Is the RetroN Sq the Best Way to Play Game Boy Games On Your TV? | Hardware Review

[@martinsamuelsson2322]

Plug in a USB keyboard and push F1 to access all the retroarch settings

[@CoolgamerJAW2]

It sucks we should’ve have to do that

[@alwaysasn]

Zion, this was a great and in-depth review. But the save issue would also be a deal-breaker for me. If Hyperkin puts out some significant updates to their firmware can you guys make an update video? I love some of what Hyperkin does, but I can't buy this stuff in its current state.

[@kaio0777]

I agree with this I love the idea maybe even ds & 3ds could have something like this I would be on board but you got to work out the issues first before you get my money

[@dannewhall5256]

This thing looked like such a sweet way to play your gameboy and gba games when I first saw it, but then I started to read some reviews of display issues and these weird quirks like save progress not being put back on the game and decided not to get it. Glad the company is addressing these issues and it’s still a cool device

[@davestylehenry]

The new version still doesn't play gba games for me

[@TheCuddles87]

"Don't treat it like an emulation system" *Dumps roms* Uh huh

[@starguy7940]

Interesting

[@ryankennedy6778]

Awesome review. Found it very insightful on something I have been on the fence on. Also thanks for the lovely music to bring back the gb memories!

[@afelinecasanoca]

You just saved me $80 thank you. I've watched multiple videos debating buying the Sq, but you're the first one that has mentioned that it won't save to the cartridge. Which ruins the whole point of gameboy. I'll stick with my super gameboy and dream of owning a GBA consolizer.

[@gotgud]

i didn’t know it was already being updated, sweet!

[@jacobniven702]

About 50+ hours into mine, with newest firmware release as of 2022.. LOVE it, like you said with new updates and deleting save data could be a deal breaker, and the whole save data to micro sd does get rocky.. but overall this an amazing opportunity to play your old games with friends in the big screen for low cost AND will bring you and your friends together for some serious competitive game nights. I’ve had so much fun reliving my last and the frame rates are making these games look better than ever. Other than the occasional music going out for a second I haven’t had any problems. Lastly… first night I got it, played for 10 hours straight and the system was hardly warm or hot at all. I’m expecting serious longevity with the retrain sq. Thanks for your video!

[@infamouz111]

how do you download the updates to it? Thinking of getting one mostly for gba games but not too sure

[@theflashhobbyist]

Ha Golden Sun in the background! Best game ever!

[@svcross-do]

I really want a new sequel.

[@SeanGrimLink]

👍

[@theflashhobbyist]

@@svcross-do i just want it on virtual console for the switch...

[@Miracle-of-Faith]

Eyy! I see Golden Sun in the background! ☀️

[@Jamil1989]

A man of culture. Cheers.

[@MSGSlayer1]

I've got The Lost Age complete in box.

[@JDAWG2111]

Very detailed review, Zion. I'm definitely interested in getting this little thing at some point.

[@laterbot]

Thankyou for telling me about this! I've been playing through my entire Nintendo collection with my housemates and this is the perfect way for us to enjoy the handhelds. I'm going to buy one right now

[@yearofthewooster9732]

Great review! If you could review the Analogue Pocket if you get your hands on it, I think it would be a superior (but expensive) option that we could definitely compare it with.

[@ReavoEnd]

I second this. That device looks super premium and nice.

[@Silentwaytogo]

Certainly looking forward to finding an Analogue pocket when it comes out.

[@luckycapgaming5957]

DS games waiting to be recorded: *”So there’s a chance?”*

[@CWingsyun]

Very intrigued by this but definitely going to wait to see if they add some of the features you suggested in this video. I also especially like the idea of being able to go back and forth between big screen and handheld device so I hold they can find a way to work around that. Great vid!

[@nerdgasim9041]

I'd imagine the fact it has separated saves on the sd card instead of the cartridge would be ideal for people playing the Gameboy pokemon games as the internal batteries on the carts only had about a 10 year life span so you can still play them without cracking them open and replacing the battery yourself perhaps?

[@chrstphrdickey]

Exactly what I'm hoping for

[@TheGhostRydr]

I was really curious about this thing a month ago and was tempted to get it but I'll wait until the GBA stuff is a bit more polished because that's what I'd mainly want it for.

