General Category > General Discussion
Retron 5 (aka 4)
Ozzy_98:
There's two main types of zappers, ones that track via the horizontal refresh rate, and ones that when you pull the trigger, only the targets are shown in white. If there's 2-3 targets, each one lights up per frame, so it can tell which one it saw. So I'm not sure why a nes light gun would have issues with any newer TV. Other zappers like the SMS, sure, there's no refresh.
TyrannicalFascist:
@Wiggy - I totally agree with you. I hate that about new systems too. I want to just turn it on and play. I have an Ouya and while I can emulate anything I want from a variety of systems, I have to:
-Press and hold the power button
-Wait for Ouya to boot, usually give an error about something I sideloaded not working
-Turn on the Ouya controller, wait for it to sync
-Navigate to Play section, select Nostalgia (because I prefer a frontend for that many emulators)
-Wait for Nostalgia to load
-Navigate the systems & games, select one
-Plug in my SNES controller into my USB adapter
-Start playing the game only to realize I last was using the Ouya controller so I navigate the settings to set the controller
-Then finally, select continue last state or restart and I can play the games
There's also the initial set up of button mapping, navigating to where the Roms are located, where to save, not to mention not all emulators have the same interface - sometimes A is select, sometimes B.
And even then for me the input has some noticeable delay. While it's convenient in theory, it's a huge hassle just to play a classic game. In fact it's a huge project. And you can forget about easily navigating the Ouya with the SNES controller, so you have to juggle multiple things.
The Retron 5 probably sounds like that based on the issues JDavis and I are noting, but really it's a very nice solution. I'm mostly tracking compatibility so it can be fixed in an upcoming update. On the Retron 5 I just have to:
-Power on the system
-Insert game
-Play game
-Optionally mess with settings or pick save states
I don't even need the Retron controller, I just leave my SNES controller in all the time. The save issue is kind of confusing right now, but I understand it has already been improved a lot with the first update from what it was, and it seems to primarily affect Game Boy games. And JDavis is right, it seems to be that the system backs up the saves, and then it just appears to be missing on the cart when it really isn't (with a few very rare exceptions). So I'm confident it will be all straightened out soon (technically the system hasn't officially launched yet). And I now have all my save games copied to the Retron and can copy them to the SD card to save them on my PC. The whole save copying thing only happens automatically the first time you insert a new cart into the system, not every time, and I believe it can be turned off anyways.
So all in all I think this is a great system, especially as an all-in-one solution for modern TVs. It's not perfect but it looks to be improving on the software side of things. Not a replacement for the originals, but a good addition to my setup, and probably how I will be playing most of these games now. I think most importantly it's an option that pretty much works without a ton of customization and setting up, like the Ouya.
@JDavis - Those cabinets and front-ends look pretty neat! Nice work. I got my copies of Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt/World Class Track Meet and Yoshi to be recognized and worked just fine, so I'd clean them again and keep trying.
I guess I always assumed that the incompatibility with zappers and HDTVs had to do with CRTs originally having curved screens. It's too bad it isn't as simple as a company designing a new zapper with a different lens or something...
EDIT: One of the people following the Hyperkin FB page has been compiling a master document of compatibility: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oDQByg6OWl6eFwzqLdJm18tDjCZ2up1b2DbOdJyRxFc/edit#gid=101731896
I directed him here.
dashv:
Hey guys. :)
TyrannicalFascist pointed me to this thread.
I did a review of the Retron 5 that's quite in depth.
http://vgcollect.com/forum/index.php/topic,4918.0.html
Also myself and another fellow with the handle MMan are maintaining a compatibility list in Google docs here:
https://docs.google.com/.../tn3xCad0cVguOzw81367Tfg/htmlview
We're pretty verbose with the information we collect on each game. Some entries in our compatibility list even have game play footage recorded straight from the Retron 5 thanks to MMan.
Right now we carefully guard who can contribute to the list (we are kinda paranoid about the list getting filled with incomplete/incorrect data.)
But we are looking for folks with large game collections that are willing and able to contribute. :)
Hyperkin has already directly addressed some of the problems I mentioned in my initial review and flagged in the compatibility database when they released Firmware 1.1.
Chances are pretty good that if your issues make our list Hyperkin will see it and look into it.
dashv:
--- Quote from: TyrannicalFascist on June 01, 2014, 11:59:11 PM ---
EDIT: One of the people following the Hyperkin FB page has been compiling a master document of compatibility: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oDQByg6OWl6eFwzqLdJm18tDjCZ2up1b2DbOdJyRxFc/edit#gid=101731896
--- End quote ---
Hah! Thanks for sharing the link. I am that guy. :)
Hyperkin claims that zappers should work if you use an HDMI to composite converter.
If I can manage to get my hands on one I'll try it out. I plan to test several NES zapper games.
TyrannicalFascist:
Welcome to the boards! Your review is very in-depth. I found a lot of the same things with my system, although my NES slot has a pretty tight grip - tighter than Genesis. Well as you might find with a quick browsing of the Photo Gallery forum topics, some people on here have huge collections. I'm not really one of them myself. :P
I've tested most of the games I owned on the last page just checking compatibility, recognition of the game name and testing the first level or so. I cleaned most of my games pretty thoroughly before testing. Hopefully our tests are helpful and I hope a few more members get a system and can test the really obscure stuff. :) Glad to hear that Hyperkin is watching your list!