Retron 5 - The Best Worst Console Ever | DanRock

I've been working on this video on and off for 2 years. Kill me.
Anyway, today's topic is the Retron 5; an all-in-one claiming to play the NES, Famicom, SNES, Genesis, and Gameboy line. But is it any good? Sort of. Just watch the video.
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[@Beyondesp]

The best thing about this device is how easy it is to grab your old saves from old carts , and back them up. Although it is in an encrypted format there are tools online to decrypt and use for other emulation programs/devices. I grabbed all my old saves from my old carts with this machine and play them on better devices. When you look at the price and availability of other cartridge adapters, it basically adds up to the price of the retron 5.

[@JohnnyBravo655]

Hey Dan, I would suggest installing RetroNFreak custom firmware and trying SNES games again. This CFW will allow you to install all your games on the SD card, and even sideload ROMs from the internet. Try it out yourself. I am looking forward to your reply and hopefully a video update on this console! Cheers

[@saysbadman]

At some point you gotta ask yourself "Why not just use your computer?" I just finished setting up a batocera drive, and it allows you to just use a controller for a console like experience with an excellent front end. Best of all is you can put it on a flash/thumb/jump drive to use on any PC that you can boot from USB.

[@CiroAngelus]

@@saysbadmanit’s called nostalgia. You get that when you get older lol

[@RomeoRuizMusic]

Thank you for this video. So in regards to input lag, is it only with the included horrible wireless controller that comes with it? Do you notice any input lag with the controllers plugged into it? Thank you kindly.

[@DanRockProductions]

I only noticed it with the included controller. Wired controllers didn't produce any additional lag, barring the lag from the console itself. Sorry for the late reply!

[@donaldsmith5667]

I own a Retron 5. Dropped the $179.00 on it, only to have it stop working less than 2 years later. It’s a huge POS, in my opinion. I’ve found for 8 Bit nintendo games, the RES+ is perfect. For Genesis, the Mega HD is great. For Atari, the Retron 77 plays flawlessly. For SNES, I prefer to use original hardware or the Mini console to play all the staples. I also have the Supaboy for a portable solution, but the TV mode is just not great so I avoid it.

[@DanRockProductions]

I've been working on this video on and off for 2 years. Kill me. Anyway, today's topic is the Retron 5; an all-in-one claiming to play the NES, Famicom, SNES, Genesis, and Gameboy line. But is it any good? Sort of. Just watch the video.

[@ashtagbeats]

As a producer myself (for my employer) I gotta say you did an AWESOME job! Great video! Shocked on low view count

[@DanRockProductions]

@@ashtagbeats thank you very much! That means a lot :)

[@Frank_D]

That's assuming you can get a working unit. I bought one a few years back that didn't work out of the box, so I returned it. I remember around that time that there were a lot of reviewers and other people discussing the Retron 5, and it was a pretty even split between people who loved it, and people who hated it because theirs didn't work.

[@WhiteJarrah]

I'd recommend the Cyber Gadget Retro Freak over the Retron5.

[@PyroJiro]

Does it still have the death grip? On my and many other people's Retrons its impossible taking cartridges out without doing it a certain way, and there's even trouble getting them into the console to begin with. Feels like the pins are breaking. I have the Whiteish/Grey version, anyone known if it was fixed with the black one or is it the same?

[@DanRockProductions]

I can't give any word as to if they've fixed it in the newer models, but I can confirm that after multiple years of usage, mine does indeed still have the death grip and it scares me quite a lot

[@yunglaytv]

@@DanRockProductions I think I'm going to sell mine because of the death grip!!! 🤦

[@BajaThisBlast]

When I play GBA games it looks super blurry and is really hard to read any writing during games...have you had this problem? Didn't know if I needed to update the console to the newest firmware or if that's how GBA games kinda look on a bigger TV.

[@onetwo6039]

I had the retron5, but the lag with Mario games was so bad that I ended up getting rid of it. I got a polymega now and it's all good.

