Which Should You Buy? NEW Old Skool ClassiQ III VS. Hyperkin RetroN 3 | Console Unboxing & Overview

[@SaturnHST]

Notice the black lines that appear on the right side of the screen on the Classiq 3 HD when playing SNES games through HDMI. The Retron 3 HD and Super Retro Trio Plus don't have that problem. Their older model, the Classiq 2 HD also has the same problem. The audio for SNES/Genesis on the Classiq 3 HD is mono through HDMI and stereo through AV (with the left/right channels reversed). The Retron 3 HD is stereo through both HDMI and AV and has correct left/right channels. Everdrive N8 doesn't work on Classiq 3 HD, but does work on Retron 3 HD. The PAL region setting for Genesis doesn't work correctly on the Classiq 3 HD (screen blinks and scrolls vertically). The Retron 3 HD's PAL region settings do work. They have labelled the Genesis slot "GES" on the Classiq 3 HD. The Classiq 3 HD does work with Master System games in NTSC (Retron 3 HD can only play SMS correctly in PAL mode) and the NES color palette looks better than the Retron 3 HD's NES color palette.

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

Some awesome points here. I'm not super knowledgeable/deep into the tech specifics of things so I just tackled this from a casual gaming experience point of view. Pinning this cause all this info is IMPORTANT!! Thanks!

[@matthewjohnson1891]

Since ive been playing clone consoles i started preferring the reverse duty cycle sound on the nes in some games like castlevania on level 2. Retroarch has the option to use that now. Pretty neat.

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

I think Castlevania will look and sound good just about anyway you play it. But that could just be my rose-tinted galsses -O____O-

[@pungisotu]

That’s awesome. I’ll have to try it.

[@deterlanglytone]

There's a few reason to include the 16:9 option on these like this. One of those is some TVs have their own ability to 4/3 the screen ratio, and do them decently well enough, this helps with certain megadrive games so they're not looking odd due to weird resolution differences. Another one is older lcds that aren't 16:9 and will squesh the 4:3 to be even narrower. So a 16:9 will just make it 16:9. ... This is very edge case. I think I know like six people personally who have those sort of lcds, 5:4 lcds are more common than 4:3.

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

Didn't even think of that!! Definitely a great feature to have if you are playing on an older tv. I still stand by hating stretched pixels tho.

[@prayeronestart994]

Great video! Love to see video game youtubers that don't have to swear. This was really informative and made me want to purchase my new retro clone console. i am leaning towards the Classiq only because it seems the carts fit better into the slots, and i also like having all the controller ports on the front for my set up. Well done video, God bless, and keep it up! I can't wait to play some Ken Griffey Jr. Home Run Derby!

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@chain_sawyer7469]

I have a Hyperkin Retron 3 and I LOVE it!!

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

Always good to hear!

[@lejyoner00]

I am happy with my Hyperkin Retron 3 HD ! Thanks a lot 😎👊🏻

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

Of course!

[@matthewjohnson1891]

Great video! I have had the same space black retron 3 hd since it released and love it.

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

Glad it has lasted ya! I love the translucent plastic on the newer model tho @_@

[@pungisotu]

Looks really good in this video. Been wanting one since it’s release but was leaning more towards the jasper red. Now I’m not so sure. 🤔

[@xXRustyShacklefordXx]

The most crucial part of the review is missing, how do the coins sound in super Mario bros and do these consoles suffer from reverse duty cycle audio

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

Honestly can't believe I forgot this...

[@jmream2618]

I still have my composite version Hyperkins Retron 2 I love it

[@thewal1ofsleep]

Any recommendations on a plug and play HD console if I'm not concerned about a budget option? I was considering the SupaRetron HD, as I really only want to play SNES on my television, since I can get Super Mario All Stars to play the NES Mario games. Is there are better third party "HD" console for SNES which is more expensive?

