Can the Hyperkin RetroN SQ Be Saved? How to Update the Firmware

[@RoXolid]

Thanks to the amazing @Disk Cart for the background image in our thumbnail. If you like display videos, check him out at kzbin.info/door/0rpPbtxnkegWkageb4eJFA Order the Hyperkin Retron SQ by visiting: Hyper Beach Edition: amzn.to/3e9brTK Black/Gold Edition: amzn.to/3bdnkWR CastlemaniaGames.com Links coming soon 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]!!

[@Larry]

Out of curiosity, what are Super Game Boy compatible games like on it?

[@RoXolid]

First of all, holy crap, welcome to my channel Larry, I'm a fan! Pretty much everything plays as it's you're playing on a GBA, which is weird dive the GBA games still have such issues. I just double checked with Donkey Kong and it played the same on the SQ as on my GBA. Thanks so much for checking out the video/channel, let me know if you have any questions.

[@Larry]

@@RoXolid Aw, bless you Sir, thank you :) Will do on the question front, but I'll drop you a sub for your future vids!!!

[@chrisazor]

I really appreciate you going back to this and giving it another look. Some improvement on the GBA side, but at least the firmware update is showing signs of progress. Thanks again

[@RoXolid]

Exactly, like I didn't expect the 1st firmware update to fix everything, but it did address a lot. The controller lag was terrible before, now, nonexistent. I just hope they get it working BEFORE shipping.

[@Bandinthesky]

I already pre-ordered mine! I'm excited for it

[@TIDbitRETRO]

Until the GBA functionality gets to an acceptable level I can’t put any money towards this product. Thank you for the review though, it was very informative.

[@RoXolid]

That'st what I am here for!

[@-Gothicgirl-]

Or you build a Gbahd and has no compatible problems

[@Andy_Robotsan]

Its a step in the right direction and I may reorder this now. Thank you for the update.

[@RoXolid]

Thanks for checking it out

[@dankhill6851]

if you have a gamecube it's better to buy an action replay/memory card sd reader and a gameboy player, around the same price too. Well I play stuff like this exclusively on CRT if you do that it's a better option

[@RoXolid]

Action Replays are like $100, and if you don't like CRTs like I don't, going to a flat panel is $80 at least for the Prism or Carby.

[@dankhill6851]

@@RoXolid tf they were 20 dollars last year scalpers are ruining this market lol

[@dankhill6851]

@@RoXolid theres a nickdisc boot disc for 10 dollars, do those work?

[@hero8880]

Here’s hoping, I want one but not till the bugs get worked out.

[@RoXolid]

I can totally get that

[@IuriFiedoruk]

Graphics are also much sharper in this version. Hope they keep updating the firmware and don't abandon it like they did with the Retron 5.

[@RoXolid]

Same here

[@johnmogavero8156]

Thanks I did pre order one and did not know i would have to do updates

[@RoXolid]

Not sure whether the end consumer will have to update it if it'll be updated before shipping

[@SomeOrangeCat]

Never release a product until it's ready. Deadlines be damned. You only get to make a first impression once.

[@RoXolid]

I agree!

[@KyloNeko]

I kinda wonder that since the software is open source that it could somehow be cracked open and replace the hyperkin bios with a real gba one , and possibly enable the use of flash carts , maybe even fully rewrite the system since it's capable of playing gba games , gbc, gb games and I wonder if the memory dump is onboard or on the sdcard where the firmware is at?

[@JonSnyderfudge]

Are we sure there aren't any color palette options? Have you tried the usual startup button combinations like if you were on a gameboy color?

[@RoXolid]

I have

[@JonSnyderfudge]

@@RoXolid shucks...

[@TimDavis77]

Didn’t have a Super Game Boy or Game Boy Player when the systems were out. Heck I didn’t even have an SNES. But I have both now.

[@RoXolid]

Good to have in your collection now

[@VeeGeeA]

Ok so I'm rather perplexed about this update process. With the Micro SD no longer readable does Hyperkin just expect people to just be stuck with not being able to update its firmware further in the future updates after the new SD has been written?

