I saw a thread on the Time Extension site about Hyperkin's new prototype RetronGX console plays both PC Engine Hu-Cards and TurboGrafx-16 Turbo Chip games on it + it was shown at the 2022 Tokyo Game Show. Has it been released yet?
PC Engine Fan X! ^_~
Hyperkin "Retron GX" review....
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PC Engine Fan X!
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Hyperkin "Retron GX" review....
Last edited by PC Engine Fan X! on Sun Sep 07, 2025 1:31 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Guspaz
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Re: Has Hyperkin released it's RetronGX PCE-clone console?
No. But... you could have just checked their website to get that answer too.
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Atariboy
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Re: Has Hyperkin released it's RetronGX PCE-clone console?
A lot of their stuff never seems to come out. Remember the DOS based gaming system that they announced years ago (Retron x86), for instance? Or for a more recent example, their N64 system.
Probably for the best. While I want to love their Retron 77 (my lone experience with their products), even with the community build installed to have an almost up to date version of Stella and ignoring the cartridge slot and just using roms, it just aggravates me. For instance it decided to just forget all my button mapping that I spent a lot of time setting up in order to be able to use an arcade stick with everything important for me mapped to a controller button.
It was almost there thanks mostly to the Stella team rather than Hyperkin themselves, but it instead just lives in its box. And with anything else that they push out, I highly doubt that a group of talented hobbyists will be coming to the rescue in order to finish Hyperkin's job for them.
Probably for the best. While I want to love their Retron 77 (my lone experience with their products), even with the community build installed to have an almost up to date version of Stella and ignoring the cartridge slot and just using roms, it just aggravates me. For instance it decided to just forget all my button mapping that I spent a lot of time setting up in order to be able to use an arcade stick with everything important for me mapped to a controller button.
It was almost there thanks mostly to the Stella team rather than Hyperkin themselves, but it instead just lives in its box. And with anything else that they push out, I highly doubt that a group of talented hobbyists will be coming to the rescue in order to finish Hyperkin's job for them.
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PC Engine Fan X!
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Re: Has Hyperkin released it's RetronGX PCE-clone console?
The long delayed Hyperkin "Retron GX" console will be released on August 20, 2025 with the newest & latest firmware through Hyperkin's site & through Amazon as well.
MSRP is $89.99 (it was priced at $89.99 through Castlemania Games back in May of 2025 as a pre-order and still is listed as such). If you want to use the PC Engine based controllers and arcade sticks, a PCE to TG-16 controller adapter will be necessary as the Retron GX uses two on-board TG-16 controller ports on the front-side portion of the console itself. There are two usb ports available for using other usb-based gaming controllers if so desired. I've pre-ordered one through Amazon and will review it here in this particular thread.
Time Extension did an article on the Hyperkin Retron GX console dated 8/5/25 with the latest info on it -- it's quite informative indeed.
Output is via HDMI at 720p either in 16:9 or 4:3 screen aspect ratio (selectible on the backside).
PC Engine Fan X! ^_~
MSRP is $89.99 (it was priced at $89.99 through Castlemania Games back in May of 2025 as a pre-order and still is listed as such). If you want to use the PC Engine based controllers and arcade sticks, a PCE to TG-16 controller adapter will be necessary as the Retron GX uses two on-board TG-16 controller ports on the front-side portion of the console itself. There are two usb ports available for using other usb-based gaming controllers if so desired. I've pre-ordered one through Amazon and will review it here in this particular thread.
Time Extension did an article on the Hyperkin Retron GX console dated 8/5/25 with the latest info on it -- it's quite informative indeed.
Output is via HDMI at 720p either in 16:9 or 4:3 screen aspect ratio (selectible on the backside).
PC Engine Fan X! ^_~
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Josh128
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PC Engine Fan X!
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Guspaz
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Re: Hyperkin will release it's RetronGX PCE-clone console on 8/20/2025.....
Looks like a typical ARM emulation box, so little value over running a TG16/PCE emulator on anything else. Though there aren't really any cheap USB cart dumpers out there, so if you want to play using original carts, you wouldn't be saving much money from doing so.
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SavagePencil
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Re: Hyperkin will release it's RetronGX PCE-clone console on 8/20/2025.....
Hyperkin has such a poor track record that I’d worry this does more harm than good for the reputation of this great system.
