[quote name='Invicta 61']If the Retron 3 is anything like the Yobo consoles you won't get much use out of it. Those things are pure garbage, I ran across someone that bought one new and it was having problems within a month.
As far as emulators go, I think it depends on what generation you are. I grew up with the NES and when I tried an emulator, I just didn't enjoy it as much. Maybe it was the familiarity with the controls or just enjoying memories of childhood. With the younger group that didn't have the NES, PS1 or whichever console I could see why it would not matter.[/QUOTE]
i've had a retro duo and they were pretty awful. what made the retro duo awful was the nes slot. the contacts grip really really tight and it will be damaged overtime. what tends to happen is that the cartridge slot rips out [contacts pop out]. the snes was good as it had a softer grip on the cartridge.
with the retron 3, it had a milder grip. when pushing and pulling the nes cartridges, i notice that it takes less effort than with the retro duo. but it does have a nice grip on the cartridges. the snes slot is the same with the retro duo and the genesis is no different but with a stronger grip than the snes. i've had the retron 3 for about 3-4 months. the wireless controllers are crap but the ports are great.
i initially bought the retro duo because i only wanted the nes and snes console combo since i already own a genesis. however, when i notice the problem mentioned above with the retro duo, i looked else where for a solution. the alternative solution that came close to a retro duo was the retron 3. i avoided the yobo because of the many amazon users who were complaining about it. however, many seem to like the retron 3, so i jumped on it. the only problem with the retron 3 is of course the hardware problem, lock out chips and other enhancement chips that nintendo implemented.
if you're really going to be a purist, don't be surprise to pay a lot of money because you'll be paying for the box and manual and it's rarity. good luck with the turbo graphx 16 and you'll know what i'm talking about when you decide to collect it.
if you're looking for a sega genesis system, make sure it's the first version of the genesis, a model 1. look at the back of the genesis and see if there is a port that looks like a vga port [please note that it's not a vga port]. also note that on the circular portion of the cartridge slot, there should be a slogan that says "high definition graphics". the purpose of getting the model 1 is the purpose of being a purist. with the model 1, you can mod the console to output stereo composite and svideo. this is what it will look like when it's modded,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H8NuyZxNYY . here is where you can find modding information,
http://www.damomonster.com/Mod_Pages/SegaMegaDrive.html .
for wireless controllers, you should look for either the original sega released wireless 6 button controller or the one made by docs, which is a 6button controller as opposed to the 3 button controller.
you can buy a power base converter for the model 1 genesis, a master system add-on for the genesis. for complete, i don't know the price expected to pay. but if it's loose less than $40.
a sega 32x system should cost you about the same price as a power base converter with no box or manual.
if you're not interested in the power base converter or the 32x but an all in one sega cd+genesis solution than you can go and look for a jvx x'eye or the sega cdx.
in terms of the condition of a sega genesis cart, make sure the label is not faded of course. make sure the labels are still intact to the cartridge [no loose corners of the labels]. make sure the labels aren't darkish or has darkish spots. make sure the labels are bright and colorful and not dark toned. cartridge contacts maybe dusty and that's okay but make sure they are not corroded or rusted. be sure to check out all available manuals for the game, certain games have colored manuals and certain games do not. castlevania bloodlines for the genesis have both a colored and black/white manual. make sure you get the one you'd like. not all genesis games are in plastic boxes, some are in hard carboard boxes [electronic arts] and some in soft carboard boxes [sega]. phantasy star 3 is not highly rated, so don't pay so much for it. don't forget to check to see if the posters are included. a game like xmen 1 for the genesis includes a poster/map. make sure it is included or find one that has one. only phantasy star 2 and phantasy star 3 do they have a map/poster.
with any cartridge games, make sure it can save. if it can't, you'll need to replace the batteries. so make sure you buy yourself a screwbit for the genesis, nes and snes. here is how to replace the battery,
http://www.jjgames.com/page/replace-snes-battery .
an original nes complete , action set with super mario 1 and duck hunt should cost around $80-120.
with an nes cartridge, shake the cartridge to see if you hear any noise [rattleing]. if you hear noise, it means the cartridge holder is damage. get your money back or ask for a reduced price. every nes game should have it's own slip cover [either a nintendo brand or a non nintendo brand]. some games include maps, so make sure they are included if you buy games that have them. pirates is one of those games.