The Hyperkin RetroN Sq is a compact home console that plays original Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges on any modern TV at 720p via HDMI, using software emulation to upscale the image at 60 frames per second. It ships with a wired Scout controller, a 3-foot HDMI cable, a USB-C power adapter, and a 512MB microSD card, so everything you need to start playing is already in the box.
For anyone who has a stack of Game Boy cartridges sitting in a drawer and no working hardware to run them, the RetroN Sq is the most direct answer available in 2026. It is not a perfect machine, and GBA support in particular has had a bumpy history, but the picture quality on GB and GBC titles is genuinely sharp, and firmware updates have addressed most of the launch-era problems. The sections below break down exactly what works, what still has rough edges, and whether this console fits your situation.
What hardware is actually inside the RetroN Sq?
The RetroN Sq is a small cube, roughly 3.5 inches on each side, with a top-loading cartridge slot that accepts all three Game Boy cartridge formats without any adapter. On the back you will find the HDMI output, a USB-C power port, and a physical slider that toggles between 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios. There is also a microSD slot used exclusively for firmware updates.
The console runs on software emulation, which means it reads the ROM data from your cartridge and loads it into onboard memory before play begins. That process adds a few seconds of wait time compared to original hardware. The unit is powered by a 5V USB-C supply and weighs just under two pounds, so it sits comfortably on a shelf without taking up meaningful space.
Two color options exist: Translucent Black/Gold (BlackGold) and Translucent Teal/Pink (Hyper Beach). Both lean into the transparent shell aesthetic that was popular with Game Boy hardware in the 1990s, and the design holds up well next to modern equipment.
How well does the RetroN Sq handle Game Boy and Game Boy Color games?
For original GB and GBC cartridges, performance is solid. Games load in roughly 3 to 4 seconds, the image renders at 720p with no screen tearing or frame drops, and the audio plays back at the correct pitch. One quirk worth knowing: original Game Boy titles display with a color palette applied, similar to how the Super Game Boy add-on for the SNES colored those games. You cannot remove or change that palette, so if you want strict monochrome output, the RetroN Sq will not give it to you. Most players find it a non-issue, but dedicated collectors sometimes notice.
The 4:3 aspect ratio setting is the one to use for GB and GBC content. It is slightly stretched compared to the exact native ratio of the original Game Boy screen, but the difference is minor enough that most players will not register it during a session. The 16:9 option stretches the picture considerably and is best avoided for anything other than curiosity.
The RetroN Sq also handles cartridges from other regions, including Japanese releases, which is a practical bonus for collectors who have picked up imports over the years.
What is the current state of GBA compatibility?
This is where the history matters. At launch in March 2021, GBA support was labeled beta right on the box, and that label was accurate: frame rates were inconsistent, some titles refused to load on the first attempt, and a handful of games were effectively unplayable. Hyperkin pushed firmware updates to address these issues, and by version 1.2 the situation had improved considerably. Post-update reviews confirmed that a wide range of GBA cartridges played smoothly, with the choppy frame rate problem largely resolved.
That said, GBA titles still take noticeably longer to load than GB or GBC games. Averaging around a minute for the initial dump is common, though subsequent boots of the same cartridge tend to be faster. Some titles may still require removing and reinserting the cartridge before they will start. It is not the plug-and-play experience that GB and GBC titles offer, but for most mainstream GBA games in good condition, you will get a playable result.
Flash cartridges are not supported, and the system does not recognize reproduction cartridges reliably. Save data is stored on the microSD card rather than written back to the cartridge, which means your progress will not carry over if you take that cartridge to a different device.
How does the included Scout controller hold up?
The Scout controller connects via USB with a 10-foot cable, which is long enough for most living room setups. Its layout mirrors the SNES controller: a wide D-pad, four face buttons, and Start/Select. The build feels solid, the D-pad registers directional inputs cleanly, and the button travel is short enough for fast-paced games without feeling mushy.
The main limitation is controller compatibility. The RetroN Sq does not work reliably with most third-party USB controllers, so you are largely tied to the included Scout or other Hyperkin peripherals. For players who prefer a different pad, this is a real restriction. The system also has no UI to configure inputs or apply display filters, so what you see on first boot is what you get.
The RetroN Sq Suits a Specific Type of Collector
The RetroN Sq is not trying to be a multi-system box. It does one thing: it puts the Game Boy library on your TV without requiring a GameCube, a Game Boy Player disc, or a Super Game Boy cartridge. For that specific job, it works. GB and GBC performance is clean, the price sits well below the cost of assembling the original Nintendo solution, and the form factor is small enough to leave plugged in permanently.
If you want GBA support and your collection skews heavily toward that library, go in with realistic expectations. The firmware updates have made it functional for most titles, but it is not as consistent as GB and GBC playback. Players who want to run the full handheld Nintendo library across multiple systems on one box should look at the Hyperkin RetroN 5, which covers GBA, GBC, GB, NES, SNES, and several Sega formats at $179.99. But if your goal is a dedicated, affordable Game Boy console for the TV, the RetroN Sq earns its place on the shelf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Hyperkin RetroN Sq work with every Game Boy cartridge?
The RetroN Sq is compatible with the vast majority of original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges. GBA compatibility is broader after firmware updates but not universal. Flash cartridges and most reproduction cartridges are not supported, and some licensed GBA titles may still require a cartridge reseat before they will load correctly.
Where do save files go on the RetroN Sq, and can I transfer them back to my cartridge?
Save data is stored on the microSD card that ships with the console, not written back to the cartridge itself. This means progress made on the RetroN Sq will not appear if you move that cartridge to an original Game Boy. It also means that updating the firmware can erase existing save data, so back up the card before applying any update.
Can I use my existing USB controller with the RetroN Sq instead of the Scout?
Third-party USB controllers tend not to work reliably with the RetroN Sq. The system is designed around Hyperkin’s own Scout controller, and most other USB pads either produce input lag or fail to register at all. If the Scout’s layout does not suit you, that is a meaningful limitation to weigh before buying.
How is the RetroN Sq different from the Hyperkin RetroN 5?
The RetroN Sq plays only Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges, and it is focused on simplicity and price. The RetroN 5 supports those three formats plus NES, Super NES, Famicom, Super Famicom, Genesis, Mega Drive, and Sega Master System cartridges, and it adds save states and a more developed interface. The RetroN 5 costs considerably more, but it covers far more ground for collectors with a broader library.