WELL THIS IS INTERESTING.. Retron 5

[Tanooki]

Perhaps someone like krkzz could also with the fact it has no security could make a mini usb adapter that will have a cartridge port on it. You load the GG retroarch emulator plugin into the R5, then jack that thing in, and play the games? This could also stand for TG16, N64 or whatever else.

[raygank]

Has anyone had any issues with SNES gamepads on the Retron 5?

All I had lying around were some crappy off-brand SNES gamepads which worked but feel cheap, so I bought a used SNS-005 model authentic gamepad on eBay When I plug it in the Retron, it completely flips out. It seems to think I'm holding the D-pad to the left, and many of the buttons don't work or actually do a function other than what's intended. For example, the X button hits Up, and the Y button does B.

Since I don't have a real SNES, I'm not sure if this is a broken controller or if the Retron just doesn't like it for some reason. Visually it's in great shape, and the cord seems fine.

I'm returning it to the eBay seller. Anyone know a good reliable source for SNES gamepads?

[Tanooki]

I've used a pair of legit first party and the top tier licensed third party ascii pad (they're the guys who made the snes advantage) and it's good to go too.

[Hobie-wan]

Has anyone had any issues with SNES gamepads on the Retron 5?

All I had lying around were some crappy off-brand SNES gamepads which worked but feel cheap, so I bought a used SNS-005 model authentic gamepad on eBay When I plug it in the Retron, it completely flips out. It seems to think I'm holding the D-pad to the left, and many of the buttons don't work or actually do a function other than what's intended. For example, the X button hits Up, and the Y button does B.

Since I don't have a real SNES, I'm not sure if this is a broken controller or if the Retron just doesn't like it for some reason. Visually it's in great shape, and the cord seems fine.

I'm returning it to the eBay seller. Anyone know a good reliable source for SNES gamepads?

Is it a European one?

[raygank]

Is it a European one?

No, it's a US gamepad.

I think I figured out the issue. I disassembled the gamepad to clean it, and while I was at it I tested it plugged in without the buttons or casing; just the bare PCB and cable. The issue still persisted, but when I put pressure on the plastic element where the cable meets the PCB the problem disappeared. I think it's due to the cable coming slightly loose from the board.

I know how to solder, but it looks beyond my capabilities to repair. I'm just going to try to get a refund through eBay and buy another one.

[Forlorn Drifter]

Perhaps someone like krkzz could also with the fact it has no security could make a mini usb adapter that will have a cartridge port on it. You load the GG retroarch emulator plugin into the R5, then jack that thing in, and play the games? This could also stand for TG16, N64 or whatever else.

I'm not technically inclined, so forgive me if this is a stupid question, but could something like the Retrode adapters be made to fit into one of the current slots as a run through type deal, like with the Super Game Boy or some such, assuming an emulator was loaded on the system?

[dsheinem]

So can anyone fill in more info on this?

http://www.gamepolitics.com/2014/09/18/ ... CgBWhbU-HM

It seems that they may be treading close to profiting from code that isn't intended to be profited from, or at least not without disclosure. Is this a valid criticism?

Edit: I missed fuctfuct's post on the subject, with even better links:

http://www.libretro.com/index.php/retro ... iolations/

http://www.libretro.com/index.php/hyper ... -problems/

[racketboy]

Seems like it's valid. If they are making money off an open source project, they have to follow the license.

[Purkeynator]

Perhaps someone like krkzz could also with the fact it has no security could make a mini usb adapter that will have a cartridge port on it. You load the GG retroarch emulator plugin into the R5, then jack that thing in, and play the games? This could also stand for TG16, N64 or whatever else.

I'm not technically inclined, so forgive me if this is a stupid question, but could something like the Retrode adapters be made to fit into one of the current slots as a run through type deal, like with the Super Game Boy or some such, assuming an emulator was loaded on the system?

That's a good question. I was curious to see if they made a Game Gear adapter for the Retrode so I went over to Stoneagegamer.com to take a look. Looks like they discontinued the Retrode and all it's adapters. I didn't see a GG one.

[raygank]

I agree, it's totally valid.

As squarepusher said in the comments to the first article:

Also, GPLv3 forbids TIVOization. So, nothing less than complete de-TIVOization will do. Only then will we back down and be satisfied. This will actually be in the user's favor as well BTW. Which is all we're really doing this for.

Also, those noncommercial cores will still need to go. Not sure if they're preinstalled by default with the console or if you only get them through some download that happens upon startup.

I agree, and I intend to write to Hyperkin as a fan encouraging them to do the following:

- Fully open source their entire software project, including any "Tivo-ized" locked down portions.
- Provide the system software download in a form that separates the front end and system from the cores, the same way that RetroArch does, in compliance with the licenses on the cores.

I think this would have huge benefits for users as well as for Hyperkin, and would also be the only fair way to handle the situation. Users would get a device that benefits from the future contributions of the open source community (I'd love to see additional features incorporated.) Hyperkin gets to switch from being "the company that illegally profited off of the work of open source devs" into being "the company that made a great hardware device and contributed possibly useful code to a vibrant open source project."

Releasing partial source, as they have already done, isn't going to work to quiet down the criticism, and probably still constitutes Tivo-ization and violates the licenses involved.

I would encourage everyone who owns a Retron 5 or thinks they might want one to write to Hyperkin and express their opinions on this issue. Hyperkin has a great hardware product and they've done a good job with incorporating the open source software into a cohesive experience for the user, but now is the time for them to open it up and build bridges back to the open source community that they have relied upon.