WELL THIS IS INTERESTING.. Retron 5

[winds]

I'm not sure if this has been explained in this thread already, but hopefully someone can clear up my confusion about this console. Why are people so eager to purchase this? As my understanding goes, it's just using software emulators inside it that are readily available on the PC. I also underestand it uses HDMI and upscales, but isn't that done through the emulators anyway?

My point is, couldn't the same effect be achieved by hooking your TV up to your computer and just load up an emulator to get the same effect? I know it wouldn't be the exact same since this console also has controller ports for all the old systems, but usb adaptors can also be bought for mere dollars online anyway. So what's the advantage here?

Forgive me, i'm genuinely curious.

[darsparx]

Because unlike a normal emulator you have to have the carts and it combines several consoles into one by allowing you to have one availible for use for the systems it supports, and to be quite honest some of us perfer to save space but still use hardware to read the carts(retrode would be nice but doesn't support as much as this seems to...). And to be quite honest it does it's job quite nicely.Of course I'm also one of the few people who just can't really stand straight emulation but this borderlines doing it right to the point of not bugging me as much as a normal emulator would at this point...

[Fragems]

To put it simply this is the system for people who like physical media. It really doesn't have anything over a decent pc with emulators aside from being able to play the official cartridges, being simpler to use for non techies, and consuming a little less energy.

[ExedExes]

It's a huge space saver. I have no issue to the fact that to some it may be just an emulation box. Everything looks, sounds, and plays great. Plus, you can import and backup cartridge saves, take screenshots, use original controllers, and having it be able to play physical imports without modding and also the ability to apply translation patches are just a few of the reasons.

[Gunstar Green]

It offers a bunch of extra conveniences for people who already own loads of cartridges. It's not like it's replaced my original hardware but it gives me another option to play the games I own legitimately, up-scaled in HD with all of the other advantages that come with emulation like patching and some things unique to the Retron 5 like taking saves from cartridges and back.

It's uncluttered my living room and made my old games look great on my modern television. That's what I wanted it for and it does its job well.

[BoneSnapDeez]

My point is, couldn't the same effect be achieved by hooking your TV up to your computer and just load up an emulator to get the same effect?

Well, no, because you can't stick carts into a computer.

The experience with the Retron 5 is nothing like computer emulation. It's like having an actual "console" that has effectively "replaced" my NES, SMS, Genesis, and SNES (obviously I held onto those systems but they are now in storage). It's a huge space saver.

A minor perk is that I can now play older games without worrying about dead/dying save batteries.

A HUGE perk is that I can now play actual Japanese import carts - in English.

This thing is awesome. I use it more than any other system.

[darsparx]

A HUGE perk is that I can now play actual Japanese import carts - in English.

This thing is awesome. I use it more than any other system.

This alone is a major reason I love it, not to mention if they could end up re-adding fast loading and fix the gbc borders to have that but have the games in color(I really hate looking at QoC in monochrome, the game isn't the best looking thing in the world but looks a whole lot better in full color). Besides some of the game issues some are having plus that, otherwise perfect(though ps1 and n64 would nice additions if only so I could contemplate some imports that I would love to own eventually...)

[Tanooki]

There's easy reasons
- Real carts
- Real controllers (yes there are usb adapters)
- Small profile
- The internal perks (which PC emulators do)
- Hardware powerful enough to run stuff under the illusion of being real, not emulated
- All the on the fly patching (hacks, translations)
- Convenient way to dump/transfer save data off old games
- Menu hot saves (not load/save states) picks up game where you left it

All that really. You have this stable performance because the code is made for one device, not a myriad of OS's, parts, parts for parts, and so on that'll have to be accounted for. It has enough going inside it doesn't flake out and screw up junk breaking the illusion of not being emulated even if it is. And you can just pop the thing into the menu and turn it off, it'll remember that and when the game is in there again you can keep going. With a non-crappy TV you get amazing response time and with the clarity of HDMI.

I detest clones, but this one and only one has sold me, and well enough I went and put up my modded (rca) top loader and my immaculate DK SNES set system back in its box. The ONLY downer to the thing, you can't use flash carts, and it's hit and miss on pirates, but if you don't care about that, it's no loss.

[arcadifvid]

ARRGH stop making me feel bad for not having one!

[darsparx]

ARRGH stop making me feel bad for not having one!

Then why not solve the problem and get one

Also for anyone that missed it r9delta came to the save for Harvest Moon SNES(1.0 and 1.1). Another reason I freaking love the fact he's doing that, really love having the original cart which should be here in a few weeks ^_^