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

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$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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There is still no update on black consoles? Something seems messed up here. I can wait patiently for mine; but an update from Hyperkin would be appreciated so we at least know if we're talking weeks or months in delay here. 

 
There is still no update on black consoles? Something seems messed up here. I can wait patiently for mine; but an update from Hyperkin would be appreciated so we at least know if we're talking weeks or months in delay here.
I'm in the same boat as you. If they told me "weeks," I probably wouldn't believe them anyway.

 
Got an update saying I was upgraded to release day delivery for 6/6.  For the consensus, I ordered a gray one in January of this year and have prime.

 
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There is still no update on black consoles? Something seems messed up here. I can wait patiently for mine; but an update from Hyperkin would be appreciated so we at least know if we're talking weeks or months in delay here.
It would be nice of Hyperkin to say something about this issue, since they claimed they sent black consoles to Amazon as well. But they seem to be content with doing everything possible to hurt their reputation at every turn.

 
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Got the June 6th delivery email from Amazon today too. Nice to see January orders getting bumped up now as well. Hopefully those of you that ordered black consoles are next.
 
Got the June 6th delivery email from Amazon today too. Nice to see January orders getting bumped up now as well. Hopefully those of you that ordered black consoles are next.

Yep, my grey January order got bumped to 6/6 (Prime member)...
I'm really jealous of you guys. The console I preordered with Prime on September 13, 2013 still doesn't have a delivery estimate. I'm happy though for you guys who will be playing your Retron 5's in a few days even though you preordered about four months after me. :D

Why in the mother of all fuck did I preorder a black console? :wall: I'd happily purchase a grey console at this point.

 
I'm really jealous of you guys. The console I preordered with Prime on September 13, 2013 still doesn't have a delivery estimate. I'm happy though for you guys who will be playing your Retron 5's in a few days even though you preordered about four months after me. :D

Why in the mother of all fuck did I preorder a black console? :wall: I'd happily purchase a grey console at this point.
to be fair if they knew there was going to be a huge delay of black ones especially if it going to be months then they should of done the following: all the black preorders that was purchased before a certain time be contacted and notified of the delay with the option to keep the original black pre order and ride the delay out or be able to switch to the gray one causing that pre order to be bump up higher in the shipping queue ahead of those who ordered later as a courtesy for hyperkin mistake.
 
to be fair if they knew there was going to be a huge delay of black ones especially if it going to be months then they should of done the following: all the black preorders that was purchased before a certain time be contacted and notified of the delay with the option to keep the original black pre order and ride the delay out or be able to switch to the gray one causing that pre order to be bump up higher in the shipping queue ahead of those who ordered later as a courtesy for hyperkin mistake.
That would have been great. I'm not in love with the black console I preordered anyway. I just thought I'd get that one because it would match all of my next gen and current gen consoles. I'd be ecstatic to have the grey and purple console on June 6th (especially for $76.19). Hopefully it's only a short delay. I actually wouldn't be too bad if it's only a month or so. If it's any longer, that would definitely piss me off.

 
Somebody just posted on Hyperkin's facebook page that they had contacted Hyperkin directly and been informed that the next wave will not ship until September.
 
That would have been great. I'm not in love with the black console I preordered anyway. I just thought I'd get that one because it would match all of my next gen and current gen consoles. I'd be ecstatic to have the grey and purple console on June 6th (especially for $76.19). Hopefully it's only a short delay. I actually wouldn't be too bad if it's only a month or so. If it's any longer, that would definitely piss me off.
I was going to do the same but decided on the Grey for tradition.

 
Well, I guess I'll check back with this thread in September. Although Sept. is unconfirmed, I can't say I am surprised... this is a company whose main form of customer support is their f'n facebook page!

 
Well, I guess I'll check back with this thread in September. Although Sept. is unconfirmed, I can't say I am surprised... this is a company whose main form of customer support is their f'n facebook page!
Which is total BS.
With as hot as this system is, they should be in full production.

 
Ug...more waiting? :wall:

I guess if there's any upside it's that, given the Android nature of the system, it'll likely be rooted and running custom code by then.

 
My date is Sept 17th and as I stated a few pages ago I have 6/6 release date delivery.  We were told (on Hyperkins FB PAge by Hyperkin and Chris GAlizzi) that extra controllers woujld be available for launch.  I have yet to see extra ones available ANYWHERE.

 
I just got off a chat with Amazon CS.

Christyle: I can see here that our fulfillment center is still in process for the inventory of this item.
                I will coordinate with our fulfillment center for the inventory of this item for you to get this as soon as possible.
 
I guess it could mean that the black consoles have not been processed yet. I guess it would depend on how many grays were sent. Had I known how much trouble it would be to get a black one I would have just ordered a gray. O'well, just set back and wait I guess.
 
I just got off a chat with Amazon CS.

Christyle: I can see here that our fulfillment center is still in process for the inventory of this item.
I will coordinate with our fulfillment center for the inventory of this item for you to get this as soon as possible.

I guess it could mean that the black consoles have not been processed yet. I guess it would depend on how many grays were sent. Had I known how much trouble it would be to get a black one I would have just ordered a gray. O'well, just set back and wait I guess.
Maybe I should call them as well.. thank you!