[@inshaneindamembrane8043]

I love aftermarket consoles, I think some consoles are just really hard to obtain now a days and there no guarantee they'll even be in good condition so stuff like this has always interest me

[@Molepokemon]

Looks awesome definitely gonna look into this maybe wait a bit for them to fix the gba stuff but awesome to find a affordable gameboy player

[@EinsamPibroch278]

Perfect for playing all my Classic Pokémon Games.

[@danhedgehog]

Love how it wouldn't take up much space, but honestly you're much better off getting a retron 5. That will save your data to the carts and for the most part from what I've played on mine it doesn't have too many issues.

[@BigGuyZee]

As others have mentioned, the issue with the save data is a bit of a deal-breaker for me. Luckily I've still got my Game Boy Player under my Gamecube.

[@MeinTofu]

So.. it's a rom reader. It doesn't actually play your original games, it dumps them on an sd card and plays them from there.. it's an emulator after all?

[@KashiwaDaisuke]

Yes, just like every other Hyperkin product. If you care about fidelity, look elsewhere

[@_Conzo_]

Terrific review; terrific collection in the background!

[@TBLandSoccerFan]

Awesome review man. I'm waiting for my Retron to be delivered

[@Ricar2002YT]

This is very interesting, as a collector tho i still want a gamecube and a gameboy player but i also wouldnt mind having the retron sq, it would be very easy to capture footage for streaming/recording and im into that

[@AdrianDX]

No. No it isn’t. Even if the video content clarifies that there are better alternative ways, don’t have a title and thumb that suggests that it is. A GameCube running GBI and good video cables/adapter is a better way. MiSTer is a better way. Analogue Pocket will be a better way. For GB/GBC the Nt Mini is a better way. And to a certain extent this applies to the Super Game Boy 2 as well.

[@wojtekubowski1507]

I just bought this hope it's good

[@justzaxx7150]

how is it?

[@AstaIsAMonster]

Ok does it work still and run games well?

[@TheMorbidHobo]

>have computer >download emulator and rom >hook up TV done

[@headbangermetal5929]

Easy

[@Magnero]

Not being able to write my save files back to the cartridge is an absolute deal breaker for me. Fix that and I may change my mind.

[@calebb7012]

This thing is a scam, it runs entirely off retroarch, and not even the good cores at that.

[@Magnero]

@@calebb7012 I really don't care if they copied retroarch or whatever.

[@TonyGearSolid]

You can find a Gameboy Player for cheaper than the RetroN (although the price for one has gone up, I got mine for $20 a year or two ago), it's the boot disc that costs an arm and a leg, but that can easily be worked around by using Gameboy Interface. I really don't understand their reasoning for saves, it can dump the ROM and save file, but there isn't any way to play directly from the cart? Seems more like an excuse for lazy hardware/software design than them wanting to protect your save files.

[@west3Dgaming]

Still remember the heart break of not realizing that changing boxes in PC overwrites your save file on Pokemon Red and Blue and losing my save file where I had traded for all starters and completed my pokedex. whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

[@jamby4802]

Great Review Zion! I think I'm gonna hold off getting it until further updates. I'm especially excited for the gba updates!

[@Spintechfilms]

Im glad i invested in a Gamecube and Gameboy Player set up 5 years ago when i thought it was expensive back then 🤔

[@ibookboyuk]

This device looks great. I have a Gameboy player and I love it so much. Anything to get people playing their retro games is cool. And I love that there is no menu and the ease of use and you just put the cartridge in and play

[@KaiserShyvin]

The Hyperkin website has step by step instructions on how to install an update to the Micro SD card that the Retron Sq comes with. This update allows you to use the included controller AND a USB wired Keyboard at the same time, if you have both connected through a USB Hub into the Retron Sq. Then, by pressing F1 on the keyboard, you can access a settings menu that will allow you to change the framerate-y issue for GBA games, causing them to run extremely smooth as intended. If you have no intention on playing your games through an original Gameboy/Color/Advance, the Retron Sq, WITH the appropriate update, is an absolutely AMAZING way to play your old Nintendo Handheld games. And, in my opinion, the Retron Sq beats out the Retron 5 as a Gameboy player (It's about half the price, too!). Totally worth getting, provided you have the means to do the update to the Retron Sq!

[@nuclearbeeberman]

Will wait for the Analogue Poket (with docking station)

[@ron.hertzberg]

Lmao keep waiting. Been waiting sense 2017

[@DinantRiks]

Writing a savegame to the cartridge is an absolute must! Agree completely with your assessment on this.

