Retron HD Unboxing and Review

[@EposVox]

Picked one up this week because my NES is dead! Excited.

[@dionelr]

For the price, it's great. But the off sound is a deal breaker for me.

[@RedVisor1]

Yeah, this is a problem with pretty much all the clone systems out there that have their SOCs manfactured in China. When I last read up on it about a year ago the problem was apparently caused by an inverted channel or something like that. It looks like the problem may be fixable, albeit soldering skills would be required: satoshimatrix.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/retro-duo-nes-audio-correction-tutorial/

[@NeonNightmares]

thanks for the link! I was looking for something like this. May be helpful if the sound really is as terrible as in the video i'll definitely give it a shot.

[@RedVisor1]

No problem. Glad I could be of help. :)

[@TheLastLineLive]

dionelr yeah that sound is just a joke, only the absolute most casual gamer that's never played NES before should even consider buying this.

[@jmlivez1664]

I pre ordered one of these from Amazon. Super excited! Can't wait to play duck hunt. Also I like that the HD NES is hardware emulated and not software based like other Retrons. Thanks for the video

[@jackhicks3423]

I relived you didn't give your recommendation on this product. All of these clone systems seem rushed and with a little more tweaking they could have made the sound more accurate. I thought you were very generous in saying the sound was a little off. I enjoy all of your videos and your passion for gaming shows. Thanks

[@NeonNightmares]

Thanks for the video! I ordered mine yesterday in the grey version. I ordered one because my original one doesn't work properly anymore and till i get a new one in great shape and reasonably priced i think it's a great cheap alternativ.

[@professorvector9535]

Great seeing you at VRGE this weekend; awesome panel!

[@RGT85]

I'm probably gonna snag one because...well...I have a strange addiction to these NES clones. lol. Plus it's cheap enough and I do like that controller.

[@VOAN]

I'll probably just going to buy the Cadet controllers themselves as I felt the Retron HD is not necessary since I already got the AVS, NES Classic Edition, and Retron 5.

[@MVLGAMING]

A cool alternative. Especially over here in EU where we didn't get the more reliable NES top loader. The price is right, and it's good it runs the games from the original cartridges.

[@zombiecrusher1100]

I noticed the sound was off, then you commented right after. i also believe it's a great deal. the price is perfect. I still use my original retron. before they made HD. I bought it in the early 2000's. it works great.

[@Dubbloseven]

nice lil machine. I had a Top Loader in the late 90s, just wasn't high def. I've since sold a majority of my collection off over a few years. I love your passion for games. Thank you sharing your amazing collection & knowledge with everyone. Dracula's curse was one of my fav's on NES as well, I have beat it quite a few times.

[@LucasbBeardGroomingReviews]

I love this thing. Got one just for the heck of it since it had HDMI out.

[@jasonlee8842]

Oh thank god Bible Games works, I was worried about that one.

[@ssdko]

The sarcasm in this one is palpable.

[@grootgroove9529]

😂😂😂

[@JOHNN01.82]

Ha ha

[@rowie324]

I've been waiting for someone to review this! thank you!!

[@bezerker99]

I preordered this last week (couldn't resist that price). It's the first thing I've ever bought from them and I cant wait for it to arrive. Yeah, those controllers look great. I read it also uses original NES controllers.

[@GamerEver92]

Thanks for showing that, nice option for those who wants to play some NES for a cheap price.

[@jerrylee7666]

Thanks for the review John!! I am very interested in these.

[@SuperLuigiSixty4]

Just found your channel through your appearance on Pat's Not So Common Podcast, I like what I see.

[@asmallquest]

Think it's a great idea for a gift for someone who's getting into retro gaming. It's an affordable solution so if people only have a HD TV they can play old Nintendo games. I would consider getting this for my nephew for Christmas

[@battroidattack]

I can't wait till my preorder from Amazon arrives in a few days! I already have my stack of carts near my TV in preparation of NES binging!

[@MrMartellSincere]

I am planning to get this for my gaming setup to hook-up NES games on HDTV

[@littledonkey8901]

You have a kind face.

[@cunawarit]

That's such a nice comment :) You made my day.

[@newspooiechannel]

I ordered one of these during a Newegg Labor Day sale for $22.99. Should arrive on Monday.

[@ArtOfWesGardner]

I see Immortal John Hancock, I hit the thumbs up.

[@BcHmF]

Nice one John, thanks for the update. Keep on going and do not change. :)

[@just_a_saeu88]

Wow this looks so nice and sleek!! Very classy console

[@-aXnMaN-]

thanks for all the work you put into your videos....

[@kevindudley9617]

Not a bad price for this little unit. I actually still have my NES emulator disc for my Sega Dreamcast that contains the entire NES library that I still like to play.

