RetroN

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This article is about a video game console. Not to be confused with Retron, a sequence of DNA.

The RetroN is a series of video game consoles created and developed by Hyperkin which allows users to play old video games from consoles such as the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Super NES. Since the release of the RetroN 5, they have been connected via HDMI.[1] The latest in the series, RetroN Sq, was released in 2021.

Hyperkin, the company that manufactures the RetroN series of consoles, only sells its products to online retailers that it can verify as "Registered Resellers".[2] In order to purchase a RetroN console, one must order it from one of the Registered Resellers.

Released[edit]

Note: The model numbering in the RetroN series refers to the number of systems and/or cartridge slots the system has, and not necessarily the order of release. The first system released was the RetroN 3.

RetroN 1[edit]

A RetroN 1, meant for playing NES games

The RetroN 1 was released in January 2011, and only played Nintendo Entertainment System games.[3]

RetroN 1 HD / RetroN HD[edit]

Manufactured alongside the RetroN 5 since May 2017, and referred to as both the "Retron 1 HD" and "RetroN HD".[4][5] This console is basically a re-release of the original RetroN, with HDMI output and a more authentic-looking controller. Many critics and analysts believe that Hyperkin released the RetroN HD in response to Nintendo having discontinued the NES Classic Edition.[6] The console received a mostly positive review from GameSpot.[7]

RetroN 1 AV[edit]

An updated version with only composite video outputs, released early 2021.[8]

RetroN 2[edit]

RetroN 2 was released in 2012, and plays NES and SNES games.[9]

RetroN 2 HD[edit]

The RetroN 2 HD was shown at TooManyGames 2019,[10] and available soon after. It is an updated version with HDMI out.[11]

RetroN 3[edit]

RetroN 3, first available in May 2010,[12] supports Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Super NES (SNES) and Genesis games.[13]

Retron 3 HD[edit]

An updated version, with HDMI output, released February 21, 2020.[14][15]

RetroN 5[edit]

The RetroN 5, a system that plays various game systems through software emulation

The RetroN 5 was released in 2014.[16] The console is designed to run games from nine different platforms:[17] NES, Famicom, SNES, Super Famicom, Genesis, Mega Drive, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges via HDMI, similar to the RetroN 4. It was described to have a good feel and run smoothly, but the look of the console was as good as expected.[citation needed]

The RetroN 5 received a mixed reception from critics. Huffington Post writer Michael Rundle gave the console a 4.5 out of 5 but said he wished it looked better and had the ability to play more consoles, such as the BBC Micro, Amiga and the Atari.[17] Brian Easton of BoingBoing said the quality is good although it "requires more force to remove [the cartridges] than feels comfortable".[18]

The developers behind the RetroArch project claimed "the RetroN 5 violates several licenses". This was because the console used the Genesis Plus GX and SNES9x Next emulators to launch some games. Both of the emulators are filed under a non-commercial license, thus meaning they cannot be used in commercial products, such as the RetroN 5.[19]

Hyperkin released the first Retron 5 special edition called Hyper Beach a few years later.

RetroN 77[edit]

A Retron 77 with controller

In 2017, Hyperkin announced the RetroN 77, a clone of the Atari 2600 video game console utilizing software emulation. Unlike recent clones in the Atari Flashback series, the RetroN 77 will play original cartridges as opposed to containing pre-installed games.[20] The console was expected to launch during the 2017 holiday season. The RetroN 77 comes with four pack in homebrew games; Astronomer,[21] Baby,[22] Muncher 77[23] and Nexion 3D.[24]

Supa RetroN HD[edit]

Following Nintendo's announcement of the Super NES Classic Edition, Hyperkin announced they were developing the Supa RetroN HD, a high-definition clone of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.[25] It was released on January 8, 2018.[26] Keeping in line with their previous RetroN consoles, the Supa RetroN HD supports original Super NES cartridges rather than featuring built-in games.

