Retro Duo Review
On my quest to find a back up NES console,i snagged a retro duo.
Since i dont have a SNES.
I figured this was a bargain getting NES and SNES compatibility for $40.(if it works)
Plus be able to play imports.
As i test out cartridges ill post my results.
Comes in black/red and white/blue.
I preferred the white.
Pics
----
[URL=http://img292.imageshack.us/my.php?image=retroduo2yn6.jpg][IMG]http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/1399/retroduo2yn6.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://img204.imageshack.us/my.php?image=retroduomz8.jpg][IMG]http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9688/retroduomz8.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://img375.imageshack.us/my.php?image=portsou2.jpg][IMG]http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/4673/portsou2.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[url=http://kotaku.com/343432/hands+on-with-the-retro-duo-the-nessnes-hybrid]kotaku Gallery[/url]
Build quality
------------
Plastic shell is ridgid on the console and game pads.
However its extremely light and might be prone to cracks if dropped or took a good hit.
You will want to pick up a genuine SNES pad.
While the included pads are sufficient.
The buttons are a bit too springy for my taste and the Y X buttons don't have the dimple.
Plus the SNES cord is a foot and half longer.
Carts fit snuggly and release effortlessly.
My cables were missing for some reason.
I expect they will be cheap ones that normally come with hardware.
[b][u]NES Test[/b][/u]
Im using a westinghouse 27" LCD TV.
Also another thing to note is the condition of your carts can vary performance.
If the cart is dirty or heavily worn you will net less than stellar results.
Clean them carts with a cotton swab with a dab of alcohol.
Keep cleaning until you see no more dirt on the swab.
My copy of dragon warrior 2 works.
Varied sources on the net claim castlevania 3 works.
The true test will be seeing if it plays river city ransom.
Video
-----
Color is a tad washed out and bright.
Can be made to look better with some adjustment to your tv.
Might be a my entertainment center set up.
But i did notice small vertical lines in the video output.(interference?)
Audio
-----
A slight hum through audio on the NES and SNES playback.
I suspect the power supply,like other consoles clones they need more shielding.
Music playback is off on some games also.
NES test conclusion
-------------------
Its sufficient,however don't expect the same quality image and sound as a good clean official NES.
Shame NES didnt have stereo though.
However it can be somewhat emulated, depending on your home theater rig.
[b][u]SNES Test[/b][/u]
First off,i dont have the real deal to compare.
Starfox and other games that dont work on other clones are supposed to work on this one.
I dont currently have any FX chip enabled carts to test.
However over time i will rebuild my collection.
Also cart condition will vary performance.
I managed to snag the super star wars trilogy and a few others that were still sealed.
You would be shocked at image quality from a used P.O.S. rental cart to a brand spanking new one.
Video
-----
With good quality cables colors are rich and sprites are clear.
Only to be even more improved with S video.
Still a small amount lines are in the image.
Unnoticeable though once you start playing.
Which is the reason i suspect PSU shielding,because the SNES pin is seated on the front of the console and NES pin is in the back beside the PSU.
Sound
------
To my abused ears,i noticed nothing wrong except for the light hum from the PSU. :mad:
However its only noticeable at low volume.
Overall Conclusion
------------------
If you really cant get a decent used NES and SNES or on a budget.
Id recommend it.
[b][u]Game Compatibility Test[/b][/u]
This is a list of what i confirmed myself with my collection.
Also some of these are used hard.
Over time ill add more.
[code]
NES
----
Bionic Commando (yes)
Dragon warrior 2 (yes)
Faxanadu (yes)
Ledgend of the Wizard (yes)
Solitice (yes)
Tetris (blank screen)
SNES
-----
Equinox (yes)
Drakken (yes)
Megaman X (yes)
Illusion of Gaia (yes)
Super Star Wars (yes)
Super Empire Strikes Back (yes)
Wizardry 5 (cant change settings)
[/code]
Since i dont have a SNES.
I figured this was a bargain getting NES and SNES compatibility for $40.(if it works)
Plus be able to play imports.
As i test out cartridges ill post my results.
Comes in black/red and white/blue.
I preferred the white.
