WELL THIS IS INTERESTING.. Retron 5

[jinx]

Perhaps but the PC isn't as convenient for many. Sure some have laptops or their PCs rigged into their TV as it is now, but for many it's a chore. Also the PC has typically Windows, a resource hog with all its own overhead and problems too, plus you'll need to buy some USB jacks to take the various different controllers the R5 does to use them as well.

There's benefits and drawbacks to either whatever they may be once the R5 is busted open by someone for general abuse.

Exactly. I have a couple "Media boxes" with Linux installed for movies, music and emulation. However, the R5 is much more convenient. I don't have to buy a bunch of adapters to get the original controllers to work and the interface on the R5 is pretty nice. Also, those yelling about getting an Ouya for emulation, I've seen several comparison videos and the R5 seems to come out on top in both sound and video. The same argument about the controllers can be made for the Ouya as well.

[Jmustang1968]

Perhaps but the PC isn't as convenient for many. Sure some have laptops or their PCs rigged into their TV as it is now, but for many it's a chore. Also the PC has typically Windows, a resource hog with all its own overhead and problems too, plus you'll need to buy some USB jacks to take the various different controllers the R5 does to use them as well.

There's benefits and drawbacks to either whatever they may be once the R5 is busted open by someone for general abuse.

It is cool for what it is, but if one starts using usb adapters anyways for N64 controllers & other systems and hacking it for roms etc, you might as well use a PC. You can also put in front end OS to boot into.

[wclem]

It is nice to use the carts that I own. Plain and simple. I put money and time into these and I reap the benefit. With emulation, you miss that satisfaction.

I never felt compelled to play when I emulated. I have emulated since "Nesticle" was the best and newest emulator out there. Does it even exist now? I never felt conviction to play the games through. When I actually invest something into them, it is totally different.

[darsparx]

It is nice to use the carts that I own. Plain and simple. I put money and time into these and I reap the benefit. With emulation, you miss that satisfaction.

I never felt compelled to play when I emulated. I have emulated since "Nesticle" was the best and newest emulator out there. Does it even exist now? I never felt conviction to play the games through. When I actually invest something into them, it is totally different.

Yeah I kinda feel the same way. Unless I bought the game in some way there's no compelling reason for me to play it emulated. Now if we're talking VC that's different even if usually it's with pro controller/classic controller(which doesn't feel the same as the original one )

[Tanooki]

That entirely. Emulation is nice, I used it a lot in the 90s and lesser since in the 00s and almost nothing much for the 2010s. It was enjoyable but it was hollow because there was no risk versus reward, just a creation of a video gamers ADHD nightmare in the making. It's the same reason I don't deal with flash carts anymore as you load them up and everything gets like five minutes until you somehow get bored (shouldn't be do) because they're for a lack of a nicer better term, fake. When you drop $5 or $50 or $150 on a game, you're invested and more apt to see it through and give it more than a fair shake. The R5 does this and very well giving you the perks of an emulator but the satisfaction of commitment.

[dsheinem]

So I snagged a black one at FYE today for $125 after an in store discount

Thoughts soon...

[noiseredux]

So I snagged a black one at FYE today for $125 after an in store discount

Thoughts soon...

not counting your new PC... how many consoles have you purchased in 2014?

[dsheinem]

So I snagged a black one at FYE today for $125 after an in store discount

Thoughts soon...

not counting your new PC... how many consoles have you purchased in 2014?

just one two: the Retron 5 and Wii U

the PA taxpayers bought my Xbox One

why?

[nightrnr]

Responding to wclem, darsparx, and Tanooki:
I don't entirely disagree...

Your satisfaction is definitely dependent on your level of commitment, that is true. And there is a unique devotion to games that are bought separately, played, and treasured. It means something more somehow.
I totally respect your guys' opinions on the physical investment in a game.

But let's not assume that just because you emulate that you can't be committed to a particular game. I think that it's your own discipline that determines how hollow or rewarding a game experience is.

...and now for a rambling response:

Shmups, for example, are part of a genre that I will NEVER be exceptional at. This means that I will rarely see much beyond level 3 or 4 of a great many games (unless they have infinite credits). But that doesn't mean that I don't give them a good attempt. Case in point, I like Raiden. I own the Jaguar cart, but never got far. One day I loaded up the Genesis version on an emulator and with a lot of help from save states, I finished the game. Had a blast, and was very devoted to the game for much longer than 5 minutes.

Further, there are games that have battery save that can be more enjoyable knowing that the battery won't crap out mid-playthrough (but then I think the R5 saves the sram to card or system or has the option right?)
In any case, it seems like taking the long way around for the benefits.

Also, call me a purist in this respect, but I just can't justify putting my carts in a clone console (with rare exception). If I'm going to play the original game cart, it's going to be all the way on original hardware. Anything else, and I might as well be emulating.
--on that note, I DO like flash cards/carts. It provides you the original hardware experience while limiting the focus of games to (predominantly) that system (so far, I only use this for 3 systems, 2 of them handhelds; more if you count PSP memory cards and Xbox/PS2 HDD's).

Back to the "5 minutes" comment. I know what your saying and am guilty of this. However, it's an intentional phenomenon. I like to try out a lot of games that I would not have bothered with otherwise. Kind of like walking into an arcade and sampling everything. In fact, I kind of used to do that, just watching each arcade for a few minutes just to see what it was like or about.
I am actually more likely to come back to a game at a later date and do a proper session once I have a familial base for how it's played (this because I am becoming an old dog).

[BoneSnapDeez]

Well shit I was at the mall yesterday and totally forgot to stop at FYE.

The wait for the Amazon system continues...