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

I mean, there are always a bunch of different indie HD clone consoles that can get real expensive (The one that comes to mind is the Gameboy Consolizer) so I'm sure you can find a really expensive fancy SNES clone, but as for mass produced and easy to get your hands on, the Hyperkin ones are the most accessible and easiest to set up and just play. I always suggest the RetroN 5 since it has save states and all the other consoles you can play on it, it makes it so much more worth it. But if you're only worried about SNES, the SuparetroN is perfect

[@thewal1ofsleep]

@@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade thanks for the response. I'm just starting to research this stuff, and lacking a CRT television and not knowing where some of my old consoles are, I'm considering a clone. I've only located my N64 thus far, but luckily it is complete and in great shape. I've heard the Super Nt is amazing as it doesn't rely on emulation, but is expensive and often out of stock. And for the price, I could just get an OG SNES and upscale it. I think what I'm most concerned about is the games being in 4:3 and not being stretched. Experimentation may be needed.

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

Yeah, a lot of the Hyperkin RetroN consoles as well as the ClassiQs have those switches to toggle between 4:3 and 16:9. The RetroN 5 and the RetroN SQ are the only ones of the RetroN consoles that run on emulation as far as I know. All the others are "System on a Chip" consoles that read the games directly. There's pros and cons to both SoC consoles as well as Emulation so it's really down to personal preference

[@thewal1ofsleep]

@@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade Thank you. I ended up buying an authentic SNES classic mini and hacking it to add extra games. It's worked out great. Now all I need to do is get my OG N64 to display on my modern TV without paying $100. I really just want it for Mario Kart 64 with the wife and a Retrotink is just a bit too pricy for one game. 🤣

[@RetroMike_81]

I know this video is old but now with retro 3 now, they have Bluetooth controller so you don’t have to worry about the cords bending

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

I know you can use a bunch of different wireless controllers if they have the right dongles for NES, SNES, or Genesis. Did Hyperkin release a specific RetroN 3 wireless controller?

[@oskardeoz6823]

on the retron 3 I've everything set up as Ntsc USA version, and I've gun star heroes Japanese version and it plays the game without me switching between religion

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

Yeah I noticed that aswell. I'm not sure if the switches are COMPLETELY superfluous, as there might be certain games that need those switches set to the right options. Kinda odd.

[@pungisotu]

I don’t own the Retron 3 but I suspect the region switch is mainly for PAL games on SNES. Most JP Megadrive games and even PAL ones are region free.

[@josephbern6926]

I think the retrobit trio plus is also an option

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

Oh for sure! Just isn't one I had at my disposal to compare. I really dig the physical design of the trio, although I've never actually played on one before.

[@pungisotu]

I have one and like it but two big caveats; no 16:9 switch so your stuck with stretched ratio on HD TVs, NES slot is so tight I’m afraid it’s going to break my games. Also NES sound is wrong but I’m used to that.

[@Lorenzo-wh4wc]

Nice. Thx for this! 😁

[@_BELMONT_]

does the ClassiQ 3 play flash carts? I know the Retron 3 plays flash cartridges which is a game changer.

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

Online it says it will, but I don't have any here at the studio to test that personally. As with most stuff like this, it'll probably play some and maybe not others. Seems to always be up in the air until someone on reddit decides to make a spreadsheet or something

[@_BELMONT_]

@@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade thanks for the reply! i appreciate you and i've been enjoying the content.

[@richardkeenan3079]

Would you go Retron 3HD SoC, or Retron 5 HD rom dump emulation but more system cartridge support?!?

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

Honestly, I don't have many issues with the RetroN 5. I get that emulation isn't for everyone, but the added quality of life improvements like the massive cartridge support, language patches, and save states make it worth it for me. Also the Gameboy-GBA on the TV is a pretty dang compelling selling point. I do like the convenience of the SoC consoles, just plug in and play with no dumb menus and random loading times + being like half the price of the 5, but even with the SoC consoles there will still be slight visual/audio differences due to differences in hardware. In the end it's really a game of personal preference and price point: Which one gives YOU the most value and which one YOU will find the most use for.