[@Thor-Orion]

I have a Sega Saturn. Have had one for 27 years, have a few others in my collection, including a Japanese model. Now you know someone with one.

[@themetalgamer9864]

Imagine if this and the MiSTer had a baby. Retron5 shell with MiSTer internals.

[@mangreat71]

How do you play a two player game with the hyperkin retron 5 ?

[@DanRockProductions]

There are NES, Genesis and SNES ports on both sides for players 1 and 2

[@SocialistDog]

How another mega drive and that 900 and 1 for gba?

[@laserramon9926]

The input lag is a deal breaker for me with these systems. I can deal with tweaked audio but not lag. I'll stick with original hardware.

[@shaynes.9773]

I don't know why, but I even found input lag with original console controller with the NES emulation on the Retron5. Plus it their customer support just isn't there. There seems to be newer firmware upgrades that are preinstalled on newer shipping Retron5s, but the only one's that are official posted by Hyperkin are older. I bought my Retron5 a few years back and just gave up on trying to use it. I was hoping that there would be a patch that Hyperkin would official post that would fix the lag issues, but so far I haven't had any success. It is just too frustrating trying to play games on it just so I can play my old games on my modern TV. I gave up in disappointment with the Retron5. I put an order for a Polymega Deluxe bundle a few months ago and am waiting for production to restart on them. Hopefully things with the chip shortages will get resolved for all electronics very soon. From what I am hearing from folks that received their Polymega consoles, it is a great system. It looks incredible from what reviews I've seen of it. I agree with you, Dan... for the price Hyperkin is charging, the Retro5 should be a far more reliable. The Retron5 controller is horrible, they shouldn't have bothered even including it. The bottom line is the input lag using original console controllers is a deal-breaker for me. Maybe it is just my Retron5, but the lag is on all the different emulators, not just the SNES. Hyperkin's quality control is severely lacking. From what I have been reading in this thread's comments, some people have no lag what so ever.. while some people's Retron5 consoles have lag on some or all of the emulators. It was a great idea to have a multi-console, all in one system, but the Retron5 doesn't live up to the challenge. I'll have to see how the Polymega compares. I don't mind paying the premium for the Polymega or waiting for production delays, if it works as advertised. Thanks Dan. Cheers!

[@vartonisrunesinne4768]

"But fuck you I'm playing Pandamon on my Retron 5" best line of the video.

[@jarekfranczyk880]

Here we are dealing with an emulator, but Hyperkin cloned consoles unfortunately also have drawbacks. For example... the colors in the Retron 1 HD are some kind of misunderstanding. The palette is different than on the NES, and in Retron2HD in NES mode they have improved AV sharpness and colors, but in turn the scrolling of the background is pulsating... In SupaRetronHD, the image flickered, and in Killer Instinct, the image was heavily cut off at the bottom... I bought a Chinese clone of the SNES (Super Retro HD) and it works OK.

[@17R3W]

I think the reason it didn't have AV out is that it was targeted at people who wanted to play games on their hdtvs, without dealing with scalers and the like. You can use it on a normal tv, with a cheap HDMI to composite adapter, but I don't think that it was intended to be used with an SDtv. I also presume (although I haven't tried it personally) that light guns still wouldn't work even with an SDtv, so it was likely easiest to not include the option in order to avoid the confusion.

[@Wyrdwad]

I bought this thing at launch, and... I don't recall noticing ANY input lag with SNES games? Like, I played and beat The Addams Family on my Retron5, which is not a game you want to be playing with input lag. And it felt fine to play. I also specifically played Super Mario All-Stars on it, and again, didn't notice any input lag whatsoever. Maybe I just have a high tolerance for input lag? I'm not sure. All I know is, I got rid of the thing after it destroyed my Addams Family cartridge with its DEATH GRIP. Guess that's been resolved now, but it literally grasped my cart so hard that when I finally pulled the thing out successfully, a couple of the connectors actually got TORN OFF THE USB -- and the connectors inside the SNES cartridge slot got all bent and yanked out as well, making it impossible to ever play SNES games on the unit again after that. I also had a LOT of trouble getting games to load, because the Retron5 was just SO PICKY about cartridge cleanliness at launch. Games that played perfectly fine on actual hardware weren't being recognized by the Retron, and it would take multiple cleanings before it finally was like, oh, hey, it's THAT game! I do believe redesigns and firmware updates have fixed those particular issues, but it sounds like they may have introduced more lag, too -- either that or, again, I just have a surprisingly high tolerance for input lag that I never knew about!

