This Device Can Read SNES, Genesis Carts via USB
Here's a good way to play your SNES and Genesis games on the PC without downloading ROMs from the internet.
Want to play your favorite 16-bit classic games but don't want to take the illegal route by downloading the old ROMs from the internet? Electronista points to a cool USB-based gadget that actually allows users to plug in a Sega Genesis or Super Nintendo (SNES) cartridge and read the game ROM straight from the source. The only software users will need to download and install is their preferred emulator.
Unfortunately, the device -- called the Retrode 2 -- doesn't come cheap, costing a hefty $84.99 USD. But it provides a port for Super NES carts, a slot for Sega Genesis carts, and two controller inputs for each supported console. It also doesn't require additional drivers, allowing users to access the ROM and SRAM for playing and backing up simply by connecting to a PC.
According to the developer, the Retrode 2 operates on any USB host, under any OS, using any emulator. It's also expandable using plug-in adapters, but the company said it will reveal more on that aspect at a later date. The current version comes packed with a USB cable, a coupon code for 15-percent off used SNES and Genesis games, and free priority shipping to the United States.
The Retrode 2 will be available starting January 23, 2012. Interested gamers can pre-order the gadget now by heading here.
- Sweden Recognizes File-sharing as Official Religion
- Roku HDMI Stick Turns Regular TVs into Smart TVs
- Steven Van Zandt (Sopranos) Stars in Netflix Original Series
- Report: Google Working on 7-inch Kindle Fire Rival
- Kindle May Have Stolen 2 Million Sales From iPad Over Holidays
- Microsoft Reportedly Looking to Buy Nokia's Phone Business
- Report: Apple Working on 42- and 50-inch TVs Too
- Alleged Saudi Hackers Nab Israeli Credit Card Data
- Google Penalizes Chrome Pagerank for Violation of Guidelines
- C-Jump Programming Board Game is Geekier Than D&D
- Apple to Pay Elan $5 Million in Multitouch Patent Settlement
- Microsoft Patent Hints at Possible DVR in Xbox 720
- Scientists Create Self-Healing Electronics
- LG, Others Showcasing Google TV 2.0 at CES Next Week
- Vuzix Intros SMART Glasses Tech at CES
- This iPod/iPhone Dock Pumps Audio/Video to 23" HD LCD
- MasterImage 3D Launches HD Glasses-Free 3D for Mobile
- Rumor: Xbox 720 and PS4 Appearing at E3 2012
- AOC Revealing 22-inch HD USB-Based Monitor at CES
Intersting gadget but insanely expensive! Maybe for $20, but nobody will buy it for that price!
It's a nice rig, but since i have a great SNES emulator on my ps3, i don't think its a buy from me. From less tech savy peeps, i'm sure the will rack up a few sales. I would be interested to know what kind of filters they have in the device.
I would think they would consider ROM's abandonware by now...........
gonna diffiucult finding a working megadrive pad, I'm down to my last one!
Hmm... In my view, playing console games on a PC, ported or via emulator = fail. Not to mention, a clear violation of common sense.
*Cringes @ hate replies...
They really should have come out with this long time back..... now, it is , just let's say , antique..
Ha!
If I already own the cartridge (or another copy of the ROM data such as from XBLA or Virtual Console) it isn't, so why would I bother with this thing?
Besides, you need an emulator to use this glorified piece of plastic anyways! You can already convert old Genesis or SNES controllers to USB, or better yet use different, newer, more comfortable controllers like the ones that come with the Xbox 360.
Since this isn't internally a Genesis or SNES, you'll still experience the same problems that come with emulation.
So while this is a cool idea... it doesn't really do much especially considering the price.
Nice anmd straight forward way for the old timers amongst us to go on a trip down memory lane.
I have wasted $84 for many a dinner, this should "last" a little longer ;-)
You take your Sega Genesis or Super Nintendo and connect it to your PC using a cheap pci card that has video in connector. Then you play your games on your PC screen easily using your original equipment.
