|
Post by Sarge on Sept 19, 2018 17:07:19 GMT -5
I figure clones and mini-consoles are getting to be pretty hot stuff these days, what with the NES Classic and SNES Classic doing quite well for Nintendo. Apparently the success was enough to trigger Sony to announce a PlayStation Classic. On top of that, I figure this could also be a clearinghouse for clone consoles. Everything from a Retro Duo to the RetroN 5 to the Super Nt. I'm sure feedback on how well these systems work could help others if they're thinking about buying one. Anyway, discuss! I'll weigh in on the SNES Classic at some point.
|
|
|
Post by Ex on Sept 19, 2018 20:23:21 GMT -5
There's going to be a mini-Neo Geo in October: Sega's getting in on the action with a mini-Genesis in 2019: www.siliconera.com/2018/09/19/sega-mega-drive-mini-delayed-to-2019-in-order-to-improve-its-quality-and-revise-its-design/I imagine we'll be seeing more of these things as well. I assume they will all get hacked at some point, and serve as system specific emulation boxes to varying degrees of proficiency. While I don't feel compelled to buy any of this stuff personally (traditional emulation is fine for me), I do think it's cool that these mini-consoles help expose people to retro gaming. I think stuff like this is a good gift for kids (educational), or for adults who need a nostalgic kick in the pants after they foolishly gave up gaming in their youth. I suppose for straight up materialist collectors who just enjoy hoarding shiny things, these mini-consoles are certainly attractive to look at as well.
|
|
|
Post by Sarge on Sept 19, 2018 22:39:56 GMT -5
The only reason I think I'd jump on a PSX one is if it were easy to mod and fairly beefy for the price. Otherwise, I'll probably pass. I'm sitting on a stack of PSX RPGs; there's not much else I need for the system.
I am very interested in the Super Nt, though. Just from a latency standpoint on a modern display, it's worth looking at. On top of that, manufacturers are pulling out S-Video jacks like crazy, and I wouldn't be surprised to see component go eventually. It also helps that it's a heck of a lot nicer than the cheaper clones out there.
I'm rooting for Sega to finally put out a decent Genesis console. AtGames has barfed out terrible stuff for a long, long time.
|
|
|
Post by anayo on Sept 20, 2018 4:40:45 GMT -5
NES Classic comes out. Me: "That would be really cool if I didn't already have an NES and 30 games."
SNES Classic comes out: "That would be really cool if I didn't already have a SNES and 25 games."
Neo Geo Mini comes out: "That would be really cool if I didn't already have all those Neo Geo compilations on the Playstation 2."
Playstation Classic comes out: "That would be really cool if I didn't already have a Playstation and 50 games."
|
|
|
Post by toei on Sept 20, 2018 5:13:18 GMT -5
I don't care about any of these, but if it can bring a little attention to older games, that's cool. I also think it's healthy, in a way, that people are always talking about hacking them, because it indicates that they realize there are plenty of great games beyond what's included. Those companies should come up with a system to make those games uploadable to those systems legally to cut into the hacking. After all, if people pay for these retro consoles when they don't have to, they might also pay for extra games.
I might actually support a mini-Genesis, mostly just to have the object, but the real Sega is long dead, and from what I've heard, I don't trust that AtGames shit unless I hear better.
|
|
|
Post by Ex on Sept 20, 2018 10:22:09 GMT -5
the real Sega is long dead Very true. You will see me sometimes refer to the company as SEGA. That's when I'm talking about the real SEGA that existed from the Dreamcast and back. Then you'll see me type Sega. When I say Sega, I'm talking about the zombie shitshow the company has been since the death of the Dreamcast.
|
|
|
Post by Sarge on Sept 20, 2018 10:29:55 GMT -5
My SNES Classic was an impulse buy, to be honest. I had a few reasons to do it, though: modding, legit Star Fox 2, and a really portable system for gaming at other folks' houses potentially. Which, wildly enough, has happened once. I know it's still emulation, but it just feels "legit". Probably those controllers more than anything, plus the knowledge that it's an officially-sanctioned Nintendo product.
While the SNES Classic is excellent, I don't care for the NES Classic. I've put the NES core on my system, and it feels a bit laggier, and has an awful audio lag with sound effects that just really messes with my head. I don't recommend it at all; you're better off installing Retroarch and using the NES cores there. (Even that isn't perfect, though.)
|
|
|
Post by bonesnapdeez on Sept 20, 2018 11:53:31 GMT -5
I have both a Retron 5 and RetroFreak.
The RetroFreak is objectively better, in my opinion, as it allows you to dump ROMs right to the system, so each cart inserted only needs to be inserted once. It's also compatible with more games than the R5, as it will also play SG-1000, PCE, and SuperGrafx carts -- plus FDS disk images.
Unfortunately the RetroFreak was a Japan-only product, so you're unlikely to find it in stores. Also, it doesn't have a NES slot so an adapter is needed (there is an official one, but any old one will work). Also, it doesn't have controller ports right on the system; instead there's a multi-input controller adapter "box" that connects to the RetroFreak via USB. It's a little odd. That said, the RetroFreak pack-in controller is actually really good; contrast this to the Retron 5 controller which is terrible.
I haven't played games on an actual NES, SNES, or Genesis in years.
|
|
|
Post by Sarge on Sept 20, 2018 12:15:51 GMT -5
Given the quality of several of Hyperkin's products, this doesn't surprise me. That being said, I picked up one of their Genesis 6-button pads a while back, and it at least seems pretty nice. Better than my other third-party controller that doesn't like to hit one of the diagonals without a bit of force.
I've actually thought about picking up either a RetroN5 or RetroFreak, mostly for ROM dumping purposes. I'd love to have my own "legit" dumps. Right now, all I have is the dumper that Infinite NES Lives made for NES, flashed with the kazzo firmware. That stuff can be really tricky to use, though. I saw where they revised the hardware, so depending on price and ease-of-use, I may snag one of those so I can start dumping my other systems. There's also the Retrode for those purposes, which is a ton easier to use than the kazzo.
|
|
|
Post by Ex on Sept 20, 2018 12:24:41 GMT -5
feels "legit". Probably those controllers more than anything Yeah that's why I always use a Buffalo SNES pad when I emulate the system. Definitely adds to the experience.
|
|