[@RoXolid]

They've updated the process and I've posted a follow-up here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oojEeKGId7iNqpY

[@the1ucidone]

I really like Hyperkin no joke. I only own the expensive wireless controllers but I'm a fan. So if this get's fixed I'll buy it for sure.

[@RoXolid]

Hopefully we get more updates that I can share dinner than later

[@the1ucidone]

@Yannick 73 I feel ya brother.

[@RoXolid]

They didn't use stolen video in the Retron 5, they usedc open source code in a device sold commercially. I look at it as they sold the hardware and gave the software away, but it's Definitely a grey area

[@RoXolid]

Of course. There was an interview I saw years ago where the lead Hyperkin developer stated they farmed out the software development to another person and they weren't as diligent with verifying his work as they should have been.

[@plaztik767]

I have a game boy player for the game cube. Unfortunately lost the boot disk but still have the player intact. 😢

[@RoXolid]

And the disc is the expensive part

[@plaztik767]

@@RoXolid So true, I learned the hard way..

[@RoXolid]

I have 4 players and 2 discs. Oh, I know, lol

[@JMLRetroRoom]

Image quality is good. Frame rate is what, like 20fps? It’s dizzying though.

[@RoXolid]

Not sure it is even that high

[@DemonxKrauser]

i read that when you save gba games it saves on the sd card. how do you even access those when you load up the game again?

[@1UpJohn]

Thanks for the update. It's good that it works better now but it's still not great. I still don't think this product is consumer ready.

[@RoXolid]

I agree

[@ryandann9362]

Where you able to read and write to the new sd card you bought after you wrote the new firmware to it?

[@RoXolid]

I was not in Windows. Like others have mentioned there are things I will be trying and seeing if it works in the future

[@timsurman3354]

I know that the draw is to be able to play original cartridges, but for the price a pi4 and RetroArch using run ahead would just be the better option.

[@RoXolid]

If you're not interested in running actual cartridges, agreed.

[@Bears9McMahon]

Is hyperkin making you make this video since I’m sure they weren’t happy with your last one on the product?

[@RoXolid]

Nope, no one forces me to make any content.

[@Bears9McMahon]

@@RoXolid Glad to hear that...I hope a update patch can change to from beta to a real GBA Player

[@topfreede]

I can't play Flashcards with that? How it's going on with homebrew games on cartridge?

[@RoXolid]

No idea, I funny own any GBA flashcards or homebrew carts, sorry

[@michaeldemers2716]

Reminds me of the Pow Kiddy V90. Companies are in such a rush nowadays to get something out but at least they make it so you can fix it a little. I was happy with the V90 after I fixed it. Love Legend of the River King 2 with Rumble and Nushi Tsuri Adventure-Kite no Bouken English patch. Gameboy ROM Analyzer is your friend and Lunar IPS.

[@christophermcbride2522]

Do you think the MClassic graphics adapter could improve the GBA performance? I do not own the MClassic adapter, and I would not buy one just for the SQ, but I've considered buying one for my other consoles like my PSTV, and was wondering how the GBA games would perform with the MClassic adapter attached.

[@Lorfarius]

No, that's not how it works.

[@GaZlovesGames]

Think if they revise it for gba and even double the price for the build itd have a much larger market. Everyone will have their own thoughts i guess. Thanks for sharing.

[@jimcornish242]

since I have 4 or 5 gba games for every gb or gbc game I have, the SQ not working perfectly with all of the advance games means this won't work for me yet...maybe after a few more firmware updates it will get my interest, but until then I'll use other methods to put my gba games on the big screen

[@RoXolid]

I get that, this repulse not be for you at this point I agree

[@ArmaBiologica35]

Picture quality does look better.

[@RoXolid]

The control lag was completely fixed too! They're working hard at this one!

[@nielsvriethoff9476]

2 things. Don’t know if it is your capture. But it looks sharper now. And dit they fix the aspect ratio?

[@RoXolid]

It did look sharper and no aspect ratio changes

[@nielsvriethoff9476]

@@RoXolid Nice that they at least fixed that part.

