RetroN 5 in 2023? | Review / ROM Loading / CFW

[@Straviradius]

Out of curiosity, have you tried moving the ROMs you dumped from your games and playing them on another device like your PC? I installed RetronFreak and can't use the ROMs anywhere other than the CFW Retron 5 itself.

[@FrameRater]

Sadly it turns out they're encrypted. Hoping there's a way to change that.

[@Straviradius]

@@FrameRater Change the CFW to RetronLabo instead, the ROMs it dumps to the SD card aren't encrypted thankfully.

[@aw4483]

Why go through so much for games that were dumped 20 years ago, at least?

[@lucaskanabe9585]

@@aw4483 Playing games you backed up on different platforms isn't the same as playing games you downloaded from the internet

[@Planetdune]

What's the point of dumping roms? Unless you have some rom that is not widely available but what are the odds on that. (I know legality reasons but beyond that)

[@depht]

Had no idea all these updates existed for the Retron 5. Holy cow, thank you so much for this video! I'm installing the custom firmware as we speak

[@FrameRater]

Good luck! Hope you don't get a brick, but no worries since it's easy to restore anyways.

[@RetrofIex]

I dont think I ever got over how horrendous Hyperkin’s original Retron HD was but they may have redeemed themselves with superior products like the SupaRetron. This one looks good

[@IuriFiedoruk]

I got my Retron 5 in Christmas, the console was even sold here in Brazil by Hyperkin themselves. Sadly, some pins started to bend, even if I used the sideways removal method since day one. I ended up transfering my emulation play to the Playstation Mini, that is a great and better console for that. BBut I keep my Retron 5 for dumping saves from carts. Sadly I got it after my Secret of Mana save, that I played with my late brother was already gone, but still, it is a great funcionality.

[@zaphael0]

Cleaning the bottom side of the cartridges with Isopropyl alcohol using a q-tip tends to fix the issue with the games refusing to load. Works for me.

[@Pridetoons]

Woah, that custom firmware is literally Night and Day I might buy this thing.

[@Alien_Bob]

Feel like there's nothing custom firmware can't make infinitely better

[@NonsensicalSpudz]

especially if its nintendo

[@adamkane7513]

We need CFW for modern women. They're just malfunctioning all the time. If we could get them to be slightly less nutso & disagreeable it would be a good start. Personally, I blame the femmynizt OS they started programming them with in the 1960s...

[@VinnytotheK]

My life.

[@Alien_Bob]

@@VinnytotheK if it can work for hyperkin stuff it can work for anyone, even you

[@VinnytotheK]

@@Alien_Bob 🥲 there's hope... I must find this custom firmware!

[@aozgolo]

One weird way I tend to use my Retron 5 is as a way to play fan translation patches on actual cartridges. I imported a whole bunch of Super Famicom games such as Bahamut Lagoon or Seiken Densetsu 3. I can then use an IPS patch to play those games in English. It's still software emulation, and yes, with extra steps, but if you are a physical collector and want to own those SFC games, the Retron 5 offers a cool way to play those carts in your language.

[@gurvmlk]

I've done the same thing.

[@Old_Man_Jay]

That's actually not a bad idea!

[@Saxdude26]

That's fantastic. The number of fan patches which have provided QOL changes, sometimes only offered in certain regions - or only by fans - make this an incredible bonus. Definitely going to do this for Spyro Season of Ice and DragonBall Advanced Adventure.

[@1Sandwitch1]

ya Like I just commented about this, I turned ENG translated roms into IPS files to play my Super famicom Carts, I physically have FF6, Dragon Quest 5 AND 6

[@Alan.Davies]

Great overview! As an early adopter of the Retron5, I found myself constantly resorting to my original hardware due to latency issues. However I feel with the RetronFreak CFW, many of these problems have been resolved (or at least significantly improved).

[@ScrapyardFilms]

Thanks for the video. I have one of the first Retron 5 models and haven't touched it in years. But that RetronFreak overview and link will absolutely be happening!

[@jessragan6714]

Thanks for sharing! Lots of good information here... your videos are typically very thorough.

