Taito Egret II Mini Arcade Review: Is it REALLY Worth It?

[@SavedByZero]

The screen rotation is quite clever... on a larger scale this would be great for something like the AtGames Legends Ultimate Mini.

[@dwightdixon8508]

Love Taito’s rotating screen & 8-4 way lock option, simply brilliant. Is it me or would this and the Sega mini arcades been better served with newer & more advanced arcade games especially arcade games that never seen a console release? Especially some Sega super scalers!! Just my opinion

[@TeamPandory]

Yup, they would ! The hardware inside these isn't bad, I'm sure they'd be able to handle them as Virtua fighter and elevator action returns are both playing really well.

[@leeboy2k1]

The unit's 4x3 screen is 1024x768 which isn't an integer of some of the 320x240 games installed, hence the hit and miss with uneven pixel scaling, shame whoever did the emulation didn't implement integer scaling that adds slight black borders on HDTV's to offset this. Re the games:for the most part the library is good, although you're right re original Rainbow islands, and some later Space invaders sequels, plus no Chase H.Q 1/2 is a darn shame, and Operation Wolf/Thunderbolt would be amazing with the trackball. Here's hoping that SD card slot opens it up to a softmod, but after nothing with the Astro city mini I won't get my hopes up.

[@TeamPandory]

Integer scaling would have been ideal. Even if the display didn't fit in the given resolution, they could have had it go over rather than under, having it stretch slightly larger than the given area- much like an authentic crt arcade cab.

[@arcadesunday4592]

Finally watched the full video. Really like the build quality and look... Wonder if it can be hacked to run some more games... Great review / teardown.

[@dangunheadachron1603]

Kikikaikai is actually the very first game in that series. The sequels that were localized in the west as Pocky & Rocky 1 and 2 on SNES are actually it's sequels.

[@TeamPandory]

Frickin knew it ! Wasn't just a coincidence

[@RockyFluffyWhiskas]

Preston market in Lancashire? Jacket potato with double cheese and beans please 👍

[@reagandow850]

You should order the spinner/roller ball controller with the ten additional games. The spinner is perfect! Just like the arcade! Weighted perfectly and seems to have a kind of forced feedback (kind of). I hVe a hard time explaining it but it’s amazing!! Glad you like it. Edit: the Sega Astro City mini controllers work as well.

[@SuperGamesLegend]

I want to get that bundle next. 😆

[@reagandow850]

@@SuperGamesLegend - you can order just the rollerball/spinner controller by itself and it comes with the SD card with the ten bonus games. Amazon Japan baby!! Edit: if you order the entire bundle the shipping is outrageous. I had order the device and the controller separately.

[@originalfunkyfry]

@@reagandow850 yeah I noticed the same thing -- they were adding like $70 in un-necessary shipping fees to the bundle. Besides which, I was never interested in the "console style" controller. Just looks like shit. I do think, $110 for the trackball controller is going to end up being too much unless they do come out with more games for it.

[@WickedGamerCollector]

Amazing extended review 👌 That switching of the display is amazing extra option. Only wonder how long wil this work in the end ? 😳

[@TeamPandory]

Good point tbh. How long until it "grinds" to a halt and starts to sound like an aging dreamcast?

[@SuperGamesLegend]

Hi Wicked! The build on this feels solid and well made! I understand your concern though.

[@TheKayliedGamerChannel-YouTube]

@@TeamPandory ...silicone grease to the rescue! 🤠

[@TeamPandory]

@@TheKayliedGamerChannel-KZbin I'll get my lube! 😁

[@gilavalos2400]

Who doesn't like being greeted by two pink flaps. Seems like a solid line up. You can say that there is no regret if you buy an Egret.

[@shiningwizard327]

Can I get a link to the pictures for the Marquee?

[@TeamPandory]

Hey there ... You mean the ones we made? -- Just check google.com for rainbow islands marquee , image search and you'll find it. Have it fit half the size of a photograph and snipedy snip!

