The Hyperkin RetroN lineup covers five currently available consoles priced from $39.99 to $179.99, each built to play original cartridges on modern HDTV screens via HDMI. If you own carts from one or two systems, a focused single-system or dual-system model is the smarter buy. If your collection spans NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, and Game Boy formats all at once, only the RetroN 5 handles all of them from a single box.
What makes the RetroN family worth understanding is how deliberately each model is scoped. Hyperkin did not build one console and shrink it five ways. Each RetroN targets a different collector profile, and the differences between them matter more than the shared 720p output.
What does the RetroN 1 HD play, and who is it for?
The RetroN 1 HD is a single-system NES clone priced at $39.99. It plays original NES cartridges in 720p via HDMI, with a physical switch on the unit to toggle between NTSC and PAL compatibility. Both a 4:3 and a 16:9 aspect ratio are selectable, and AV composite output is also present for anyone still running a CRT. The box includes Hyperkin’s “Cadet” controller, a wired pad that closely follows the original NES layout.
The RetroN 1 HD is the right answer for one kind of buyer: someone who has a box of NES carts and no working hardware to run them on. It does not add save states, does not have an on-screen menu, and does not play any cartridge other than NES. That narrowness is also its strength. At $39.99, the entry cost is low and the setup is plug-and-play.
What does the RetroN 2 HD play, and how does it differ from the Supa RetroN?
The RetroN 2 HD is a two-in-one console that plays NES, Super NES, and Super Famicom (NTSC and PAL) cartridges in 720p HD. It ships with both a “Cadet” NES-style controller and a “Scout” SNES-style controller, and it includes both HDMI and AV outputs so you can run it on either a flat panel or a CRT. The aspect ratio switch toggles between 4:3 and 16:9. Hyperkin’s Perfect Pin technology is used in the cartridge slots, which tends to matter for collectors whose carts have seen years of use. It is priced at $79.99 and also available in Space Black.
The Supa RetroN HD costs $69.99 and covers SNES and Super Famicom only, with no NES slot. It ships with two Scout controllers and the same HDMI-plus-AV output setup. If your collection is purely 16-bit and you have no NES carts, the Supa RetroN saves $10 and keeps the hardware simpler. If you have both NES and SNES carts, the RetroN 2 HD is the obvious consolidation.
What does the RetroN 77 play, and is it really just an Atari clone?
The RetroN 77 is Hyperkin’s dedicated Atari 2600 console, priced at $79.99. It plays original Atari 2600 cartridges and upscales the output to 720p over HDMI, with a toggle for 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratios and an on-board color/black-and-white switch that mirrors the original 2600 hardware. Save states are built in, which is something the original 2600 obviously never had. The unit ships with a wired Trooper gamepad and two controller ports that accept original joysticks and paddles. A memory card slot is included for homebrew testing and firmware updates.
The RetroN 77 sits outside the NES/SNES/Genesis thread that runs through the rest of the lineup. It is purpose-built for Atari collectors, and there is no other RetroN that covers 2600 cartridges. If Atari is what you want to play, this is the only model in the family that does it.
What does the RetroN 5 play, and what makes it the flagship?
The RetroN 5 is the widest-ranging console in the lineup at $179.99. It has five physical cartridge slots supporting NES, Famicom, Super NES, Super Famicom, Sega Genesis, Mega Drive, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance. The HDMI output reaches 720p at up to 60 frames per second, with selectable video filters including scanlines, adjustable aspect ratio, and audio interpolation that generates new samples between the original audio data for a smoother sound. PAL and NTSC cartridges are both supported without a region lock.
Beyond cartridge compatibility, the RetroN 5 adds a full on-screen interface with 10 save slots per game, screenshot capture to an SD card, and a built-in cheat database. Controller mapping is fully customizable, and the original controller ports for NES, SNES, and Genesis are present on the sides of the unit alongside the included Bluetooth wireless controller with a microswitch D-pad and a range of at least 25 feet.
The price jump from the RetroN 2 HD to the RetroN 5 is $100. That gap is earned if your collection genuinely spans multiple platforms. It is not the right buy for someone who owns only NES carts and wants to save money.
The Right RetroN Depends on What You Already Own
The RetroN lineup is not a ladder where each model is simply better than the last. It is a matrix of cartridge support and price, and the correct choice is determined by what is already sitting in your collection.
Own only NES carts: the RetroN 1 HD at $39.99 covers everything you need. Own NES and SNES: the RetroN 2 HD at $79.99 handles both in one box. Own only SNES or Super Famicom: the Supa RetroN at $69.99 is the focused option. Own Atari 2600: the RetroN 77 at $79.99 is the only model in the lineup that applies. Own cartridges across NES, SNES, Genesis, and Game Boy formats: the RetroN 5 at $179.99 is the one console that consolidates all of them. The number of platforms you want to play from a single box is what decides it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Hyperkin RetroN 5 play Sega Master System cartridges?
The RetroN 5 does not have a dedicated Master System slot, but Master System games can be played using a Power Base Converter adapter inserted into the Genesis cartridge slot. The five built-in slots cover NES, Famicom, SNES, Super Famicom, Genesis/Mega Drive, and all three Game Boy formats natively.
Can I use my original NES or SNES controllers with the RetroN 2 HD?
Yes. The RetroN 2 HD includes controller ports for original NES and SNES hardware, supporting two controllers per platform. The console also ships with a “Cadet” NES-style controller and a “Scout” SNES-style controller, so original pads are optional rather than required.
Does the Hyperkin RetroN 77 play Atari 7800 cartridges?
No. The RetroN 77 is designed specifically for Atari 2600 cartridges and is not compatible with Atari 7800 software. It does accept original 2600 joysticks and paddles in addition to the included Trooper wired gamepad.
Do any RetroN consoles support 1080p output?
None of the current RetroN models output above 720p. Every model in the lineup, from the RetroN 1 HD to the RetroN 5, uses 720p as the maximum HDMI resolution. Most also include AV composite output for use with older CRT televisions.
What is the difference between the RetroN 2 HD and the RetroN 2 HD Space Black?
The two models are functionally identical. Both play NES, Super NES, and Super Famicom cartridges in 720p via HDMI, include the same Cadet and Scout controllers, and carry the same $79.99 price. Space Black is a colorway option, not a hardware revision.