The RetroUSB AVS - Review - Game Sack

Episode 186 - We look at the AVS which is a great NES alternative which plays games over HDMI with next to no lag! This is NOT a sponsored video.
Check out Vomitron's site for excellent covers of some of your favorite games - www.vomitron665.com/
►Game Sack Blu-ray!
Volume 2 - www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06...
Volume 1 - www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
Check out Final Bosses - finalbosses.com
The Game Sack Episode Guide! - www.joeredifer.com/gamesack.html
Patreon! - / gamesack
Merch! - shop.spreadshirt.com/112817/
Facebook! - / gamesack
Twitter!
/ gamesack
/ gamesackdave
Game Sack Subreddit! - / gamesack

[@kristophermann6528]

15:45 "If you watching this 6 years from now..." and Joe looked directly into the camera -- I am rattled.

[@CDRiley]

You cracked me up with Power Glove Segment, holding your 3D glasses with your glove hand, control your game with your bare arm. Thanks for the Laughter! 😂

[@mikedx42]

live from Boulder, it's sackturday night

[@jusko2565]

Bravo, sir!

[@6XGate]

A bit of a note on the Zapper. It does work with the RetroUSB AVS, but you must use an older CRT BVM or PVM with HD SDI support and find a zero lag HDMI to HD SDI converter. I've played many rounds of Duck Hunt with friends this way.

[@darthwalshus2876]

Game Sack is definitely one of the top channels on KZbin. The shows are always stacked with high quality content and are always well written, well laid out and edited, and well executed. I'm always excited to see a new episode pop up in my feed. Thanks guys!

[@RetroTechSelect]

Great video, guys. I love my AVS. It has really brought my old collection to life and $185 is a bargain next to an HDMI mod or RGB + an upscaler.

[@ActuallySanFrancisco]

best AVS review on youtube 👍

[@kristina80ification]

yes, how the review indeed, how the review.

[@pulsatingquasar4561]

Kandi Gloss English is hard

[@ootwii]

I wish i had a avs..do they take paypal credit?

[@theSato]

The palette "FCEUX" refers to the NES emulator by the same name. Just a heads up!

[@SilverGreyscale]

A really good Emulator at that, really a good option if you wanna record an NES game

[@ThunderDragonRandy]

I prefer Nestopia. :3

[@GameSack]

Where's my Nesticle palette?

[@videogameobsession]

In your pants? ;) I do wish they could add the dripping blood effect to the text.

[@zacharylunsford2]

Game Sack how old are you guys?

[@Alexis40ar]

The AVS, a flash cart and you're all set!

[@ootwii]

Agree..

[@jackbootshamangaming4541]

A DE-10 nano, an SDRAM module, and you're all set for the NES, many more 8/16bit consoles, arcade boards, and computers. It's about the same price, even less if you can get academic pricing. No flashcart needed, so definitely is cheaper. MiSTerFPGA is the best system out their that's FPGA for consumers honestly, and will be for some time.

[@nayyarrashid4661]

@@jackbootshamangaming4541 I wish they had option or way to include the cartridge loading slots. Not that I am into that stuff but would have been nice. Otherwise the best option out there.

[@JazGalaxy]

The first thing I do when I load up a game sack episode is "like" it. Don't even have to watch it first. I know it will be good and I don't want to forget.

[@JazGalaxy]

I laughed at the Rad Racer skit, but the funny thing is... That's EXACTLY me playing games on my PSVR. I feel, as stupid as it is, exactly like some kid in an 80s commercial. I'm looking behind me as things whiz by and saying "Woah!" out loud and grinning like an idiot.

[@moviemetalhead]

JazGalaxy If you don't hit the like button first, you're likely to forget to, because of how good the episode was.

[@JazGalaxy]

To some extent... yeah. Exactly. I'll usually have the urge to google something by the end of the episode. Or truthfully, sometimes during the middle. I'm looking up more information about some game they talked about or something.

[@Rudymarou]

Me too bro!

