Topic: Retro HDMI Solutions

I have been getting back into retro gaming, but there's one big issue; getting the best picture out of my SNES, and I bought a Hyperkin 3-in-one HDMI cable a couple of days ago that I'm using on my model 1 SNES, and I'm not sure if this is any good, or should I return it.

I read reviews on Amazon for this thing, and I'm seeing that it has a three star average with 47 reviews, although a couple of reviews are five stars.

However, the one star reviews I came across mentions that the sound becomes extremely distorted after a while, and I'm seeing that the other options on the table if I were to return the cable would either be to purchase the Pound cable, or the LevelHike, and I don't even mind shelling out $100 for a RetroTink, but I do want to examine the cheaper options first. Any inputs regarding this matter is greatly appreciated!

You can get a Hyperkin Suparetron HD @videogames4ever1 for like $59.99 on Walmart.com. The Suparetron is a HD (720p) SNES clone that is hardware based instead of software based which is what you'd want IMO. I have one and a Megaretron HD (HD Genesis) and couldn't be happier. Are they as good as the $200 or $300 clones NO but their a steal at under $60 for the Suparetron and under $50 for the Megaretron. And both systems will play SNES & Genesis games from North America. Europe, Asia/Japan in Widescreen or 4:3.

@CurryPowderKeg79 Thank you for the suggestion, but I prefer to play on the real hardware I already have for compatibility, and I'm wondering if there are any other cables that will be less prone to having problems like the sound distortion I mentioned. Thanks!

I went ahead and bought one of those adapters on my list for the SNES, and a RetroTink for setting up the N64, and since that system doesn't support RGB, I am thinking about going the S-video route. I'm seeing on this eBay link here https://www.ebay.com/itm/S-Video-SVHS-Cable-Nintendo-N64-SNES... and then there's this one that is official https://www.ebay.com/itm/Official-Nintendo-S-Video-Cable-N64-... but not sure if this will make a big difference or not. Thank you!

@videogames4ever1 I’m considering getting a Retrotink 2x for my 1980s-90s consoles, but was wondering: Why don’t you use the Retrotink for the SNES as well? And how did it work out on the N64?

I'm impressed enough with the Levelhike on the SNES, as that does a direct conversion with RGB, because I don't feel like plowing down a bunch of money for Retrovision cables, which is why that I don't feel like using Retrotink on that.

Its awesome with the N64, though its going to be better when I get the official S-video in the mail, and it is outstanding on my NES! N64 doesn't support RGB, which is why I got the Retrotink for that one. Speaking of S-video cables, I might order the third party one for the N64 to use the official one on the SNES if I run into any issues with the Levelhike which seems unlikely, since so far, it seems much more reliable than that horrendous 3-in-1 Hyperkin cable.

@videogames4ever1 Thanks for the reply. Just a quick follow-up question: You say you don’t feel like buying Retrovision cables for the SNES - but can’t you just use the N64 composite cable (unless you don’t want to unplug/plug the SNES/N64, depending on which you use). I have the standard (PAL) composite cables for NES, N64 and Gamecube, and was thinking of using these in combination with Retrotink on those three systems plus my SNES.

@Sinton I use an s-video av switcher to switch between consoles like this here https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pelican-Accessories-4-Way-AV-Switch-... which accepts four inputs, and I highly recommend that judging from what you have.