Mega RetroN HD[edit]

A Sega Genesis clone console announced in January 2018,[27] and was released October 2018.[28][29]

RetroN Sq[edit]

Announced in January 2020 as the RetroN Jr.,[30] it was renamed the RetroN Sq in December 2020,[31] and launched on March 25, 2021.[32] This console is designed to play Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games up to 720p on HDMI-compatible televisions through software emulation.[33]

Upcoming[edit]

RetroN Ult[edit]

Following Nintendo's announcement that a Nintendo 64 Classic edition would not be coming anytime soon Hyperkin announced that they will be doing a clone system for the Nintendo 64 for the first time ever. The product was announced in early June 2019 and a unit was shown at E3.[34] It is undecided if compatibility will be via emulation or hardware.[35]

RetroN DIY[edit]

Announced and shown at CES 2019, it purports to be Do-it-Yourself kit, with a Raspberry Pi Zero and a custom board which features 2 SNES controller ports with a SNES/SFC cartridge slot.[36][37]

Cancelled[edit]

RetroN 4[edit]

The RetroN 4 was revealed at the 2013 Midwest Gaming Classic, on March 23.[38] It used HDMI to run games from the NES, SNES, Genesis, and the Game Boy line of portable platforms (Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance).[39] In March 2014 it was announced it would not be released, but instead they would release a newer version of it called RetroN 5, because it now had 5 slots instead of four.[40][41]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Kohler, Chris (5 March 2013). "RetroN 4 Console Plays NES, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy — Through HDMI". Wired. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  2. ^ A product search on the company's Website shows "Registered Reseller Only" under almost every product. Sample product search
  3. ^ "Archived copy". hyperkin.com:80. Archived from the original on 12 January 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ Slash Gear
  5. ^ "Awesome Card Games" Website
  6. ^ With NES Classic Edition Discontinued, Retron HD Is Another Option - IGN News, retrieved 2021-02-27
  7. ^ Brown, Peter. "Hyperkin RetroN HD Review: The Next Best Thing." GameSpot. 17 May 2017. Link to review.
  8. ^ A Yahoo Review
  9. ^ Totilo, Stephen (7 June 2012). "Behold the Retron 2, A Machine that Is Both an NES and a SNES". Kotaku. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  10. ^ "Hyperkin on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-04-30.[user-generated source]
  11. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: HDMI SNES & NES In One Console - New Hyperkin RetroN 2 HD Review!. YouTube.
  12. ^ "Archived copy". hyperkin.com:80. Archived from the original on 23 May 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. ^ "RetroN 3 Conglomerates Your NES, SNES And Sega Genesis Consoles". 2 July 2010.
  14. ^ Amazon
  15. ^ NEW Hyperkin Retron 3 HD Review! HDMI Genesis, NES & SNES Clone Console!. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-11-27.
  16. ^ Pitcher, Jenna (28 November 2013). "Hyperkin delays RetroN 5 until Q1 2014". Polygon. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  17. ^ a b Rundle, Michael (17 November 2014). "Hyperkin RetroN 5 UK Review: Your New Solution To Retro Gaming". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  18. ^ Easton, Brian (19 July 2014). "With 10 consoles in one, does the Retron 5 have what it takes?". BoingBoing. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  19. ^ Schulenberg, Thomas (28 September 2014). "RetroArch authors: RetroN 5's emulators, code violate licenses". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  20. ^ "Atari 2600 fans get the revival console they deserve". Engadget. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  21. ^ "Astronomer 2600 Official website". Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  22. ^ "Baby 2600 Official website". Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  23. ^ "Muncher store website". Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  24. ^ "Nexion 3D on AtariAge". Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  25. ^ "Supa RetroN HD Revealed as SNES Classic Competitor". PCMAG. 2017-08-07. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  26. ^ "Hardware Review: Hyperkin Supa Retron HD: Time To Dust Off Those SNES Carts - Nintendo Life". 28 February 2018.
  27. ^ Sega Nerds
  28. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Mega Retron HD Review Hyperkin HDMI Sega Genesis Clone Console!. YouTube.
  29. ^ 8-Bit Central
  30. ^ Nintendo Life 1
  31. ^ Old School Gamer Magazine
  32. ^ Input Magazine
  33. ^ Nintendo Life 2
  34. ^ N64 Today
  35. ^ "Hyperkin Isn't Quite Sure What Route To Take With Its N64 Clone Console Yet - Nintendo Life". 14 June 2019.
  36. ^ Hack Informer
  37. ^ Retro RGB
  38. ^ McFerran, Damien (6 March 2013). "Hyperkin's RetroN 4 To Support SNES, Genesis, NES and GBA Software". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  39. ^ Fletcher, JC (5 March 2013). "'RetroN 4' console plays NES, SNES, Genesis, GBA over HDMI". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  40. ^ "Hyperkin RetroN 5 Console Announced, Skipping RetroN 4". Technabob. 23 March 2013.
  41. ^ Metro.co.uk, GameCentral for (13 April 2014). "The problem with RetroN 5: the retro console – Reader's Feature".

External links[edit]

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