[@mrbussey]

I agree that this system has it's ups and downs. I bought it pretty early on and the pins grab the carts WAY too hard which causes them to bend. Super frustrating! One thing I really like is that playing Famicon and Super Famicon games, you can load translation files from the memory card! That is if someone has taken the time to translate the game. Still a very cool feature! Another thing to check out is the RetroN 5 3in1 Adapter which lets you play Game Gear, Master System Carts, and Master System Cards.

[@bpalpha]

Will this play Sega Masters System games and/or Game Gear games through the Genesis/Megadrive emulator?

[@DanRockProductions]

Yes, if you use the Power Base converter. I've personally tested it, and it works fine. Apparently, there's a third party one you can use too, but I haven't tested it

[@DominiqueDeMann]

I honestly hate the fact that it doesn't come with AV output. Playing on a CRT is Part of the Nostalgic effect for me.

[@marks8761]

All my pins bent on day 1. I never used it again!

[@waynecuff3140]

Some games don't run, but to be honest the Retron 5 is a great bit of kit. Playing the likes of Thunder force 3 look & play great. Unfortunately Thunder force 4 doesn't play for long freezes up on second level.

[@ppanda109]

I don't really play a lot of retro games but I got this thing for $5 at a thrift store, so I guess I can't really complain about anything 😅

[@dad7275]

Yea the input lag is the biggest bummer with this mostly otherwise awesome, capable console. It did seem to help running it on my crt, and a wired controller.

[@turkey6969]

I just got the Hyper Beach, and glad they have the SNES style controller. For what I am looking for, it does the job. Like being able to play pretty much 95% of my retro library. With the mass increase in retro gaming pricing, I dont think the price is too far off, or a big deal killer. Of course there are other options, but for the casual. It works great. Now, I hope it lasts awhile, only time will tell.

[@DanRockProductions]

For what it is, if you don't mind the shortcomings, it really is an incredible concept for a console

[@SilverPhoenix-PlazmaMoon]

A lot of ROM emulators have game code menu importing... so this thing can't do that at all? I'm spoiled, and need to beat every game by any means possible.

[@zachfutv9986]

They remade them so their better now

[@GregsGameRoom]

Always thought this was a cool system until I learned about the benefits of FPGA. Or Everdrives. Now I don't need it...

[@jfroco]

Unfortunately, GBA and SNES games are almost unplayable because of the input lag.

[@Cheetahman85]

it does have Game Genie built In I thought but been a while since I've used mine.

[@DanRockProductions]

It does indeed! I couldn't figure out how to use it though, because the URL to download the cheat database from seems to be offline :(

[@TeddyCream0]

Now there's CFW that actually removes the Input lag and allows you to load roms from an SD Card. The system goes from a decent novelty to a Good emulation box

[@sneevegastv7606]

What's the game at 6:33

[@DanRockProductions]

Scott Pilgrim vs The World The Game

[@sneevegastv7606]

@@DanRockProductions Awesome thanks:)

[@MetalSonic420]

That's a nice video about the Retron 5.

[@calebprenger3928]

I don't have lag on my SNES games for the retron 5... I bought mine for 130 about 4 years ago

[@Dylan-xh3cu]

I have absolutely no lag on the snes . Works great.

[@barrymanutts8223]

I think the lag is because the firmware wasn’t updated

[@SeaSlug]

Whoever came up the controller and everyone who approved it should be put in jail.