[@Kratosauron0]

This was a good review, but it just makes me want the Analogue Pocket. With TV dock. And I already have a GameCube with GameBoy Player (+ GameBoy Interface). AND a Super NT with a Super GameBoy 2.

[@joshbarnes9267]

I want the Pocket and dock too, but sadly we'll all be waiting a while for that one. I also have the Super NT with Super Gameboy 2. It's a flawless way to play those original carts on the big screen, in my opinion. I really love using the custom color palette options, that's a really nice feature.

[@KashiwaDaisuke]

If you have a Super NT + SGB2, there's absolutely no reason to buy this. You've already got arguably the best Game Boy setup

[@joshbarnes9267]

@@KashiwaDaisuke I agree. I just have a few GBA carts that I'd sometimes like to play on the big screen, especially Iridion 2, and the SGB2 won't help me there. I'd maybe consider this as an option just for that.

[@MasterHand4444]

Thanks for the review; this definitely seems like something up my alley!

[@Hikargh]

This thing is actually shaping up to be a real alternative for playing Game Boy! I do hope they fix the aspect ratio for GB/GBC. One question though: was there any noticable sound delay or input lag?

[@psylencecy]

I know this may be a bit picky but, I would really want to see an image comparison of this VS gameboy player with HDMI out cable from the camecube + mclassic upscaler...

[@NexusNine]

It's funny, because the Retron 5 CAN write your save file back to the cartridge. My guess is that since this is new inhouse emulation software, they just haven't figured it out yet.

[@kylegaymer]

Been hearing about this, debating about getting one as I already have the Retron 5

[@DR.Console]

Stick with the retron 5, the emulation is a lot better.

[@OptimusSmyth]

My brother introduced me to emulator consoles recently, and I told him he can totally buy this for me for Christmas cuz my GBA games were some of my most memorable games of all time! It is disappointing to hear about how you can't play a game's save as it was on the cartridge and have to start over again with an SD card, but that isn't such a huge problem for me since my favorite games like Metroid, Kirby, Sonic, Mario, I can just start from the beginning and play through (which is what I'm going to do anyway once I get back into them), but I know that's going to be a big issue for people that enjoyed Pokemon games, so I guess it's not for everyone. Still, this is going to be a lot of fun to use regardless!

[@EvEnMoR]

Drop a FP IPS display into a GBA and you're good to go for any GB, GBC, or GBA game natively the way they were meant to be played. For less than the price of a Retron Sq too... I paid around $75cdn all-in for my GBA IPS display and that included a beauty DMG themed GBA shell, buttons, and tempered glass screen lense.... So unless you're dead set on playin on your tv, this is def the way to go.... And if playing em on the tv is your main goal, modding an NES or SNES Classic Mini is also a better way to play your handheld games on a big screen usin Nintendo hardware. Could also use a Wii or Wii U... Granted it's emulated that way, but still works great. Cheers.

[@PixelDough]

Always a bit disappointing for me to see Hyperkin releasing things like this after they made the Retron 5. I had always hoped for a new Retron with even more consoles added on, or a new one with a new set of playable consoles. But I guess ever since the legal troubles of the Retron 5 they decided they'd just take all it's features and make them standalone consoles

[@StubzTurner]

The main difference with playing and saving a game with the Switch is that the save file stays in the same place on the Switch or the MicoSD card you placed into the Switch (not counting cloud saving).

[@trumpet4life]

I picked one up a month ago at our local retro gaming store. I’ve been playing many games from my library on it & have had nothing but good things too say!

[@luiscortazar6291]

I prefer using a backlit GBA or my GBA Player. I have a system region Modded so I can use either my American or Japanese disk.

[@SRPC21]

I LOVE the Kirby music in the background 🥲

[@theburntcrumpet8371]

Can you take the dumped ROMs from the SD Card and run them in an emulator? Would be really cool if it could also be used to create legal ROMs of your own collection to play on things like Retropie

[@That_Lady_Charlie]

everdrive?

[@mrtauros4451]

Good thing that I saw this video before purchasing. I was seriously thinking of getting it to play Pokémon Emerald on the bigger screen. But since the save files don’t stay with the cartridge, that’s an automatic dealbreaker for me. I want to be able to play the same save file hand held as well as in the system.

