RetroN 5 $129.99 with free shipping @ ThinkGeek - The RetroN 5 deals thread

Drclaw411

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CURRENT DEALS:

$129.99 with free shipping at ThinkGeek


Important Information
​Warranty registration - http://www.retron5.com/warrantyregistration_/
Patch Notes / How to Update (Last update 6/10/2014) - http://retron5.in/?src=98f13708210194c475687be6106a3b84

I've included the text from the pre-order era of this OP in spoilers for reference.
UPDATE 5/27/14: It's real this time. Hyperkin's June 6 release date is happening. Many mom and pop stores that have received their units have started selling them already, and many people who have ordered from Amazon (myself included) are reporting getting emails from Amazon notifying them that their orders qualify for release day delivery and are updating estimated delivery status to June 6th, no longer showing the "we need more time" placeholder. It's worth noting that so far only people who have ordered the grey unit from Amazon are receiving order updates (which coincides with Hyperkin reporting on their facebook page that they had shipped Amazon's grey preorder units, but Amazon had yet to place an order for the black units). All consoles that have been shown off online by reviewers, people who have been able to buy them before the street date, or Hyperkin themselves have all been grey consoles to this point. No word on black consoles. Another note: Chris Gallizzi of Hyperkin responded to an inquiry about Newegg orders by saying that he is not aware of any issues with Newegg's preorders, and they should be good to go for the launch.

UPDATE 5/22/14: Just one day after IGN and Polygon reported that Hyperkin would begin shipping units to retailers on May 22 (today as of this writing), Hyperkin essentially confirmed that. They have announced that the launch date for the long overdue RetroN 5 is June 6th, 2014. In a much quieter fashion (just by responding to a random person's comment) they confirmed this would be for North America only and that the console would launch in the UK in September. There is also one more small hitch. The rumor that the first batch of units would be only for mom/pop B&M retailers and that NO units from this batch would go to Amazon or Newegg has been gaining some serious steam. While Hyperkin has been responding to a decent amount of comments on their facebook page from excited fans, they continue to ignore questions about when Amazon orders will ship. So it seems those of us who preordered on Amazon still don't have a solid release date. Fulfillment could happen any time between June 6th through September or beyond.

UPDATE 5/21/14: IGN today reported that the RetroN 5 would begin shipping out on May 22 (tomorrow, as of this writing)! This coincides with Chris Gazzilli, Hyperkin's project manager, posting a picture on his facebook page of a massive shipping container full of RetroN 5 units. Ladies and Gentlemen, it seems hell may have just frozen over.

UPDATE 5/13/14: Hyperkin has listed the RetroN 5, and it's controllers, on their company wholesale store for authorized retailers to buy. The console (both colors) and controllers (both colors) are listed as sold out. I'm not sure if they were in stock and sold out quickly, or if they haven't been made available yet. Regardless, it's good news that the system is listed for the first time ever. Additionally, reviewers such as GameSpot and several youtube reviewers have received their review units, which appear to be retail units. The RetroN 5 seems to finally be around the corner. We'll see, but things look promising right now. One thing to note: the listing for the console on Hyperkin's wholesale page indicates that each wholesale box contains six units. If this is the case, it would seem to debunk the previous report of the console being shipped in quantities of four per retailer.

UPDATE 4/25/14: While this hasn't technically been confirmed by Hyperkin, I take it as fact. It's worth remembering that NOTHING has been officially confirmed by Hyperkin. Hyperkin has remained silent until unofficially confirming almost all known info in random interviews with various youtubers and forum members. Therefor, again, I take this as fact:

I spoke to Hyperkin today.

Here are the "unofficial" details.

The "end of May" release is a "soft" release. Meaning they really are waiting for the next batch due in the summer for the official real release. Amazon is NOT getting any of the units released at the end of May. Each retailer is only getting 4 units. Retail on the unit is $139.99 and $39.99 for the additional controller. The reasons for the price increase are both cosmetic and technical but if it works as it should then it should be a great retro system.

Our 4 are already taken with pre-orders. If you know any stores locally that are getting units, and you want one for end of May, then i suggest you contact them and put money down. Keep in mind that each store is getting 4 units only for the soft launch.
UPDATE 4/17/14: Hyperkin has increased the price of the RetroN 5, saying "north of $100, between $129.99 and $149.99". Alll pre-orders from Amazon should be honored via their pre-order price guarantee. I believe Newegg has the same guarantee, I am not sure about Stone Age Gamer or 8 Bit Classics. Think Geek still hasn't opened pre-orders on the unit, instead offering a link to be signed up for email notifications as to when it will be available. Also on the Amazon front, they have sold out or pre-orders. Furthermore, it is more likely you'll learn the ETA from Amazon, Newegg, or whoever you ordered it from. Hyperkin has gone on record of saying they will never again announce a hard release date for anything.