[@gumbyx84]

Greatly appreciate you making this video. I have a Retron5 but it's in storage. I meant to look into custom firmware years ago but never got around to it. Might have to dig it out of whatever tote I stick it in and take the RetroFreak CFW for a spin.

[@awwrelic]

UPDATE: Went ahead and tried RetronFreak on my Retron 5. The first time I bricked the system, but thankfully I too followed the instructions and ran the CFW again. Right as rain now. Thanks for the video!

[@FrameRater]

Glad to hear it worked out.

[@LoveatFirstHike]

I was a first day adopter of this thing fully expecting it to get hacked with cfw within the first week or month.. here we are 10 years later. Better late than never! And perfect timing because I just modded my 10 year old Wii U and 3DS XL!

[@MegaTerryNutkins]

The issue around them using stolen code was presumably cleared up by them releasing sources in accordance with whatever GPL terms the original work required.

[@sugaryhull9688]

That wasn't the only license violated. If memory serves, they used SNES9X, which is explicitly noncommercial

[@teneesh3376]

Sounds sketchy. But it's stolen code from retroarch. And I love retroarch, but the developer is a horrible person. He's a bully towards everyone

[@warchild9381]

I don't even care about the Retron 5, but I always watch all of your videos because they're so entertaining and informative.

[@MVLGAMING]

I've always used a Retro Freak, its a very similar system but it also supports PC Engine. And you can add ROM files for any cartridges that don't work via SD card.

[@AllardRT]

Oh man, this one takes me so far back. I remember wanting one of these badly and watching a Classic Game Room review of it back in the day. Good times.

Man, I did this a few months ago to my R5 and in my opinion it's just so much better. The UI, the way that the cartridges are managed, dumping your own roms, etc.

[@ezgoodnight]

That tutorial I wrote for retrorgb keeps popping up in various channels. Nice job on this video.

[@FrameRater]

Thanks for that excellent guide!

[@RetroJordan91]

I’ve had my Retron 5 since 2016 and it still works like a charm.. seeing the custom firmware stuff at the end got me very stoked to try it out and expand my library.. still a great retro system in 2023 😁

[@chaospoet]

I still use mine regularly. Also little fun fact: If you have the Sega Power Base Converter adapter made for the Genesis and stick it in you can play Master System/Card games that way also. No updates required. I may have to buy a second one and try this with it. I don't want to accidentally brick the one I've had for years now that has given me no trouble all this time.

[@FrameRater]

Haha, I have that thing but no Master System games to try so pointless.

[@AmazingFrenchman]

For Moms and Dads wanting to pkay their old games, I will always advice the Reteon 5, it's simple enough and capable enough. Foe thw price, it can play all these carts and in HD. Very cool. I personally use original modded hardware.

[@Pridetoons]

I'd probably buy this if I didn't already have NES, Genesis, SNES, and GBA, GBC Clones and consoles. Also I love the Background music.

[@dub2536]

Very impressive and to me a beneficial video. TY.

[@Isaacfess]

What a nice little multi-use device! Cool to see so many retro consoles all in one.

[@sporadiceel6246]

With CFW, this seems pretty awesome! If I can find one for less than $100, I might have to give this a shot!

[@johnnymoreira192]

No way,the best review about Retron 5 out there,thanks a lot buddy!

[@danielnorton9803]

I vibe so hard with FR’s content. Its esoteric, but he goes so hard with his reviews

[@beardalaxy]

Fun fact, there IS a way to load roms with it without needing cfw. I used to do it all the time back when I had a Retron 5. You can use IPS patch programs to create an IPS patch from a ROM and then load that ROM up as a patch for another physical game you have from the same console. You can even keep separate saves. You do have to manually add cheats and not all games will work with each other, but I never had an issue with it! The first time I ever played Chrono Trigger was by patching over Dragon Quest VI using this method. No reason to do it now, of course, but 6 years ago? Hell yeah.

[@Slenderquil]

Having something that you can easily dump roms to is super neat.

[@IowaRetroGamerDad]

Great video. I've been really looking at getting this one or the weird PINK/Green Retron. Been purging the collection pretty good lately.. kind of nervous about selling consoles tho. lol

[@Cyberbrickmaster1986]

I have the Retro Freak. Was happy to replace the RetroN 5 with that. Wasn't fully aware of more advance reproduction consoles, as I was fairly content with it. That and I had already pre-ordered a copy of the Polymega a year ago, and I'm still waiting for it to arrive in the mail.

