WELL THIS IS INTERESTING.. Retron 5

[graffix_13]

Ok played a lot of my new toy this weekend and here are my brief thoughts:

- After unboxing this machine, I immediately went to the controller to see how it was (as many of you know, I have high hopes for it). My first thought? This thing is CHEAP. I don't mind the micro-switch/analog stick thing, but the shoulder buttons are wtf? I synced it and I noticed it had some input lag when I tried my first game. Was this fixed in an update? I only ask because I haven't used this since after I ran some updates. I'm not even sure I would if the lag was fixed. Luckily I had a SNES clone controller and an original NES controller that I could use.

- Besides the controller, I am really loving this thing. I wasn't able to test all my games but I got through most of them and really no problems. Save States are so convenient and awesome.

- I need more games. Especially Gameboy games.

[Tanooki]

I think the lag is a relative experience to the user if it's not caused by the TV itself. Maybe I wasn't playing Punchout, but I haven't had timing problems using the thing so I tend to be lazy and just use it even though I have other stuff out.

[Tanooki]

I got a new preview update if anyone is interested.
http://retron5.in/?src=a5bfc9e07964f8dddeb95fc584cd965d

From the tech:
here's a preview of the upcoming v1.6 build. It includes the GBA save fix as well as a bunch of other stability improvements. Providing no issues are found, this build will be released to the public within the next few days

From the link:
Changes in this release include:
Improvements to cartridge save access stability
SNES mouse handling improved (fixes Jurassic Park)
Other miscellaneous under the hood improvements

[Tanooki]

BIG UPDATE here for current users fed up with the LONG wait time surrounding the time it takes for the system to load carts into the systems drive/memory when you slide it in. That promised fix the main tech I've been talking to had been working on now is in a private (for here) beta.

Here's the post from him, link follows!:
Finally - here's the "fast cartridge loading" BETA. Feel free to provide this to those that wish to test. Its going to go live as a public BETA soon but I wanted to give a few people the chance to test it in private first, just in case I've missed anything obvious

http://retron5.in/?src=a5771bce93e200c36f7cd9dfd0e5deaa
(From the link: This release includes everything from v1.6, with the addition of the "fast cartridge loading" feature which allows near instant playback of supported cartridges, even large 32MB games. Currently GBA, SNES and Genesis cartridge are supported. Fast cartridge loading may be toggled on and off via the Settings screen.)

Hey this was NOT mentioned in the 1.6 update but the tech redid the entire GBA database on the private 1.6 build I posted the other day, and along with that improvements to the save type detection on the GBA as well. My trouble games of the eng-translated Dragon Quest Monsters, and my homebrew from Team17 Qwak! for GBA both now detect 100% on the menu and the save file correctly as well (before it was unknown, save corrupt.) I asked the tech, says Mother 3 is fixed too.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Got it today.

I like the overall design of the system. I liked the controller until I actually used it to try to play games. Then I switched over to a SNES controller (which I will probably use for all consoles).

I was a bit overeager to start playing something so I immediately popped in Ys III.... and it ate my saves. Updated to v1.6 and I haven't had save issues with other games. So yeah - do this first everyone...

Noticed a bit of input lag at first, but this seems to have been remedied by switching my TV to Game mode.

As far as the cart "death grips" go, I only found the Genesis slot to be tight.

My only complaint so far is with GB/GBC/GBA. Got several "no cart inserted" and "unknown cart" messages. Not sure if cleaning games will help or if there's more that needs to be done. I'll look into it.

Anyway, pics!!!

Famicom:



NES:



SNES / Super Famicom:



Genesis (I don't have any Mega Drive games ):



Game Boy:



Game Boy Color:



Game Boy Advance:

[Tanooki]

Wow nice spread of pictures. And get the link I sent for 2.0b1 for the firmware as it is even tighter than 1.6 plus adds the quick booting of games when you pop them in. It pre-fetches enough data to load the game while it still loads in the background. I'm not sure how they figured how to organize the data that way but it works. You see this little dr mario like pill oval next to the 4 icons in the top right (to the left of them) and it fills up yellow as it continues to load. I shoved in 5 GBA games to try it since they're the largest stuff and it went off without a hitch on GTA, Qwak, DQM Caravan Hearts (eng-trans), DOOM and Pinball Advance.

[graffix_13]

BIG UPDATE here for current users fed up with the LONG wait time surrounding the time it takes for the system to load carts into the systems drive/memory when you slide it in. That promised fix the main tech I've been talking to had been working on now is in a private (for here) beta.

Here's the post from him, link follows!:
Finally - here's the "fast cartridge loading" BETA. Feel free to provide this to those that wish to test. Its going to go live as a public BETA soon but I wanted to give a few people the chance to test it in private first, just in case I've missed anything obvious

http://retron5.in/?src=a5771bce93e200c36f7cd9dfd0e5deaa
(From the link: This release includes everything from v1.6, with the addition of the "fast cartridge loading" feature which allows near instant playback of supported cartridges, even large 32MB games. Currently GBA, SNES and Genesis cartridge are supported. Fast cartridge loading may be toggled on and off via the Settings screen.)

Hey this was NOT mentioned in the 1.6 update but the tech redid the entire GBA database on the private 1.6 build I posted the other day, and along with that improvements to the save type detection on the GBA as well. My trouble games of the eng-translated Dragon Quest Monsters, and my homebrew from Team17 Qwak! for GBA both now detect 100% on the menu and the save file correctly as well (before it was unknown, save corrupt.) I asked the tech, says Mother 3 is fixed too.

Thanks Tanooki!

[graffix_13]

My only complaint so far is with GB/GBC/GBA. Got several "no cart inserted" and "unknown cart" messages. Not sure if cleaning games will help or if there's more that needs to be done. I'll look into it.

Glad to hear you received yours!

I had several "unknown cart" errors myself. My NES Donkey Kong just would never register. I even cleaned the pins but nothing.

[Gunstar Green]

Every time I've had an unknown cart a thorough cleaning has solved it.

[DonSilvestre]

Tanooki, are they going to make the quick bootup/hold power button down for shorter amount of time firmware update public anytime soon? Wondering if there's any niggling issues with it that are scaring me away from PM'ing you to ask for the link.