WELL THIS IS INTERESTING.. Retron 5

[CRTGAMER]

My local BookOff now carries the NEW Retron 5 as well as the newest Hyperkin SupaBoy! This is a first, the store normally only sells used consoles. The Retron consoles on display have to be the latest versions since a stack of five just came in!

This is a step up from an independent retro game store, BookOff is a large Chain on the West Coast and other countries.

[samsonlonghair]

So am I the only person who loves the genny 6 button pad?

I love the six button genesis controller too.

[SpaceBooger]

Whoa! I just played around with the game conversion patches from the op. Putting in Sonic 2and playing it as Bloodlines, or putting FF2 (US) and converting it to FF3 (US), and Mario/Duck Hunt to Mother.

These are great. I am also having fun getting Japanese games and applying papatches. So far I have the Japanese version of FF6, Secret of Manna, Lufia 2.

I did try playing Secret of Manna with a Genesis 6 button controller... I will use the SNES controller with snes games and Dave the genesis one for the rest of the consoles.

[Tanooki]

I'd suggest the Castlevania 2 hack. It restores the original script with a correct translation into english so it isn't a hot mess, and also the select button will pull up a full blown drawn up map of the entire countryside so you can navigate far easier. It converts the basic game rom over to MMC1 I believe in the process.

I don't even like hacks but that one I put on there as it's just too tempting to ignore.

Other than that I just have for any that exists an english patch for Famicom games I have.

[Purkeynator]

Yes, especially the one with turbo switches. It came with the Genny 3!

[Purkeynator]

So I have got an interesting idea I would like to pitch to you guys. I have always been interested in playing Phantasy Star in English with the FM synth sound. I realize I can do this with emulation but I am also a collector and would like a copy of Phantasy Star for my collection anyway. Here is my idea:

Buy a copy of the Japanese version of Phantasy Star for the Sega Mark III here:


Pick up a Japanese Mark III to Mega Drive Power Base converter as seen here:


Apply this patch which includes some improvements and an English translation using the Retron 5:
http://www.romhacking.net/translations/1069/

Would this set up allow me to boot the game on the Retron 5 in English with the FM sound? I could then utilize the save states, graphics filters, and other nice features that the Retron 5 provides.

[SpaceBooger]

So I am having a blast playing with this thing. I purchased three Japanese games and have applied the patch to play them in English. I do find it odd that it changes everything - i.e. When I play Lufia 2 original Japan game it starts with at Tatio splash screen and when I apply the US patch it has a different splash screen that says Natsume. So I do think there is something more than translation going on.

With that being said, there are some US games that are better in their original Famicom state, Castlevania 1 with it's easy mode and Contra being examples. I am wondering if it is possible to apply patches to change Castlevania and Contra to the US versions to make them equal to their Japanese Famicom games.

[Gunstar Green]

Some other games I prefer on Famicom:

Rolling Thunder: Much improved music and sound.

Ninja Gaiden 3: Unlimited continues like the rest of the series and better balanced enemy damage.

Bionic Commando: Uncensored story where you're actually fighting the Nazis and not "The Badds." A lot more enemies in the levels which may discourage some people.

[CRTGAMER]

So I am having a blast playing with this thing. I purchased three Japanese games and have applied the patch to play them in English. I do find it odd that it changes everything - i.e. When I play Lufia 2 original Japan game it starts with at Tatio splash screen and when I apply the US patch it has a different splash screen that says Natsume. So I do think there is something more than translation going on.

I am guessing the patch does not have the Natsume alternate title screen? Perhaps the screen is in the code of the game cart chip and unlocked by the patch? Not keen on how Retron could augment the game with a different region title screen. From what I read, the Retron ONLY dumps the cart and any patch into the memory of the console before running.

[Gunstar Green]

So I am having a blast playing with this thing. I purchased three Japanese games and have applied the patch to play them in English. I do find it odd that it changes everything - i.e. When I play Lufia 2 original Japan game it starts with at Tatio splash screen and when I apply the US patch it has a different splash screen that says Natsume. So I do think there is something more than translation going on.

I am guessing the patch does not have the Natsume alternate title screen? Perhaps the screen is in the code of the game cart chip and unlocked by the patch? Not keen on how Retron could augment the game with a different region title screen. From what I read, the Retron ONLY dumps the cart and any patch into the memory of the console before running.

A lot of game cartridges react differently depending on the region of the hardware. For instance Truxton on the Genesis will turn to Tatsujin if you switch the region to Japan. You can test it out on emulators.

There are even some Game Genie codes for games that are dual region like that.

Other than that some games also have Japanese title screens and other stuff left over in the ROM data that they didn't bother removing when they were localized.

https://tcrf.net/The_Cutting_Room_Floor covers a lot of cases like that.