[@pokepress]

Have you had any problems recently (within the last month or so) where it gets stuck on the splash screen?

[@GODCONVOYPRIME]

How come no talks about the retrofreak?

[@PlusUltraAdrian]

@@GODCONVOYPRIME I have the retrofreak. I love it.

[@brucefields7009]

​​@@GODCONVOYPRIME I never even knew Retro Freak existed!

[@brucefields7009]

​@@PlusUltraAdrian I'm curious about the Retro Freak now. Gonna look it up

[@Turbo187KillerB]

My toxic urge to buy one of these to tinker with even though I know I'll never actually use it

[@raddastronaut]

Jesus hasn’t this been a thing since 2013? It’s about time this has been fixed? I thought it didn’t work right, and then some. I loved the sound effects on pulling the games out. 😂

[@MobileDecay]

Also, thanks for showing the custom firmware! I sold mine years ago because of input lag and now that you showed this I might buy one again.

[@SmugMatty]

Thanks for this video, I was thinking about selling off my RetroN 5, but now I have a use for it with the CFW.

[@nobody.watchin]

Man, I tried installing custom firmware on my retron and bricked it a while back, thanks for the info on where to find tutorials on unbricking! I'm gonna have to give this another go

[@Fattydeposit]

I remember wanting a Retro Freak back when it was new because it was a premium Retron 5 - better built, smaller and with TG-16 support. Since then however I've gotten back into real hardware, flashcarts, using a CRT and more recently the MiSTer so I'm not the demographic for a Retron type device and truth be told any noticeable emulation inaccuracies would drive me crazy - but I recognise the ROM / save file dumping is a pretty unique feature and that a lot of people don't need / want higher end equipment.

[@etgripper]

That's why I stick with the original hardware, even the Neo Geo mister core has to use the Darksoft rom dumps. That made me think, how accurate is this thing if it has to use molested roms and cant even play 1:1 cartridge dumps.

[@LiquidOtacon]

Great video! Had no idea about the custom firmware stuff! Can't wait to dump my physical cartridges

[@awwrelic]

I've had mine since I'm pretty sure 2016. I already have an NES, SNES and Genesis as well as a GBA SP and GBC, but I like the idea of being able to just have the Retron5 hooked up instead of the three others (with the exception of the Genny 1, since I have a Sega CD 1 hooked up to it). I also like being able to play Famicom and Super Famicom games that I can patch with translations...great for my copies of Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 4-6. I did notice that, when playing with Super Game Boy-enhanced games (the only one I have like that is Donkey Kong) it won't use the enhancements. That game uses the SNES for sound if it's plugged into a Super Game Boy. But hearing about the custom firmware, that I'll have to try. I'd love being able to rip my 250+ game collection onto an SDCard, as well as being able to play Turbo-16 games. Thanks for the tip!

[@josvandoesburg8746]

Cool vid ! Gonna dust of my RetroN 5 again and install the custom firmware ! Thanks

[@anthonymarziano9984]

This is clever, thank you for covering this.

[@MegaManNeo]

I remember lots of bad reviews back when it released because of how unstable and laggy some games were. Not interested in paying that much money for a RetroN 5 myself but for those with one I think the CFW is fantastic, especially since people can dump their own games.

[@FrameRater]

Yeah mine might've been less terrible since I had to update to a certain firmware for the 3-in-1 adapter to work.

[@curlyflipper2020]

OMG ! thank you so much , i broke my retron 5 with the update . Now i have hope again

[@lilbrojoe2]

Nice video. I'm curious to hear more about the alternatives you talked about at the end of the video. Looking for an easy but quality retro game setup and am a bit uneducated on the topic!

[@FrameRater]

I'd also like to learn more about them, at the moment I'm unsure of their potential.

[@danandtab7463]

it's important to know that these specific devices do emulation the way they do. my preference is something that just works like the system I'm replacing and can use its accessories.