[@soli-ethd]

Buying this these days is honestly just a bad prospect, I'd say. Considering the wealth of retro handhelds, especially those with TV-out, it seems like it would make more sense to buy something like a Retroid Pocket 2+ over something like this. If you don't need the TV out, the Powkiddy V90/Q90 is cheap and emulates more than what this does. Only downside to those, of course, is procuring the ROMs, but for most systems that's not too hard to do even if you do it yourself with your own cartridges.

[@davidculp1402]

I am going to give a slightly different view - I like the Retron 5. However, I do recognize some of its short comings and that controller is the absolute WORST controller ever made. What were they thinking? The new version of the Retron five comes with that controller but also comes with a serviceable SNES style dogbone controller. I think they were thinking most people woiiuld have the original controllers for the SNES/NES/Genesis/MD and use those. In fact, that is what I use. Ive had 0 issues from both the Retron 5's Ive owned. I like using it over the original hardware as the original hardware is getting old and using it puts wear and tear on them. I have my original hardware as essentially decorations in my game room. I pull it out when I need to but most of my retro gaming on the systems it supports is done on the Retro 5. I also use the Retron 77 for my Atari 2600 cartridges.

[@DanRockProductions]

I'm happy to hear that they seemed to have fixed a lot with the newer revisions! And yeah, I'm glad they're including a new controller because the standard one? Oof lol

[@summercrews5620]

I just got the thing so i didnt have to pay 300 for a gameboy player

[@thecrackconnoisseur5278]

...You own a Jaguar controller, yet havent felt a SEGA SATURN controller?

[@Imaminimonstertruck]

Game Genie is already built into the system. You don't need the Game Genie adapter.

[@Mossyfurnace]

We've got a Sega Saturn! And yeah... I really wish the retron 5 controller was better.

[@NFS-shade]

That girl must be crazy. Banging her head against everything

[@TheCoolDave]

I have one of these... paid $46 on eBay, open box, untested.... Worked 100%, Everdrives don't work on it... Sure they were but, lag was notable on every emulator in my tests... Neat device but, if your going to deal with Emulation You might as well get a PI 4($60ish) and some NES/SNES/Genesis to USB adapters($5-8 each)... and you still would be less than this thing cost new. You do know you can play master system games on it as well with the adapter for the Genesis, Right ? I personally played a few games including Phantasy Star

[@DanRockProductions]

Yup! I couldn't get an adapter for the video sadly. But I've tried it out with the Power Base Converter in the past and it worked flawlessly. The Sega emulation on this thing is pretty damn spot-on lol

[@bobafeet1234]

Excellent and very informative video! Thank you!

[@DanRockProductions]

Thank you for watching!

[@Thor-Orion]

Of course their controller has input lag, they had to steal their emulators…

[@NathansCrazyVideos]

i have 3 Saturns and like 12 controllers.

[@severinevans346]

My biggest complaint is the controller.

[@JadenFox9]

sounds interesting, but yea, the price kind kills it, tho, it looks like the controller that came with it tried to be everything

[@DanRockProductions]

It tried to be everything, but succeeded at nothing. Shame, really, all they had to do was include a SNES controller clone and that would have done the job. Oh well. Thanks for watching! :)

[@supercommando440]

Play a real sports game on it like any of the dozens of hockey, football or baseball games on Genesis.

[@oskardeoz6823]

The Retron 3 HD✔️

[@supercommando440]

Wtf is “meta data”? And why does it matter if it cant be read by this system?

[@DanRockProductions]

From Wikipedia: "Metadata is defined as the data providing information about one or more aspects of the data; it is used to summarize basic information about data that can make tracking and working with specific data easier." In this case, the metadata pulled from the cart would have provided the Retron with the game's title and information (if it was already in the Retron's database)

[@MobileDecay]

Was your gf choking you? What are you into. 😂

[@DanRockProductions]

i had BAD razor burn when I filmed this so that's probably what you're referring to lol

[@wornout_joystick]

Wow! That’s a hard pass for me.

[@supercommando440]

And no N64 support. LAME.

[@Dylan-xh3cu]

I have absolutely no lag on the snes on my retron 5 .