[@JustPeasant]

Naturally, I dabbled with MAME. But, when was the last time I used my hands on an actual full size arcade cabinet? 95 ~ 96?? Hell if I know. The latest game I played on an arcade cabinet was The Punisher (1993). Maybe? 96-97 was probably the last time I saw a cabinet IRL. Golden Axe was favorite brawler. Because I could beat it with 1 credit :))) Anyway, in that version you had only 1 life. And there was that awesome "cutscene" demo with "Turtle Village" sign (level 1 end), where the Ax Battler and thug with a wooden mace would run up to each other. Barbarian would made two swings. The second one would decapitate and launch the thug's head into the screen (sprite scaling) with the blood trailing all over the screen with GOLDEN AXE splash. That was the most awesome thing I saw on a video game up until then! I never saw that version again. SEGA probably thought that this might be too much for the kids I guess? Oh, and only 1 life was probably considered too hard :)))

[@NekoHazrd]

I'm waiting for my blue edition to get here. I'll still need another control pad and another track ball + dial controller for that one multiplayer Arkanoid-like game.

[@andydavidson1278]

Thanks for the review 👍 you’ve saved me a LOT of money! 😖😝

[@TeamPandory]

No problem- Thanks for the kind comment :)

[@mr-matt13]

Put a CRT in it!

[@SuperGamesLegend]

Got mine today. I am biased cause I love Taito but for 205$ with 3 DAY shipping included from Japan I feel like it was worth it. You can't even get a game cartridge shipped from Japan for under 17$ right now let alone a mini cab. I love my Egret Mini!

[@TheKayliedGamerChannel-YouTube]

Saturn Disc of Elevator Action Returns costs more than this whole standalone unit nowadays 🤠

[@SuperGamesLegend]

@@TheKayliedGamerChannel-KZbin I know. Insane right? I have some valuable games though I sold my Saturn recently. Yes I miss it. 😢

[@margateswede]

New Zealand Story & Rastan Saga ftw!

[@Baburun-Sama]

This is DEFINITELY Worth It!

[@ufologix2853]

Slt mon egret reste avec un écran noir seul le marquee s'allume mais elle fonctionne reliée à la TV en HDMI, j'ai donc démonté mais impossible d'avoir accès à l'écran si tu peux m'aider merci

[@BrooklynMenace]

I have one on preorder

[@TeamPandory]

Yeah, it's alright... Wished it had gone the extra mile though.

[@merman1974]

Excellent video and found the summary very interesting - the games list does have some flaws. It is still really appealing though, even if I would probably end up splurging on ALL the extras... Don't see it happening, unless the planned UK import version is a good deal/bundle.

[@oele]

good honest review.not buying it at full price

[@ChrisEbz]

Or just Buy it at double the price when it's not available. Good idea. 😂

[@Fadewu1]

Great review! Is there a way I can get Rayforce to play on my RG280v?? It was one of my favorites games as a kid.

[@TeamPandory]

Sorry, we don't have a RG280V to test out, but at a guess you'd need either the FBA, FBNEO or MAME version of the game.

[@heydarey1678]

Wooowww great video bro👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@TeamPandory]

Thanks man. ;)

[@Seby1973]

I’m trying to find a website to print marquees pictures. If somebody can help… thanks in advance.

[@seanbumstead5646]

Great Video! Thank you. Question... What size is the screen? 5 or 7 inch?

[@TeamPandory]

5 Inch @ 4:3 aspect ratio.

[@sladejosephwilson2300]

Thank you

[@PlayNewApp]

Hello, my friend. 🤗💕 Awesome upload.👍 Have a nice weekend.😘✨

[@TeamPandory]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jp-hd4ge]

It is probably pixel perfect. Because you have the filter on. They made a mistake in the configuration. Filter off is actually filter on. You should have seen that. Because no way such old games look that smooth on a HD screen. So put the config filter on and you should see your pixel perfect

[@TeamPandory]

No, they actually messed up with the labelling. You can see this clearly at around @9:08 in the video.

[@bitteralmonds666]

I need this 🤔🧐

[@johnboydojo]

Yeah KiKi Kai Kai is the original Pocky and Rocky, you were quite right! Interesting enough (in my best motty voice) a new version called Pocky and Rocky Reshrined is due out soon. Looks quite nice! Edit: oh crap I nearly lost my tea when I saw violence fight was on it! Bloody terrible game that is.