$84,... yeah right...
I'm happy with my ROMs ty very much.
Illegal route... Like the feds are gonna bust down your door for downloading a friggin' ROM.
I'm pretty sure owning the rom is perfectly legal as long as you own a physical copy of the game. That pretty much eliminates the purpose of avoiding the supposed "illegal" route.
Correct, as held by the US Supreme Court. Same logic applies to BIOS images, which are legal to backup yourself, but illegial to download.
Such as? The SNES and Genesis have been perfectly emulated for over a decade now. Heck, you have options between the "lets get it working" emulators [such as SNES9x for the SNES] and "lets perfectly emulate the SNES" [such as BSNES]. Even the SNES expansion chips and mode7 support is emulated now [and mode7 wasn't even attempted to be emulated on wii re-releases; those scenes were either removed or redone because mode7 is so hard to do].
One final note, I give much credit for the R/W access to SRAM.
Actually, it is probably illegal to download a ROM, even if you own the origonal image. To my knowledge, there aren't any legal cases that cover this particular case. But given the internal ID for the ROM would not match up with the physical copy you already own, I would imagine most courts would rule this illegial.
Same murky legay grey area as rom hacking and translations...
very fun idea, the pricetag should be $19.99 as it is simply a card reader. it should also have ports for came controllers on it at that price
omg I wish I had this before all the batteries in my SNES died...
$85 dollars?
Does it comes bundle with a tons of games?
No?
I"ll pass.
very fun idea, the pricetag should be $19.99 as it is simply a card reader. it should also have ports for came controllers on it at that price
It...does...have ports....
Even if you don't read the article (which you should before commenting) you can obviously see the ports in the picture.
Have it read all carts; nes, Atari even gameboy and game gear - then package their own all-in-one emulator - then maybe I could see that high of a price tag.
For 84 dollars you can buy the consoles (and a load of games) and play them on your big screen television. 84 dollars... REALLY!? I will just download the roms. It's not like they are being manufactured anymore. The only people it hurts, are the people trying to sell old games (often WAY overpriced). And as someone else already pointed out, if you already own the game, then is downloading the rom really illegal? I doubt it.
Nice try. Better off selling USB/controller converters for people who want the classic controller feel.
My SNES still works fine. The games' batteries are just dead or soon to be so. I feel its too much trouble now to replace the batteries. Sad really.
Cool idea, but too expensive. Especially when you consider trying to get your hands on some of the more rare titles, you'll be spending a fortune.
Emulators for the win.
So when is Nintendo going to sue the company making this device?
Would have been useful a decade ago.
It takes 5 min to download all the via torrent software. (FREE)
Actually, it is probably illegal to download a ROM, even if you own the origonal image. To my knowledge, there aren't any legal cases that cover this particular case. But given the internal ID for the ROM would not match up with the physical copy you already own, I would imagine most courts would rule this illegial.Same murky legay grey area as rom hacking and translations...
its illegal if you have to crack drm to get to it, but this is pre dmca, and pre internet tech, i don't know how much if any drm is in these things. see there is a part of out law that allows for a back up of any data and in any format, so long as you don't have to crack it, if you have to crack it, it becomes illegal.
very fun idea, the pricetag should be $19.99 as it is simply a card reader. it should also have ports for came controllers on it at that price
it does, cant you see them?
Get me an IntelliVision reader and I'd buy it.
The problem with using the original consoles instead emulating is that technology marches on. My IntelliVision was designed to hook up to the old RF switchboxes (hard to buy, REALLY had to hook up to a modern flatscreen TV).
Also, the consoles are aging. They start malfunctioning and breaking down. People aren't making new ones (other than -mostly-the compatible knock-offs).
I'm going to get marked down for this, but unless there was another case on this, the decision of the Atari v. J&A case in 1983 makes this immediately illegal.
When are they going to update that ruling?
I would think they would consider ROM's abandonware by now...........
nope with companies like square and sega releasing all there classics on everything now there just as relevant as new games now
No NES = FAIL