Pics
----
[URL=http://img292.imageshack.us/my.php?image=retroduo2yn6.jpg][IMG]http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/1399/retroduo2yn6.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://img204.imageshack.us/my.php?image=retroduomz8.jpg][IMG]http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9688/retroduomz8.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://img375.imageshack.us/my.php?image=portsou2.jpg][IMG]http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/4673/portsou2.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[url=http://kotaku.com/343432/hands+on-with-the-retro-duo-the-nessnes-hybrid]kotaku Gallery[/url]
Build quality
------------
Plastic shell is ridgid on the console and game pads.
However its extremely light and might be prone to cracks if dropped or took a good hit.
You will want to pick up a genuine SNES pad.
While the included pads are sufficient.
The buttons are a bit too springy for my taste and the Y X buttons don't have the dimple.
Plus the SNES cord is a foot and half longer.
Carts fit snuggly and release effortlessly.
My cables were missing for some reason.
I expect they will be cheap ones that normally come with hardware.
[b][u]NES Test[/b][/u]
Im using a westinghouse 27" LCD TV.
Also another thing to note is the condition of your carts can vary performance.
If the cart is dirty or heavily worn you will net less than stellar results.
Clean them carts with a cotton swab with a dab of alcohol.
Keep cleaning until you see no more dirt on the swab.
My copy of dragon warrior 2 works.
Varied sources on the net claim castlevania 3 works.
The true test will be seeing if it plays river city ransom.
Video
-----
Color is a tad washed out and bright.
Can be made to look better with some adjustment to your tv.
Might be a my entertainment center set up.
But i did notice small vertical lines in the video output.(interference?)
Audio
-----
A slight hum through audio on the NES and SNES playback.
I suspect the power supply,like other consoles clones they need more shielding.
Music playback is off on some games also.
NES test conclusion
-------------------
Its sufficient,however don't expect the same quality image and sound as a good clean official NES.
Shame NES didnt have stereo though.
However it can be somewhat emulated, depending on your home theater rig.
[b][u]SNES Test[/b][/u]
First off,i dont have the real deal to compare.
Starfox and other games that dont work on other clones are supposed to work on this one.
I dont currently have any FX chip enabled carts to test.
However over time i will rebuild my collection.
Also cart condition will vary performance.
I managed to snag the super star wars trilogy and a few others that were still sealed.
You would be shocked at image quality from a used P.O.S. rental cart to a brand spanking new one.
Video
-----
With good quality cables colors are rich and sprites are clear.
Only to be even more improved with S video.
Still a small amount lines are in the image.
Unnoticeable though once you start playing.
Which is the reason i suspect PSU shielding,because the SNES pin is seated on the front of the console and NES pin is in the back beside the PSU.
Sound
------
To my abused ears,i noticed nothing wrong except for the light hum from the PSU. :mad:
However its only noticeable at low volume.
Overall Conclusion
------------------
If you really cant get a decent used NES and SNES or on a budget.
Id recommend it.
[b][u]Game Compatibility Test[/b][/u]
This is a list of what i confirmed myself with my collection.
Also some of these are used hard.
Over time ill add more.
[code]
NES
----
Bionic Commando (yes)
Dragon warrior 2 (yes)
Faxanadu (yes)
Ledgend of the Wizard (yes)
Solitice (yes)
Tetris (blank screen)
SNES
-----
Equinox (yes)
Drakken (yes)
Megaman X (yes)
Illusion of Gaia (yes)
Super Star Wars (yes)
Super Empire Strikes Back (yes)
Wizardry 5 (cant change settings)
[/code]
Total Comments 3
Comments
-
Shit damn, not sure if I want to fork out $40 with no guarantees.Posted 03-17-2008 at 04:21 PM by Superczar 
-
I figured ill write my own review.
Because all thats out there are previews.
Except a few youtube videos.
I dont think anyone really sat down and gave any of these a good testing and thorough review.
But to do that would be a lot of work.
If you want a NES,i really think your better off buying and repairing your own if you want perfection.
Theres still some classics that will never end up wii's virtual console.Posted 03-18-2008 at 06:42 AM by Llama Gibbz
Updated 03-18-2008 at 06:47 AM by Llama Gibbz -
More SNES games i got to test and had no problem.
Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
Flashback
Out of this worldPosted 12-23-2008 at 12:45 PM by Llama Gibbz