UPDATE 4/12/14: After Hyperkin denied the console was delayed again and vigoruosuly shoved the month of April up everyone's ass for half a year, today they delayed the vaporware console yet again. At the Midwest Gaming Classic, they did their annual presentation. They ignored the planned April 2014 release, but finally somebody in the crowd asked about it. The Hyperkin rep said it was releasing in "30 days, guaranteed". This is not the first time they used the word "guaranteed", last time was about April so this doesn't mean jack shit. So maybe it'll randomly show up at people's houses at the end of may, maybe it wont, and maybe my ass will fly out of my ass.

Retron 5 Delay History:
-Summer 2013 (which they continued to say after summer was over, claiming they meant "Indian Summer" or "California Summer"....i'm not making this up)
-December 10 2013
-Quarter 1 2014
-Quarter 2 2014
-First two weeks of April
-April 2014, guaranteed
-Gauranteed within 30-40 days of April 12, 2014
-June 6 2014

DELAYED. ANY UPDATES FROM HYPERKIN WILL COME ON THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/HyperkinGames

UPDATE: In a recent interview, Hyperkin confirmed that the initial batch of units WILL NOT BE ENOUGH to meet day ome demand. Also confirmed was the ability for the system to act as a multitap. Example: in a four player SNES game, two players could use snes controlles, one player could use the retron controller, and one player could use a genesis controller. Interview can be found here.


Pre-order at Amazon (SOLD OUT)
Pre-order at Newegg: Black (SOLD OUT) or Grey (SOLD OUT)
Pre-order at Stone Age Gamer (DUE TO HIGH DEMAND, RELEASE DAY DELIVERY NOT PROMISED)
Pre-order at 8 Bit Classics (DUE TO HIGH DEMAND, RELEASE DAY DELIVERY NOT PROMISED)





UPDATE: Hyperkin claims that they opened up some packaged retail units and discovered some units had faulty pins. because of this, the Retron 5 has been delayed. No new release date has been announced, although Hyperkin has stated the unit will release in 2014 and that they are aiming for Q1. This is the Retron 5's third delay.

EDIT: Preorders are sold out at Amazon and Newegg.

Retron5 pre-orders have finally (about damn time) opened.

For those of you who have been following this console, you know it's quite highly anticipated and looks to be far better than any clone system released before.

For those unfamiliar, here's a little info:

  • It's one system that plays games for the following systems: NES, SNES, Genesis, Mega Drive, Famicom, Super Famicom, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance.
  • Two controller ports for each console will be built in with the system. It will also come with one wireless universal controller.
  • Outputs in HDMI and upscales for HDTVs. Early impressions and videos of this have been extremley postive. From the website: "The RetroN 5 will up convert the video signal to show clearer and cleaner images, with vibrant colors on an HDTV with a resolution output of up to 720p through the use of shaders. You will also be able to select the aspect ratio in our GUI, from the standard 4:3 to the HD ratio of 16:9."
  • Features a user interface (dashboard. Somewhat similar of the PS3 interface in appearance, in my opinion).
  • Features save states. From the website: "Most games did not allow for you to freely save your games. The RetroN 5 will allow you to save their games at any point during gameplay, and will feature an autosave feature upon shutdown. You will be able to load your saves at anytime during gameplay."
  • Button reassignment supported. From the website: "Users will be able to program the controller to assign buttons to their preference. In turn, the RetroN 5 will save these custom layouts, so that users will not have to constantly reconfigure the button configuration. This feature will also be available to people wanting to remap their buttons on their original controllers."
  • 100% game cartridge compatibility, without lag.
  • Sega Power Base Converter compatible, allowing Sega Master System games to be played.
More information is here. It may be a bit dated since this was from back when they first announced the console, but I figured it was the best site to link since it also featured some screenshots as well. http://hyperkin.com/blog/2013/03/retron-5-details-revealed-from-the-midwest-gaming-classic/ There is also plenty of info on Hyperkin's facebook page.

I've been looking forward to this for a long time, and i'm extremley excited that pre-orders are finally open. For one console that not only plays all of these console's games, but upscales them and features save states (either to the cartridge (if supported) or the console itself)...this seems like a great deal. And if you've been following the hype for the console, there is a good chance it could end up selling out. Hyperkin isn't a huge company and this thing has a TON of pre-release demand (just check out the comments on the facebook page). I like the look of the black one a bit better, because it seems to be the traditional console color nowadays. But I opted for the grey model because the black console and controller seem like they'd be fingerprint magnets.

