Retrode II

As I mentioned in an older post the long awaited Retrode II is ready and has hit the shelves....er...shipping lanes!  The first generation received great reviews and this next generation looks to take it to another level.  There are also several other projects in progress.  You owe it to yourself to check the homepage, retrode.org.  Below are the posted specs for your viewing pleasure.

About the Retrode

Retrode 2

The Retrode is the world’s bestest USB adapter for vintage video games. Play your 16-bit console games on your computer/cell phone/tablet/whatnot, using your original cartridges and controllers!

The Retrode 2 will become available in December 2011. You will be able to order it on this website and through various distribution partners (Europe, USA). If you want to stay informed, please subscribe to thenewsletter!

What’s needed?

• Game cartridges, and lots of them
• Game controllers
• Emulators for SNES/SFC and Genesis/Mega Drive: SNES9x, ZSNES, Gens, Fusion, …
• A computer with a USB port, running any of the above (Windows/Linux/MacOS/*NIX)
• A Retrode!

The Retrode is for you if…

• you like playing legacy video games on your PC, and doing so legally
• you want to preserve your investment in these games, even after all hardware has expired
• you want to back up your game progress, e.g. before replacing the cartridge battery
• you like emulator cheats, but prefer to finish the boss on the real console
• you simply think it’s cool to plug huge game cartridges into a PDA or cell phone

The Retrode is not for you if… you don’t see the difference between making private backup copies of games that you own, and downloading 10,000 ROMs from the internets.

Features

• Cartridge slots for Sega Genesis/MD and Nintendo SNES/SFC games. Access ROM (program/data) and SRAM (savegames)! Custom-made connectors of video game quality.
• 2×2 ports for Sega and SNES controllers.
• USB 2.0 Full-Speed composite device for driverless operation under any OS, using any emulator.
• Easy to use, configure and update.
• Expandable using plug-in adapters.
• Made in Germany.
• Dimensions and weight: 162mm x 80mm x 42mm, 200g (6.4″ x 3.2″ x 1.7″, 0.4lbs)
• Includes USB cable and instruction sheet. Suggested retail price: EUR 65 / USD 85.

Demo Video

-kaokensho

Music & Gaming Festival

Every year, thousands of video-game fans flock to the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area for a unique music festival called MAGFest. It's short for "Music and Gaming Festival," and it's designed to celebrate the music of video games.

As video-game technology keeps improving, the graphics become crisper, the action faster, and the sound quality richer. But for many gamers, the music from video games was best in the earlier days of low-tech 8-bit and 16-bit game systems.

Check out NPR's great article and audio clips here!

-kaokensho

Ghostbusters vs. Nintendo Wii

While on the same hunt as mentioned in my last post I came upon this high quality geek toy.  Check out engadget to see the matching backpack! Created by an obviously obsessed (and über-talented) Ghostbusters fan, the Nintendo Wii Proton Pack is a fully functional device that beautifully complements the Wii version of the Ghostbusters video game. For those doubting the thought that went into this, take a listen: the Blue Power Cell accurately reflects how much power you have left, and the Thrower has been designed to covertly hold both the Wiimote and the Nunchuk. Better still, the Wiimote's internal speaker enables the pack to make true-to-film noises. Hit the source link to get a better look, but we'd recommend suiting up in your best 80s era, ghoul-busting garb before diving in.




-kaokensho

Wii Classic Controller LED Mod

While hunting for info on another project involving a Classic Wii controller and a PSX controller, I found this little ditty.  The mod itself does look pretty nice, the most beautiful part is the detailed instructions which can be found here.  Below are just some sample pics of the details with which they go into.  I think I may have to put my current ideas on the back burner and go buy a Wii Classic Controller!

-kaokensho