We are at the brink of another console war, with the next-next generation of systems, aka the PS4 and Xbox 720, on the way. Technically, one is already with us right now, the Wii U. Yet many out there are still interested in the past.
And for those looking for a new way to play old games… specifically, a new machine to play old games… then the Retron 4 is something worth investigating.
Announced earlier today, it's the latest all in one system to come from Hyperkin, and will debut at this year's Midwest Gaming Classic at the Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield Hotel in Brookfield, Wisconsin, which takes place on Saturday, March 23.
The RetroN 4 will most a whopping number of cartridge slots, four in total. Because the machine will play Nintendo Entertainment System games, Super Nintendo Entertainment System games, Sega Genesis games, and also Game Boy Advance games.
On top of all that, there will be two controller ports for each system, as to allow players to utilize the original inputs for each system. Which means you can use your old NES, SNES, and Genesis controllers. Though it remains to be seen how GBA controls will be handled, given that inputs were actually on the machine itself.
Even without the GBA input, that's a whopping six different controller ports. Plus, it will have HDMI output, to allow the system to interface with modern sets.
All in one game machines are nothing new; there are plenty of clones on the market today that play classic games, and some even do double duty. But quadruple duty is somewhat of a first.
One main issue with such machines is how much of the hardware is actually emulated in software. As a result, the visual and audio output is not quite up to snuff with the original counterparts. So it'll be interesting to see how the RetroN 4 fares, especially when attached to a HD set, in which every blemish is impossible to ignore.
Hyperkin didn't release images of what their new machine looks like. They're waiting for the Midwest Gaming Classic to make the big unveil. But given what we know of it, there's plenty for avid Photoshoppers to chew on.