[@subtledemisefox]

I do the same thing. For them, techmoan, and LGR also

[@scottcowan7343]

This is why a stay up till 2 am. One of my favorite channels.

[@the9thinning1]

the video doesn't go away after 2 am you know

[@scottcowan7343]

TheKingOfTown I know, I just look forward to seeing their uploads early.

[@willeysingleton3057]

Oh yea bing watching how too retro in the years of 4k keep me wide awake at night. Beats bing drinking and watching avgn till the wife screams at me to go to bed.

[@DuckiesUnite]

I bought an AVS about 5 months ago and I'm loving it. Great review guys!

[@Dilios_of_Sparta]

When Joe introduces a system, he always does it in a Don LaFontaine-esque voice (with reverb). Love it.

[@MartyRobinson68]

Was just binge watching you guys last night. Now a new one! Love you guys.

[@creekandseminole]

I own an AVS. I bought it for my newborn son so we can play my nes collection with ease when he gets older. great system.

[@SirGoldenAce]

I love the Double Dragon 2 background music.

[@wornout_joystick]

The AVS is finally back in stock. I sold mine on eBay a few years ago. I just bought a new one yesterday.

[@KaoruMzk]

I was actually looking into buying one of these earlier today, the timing on this video was perfect.

[@whoc4r3s117]

Was literally watching game sack when I got the notification on my phone love my sack!

[@gluserty]

I always enjoy the sound effects Game Sack adds when inserting games into systems and turning them on, it's good immersion and the right kind of offbeat.

[@AaronHazouri]

I am not a video game guy per se - I love old Nintendo and SNES games - but you guys have a very natural way about you that make these things fun to watch and listen to. I put on three or four while I'm working (I'm an illustrator) and the time flies by. So thanks!

[@bryceschug486]

this was posted on my birthday, thanx for the gift guys!

[@bluearmy893]

I love the reviews of these types of consoles!

[@imaybesean9058]

You guys answered all of my questions about the AVS!

[@OSDevon]

You guys really make me want to get one of these dudes! Knowing that flash carts work just fine is even better. Now I can play all my favorite backups without worrying about the condition of my originals!

[@bernielindell]

Totally worth the price tag. I had been on the fence until this video. Thanks guys!

[@Automatik234]

It would be cool te see one of them with the SEGA Genesis or SEGA Z80 family of consoles all in one.

[@Drinkabeerandplayagameofficial]

I've been going back and forth on getting one for a while. Seems like a great solution if you want to play your carts in HD. This video probably got me one step closer to getting one

[@AxiomofDiscord]

I like how you took the 72 in 1 cart to show how it is not the system but the cart that is often the problem.

[@supersnappahead]

Love the show as always. I've had my AVS for a few days now and love it.

[@MrHued]

Entertaining and informative! You guys should do more hardware reviews in the future.

[@screwuguyz4524]

Heaud they've done like 30 console reviews check them out there really good

[@EarthboundX]

Oh, 185 bucks? I confused this with that 500 dollar NES system.

[@thedarkknight100]

lol

[@RandoGamer947]

Its 189 bucks in 2021

[@tuxedo_mask23]

I just ordered this product yesterday. I'll definitely give you guys a verdict real soon!

[@Nintenjoe25]

I got mine for Christmas and I love it. So far it's lasted longer than both of my Retron 5s.

[@connorwilson9433]

Your videos are awesome! I love your guys' castlevania music choice!

[@Heavymetalrille]

Great review guys, as always funny and well done. I am tempted to buy one of these, it would solve a lot of problems and finally i can enjoy all my NES games on my HD screen.

[@vix_in_japan]

Damn I'm only watching this 5 years later. I better leave it another year for this to be worthwhile.

[@rodrigomolinsky]

5:39 - Hey Dave! You left another hair next to the power button!

[@themblan]

Game Sack episodes are always a pleasure. Take care.