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PC Engine Fan X!
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Re: Hyperkin will release it's RetronGX PCE-clone console on 8/20/2025.....
Here's YoutuberJohnny Grafx with his take on the eve of Hyperkin's release of the RetronGX console: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Duo4ud7-mC0
If it gets "jailbroken" to support Krikzz's Turbo Everdrive Pro, it'd truly have the ability to play the CD-Rom2, Super CD-Rom2 & Arcade CD-Rom2 based games as well. We'll see what happens.
PC Engine Fan X! ^_~
If it gets "jailbroken" to support Krikzz's Turbo Everdrive Pro, it'd truly have the ability to play the CD-Rom2, Super CD-Rom2 & Arcade CD-Rom2 based games as well. We'll see what happens.
PC Engine Fan X! ^_~
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PC Engine Fan X!
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Re: Hyperkin will release it's RetronGX PCE-clone console on 8/20/2025.....
Here's GamesRadar's review on Hyperkin's Retron GX console (not my article): https://www.gamesradar.com/hardware/ret ... gx-review/
Still no word if the PCE/TG-16 games of Bomberman, Bomberman '93, Bomberman '93 Special Version and Bomberman '94 work with the PCE multi-tap or even with the TG-16 Turbo Tap on this newfangled Retron GX setup. Even Masaya's classic Moto Roader & Moto Roader II isn't known if they work on the Retron GX with a multi-tap setup either. It's well-known that both Turbo Chip carts of Bomberman (circa 1990) & Bomberman '93 (circa 1992) were released in the USA courtesy of NEC and TTI (Turbo Technologies Incorporated) respectively.
If you want to use the more readily available PCE gamepads & arcade sticks with it, a simple "PCE to TG-16" controller adapter is necessary and crucial (something that Hyperkin didn't even include in the first place for that matter but they could've easily done so).
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Stone Age Gamer sells the proper Retro Frog produced "PCE to TG-16" controller adapter considering you can use the optionally more robust NEC "Avenue Pad 6" controller with the 20 megabit sized Hu-Card of Street Fighter II Dash as originally intended: https://stoneagegamer.com/pce2tg16-cont ... -frog.html
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As it is, it's not an entirely a "lost cause" in trying to source the so-called fabled & mysterious "PCE to TG-16" controller adapter as it was "sold out" for a while and SAG had just recently gotten in a fresh new batch of the Retro Frog controller adapters as of last week. Talk about perfect timing.
In going with the two provided "old-school" TurboGrafx-16 controller ports on the Retron GX, Hyperkin effectively limits it's officially 1st-party & 3rd-party controller usage with the TG-16 based gamepads & arcade sticks (namely NEC's official 1st-party branded "Turbo Stick" arcade stick setup comes to mind along with the 3rd-party offerings of the Acemore "Super Stick" TG-16 arcade stick and Beeshu's TG-16-based arcade stick "Ultimate SuperStick" {utilizing a micro-switched based joystick setup} to round off the smattering handful of TG-16 based arcade sticks readily available "on tap").
NEC's official 1st-party PCE wireless receiver + wireless 5 player multi-tap combo deal & NEC 1st-party PCE wireless gamepad controllers (circa 1992) using the "old-school" IR technology/protocol, they'll work on the Retron GX with the correct controller adapter.
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Of course, the two best PC Engine-based arcade sticks are Micomsoft's "XE-1 Pro HE" and Hori's "Fighting Stick PC" with it's factory installed Seimitsu LS-33 arcade stick, they're regarded as the very best that money can buy, especially nowadays.
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The word is out on the street that the 8Bitdo 2.4gHz wireless PC Engine/Core Grafx/TurboGrafx-16 controller works as intended with the included usb dongle -- so that's good to know.
PC Engine Fan X! ^_~
Still no word if the PCE/TG-16 games of Bomberman, Bomberman '93, Bomberman '93 Special Version and Bomberman '94 work with the PCE multi-tap or even with the TG-16 Turbo Tap on this newfangled Retron GX setup. Even Masaya's classic Moto Roader & Moto Roader II isn't known if they work on the Retron GX with a multi-tap setup either. It's well-known that both Turbo Chip carts of Bomberman (circa 1990) & Bomberman '93 (circa 1992) were released in the USA courtesy of NEC and TTI (Turbo Technologies Incorporated) respectively.