[@captainyo1282]

Will duck hunt work though

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

If you use an old CRT TV. The issue is that the refresh rate on newer TVs is too fast for the light gun to pick up on it.

[@lowstryder1022]

I’m wondering the same thing. I just recently ordered the Hyperkin Hyper Blaster HD to try out on my Classiq III. I also bought the adapter cable that seems to help with some common issues people have experienced. Ironic, I have to use the competition’s products together in my case. I would assume it should work on the Hyperkin 3 but I personally can’t test that. I can update here, if anyone is interested, once I find out for sure!

[@RamboJhonJames]

Difficult choise..maby the price can do the difference..Is possible save the game anytime in one of this console?

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

Neither of these have save states. If you want a console where you can save whenever you'll have to get one of the RetroNs that uses emulation like the RetroN 5. These ones are just straight clone systems on a chip with no UI and they just play the cartridges like the original systems do.

[@RamboJhonJames]

@@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade understund! Thankyou

[@AmandaBurger-wd4lw]

Just got the retron 3 today i love it..can use old super Nintendo e . controller on new console.. plays nes,snes snd sega games. THANKU video game Headquarters, spring Oregon. So nice have game store get console,still plays my SNES games on new console.have use little more Force on new console till game clicks in but it works .red yellow and white console cords should work for it .do get HDMI cord but it very Short. Should be able use red yellow and White cords for game console to work on tv .love tbis console still got my childhood. Still have my SNES console as spare now ,since cat drop my old console,went out todya buy new console.had be able Play my games still. Love this hybrid console. Donkey Kong and Kirby my favorite games for snes.

[@jimedd2561]

I notice the colors on my retro pie builds look kind of dull compared to the retron5 also

[@HowYouMove]

My girlfriend has a 6 year old grandson so I had ordered him a brand new Retro-Bit Retro Duo console off EBay for $34 with free shipping

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

Yup, pretty much do the same thing! Just a different brand, unfortunately one that we don't carry here at Nostalgic unless I get one traded in used. I know some people SWEAR by the Retro-bit clone consoles, but I actually haven't had the chance to ever try one out, so let me know how he likes it!!

[@rfinalarm]

I will be surprise if some company release a 4in1 console which combines pce console.

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

Hyperkin actually revealed a PCE/Turbografx-16 clone recently! It isn't a multiple consoles in one deal, just a straight clone system, but it looks super neat and would absolutely make that system and those games more accessible to a wider audience.

[@RomeoRuizMusic]

The Retron 5 has lag issues so I’m wondering if the Retron 3 HD has the same latency lag issues on tvs ? Any noticed issues there ? Thank you

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

I didn't notice anything on either of these consoles

[@TheLoneRanger1992]

Would the classiq play megadrive or is it just genesis?

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

Just Genesis on this specific model.

[@TheLoneRanger1992]

Ahh man was hoping to get one I’m in uk but assumed it would play pal and NTSC are you 100% sure on this?

[@TheLoneRanger1992]

@@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade have you tested a pal game or do you have a link where I can find more info on this please?

[@thomasrickelman5468]