[@Kafei2006]

A friend of mine has the same 76 in 1 cartridge, just different looking. It's the same compilation of games but the cart is orange and has a different label in chinese. FCEUX is a PC NES emulator guys btw.

[@videogameobsession]

I bought my AVS in August and definitely like it. It doesn't add any noticeable lag to the HD setup which is important to me, and it should be to you too! One thing that you should be aware of is the extra fragile Mini USB power input. It isn't reinforced to the FPGA board and if any force, even a slight amount, is placed on the top of the USB plug it's quite possible for it to break right off. Brian at RetroUSB said new revisions of the AVS should be fixed, but those of us who bought it at launch are still waiting on a fix to keep this from breaking.

[@mr_beezlebub3985]

Love that Gradius 2 music in the second half of the video!

[@gorepuppy]

The FCEUX color adds that NTSC brown mis-color. That is awsome.

[@killerms2221]

I was on the fence about this console but ya'll sold me on it, gonna order one soon!

[@Birizin.]

Hey GameSack crew, I love you guys' fine work and dedication at showing those great games and equipment, and I really think you are doing a exceptional job not only on KZbin, but in the whole Internet in what regards "gaming knowledge" if I can call it that. However, one of the few things that I miss on this channel is the lack of coverage of anything from the second generation of videogames (Atari 2600, Colecovision, Intellivision, etc.). I really miss those because even that most of its games were lackluster and the best ones on those systems didn't aged really that well, they still symbolize an important era on the market with the game genre experimentation and the try to fit a decent story with a fun gameplay regarding all the system limitations, developing in a great fashion the childhood of many that could grow on the late 70s/early 80s with a (somewhat) full videogame experience on the comfort of your home.

[@GameSack]

Yeah I know. We want to cover Atari 2600 (and maybe 5200 if possible) Intellivision and Colecovision at some point. Our friend Bill has them all, but he wants to mod them with at least s-video and preferably component or RGB in some cases. He fiddles around when that stuff when he thinks about it which isn't often.

[@Birizin.]

Game Sack Game Sack If Bill manages to do it, please try to make a video about it, his segments are the best and his talks about the hardware are very insightful.

[@Triple_R_93]

You guys are my favorite on all over KZbin! I would love to see more series focused episodes like you used to do! You should do a Shining series episode

[@mpolanco90]

This is the video that convinced me to get one. Thanks guys!! :)

[@Harperlarp]

Was that the Boulder Game shop theme song at 1:53? Lol. Loved that tune in your Road Rash episode.

[@jidar]

"Mag Max with Meg Gibson looks good!" hahahaha that line was fantastic.

[@doom_81]

My Nes top loader died earlier this year. This review really helped me in making the decision to actually purchase a RetroUsb AVS and it finally arrived today (9/30). I've only played the original Double Dragon so far but I love it. Thanks Joe & Dave! If possible, please make Gaming On Halloween 4 this year!

[@itsaPIXELthing]

Awesome system and awesome video! Thanks, guys!

[@thefroyukenfiles3641]

13:30 Nice selection of OSTs you have there.

[@MosesMedinaE]

I always enjoy your content, another great episode!

[@greenkoopa]

I respect you unnecessarily inputting Game Genie codes in the system and the unit itself 🐢

[@eternal3279]

This was a great episode, and it's good it can run an Everdrive if I ever decide to get one; also loved all the arranged game music in this episode

[@SinisterTarheel]

Looks awesome. Also tempting to buy also

[@Waldimart]

That stop-motion thing is pretty well done!

[@anthonyjohnson9088]

another great episode guys thank you both....I ordered Volume 1 of Game Sack from Amazon just wondering if vol 2 is coming out soon?...well anyway guys keep up the FANTASTIC work!!!

[@neifigueiredo3742]

I really enjoy the Double Dragon 2 song in the background!

[@VOAN]

I got this last year and still had solid fun with it. It's the best alternative to some NES players who want to play their NES in beautiful HD but can't afford to mod update their NES.