If you want to use the more readily available PCE gamepads & arcade sticks with it, a simple "PCE to TG-16" controller adapter is necessary and crucial (something that Hyperkin didn't even include in the first place for that matter but they could've easily done so).
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Stone Age Gamer sells the proper Retro Frog produced "PCE to TG-16" controller adapter considering you can use the optionally more robust NEC "Avenue Pad 6" controller with the 20 megabit sized Hu-Card of Street Fighter II Dash as originally intended: https://stoneagegamer.com/pce2tg16-cont ... -frog.html
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As it is, it's not an entirely a "lost cause" in trying to source the so-called fabled & mysterious "PCE to TG-16" controller adapter as it was "sold out" for a while and SAG had just recently gotten in a fresh new batch of the Retro Frog controller adapters as of last week. Talk about perfect timing.
In going with the two provided "old-school" TurboGrafx-16 controller ports on the Retron GX, Hyperkin effectively limits it's officially 1st-party & 3rd-party controller usage with the TG-16 based gamepads & arcade sticks (namely NEC's official 1st-party branded "Turbo Stick" arcade stick setup comes to mind along with the 3rd-party offerings of the Acemore "Super Stick" TG-16 arcade stick and Beeshu's TG-16-based arcade stick "Ultimate SuperStick" {utilizing a micro-switched based joystick setup} to round off the smattering handful of TG-16 based arcade sticks readily available "on tap").
NEC's official 1st-party PCE wireless receiver + wireless 5 player multi-tap combo deal & NEC 1st-party PCE wireless gamepad controllers (circa 1992) using the "old-school" IR technology/protocol, they'll work on the Retron GX with the correct controller adapter.
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Of course, the two best PC Engine-based arcade sticks are Micomsoft's "XE-1 Pro HE" and Hori's "Fighting Stick PC" with it's factory installed Seimitsu LS-33 arcade stick, they're regarded as the very best that money can buy, especially nowadays.
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The word is out on the street that the 8Bitdo 2.4gHz wireless PC Engine/Core Grafx/TurboGrafx-16 controller works as intended with the included usb dongle -- so that's good to know.
PC Engine Fan X! ^_~
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Fudoh
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Re: Hyperkin "Retron GX" review....
got one a few days ago and it's really not great....
Not much to add to the newer reviews. The drops in framerate are very obvious in nearly every game, especially if you got a direct comparison, either to running the games on original hardware or using literally ANY other emulator out there or just by knowing your games very well. After getting the GX (and being quite disappointed) I went through some boxes to find my old Retrofreak. Found is, hooked it up, updated it to a more recent firmware (from 2019 or so) and gave it a little spine. Here are my impressions in direct comparions to the "new" Retron GX.
There has been nearly a DECADE between the releases of these two machines. If I recall correctly the first Retrofreak units were made available in Japan in late 2015. I think I got mine in early 2016. Despite the GX being nearly 10 years younger, the Retrofreak excels in almost every category
The HuCard slot feels better on the Retrofreak. Easier to insert and remove cards and without the need to point out that older HuCards might not work or might have to be pulled out a few mm before they can be run (as it says on Hyperkin's website). Games on the RF load considerably faster. The RF cuts the time required for dumping down to a fragment of the time required on the GX, probably taking 5-6 seconds for a full dump. If there's a micro SD card present in the RF, it will dump your HuCard to the SD card and you will no longer require the actual HuCard to play your game (just like on the Polymega). The Retron GX on the other hand nearly takes a full 20 seconds per boot and won't save your dumps permanently. Compatibility on both is great. Hyperkin mentioned two titles that won't run, but then again both machines even run titles like M2's 8mbit Salamaner upgrade directly from card.
The original Retrofreak controller is way better than what's included with the GX. And if you buy a RF today (on Amazon JP) it comes with a controller adapter already, so you can use original PC Engine controllers (of course with the japanese connector (same as the one as on the American Turbo Duo) instead of the large TG16 connector). 3rd party controller supports seems way better on the RF as well. Original Sega SLS controllers (Saturn style USB controllers) work out of the box, while they don't on the GX. Getting a 8bitdo M30 to run is also manageable.