[@RoXolid]

Yeah, but there's still more work to be done

[@titosama4181]

I understand it only works with original games, but it works with game boy games from "limited run games" or similar?

[@RoXolid]

Not sure as I don't own any of those to test. I'd assume they're work as they use quality boards and such.

[@OrdoNekro]

Are you able to change the button layout for games (example move L/R buttons to the face buttons X/A)?

[@RoXolid]

You cannot at this time

[@TimDavis77]

You probably aren’t seeing the contents of the included micro SD card because it’s likely a Linux file system like ext3 or ext4.

[@RoXolid]

Yeah, no sure what sort of core they are basing the OS on.

[@lukaszerecinski5376]

Thanks for the video. The fact that they've got software running this poorly on RK3128 is head-scratching. The SoC is hardly a powerhouse, especially by modern standards, but it can emulate PS1, SNES, Genesis at 720p and even some N64 games at 480p (this is in like 2015, when Firefly made an SOM/ SBC) quite well. So I suspect they took the ancient Linux BSP, bundled with the never-updated Mali blob, and just slapped it together without much effort. I'm actually vaguely interested in this box, mostly because of the form-factor, so if they respond to my ping on Twitter perhaps we can get this functional.

[@Binighted]

I noticed they removed the softening in this firmware, Am I correct?

[@RoXolid]

They did tweak the visuals, yes

[@CLINTSTER77COX]

For some reason my GBA games don’t play. But they did play . I think something is corrupted. Can I flash a new Sd card ?

[@RoXolid]

It's worth a try

[@Slamz369]

if you want the memory card back, can format it with disk managment (or diskpart) on windows.

[@RoXolid]

I get that, but for the average consumer I wouldn't ask them to do something like that. It needs to be drag and drop, just like they did with the Retron 77 IMO

[@Slamz369]

@@RoXolid i tottally agree, thats not for everyone, but think its worth a mention incase they only have the one card, or think its broken, if they arnt comfortable doing this their local computer repair shop can help them.

[@RoXolid]

My hope is that, before it ships, this issue is addressed by Hyperkin

[@OpticSnipez90]

Would a omega flash cart work on this ?

[@RoXolid]

No idea, unlikely, but I don't have one to test. If you're going to use a flash cart you're better and cheaper off just using a RetroPi

[@majorhavok9423]

I’ll wait till they fix the advanced player

[@RoXolid]

I don't blame you

[@bunnyplush]

Still no save states?

[@RoXolid]

Nope. I'd rather have them focus on core functionallity first before adding additional features. But I do hope Save States come in the future!

[@yanksmc7]

If they could fix the aspect ratio problems and provide better support for GBA then I’d be interested. Until then, I’d rather go with a GBA consolizer despite the huge difference in cost.

[@RoXolid]

I get that

[@davistalhone9482]

When they make it able to multicarts, i'll order that same day. Had a pre order and had to cancel when I discovered it wasn't compatible.

[@RoXolid]

If you're looking to play games off a multicart just get a RetroPi.

[@davistalhone9482]

@@RoXolid I've got some really slick Color and original GB multis that I was looking forward to reliving on the big screen. You mean a Pi and just download some Gameboy Roms or? I was surprised in the difficulty of finding a consolized GB. At $75, this sounded pretty appealing but my multis are no bueno.

[@RoXolid]

Yes, if you're basically going to emulate the games anyways then you might as well go with a RetroPi as it's the less expressive option

[@davistalhone9482]

@@RoXolid Good call. I thought the unit was going to run games right off the cart but you're right - just dumping the rom through the emulation engine anyway here. Hope they continue refining it. It's a cool, affordable little box.

[@RoXolid]

Pretty much

[@xXRustyShacklefordXx]

I really think if gba isn't in a playable state on launch then this thing is going to tank. Which is a real shame cause it's a great idea.

[@RoXolid]

Agreed

[@tybread2997]

Does it show anything in disk management? My guess is its linux based so that wont show in windows.

