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

Drclaw411

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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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Pre-Orders are BACK UP for both colors on Amazon.  The price is back to $99.99.  I checked my order and it directs to that page and my price is still at $80.16 (which is after tax).  

http://www.amazon.com/Hyperkin-Inc-RetroN-Not-Machine-Specific/dp/B00DZIX394/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1390926122&sr=8-3&keywords=retron+5

There was an interview (link below) and one of the questions stated that they dont believe they will be able to meet demand on day 1.  Also, they dont have pre-order #'s from Amazon either.

http://www.the-gamers-lounge.com/ryan-johnson/2014/1/25/retron5-interview-with-paul-leung-from-hyperkin

 
Pre-Orders are BACK UP for both colors on Amazon. The price is back to $99.99. I checked my order and it directs to that page and my price is still at $80.16 (which is after tax).

http://www.amazon.com/Hyperkin-Inc-RetroN-Not-Machine-Specific/dp/B00DZIX394/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1390926122&sr=8-3&keywords=retron+5

There was an interview (link below) and one of the questions stated that they dont believe they will be able to meet demand on day 1. Also, they dont have pre-order #'s from Amazon either.

http://www.the-gamers-lounge.com/ryan-johnson/2014/1/25/retron5-interview-with-paul-leung-from-hyperkin
Thanks!

 
Im wondering if they dropped the prices on those who ordered FIRST no Amazon.  There is no LAUNCH DAY bundle like a PS4 or X1 to differentiate them.  SO by doing this (in correlation with the delays and being nice) it was to say these people get it first and this new availability preorder is for the 2nd batch and after.

Just a guess

 
OP updated with new info. I wish there was more clarification on what "not enough to meet demand on day one" meant. Does that mean not all of the initial batch or preorders will be fulfilled on day one? Or does it mean this new batch of preorders may not be fulfilled on day one? Or does it just mean that there will be none available for non preorderers?
 
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OP updated with new info. I wish there was more clarification on what "not enough to meet demand on day one" meant. Does that mean not all of the initial batch or preorders will be fulfilled on day one? Or does it mean this new batch of preorders may not be fulfilled on day one? Or does it just mean that there will be none available for non preorderers?
Yeah I agree. That would be the ultimate troll though...

"Hey guys... as a token of our appreciation we are going to lower the preorder cost per unit for earlier preorders to $71.xx"

Release day

"Sorry guys... we don't have enough units to fulfill all preorders so unfortunately we're going to have to cancel your order (at reduced price) but feel free to place a new order at MSRP when they come back in stock!"

 
Yeah I agree. That would be the ultimate troll though...

"Hey guys... as a token of our appreciation we are going to lower the preorder cost per unit for earlier preorders to $71.xx"

Release day

"Sorry guys... we don't have enough units to fulfill all preorders so unfortunately we're going to have to cancel your order (at reduced price) but feel free to place a new order at MSRP when they come back in stock!"
Id be pissed. I have mine ordered on Sep 14th which if I am not mistaken was the first day on Amazon.

 
Amazon will usually honor that price regardless. I remember people being able to get Dragons Crown for $30 even after Atlus released the game at $50 because they had preordered before the publisher changed.
 
Amazon will usually honor that price regardless. I remember people being able to get Dragons Crown for $30 even after Atlus released the game at $50 because they had preordered before the publisher changed.
I could care less about the $20. Im just more curious about getting it day 1. Was given about 20 retro games as an early bday gift over the weekend.

 
I'm the author of the article. I cleaned up the answers a bit in order to make it readable, but my understanding is that they have enough to cover the preorders, this is why Amazon cut it off in the first place. Who knows how long it will be, though, before they are 100% just "there" for retail.

If you like the writing, we have a Facebook and Twitter profile to follow...search The Gamers Lounge to find us! :) We are refugees from GoozerNation, and are looking to make a name at the new site. 