[@msbae]

The sound issues are a bit disconcerting but, I do like the ability to play Zapper games with this device. That's a huge plus.

[@BawesomeBurf]

I like the fact that the controller ports are actually on the front this time. The side controller ports on the other Retron systems drive me nuts.

[@VOAN]

It also used familiar Power and Reset buttons similar to how the original NES ones look as well. Quite interesting indeed, sad that the quality of the video and gameplay just isn't there yet though.

[@mdmenzel]

Love the ergonomics of the controller. A couple of games have the sound a bit off and Tengen Gauntlet wouldn't work for me but it is otherwise awesome. Ninja Gaiden works for me on the unit; I've found that I've had to deep clean the edge connectors of the cartridges a lot more than I did when I had a NES.

[@whoc4r3s117]

That's a clean System. The OCD inside me is pleased.

[@CommodoreFan64]

I would personally say a better option is a an original NES with the Blinking light Win fix and if you don't care about Light gun support it will work find in dual mono with an adapter for AV, as most HDTV still have component inputs which double as composite inputs as well, and I've found one way to do Light guns games on an HDTV using a homebrewed Wii and the NES emulator, where you use a Wiimote in place of the Zapper, and while not 100% perfect it does work. Edit: to note I do use my modded Childhood NES with the Blinking Light Win Fix on my 27in Panasonic CRT in dual mono pipped threw my 5.1 surround sound Home Theater setup.

[@dduffee64]

pre ordered mine yesterday. black one looks sleek.

[@DebugMenu]

I'm always in two minds about these things, but there's certainly a place for them in the world so it's good that they're an option :D

[@LillitosanEP]

Is a Retron1 but with HD connections. The sound has like a high pitch to it. What caught my attention is that small CRT TV. I love it. What model is??? Is perfect for Plug & Play mini consoles. Let me know. Thank you. Greetings from Puerto Rico.

[@churchdirt]

Just picked one of these up recently, popped Ninja Gaiden in and it fired right up.

[@ronaldhenson9170]

Hi I tried this new retron HD nes 1 console with the av cables and hdmi cable playing nes games in hd is totally worth it

[@DanniDolphin]

I can't believe how small the Retron HD is.

[@chubbykitty138]

eh wish they'd have gone right for a retron 3 HD hopefully they intend to do that NES SNES Genesis all with HDMI output yeah I'll just wait on that that'd be wonderful

[@gamingrelated5233]

I guess for the price its a good option for casual players. "A little bit off" makes it pretty much uninteresting for NES enthusiasts and purists.

[@tetsujin_144]

Seems weird to me. I mean, if someone's enough of a "casual player" that they don't care about bad audio and compatibility problems, why even buy cartridges? Just get the NES mini or set up RetroPi and emulate.

[@lexbeltran1354]

I could care less about the sound, as long as it's acceptable

[@uriahh4932]

If it plays Castlevania 3 Draculas Curse the sign me up! That's one of my all time favorite NES games!

[@revolutionoftheclassics3630]

Thank God there is an option to play NES without gettin ripped off Cause an original NES had an inflated price

[@antonnym214]

you do good work. I have subscribed.

[@THECH0SEN0NE82]

as much as i love my avs i wish i would of known this was in the works.. price difference is HUGE.

[@JosiahIsWrite]

For some reason, the price seems high to me, however, the cost probably comes largely from the HD out. If you have something like the Super Retro trio with HD out (and not the Retron 5, not looking for emulation) I'd happily pay in the $80 range (the Trio costs about $60 without HD, if I recall correctly).

[@CreatureWillis]

I actually wasn't interested in the video topic at all, but I wanted to listen to the theme song. Haha. Great video, anyway.

[@CAPCOM784]

I think its a good price for someone wanting a HD option but I still believe the original NES is the best option.

[@garagegamer6484]

My NES has been modded to output an HDMI signal. You can buy the kits from Game-techusa.com.

[@gillianseed4419]

hi-def nes is definitely the "deluxe" option, only coming second in cost to the analogue NT if you want hdmi on real nintendo hardware, those are the only two options.

[@CommodoreFan64]

I agree on using an original NES long as you install the Blinking Light Win adapter which solved all the problems with my original Childhood NES, and I also use mine on a 27in Panasonic CRT with an adapter to turn the sound into dual mono pipped threw the 5.1 surround sound setup in my Home Theater/gaming room./Man Cave/Family Room.

[@masterninjahh]

i just installed my hi def nes the other day, its flippin amazing. it took about 10 hours and 2 nes consoles to get working but i did it! i didnt have the proper tools recommended for the job but a manual solder sucker and a heat gun can do the job. its only $120 if you do it yourself but i recommend paying a modder about 100 bucks to do it for you.

