WELL THIS IS INTERESTING.. Retron 5

[ExedExes]

Snake Rattle & Roll Report:

It needed a real good cleaning. I originally got it in 1990. Lots of black on the contacts, but my trusty Staedtler eraser took care of that.

The moment of truth -

Cartridge is in....

It works!

Other screenshots (enlarged) -

(cool level 8 warp trick)

So there you have it, a success. As for Axelay, my copy works too. I guess I got the only $99 launch unit that hasn't malfunctioned.

[DonSilvestre]

Snake Rattle & Roll Report:

It needed a real good cleaning. I originally got it in 1990. Lots of black on the contacts, but my trusty Staedtler eraser took care of that.

The moment of truth -

Cartridge is in....

It works!

Other screenshots (enlarged) -

(cool level 8 warp trick)

So there you have it, a success. As for Axelay, my copy works too. I guess I got the only $99 launch unit that hasn't malfunctioned.

hahaha, that was phenomenal, the suspense was a real thrill. I bought both of these games from used game stores fairly recently, so there's certainly a chance the carts themselves are just wonky. Neither is expensive, so looks like I need to track down new copies of these particular games.

[Tanooki]

Keep cleaning them until you sand them to a bloody nub. The R5 is notorious, especially on the original units even more, to not detect games right because it's super finicky and if it can not download the data 100% accurately and verify it with the CRC in the database it craps out completely or complains it doesn't know it but could run it if you attempt it.

[DonSilvestre]

Snake Rattle and Roll fails immediately, Tom Sawyer looks like it's trying to figure out how to load and then fails. So I do think there might legitimately be a problem with my SRNR cart. Tom Sawyer has absolutely pristine contacts that I don't think I could get any shinier if i sprinkled diamond dust on them, so not sure what to think about that. I have much dirtier games that it detects just fine.

[samsonlonghair]

There's your problem. It's too clean. Rub some dirt and mud on that mofo.

[Purkeynator]

Yeah, and blow on the contacts too for good measure. Should work after that.

[samsonlonghair]

Make sure you get 'em good and spitty too.

[CRTGAMER]

Wayzon Mini - Convert Retron HDMI to Composite
Not sure if this has been asked yet, sooo many pages. I did see the HDMI to VGA converter mentioned, but what about HDMI to Composite for older SD tube TVs? Has anyone tried that?

The Retron 5 really should have come with more video outputs instead of just HDMI.

A new console playing Retro Game Carts on a Retro TV. Okay that is silly, but that is what I want to try if I ever decide to buy the console; for a SD CRT.

[SpaceBooger]

Any SD card is fine, I'd suggest some cheapo 1-2GB so you're not wasting money. Also if you want to use translations, hacks, and other junk, just copy it on the card and leave it there as the game system will pick it up. You just go into a menu before starting the game and activate those fixes and it will run them.

I plan on getting one of these soon. How do I go about using translations. I found Final Fantasy VI is crazy cheap if you buy the Japanese version. I also want Fire Emblem. So do you just fine a translation anywhere on the net and throw it anywhere on the SD card?

[BoneSnapDeez]

For the most part, yes.

Certain patches don't seem to play nice with the Retron 5 though. Check the very first post in this thread to see 100% compatible patches.

Download the patches, make sure the patch names match those of the games, put them on the SD card, insert into Retron 5.

Go to Game Menu --> Game Specific Settings to select patch. If problems arise, change header settings.

If the options I mentioned are not available you may need to update your system files.