RETRO
When Retrogaming meets modern technology
The retro-bit Super Retro Trio arrived in the post this
morning. Sick of the delays with the RetroN5, I cancelled my preorder at the
weekend after the word got out that the console would not be reaching the UK
before September and found this alternative in stock at funstock.co.uk at the
very tempting price of £69.99 a full £50 cheaper than its competitor.
morning. Sick of the delays with the RetroN5, I cancelled my preorder at the
weekend after the word got out that the console would not be reaching the UK
before September and found this alternative in stock at funstock.co.uk at the
very tempting price of £69.99 a full £50 cheaper than its competitor.
The cheaper price tag, however does mean less in the way of
features. No save states or built-in cheat systems, no HDMI output. I wasn’t
interested in the former, and I can live with AV/S-video through my SCART
connector. So what do you get for your money? Here’s what the official blurb
says:
features. No save states or built-in cheat systems, no HDMI output. I wasn’t
interested in the former, and I can live with AV/S-video through my SCART
connector. So what do you get for your money? Here’s what the official blurb
says:
Supports NES/SNES/MEGADRIVE/GENESIS
Compatible with original and third party controllers
PAL / NTSC / PF / NJ Region Switch
What you get is quite a nice looking console, it feels a bit
light and cheap but hey – it was cheap! I have the silver and black model,
there is also a red and black version. The top of the unit sports 3 cartridge
slots from the back coming forward – NES, SNES and Megadrive/Genesis, in front
of these are a reset switch and a power/slot selection switch.
light and cheap but hey – it was cheap! I have the silver and black model,
there is also a red and black version. The top of the unit sports 3 cartridge
slots from the back coming forward – NES, SNES and Megadrive/Genesis, in front
of these are a reset switch and a power/slot selection switch.
On the front a push releases the cover for the controller
ports, here you can plug in original controllers 2xNES, 2xSNES and
2xMegadrive/Genesis. The 2 included controllers plug into the 9 pin Megadrive
ports but are shaped like SNES controllers just to keep you on your toes! 😉
ports, here you can plug in original controllers 2xNES, 2xSNES and
2xMegadrive/Genesis. The 2 included controllers plug into the 9 pin Megadrive
ports but are shaped like SNES controllers just to keep you on your toes! 😉
The bundled controllers are actually very decent and for
that reason will probably see a fair amount of use, the buttons and d-pad give
a very similar feel to those on my original controllers. Also behind this front
cover is a selector switch for the controllers in use and a region switch for
Megadrive/Genesis games for those with region protection. As mentioned there is
a cover/door so you can unplug your controllers and close it up to keep things
looking all neat and tidy when not in use.
that reason will probably see a fair amount of use, the buttons and d-pad give
a very similar feel to those on my original controllers. Also behind this front
cover is a selector switch for the controllers in use and a region switch for
Megadrive/Genesis games for those with region protection. As mentioned there is
a cover/door so you can unplug your controllers and close it up to keep things
looking all neat and tidy when not in use.
Finally round back there are the DC in socket, S-video and
A/V ports. The provided power adaptor has a US plug but does not require a step
down converter and an UK adapter was provided for me.
A/V ports. The provided power adaptor has a US plug but does not require a step
down converter and an UK adapter was provided for me.
My TV had some issues with the video signal through the A/V
(this is not exclusive to the SR3 – I’ve had this issue in the past) so I use a
cheap A/V+S-Video to SCART adapter and it works fine for me.
(this is not exclusive to the SR3 – I’ve had this issue in the past) so I use a
cheap A/V+S-Video to SCART adapter and it works fine for me.
Now, the big question – compatibility! I don’t have a huge
pile of carts to test especially on the Nintendo side of things so here’s what
I have tried all work unless otherwise specified.
pile of carts to test especially on the Nintendo side of things so here’s what
I have tried all work unless otherwise specified.
M6 cart (Sega Soccer, Columns, Super Monaco GP, Revenge of
Shinobi, Sonic, Streets of Rage) so far played Sonic, Revenge of Shinobi and
Super Monaco GP
Shinobi, Sonic, Streets of Rage) so far played Sonic, Revenge of Shinobi and
Super Monaco GP
Streetfighter 2 Special Champion Edition
Lemmings
Track and Field 2 (PAL version)
That’s all I’ve tested on it so far I’m afraid, I need to
acquire some more NES and SNES games to try out but it seems to be fine with
every Megadrive game I’ve thrown at it. There is also a Super Retro Advance
Adapter (sold seperately) that allows you to play GBA games as well.
acquire some more NES and SNES games to try out but it seems to be fine with
every Megadrive game I’ve thrown at it. There is also a Super Retro Advance
Adapter (sold seperately) that allows you to play GBA games as well.
In conclusion I’d say it’s really good value for what you
pay, it looks nice and doesn’t look out of place under the TV, the controllers
are decent, it might not have all those fancy features or HDMI but it is
available now and cheap enough to be
worth a shot.
pay, it looks nice and doesn’t look out of place under the TV, the controllers
are decent, it might not have all those fancy features or HDMI but it is
available now and cheap enough to be
worth a shot.
Originally posted by gamesyouloved.blogspot.com