[@RoXolid]

Nothing

[@JonSnyderfudge]

You should try running a live linux distro and then see what the disk utility or gparted says. At the very least you should see what file system format it is formatted as. I'm guessing there is a boot partition and secondary ext4 filesystem.

[@Binighted]

Came here to say this, most likely its a linux format, you can also try Linux file system for windows from paragorn to see if its readable, in disk management it should at least appear and say its not readable and format it from there.

[@RoXolid]

I'll check it out, thanks!

[@ernestgomez84]

great and fair review. For the difference in price an quality the 5 is better. I know in the 5 there is to save your game back onto the cart if you wanna take it to play on the go, does that simply not work here?

[@RoXolid]

Nope, that's not an option at this time.

[@retrobear9367]

After just trying my color hacked cart version of MarioLand on my gameboy player, im really hoping this can do a better job of playing it at some point. The input lag was insane. Thought maybe it was my wavebird going dead. But its working fine with official carts.

[@RoXolid]

Oh no!

[@retrobear9367]

@@RoXolid yeah. input lag and the more I played, I noticed some frame skips to.

[@RoXolid]

Really? On real hardware?!?! Weird!

[@retrobear9367]

@@RoXolid yeah. im guessing the GBP doesn't like the rom hack

[@SYIBOI]

Ok, its getting better, as I thought it would over time. I do wonder if they'll enable other USB controllers in the future since well other controllers would be cool, imagine using an NES controller to play og gameboy games that would be pretty sweet.

[@RoXolid]

That would be nice!

[@thetoythief8940]

I didn't grow up in the 80s or 90s but growing up I use to have a modded wii that I'd play gameboy games on all the time

[@ripsterruta4438]

Firmware update...I'm already turned off. I'll stick with my gamecube player. Thanks for the honest review.

[@RoXolid]

If you have the Game Boy Player and a Carby, Prism or GCHD, there's no need for you to buy this.

[@Tarbh80]

The sd card can’t be read by Windows because it’s file system format isn’t recognized by windows. It’s either ext3 or ext4 or a combination of formats and partitions, which is a Linux format. Hyperkin is emulating from a striped down custom Linux. You can probably format it with third party. Ex: partition magic boot disc.

[@marsbase1357]

I was going to buy one but I'm not sure now. I feel I shouldn't have to update it when I buy it new. That's why I'm not going to buy ps5 or xbox x

[@RoXolid]

If you go rewatch the full interview, when Terence mentioned the consumers would have to update my face tells the story. These should be updated before consumers ever see them

[@ericpeytonreid9945]

My Super Gameboy Was My Daily Go-to After My O.G. Gameboy Died

[@RoXolid]

Nice!

[@atraxxtheone]

Apparently I heard connecting a keyboard and pressing f1 it opens up a menu a la retroarch and you can change the frame skip to 0 and problem solved for gba games

[@RoXolid]

Stay tuned, today's premier is going to cover this!

[@jonathonearl482]

Several years ago, I actually had a Game Cube with it's game boy player. I truly regret trading that in!

[@RoXolid]

D'OH!

[@druknape4026]

I was going get this initially but decided to go with a gba sp instead. Moreover, just eliminating the need for my ds lite because I already have a 2ds and the lite can only play gba games on that handheld system.

[@RoXolid]

The GBA SP is a great handheld!

[@Dorkalicious]

Hyperkin should test their products before they ship them

[@RoXolid]

No doubt and no argument!

[@Dorkalicious]

The sd card was probably in a linux file format and not readable by windows You can go to windows disk manager and see if it appears there, if so wipe the partiton so you can access it

[@RoXolid]

Agreed, but the end user shouldn't have to figure that out. It needs to be drag and drop IMO

[@Dorkalicious]

@@RoXolid very true

[@RoXolid]

I agree. Now they did a live stream of the system before I got mine, and there didn't look to be issues.