[@WhiteJarrah]

Never used a RetroN. Hearing all the negative feedback about death grips and cartridge crashing, I skipped it and went straight to the Cyber Gadget Retro Freak. It works for me, I've never had a game crash on me or issues with the death grips. If only it had a way to play CD-based games, N64 and 32X.

[@MrMegaManFan]

"For full one hundred percent compatibility, it's best to look elsewhere." That sentence sums up the entire RetroN 5 experience.

[@returnofmerenguespersempre]

I love my Retron 5. I was lucky to buy a complete in box one with 2 controllers, the black later version with better connectors that didnt grip your games to death. How about being able to buy entire FF series, Bahamut Lagoon, Bof 1&2, Seiken Densetsu 2&3, Mother for under 30 bucks? Thanks to that subtitle patch I can now enjoy these japanese games in English. The only downside was the INCREDIBLY tedious and complicated software upgrade procedure (needless to say the customer service is nonexistent) and the un-ergonomic controllers. However, using original snes controller is something thats pretty much mandatory. All in all, this machine is great and I love it.

[@Saxdude26]

I keep coming back to this video because although I don't have NES, SNES, MD, SMS or a NGC, the pros and cons of Hyperkin's consoles has been a repeated consideration. Recently I had a mixed experience purchasing a faulty RetroN 3, so the decision to upgrade is definitely on the table for me. And given some of the cartridge patch options the RetroNFreak offers, I'm leaning toward it more than ever.

[@EricSmoger]

I picked up a Retron 5 when it first launched and thought it was OK. Eventually I plugged it into the wrong power supply and killed it, so I replaced it with a Retro Freak and I enjoy that so much more. Interestingly the real Retro Freak works just fine with the Retron Master System adapter. That cartridge power fault message usually comes up if the cart is making a bad connection so maybe it just needed a good cleaning.

[@matthewjohnson1891]

The gba flash cart works. You can write the rom to fpga and it acts like a real cart. You just need hardware to write through the menu. Its pretty neat.

[@ravenwolf3039]

I love my retron 5 as I use it mostly to play japanese famicon and super famicon games with the English patches available. Most of those games are way cheaper to buy that their North American counterparts. I might check out the retrofreak firmware update though

[@brucefields7009]

I haven't even begun to venture into Famicom/Super Famicom imports. Do you have any game recommendations?

[@DoomRater]

14:55 I hear Waterworld - Map screen in the background and you'll never convince me otherwise

[@xLink2025x]

I flashed mine to RetronFreak 2.5 and really liked the new convenient interface but no one seems to mention (or even notice) that is completely breaks the scanline feature which may be a deal breaker to some. I really liked using it so it’s a huge bummer to me but others may not really care so just a heads up.

[@BigmanDogs]

The only time I use filters is with ps1 games. It makes the pre-rendered backgrounds and the 3d models blend together. As intended. Just as how the genesis/mega drive used similar techniques (sonics waterfall for example)

[@deterlanglytone]

Honestly, whenever I thought of getting one. The price put me off. If it wasn't for the avaibality issues with getting the Mister thing, I wouldn't consider it. Still not sure. Really wish these machines that used a eject button like the snes had. That would solve the grip issue easily. Though with so many cart slots that is a bit of a ask mechanically I understand.

[@ViktarTheBarbarian]

Woah what a coincidence. I just set mine up again yesterday and was wondering about CFW on this thing.

[@Kippykip]

Wow, I was about to sell this thing cheap af on my shop cause I didn''t like it and the input lag was awful, switching to a PI4. But I might definitely keep it now and use it as a rom dumper, does it dump saves too?

[@FrameRater]

Sure does.

[@robertlauncher]

Keep in mind you can still boot Unknown Carts and they sometimes do work despite what the menu says

[@staticzero01]

Dielectric grease helps the death grip. Put a thin layer(I mean thin) on a cartridge's pins before inserting into the Retron.

[@MrRobarino]

NOo. Greasing up the pins is stupid and unnecessary.

[@staticzero01]

@@MrRobarino you got a better solution?

[@Gonbane]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAnd done. Thank you sir!

[@gaeljehnno]

Preordered on amazon us ( i'm french) in 2014, when the price was 99 dollars and with shipping and vat less them 140.

