RetroN 77

[Schizophretard]

Or just, you know, add a second fire button. That's easier than rotating the whole stick...

 

Not just a second button but they should clone the whole TAC-2.

[Thomas Jentzsch]

Might become too expensive then?

[Schizophretard]

Might become too expensive then?

 

Probably not as expensive as replacing cheap controllers that break with new cheap controllers that break.

 

[Thomas Jentzsch]

Most customers are not wired that way.

Edited June 16, 2017 by Thomas Jentzsch

[Schizophretard]

Most customers are not wired that way.

 

Most customers aren't even into Atari. Therefore, the 77 is targeting the customers that are wired wrong.

[S1500]

So it takes in cartridges, yet still needs an emulator? While I'm sure there's a logical explanation for it, it still seems weird to me.

[Kaiju]

So it takes in cartridges, yet still needs an emulator? While I'm sure there's a logical explanation for it, it still seems weird to me.

 

 

Games play off the cart to my knowledge not sure if it's

A rom dump emu or not

Edited June 16, 2017 by Kaiju

[Atariboy]

It's already been mentioned numerous times that this runs Stella, which is a software emulator. This isn't a 2600-on-a-chip like the Flashback 2 used or a FPGA replication.

Edited June 16, 2017 by Atariboy

[Kaiju]

It's already been mentioned numerous times that this runs Stella, which is a software emulator. This isn't a 2600-on-a-chip like the Flashback 2 used or a FPGA replication.

 

 

Aaah ok. So it just dumps the Rom and runs in emulation, like the Retron5 does?

[AtariNerd]

^Maybe, there is still some hemming and hawing about this. There seems to be little lag once it's up and running, though. The thing is, is that it comes with a seemingly decent joy-stick and workable case , that if it comes in around the $50 range, as suggested, would be be difficult to match at a similar price-point with a Ra-Pi or similar solution. One could obviously run multiple emulators on a pi and print a nice case for it, but *rubs chin* Eh, for example I'm using an Analogue NT Mini, right now as an everything box and it is a nice piece of kit and will be even more lovely once some proposed accessories eventually are out for it, but something like this, that is ready out of the box and dedicated , no fuss, at this price-point, has a certain appeal. Sometimes, it's just nice to have a dedicated thing and I'd love for something like this to come from "official" sources and maybe, someday, they will, but here we go.

[+Atari_Warlord]

Aaah ok. So it just dumps the Rom and runs in emulation, like the Retron5 does?

The video Hyperkin posted on their facebook page suggests it is running directly from the cart. He made a comment that this avoids any copyright issues.

[Atari PAC-MAN Fan]

I don't think this will happen, but I wish they would make a portable Atari 2600 that plays real cartridges. Similar to their "Supa-Boy". Still it's a step in the right direction.

 

 

If this is gonna be what people are saying it's going to be, I would say that this will be the go-to portable Atari system next to the AFP.

Edited June 16, 2017 by Atari PAC-MAN Fan

[+stephena]

It's already been mentioned numerous times that this runs Stella, which is a software emulator. This isn't a 2600-on-a-chip like the Flashback 2 used or a FPGA replication.

 

It may be a very old version of Stella, though.

[Kaiju]

I was under the impression that it is pure hardware

[Flojomojo]

I was under the impression that it is pure hardware

 

Nope, not with "loading times," and talk of save states. It looks like it reads the cartridge into the emulator and plays from there.

[Bill Loguidice]

 

Nope, not with "loading times," and talk of save states. It looks like it reads the cartridge into the emulator and plays from there.

 

Absolutely. And let's be frank... With all the benefits of emulation (HD, save states, etc.) and the fact that most people don't really care about perfect authenticity (those people have the original hardware), I'd be surprised if we see very many more truly hardware-based products again until FPGA solutions become more affordable, and even then we're kind of bending some definitions.

[alex_79]

I think what they mean in the video is that it doesn't store the rom permanently in the console. It probably just dumps the cartridge content in ram an feeds it to stella. When you remove the cart the temporary data is deleted.

[mipaol]

If it is compatible with the Harmony cart I'll buy a Retron77 day one, this will be a great solution for playing 2600 games on my living room tv which doesn't have a coax connection but two spare HDMI ports.

[BILLYonaire]

It would be ideal if it played 7800 cartridges and / or PAL cartridges. If they end up being compatible with 7800 cartridges, they could rename it RetroN 78.

[alex_79]

If it's based on Stella it will play PAL roms cartridges just fine.

Edited June 16, 2017 by alex_79

[tremoloman2006]

If it runs Stella I'm 100% fine with it - Stella is amazing and feels just like a real 2600 IMHO.

[Keatah]

So it takes in cartridges, yet still needs an emulator? While I'm sure there's a logical explanation for it, it still seems weird to me.

 

There is. You can't get any cheaper than an existing SoC + free emulator.

[Thomas Jentzsch]

 

There is. You can't get any cheaper than an existing SoC + free emulator.

But why a cartridge slot and dumping then? A simple SD slot would be cheaper.

[Kaiju]

What fun is the "click" sound of an SD card when you can get the

VCS KACHUNK

[Keatah]

Absolutely. And let's be frank... With all the benefits of emulation (HD, save states, etc.) and the fact that most people don't really care about perfect authenticity (those people have the original hardware), I'd be surprised if we see very many more truly hardware-based products again until FPGA solutions become more affordable, and even then we're kind of bending some definitions.

 

That's right. True-to-spec original hardware repro isn't likely to happen for a long time. If ever. It simply costs too much. The lure of cheap & shitty SoC + free emulator is the way forward. Most any hobbyist can get an emulator going on those.

 

FPGA is still way to niche, said it before and I say it again, it's too specialized. There aren't many hobbyists into videogames and VHDL/Verilog AND whom have in interest in recreating the vintage experience. Let alone get all the details right. Not many.