[@dezm101]

great review! I love my AVS, one of the best consoles I have had the pleasure of owning :)

[@spidercolt]

I thought about picking one of these up. I have an RGB NES but this thing would be cool for another room in the house or something.

[@videogameobsession]

Also, if you find some games just won't work on the AVS, but will on the original NES hardware that's most likely because it's a green tipped PCB which has slightly shorter pins. During the manufacturing process of the AVS there was a mix up and the shorter version of the cartridge connector was used for the final production instead of the longer one. It only affects a small percentage of cartridges, but unfortunately some of them could very well be the best games on the platform. One of my personal favorites, Mega Man 2, is one such game for me. Out of the 600 carts I own only around 14 are like this, but I'd still like a revised cartridge connector for it, which I was promised is on its way in the next 6 months or so... I hope!

[@creekandseminole]

videogameobsession hey my Mega Man 2 cart doesn't work on it either. thst was upsetting and I have cleaned it several times. are they supposed to replace people's consoles with this newer chip set you're speaking of?

[@videogameobsession]

Your best bet is to email them and ask to be notified when the longer cartridge connector is made available. It will be an easy swap as it just plugs into the FPGA main board like a cartridge plugs into the connector. Have you tried this copy of Mega Man 2 on another system? I have come across a game that was just plain dead on all of my NES consoles. Sometimes components just die unfortunately. I also suggest using pink pencil eraser on cartridge pins. It sometimes does wonders for dirty pins and doesn't leave any trace of residue like rubbing alcohol or other liquid based cleaners. Also, I'm not sure if you saw my other post, but there is also an issue with the USB port on the first batch on AVS system where it isn't properly secured to the FPGA board and if any pressure is placed on it the port can easily break right off rendering the entire system useless. Brian at RetroUSB a!so said he'll be sending out a 3D printed piece which will fit around the port to help keep that from happening. Batch #2 AVS systems will have both of these things fixed.

[@videogameobsession]

On and a quick fix to play Mega Man 2 would be to connect it to a Game Genie and then into the AVS... Not ideal of course, but if you own a GG and are desperate to play MM2, there's a way.

[@thenostalgiafactor5023]

This might be why Monster Party fails to work on my Retro AVS. Thanks.

[@supersnappahead]

That sucks. Is Mario 3 one of those games. I can't get mine to work.

[@videogameobsession]

I have two NES setups right now. 1. Is my original NES from 1985 on a Wega CRT, which somehow still works great.(The NES, not the CRT) 2. The AVS on a 55" Samsung HDTV + Everdrive N8 + 4 8bitdo wireless receivers and 4 NES30 pads. I still use individual carts on it as well, but for the sake of convenience I leave the N8 in it when I want to play a quick game of something.

[@trevorbozeman]

Another great episode guys!!

[@lady1kaka]

Great episode! I really love the "collector-humour".

[@Bobo_Tapia]

One of these for SNES or GCN and I'd be all over it!

[@Boojakascha]

Joe, your RGB modded NES probably does also FCEUX. FCEUX is a popular emulator palette. Tim Worthington put it onto his board. If you like "unsaturated" better you can reprogram the FPGA on Tim's board. This sounds like a pain, but it actually quite user friendly, they made GUIs and stuff to help normal users.

[@roguecactus7]

Cool Game Genie trick. Way to stack. 👍👍

[@YourComputerBlog]

New gamesack episode? my sunday is saved!

[@BainesMkII]

The extra sprites option might cause graphics errors on some games. Some devs took advantage of the hardware limit in order to create certain effects, such as partially hiding a character sprite. There will also still be some flickering in some games, as devs would sometimes intentionally code their own "flicker" so that they have control over exactly how it behaved, rather than leaving the risk of undesired natural results.

[@craigjuan5744]

I still need to get this system, after I get the Analogue Super Nt! Been hearing nothing but good things about the RetroUSB AVS!

