Retrode Rips ROMS From Old Game Carts

Have a load of old game console cartridges sitting around collecting dust? Why not back them up with the Retrode, a ROM-ripping device built to access SNES and Genesis cartridges quickly and legally. Forget about paying for those games again on the iPhone or Nintendo WiiWare--just rip them from their original homes and play them on the PC or Mac!

According to the Retrode's designer, there's really nothing to the device: simply plug the cartridge into the Retrode and then connect the device to your PC or Mac via a USB port. The Retrode will then retrieve the ROM and save it to your hard drive in the appropriate, emulator-friendly format.

The drawback to this piracy-free method of playing your old games? $96.99 USD. Yep, that's rather hefty pricetag, and certainly costs more than a used console. Still, in the long run, the price may be worth it for those who just can't let go of those old cartridges.

Kevin started taking PCs apart in the 90s when Quake was on the way and his PC lacked the required components. Since then, he’s loved all things PC-related and cool gadgets ranging from the New Nintendo 3DS to Android tablets. He is currently a contributor at Digital Trends, writing about everything from computers to how-to content on Windows and Macs to reviews of the latest laptops from HP, Dell, Lenovo, and more.