[@NathanielClay]

Yeah I’m probably going to scoop one up next pay day

[@RoXolid]

They're not shipping yet

[@NathanielClay]

@@RoXolid oh ok

[@RoXolid]

I think they were aiming for the 3rd week of March but who knows it it'll be delayed to address these issues

[@sebastianflesjandersen939]

If I want to play DMG I'll use a SuperNt+SuperGameboy+EverdriveGBx7 combo. If I want to play GBC, GBA I'll use the MiSTer FPGA. Alternatively I'll use the NT mini noir for DMG or GBC and in the future I'll be using the Analogue Pocket with a dock, all in a totally different league compared to products from Hyperkin imo.

[@piqone1]

They need to wait till there's really no need for a firmware update needed.

[@RoXolid]

Yup

[@jeff97ish]

I'm still not sold Gary. It's gotta have GBA to the T.

[@RoXolid]

I completely get it and understant!

[@jeff97ish]

@@RoXolid I apologize for missing this live. I am just now getting back to myself. I was really sick! Flu A and B and Strep.

[@RoXolid]

Dude, no need to apologize! Get yourself healthy man!

[@64-Bit-Gamer]

I'm going to get one. I think maybe Hyperkin should have abandoned GBA support and just sold it as GB/GBC device. The GBA Beta status is only attracting negative publicity.

[@RoXolid]

I don't think you're entirely wrong, either that or release the GBA as a patch down the road

[@64-Bit-Gamer]

@@RoXolid I would like to see the aspect ratio fixed and shade options with the next update, e.g. original GB green.

[@RoXolid]

I don't think you're going to see additional features for some time. First things first is figuring out core functionality

[@64-Bit-Gamer]

@@RoXolid Anyway, I forgot to say, thanks for making the videos! BTW, I would have liked the N64 Transfer Pak to have been able to play and save all GB and GBC games on TV, but it hasn't quite happened yet. Maybe one day. That would be preferable to the RetroN Sq.

[@RoXolid]

Thanks for watching

[@topfreede]

Should I buy or should I not? :D

[@RoXolid]

I'd recommend waiting for now

[@rdandes47]

I'm glad I didn't cancel my preorder

[@RoXolid]

It's going to be a work in progress for a bit. I am not a fan of having your customers be your beta testers, so here's hoping things get smoothed out before it ships

[@Ruslan.88266]

I'm waiting for the hacks.

[@jfroco]

You need much more hardware power to emulate GBA, a 32 bit system, than a GB/GBC, 8bit systems. I have a RetroFreak console and GBA games have a lot of input lag (making games like Warioware unplayable) but GB/GBC games work perfectly.

[@arthurcollector4002]

this hardware can not play gba decently, firmware will not make miracles this product is oficially overpriced for what he does

[@RoXolid]

I don't agree with that at all. The hardware is fine, but the software isn't optimized to use the hardware properly currently.

[@neumaticimpact]

@@RoXolid Freudian slip .. Hardare/hot air

[@dougarias6532]

they need to just fix the gameboy advance games on both the SQ and the Retron 5 and i wish theyd fix the repro carts not working on the retron 5 some people cant afford $200 for a chrono trigger copy or $300 for earthbound

[@ArmaBiologica35]

I think I´ll wait until someone does a full teardown of one of these machines to see if the hardware is powerful enough to run Game Boy Advance games at full speed... like at all. Because firmware updates, whether official or not can only go so far if the hardware is not up to par. There´s no reason why it wouldn´t be since most chinese emulation consoles or cheap android phones from a decade ago can emulate Game Boy Advance games just fine, a 5 dollar raspberry pi zero can do so as well. Some of us just want to know what´s under the hood.

[@RoXolid]

I don't think having on-board power is going to be an issue. They're emulation a 20+ year old machine, should not be an issue at all.

[@eddysell83]

I dont have a computer and dunno how to do all dis. What a hassle

[@RoXolid]

Well if you follow my steps you would know how to do it, but you definitely need a PC

[@eddysell83]

@@RoXolid yea sucks

[@RoXolid]

I get that

[@trevorchadwick7649]

Forgive my ignorance, it's GBA, shouldn't that be easy to make work?

[@RoXolid]

If the firmware is optimized, pretty much yes in theory.

[@ecoao80]

this is an embarrassing product. did they rush it out after the analogue pocket restocks were announced?