 
Nice to see some life from this situation. However, after reading that article, it sounds like the new Amazon Pre-Orders may be empty promises. Don't think I am going to make the jump yet, since right now it seems this second batch of Pre-Orders won't make it out at launch anyways.

 
He's put a solid effort into my communications with him. I will try to write him an email and get an answer for you guys.

 
Ordered a black one on Amazon. Will have to see the shipping estimates if/when Hyperkin decides on a release date. I'm assuming there is probably a pre order queue since they sold out several times in the past. Keeping my Newegg pre order too until then.

 
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Hyperkin Paul works in a completely different department, so he does not have access to the talking Amazon robots. All RetroN 5 units sold on Amazon will be fulfilled.
Like · 4 hours ago


That is from hyperkin's facebook page. It still doesn't specify if the orders will be fulfilled day one, but it's probably the best we are going to get.
 
I will probably turn this into another article, but Paul is open to more questions. Here's what I asked so far, what do you have you need to know?

[SIZE=8pt]1) Amazon is back up! Yay! But people are worried: Do you have enough stock to cover the already ordered ones?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Yes, I was somewhat mistaken in my answer. The truth is, we really do not have a live person of contact at Amazon. But we do know the preorder numbers. There will not be any shortage for consumers who pre-ordered on Amazon.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]My reference to an impending shortage is related to B2B sales. I will not have enough units to satisfy wholesale demand. What we refer to as channel inventory.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=8pt]2) With Amazon back up, is there a more nailed down release date? And once that date hits, do you feel your company will keep up supply?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]I am forbidden from giving an updated release date. From a business perspective, the amount of damage from two delays is much worse than a number of consumers who demand answers. Can you imagine if I gave a third date and that was also delayed? We would have to barricade our doors from angry mobs.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]As for supply. That will not be an issue for consumers.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=8pt]3) People who already ordered are getting information that their price has dropped to somewhere in the $70 range. Is this your doing or Amazons? The retail still says $99.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]I have no idea. Our wholesale price to Amazon remains static, no clue as to why the retail price would fluctuate.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt](Keep an eye on the Gamer's Lounge for this to be an article, along with any more questions you ask.)[/SIZE]

 
One question I'm interested in is about compatibility. If a game is not recognized by the system, will it still play? What I mean is, from the screen shots and videos we know the system can tell what rom it's getting from the cart. It shows the name of the game and allowed you to access cheats for that game, etc. But suppose I put in a cart whose rom the console doesn't recognize. Obviously it won't display the name or have access to cheat codes, but will the game itself still be able to be played?


A few more...

There are a few versions of the power base converter, different models to work with different versions of the genesis console. Will any of those models work with the retron 5? Or is it a specific version?

People have been able to hook up a famicom disc system to a retron 3. Will the 5 be compatible as well?

Will game boy carts with rumble packs fit in the retron 5 gameboy slot?

Will retron 5 controllers be sold separately?

Will homebrews function on the console (kind of ties in with my first question)?

Will gameboy game sharks be useable with the console?
 
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They have said if a game does not work they will put out updates to the system so make them work but the update is done via a usb device to the console. So I guess that just means you download the update on the computer and plug it in.

On their Facebook page they have said April 2014 as a release date...so hopefully that is correct as the owner of the page said that was the month.

They have said controllers will be sold but they have not announced a price for them.

Homebrews might be able to work but they are not allowed to say as I believe those are technically illeagal.

They own gameshark so that might give cheats to all games...this will be a program on the console itself.

 
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One question I'm interested in is about compatibility. If a game is not recognized by the system, will it still play? What I mean is, from the screen shots and videos we know the system can tell what rom it's getting from the cart. It shows the name of the game and allowed you to access cheats for that game, etc. But suppose I put in a cart whose rom the console doesn't recognize. Obviously it won't display the name or have access to cheat codes, but will the game itself still be able to be played?


A few more...

There are a few versions of the power base converter, different models to work with different versions of the genesis console. Will any of those models work with the retron 5? Or is it a specific version?