Most important of course, the SOC in the Retofreak is obviously way more powerful than the one in the GX, despite being almost 10 years older. On the RF all PCE titles run with a completely stable 60fps and there are absolutely no frame drops (unless they were present on vintage PCE hardware already). On the GX and with more taxing titles you really have to expect frame drops during gameplay quite literally all the time. As a nice bonus SuperGrafx titles like Aldynes or Daimakaimura run on the RF as well, while the GX only supports basic PCE titles.
The Retrofreak allows for a pixel perfect 3x integer scaled image. While this results in an aspect ratio a little to narrow for most titles, it gets rid of any kind of shimmering and allows for easy forwarding of the video signal to a video processor like the RT4K, OSSC Pro or Morph for applying some kind of pixel shader. Other video modes on the RF produce a lot of shimmer, but so they do on the GX also unless you enable that awful smoothing filter.
The only gameplay feature available on the GX that's not available on the RF is a neat rewind function. On the RF we only get save states. But then again other features like using translation patches and being able to do a quick buttom remap are very welcome. And let's not forget that the RF of course also plays GB/GBC/GBA/FC/SNES and GEN/MD cartridges.
My last session with the Retrofreak has been many many years ago, but I have to admit that it aged really well (way better than expected) and declasses the new Retron GX in almost every aspect. When ordered from Amazon JP the Retrofreak is about 50 EUR more expensive than the GX.
Cyber Gadget did at one point release a SFC only version of the Retrofreak. Same base unit but with only a SFC dumper included instead of the bulky multi-system dumper. If they released the same thing just with a small PCE HuCard dumper added to the base unit (which itself is about the size of a pack of cigarettes) at the same price point as the Retron GX, they'd have a brilliant little PCE HuCard player.
PS:
Not much to add to the newer reviews. The drops in framerate are very obvious in nearly every game, especially if you got a direct comparison, either to running the games on original hardware or using literally ANY other emulator out there or just by knowing your games very well. After getting the GX (and being quite disappointed) I went through some boxes to find my old Retrofreak. Found is, hooked it up, updated it to a more recent firmware (from 2019 or so) and gave it a little spine. Here are my impressions in direct comparions to the "new" Retron GX.
There has been nearly a DECADE between the releases of these two machines. If I recall correctly the first Retrofreak units were made available in Japan in late 2015. I think I got mine in early 2016. Despite the GX being nearly 10 years younger, the Retrofreak excels in almost every category
The HuCard slot feels better on the Retrofreak. Easier to insert and remove cards and without the need to point out that older HuCards might not work or might have to be pulled out a few mm before they can be run (as it says on Hyperkin's website). Games on the RF load considerably faster. The RF cuts the time required for dumping down to a fragment of the time required on the GX, probably taking 5-6 seconds for a full dump. If there's a micro SD card present in the RF, it will dump your HuCard to the SD card and you will no longer require the actual HuCard to play your game (just like on the Polymega). The Retron GX on the other hand nearly takes a full 20 seconds per boot and won't save your dumps permanently. Compatibility on both is great. Hyperkin mentioned two titles that won't run, but then again both machines even run titles like M2's 8mbit Salamaner upgrade directly from card.
The original Retrofreak controller is way better than what's included with the GX. And if you buy a RF today (on Amazon JP) it comes with a controller adapter already, so you can use original PC Engine controllers (of course with the japanese connector (same as the one as on the American Turbo Duo) instead of the large TG16 connector). 3rd party controller supports seems way better on the RF as well. Original Sega SLS controllers (Saturn style USB controllers) work out of the box, while they don't on the GX. Getting a 8bitdo M30 to run is also manageable.
Most important of course, the SOC in the Retofreak is obviously way more powerful than the one in the GX, despite being almost 10 years older. On the RF all PCE titles run with a completely stable 60fps and there are absolutely no frame drops (unless they were present on vintage PCE hardware already). On the GX and with more taxing titles you really have to expect frame drops during gameplay quite literally all the time. As a nice bonus SuperGrafx titles like Aldynes or Daimakaimura run on the RF as well, while the GX only supports basic PCE titles.
The Retrofreak allows for a pixel perfect 3x integer scaled image. While this results in an aspect ratio a little to narrow for most titles, it gets rid of any kind of shimmering and allows for easy forwarding of the video signal to a video processor like the RT4K, OSSC Pro or Morph for applying some kind of pixel shader. Other video modes on the RF produce a lot of shimmer, but so they do on the GX also unless you enable that awful smoothing filter.
