An interesting bit of tech for old-school console lovers - the Retrode

[ASilver76]

I just thought I'd give everyone a head's up on an interesting bit of tech I've run across called the retrode.

Basicly, it's a usb-compatable dual slot interface for SNES and Genesis games, that also has adaptors that allow it to interface with GBA, N64, TG-16, Atari 2600 and Virtual Boy carts (others are in the works). The new version (Retrode 2, currently in development) also includes built in games ports for both SNES controllers (x2) and Genesis controllers (x2). The guy who makes them *is* the company, and everything is hand-assembled. It also seem so have a great developer community supporting it. I'm thinking that the Retrode would make an awesome component for people who want to build a system that uses authenic carts (or multicarts). Something retro-stylish, y,know.

Anyway, here's a link to the site:  http://www.retrode.org/

Enjoy!

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

It's been mentioned a couple of times, mostly in console->pc mods (though neither project ended up using it):
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=109634.msg1163057#msg1163057
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=107220.msg1136360#msg1136360

I'm still waiting to see someone set up a console mod with a PC and set windows auto-run to launch the emulator when the cart is inserted.

[Cynicaster]

If all this thing does is feed the program information to an emulator, I guess I'm wondering why I wouldn't just run the ROMs off my harddrive.  Am I missing something?

[HaRuMaN]

The guy who makes them *is* the company

Would that be you?

[gabe]

The guy who makes them *is* the company

Would that be you?

That was my first thought as well.

This post has the distinctive reek of SPAM.

[jimmy2x2x]

The guy who makes them *is* the company

Would that be you?

That was my first thought as well.

This post has the distinctive reek of SPAM.

There is nothing SPAM like about the post at all, he is in the right place talking about the right product.

So what if the poster is the designer, this is widely accepted here.

[HaRuMaN]

So what if the poster is the designer, this is widely accepted here.

If he is, just come out and say it...

Not crap like:

I just thought I'd give everyone a head's up on an interesting bit of tech I've run across called the retrode.

[Ginsu Victim]

Yeah, it's the sneakiness that bugs me.

[HaRuMaN]

Yeah, it's the sneakiness that bugs me.

[gabe]

The guy who makes them *is* the company

Would that be you?

That was my first thought as well.

This post has the distinctive reek of SPAM.

There is nothing SPAM like about the post at all, he is in the right place talking about the right product.

So what if the poster is the designer, this is widely accepted here.

Perhaps I chose my words poorly.

As pointed out, other instances of self promotion on these forums feel more like an open dialog between creator and end user. The perceived sneakiness and lack of transparency in the OP seem... well... kinda spammy.

If ASilver76 is involved with The Retrode, I hope he comes forward. If not, I hope that he will accept my apology for using such sharp language.

[Hoopz]

What makes people think that the OP is the guy behind the Retrode?  He's had two posts so that's pretty low but he registered a while ago and posted something else months ago not related to this product. 

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt until proven wrong. 

A quick search on the Googles showed a user on KLOV in Chicago with the same name while the Retrode guy is in Europe.  Sure, the Retrode guy could have searched KLOV to find a username that is based in the US to throw people off, but I think even X would say that's a stretch to assume. 

I think it's a legit post by someone trying to be helpful.

[jtslade]

The website is registered to a German here in Germany.

His name is Matthias Hullin.

The address is maybe 20mins from my house.

I could call and ask him. But I don't think it's the same guy who made the post, the English to good.


Domain Name:RETRODE.ORG
Created On:05-Jan-2010 09:51:16 UTC
Last Updated On:06-Jan-2011 01:23:43 UTC
Expiration Date:05-Jan-2012 09:51:16 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar:1 & 1 Internet AG (R73-LROR)
Status:OK
Registrant ID:SPAG-32931626
Registrant Name:Matthias Hullin

Registrant City:Saarbruecken
Registrant State/Province:
Registrant Postal Code:66125
Registrant Country:DE

Registrant Email:matthias@hullin.net
Admin Name:Matthias Hullin

Admin City:Saarbruecken
Admin State/Province:
Admin Postal Code:66125
Admin Country:DE

[Hoopz]

If his English is very good, he may not be American either.   

[ChadTower]

So maybe it's his product.  So what?  Not that big a deal.

What I do see is that might be the least useful way to play a console game.  You have to have the cartridge but you also have to use the emulator.  That is the least beneficial combination of parts.  Either own the carts and use the real hardware or use ROM files and the emulator. 

[DaveMMR]

Either own the carts and use the real hardware or use ROM files and the emulator. 

I can see it's usefulness for a couple of scenarios:
a) You have a cartridge with game saves that you can't or don't want to spend time to replicate on a ROM file (and you don't have the console).
b) You have a moral objection towards - or hate digging through infected websites for - ROM files.

Yeah, I'm stretching with the above.  But if the demand for this product is as the author implies, then maybe there's something more to it we're missing?   

[BobA]

Lots of people promote their own products here and that is perfectly fine but I am not sure why I need this one.  Roms are alot easier to store then carts that get dusty/dirty fingers. The OP may not even be the owner of the site so lets not jump to conclusions.     If he was and said he was it would be an OK post as well.

[ASilver76]

Hell, I wish I was the designer. If I was, however, I wouldn't pretend to be some anonymous poster - I've hung around both here and KLOV for far too long to be such an ass. Nor am I (or have I ever been) a shill for any person or product. Frankly, I don't care if anyone choses to buy one or not. I *did* think it was worthwhile telling people about it though (and didn't think to check for threads in the console forum first, natch). And as to why people would want to use one when ROMs can be used with an emulator - have you people actually looked on Youtube? More then one person has decided to build a cart-based multisystem for enjoyment. The problem you see in these builds are twofold: 1) they are almost always rather large and bulky, due to the systems being integrated directly into the frames, and 2) they are limited to one (or at most two) systems to slot games into, due to space constraints. This particular item allows you do ditch the actual console hardware yet retain the slots and connectors, and can be wired (or simply plugged) in as a build component. To me, this seems like a worthwhile innovation.

