stuff a 13" CRT TV isn't hard to come by. I don't want or need HDMI, I just want a cheap NES I don't feel bad potentially destroying with bootleg games I want to play, looks like this is the best choice.

[@RoXolid]

No, this is not what it's supposed to look like. If you compare the color palette between a real NES and this, the colors are off. Also, if you're going to be using clone hardware and playing bootlegs you'll be cheaper off just emulating.

[@Divesufferhead]

Simon's Quest is is still my favorite.

[@RoXolid]

I don't understand the amount of hate that this game has gotten over the years. It's not as good as the other two, but it's not like the legend of Zelda 2 or breath of the Wild

[@hjalmarjohnson5846]

@@RoXolid I happen to like Zelda II. That's the one I don't understand the hate for. I played it waaay more than 1 back in the day.

[@RoXolid]

I get that, I've never cared for it myself.

[@thatssomegoodpie]

1 step forward 2 steps back. Better sound and colors but no HDMI and not as much games are compatible as with the Retron HD.

[@RoXolid]

Correct

[@NintenDub]

25$? I'd say you were critical, but pretty harsh. This item is for the super duper casual who has a copy of mario at grandma's house. Or for aunt Judy to buy to put wherever for the kids. Most TVs have composite still, not all, but it's pretty looking.its a cash grab at a ridiculously low price. 25 bucks is essentially nothing these days. Imagine this thing being around in 2012. It we would've been like 70 bucks. You cant complain. I own like 6 actual nes carts and I'd buy this if I wanted to use them

[@RoXolid]

If the Retron 1 HD didn't exist, I'd agree. For only a few dollars more you get a system with a longer controller able, dual audio outputs (mixed mono but still both channels have sound), AND and HDMI output. The $7 price difference ($25 vs $32) makes the Retron 1 HD a much better value IMO.

[@TwistedIdentity]

@@RoXolid One thing you have to consider, not everyone wants to play these on an HDTV. I'm actually considering one to mess around with on my CRT. Use an HDMI to AV adapter on the HD console and you're probably going to get input lag. I know I did with the Retron 5 doing that. For the controller problem you had though, defective unit more than likely. I bought 4 controllers of theirs. Two of them were defective. They make cool stuff but they need to work on the quality control.

[@RoXolid]

@@TwistedIdentity I get that, but if you're going to play on a CRT why not use an actual NES?

[@zwfilmsalt]

I wouldn't complain about this console except maybe for the fact that there's an issue in the controller one port, this console is $20-25 after all.

[@RoXolid]

I'm not complaining, simply bringing up the question whether or not this needs to exist. For me, there's not enough difference in price between this version and the one that also has HDMI to justify this one existing, especially since the HDMI version also has composite video output.

[@rubenmejia4881]

I almost pulled the trigger on the gray one only because I love the color of the contoller but that 5ft kills me plus I'm hi def nes modded already lol but I really love anything nes related. I'm hoping they do a stand alone or update their wireless one with different color schemes

[@RoXolid]

I doubt that they will sell the controller separate from the systems. They have not had a history of doing that

[@rubenmejia4881]

@@RoXolid I know (sad face) I finally caved in and ordered the regular version off eBay since they didn't have that color on amazon

[@RoXolid]

Yeah, I had one of the red versions of their squier Genesis controllers go out on me, and I can't get it replaced which sucks. I may just take that red shell off and put it on the standard black squire that I have

[@billcook4768]

All right, there are two options on the table. We can fix some of the know problems with our system. Or, we can put out a model in blue. All in favor of fixing stuff say aye. All in favor of blue? The blues have it.

[@RoXolid]

But what if we do a new version in gray?

[@PeyejitoStyle]

Everdrive?

[@RoXolid]

I don't have any to test

[@NecromancerAdr]

I'll stick to my Super Retro Trio, but I appreciate cheaper options for different markets.

[@therealpalo001]

Castlevania 3 works fine on my retro 1 console.

[@IngwaR8814]

It's working on your Retron 1 AV or you have HD?

[@jonathonearl482]

The Retron 5 is the only console by Hyperkin that's worth it in my opinion.