The only gameplay feature available on the GX that's not available on the RF is a neat rewind function. On the RF we only get save states. But then again other features like using translation patches and being able to do a quick buttom remap are very welcome. And let's not forget that the RF of course also plays GB/GBC/GBA/FC/SNES and GEN/MD cartridges.
My last session with the Retrofreak has been many many years ago, but I have to admit that it aged really well (way better than expected) and declasses the new Retron GX in almost every aspect. When ordered from Amazon JP the Retrofreak is about 50 EUR more expensive than the GX.
Cyber Gadget did at one point release a SFC only version of the Retrofreak. Same base unit but with only a SFC dumper included instead of the bulky multi-system dumper. If they released the same thing just with a small PCE HuCard dumper added to the base unit (which itself is about the size of a pack of cigarettes) at the same price point as the Retron GX, they'd have a brilliant little PCE HuCard player.
PS:
not possible due to the way the Retron GX works. There's no direct access to what's happening on the HuCard/Everdrive during playback. The roms gets dumped and the HuCard slot isn't accessed in any way once the game's running.If it gets "jailbroken" to support Krikzz's Turbo Everdrive Pro, it'd truly have the ability to play the CD-Rom2, Super CD-Rom2 & Arcade CD-Rom2 based games as well. We'll see what happens.
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PC Engine Fan X!
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Re: Hyperkin "Retron GX" review....
The Hyperkin Retron GX is on sale on the Woot site (owned by Amazon) for a mere $74.99 usd until the end of 12/02/2025 with a 25% off discount: https://electronics.woot.com/offers/hyp ... nt_wp_6_54
Is certainly better than paying the original MSRP of $99.99 at launch.
PC Engine Fan X! ^_~
Is certainly better than paying the original MSRP of $99.99 at launch.
PC Engine Fan X! ^_~
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fernan1234
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Re: Hyperkin "Retron GX" review....
Even for 20 dollars it wouldn't be worth it. Has Hyperkin even made anything good before?
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PC Engine Fan X!
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Re: Hyperkin "Retron GX" review....
Finally ordered a Hyperkin Retron GX console with a 25% off discount and fired it up today. It comes with a Hyperkin branded TurboGrafx-16 based controller (it's this one listed here minus the TG-16 to PCE controller adapter: https://stoneagegamer.com/specialist-co ... ngine.html), a multi-switching 100v-240v AC adapter rated at 5v @ 1000mAh (you can use a portable power bank in lieu of supplied AC adapter if so desired to power up the Retron GX -- how cool is that?) and a supplied HDMI cable.
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The TurboGrafx-16 Mini controller that's usb-based and came supplied with the NEC TurboGrafx-16 Mini console released by Konami Holdings back in 2020 can be used with the Retron GX console as it has two on-board USB ports in addition to two of the larger 8-Din type of TG-16 stylized controller input interfaces. If you have a handy PCE to TG-16 controller adapter lying around, you can use the more readily available PC Engine based gamepads, arcade sticks (namely the PCE based "Hori Fighting Stick PC" with built-in rare & OOP (out of production) Seimitsu LS-33 short-throw arcade stick is legendary among the PCE gaming cult crowd along with the Micomsoft "XE-1Pro HE" arcade stick are considered the best two world-class PCE based arcade sticks that money can buy nowadays, especially in brand new condition), mouse and wireless gamepads such as the 8Bido PCE/TG-16 wireless controllers with a USB2PCE "Controller Adapter" dongle setup or by using the supplied usb receiver dongle if you'd like to do so without the pesky and bothersome game controller wires to contend/deal with.
The 1st-party released NEC TurboGrafx-16 based Turbo Stick (that NECHE sold in the USA back in 1990) with built-in Slow Motion & fully adjustable auto-fire via sliding pentiometer slider switches functionality can be used on the Retron GX just as well.
The Polymega Turbo controller listed here can be used with the Retron GX using a PCE to TG-16 controller adapter: https://www.amazon.com/Polymega%C2%AE-T ... 195&sr=1-2
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Four save state banks are available at your disposal If you want to resume a PCE or TG-16 gaming session at a later date.
