Interesting device if it works as advertised

[Beastman1975]

basically its a usb adapter that lets you play cartridge games on your pc

http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Retrode-2-Lets-PC-Users-Play-Sega-SNES-Cartridges-Via-USB-38315.html

[Arseen]

And this device of course won't let you copy games onto PC HDD.

I'd like similar device but for playing PSP games on big screen on PS3 or PC.

[sheep2001]

sounds like it just dumps the rom to internal flash and just plays like any downloaded rom.  You would have thought that charging that much for it, they would at least have bundled an emulator front end or something.  Definitely interesting, but as it stands, i'll keep the carts for the real hardware.

[tiktektak]

And this device of course won't let you copy games onto PC HDD.

I'd like similar device but for playing PSP games on big screen on PS3 or PC.

You can play PSP games via component cables directly from your PSP on the big screen. Doesn't look too hot though cause the graphics simply were made for a small screen.

[HexAnimus]

Actually (after reading their December 2011 documentation) its seems like it will allow direct read access to both the ROM data (*.sfc or *.bin) and the SRAM data (*.srm) for saves as well as write access, if enabled, to the SRAM data.  So you could rip your own ROMs from your own carts and have the save data to go with it!  I'd be interested in it for back up of SRAM data alone.  That way I can loan carts out to TRUSTED friends and family (my mom is currently working through the custom Dragon Quest 1&2 and Dragon Quest 3 SNES reproduction carts I made for her for Christmas  ) and not have to worry about the save data getting overwritten or if there is only one save slot. 

Plus seeing has how these carts are 20+ years old, in some cases, being able to back up the saves before I change the battery in them would be really nice as well!  It might seem a little pricey, but having something automatically read the data into a directly usable format for PC would be an incredible boon to those of use that like to do our own cart repairs and/or save cataloging!

As far as bundling an emulator with it, that is where it would get into grey area from a legal perspective.  I think that is what ultimately cause Bleemcast to die out.  Despite the fact that Bleem ultimately won their "David v Goliath" style court case the legal fees caused them to have to close up shop (yes I did just read the wikipedia article  ).  By avoiding the hardware emulation altogether I think that this piece of tech has a better chance in the DIY/classic gamer community.  At least that's my $0.02...   

[sheep2001]

Wasn't suggesting bundling actual emulators with it -  just a front end.  They can't be prosecuted for designing a GUI.

[Arseen]

And this device of course won't let you copy games onto PC HDD.

I'd like similar device but for playing PSP games on big screen on PS3 or PC.

You can play PSP games via component cables directly from your PSP on the big screen. Doesn't look too hot though cause the graphics simply were made for a small screen.

Oh right forgot the AV-cable option, ang forgot to write:
... with a pad.

and the SRAM data (*.srm) for saves as well as write access, if enabled, to the SRAM data.  ... and have the save data to go with it!  I'd be interested in it for back up of SRAM data alone...
Plus seeing has how these carts are 20+ years old, in some cases, being able to back up the saves before I change the battery in them would be really nice as well!

Damn that's it!!!
Now I want one.

[Seraph Man]

Well, considering that emulators aren't actually illegal, what these guys are doing isn't that much different from what the Retro N series does. That price tag really kills it for me though. At that price, I could get a Retro N, or even the new SupaBoy coming out, and have money left over.

[HexAnimus]

Damn that's it!!!
Now I want one.

I know!  Having the ability to move my save from console to portable platform (be it my android phone or laptop) would be quite awesome if I'm away on business and in the middle of Phantasy Star 3 or Breath of Fire or something and can't bring a slew of consoles and carts.   

Well, considering that emulators aren't actually illegal, what these guys are doing isn't that much different from what the Retro N series does. That price tag really kills it for me though. At that price, I could get a Retro N, or even the new SupaBoy coming out, and have money left over.

Granted this definitely isn't a device for everyone, but, for me personally, I've never liked the build quality of the Hyperkin gear.  It always seemed over priced and lesser quality than the original stuff.  Now I always watch for a good deal on hardware and never pay "going rate" for anything so that is just my experience.  But from what I was seeing there is only a $5 difference between the Retrode 2 and the Supaboy.  Granted there are people who just want to plug a cart in and go and that's perfectly acceptable, its what we all do when we drag out our beloved consoles!  But I think this is for a more technically oriented crowd who like to mess with stuff or deal with more nitty-gritty details than the average gamer.  However, even for me, the Retrode 2 is just about at the limit of what I would pay for such a device, if it was over $100 I would probably pass.  Still can't justify ordering an OpenPandora device though it doesn't stop me from drooling over the possibilities with owning one though.