I thought that people blowing into their NES cartridges was a thing we outgrew in the 1980's, but in case your customers haven't all been convinced... for pete's sake, can you please stop blowing into the cartridge connectors? I'm going nuts every time you're doing that! - Yes people grew up doing that, but speaking as a retro/vintage gamer AND as game store repair guy, I promise you that Nintendo's old cartridge systems are pretty much rock-solid, and as long as you NEVER BLOW ONTO THE CARTRIDGE CONNECTORS, and instead use swabs and alcohol/window cleaner, you'll rarely if ever have problems with the carts. If there's tons of build-up of green on the connectors, like you got the game at a pawnshop or flea-market and it's been ages since it's been clean, you might try using a pencil-eraser to rub off the corrosion (open the cart with a security-bit if needed to make doing the overhaul easier), but basically if the cartridge connectors are clean and shiny, and the console's connectors are in good shape and clean too, then everything should be making good contact, and you should have no playback problems. ------ Blowing on the cartridge gets the moisture from your breath (like a toaster in the bathtub) gets a temporary electrical (communication) connection going, BUT it dries and starts to corrode the connections. And if you keep blowing, the corrosion gets worse, and you're in a downward cycle of making the corrosion get worse and worse and eventually the cartridge won't work anymore, and what's worse is that the corrosion gets from the cartridge connectors and into the console itself AND then from there it gets onto the other cartridges. It spreads. --- Eventually you'll have problems with all of your games and consoles, and you may have to overhaul your entire collection and clean EVERYTHING out, and the consoles too, and clean each cart every time before you insert it into your consoles to make sure there's no more corrosion ever. --- I had to do that once when I began collecting... I was buying "broken" consoles and the nastiest cheapest Nintendo cartridges from pawnshops and flea-markets... at the time, I was re-building the collection I had lost, and after EVERYTHING was clean, EVERY cart was having perfect shiny connectors, I never had any problems again, everything worked. ------ SO DO NOT BLOW, CLEAN THE CARTS PROPERLY AND KEEP THEM CLEAN! --- even Nintendo's customer service told me a moist alcohol swab (not dripping wet) will keep them maintained, small amount is all you need. - Hope this helps keep your games working. I built up a collection, and out of HUNDREDS, I only had one cart that refused to work... took it apart, and a few of the connections had literally corroded away and no longer existed. - STOP BLOWING, thank you

[@Kerensky187]

Just got the classiq 3 and all the nes carts display the wrong colors.

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

Huh I've never seen that happen before. Are they like similar colors or totally different?

[@Kerensky187]

@@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade everything is brownish green on all carts I tried.

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

Interesting... I wonder if the display port is jacked up on the motherboard or if the av or hdmi cable you're using is screwed up as well...

[@Kerensky187]

@@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade I believe it's the console, same cords work fine with the retron that I replaced it with.

[@jeffgeierman1702]

Do these clone consoles say play 100 percent of the library or are there going to be some comparability issues with some game. Very informative video

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

Really depends on the console. The System on a chip consoles like the Classiq III and RetroN 3 have better compatibility than the emulator consoles like the RetroN 5 or Sq. I really haven't run into any compatibility issues myself, but I know that there are extensive lists online about games that have issues with specific clone consoles.

[@Dylan-jp9mr]

i couldnt get ecco the tides of time to work for the classiq III, what gives?@@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade

[@Animeloversonicfan]

It's called the Classic 3 hd, it's just they spelled classic with a q instead of a c so no it's not called the classic q hd 3, it's the classiq 3 hd.

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

Potato tomato

[@malcolmgriffin7391]

Looks good shame shipping to UK if want to buy one is price of console itself making it impractical

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

I know ClasssiQ is located in New Jersey and ship from there, but Hyperkin despite being located in California is a pretty international. How much are the RetroN 3's shipping? Both are on Amazon with prime shipping !

[@malcolmgriffin7391]

@@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade you are correct I wa trying direct thanks for update just bought one

[@SeveredLegs]

re: Retron 3 looking better than the Classiq on SMB1? Mario looks all brown-ish on Retron 3. I'd take the Classiq no question for that game.

[@skyilah]

after 2 years they still haven't understood they have to put an sd card reader in it , so i'll still pass

[@Animeloversonicfan]

Your wrong. 👎

[@NostalgicVideoGamesArcade]

you're*

[@F0CKSTR0T]

If only Analogue or these retro consoles or the official Nintendo or Sega mini consoles had an output other than HDMI. I just want there to be one that can connect to a CRT so you can actually see the game for real.