The RetroN 5 plays significantly more classic games than the RetroN 3 HD. The RetroN 3 HD covers three cartridge families: NES, Super NES/Super Famicom, and Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. The RetroN 5 adds Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and Famicom to that list, covering nine distinct systems across five physical slots. Both consoles output 720p over HDMI, and both accept original cartridges. The key decision comes down to how deep your retro library runs and how much you value software features like save states.
If your collection stops at 16-bit home consoles, the RetroN 3 HD is a clean, affordable answer. If you have Game Boy carts in a drawer alongside your SNES and Genesis titles, the RetroN 5 is the only one of the two that handles all of them in a single box.
What systems does each console actually support?
The RetroN 3 HD is a 3-in-1 machine. It accepts NES, Super NES/Super Famicom, and Genesis/Mega Drive cartridges in both NTSC and PAL formats. That covers the two biggest 8-bit and 16-bit home libraries in North America, which is a practical fit for most collectors who grew up in the late 1980s and 1990s.
The RetroN 5 goes further. It has five physical cartridge slots that together support nine systems: NES, Famicom, SNES, Super Famicom, Sega Genesis, Mega Drive, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance. The Famicom slot uses a 60-pin connector, separate from the 72-pin NES bay, so both Japanese and North American 8-bit carts work without an adapter.
| Feature | RetroN 3 HD | RetroN 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Supported systems | 3 (NES, SNES, Genesis) | 9 (adds Famicom, GBA, GBC, GB, Mega Drive, Super Famicom) |
| Cartridge slots | 3 | 5 |
| HDMI output | Yes, 720p | Yes, 720p |
| AV output | Yes | Yes |
| Save states | No | Yes |
| On-screen UI | No | Yes |
| Aspect ratio switch | Physical switch (4:3 / 16:9) | GUI setting (4:3 / 16:9) |
| Wireless controller | No (wired included) | Yes (Bluetooth, 25+ ft range) |
| Region support | NTSC and PAL | NTSC and PAL |
| Price (Hyperkin) | ~$85.99 | $179.99 |
Does the RetroN 3 HD have HDMI, and how does its picture compare to the RetroN 5?
Both consoles share the same 720p ceiling, so picture sharpness is not where they diverge. The RetroN 3 HD uses a physical aspect-ratio toggle switch on the unit itself to flip between 4:3 and 16:9. The RetroN 5 handles that through its on-screen GUI, where you can also apply video filters including a scanlines mode if you want something closer to a CRT look.
The RetroN 5 adds audio interpolation, which generates new audio samples between the originals for a smoother sound output. The RetroN 3 HD does not include that processing. For most listeners the difference is subtle, but it is there on titles with dense soundtracks like SNES RPGs.
Both consoles also support AV output for anyone still running a CRT setup alongside a modern TV.
What does the RetroN 5 offer that the RetroN 3 HD does not?
The gap between the two consoles is wider than the system count suggests. The RetroN 5 includes:
- Save states: Pause and resume at any point in a game, with ten save slots per title stored on internal memory or an SD card.
- On-screen UI: Navigate settings, load states, and adjust video filters without resetting the console.
- Built-in Game Genie: Access cheat codes for most supported games directly from the menu.
- Screenshot capture: Save JPEG screenshots to the SD card slot.
- Bluetooth wireless controller: The included controller reaches over 25 feet and supports fully remappable buttons across every supported system.
- Cross-system controller mapping: Plug an original Genesis controller into the SNES port, remap the buttons through the UI, and play SNES games with it.
The RetroN 3 HD keeps things simpler on purpose. It ships with two wired controllers styled after classic designs and includes dedicated original controller ports for each system. Cartridge in, power on, play. There is no menu to navigate and no firmware to update. For someone who wants zero friction between picking up a cart and playing it, that simplicity is a genuine advantage.
What are the pros and cons of each console?
RetroN 3 HD
Pros
- Lower price point (roughly $85.99)
- Plug-and-play simplicity with no menus
- Supports both HDMI and AV output out of the box
- Two wired premium controllers included
- Physical aspect-ratio switch is fast and intuitive
Cons
- No save states
- No Game Boy or Famicom support
- No on-screen software features
- Wired controllers only (no wireless option in the box)
RetroN 5
Pros
- Nine systems across five cartridge slots
- Save states with ten slots per game
- Bluetooth wireless controller included
- On-screen UI with filters, cheats, and screenshot capture
- Full button remapping for original and included controllers
- PAL and NTSC support with region selection in the menu
Cons
- $179.99 price point is roughly double the RetroN 3 HD
- More setup involved (pairing controller, navigating UI)
- Flash carts and EverDrive cartridges are not compatible
Game Boy Support Is What Tips the Scale
If your collection is built around NES, Super NES, and Genesis cartridges only, the RetroN 3 HD does exactly what you need at roughly half the price. It is the right choice for someone who wants a clean, no-fuss way to run three classic libraries on a modern TV.
But the moment Game Boy, Game Boy Color, or Game Boy Advance carts enter the picture, the RetroN 3 HD cannot help you. That is the real dividing line between these two consoles in 2026. If your library includes Game Boy formats, the Hyperkin RetroN 5 at $179.99 is the only one of the two that covers them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the RetroN 3 HD support Game Boy Advance cartridges?
No. The RetroN 3 HD only accepts NES, Super NES/Super Famicom, and Genesis/Mega Drive cartridges. Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges require the RetroN 5, which has a dedicated slot for all three Game Boy formats on the front of the console.
Can I use my original NES and SNES controllers on the RetroN 5?
Yes. The RetroN 5 has six original controller ports total: two for NES, two for SNES, and two for Genesis. You can plug in original hardware controllers and remap their buttons through the on-screen interface, so an SNES controller can even be used to play Genesis games if you prefer.
Do both the RetroN 3 HD and RetroN 5 work with PAL cartridges?
Yes, both consoles support NTSC and PAL cartridges. The RetroN 5 handles region selection through its GUI, letting you manually choose between USA, Europe, and Japan regions. The RetroN 3 HD handles PAL compatibility at the hardware level without a software menu.
Is the RetroN 5’s 720p output noticeably better than the RetroN 3 HD’s?
Both consoles output at 720p maximum, so the resolution is identical. The RetroN 5 adds audio interpolation and optional video filters, including a scanlines mode, which can make games look and sound closer to how they appeared on original hardware. The RetroN 3 HD outputs a clean 720p signal without those additional processing options.
Are flash carts or EverDrives compatible with either console?
The RetroN 5 is not compatible with flash carts or EverDrive cartridges; it requires original game cartridges only. The RetroN 3 HD also relies on original physical media. If flash cart support is important to your setup, neither console is the right fit.