[@skins4thewin]

I freaking LOVE my AVS! I actually prefer it over my Analogue NT Mini for playing NES/Famicom games! It just has a cool factor to it and the FPGA implementation is absolutely spot on! Slightly better than on the NT Mini in my opinion due to the sound being ever so slightly off on the NT Mini.

[@mattbuck]

This system is sick. Video looks amazinging, sound is also great. I'm glad I saw this video, can't wait to add one to my collection. Thank you guys for this review video, I would have never know about this bad boy. :)

[@livingcartoon23]

I have the RetroUSB AVS. I really like it, and I would recommend it.

[@JC-qu5lv]

Totally agree that having the option to remove slowdown would have been nice and also save state functions.

[@PsychomachineryEBM]

Hey guys, i remember you did great reviews on developers like Sunsoft, Data East and Renovation... why not doing a review on Natsume? That was a great developer back in the day that still remains miserably underrated imo. Greetz.

[@luiscamus4954]

omg they showed the ultimate glove of power!!!! and dave looked sooo badass playing with it!!!

[@loganjorgensen]

Best clone I've ever seen. Wonder if a future iteration could work in zapper support through a sensor bar and a custom gun. Wish it were more around $150 but still fairly cheap compared to other HD-NES options.

[@PACKERMAN2077]

the taper of the side just fires my flower! If it was fully rectangular, then it might pass as an NES II or NES slim or Double Famicom if such existed.

[@LotoTheHero]

I absolutely love mine. It's played everything I've tossed at it, no issues. Doesn't seem to have the lag things like the retron 5 do either.

[@MrFennstar]

ArtOfCamelot you like yours,well by the logic presented by the idiots posting here you must also have been paid off because no one can like or recommend anything for any other reason :-)

[@JoeyJ0J0]

I might get an AVS with an ever drive nes cart. This is so awesome

[@javiles2331]

I’m watching this video 5 years in the future!

[@DigitlSamurai]

Can this use any USB controller or just NES controllers? And would it be cheaper to get an AVS or have my real NES repaired and RGB modded if I already have a FrameMeister?

[@onebadlt123]

Hey guys, what mix is playing in the background starting at 7:05? I love that ninja gaiden remix!

[@wsieber89]

Love this channel

[@RedArremer]

With regard to the palettes on the newer firmware, I noticed they didn't look like they were supposed to on my Sony display. I then discovered my display was crushing the RGB space to "Limited" and I had to change it to "Full" in order for the palette colors to look correct. When you do this, Unsaturated-V6 looks the best of the lot (in my opinion). YUV-V3 was just a tweaked version of "YUV" which is a palette option in the emulator called "Nestopia". "FCEUX" is the default palette in an emulator called "FCEUX". I don't know where "Original" comes from, and I don't agree that it's meant to be the closest to real colors. All 4 palette options attempt to mimic real colors, and it comes down to a matter of taste (provided your TV is set to full RGB range).

[@DaveFlynn1]

Mag Max with Meg Gibson XD I really thought Joe was gonna snap the flappy lid off for a second there...

[@TheKafairy]

So glad I got my AVS, this thing is excellent

[@southtexasatlatl]

I am watching this video 6 years after it was uploaded 😆

[@briankeithone]

Just thinking the exact same thing. They chuckled like they wasn't sure.

[@mocklogan5858]

Great episode as per usual.

[@cptcaveman26]

Might have to look into this

[@shymickey6]

It's been two weeks already? Time is going by so fast! Well then I can't wait til the day you guys do an episode the Sega Genesis.

[@shwink]

Best review on the avs. Curious is there any update on the 2nd game sack blu ray?

[@Zeldaschampion]

This is one of those few episodes I actually wish I could get the music links for.

[@briankoch9168]

Man, those games look so awesome....

[@axelcornejoaguilar6055]

"MagMax with Meg Gibson!" XD

[@NESMASTER14]

Haha love your Everdrive label 9:02.

[@digitaltos2696]

This episode was so goofy, I loved it.

[@fluideight]

Another great video. I would like to see annotations with links to other videos for when you mention one. For example, at 6:57