[@Kolma]

Retron 5 was like this with all the cartridges where it backed up save on first launch and then saved on console/SD card. It did have an option though to dump saves back into a cartridge.

[@ben-tendo]

From many articles I've read that it's GBA emulation is far from ideal, and that it's been opened up to the community to improve... which again makes it seem pricey for something fans have to fix.

[@macironi8]

I actually appreciate the sd card feature for a certain reason, my Pokémon Ruby Cartridge actually no longer is able to save and I assume that’s from a dead save battery (I could just try to replace it but it’s very precise and I don’t want to mess up the whole cartridge) , if it saves on an sd card, I won’t have to worry about the saving issue.

[@davion4777]

Gameboy Advance games didn't use batteries for saving. That's just an original GB/GBC thing. Ruby and Sapphire had batteries inside just for berries and clock and when the battery ran out those thing stopped working, but saving isn't affected whatsoever. In fact, Fire Red and Leaf Green for example didn't even have batteries inside the cartridge because those games didn't featured any berry growing, clock, or time based activities

[@420TheStonedRanger]

Have they fixed the game save issue in the time since this review?

[@totalmarh]

I don’t think it’s possible for it to even write save data onto the console. It doesn’t play the game from the cart- it rips the rom and emulates it

[@_Banjo_]

I get their concern about the save files but youre correct a backup option would be great. Lets also just ignore the fact that your original save files on pokemon blue would probably disappear too based on the internal batteries right?

[@llaffer]

The Retron 5 does allow copying the save state from the system back onto the cart. So this has been done before. They may have had problems with occasional corruption, but the times that I copied data back to the cart I didn't have any problems.

[@Dorkvader117]

The thing with the retron 5 is that it used a emulator that wasn’t built in house and they ran into some sort of trouble so to avoid that they’re building their own with this system

[@llaffer]

@@Dorkvader117 I didn't know that. Thanks.

[@FritsP001]

Sounds very interesting, though not something I'll pick up in its current state. Smooth out the GBA experience and get the savestate backups and transfaribility and then I do think I'll invest in it.

[@baldpipesmoker1]

So what's the latest with this console? Were GBA issues resolved? I'm interested in getting one of these.

[@rw4614]

Golden Sun in the background - love it.

[@rmkbow]

zion definitely channelling his metal rock star hair style.

[@switchnx]

I was just recently thinking about this!

[@WeezieLou]

Awesome review and thoughtful commentary. Please, PLEASE no background music during your reviews 😩😩

[@Pacmanfan-po9rn]

Agreed, it sounds awful and distracting.

[@Tsunagi]

Good Review. I would mostly use this System for GB and GBC Games, so the couple of GBA related Problems won't bother me. I just have one important Question: Did you notice any additional Input Lag while playing?

[@Elvisbackpack]

There was an update released to fix most of the GBA issues, and so far I've had no input lag.

[@thomario8639]

Now I fear the possibility of Nintendo announcing the GB/GBC/GBA Nintendo Switch Online app just after the patched version releases.

[@kirbtastic15]

3:31 that is not the native aspect ratio, that's 4:3. You can literally see how the pixels are stretched.

[@niceshot4563]

Wouldn't you lose your save file on pokemon blue when the battery dies in the cartridge anyway?

[@WIImotionmasher]

Is there a way to switch the colour palette of original GB games like you could on the GBC? I have this Retron Sq and am enjoying it, but wish Retron documented some of its functionality better. There doesn't even seem to be a manual with its functions layed out.

[@PatrickThomasBrady]

It is just an emulation device but with limited functionality, you’re not play the game from your cartridge, it’s being ripped to the sg and the rom is being played there, it’s only made this way to prevent legal action, I’m sure a community mod will be made to make this way more functional because that’s essentially what hyperkin is relying on

[@michaeldemers2716]

I think the Retroad SFC52HD or Retroad 5 Plus 7" HDMI handheld with the GB/GBC Extension Converter is a better choice minus the Gameboy Advance ability. ALI-EXPRESS has all the Retroad products. The Retroad ZD06 or Retroad ZD02HD are great HD SEGA consoles from Ali-Express as well. I use mine with the Brawler Gen controller and a Power Base Mini with the Master System Everdrive Clone for HD Master System. I believe you can use the Hyperkin 3 in 1 adapter as well but they screwed up making that too and forgot the pause button which you need for some menus like Wonder Boy in Monster World. I think that Ebay has one with pause but it's hard to find. HD SEGA Master System is Awesome.

