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I don't like the fact that its very hard to take some of the games out. I've also noticed that there is some slowdown on some games sometimes. Aside from that I'm happy with the graphics. The only complaint at the moment is the ability to save to the cart. I think its still a little buggy. I will continue my search for a sony pvm but will use the REtron 5 in the meantime.
It seems like the more I have used the system the carts seem to be coming out easier. I think the slot on the Retron5 seems to be loosening up. I have gone back to playing on my real Genesis with a 27" Sony CRT but my son like playing on the retron5 on the big HD TV over my CRT so it is great for that I suppose and he loves the cheat codes. He has play a lot more games because of that.
The death-grip cartridge slots are a disappointment but expected since they're using the same garbage cartridge slots that cheapo clones have been using for years. I fixed an old Yobo clone once by doing some light bending with a credit card but attempt this as your own risk.Quote:
Originally Posted by sandplasma
I am bumping this thread because guess what? I just picked up a RetroN5. I'm going to give this thing the stress test it needs; all my NES games, all my Famicom games, Super NES, Super Famicom, Genesis, Master System, GameBoy, GameBoy Color and GameBoy Advance, multiple accessories, the list goes on. Now we will truly see what this console is capable of.
They've had a couple of firmware updates that solved most of my compatibility issues (I think I have a couple of Famicom games that still don't work)- make sure you get the most recent firmware update.
I will first use the factory-default firmware, then I will update the console. When I test clone consoles, I test them as they are out of the factory. No mods, no updates.
Sweet. looking forward to hearing what you find. And I'd love to see what mod capabilities this thing will have.
So far the only consensus I've seen is that the top of the system is shoddy plastic, the MD/Genesis slot grips WAY too tight, and the controller it comes with is junk.
The build is much different than what you describe. Compared to all my other clones, the RetroN5 is built like a tank. It's heavy and it's sturdy, even the molding around the cartridge slots.
The Genesis slot was a bit tight at first, but it's now loosened quite considerably after just a few uses. It's certainly not the death grip people have experienced so far, much better than AtGames clones with cartridge slots, those things have an INSANE death grip on Genesis cartridges.
The controller itself is a mixed bag. It's solid, but the plastic feels so-so. The microswitch-based buttons are nice, though, but they do feel like you're clicking a mouse at times. The microswitched D-pad, though, is hit-or-miss. It's quite responsive, but on my controller, diagonals going up-left and down-right are quite difficult, and it feels like the D-pad is gated improperly. What I don't like are the shoulder buttons, shortcut buttons, Start button, Select button and Home button. They're not microswitched buttons, they're just cheap tact switches that are very rigid and very noisy.
Funny thing I've discovered and I don't think anybody has mentioned this: there is an outline for a battery cover on the back of the controller. Either this thing was originally supposed to take AA or AAA batteries or it was supposed to have a removable lithium ion battery, then Hyperkin changed their mind at the last minute and never changed the mold for the controller. The controller as a whole is quite responsive, though, HOWEVER, I must point out that on the firmware my system came with out of the factory, which is v1.31, the GameBoy button mapping is reversed on the pack-in controller. It's A before B, which is completely wrong. And that's where the editable button mappings come into play.
Now, rather than do just a single review of the RetroN5 in this thread, as I'm due to receive a Super Retro Trio, which launched just before the RetroN5, I will do a vs. review of the RetroN5 and the Super Retro Trio + Super Retro Advance Adapter combination in a separate thread in the Tech Aid section.
Something else: the system gets a bit warm at the back. Then again, it is running a dual-core Rockchip ARM9-based SOAC (system-on-a-chip, for those who don't know) with no heatsink. Whether one is required or not, I don't know.
The Retron5 certainly looks pretty nifty. It just hasn't won me over yet, primarily for two reasons. First I honestly prefer to play these old games on a CRT with no filters. Secondly there are two main use HDTVs in my house and both have an HTPC hooked up to them. While it looks like the retron5 beats the HTPCs in the gui/frontend department the HTPCs are using emulators that are a bit more feature rich, and have the added bonus of being full fledged media centers.
I thought it was just SoC. Anyway looking forward to your mega review.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ace
SOC, SOAC, it's the same thing. I'm just used to using xOAC (replace x with a console or, in this case, System).
Also, an extra note regarding the video. First, general comments: the video output is EXTREMELY bright, colorful and sharp (not surprised it's sharp, but I didn't expect it to be that bright and colorful). Also, this may seem weird, but I got better video quality on a CRT TV with HDMI than on a native 1366x768 LCD display. The CRT I'm using is a Sony KV-30HS420 and the LCD is a Toshiba 26HL37. On the KV-30HS420, the quality is outstanding, but on the 26HL37, the pixels are unevenly scaled and the output looks to have some slight smearing. It's relatively minor, but it still doesn't look as good on the 26HL37 all things considered.
I also decided to test the fake scanlines since people like to use these on modern displays... on firmware v1.31, don't bother with these. They are so faint, it's like they're not even there at times, particularly on the KV-30HS420 where they just seem to darken the image. On the 26HL37, they're more visible, but they're simply too dim compared to a standard 4:3 display's scanlines.
Interesting. It may have been a difference between the production systems and the initial review batch perhaps. But it's not the overall system build I've heard complaints about. Just the piece of plastic that covers the cartridge area itself.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ace
Either way, I look forward to your views on it, I'll keep an eye out.
But do you think it's worth picking up? And have you tried any flash carts on it? (I have a mega everdrive I'd use, and I'd look to get one for the SNES as well if it works).
I have tried 4 flash cartridges, but I will not mention the results or which ones I tested. I don't want to spoil the review. ;)
Hows the sound Ace? I remember that clones used to have a more pitched sound.
Audio is pretty good, but it seems to have low bass. I'll go into more detail when I write the comparison/review of the RetroN5 and Super Retro Trio + Super Retro Advance Adapter combination.
buddy on GAF was just saying today how terrible the quality was overall, nevermind the cart slot. can't help but feel it'd be a great sort've dex drive for cart saves but beyond that, i'm not hearing anything good about it.