New RetroN 5 Black System

This console is called by many an "emulation box". This means unlike an original console, it does not interact with the game cart directly or actively. The Retron 5 simply downloads the game ROM onboard to the console where emulation software then attempts to play the game as closely as possible to the original experience. With some emulators there can be slow downs, sound issues, pixel distortions, lag, and rarely a game may not play at all. If you want to eliminate almost all the issues I mentioned you have a couple of choices. You can buy an old original console and in comparison to the Retron 5, a bunch of consoles in order to play all those games or you can buy one or more FPGA consoles to play those games. The FPGA chip(s) is configured to replicate the actual circuitry of the original console. So instead of software mimicking hardware, the FPGA is configured to mimic the hardware. Hold on to your seat. The cost is typically $500 to $700 for a full MiSTer FPGA console that plays ROMs and not game carts. Most of us don't have the money to buy 10 different consoles. With the Retron 5 you not only have access to all these games (SMS requires Power Base Converter), but currently on Lukie it's for a mere price of $139.00. One of the things I love about software emulation on the Retron 5 is the ability to save game states and use game cheats (downloaded elsewhere). I'm now in my 70s; so I don't have the reflexes or strength in my hands I once had. Game saving and game cheats are a lifesaver and allow me to still play these games. Clarity: I noted one reviewer complaining of controller drift on the Retron 5. Fact: When controllers start to drift, the problem is almost always with the controller itself, rather than the console. Tips: Make sure you are using a modern TV that offers Game Mode. This makes most games lag free comparatively speaking. When I get an old game cart, the first thing I do is use a Q-tip and isopropyl alcohol or a 1-UP card to clean the pins, which then also keeps the Retron 5's cart slots clean. Voila, the game (unless damaged) loads and plays just fine. Retro purists love to malign not only the Retron 5 but any emulation console. Yes, defects can show up (on any company's product). Most of the time, however, if you take proper care of the Retron 5, it will take care of you. I think the Retron 5 is fantastic and I hope Hyperkin continues to make it for a very long time.

This review is for the Hyperkin Retro5 only, Not Lukie Games. I think Lukie Games is great as far as customer service and reliability. Ok, folks, I left a review for this system before and gave it 3 stars I think. Today I am downgrading that review to 1 star! Truth be told, it's mostly because I'm frustrated. But first things first, the Retron5 feels like a cheap piece of plastic, lightweight, flimsy and poorly made. The claims that you can play your old games in new HD graphics is ridiculous, I never really believed that to be true even before I bought it. Some games do look really nice on it, but others look worse than I remember them on an old analog TV. Sometimes you'll get glitches where pixels don't line up or just look "smeared." Most of my games seem to play with a bit of patience but they don't always load. The old taking the cartridge out and blowing on it trick usually does seem to work in getting the game to load though. A lot of people seem to have trouble taking the cartridges out, but if you follow the guideline of pulling it out one side at a time they do just "slip" out. Here is my biggest frustration with the system. The controllers! From day one the player one port for the Genesis just didn't work. It continuously registers moving left, which makes a lot of games unplayable. Today both the right and left Sega ports just stopped working. The SNES player one port also doesn't work. Yes I know what you're going to say, I can just use the wireless remote that came with the system. Well I don't want the bother of having to map out a controller every time I change from Sega to SNES and hope that it works! For $139.99 the system should work just fine from day one, out of the box, as advertised! Resist the urge to buy this system. Hyperkin does not deserve your business until they make a system that is more sturdy and is problem free!

I mainly bought this for Gameboy games to record footage, and so far it works wonderfully. The pixels are sharp, 1080p, which I didn't expect, although the controller it comes with is really poorly designed, I'd recommend getting an SNES controller, as there are controller ports for each system. I've played NES, and all types of GameBoy games on it, and they both function correctly. Although the user-interface can be kind of unfriendly to new users, the Retron 5 is still great for some nostalgia and 1080p retro gaming. 8.5/10

I bought my black Retron5 about a month or two ago. I was amazed at how awesome it looked in HD, and the sound is amazing! Most games play perfect, but it takes a little getting used to playing platformers due to a very, very slight delay. This is great because it opened up more libraries to choose from. I do not own a GBA, but I bought a few from Lukie and they work great on it, as does all the other games! If you are a retro gamer, this is a cool, and convenient console to own!

Great system. Works better than I thought it would. I would definitely recommend this product

This was not as enjoyable as the Retron 3 but it has a lot more to offer. I don't have much use for Famicom, I was hoping it would support nintendo 64 instead, but overall worth the price. I love the fact that I can save my gameplay on it.