I tried out three TurboGrafx-16 Turbo Chip based games of Alien Crush, Devil's Crush and Air Zonk on the Retron GX console and they all booted up just fine without any problems whatsoever. You can use the cheaper PC Engine & TurboGrafx-16 reproduction Hu-Card & Turbo Chip games sold off of Etsy (without breaking the bank on your wallet or purse for that matter) with the Retron GX like the uber-rare TTI version of "Magical Chase" that Turbo Technologies Incorporated sold stateside back on 12/31/1993 making it and the TTI version of "The Legend of Hero Tonma" to be the very last two official TG-16 Turbo Chip games to be released in the USA.
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Upon booting up the TTI TurboChip of Air Zonk on the Retron GX, it's only a mere scant six seconds from the initial Hyperkin Title screen to the Air Zonk Copyright screen prompts (I timed it using a stopwatch on my chronograph watch setup) -- quite quick and snappy as it should be. If you remove the Air Zonk cart during mid-game/game demo cycling, the screen will revert back to the Hyperkin screen prompts again leading me to deduce that the Retron GX really does need said TurboChip or Hu-Card left inserted in the cart slot at all times to load/access the next section of the game program data on a "needed basis type of deal" rather than load the entire game in one fell swoop type of situation -- it could be that Hyperkin has endowed the newest Retron GX consoles out on the market with the latest firmware specs for faster booting/loading times (although it doesn't mention what revision firmware is currently installed on the menu screen prompts). Hmmm.....fascinating but true.
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If you want to play a 5-player session of PCE/TG-16 Bomberman, Bomberman '93, Bomberman 93' Special, Bomberman '94, Moto Roader, Moto Roader II and Lode Runner, a 5-player endowed PCE multi-tap, TurboGrafx-16 based Turbo Tap or even the 8Bitdo PCE/TG-16 Mini multi-tap accessory can be used on the Retron GX -- just be sure to have five dedicated PCE, TG-16 or PCE/TG-16 based 8Bitdo gamepads and you're in business, multi-player style-wise! It's quite a hoot to play a 5-player session of PCE Bomberman '94 especially nowadays!
The awesome 3rd-party Micomsoft manufactured "XE-1Pro HE" arcade stick already has four additional PCE mini 8-Din controller ports to hook up four more PCE game controllers (thus making it a very handy multi-tap setup as it is) so a multi-tap isn't necessary if it's used on a Retron GX (which is a viable option to consider with the previously mentioned PCE/TG-16 based multi-player game titles) -- just use a PCE to TG-16 controller adapter and you're good to go in that respective department.
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A scanline filter can be applied to your current game loaded up but results in a drastically darker screen if implemented -- you'd have a better scanline filter setup enabled if you use an external SLG device instead of the one used on-board with the Retron GX (but your mileage may vary in doing so).
Scaling is at 1280 x 720p considering it's displayed on-screen via the Retron GX GUI screen when the Retron GX is first powered up to boot up an inserted game.
Sure, it's better to go with a dedicated PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 console with a KriKzz Turbo Everdrive v2.5 or Turbo Everdrive Pro v2.0 flash cart + EDFX add-on setup but at least with a Retron GX setup, it's an entry-level PCE/TG-16 gaming console at best (despite it's shortcomings of like not being able to play any of the upgraded SuperGrafx Hu-Card titles or even the CD-Rom2, Super CD-Rom2 or Arcade CD-Rom2 based gaming titles afforded with a Turbo Everdrive Pro setup indeed). It is what it is in being a basic PCE/TG-16 console via emulation with just Hu-Card & TurboChip game playing capability at best.
PC Engine Fan X! ^_^
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The TurboGrafx-16 Mini controller that's usb-based and came supplied with the NEC TurboGrafx-16 Mini console released by Konami Holdings back in 2020 can be used with the Retron GX console as it has two on-board USB ports in addition to two of the larger 8-Din type of TG-16 stylized controller input interfaces. If you have a handy PCE to TG-16 controller adapter lying around, you can use the more readily available PC Engine based gamepads, arcade sticks (namely the PCE based "Hori Fighting Stick PC" with built-in rare & OOP (out of production) Seimitsu LS-33 short-throw arcade stick is legendary among the PCE gaming cult crowd along with the Micomsoft "XE-1Pro HE" arcade stick are considered the best two world-class PCE based arcade sticks that money can buy nowadays, especially in brand new condition), mouse and wireless gamepads such as the 8Bido PCE/TG-16 wireless controllers with a USB2PCE "Controller Adapter" dongle setup or by using the supplied usb receiver dongle if you'd like to do so without the pesky and bothersome game controller wires to contend/deal with.