[@francochan]

At 10:09 you bust out the Mayflash Magic-NS adaptor to use your Arcade stick. I bought myself this adaptor, and have not been able to get either of my 8bitdo arcade sticks - N30 or the 80FE - working. Could you please share your actual step-by-step instructions on how to get your arcade sticks to work using your Magic-NS adaptors?

[@TeamPandory]

We made a video on the magic-ns and its use already. Plug the joystick into the adapter, then into this box... Hold down the button on the adapter (change mode) until you get a colour that functions correctly. You may also need to update the firmware. That is a thing on this device.

[@francochan]

@@TeamPandory thanks for the reply. So update the Magic NS? Or you mean update the Taito Egrett 2’s firmware?

[@francochan]

I’ve updated the firmware to the latest mayflash firmware (V1.33), flashed it to the adaptor, and still can’t get my joysticks to work. Anyone experiencing the same issues?

[@TeamPandory]

@@francochan so the 8bitdo megadrive controller was connected wirelessly in this video by using the 8bitdo black dongle. The mayflash can't connect wirelessly to the 8bitdo controllers apparently. Should work with something like a Nintendo switch tho, or perhaps a standard Bluetooth USB stick ? - or try connecting in Nintendo switch mode ? (On both the controller and the red light on the mayflash ?) Sorry if that sounded a bit of a mess. :/

[@francochan]

@@TeamPandory I’m trying to use it via wired connection though. Wouldn’t that sort of help the scenario? I’m seriously stumped. I have these arcade sticks that are just dying to play with this mini cabinet

[@motiondesignstudio429]

Same chipset (Zuiki) as Sega mini... Mainboard is very similar too...

[@gorebish7950]

nice stick you got there 🤓

[@Bibvock]

I'll stick with my hacked SNK mini

[@TeamPandory]

... Interesting to see you mention that :)

[@Bibvock]

Should I buy it?🧐

[@raysyo]

is it possible to add roms ? thanks

[@TeamPandory]

If, or when it happens, we'll be sure to report on it ;)

[@Fastolph-]

It looks like a really decent device. But the lack of pixel perfect mode is a solid dealbreaker for me :/

[@TeamPandory]

There has been a firmware update since this review that might interest you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKqlmHeYidp4h7c Pretty sure a release of (a form of) Batocera is also due very soon on this machine

[@Fastolph-]

@@TeamPandory Oh, interesting. Thanks!

[@joandarc441]

Very cute

[@TeamPandory]

"That's what she said" - John Luke

[@apollolux]

Sounds like typical Square-Enix - it could've been good, but has really obvious shortcomings that they'd rather ignore and then overprice the thing.

SI don’t use the whole screen. 🤔

[@Umtree]

Needs to be at least twice this size

[@TeamPandory]

... That's what she said 😿

[@gilavalos2400]

Not everyone would appreciate the line because they're not too familiar with the games.

[@andydavidson1278]

Anyone got any Discount Codes for Strictly Limited Games? (November 22) 😝

[@wrathovgod5099]

this is obviously the worst of the 3 mini arcade cabinets... I can't imagine paying $150 for it

[@andrewholt5659]

A missed opportunity. Get a MiSTer instead.

[@twilolight]

It’s garbage! This 200.00+ device broke after only 3 months. Amazon Japan does not behave the same as Amazon USA so if your not in Japan, they don’t care. Taito also does not respond to English emails. Taito does not want your business so do them a favor… don’t give it to them.

[@ufologix2853]

La mienne est entièrement neuve je l'ai allumé mais l'écran ne s'allume pas seul le marquee s'allume et elle fonctionne sur la tv en HDMI donc le problème vient de mon écran, As tu le même problème ?

[@emilianomontanari283]

16:9 …. no sense

[@lucag.lisickza425]

the joystick sucks

[@roywilliams7229]

Every damn pc these days plays these without issues. They are not even real cabinets. You are suckers if you buys this or 1up “arcade” machines.

[@lcdroidman]

I think a lot of the appeal for these isbthe form factor. After growing up in the peak of the arcade days, it's feels lame and almost sad playing these while sitting at a computer.