[@Cloudiroth462]

I would totally buy this if I still had my Gameboy games for nostalgia. Gonna stick with Roms I guess.

[@abelperez1434]

I don't know why but retron products just don't seem like they are high quality but more on the cheap side.

[@theyoredragon9287]

You got me with the link's awakening music.. my favorite.. not that new one tho.. why can't I have the OG DX version on my switch!!

[@WebstersYouTube]

It's great that the GBA stuff plays better now but man am I tired of this release now, fix later culture

[@acoloradolife5135]

Stumbled across this an seriously may consider purchasing. As someone whod probably have one or the other the save file not carrying over wouldn't be a huge issue. I'm more curious on how it looks on the tv.

[@thomasdunstan7489]

So plug in the keyboard to the USB and have access to another menu soon as you turn it on

[@dcashley303]

Nah, I'll stick with my Gameboy Player being played through my GameCube to my OSSC and I'll play it with a Raphnet SNES to GameCube controller adapter with a Hori Super Game Boy Commander controller for that authentic and long winded experience :)

[@Kniffel101]

"Is The Retron Sq The Best Way To Play Game Boy Games On Your TV?" No, far from it. But for like 20-30 bucks it's an okay solution! =) But personally I wouldn't pay more for it though. I was surprised to hear from you that they actually update it frequently.

[@paleona5820]

My original copy of Pokemon Silver no longer holds a save file- I wonder if this would be a good solution if I ever wanted to play it again? Considering you can't transfer Gen 2 Pokemon up to other generations, it might be a good idea. I'm wondering if it has an internal clock for day/night cycles, though. I really love that 80's color scheme, at least!

[@Wutse]

Zion what game is that with the Boss fight that looks like a beefed up tiger? Looks a bit like a Zelda game

[@alinepiroutek8932]

Many beautiful GBA/GB games boxes man

[@GeekyN8]

great review and its good to see some updates already but currently i think i will just pay for a gamecube and gamecube player as i need to be able to have my saves travelling with me.

[@trevorwiant8838]

BIG question. How does it handle 3D-heavy GBA games? I absolutely love the super janky 3D garbage that graced the system. Many 3D titles had performance issues enough on native hardware, so I'm pretty concerned about how it would fare on the Retron Sq. Games like Duke Nukem Advance, Smashing Drive, Drome Racers, Big Mutha Truckers, and Killswitch would probably be good benchmark games to test it with.

[@jesseferguson602]

What happens if you play a game, make progress that saves to the system, then play the same game on a handheld and make progress and save, then play again on the system? Which save file does it use and how would it know?

[@pr9334]

I like the idea and concept I hate the color choices they have though, I’ll see if they can make a solid black one with red buttons. Or a red one with white buttons. Thanks for showing it off.

[@derossetmyers47]

Where did you get the blue-vest-wearing Dixie Kong figurine?

[@johanandersson8252]

It would be great to have a consol to play my Final Fantasy Advance games on.

[@indiejacob]

The second this thing becomes a GameBoy Switch is the second I buy one

[@youtubemotivationmastery]

Anyone gonna ask why there are x and h buttons for gameboy games 0_0

[@pushingdasies1]

Is the super gameboy cheaper than the gameboy player? I was curious about it because the gameboy player US discs was pretty rare.

[@JackEGee-il9mz]

Devices like this just make me excited for the Analogue Pocket so it can blow them all away

[@heavyarms55]

The GBA support should have been there day 1. They released an unfinished product.

[@mistereagleman]

I accidentally splurged about 350$ on a Gamecube with a Gameboy player and the Swiss mod installed on it so I wouldn't have to buy a GBP disc lol. (Tbh it was worth it for me, always wanted a Gamecube lol, but this thing looks like it would've been a crazy cheaper alternative).

[@kasugaifox8571]

This is cool. I have no idea if any of my Gameboy games work.

[@eminemd1274]

So you can save it on the cube so you won't lose it on a cube but it'll be lost for the game boy so therefore it would be perfect just the only play Pokemon on the cube right?? 😶

[@NukeOTron]

Yes, but can you watch Shrek on it?

[@spidersquid8]

Dumb question, but does it run GBA Video? I know almost no one would want to watch 140p videos blown up to the big screen, but I'm curious. Does it?

[@aztecwarrior182]

Can we get a tutorial video on how to download the firmware update??