[@garagegamer6484]

I did the install on mine too. Not really that hard to do. The hardest part was removing the CPU and PPU with out doing damage.

[@retrobroski2904]

I have this and love it! Great machine and love the controllers as well! Only complaint is it won’t play passed level 1 on battle toads . All other games run great and I know this is a normal thing with these kind of consoles. For some reason all these third party consoles cannot play nes battle toads without it crashing on level 2

[@jasonsantoro6347]

This review would have been better if you had actually hooked it to an actual HDTV. That was the point of the console.

[@SixOThree]

Upscaled garbage.

[@BakiX]

The price point and look of the system are nice, but the sound is a killer for me.

[@henkvanderweerdt446]

Thanks for the review. Just a quick question. Is this based on emulations like the retron5 or somekind of system on a chip console like the avs? Keep up the good work!

[@ArcadeFreak-gw5rp]

for 40 bucks I will get one that is absolutely a great price I can look past the sounds

[@sparkles122]

I have snes, n64 and mega drive... pretty sure I have the master system somewhere as well. Although I have downloaded games onto the wiiu I still prefer the original consoles to emulators but these consoles are a necessity as the old consoles will die all together in time so what we need is a good company to manufacture these new consoles or emulations to come down in price

[@ThePanred]

yes. got some new editing going :)

[@JasonVectrex_187]

my review without watching this video yet.......it's a good looking paper weight :)

[@Benny_Shill]

It doesn't work with Ninja Gaiden? why? what else doesn't work?

[@Benny_Shill]

you can't emulate ninja gaiden?

[@darthboxOriginal]

you must be able to, because Nintendo does...it's on the 3ds eshop at least

[@johnhancockretro]

44 0 ask hyperlin

[@NoThanksnothanks]

John Hancock, they gotta fix that. That is a huge flaw. NG is a must for any nes fan.

[@kevindudley9617]

Ninja Gaiden is such an odd title to not work with this particular unit.

[@DontPaniku]

I want the Retrofreak. I keep hoping it has an US release soon.

[@ProDigit80]

Sounds to me that the retron HD has the NES soundchip, while the other system uses the famicom sound system (extra audio channel).

[@Kinneyt1990]

I have the 8-Bit HD and from what I've played on it it has the same problem with the sound not being quite right.

[@EgillH]

did you test any PAL cartridges? im wondering if the switch changes the output signal between 50hz/60hz or if it just bypasses the region lock. I know the AVS does this. in other words will my optimized PAL games play normally on this?

[@johneygd]

I suppose it does not have any smoothing filters as option right? In this case it's pointless to have an HD nes, except for the clearity and brighter colors. The sound is a bit off like early clones but it's close it feels like an opertunity.

[@robertknight4672]

johneygd Your assumption is correct. No filters or smoothing. Looks as if the pixelated label art of the early games came to life.

[@aidankeyes2018]

Hey John! Does the input connection affect the visuals/colour palette? I've heard rumour that the component connection over HDMI fixes a a lot of the colour issues but haven't actually seen any visual evidence?

[@mrs.brisby1166]

Its the only console I have right now that WILL play Ninja Gaiden. However, with the packaged controller, it makes you jump off the top of the ladders in level two and kills you. I hooked up an original controller and you still get the jump sound effect when you emerge on the upper levels but it doesn't send you plummeting to your death. It does NOT play arkanoid. The game boots and starts fine but it seems to have problems with the Arkanoid controller. It starts blinking and glitching and won't move all the way to the right. I tried adjusting the controller with the adjuster screw but it didn't work.

[@TheVoodooVegetable]

Hey John, I have a much older clone and my Castlevania 3 has major issues on it. I don't have a NES to test it on currently, but are you saying it's probably just my clone? I bought the clone like 15 years ago and it's a piece of junk. My copy of Castlevania 3, however, appears to be in great shape and clean.

[@battroidattack]

I just got mine yesterday and it works great. One caveat though, I tried out both my original NES and NES Max control pads and the buttons aren't mapped properly and the start, select and crosspad doesn't work. Idk if it's my unit but have you tried using the original pads on yours?

[@erniesdeck7550]

John do you have any idea if this also works with the game genie? I was just wondering because nobody has mentioned the game genie functionality yet. thanks!

[@GYRUSS]

I wish they would make one of these games to run N64 games.

[@ClaerisGames]

The sound is a real shame. Do you have a famicom to nes pin adapter? I'm very curious if this little thing can do the famicom disk system. Since it's hardware and not emulation, I'm thinking it just might. It's just a real shame about the sound and compatibility because that was enough to make me choose the avs over this. I'd still like to know about the fds if you have the stuff to test it, though!