[@RoXolid]

It hasn't shipped yet to consumers, so nothing's been rushed. I invite you to check out the interview we had with Terence from Hyperkin just tonight where we discuss this, and other issues

[@michaeldemers2716]

Does not play NES/Famicom Mini GBA games. Probably because Nintendo was using Emulation.

[@reagandow850]

Hyperkin should kissing your ass for reevaluating their product. Why they ever sent out review units with that lousy software is beyond me but they screwed up royally. If the can get the GBA working I’d actually buy one but we will most likely never find out. Who’s actually going to give them another chance? They are VERY LUCKY you made this video. Absolutely dumbfounded that they sent out review units with the software that was originally in the units.

[@animedrawer69]

That GBA frameskip is atrocious. Pretty Sure the Retron 5 runs these games much better. This system is way too expensive for what it is

[@RoXolid]

It currently does, I agree

[@TheBabbofilms]

This is a $30-40 machine at best, running like this.

[@RoXolid]

You're not wrong

[@shocknawe]

No multiplayer no buy.

[@RoXolid]

I get that. For her it's not something that I'm big on but I can see how for some it's crucial

[@shocknawe]

@@RoXolid it just bums me out how they (all of these companies) keep on making these emulator type devices and NONE seem to think of the use of link cables.

[@shocknawe]

@@RoXolid imagine how cool it could be to get 4 of these on a GBA version and play Kirby's Amazing Mirror, 4 player?

[@RoXolid]

I've never, not once, played a Game Boy game multiplayer :(

[@calebb7012]

Much better options than this square piece of garbage.

[@guyverjay1289]

No

[@RoXolid]

An optimist I see

[@guyverjay1289]

@@RoXolid - A realist

[@r9delta104]

This is not a comment about the review (it's well done and as always i appreciate the content) but it's pathetic to me that Hyperkin is releasing worse products since the Retron 5 in 2014 while the rest of the ways to play GB and GBA games have significantly progressed and gotten more innovative. Is going the MiSTer or GBA consolizer route more expensive? Sure but the argument that the Retron SQ is only 80 dollars in comparison doesn't hold up to me when even at 80 the quality is so poor I wouldn't want to touch the thing with a 10 foot pole anyway. Even if it were free it looks like such a bad experience it's still a waste of my time. How out of touch do they have to be to release a product that has all the bad qualities of (outright horrid) software emulation and none of the good qualities.

[@RoXolid]

Well here's something to keep in mind. Nothing has shipped yet, except for review samples. I'm hoping that they continue to fine tune this and don't ship until it is right.

[@r9delta104]

@@RoXolid That's true and I think if enough people continue to take them to task they'll at least continue to release firmware updates for it to make it right. There's been interviews before that show there's some good people at hyperkin that care...maybe hyperkin will do the right thing.

[@RoXolid]

I'm interviewing them LIVE on the channel tonight!

[@billcook4768]

No save states, color palates controls, aspect ratio issue, minor glitches on gameboy games, big glitches on GBA??? This only looks the slightest bit good compared to the previous version. It lacks the most basic feature every emulator out there has... $20 junk from China runs better than this. Bummer.

[@RoXolid]

I think they are heading in the right direction, and the good news is only us whiney KZbinrs have them right now for review, so the consumer is unaffected at this point. I'm hoping they continue to improve before shipping!

[@Ruslan.88266]

Linux, it's linux.

[@RoXolid]

Are we sure of that?

[@JonSnyderfudge]

Yes, most likely. Windows doesn't support or even recognize ext4 file systems. And that's what linux uses. Windows is ghosting the sd card, lol.

[@idkanymore3382]

Are you boomers seriously buying something that barely can emulate gbc and gb? YIKES The GBA game runs at 10fps at most, this is impossible to watch. I can't believe you people allowing a company to release such a product without throwing their product into a dumpster The Hyperkin basically takes a cart, dumps the rom to flash/ram and plays it over a emulator. Its not legit, buy a pi4 and leave these for the LANDFILL

[@RoXolid]

Thank you for showing your ignorance by using the term boomer.