If you own a stack of NES cartridges and a modern HDTV, the Hyperkin RetroN 1 HD ($39.99) and the Hyperkin RetroN 2 HD ($79.99) are the two most direct paths to playing them without an adapter. Both output 720p over HDMI, accept original NTSC and PAL cartridges, and include Hyperkin’s Cadet controller. The RetroN 2 HD adds a second cartridge slot for Super NES and Super Famicom games and ships with a second controller, which makes the $40 price gap easy to evaluate: it comes down to whether you have a SNES library worth running.
What does each console actually play?
The RetroN 1 HD is a single-system clone built exclusively for NES cartridges. It accepts both NTSC and PAL NES carts via a region switch on the bottom of the unit, so a European copy of Mega Man works alongside a North American one. That is the full extent of its cartridge compatibility.
The RetroN 2 HD covers the same NES ground and then adds a second slot on the front-right for Super NES and Super Famicom cartridges. It also supports NTSC and PAL carts for both systems through the same bottom-mounted region switch. Compatibility extends to EverDrive flash carts and reproduction cartridges on both slots, which matters if you use a flash cart to run a large ROM library.
| Feature | RetroN 1 HD | RetroN 2 HD |
|---|---|---|
| NES cartridges | Yes (NTSC/PAL) | Yes (NTSC/PAL) |
| SNES / Super Famicom | No | Yes (NTSC/PAL) |
| EverDrive / repro support | Limited | Yes |
| Cartridge slots | 1 | 2 |
If your collection is NES-only, the RetroN 1 HD handles the job. If you have even a small pile of SNES carts, the RetroN 2 HD is the more practical machine.
How do the HDMI output and picture quality compare?
Both consoles output 720p over HDMI and include a 4:3/16:9 aspect ratio toggle, so you can run games in the correct square-pixel ratio on a widescreen TV. Both also keep legacy AV ports alongside the HDMI output, which is useful if you want to run a second display or a CRT for comparison.
The picture quality on either console is roughly equivalent for NES content. The hardware approach on both is a clone chip rather than software emulation, which keeps input lag low but means the color palette can read slightly darker or shifted compared to original hardware on some titles. Audio accuracy follows a similar pattern: most games sound correct, but percussion-heavy tracks in a handful of titles may sound slightly different from what you remember on original hardware.
On the SNES side, the RetroN 2 HD tends to produce more accurate audio and video than it does for NES, which is a quirk worth knowing if you plan to run 16-bit games primarily.
| Output spec | RetroN 1 HD | RetroN 2 HD |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI resolution | 720p | 720p |
| AV output | Yes | Yes |
| Aspect ratio switch | 4:3 / 16:9 | 4:3 / 16:9 |
| Region switch | NTSC / PAL | NTSC / PAL |
What controllers do they include, and can you use originals?
The RetroN 1 HD ships with one Hyperkin Cadet controller, a rectangular NES-style pad with an eight-way D-pad and two action buttons on a 10-foot cable. The controller ports on the front of the unit accept original NES controllers, so any original pads or Zapper light guns you still own will plug straight in.
The RetroN 2 HD ships with two controllers: the Cadet for NES and a Scout for SNES. The Scout mirrors the original Super Nintendo pad layout with shoulder buttons and four face buttons. The console carries two NES controller ports and two SNES controller ports, so you can connect original hardware controllers for either system. If you want a second player for NES games, you already have a spare port and can use any original NES pad you own.
| Controller | RetroN 1 HD | RetroN 2 HD |
|---|---|---|
| Included controllers | 1x Cadet (NES) | 1x Cadet (NES) + 1x Scout (SNES) |
| NES controller ports | 2 | 2 |
| SNES controller ports | 0 | 2 |
| Original controller support | Yes (NES) | Yes (NES + SNES) |
Is the $40 price difference worth it?
The RetroN 1 HD costs $39.99. The RetroN 2 HD costs $79.99. For $40 more you get a second cartridge slot covering the entire Super NES and Super Famicom library, a second included controller, and two additional controller ports.
Who should pay the premium?
Pay the extra $40 if you own any SNES or Super Famicom cartridges, use an EverDrive, or want a second controller included out of the box. The RetroN 2 HD effectively replaces two separate consoles, and the per-system cost works out to roughly $40 each when viewed that way.
Stay with the RetroN 1 HD if your collection is purely NES, you are buying for a child who only needs one system, or you simply want the lowest-cost entry point to HDMI NES gaming. At $39.99 it is one of the most affordable ways to connect an NES cartridge to a modern TV without any adapter hardware.
The RetroN 2 HD Earns the Extra $40 for Most Buyers
For anyone with a mixed NES and SNES collection, the RetroN 2 HD is the clearer choice. Two cartridge slots, two included controllers, and four controller ports make it a complete 8-bit and 16-bit gaming station in a single unit at $79.99. The picture and audio quality are comparable between the two consoles on NES content, so you are not trading image quality when you step up.
The RetroN 1 HD still makes sense in one specific situation: you have a pure NES library and $39.99 is the right budget. It is a compact, honest NES clone that outputs 720p over HDMI and accepts original controllers, and for that task it does exactly what it promises.
If you want to go further than either console and run NES, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy, and Game Boy Advance cartridges from one machine, Hyperkin’s RetroN 5 is the next step up in the lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Hyperkin RetroN 1 HD work with original NES controllers and accessories?
Yes. The RetroN 1 HD has two NES-compatible controller ports on the front of the unit that accept original Nintendo controllers, so any NES pad you already own will work. The Zapper light gun is also compatible. The console ships with one Hyperkin Cadet controller on a 10-foot cable.
Can the RetroN 2 HD play Super Famicom games from Japan?
Yes. The RetroN 2 HD accepts Super Famicom cartridges alongside North American Super NES carts. A region switch on the bottom of the console toggles between NTSC and PAL, covering Japanese, North American, and European releases across both the NES and SNES cartridge slots.
Do either of these consoles use software emulation or actual hardware chips?
Both the RetroN 1 HD and RetroN 2 HD use clone hardware chips rather than software emulation. This approach keeps input lag low, which matters for precision platformers, but it also means compatibility is not perfect across every title. Most standard cartridges run without issue; a small number of games with unusual chips, such as Battletoads, may behave differently.
What cables are included in the box with each console?
The RetroN 1 HD includes one Cadet controller, a 3-foot HDMI cable, a 6-foot Micro-USB charge cable, and an AV cable. The RetroN 2 HD includes a Cadet and a Scout controller, a 3-foot HDMI cable, a 6-foot Micro-USB charge cable, and an AV cable. Neither console requires you to buy additional cables to start playing.
Is there a meaningful picture quality difference between the RetroN 1 HD and RetroN 2 HD for NES games?
No meaningful difference exists on NES content. Both consoles output 720p over HDMI with the same 4:3/16:9 aspect ratio switch. Color accuracy and audio reproduction are comparable on NES games across both units. The RetroN 2 HD tends to perform slightly better on SNES audio fidelity, but for NES-only play the two consoles are effectively equal.