Preorder either color here at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hyperkin-RetroN-Gaming-Not-Machine-Specific/dp/B00DZIX3CQ/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1378958043&sr=8-13&keywords=retron+5 or here at Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=retron%205&N=-1&isNodeId=1&RandomID=65244712392254220130925161655

Here are pictures of the two consoles, since the pictures on Amazon aren't that great:

Grey:
Retron-5.jpg


Black:
e3_retron5_03550.jpg

 
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I need to return one of mine too. I bought one from AZ and one from Newegg and since they don't have serial numbers I can't differentiate between which is which. I paid the ~$79 price for the Amazon unit and retail from Newegg.

I would prefer to exchange it for a working unit but it's my understanding that Hyperkin makes you pay return postage and then sends and open box "tested" unit back. Is that still correct?

 
I need to return one of mine too. I bought one from AZ and one from Newegg and since they don't have serial numbers I can't differentiate between which is which. I paid the ~$79 price for the Amazon unit and retail from Newegg.

I would prefer to exchange it for a working unit but it's my understanding that Hyperkin makes you pay return postage and then sends and open box "tested" unit back. Is that still correct?
The open box part is correct from the one email I was sent and I assume the return postage part is as well because I at least got that far and the rep didn't mention anything about sending a return slip.

 
Sad to say that I have to return mine for a refund to Amazon. I paid 79$ for it but the NES controller port 1 did not work and Hyperkin replied to my email telling me to send them a picture of my recipet and I did that but 10 days have passed and they never replied even ith me replying again looking for a reply. So I'm getting my money back but if I want another I'll have to pay full price just because Hyperkin is slow as hell. Odds are I won't buy another and just keep it up with my original consoles for now.

Edit: Maybe they didn't reply because I got mine for the original price so they are just avoiding me?
I'm so pissed, I finally plugged mine last night, and none of the top loader games work (NES,SNES,Genesis), every time I try one game I get a "Multiple cartridges inserted" error, GBA worked fine. Called tech support and they told me to check for bent pins, which that was the case, and now I have to return it.

fuck that console, I might wait another year before I buy another one to make sure everything is fixed.

 
Got lucky at a local card/video gaming shop the other day.  Not only did they have a gray R5 they were doing b2g1f on everything so along with the R5 I got a Blue Pokemon X/Y 3ds XL and the Borderlands Vita for $370 total.

 
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Yeah, no kidding... that's ridiculous that the store is having deals on hardware. 

My local mom & pop places basically don't do anything better than buy 4, get 1 free on used games. 

 
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I've had my Retron5 for about two months now with no issues whatsoever.  I was playing Ghostbusters for the NES (crap, I know)but it was working fine.  I shut it off for a few hours and came back to it but now the Retron says unknown cartridge.  I tried a bunch of other games I had.  Both Genesis and SNES slots recognize the games but every NES game I put in says unknown cartridge.  I don't understand how it was working fine earlier but now it's crapped out.

 
I've had my Retron5 for about two months now with no issues whatsoever. I was playing Ghostbusters for the NES (crap, I know)but it was working fine. I shut it off for a few hours and came back to it but now the Retron says unknown cartridge. I tried a bunch of other games I had. Both Genesis and SNES slots recognize the games but every NES game I put in says unknown cartridge. I don't understand how it was working fine earlier but now it's crapped out.
Seems like a lot of people had that issue. I think I remember some saying it worked after they reset the system.

 
i would think they might never ever restock. just filling out backorders, i ordered mine on 3/25 and just got it this week, i ordered a black one.
Business 101: I have a product I can't keep on shelves because the demand is high so I'll just stop ordering more to be made because I don't want to make money and be able to pay the employees who work for me and be a successful businessman.

 
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Business 101: I have a product I can't keep on shelves because the demand is high so I'll just stop ordering more to be made because I don't want to make money and be able to pay the employees who work for me and be a successful businessman.
problem is hyperkin can't keep up with the demand of this system. especially from amazon, i ordered it march and just got it, im surprised amazon didn't cancel the order after a couple months. just my opinion ;)

 
does anybody have update 1.5 for the retron5 or a link for a mirror for it? retron5's update online is down and i wanted to update to 1.5 from 1.31. Thanks

 
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Bent pins on my Genesis port.  The death grip continued after I stopped using the Retron5 for a couple weeks.  Have to send it all back to get the warranty replacement.

