Retrode Rips ROMS From Old Game Carts

By Kevin Parrish
published

Back up your old Genesis and SNES carts legally with this device.

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 Parrish

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. 

10 Comments Comment from the forums
  • mlopinto2k1
    That is seriously way too much money. MAYBE 30 bucks????? It IS pretty cool though. Too bad I don't have 100 bucks and any games.
    Reply
  • 4745454b
    Nice. I hope they come out with more of these, at a cheaper price of course.

    Seeing as the RIAA/MPAA have decided that you can't legally back up things you buy, what makes this legal? Does it use some sort of DRM?
    Reply
  • Marco925
    When nearly all of the ROMs are easily available on the internet, I'd say that nearly $100 to spend is too much.


    However, it's neat. just a little late.
    Reply
  • nukemaster
    No NES slot....damn.
    Reply
  • N19h7M4r3
    Make one that reads N64 cartridges and even if its for 100€ i'll just get some people together to buy one for everyone to back everything up...
    Reply
  • WheelsOfConfusion
    4745454bSeeing as the RIAA/MPAA have decided that you can't legally back up things you buy, what makes this legal? Does it use some sort of DRM?These games existed before DRM, like CDs. RIAA/MPAA can't do squat.
    Wasn't this the homemade kit that was going by "Snega2usb" a while back? So it's finally in full production?
    Reply
  • anamaniac
    That's actually pretty cool.
    My Sega just sits up over my bed though, along with some work clothing, board games, and a motherboard. Wait, why is there a motherboard up there? Is that my Pentium D? Cool.
    Reply
  • silverblue
    Will that SNES slot only take US carts?
    Reply
  • HavoCnMe
    Awesome piece! Now I just have to visit the parents and retrieve all my old games. Too bad it doesn't work for Sega Master System as well.
    Reply
  • Shin-san
    That's awesome, being able to use original carts on an emulator instead of relying on roms
    Reply