WELL THIS IS INTERESTING.. Retron 5

[ninjainspandex]

Well tracking says it is 'Package Services' which is Media Mail. So, USPS doesn't know he shipped it that way. He sticks in a box, buys a media mail postage label and ships it...

he probably sent it Standard post with tracking, that usually takes 5 days to a week. I just sent a Neo Geo MVS game via standard post and the tracking shows up as Package Services.

[noiseredux]

Certain types of PC software are eligible for MM. It's sort of a grey area.

is that why that copy of Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia I bought from you is taking so long to get here? Good to know. Still satisfied.

[Hobie-wan]

Certain types of PC software are eligible for MM. It's sort of a grey area.

Media Mail is not sealed against postal inspection. Regardless of physical closure, the mailing of articles at Media Mail prices constitutes consent by the mailer to postal inspection.

Media mail is used for certain types of books, films, manuscripts, printed music, printed test materials, sound recordings, play scripts, printed educational charts, loose-leaf pages and their binders consisting of medical information, video recordings, educational reference charts, and computer-readable media.

Video games, whether on CD-ROM, diskettes, or similar software, or playable systems including computers, do not meet the standards for Media Mail. Storage devices such as "portable hard drives", "thumb drives", "flash drives", "jump-drives", and "USB drives" for use with computers are not eligible for Media Mail prices. For specific eligibility please see DMM 173.3.

So yeah, as Noise said, if you're sending Encarta '94 to someone, it would count but basically nothing we trade on here does. Heck as I found out and got screwed with charity auctions, comics and magazines (and newspapers FWIW) do not quality for MM. Basically if it's old school educational, reference, or traditional literature it's a go. Otherwise it isn't.

[ExedExes]

Retron 5 review is up on Game Sack. I thought it was covered fairly; I had no idea that Sunsoft's Japanese Mega Drive titles could not fit into the Genesis slot due to the ridges on either side of the cartridge. Hyperkin done messed that one up!

[graffix_13]

So in visiting my local Vintage Stock here in Kansas City yesterday I saw they had two Retron 5's for sale. $140. Tempting....but obviously I'll get my at the $99 price. Someday.

Also, question on the save state feature. So, if I am understanding correctly, does the Retron have save states by default? For instance, if I play a game with an internal battery (i.e. Zelda) will my game save on the console rather than the cart? Some of my older games batteries are going dead, or are already there, and I really am too lazy to change them out to a new battery.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Yeah someone clarify all the save stuff please. Can I just roll with battery saves if I choose? Ideally I'd like to use batteries primarily and save states as back-up.

[ExedExes]

Also, question on the save state feature. So, if I am understanding correctly, does the Retron have save states by default? For instance, if I play a game with an internal battery (i.e. Zelda) will my game save on the console rather than the cart? Some of my older games batteries are going dead, or are already there, and I really am too lazy to change them out to a new battery.

Yes, you get 10 save state slots for each game. All games will also be auto saved by default as soon as you remove them from the unit so when you put it back in you'll be right where you left off. So you can play any game with a dead battery and have your progress saved on the Retron 5. Very useful for backups too if you know a battery is failing.

Another nice feature of that is games that had hi-score tables that got reset as soon as you finished playing, you can now keep all your good scores with the Retron 5!

To answer Bone's question, progress made in games can also be written back to the cartridge if you prefer that. I believe SRAM (battery) saves are working properly at this time; once all the save bugs are fixed it will be definite.

[Forlorn Drifter]

Hmm. I think a suggestion for a software update making it to where you can save directly to the cart by default would be nice.

[wclem]

I am in for one when the price gets a little more reasonable. Looking at sub-100 hopefully.

[aaron]

They said any device they can acquire they could add to the device so I guess if someone wants to send them the miracle piano that would be a choice.

i have a miracle piano. i wonder if they'd trade me a unit for it