Which consoles to start with?

[Jagosaurus]

Keep in mind, a Genesis/MD with an EverDrive flash cart will play Master System Game ROMS as well. No Power Base Converter needed. I've tested multiple PAL/Euro SMS ROMS and they ran fine on my end. You'd knock out 2 systems and a huge library there.

Also, the newer Mega EverDrive v2 supports save states. The SD2SNES cart does not (or didn't when I picked one up 6 months ago). The SD2SNES also couldn't play the FX games so no Starfox, Doom, or Super Mario RPG.

I really like the Genesis better than the SNES. Always have. The system was based on the Sega 16 arcade hardware so there's amazing arcade ports. This blew my mind as a kid. I felt like I was playing the arcade at home. Then other genres are represented well with titles like Sonic series, Dynamite Headdy, Rocket Knight, Ristar, Castlevania Bloodlines, Contra Hard Corps, Shining Force series, Beyond Oasis, Phantasy Star series.

This obviously is the opposite of Ziggy's opinion on that, but I agree with his flash cart route. It is not emulation & you get the hardware experience.

[dsheinem]

Gaah, another repeat Thread posting of favorites!

That's not at all what people are doing in this thread. I'm increasingly convinced you suffer from significant reading comprehension problems.

To the OP: I'd echo the Genesis suggestions. You alternately/also may want to grab a Retron5 to have access to multiple cart systems, have a cool new way to enjoy your GB/GBC/GBA games, and still use the original controllers.

To others: Does the Retron work with flash carts and the like yet? I've been waiting to hear sbout it being opened up as an emulation box...has that happened in some form or fashion?

[darsparx]

I'd say retron5/retrofreak that way you can buy games for everyone of the supported consoles. Then focus on finding a deal for the actual console later. You're better off buying rn5/rf until then so you can just get into the systems as fast as possible. That way you have the best option for playing as much as you could possibly want. Then there's playstation, I'd recommend that or a ps2 so you could play both of those as well. Wii and ps2(and some psx) stuff is super cheap still from what I've seen and it's worth that alone. Not to mention with wii you could get some gamecube games there too if you get the first model.


Either way it's your choice but if going console cartridge line I'd start with retron/retrofreak. Disc based I'd get a ps2 and/or a wi(1st model) that way with those you have access to 2-4 consoles right there....

[samsonlonghair]

To others: Does the Retron work with flash carts and the like yet? I've been waiting to hear sbout it being opened up as an emulation box...has that happened in some form or fashion?

I do not own a Retron5 myself, but I have looked into that. So far as I know, the Retro5 cannot load games from an everdrive.

[Jagosaurus]

To others: Does the Retron work with flash carts and the like yet? I've been waiting to hear sbout it being opened up as an emulation box...has that happened in some form or fashion?

I do not own a Retron5 myself, but I have looked into that. So far as I know, the Retro5 cannot load games from an everdrive.

Yes, the Retro 5 does not work with flash carts. I can confirm the 3 flash carts below work with the RetroTrio. Here's a photo of my "lazy setup." NES N8 works fine as well as traditional SRAM/batt saves for games like Zelda, but you lose save state ability. Mega ED v2 (including save states) & SD2SNES work as advertised.

[ElkinFencer10]

Genesis would be cheapest, but I'm gonna be the odd man out so far and suggest the TurboGrafx-16. It's not a cheap route, and the library isn't huge, but it's a fantastic system if a bit obscure. Generally speaking, all things considered, the Genesis is probably your best bet as an entry point.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Unless you collect hardware the Retron 5 is the way to go for retro game carts.
Fami/NES, SuFami/SNES, MD/Genesis, GB, GBC, GBA support out the box. SMS support with a Power Base Converter.
Region free.
Compatibility with original controllers.
SRAM saves to the system itself (no more battery issues) + save states.
Support for translation patches and ROM hacks.

Hard to beat it. I haven't used my actual hardware since I purchased one.

Now, to expand on the "can it be used as an emulation box?" question. Well, no, but it sort of can. You can play ROMs without owning the actual carts, as you can use LunarIPS to create a "patch" that simply replaces one ROM image with another when booted in the Retron 5. So, for instance, assume Super Mario World was only SNES game I owned. I can "patch" it to load A Link to the Past when inserted into the R5 instead of Super Mario World. This is how people are playing the North American versions of games like Harvest Moon or Chrono Trigger whilst having a Japanese cart inserted, by the way. It's not a complicated procedure, though it is a bit cumbersome.

[ElkinFencer10]

This is how people are playing the North American versions of games like Harvest Moon or Chrono Trigger whilst having a Japanese cart inserted, by the way.

That's how I plan to play Chrono Trigger after I finish Tales of Phantasia.

Also, if you're going the "emulator box" route, look into the Retro Freak. Gives you a little more access (NEC stuff as well as - if you get the adapter - Game Gear).

[marurun]

What about the RetroFreak? Does that get along better with flash carts? That's sorta the ideal multi-system console, what with a PC Engine slot and Game Gear capabilities.

[ElkinFencer10]

What about the RetroFreak? Does that get along better with flash carts? That's sorta the ideal multi-system console, what with a PC Engine slot and Game Gear capabilities.

With the Retro Freak, flash carts are pointless; you can load ROMs straight from an SD card, no patching back door required.