[@DCeric]

I think I'll mention this that I believe the 3.0 or higher firmware's are the ones that'll get bricked. I can essentially say this will happened with the 3.2 firmware which is unavailable for download. It is repairable but using the Rockship firmware flasher I couldn't get to work with Windows 10/11. I used Vmware with Windows XP and then I was able to flash the chip using the Retron 5 offical firmware given in the bundle package. After doing that then you're able to flash using the hacked Labo or Retron Freak firmware. I would recommend Retron Freak cause you're able to run a lot of homebrew games which you weren't able to do with the original Retron firmware. I can't confirm what has been fixed with Labo. Can't remember if this was mentioned in your video but the Retron 5 wireless controller isn't compatible with the Retron Freak firmware. Also at least for me the scanline filter only uses a tiny square at the upper left of the screen and not sure why.

[@DCeric]

I will mention that even though homebrew games work, homebrew carts may not. If they don't I can confirm there is a possibility they will work with the SD Card. One example is Xump for the Genesis. The cart didn't work but the rom did. Not all systems have this issue but it depends on what chips are being used in the cart. Example again is Jetpak DX a homebrew game made for the GB. It works via cart and sd card.

[@Pridetoons]

Hyperkin makes very ergonomic Retro Gaming Controllers. There my favorite Third-Party Aftermarket Controllers outside of 8bitdo.

[@PXKMProductionsGaming]

Did installing RetronFreak improve the way games ran in general? Since you mentioned Serious Sam and DKC 2, I was wondering if you tried other games? Also, was the adapter a complete no go? Or did you only try Castle of Illusion?

[@lman71drummer]

To fix button delay or input lag configure your tvs settings to game mode.. if your using a newer tv worked for me..

[@Peter-lj2fv]

gba game The Sims Bustin Out works just fine on the RetroN 5. I noticed it wasn't on the compat list.

[@Danominator]

Good to see the return of Yoshi's Universal Gravitation 🤣

[@Treychik]

can you help me, please? I did the custom firmware install (retronFreak), followed the RGB guide, but now my retron 5 doesn't see my cartridges for some reason. what do I do? (it read them before just fine)

[@GrubbyWubby]

i always thought this thing was kind of pointless since you could use that money to buy an OSSC or retrotink instead. something like an rg353m seems like a much better value, although it makes your cartridges worthless so retro game collectors hate it :p

[@crazycraig6]

By coincidence I just installed the CFW in my early edition retron5 as well this weekend. For the tight slots, apparently using some dielectric grease helps them release the cartridges easier. One issue I've run into though, Is it possible to pair the Retron5 controller with the RetronFreak firmware? I have not figured that out yet.

[@DaBigCheeso]

I had a Retron 5 for a few years til I sold off my collection. It was MUCH easier than having to hook up a NES, SNES, Genesis and bonus I could use GB, GBC, GBA and (with an adapter) Sega MS and GG games. I'm sure some purists would be against this and that's fine, but I was living in an apartment in Queens at the time so space was a premium

[@ninjacape]

The Retron 5 is my JRPG machine. That's all I use it for.

[@hemrawc5252]

I bet those ROMs that you dumped using the RetroFreak's Firmware is in a format not usable in the vast majority of emulators (outside your Retron). Is that true?

[@FrameRater]

Sadly it seems so, tried DKC2 and it lists as corrupted on PC. Didn't expect that. Looking into this, apparently they're encrypted. There must be some way to decrypt them, no?

[@hemrawc5252]

@@FrameRater I am not aware of anyway to decrypt them.

[@noneed4me2n7]

I have one buried in storage barely used. I do like it for all the controller options it offers but outside of trying to play retro games with a bit more authenticity it just sits there. I was always waiting to turn it into a rom console but settled on modded Wii U and OG Xbox.

[@NotMee999]

Are you able to use the wireless controller from your retron5? How did you paring?

[@jacobbaranowski]

I have a Retron5 as well it's perfect 👌 for every console and game 🎮 of retro games 8 bit to 16 bit and 23bit

[@TankVerKA]

I managed to install Retronfreak onto my Retron 5, however I can't seem to access my IPS patches through the Game specific settings menu. Is there any way to use my IPS translation patches I made for the original firmware here for the custom firmware?

