Retro-Bit Retro Duo 2 in 1 Console System - for Original NES/SNES, & Super Nintendo Games - Silver/Black

This console claims to play NES and SNES games and I've found it to do so well. I've essentially bought it so for a few reasons. I have a big CRT TV in my garage I'd like to play NES/SNES (my consoles are inside) and I'd love to preserve my original consoles. After doing a painful amount of research I had learned that the retro duo was the most compatible out of the current lineup of clones. They all seem to have a fatal flaw and in this case it had been said that the NES sound was a bit wacky. Almost like the sound is distorted from being over driven. I had actually bought the parts needed to "fix" the sound on the NES side. I'm not sure if later version 3.0 models we're revised but the sound for the NES sounds pretty clean and very close to the original. No mod needed. I'm more than satisfied with the NES performance. I actually pulled my apart and the NES on a chip is much different then the pictures I had seen online. It appears they have improved it although I did notice that Castlevania III no longer works.The SNES side is wonderful. You would be hard pressed to find irregularities on the SNES capability.You know what else is pretty cool about this? It uses SNES ports and this has a benefit to the NES side as well. Both the NES and SNES used the same gamepad controller chip. If you're handy with wiring you can pick up an NES and a SNES extension cable, cut them open, match the colors and splice it back together to make yourself an adapter to use an NES controller.The included controllers are not bad and can get you by but I'd recommend you round up the originals for sure.The game slots themselves tend to really hug the cartridges. Especially the NES. The fix that I ended up with was to just keep my game genie in the slot so I'm not wrecking the console itself.You should really make it a point to find the originals but this clone console is not bad!EDIT: I decided to do a side by side comparison of Super Mario Bros. and Kickle Cubicle. The Retro Duo is spot on. Sound and all.I also decided to create an NES to SNES adapter so that I could plug in an NES controller. Fortunately, the SNES gamepad has the same gamepad microcontroller as the NES except that it has two of them to drive the extra buttons. This means they are essentially the same. I purchased a Retro-Bit SNES 6-Feet Extension Cable and an NES extension cable also by retro-bit. The wire coloring differs from the authentic NES/SNES wiring. Here is how they are laid out:NES extension cablePin # / Color1 brown2 orange3 black4 red5 yellow6 blue7 greenSNES extension cablePin # / Color1 green2 blue3 yellow4 red7 blackHere is how you need to wire them together:SNES Side / NES Sidegreen / yellowblue / orangeyellow / blackred / redblack / brownThat's all. Now you can use a NES controller to play your NES games with the retro duo.Source of NES/SNES pin layout: [...]

This is a great little console. Its lightweight, doesn't take much space and is a sleek, good looking game system that gets the job done and done well. This in my opinion is the best clone system out there. The cartridge doors are firm and feel secure. The buttons to switch between off, 8bit and 16bit are very smooth and hassle free. The unit can be used with original SNES controllers, however I was pleasantly surprised at how good the 3.0 version's controllers feel and respond. Not to be confused with the controllers that come with the 2.0 version of the Retro Duo, those things are absolute garbage. As far as compatibility goes, I have yet to run into any majors issues. All the games I've played over the years of owning this system have been compatible but one, and this game was a ROM hack so that is to be expected. My only complaint with the Retro Duo is removing the games when you're done playing. The connector pins are very snug and make good contact with the game, increasing the chances of it playing correctly if the game is dirty and needs cleaned, however this makes if very difficult to remove them. If you are patience I recommend gently rocking the game side to side with one hand as you pull upwards and game will come out very easily. Do not be fooled by the people that tell you their game got destroyed or the pins ripped out because of how hard it was to remove. Take care of your games and do not just ripped them out of the system.Lastly nothing beats the classics on their original hardware, however if you're looking for a great replacement console or are looking to save the space and the hassle of switching from system to system then I definitely recommend this. I had an NES growing up as a kid but never a SNES. Having both in one is very nice and saves the cost of buying an original SNES by itself. I was able to pick this baby up at my local record store for about $45.

This system is awesome. Great for endless hours of NES AND SNES fun.Play many classic NES titles, Super Mario triliogy, Legend Zelda, Mega Man, Tutrles, etc. As well as SNES classic Super Mario World, A Link to the Past and Starfox. It uses the SNES style controllers, which does not allow use for the classic NES controller, or NES zapper.It is unable to play certain games: Battletoads for NES. The game hangs after level 2, though a cheat allows you to jump to level 3. Digger T. Rock: Legend of the Lost City plays title screen,but MANY in-game crashes and graphic glitches that, render it unplayable. For Duck Hunt NES Zapper cannot be plugged in. Does work with NES to SNES adapting cables that have accessory support. However, that NES Zapper only works with a CRT TV set. Maniac Mansion just doesn't play. Paperboy controller is not recognized. That's really it for NES which isn't too bad honestly.A much larger list for SNES. Most notably is Super Mario RPG, due to the NES PAL.Also ALL NES accessories DO NOT and CANNOT work unless NES to SNES adapter. That includes R.O.B.NES Zapper, Power Pad, NES Advantagem NES Max and Power Glove. Also the NES Game Genie does not. Also does not play Famicom games.Still, probably the best clone system of them all. Many clone systems struggle with Castlevania III. Works just fine on this. Star Fox is another many clones struggle with. Again not this one.Super Game Boy adapter works great. SNES game genie works great. Super Famicom games almost usually work. Retro-Bit RetroGEN Adapter Genesis to SNES Cartridge Adapter works great allowing Genesis games to play on i.System is not perfect. But much cheaper than getting a NES & SNES. Plays most games great.