I also personally think that its a very cool bit of tech, and would have killed for one in the '90 - my Game Doctor sucked in comparison. A buddy also thinks he can use one of these in a Ben Heck-style portable project comvined with an upgraded Sony UX, and that also piques my interest. But neither of these points make the potential usefulness of the Retrode any less true from an objective standpoint.

And finally, in case there's *any* confusion left (confusion? on the BYOAC forums? who've thunk it?), I want to apologize in advance to Matthias Hullin (the actual Retrode creator), in case he gets any spam due to this post from any naysayers. To review: he's in Germany; I'm in Florida. We are not related in any way, shape, or form, nor have we ever met. I'm also *pretty sure* that we're not identical twins accidently separated at birth, due to hair color, body type, and age differences. If someone wants to pay me to fly to Germany and confirm this, however, I'm willing to accept any and all donations (for science!)

[jtslade]

We can drive to his house if you fly over..

Does anyone want an video interview and sit down with the creator?

I need to learn about this device and maybe see what his next project is.

I can call him and see how his English is.. Most all younger people here in Germany have great English.

The review/interview could be posted in consoles. But really shouldn't good original content be placed on the BYOAC home page? Get some web traffic? Just an idea, I have additional ones about online marketing as well.

[ASilver76]

BTW: I just wanted to add that yes, I am an Amelican who can speek goot Amelican Engrish. Well, most of the time at least. (and as long as I have speelcheck, my writing ain't too shabby either ). So to answer the semi-unspoken question in the positings somewhere above, there *are* Americans who can speak the English as good or better then some other first-worlders. I do admit that this numbe isn't exactly large or growing, however.

In an unrelated point, I think that the poster who lives close to Matthias and suggested calling him up to get an interview is a good idea. Original content of this sort in the BYOAC forums is never a bad thing, and who knows? It may even serve to forge a relationship between the him and forum - could lead to discounts, special requests, you name it. Worst case scenario it makes in interesting read. So I say he should go for it.

[ASilver76]

I like to think of it more as "clarification for the really, really, *really* slow". Maybe I should just use all caps next time. Might keep their attention longer.

[Justin Z]

Aww see Jim?  Be nice.  He was being considerate of you.

[syph007]

Looks like a great solution to a problem no one really has.  Fun nerd tech though, but can't see any practical point to it. I have a SNES and about 30 carts.  If I want to play that, I will run the carts on a real SNES. 

[Matthias_H]

Here's the Retrode guy speaking.

1. @ASilver76: I am not the original poster, but, needless to say, I fully endorse this thread because, frankly, the Retrode is a heck of a device :) While I do pop up in random forums from time to time, my shameless plugs are always clearly marked as such.

2. @syph007, If you don't need one, don't get one.

3. @jtslade, [Edit: Issue resolved. Thank you!]

4. @jtslade again, I am German but currently based in Vancouver, BC (until Spring 2013). Always happy to chat!

Cheers,
Matthias

[jtslade]

Matthais,

3. @jtslade, Thanks for posting my mom's private address in this forum, but I'd appreciate if you could remove it. You probably took it from a publically accessible database, but at least, most WHOIS systems are protected against automated readout.

Dude I'm sorry, I pasted that from my Iphone literally while bottle feeding my daughter before she went to bed. I didn't even read it while copying it from a WHOIS database. I have removed the address from the post.
Again,.... tut mir leid.


4. @jtslade again, I am German but currently based in Vancouver, BC (until Spring 2013). Always happy to chat!

Ok let me get some final school work (getting my Marketing BS in less than a month) done. Then I can work out a time to call. I'll work on getting IM-Capture or another Skype video capture software working. Do you have Skype ?


Oh and I'll contact Saint about what his thoughts are about posting some original content on the homepage to generate hits..

[Matthias_H]

Thanks for removing the address!

Ok let me get some final school work (getting my Marketing BS in less than a month) done. Then I can work out a time to call. I'll work on getting IM-Capture or another Skype video capture software working. Do you have Skype ?

Do I hear recorded video chat? Scary But yes, I do have Skype. Terribly busy at the moment (I still need to prepare an exhibit and a talk for SIGGRAPH), but in a month or so - why not? Just contact me via e-mail (details on my homepage). Looking forward to it! Until then, good luck with your school stuff.

Cheers,
Matthias

[ASilver76]

See? Matthias and I be two different people! Fo' realz!

Well, I suppose if nothing else, this thread proves that even a pseudo-flamewar due to a possibly-crappily worded first starting post (I plead the 5th) can have a positive outcome.

Welcome to the BYOAC forums Matthias, and I look forward to hearing/reading a podcast/chatlog from you posted on here soon. And if you ever happen to need a guinea-pig to test and review your latest creation, I humbly volunteer (again, for science!).

[bkenobi]

Doesn't prove anything.  I can create a second account to post with too.

 

[ASilver76]

As the old adage goes: it's not what you say, it's how you say it. Or, in this case how you write it. Anyone can create a second account, true; but not very many people can convincingly sound like two *different* people, even when posting on different topics. Not that I've ever tried to do so, however...(not counting the stage, of course). The bottom line is, everyone has a "tell", so my phliosophy is why even bother? After all, I made no attempt at impersonating anyone else on this thread, and yet look where it ended up!