Retro Duo

The Retro Duo is a video game console developed by Retro-Bit and distributed by Innex, Inc. The Retro Duo is an 8-bit and 16-bit video game console. It was designed to fit the needs of 8-bit and 16-bit console gamers and plays game cartridges for the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super NES/Super Famicom. There have been quite a few clone systems made in recent years, but the difference with this one is that it plays American, European, and Japanese games and has the highest compatibility over any other clone system.^[1] Another notable difference is that S-video is now compatible when playing SNES games and it makes the games look noticeably better.^[2] The console is not licensed by Nintendo and is not fully compatible with every game released for the two game systems; however, the majority of games will function properly. While it has only been released in Canada and the United States, it can still be used in Europe and Japan with a power plug adapter. The console is compatible with official and third party SNES controllers. The console can be purchased on many online stores, such as ThinkGeek.

Reviews of the Retro Duo have praised its compatibility for games many other clone consoles struggle with (due to hardware issues) such as Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse on the NES, Star Fox on the SNES, and the Game Genie cheat cartridge. The Retro Duo is also compatible with the Super Game Boy device.^[3] The Retro Duo was released in four different color schemes: white/blue, silver/black, black/red, and a red/gold limited edition version.

Compatibility

List of known incompatible games:

Nintendo Entertainment System

• 720° (NTSC)
• Battletoads (Game hangs after level 2, though a cheat allows the player to jump to level 3) (NTSC)
• Duck Hunt (works with (nes to snes)Adapting cables that have accessory support)
• Paperboy (Controller is not recognized) (NTSC)
• Rolling Thunder (Works with retroduo 2.0 and above)

Super Nintendo Entertainment System

Most or all the PAL games listed below are not playable on a real NTSC Super NES (even with its security chip disabled). Their inclusion here does not reflect incompatibilities between the (NTSC) Retro Duo and a real NTSC Super NES.

• ActRaiser 2 (NTSC)
• Batman Returns (PAL)
• Donkey Kong Country (PAL)
• Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (PAL)
• Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! (PAL)
• GP-1: Part II (PAL)
• Illusion of Time (PAL)
• Kirby's Fun Pak (PAL)
• Lethal Enforcers (PAL)
• Plok (PAL)
• Pilotwings (PAL) (Minor Incompatibly. Moving target platforms blink and sometimes produce a mirroring effect. Minor screen flashes and haze. - Highly Playable)
• Secret of Mana (PAL)
• Starwing (PAL)
• Stunt Race FX (PAL)
• Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts (PAL) (Stage 3-2 boss is invisible and stage 4 is completely black except for enemies, player and a few certain platforms - unplayable)
• Super Mario All-Stars (PAL)
• Super Mario All Stars + Super Mario World (PAL)
• Super Mario Kart (PAL) (Plays, but graphics are extremely glitchy)
• Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (Software revisions 1.2 and 1.3)
• Super Metroid (PAL)
• Terranigma (PAL) (trips the antipiracy check like every other clone)

Controllers / Accessories (compatible with NES to SNES cables but only ones with accessory support)

• R.O.B.
• NES Zapper
• Power Pad
• NES Advantage

References

1. ^ http://retro.nintendolife.com/news/2009/11/feature_retro_duo_console_review
2. ^ McWhertor, Michael. "Hands-On With The Retro Duo, The NES/SNES Hybrid". Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/343432/hands+on-with-the-retro-duo-the-nessnes-hybrid. 
3. ^ http://retro.nintendolife.com/news/2009/11/feature_retro_duo_console_review

• Retro Duo: Nintendo NES and SNES Hybrid

See also

• FC Twin Video Game System
• Generation NEX