 
Just contacted them right now.. this is a transcript of the chat

Me:Hello, I placed the order ##################### Months ago.. and with the release date being 3 days away.. I am curious as there have been any updates.
The System is set for release on June 6th
Just intime for my birthday

Pradip: I have checked the item is not yet released and once its released you will receive the information with the delivery date.

Me:The item's release date is June 6th. Which is why I asked

Pradip:I have updated the shipping method to one day at no extra cost.
Guaranteed Delivery Date: Friday, June 6, 2014
please check your order page

Me:Thank you sir.

Pradip:you are most welcome.

So, I think I'll be getting it on Friday... but I am not sure.

 
Just contacted them right now.. this is a transcript of the chat


Me:Hello, I placed the order ##################### Months ago.. and with the release date being 3 days away.. I am curious as there have been any updates.
The System is set for release on June 6th
Just intime for my birthday


Pradip: I have checked the item is not yet released and once its released you will receive the information with the delivery date.


Me:The item's release date is June 6th. Which is why I asked


Pradip:I have updated the shipping method to one day at no extra cost.
Guaranteed Delivery Date: Friday, June 6, 2014
please check your order page


Me:Thank you sir.

Pradip:you are most welcome.

So, I think I'll be getting it on Friday... but I am not sure.
A black one?
 
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Somebody just posted on Hyperkin's facebook page that they had contacted Hyperkin directly and been informed that the next wave will not ship until September.
Well I AM the CEO and I say they will ship in the next 2 months not 3!

...

I wouldn't put once ounce of credence into what some random person posts on Facebook. It could be true, but there's no way someone would know that without being in on the inside. Didn't they say they shipped black units to Amazon too? Although I can't imagine Amazon hasn't been able to receive them by now, they process and ship thousands of products every day. There's no way these things shouldn't have been all processed through by now, right?

 
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Well I AM the CEO and I say they will ship in the next 2 months not 3!

...

I wouldn't put once ounce of credence into what some random person posts on Facebook. It could be true, but there's no way someone would know that without being in on the inside. Didn't they say they shipped black units to Amazon too? Although I can't imagine Amazon hasn't been able to receive them by now, they process and ship thousands of products every day. There's no way these things shouldn't have been all processed through by now, right?
Yes, Chris from Hyperkin said they shipped black units with the grey ones. But not a single person with a black preorder has had an order update yet (that I have seen). So who knows?
 
Yes, Chris from Hyperkin said they shipped black units with the grey ones. But not a single person with a black preorder has had an order update yet (that I have seen). So who knows?
If you really read into that he didn't say they did ship black ones only there was a chance they did.
 
If you really read into that he didn't say they did ship black ones only there was a chance they did.
Haha, technically you are correct. He said there is a chance which is almost worthless. There's a chance I'll be struck by lightning immediately proceeding my posting this. It's slim to none but there is a chance....

 
Haha, technically you are correct. He said there is a chance which is almost worthless. There's a chance I'll be struck by lightning immediately proceeding my posting this. It's slim to none but there is a chance....
Well I did ask if there was a chance but I would think if there wasn't any packed with it he would have said no. There are some other posts from him on twitter where he said there were black consoles shipped.
 
Just got a shipping update on my grey version I ordered on January 31 for June 12. Not a prime member and expecting the 6 day wait to be from the free shipping I selected.
 
I pre-ordered a Grey one back in March. They just sent me a delivery estimate for the 6th (I'm a Prime member and got the free shipping). So, if you ordered anytime before March and haven't received an email yet, I'd contact them about it.
 
I pre-ordered a Grey one back in March. They just sent me a delivery estimate for the 6th (I'm a Prime member and got the free shipping). So, if you ordered anytime before March and haven't received an email yet, I'd contact them about it.
That's what I did.

When did you get your email.

 
Somebody just posted on Hyperkin's facebook page that they had contacted Hyperkin directly and been informed that the next wave will not ship until September.
:wall: :wall: :wall: :wall: :wall: :wall: :wall: :wall: :wall: :wall: :wall: :wall: :wall: :wall: :wall:

On September 13, 2013... why did I think ordering a black Retron 5 was a good idea? I don't know what I was thinking. Grey is looking really good to me right now.

 
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I ordered a black one on September 15th, no confirmation for me either.

I feel your pain! The grey ones do look good since the black ones are using that very shiny plastic that is a magnet to dust and fingerprints. Oh well, I ordered black because all of the consoles on my shelf are black, so I needed it to match.

 
[quote name="Marbles" post="11812141" timestamp="1401838976"]Call them?
Or Chat.[/quote]I'm actually happy about the estimated delivery on the 12th for me since I will be out of town towards the end of the week. Not going to bother with trying to get it adjusted just in case it doesn't get here till after I leave.
 
I have a pending charge on my credit card from Amazon for $76.19. Gray unit ordered on 9/12/13.

The delivery estimate is June 6 and I'm a Prime member, so in theory it should ship today. We shall see!
 
This is ridiculous.  How can it be that no one knows whether or not this one SKU has been received by Amazon or will be shipped on time with the other one?  SOMEONE has got to know what's going on in this siuation.  I don't care if my black one (ordered January 2014) comes Friday or next week but I'd just like to know WHEN.  Not encouraging...

 
I chatted with them late yesterday evening and they changed my expected delivery date to June 6th. BTW, i preordered mine on Jan 31st. (Prime Member). I got the grey one

 
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