For most casual retro gamers who want to play NES and SNES classics on a modern TV without hunting down original hardware or buying an expensive upscaler, the Hyperkin RetroN line is genuinely worth it. At prices ranging from $39.99 to $179.99 depending on the model, you get HDMI output, save states, and real cartridge support in a single box. No other sub-$80 option gives you HDMI output and cartridge support in the same box.
The bigger question is not whether the RetroN is good, but which model matches what you actually need, and whether the trade-offs that come with any clone console will bother you. Those two things decide the answer for most people.
What does the Hyperkin RetroN actually give you for the price?
The RetroN line covers a wide spread of budgets and use cases. At the entry level, the Hyperkin RetroN 1 HD at $39.99 is a single-system NES player with 720p HDMI output. If you have a shoebox of NES cartridges and want nothing more than to get them running on your 65-inch TV, this is probably all you need.
Step up to the Hyperkin RetroN 2 HD at $79.99 and you get both NES and SNES support in one unit, still with HDMI out. The Hyperkin Supa RetroN at $69.99 focuses on 16-bit SNES cartridges specifically, delivering 720p visuals and stereo sound through HDMI while also offering AV output for anyone who still has a CRT around.
At the top sits the Hyperkin RetroN 5 at $179.99. It handles NES, Famicom, SNES, Super Famicom, Sega Genesis, Mega Drive, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges from five slots in a single device. It adds save states, screenshot capture, and improved interpolated sound. For someone with cartridges across multiple systems, that multi-system coverage is the headline feature.
How does the RetroN compare to just buying original hardware?
Original SNES consoles in used condition sell anywhere from $70 to well over $200 depending on condition, and that is before you factor in the cost of an upscaler to make the picture look decent on a modern TV. Dedicated upscalers like the RetroTINK-5X run $250 to $350 on their own. That path can easily push past $500 for a clean, properly-connected original setup.
The RetroN line sidesteps that entirely. You get HDMI output built in, no separate scaler needed, and the cartridges you already own work right away. For a casual player who is not chasing pixel-perfect accuracy, the RetroN’s 720p output holds up well: on a 65-inch 4K TV the upscaled signal is sharp enough that most players won’t notice the difference from a native 1080p source.
The trade-off is that the RetroN uses software emulation rather than the original hardware chips. For the vast majority of games this makes no practical difference, but a small number of titles with unusual chips or tight timing can behave slightly differently. Compatibility is not perfect for every single cartridge ever made, and that is worth knowing before you buy.
Does the RetroN have the features casual players actually care about?
Original SNES hardware has no save-state option at all: you either find a password screen or leave the console running overnight. The RetroN changes that entirely. Save states let you pause mid-run, put the controller down, and pick up exactly where you left off. For someone gaming in 30-minute windows between work and kids, that matters more than almost anything else.
Built-in cheat code support on the RetroN 5 is another feature that casual players tend to underestimate. If you are revisiting Battletoads or Ninja Gaiden and you want to enjoy the game without the punishing difficulty, those options are available without needing a separate Game Genie cartridge.
The wireless controller bundled with the RetroN 5 has a range of over 25 feet and includes remappable buttons. The side-mounted controller ports on the RetroN 5 also accept original NES, SNES, and Genesis controllers, so if you have old controllers in a drawer, they work here too.
Who should probably look at something else instead?
The RetroN is built around physical cartridges. If you do not already own cartridges and are starting from scratch, the math changes. A Nintendo Switch Online subscription gives you access to NES, SNES, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis libraries for a monthly fee, which is a more practical starting point if you have no physical collection at all.
Hardcore purists who care deeply about cycle-accurate emulation and zero input lag will likely find the RetroN’s software emulation approach unsatisfying. That audience tends to gravitate toward FPGA-based systems like the Analogue Super NT, which cost considerably more and are aimed at a different buyer.
For the casual player who already has a box of cartridges from childhood, or who picks up a few at a flea market, the RetroN is a practical answer: you pay once for a box that handles the output problem and you are done, without sourcing adapters or reading forum threads about RGB cables.
The RetroN Line Is the Right Call for Most Casual Cartridge Owners
If you own NES or SNES cartridges and want to play them on a modern TV without spending $400 on original hardware plus an upscaler, a Hyperkin RetroN console is the sensible answer. The choice between models comes down to how many systems you want to cover. A single-system player is well served by the RetroN 1 HD or Supa RetroN. Anyone with cartridges across multiple platforms should look at the RetroN 5, where the $179.99 price covers nine different cartridge formats in one box with save states included. The emulation is not perfect for every edge case, but for a Saturday session with Super Mario World or Mega Man 2, it does exactly what it promises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Hyperkin RetroN 5 work with all NES and SNES cartridges?
The RetroN 5 is compatible with the vast majority of NES, Famicom, SNES, Super Famicom, Genesis, Mega Drive, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges. Compatibility is not guaranteed for every title ever made, particularly those with unusual enhancement chips, but most standard library games play without any issues.
Do I need to buy cartridges separately to use a Hyperkin RetroN console?
Yes. Unlike plug-and-play mini consoles with built-in games, the RetroN line requires original cartridges to function. The consoles do not include games. If you already own a collection of NES or SNES cartridges, the RetroN gives you a modern way to play them. If you are starting from scratch, you will need to source cartridges separately.
Is there noticeable input lag on the Hyperkin RetroN consoles?
Input lag on the RetroN 5 is generally low enough that most casual players will not notice it during typical gameplay. For action-heavy titles that require frame-precise timing, some players report a slight delay. Connecting the console directly to your TV via HDMI and using your TV’s game mode setting tends to minimize any lag present.
Can I use my original NES or SNES controllers with a Hyperkin RetroN console?
Yes. The RetroN 5 has side-mounted controller ports that accept original NES, Genesis, and SNES controllers alongside the included wireless controller. You can mix and match, using an original controller for one player and the bundled wireless controller for another, and button mapping is fully remappable through the settings menu.
What is the difference between the Hyperkin Supa RetroN and the RetroN 5?
The Supa RetroN HD ($69.99) is a dedicated SNES console that plays 16-bit cartridges with 720p HDMI output and includes two wired controllers. The RetroN 5 ($179.99) covers nine cartridge formats across NES, SNES, Famicom, Genesis, and Game Boy systems, and adds save states, screenshot capture, and a wireless controller. Choose the Supa RetroN if you only want SNES; choose the RetroN 5 if you have a mixed collection.