WELL THIS IS INTERESTING.. Retron 5

[BoneSnapDeez]

R5 let's you apply translation patches to legit import carts.

/discussion

[dunpeal2064]

... and then emulate them.

A real NES and flash cart lets you play those translations with no emulation. Less accurate cart casing, more accurate gaming experience.

> re-opened discussion

[SpaceBooger]

I know I don't need it. I have 2 NES hooked up to CRTs in my basement another Genny and SNES there too. (here is most of my collection) I have plenty of games for all my systems the only advantage for me would be to play my systems on my HDTV and the NES is the only one I can't with original hardware. I currently have a WiiU, PS3, oXBOX, s-vid: Saturn, Genny and SNES hooked up to it now.
I have no import games and if I did they would be RPGs and I would want save slots - this is where the oXBOX for SNES and Genny comes into play. So I think I do not need another console... though if I did get a R5 I could sell the other consoles to offset the price...

Is HDMI a huge upgrade from s-video 16bit and component on a 720p HDTV?

[Opa Opa]

... and then emulate them.

A real NES and flash cart lets you play those translations with no emulation. Less accurate cart casing, more accurate gaming experience.

> re-opened discussion

Two different markets, really. A flash cart is for people who want the real feel of the retro hardware.

The R5 is for people who don't care about orignal hardware... And for forum members that make poor purchasing decisions.

[DonSilvestre]

To me, the "feel" of original hardware is about three things. Inserting a cart, using an original controller, and lagless play. The R5 is the closest I can get to that without needing to deal with a CRT and worry about soldering a million new batteries into my SNES carts. It's not quite perfect in the lag department due to inherent lag in all HDTV's, but the only game that hasn't felt like original hardware in that department is Punch out.

[ExedExes]

Is HDMI a huge upgrade from s-video 16bit and component on a 720p HDTV?

Heck yeah. Check out a screenshot of Space Harrier (from Sega Arcade Gallery GBA)



(note that this is the native system resolution. In 720p it's a sight to see.)

The R5 is for people who don't care about orignal hardware... And for forum members that make poor purchasing decisions.

Ouch man. OUCH. Mine has been working out and I love it. Not a poor decision. I've still got my original hardware, but this minimizes all the cable clutter, gives me great picture, access to emulation features, and the ability to use any controller for any game.

[BoneSnapDeez]

The R5 is for people who don't care about orignal hardware... And for forum members that make poor purchasing decisions.

I'd wager that a large number of R5 owners do own, and care about, the original hardware, but use the R5 for its space-saving properties, save-states, and patching capabilities. I fall into that camp.

An "anti-emulation" stance is somewhat silly these days. It's everywhere. It's what powers your classic GOG games, your backwards compatibility, your retro compilations, and so on. Sometimes convenience trumps "original hardware."

On the other hand, I do understand the viewpoint of those folks who prefer the most authentic experience at all times. I simply don't have the time / space / money for that.

But what I still can't quite grasp is why people continue to shell out $60+ for translated reproduction carts, when one can buy super-cheap imports instead and use the R5 (which is less than the price of three repros) to translate instead. I guess some feel that inauthentic carts on authentic hardware is better than authentic carts on inauthentic hardware? It's strange.

[dunpeal2064]

I don't think either stance is too strange. Some people want to insert a real cart, some want the rom loading via real hardware, whether from an original cart or not.

As for price, Onyx has repros for $25. Paying $60 is a little crazy imo, but to each their own. And a flash cart is certainly cheaper than either buying legit or repro carts, but I can see that not feeling as good too.

Both are fine, whatever makes the gamer happy. I was really just doing what spacebooger asked, since I had a feeling he wouldn't get talked out of a Retron 5 in a Retron 5 thread

[AppleQueso]

Honestly if I ever got back into retro game collecting i'd probably go for a Retron 5 myself.

I spent a ridiculous amount of time and money trying to get a 'perfect' visual setup going. A few different pro monitors, RGB mods, even had an XRGB for a while. Not in any way interested in ever doing that again.

[BoneSnapDeez]

I don't think either stance is too strange. Some people want to inset a real cart, some want the rom loading via real hardware, whether from an original cart or not.

I hear ya.

But take something like Super Famicom games for instance. I'd wager that a large number of R5 owners already own a Super Famicom and/or a SNES (which is kinda-sorta region-free except for the plastic tab nonsense).

If I buy a Super Famicom cart I can insert it into a Super Famicom (or SNES) and have the authentic Japanese experience.

Alternately, I can put it into the R5 and patch that mother.

A repro owner doesn't have those options. It's the English hack or nothing. The cart is also "inauthentic" - though at this point is does seem like repros are gaining their own collector's market.

Just my perspective of course.

Best thing about the Retron 5 is that it will play a buttload of Ys ports.