[@DanRockProductions]

I'm happy to hear that! Both Retron 5's that I've tested have had it though, which is why I talked about it in the video and showed the clip of Mario jumping later after pressing the button

[@Dylan-xh3cu]

@@DanRockProductions did you updated your retron 5? Maybe that fixes the problem 🤔

[@DanRockProductions]

@@Dylan-xh3cu yup, newest firmware

[@Stoudman]

I'm confused...why is he complaining about there only being an HDMI out? Like....were you not there when this was released? That was literally a SELLING POINT for the console, because other clone consoles didn't have that and this allowed people to play original games on their high def televisions without loss in quality. Having a component or composite out would have defeated the purpose of this being a retro console that plays almost everything and upconverts it to high definition....which again, was a MAJOR SELLING POINT of the console. I'm just....I'm so confused....how do you not know this? Did you just forget? I'm sorry if this comes across as another rude, sh*tty, trolly comment from some a-hole on the internet, but I'm genuinely perplexed about how you presented this as if it was an issue when it was literally an intentional design factor that they used specifically to sell the console. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of things I dislike about the Retron5, but this was actually one of the main reasons I bought it....and you're presenting it as a bad thing....I just....I don't get it. I do not get it.

[@DanRockProductions]

It doesn't come across as trolly or shitty, but as I've said prior, the HDMI out should have been accompanied with an S-video or composite out ALONGSIDE it. Most newcomers to the retro gaming scene start with a CRT (because they're damn near free nowadays) and the Retron 5 physically cannot hook up to it. Also, the SNES Super Scope and Zapper can't work on flatscreen TVs, so the ability to plug the Retron 5 into a CRT would have bumped up it's compatibility to be more inclusive. Having to plug into a flatscreen also increases the notable about of input lag as well. CRT TV's don't have nearly as much. The Wii U is an amazing device for playing retro consoles because alongside it's HDMI output, it has a composite/component output as well. The Retron 5 doesn't. I'm gonna combine this response with another one I was gonna write for your other comment about the Game Genie thing. Yes, it does "include" a GG feature, but it does not come with the codes on the console. They were offered on Hyperkin's website, and you needed to buy a memory card and manually load them on. Ever since mid-2020, Hyperkin's GG website has been down. (www.hyperkin.com/Retron5/cheatpg) I wasn't sure if they planned on fixing it in the near future or if it was just down for the time I was making the review, so to keep the video from becoming outdated, I intentionally omitted it from the script. If I was making the video today, I would mention their broken Game Genie resource site as a downside. I worked on this video for two years, as mentioned in the pinned comment, waiting for updates, trying different TVs... I researched the HELL out of the Retron 5. In my opinion, it's not a bad console, but for the asking price, it's far from perfect.

[@patrickwooton966]

This console is not for the hardcore. This console is for the normies, thats why it has a HD out instead of composite. The hardcore players that have tube televisions play with original hardware, or an FPGA console and hardcore players "do not" use save states. This console is not original hardware, its an emulation machine no different than playing a rom from an emulator on your pc. It would be stupid to put av out on this machine, most regular people have HDMI so everybody can benefit from this machine. Having composite hook-ups on this console would completely defeat the purpose of having it in the first place.

[@DanRockProductions]

I completely disagree. The RetroN 2 HD, which has HD in it's name, still has composite output along with HDMI. Consoles like this are meant to be a gateway to getting more people in the retro gaming hobby. If someone started out by buying an N64 and a CRT, then considers buying the Retron 5 as a "do-all" they will not be able to use it on their TV. Let's also not forget that TVs that are about a decade old or older only had 1 or 2 HDMI ports on them, and I very highly doubt someone wants 50-100% of their HDMI ports hogged by a clone console. Arguing in favor for this device not having composite out, when Hyperkin's newer clone consoles do, makes absolutely no sense to me. Why remove a feature that people would potentially use often? Hyperkin isn't Apple removing the headphone jack here, they're doing something that they actually reversed because they KNEW they were wrong.

[@alexsvideos1]

Really great and informative video, thanks!