[@sylvery_]

Out of curiosity, where’d you buy this from? I’m trying to make sure I get the most up to date version possible

[@vitacilina555]

Question for those that installed the custom retronfreak5 custom firmware, have you been able to get the scanlines to work? When I enable Scan Lines they cover only about 2/3 of the screen (from the upper left corner and down). has anyone experienced this issue or have a solution? (I already bricked and unbricked the Retron once, so I'd like to avoid a full reinstall if possible!)

[@ilovemybeard3394]

I was going to spend some money on an FPGA Super NT But? This will do…I’m going to get CFW on this thing 👍

[@tomizzo485]

The unbrick guide speaks of a windows 10 driver fix registry setting. Will this unbrick process work on Win 11 ? Curious before I start messing with this...

[@sebastianflesjandersen939]

I own a SuperNt, MegaSg, Not mini Noir an AP and a MiSTer, (+a bunch of Everdrives) - wouldn't dream of swapping them out for something like the Retron5

[@bland9876]

The GameCube controller works better for Genesis games cuz it has a 3 button layout with Y being where the start button would be.

[@FrameRater]

That DPAD tho, for Genesis?

[@bland9876]

@@FrameRater I'm trying to remember back in the day what I would use the d-pad or the joystick probably the stick because the notches helped you click the correct direction compared to a modern stick. A property pad is still better than a stick even with the notches.

[@1Sandwitch1]

I havent touched my Retron 5 in 2 years...OH and I knew and DID some IPS transfers, creating roms into IPS files to play them LOL....ya I did that a lot. I have super famicom games, I turned already translated roms into ips files to play japanese carts.....

[@braveladder1682]

Another really great video with great production values. For my thinking, using a cheap junk pc with windows or linux using retroarch or similar is still 100x better an option. Better and more current emulators, way way more options, ability to use almost any controller, yeah you can't use your cartridges but what's the point of that really anyway? Just play a rom, it's being emulated either way. I guess some people love handling the games and their cases and such, but that's just a waste of time/PITA to me, and you're putting wear on your hardware every time you handle and use it. I would happily eschew the ritual for greater efficiency and convenience.

[@josephperkins947]

With RetronFreak, can you dump Super Mario RPG, dump save file, or upload save file to cartridge?

[@kdnladner93]

I was wanting to buy a Retron 5 but I hate this blueish color but I found a black one. However as I was viewing the details the black Retron 5 was made available in 2013 but the blueish one was made available in 2021. Does that mean the blueish one is the better one?

[@shiki8437]

Just wondering, will you reupload your serious sam advance video on your channel tho, personally really like that review.

[@FrameRater]

Possibly although I'll more likely to make something else as a replacement.

[@RetroKong77]

Is v0.3.1 blue the latest one? Can you show what it looks like? I have the retronfreak 2.5 and I was wondering the difference. Thanks

[@tde439]

I have a gameboy Color folder that doesn’t show up in retronfreak. I tried putting the roms into the gameboy folder and they still don’t show up, any idea how to get them running?

[@bpalpha]

Have you ever cleaned your cartridge pins with cotton swabs and alcohol? Probably why you get a lot of fails when loading rom/carts.

[@ootwii]

i luv too have this custom firmware on my retron 5..have u tryed toy stoy snes on the custom firmware.. on stock firmware the sound cuts in n out..

[@fmsyntheses]

I'd normally recommend someone start a Famicom collection with boxed copies of Dragon Quest 1-4. They're cheap to get, and have gorgeous Akira Toriyama artwork. But do I remember you not liking RPGs?

[@thatguyontheright1]

I had a Retron 5 in 2014. Mine had a weird ass problem where sometimes it would refuse to read carts after playing NES games.

[@PaperBanjo64]

I don't own one but I could see the benefits of owning this still in 2024 almost 2025...especially with being able to patch Super Famicom games to English.

[@Adam-jw3uz]

Anyone else having issues with the scanlines being broken with the RetronFreak firmware? It seems to just be stuck in the top left corner and doesn't stretch across the entire screen.

[@skraegorn7317]

My other big gripe is that the Super Gameboy doesn't seem to be supported. There are a few Gameboy titles that had features exclusive to the super gameboy, so it's a shame I couldn't use those here.