[@foxsux6000]

It's also great if you don't want a 25 year old console of which you're uncertain how long it will still function (and don't know how to replace parts or want to pay for it getting it fixed).. (especially at $75 for a half decent one) A lot of NES consoles because they're so old their capacitors will break, and an average person doesn't know how to fix that.

[@tetsujin_144]

Well you're right that original hardware does tend to be pretty expensive these days, and it does fail sometimes - but generally this old hardware is pretty reliable.

[@Spiderdude57]

Awsome video but if it doesn't play Ninja Gaiden I'll stick with the retron 5.

[@SoftOtaku]

Ninja Gaiden? How odd. I preordered ages ago and that will be the first game that goes into it. Now I kind of wish I had gone with black. As for the $40 price tag, yes it's reasonable but at this point it seems to me to be about right for something that only does NES. There are just so many options out there now that I don't think they could compete otherwise. I really like the Retron 3 and Retron 5, but the wireless controllers are absolutely horrible and useless for both. Nice to see this one just has a wired controller. Seriously though... NINJA GAIDEN?!

[@jollywankerproductions774]

Im wondering..would the old nes araknoid paddle controller be compatible with this device?

[@TypoDiabetes]

cool video! 60 fps looks kind of weird though.

[@The321asdfff]

Can you please tell me if the Everdrive N8 works on this?

[@erikleypoldt8275]

When will they have a Retron that plays n64 and atari 2600 cartridges?

[@SEEtheREPLAY]

Does it sound off like there is a lag, or does it have stereo sound as opposed to mono?

[@qaz2447]

I wanted to ask you between the Retro-Bit RES + and the Hyperkin Retron 1 HD, since you have used both of them, which one do you recommend to buy? thanks

[@johnhancockretro]

Both are decent. I remember the retron hd being a really good budget console. I liked the controller too.

[@skunkcabbages5040]

The sound isn't a huge issue for me, if I'm on a big gaming kick; since I was a teenager I like to turn the radio on and up while I play)( I'd like to know if it works with an everdrive

[@ericmacdonald2915]

I bought a regular Retron (non HD) about a month ago. I have to hit reset to play Ninja Gaiden and it won't play the opening cut scene.

[@sander230e]

I just bought the retron HD and used it today for the first time. It was only 35euro, but..... The sound is garbage. I tested it first with a Sunsoft title with the 5b soundchip build in. It was bad.. It looks like this thing can't deal with it. After that I tested super Mario bros 3. Just a normal common game. But it also sounded terrible.. And the color palette is a little differentt. Skin color and white colored objects are looking the same for example. (and these are original cartridges). And i tested it with HDMI only. I wanna know if the retron 5 also has this problem? Or should I buy the Retrofreak.. ?

[@nightworlld]

Hey John do you know if 4 player tap will work

[@coasterexplosion4428]

Will Castlevania 3 work on the Retron 2?

[@jordangates6285]

i hope that they make a retron 5 with av outputs and no emulation just real hardware

[@Bavubuka]

Can this be connected to a typical external computer monitor?

[@VioletMargatroid]

Mine came with a 150 in 1 cartridge (the good one) and it was white

[@franciscandie8570]

I think I'll pick one up, just to plug it beside my pc

[@retrogamerfan123]

I want retron to do a hd n64 console but I don't think they can yet

[@OOOHBILLY]

Ooohbilly was here!

[@AxelAlexK]

How does this look on a modern big screen TV?

[@MRCAB]

That controller has a butt.

[@rocksolid1640]

wow that's a huge old school t.v. lol

[@usher67]

do these new controllers work on retron 5? also anyone know if new versions of retron 5 have no pins issues? how do u tell them apart?

[@dave4shmups]

Great review! I've been waiting for one on this console. It looks and sounds fine to me, but I wonder why Ninja Gaiden won't work on it? That's not a game that these clone consoles typically have any issues playing. Maybe the Famicom version would work, using an adapter.

[@deuceb0i]

Whats up w the sound

[@McStarkiller666]

Does it play the ever drive N8

[@Imtired170]

Is Friday the 13 th compatible with this console?

[@samysnes]

Did you notice any input lag at all?

[@dmace81]

Thank god the company sent you this and you didn't pay for it. lol

[@DannyCD]

Yeah, thank God... so that we may have this review with as little criticism about the console as possible....

[@NewportBox100s]

Immortal? That's sacreligious...

[@LovelyAlanna]

TBH both systems sound a bit off, the retron HD sounds a little high pitched, but your toploader sounds like it's missing one channel or something