People have been able to hook up a famicom disc system to a retron 3. Will the 5 be compatible as well?

Will game boy carts with rumble packs fit in the retron 5 gameboy slot?

Will retron 5 controllers be sold separately?

Will homebrews function on the console (kind of ties in with my first question)?

Will gameboy game sharks be useable with the console?
From what I understand, the Retron 5 is emulation-based. Preliminary, possibly incorrect sources state that it dumps the ROM off the game to memory and plays in that manner. That would probably render the Power Base Converter useless. It was sort of a fluke that recent clones (like SNES-to-Genesis) were able to run the PBC, usually something trips it up along the way.

 
From what I understand, the Retron 5 is emulation-based. Preliminary, possibly incorrect sources state that it dumps the ROM off the game to memory and plays in that manner. That would probably render the Power Base Converter useless. It was sort of a fluke that recent clones (like SNES-to-Genesis) were able to run the PBC, usually something trips it up along the way.
Hyperkin has already confirmed PBC compatibility. In fact that's why the slot was added to the back--it just doubles as a controller holder.
 
Just got an email from amazon saying that as the item has not been released they will update me when it gets a release date...so I guess we still might have some time.

I did see Hyperkin say April 2014 on their facebook page so that is the month I'm looking forward to.

 
Just got an email from amazon saying that as the item has not been released they will update me when it gets a release date...so I guess we still might have some time.

I did see Hyperkin say April 2014 on their facebook page so that is the month I'm looking forward to.
Amazon's system automatically sends those out for items that do not have a release date... which includes you know what.

 
When I get it I'll probably get black as the grey one is two-toned black and grey, not completely grey, whereas the black is completely black.

 
I finally caved and put my pre-order in for a black version...I had been on the fence since I already have a RetroDuo, but this looks/sounds like it should be amazing, especially with HDMI and everything.

 
They really need to add n64, game gear, 32x and jag :)

In for retron 20.
Im surprised that game gear isnt on it at all. Was there a cartridge that went into the genesis to play game gear games like the SNES had one for gameboy games? That would solve that issue. N64 patent ends in 2016 or 2021. They are usually 20 or 25 year patents. SO it will be a while. I have a few AWESOME retro stores near me that have tons of games for each gen. I may just get a 64.

Was thinking of getting the neo geo X, the updated version I hear is alot better.

 
Was there a cartridge that went into the genesis to play game gear games like the SNES had one for gameboy games?
Technically, it probably could. The hardware of the Game Gear was effectively based off of Sega's first home console, the Master System. Via the PowerBase converter, the Genesis was able to play Master System games. And the Retron 5 is going to be compatible with the PowerBase converter. With the proper pin-out wiring converter, you could probably play Game Gear games on the Retron 5.

It's easy to understand why they wouldn't bother providing native support though. They only need one slot to enable support for GameBoy, GameBoy Color, and GameBoy Advance games, which in total have an enormous catalog. They would require a separate slot for Game Gear, which had a much smaller library available to it.

 
Software Update via USB and add on Cart for the Genny slot sold by them for $20? And we get GG support! Make it happen!

 
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just pre ordered black. I have all my old systems hooked up but it will be nice to get them in HDMI for once. I can also use the extra space lol. 

 
Didn't want one at first, since I still have all the systems it plays, but now.....  if it only played Sega CD!!! :lol:

 
Technically, it probably could. The hardware of the Game Gear was effectively based off of Sega's first home console, the Master System. Via the PowerBase converter, the Genesis was able to play Master System games. And the Retron 5 is going to be compatible with the PowerBase converter. With the proper pin-out wiring converter, you could probably play Game Gear games on the Retron 5.

It's easy to understand why they wouldn't bother providing native support though. They only need one slot to enable support for GameBoy, GameBoy Color, and GameBoy Advance games, which in total have an enormous catalog. They would require a separate slot for Game Gear, which had a much smaller library available to it.
Game Gear has a larger color palette than the Genesis.

 
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