The RetroN 1 HD ($39.99) is the right pick if you own NES cartridges only and want the cheapest HDMI path to a modern TV. Step up to the RetroN 2 HD ($79.99) if you also have Super NES or Super Famicom games, and choose the RetroN 3 HD ($99.99) only if Sega Genesis is part of your collection. All three output 720p over HDMI, so the decision comes down entirely to which cartridge slots you need and how much you want to spend.
Each console sits in Hyperkin’s retro-hardware lineup as a purpose-built clone: hardware pins read your original carts directly, no emulation software involved. That matters for feel and compatibility, but it also means the image quality ceiling is the same across all three. Knowing where each model stops is the fastest way to avoid paying for slots you will never use.
What systems does each RetroN HD play?
| Console | NES | Super NES / Super Famicom | Genesis / Mega Drive | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RetroN 1 HD | Yes | No | No | $39.99 |
| RetroN 2 HD | Yes | Yes | No | $79.99 |
| RetroN 3 HD | Yes | Yes | Yes | $99.99 |
The RetroN 1 HD reads NES cartridges only, covering both NTSC and PAL regions via a bottom-panel switch. It reads both 60 Hz NTSC and 50 Hz PAL carts via that switch: nothing else.
The RetroN 2 HD adds a full Super NES slot alongside the NES slot, supporting NES, Super NES, and Super Famicom cartridges in NTSC and PAL. It also accepts EverDrive and reproduction cartridges, which makes it more useful for collectors who run flash carts.
The RetroN 3 HD goes one step further, adding a Genesis/Mega Drive slot. So it covers NES, Super NES, Super Famicom, and Genesis/Mega Drive cartridges, again in both NTSC and PAL. Each system gets its own dedicated controller ports, so you can keep original controllers plugged in for each platform at the same time.
How does HDMI output quality compare across the three?
All three consoles output at 720p over HDMI and include an aspect ratio switch between 4:3 and 16:9. None of them upscale to 1080p or 4K, and none use a dedicated FPGA. The hardware reads the cartridge and passes the signal through a chip that converts it to an HD signal for your TV.
In practice, the picture is noticeably cleaner than playing through composite on a modern flat panel, with richer colors and no signal bleed. The 720p image tends to look soft rather than razor-sharp, which is a known trait of this conversion method across the entire RetroN HD family. Shoppers who want pixel-perfect scanline accuracy should look at the Analogue Pocket ($219) or a MiSTer FPGA build (roughly $150 and up for parts), both of which use field-programmable hardware to reproduce the original signal chain exactly. For everyone else, 720p over HDMI is a genuine upgrade over the composite cables that came with the original consoles.
All three also include AV output with a composite cable in the box, so a CRT setup is still possible if you prefer that look.
Controller ports are where the RetroN 3 HD earns its higher price beyond the extra cartridge slot. It ships with dedicated ports for each system, meaning you can use an original Genesis six-button pad in the Genesis port and an original SNES pad in the SNES port without adapters. The RetroN 2 HD includes two controller ports per system (one NES pair, one SNES pair). The RetroN 1 HD has two NES controller ports.
What are the pros and cons of each RetroN HD console?
RetroN 1 HD ($39.99)
Pros
- Lowest price in the lineup
- Compact footprint, easy to store
- NTSC/PAL switch covers international NES carts
- Includes the Cadet controller with a 10-foot cable
Cons
- NES only: no SNES or Genesis support
- No EverDrive or flash cart compatibility confirmed
- 720p output is soft compared to FPGA alternatives
RetroN 2 HD ($79.99)
Pros
- Covers NES and Super NES/Super Famicom in one box
- Supports EverDrive and reproduction cartridges
- Includes both a Cadet (NES) and Scout (SNES) controller
- Hyperkin Perfect Pin technology for improved cart contact
Cons
- Doubles the price of the RetroN 1 HD for the SNES slot
- Still 720p only, same image ceiling as the cheaper model
- No Genesis support
RetroN 3 HD ($99.99)
Pros
- Three systems in one: NES, SNES, and Genesis/Mega Drive
- Dedicated controller ports for each platform
- NTSC and PAL across all three systems
- Includes Scout and Squire controllers
Cons
- Most expensive of the three
- Adding a third system adds physical bulk
- The YM2612 FM synthesis chip used in Genesis audio can sound thin on certain titles, notably Sonic 2, compared to original hardware
- Currently shows as sold out on the Hyperkin store as of mid-2026
Which RetroN HD console should you buy?
Your cartridge collection answers this question before price does.
If you have a stack of NES games and nothing else, the Hyperkin RetroN 1 HD at $39.99 is the correct choice. Paying an extra $40 for a Super NES slot you will never use makes no sense.
If you have both NES and Super NES cartridges (or Super Famicom imports), the Hyperkin RetroN 2 HD at $79.99 is the sweet spot. The EverDrive support is a real advantage for collectors, and two premium controllers in the box make it ready to play with a friend immediately.
If Sega Genesis is part of your library, the RetroN 3 HD at $99.99 is the only option in this family that covers all three systems. The $20 premium over the RetroN 2 HD is fair for what you get. Just check stock before you order, as it has been selling out periodically.
Your Cartridge Collection Is the Whole Answer
Spend exactly as much as your cart library requires. A pure NES collector gets no value from the RetroN 2 HD’s Super NES slot, and a mixed NES/SNES collector has no reason to pay for Genesis support. The HDMI output quality is identical across all three at 720p, so that variable does not break the tie. What breaks it is the number of cartridge slots you will actually use. If that number is one, spend $39.99. If it is two, spend $79.99. If it is three, the RetroN 3 HD is the only answer in this lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the RetroN HD consoles work on modern 4K TVs?
Yes, all three connect via HDMI and are recognized by modern 4K televisions, which scale the 720p signal up to fill the screen. The consoles themselves output 720p natively, so the TV handles the upscaling. Picture quality depends on your TV’s upscaler, but the connection works without any adapters or converters.
Can the RetroN 2 HD play Super Famicom cartridges from Japan?
Yes. The RetroN 2 HD supports both NTSC and PAL Super Famicom cartridges alongside North American Super NES carts. The cartridge slot is physically wide enough to accept the narrower Super Famicom shape, so no adapter is needed for Japanese SFC titles.
Do any of the RetroN HD consoles support save states or screenshots?
No. The RetroN 1 HD, RetroN 2 HD, and RetroN 3 HD are hardware-based clone consoles that read cartridges directly, so they have no save state or screenshot features. Those functions exist on the RetroN 5, which uses software emulation and costs considerably more at $179.99.
Will original NES, SNES, and Genesis controllers work in the RetroN HD consoles?
Yes, in most cases. The RetroN 1 HD has standard NES controller ports that accept original Nintendo pads. The RetroN 2 HD adds SNES ports. The RetroN 3 HD includes dedicated ports for all three systems, so original controllers for each platform plug straight in without adapters.
Is the RetroN 3 HD worth buying over the RetroN 2 HD if I only have a few Genesis games?
Probably not. If your Genesis library is small, the $20 price difference is straightforward, but availability is a real factor since the RetroN 3 HD sells out more frequently. A small Genesis collection might be better served by a dedicated Genesis clone, leaving the RetroN 2 HD to handle NES and SNES duty.