[@torokun]

Meh. It’s the age of FPGA gaming now. Migrate to MiSTer hardwares.

[@RoXolid]

I haven't looked into the MISTer myself but does the MISTer allow you to play physical carts? If not, it will never serve all.

[@dmcpcrt]

I wonder if I got a revised one? I did a video where I could play castlevania 3, but it sounded horrible. I also did not care for the audio when playing games like Super Mario Bros, especially the coins. Rad Racer sounded fine though! Batman was terrible. Cheers!

[@RoXolid]

Is yours the HD with an HDMI output or just composite video?

[@dmcpcrt]

@@RoXolid Just AV like yours. I haven't gotten around to testing an HDMi one yet

[@TheRetroScene]

The first castlevania game for me is my favourite, don’t get me wrong 2 and 3 are good games but if I was on a desert island with a nes and tv and a big battery then that be the game I play , well till the battery dies lol

[@RoXolid]

All 3 are good to great (2 being the weaker one) but I can't argue with you at all

[@OpticSnipez90]

Is it just me or does the screen way to purple ish

[@RoXolid]

It is

[@Lacuevadelnorte]

En nuestro canal, también la analizamos, saludos

[@kranibal]

Whats up with Hyperkin these days? I feel they do not fully understand the gaming market... Why AV?

[@RoXolid]

To hit a price point, but I just don't see the demand

[@kranibal]

They should hire you so you could be a consultant for marketing/dev/research. You are definitely more grounded with the gaming community. From a customer point of view they seem to have lost their initial vocation which is to offer new twist to older products. Not offert older products of their older ones. It feel counterintuitive.

[@RoXolid]

I've offered in the past to provide beta testing to a few different companies

[@mtshark7]

Awesome review Gary! Man that's a shame it has all those flaws. My crappy FC Game Console from yobo is probably better...it includes 2 controllers and a power supply.

[@RoXolid]

I wouldn't go that far, lol

[@treyslay753]

Lol, Yobo was pretty bad.

[@marsbase1357]

I'm just hoping that they don't turn in to the next Atgames

[@RoXolid]

Me too! Although their arcade cabinet is pretty legit from what I hear

[@stutterin_stick239]

1st castlevania is my favorite and what about us who want to use RF lol wheres my port 😄

[@RoXolid]

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[@claytonmiller3754]

It should be called, simons curse. The game is cursed.

[@RoXolid]

It's not THAT bad. It's not as good as 1 and 3 but it's still better than, say, Zelda II or Breath of the Wild.

[@LindaTheGAMERGal]

CTR!

[@RoXolid]

Crap Tube, Really

[@RedRanger2001]

CRT*

[@RoXolid]

Boom Linda, BOOM! LOL

[@thatmarioguytmg369]

Hi

[@RoXolid]

Greetings

[@thatmarioguytmg369]

How has your day been?

[@RoXolid]

I am glad the weekend is here I will say that

[@r9delta104]

Awful/nearly pointless product but if any one needs confirmation this does work with the Everdrive N8 (NON Pro). Bit the bullet on this to test until I get an AVS in a few months.

[@RoXolid]

It's not awful, but for the price being so close to the Retron HD I don't quite understand the need for this

[@sebastianflesjandersen939]

Looks like a cheap a** toy, and that's exactly what it is. Who would want to use something that only uses AV😂?. Personally I think Hyperkin is a joke. I understand that not everyone have the money to buy something from Analogue, but that's why we've got options like the RetroUSB AVS

[@RoXolid]

I don't agree with this. While this is an outlier of a device in 2021, there is a place for inexpensive clone consoles. It is where people can start to see if they want to get more involved in the hobby, it's a start and not an end.

[@sebastianflesjandersen939]

@@RoXolid That's perfectly fine, just my personal opinion. I did like the review and I think you did a good job going over everything relevant 😁👍

[@RoXolid]

Thank you for the compliment, I did not take your comment as a slight against me. I think products like these have a Target audience, and not everybody needs an analog system. Heck, I don't own any analog systems!

[@NintenDub]

Castlemania 3? Too much shillin

[@RoXolid]

What are you talking about?