If this replacement breaks, I'm going to cut my losses and sell the replacement. 

The hardware is just not good.

 
Bent pins on my Genesis port. The death grip continued after I stopped using the Retron5 for a couple weeks. Have to send it all back to get the warranty replacement.

If this replacement breaks, I'm going to cut my losses and sell the replacement.

The hardware is just not good.
Mine had bent pins on the NES port, got another one that was defective as well. The hardware itself is really bad, I asked for my money back and wait until it gets a price drop and perhaps i'll give it another shot.

 
Now that there's a small availability, is it worth getting now or should I wait until they fix things?
personally I'm waiting til closer to Christmas and hope unlike the last few promises they follow through and lower the price back down to the original price once more stock pop up since they said the price hike would only be temporarily
 
RetroN 5 is available on ThinkGeek right now! Black and Grey available.
dam, $139.99, how were these $79 on amazon? price mistake? thats wholesale price

sounds like theres is too many "launch" issues with this guy, best to wait for version 2 or even 3 and for the supply to catch up because the price is way up there and too risky with the amount of units that become defective after a few months

 
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dam, $139.99, how were these $79 on amazon? price mistake? thats wholesale price

sounds like theres is too many "launch" issues with this guy, best to wait for version 2 or even 3 and for the supply to catch up because the price is way up there and too risky with the amount of units that become defective after a few months
$79.99 was an early estimate that Amazon honored for pre-orders

 
dam, $139.99, how were these $79 on amazon? price mistake? thats wholesale price

sounds like theres is too many "launch" issues with this guy, best to wait for version 2 or even 3 and for the supply to catch up because the price is way up there and too risky with the amount of units that become defective after a few months
Before Hyperkin announced a price for the system, Amazon guessed that $79 was the price, and put up the preorder. It backfired when Hyperkin announced the price at $139
 
Not exactly. It was originally listed at $99.99 when the first batch of preorders went up. At some point it was marked down to $76.19 so everyone's orders were adjusted from the preorder price guarantee.
This is the correct post. They were listed at $99, got dropped (for a short time) to the $7X price and then later adjusted to the MSRP.

 
Heads up: they have the beta of the 2.0 update available for download if anybody wants it.
I tried it out a few weeks ago. I like the improved loading of the carts but it disabled some game cheats. I cant wait for the official release, thought it would be by now.

 
So are they ever going to restock these things?
They came back in stock at ThinkGeek one or two times (once recently in the last week or so).

I just had to send a unit back to Hyperkin (on my dime.... yay) and my RMA number was 3,xxx. Could mean nothing or it could be the ~ 3,000th unit they've had to replace so I'd imagine a lot of inventory is being withheld to fix the faulty one they originally sent out

 
Judging by the way they never re-designed the RetroN 3, or it's controllers, you may be waiting a long time.
I feel like even if they did re-design it, a lot of early adopters would be pissed.

Frankly, I'm hoping they do one with N64 capabilities though that might still be few years away (20 years from original release).

 
I feel like even if they did re-design it, a lot of early adopters would be pissed.

Frankly, I'm hoping they do one with N64 capabilities though that might still be few years away (20 years from original release).
If they did anything with the Retron 5 for the N64, it would almost certainly be some sort of adapter. If they released another console with an N64 slot, my guess is it's either a stand alone for the 64 (Retron 64) or one that adds the 64 to what the Retron 5 already has (Retron 6). I'd be shocked if they re-designed the console with N64 and called it a Retron 5 redesign.

Honestly, I'm not sure what the deal is with death-grip pins on clone consoles. It's not like it's just the Retron series. In fact, I may be wrong, but I'm not sure if ANY clone has ever been able to avoid that problem. Why the hell do they manufacture the pins so stupidly tight?

 
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Even when you buy connectors on eBay to replace the broken ones in your NES they come with extremely tight pins. I guess that is just how they make them these days.
 
Not sure how many in stock, but was just able to order one from ThinkGeek.  Black, luckily.

I can't post links until I have 3 posts, but just search Retron 5 on ThinkGeek.

 
Mine is still working fine. No bent pins yet. But I have really only used the GB slot after the initial few weeks.

One thing I did notice, though, was if the controller is somewhat low on battery, it will not work correctly. The joystick doesn't completely respond. It sort of gives the illusion that it's partially broken.

 
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I think they will redesign it because on the update info screen on the console there is a hardware revision 1.0 and unless I'm missing something that will only change with a redesign. I'm glad mine had an issue so I returned it because I can wait for another release...and even if they don't do one the quality was not as high as I was expecting on the console.

 
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