The 1st-party released NEC TurboGrafx-16 based Turbo Stick (that NECHE sold in the USA back in 1990) with built-in Slow Motion & fully adjustable auto-fire via sliding pentiometer slider switches functionality can be used on the Retron GX just as well.
The Polymega Turbo controller listed here can be used with the Retron GX using a PCE to TG-16 controller adapter: https://www.amazon.com/Polymega%C2%AE-T ... 195&sr=1-2
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Four save state banks are available at your disposal If you want to resume a PCE or TG-16 gaming session at a later date.
I tried out three TurboGrafx-16 Turbo Chip based games of Alien Crush, Devil's Crush and Air Zonk on the Retron GX console and they all booted up just fine without any problems whatsoever. You can use the cheaper PC Engine & TurboGrafx-16 reproduction Hu-Card & Turbo Chip games sold off of Etsy (without breaking the bank on your wallet or purse for that matter) with the Retron GX like the uber-rare TTI version of "Magical Chase" that Turbo Technologies Incorporated sold stateside back on 12/31/1993 making it and the TTI version of "The Legend of Hero Tonma" to be the very last two official TG-16 Turbo Chip games to be released in the USA.
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Upon booting up the TTI TurboChip of Air Zonk on the Retron GX, it's only a mere scant six seconds from the initial Hyperkin Title screen to the Air Zonk Copyright screen prompts (I timed it using a stopwatch on my chronograph watch setup) -- quite quick and snappy as it should be. If you remove the Air Zonk cart during mid-game/game demo cycling, the screen will revert back to the Hyperkin screen prompts again leading me to deduce that the Retron GX really does need said TurboChip or Hu-Card left inserted in the cart slot at all times to load/access the next section of the game program data on a "needed basis type of deal" rather than load the entire game in one fell swoop type of situation -- it could be that Hyperkin has endowed the newest Retron GX consoles out on the market with the latest firmware specs for faster booting/loading times (although it doesn't mention what revision firmware is currently installed on the menu screen prompts). Hmmm.....fascinating but true.
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If you want to play a 5-player session of PCE/TG-16 Bomberman, Bomberman '93, Bomberman 93' Special, Bomberman '94, Moto Roader, Moto Roader II and Lode Runner, a 5-player endowed PCE multi-tap, TurboGrafx-16 based Turbo Tap or even the 8Bitdo PCE/TG-16 Mini multi-tap accessory can be used on the Retron GX -- just be sure to have five dedicated PCE, TG-16 or PCE/TG-16 based 8Bitdo gamepads and you're in business, multi-player style-wise! It's quite a hoot to play a 5-player session of PCE Bomberman '94 especially nowadays!
The awesome 3rd-party Micomsoft manufactured "XE-1Pro HE" arcade stick already has four additional PCE mini 8-Din controller ports to hook up four more PCE game controllers (thus making it a very handy multi-tap setup as it is) so a multi-tap isn't necessary if it's used on a Retron GX (which is a viable option to consider with the previously mentioned PCE/TG-16 based multi-player game titles) -- just use a PCE to TG-16 controller adapter and you're good to go in that respective department.
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A scanline filter can be applied to your current game loaded up but results in a drastically darker screen if implemented -- you'd have a better scanline filter setup enabled if you use an external SLG device instead of the one used on-board with the Retron GX (but your mileage may vary in doing so).
Scaling is at 1280 x 720p considering it's displayed on-screen via the Retron GX GUI screen when the Retron GX is first powered up to boot up an inserted game.
Sure, it's better to go with a dedicated PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 console with a KriKzz Turbo Everdrive v2.5 or Turbo Everdrive Pro v2.0 flash cart + EDFX add-on setup but at least with a Retron GX setup, it's an entry-level PCE/TG-16 gaming console at best (despite it's shortcomings of like not being able to play any of the upgraded SuperGrafx Hu-Card titles or even the CD-Rom2, Super CD-Rom2 or Arcade CD-Rom2 based gaming titles afforded with a Turbo Everdrive Pro setup indeed). It is what it is in being a basic PCE/TG-16 console via emulation with just Hu-Card & TurboChip game playing capability at best.
PC Engine Fan X! ^_^