At E3 2019 this week, our video producer Zion Grassl had the chance to catch up with Terence Calacsan from Hyperkin and have a chat about the Retron Ult - an N64 clone that is "super early" in development.
It's compatible with Nintendo 64 cartridges, controllers, targeting 720p HD output and will include a wired controller. Hyperkin's Admiral - a wireless controller, will also be compatible with the system, and there's a dongle that will allow you to transfer saves from your Memory Pak.
When we broke the story a while back, many of you spotted that the video footage was plagued by emulation issues that are common in a lot of N64 emulators for PCs and smart devices, such as the billboards in Mario Kart 64 not displaying properly.
When quizzed on what kind of tech the console will be using, Calacsan replied:
We have two different road maps we can go - we can do maybe emulation route, or we can do maybe sort of a cloned-console route. Right now, it's so early in development, that we don't we know what the end solution might be, it could be anything. For right now, we just want to get the best possible output picture at a good price point - basically, just something that people can plug and play, and play their N64 games without having to go back and find their old N64.
Find out more about this system in the video above and tell us what you think in the comments.
Comments 50
Yeah if it runs great with my old cartridges I’m all in. As long as it’s around 100$. Preferably less😁
An emulator that won't work with Everdrives....no thanks!
this is interesting
it's just an emulator that doesn't even work with all games, how about no
Really though, he decided that colors were important to ask about?
Very interesting but I’d like to also see an N64 mini!
I thought this Hyperkin guy was pretty unprepared. I mean, they haven't decided if they are building a clone system or an emulation machine?! That's a pretty big distinction!
It seriously makes me wonder why they would show a device off when, from the sound of it, they haven't even decided what they are going to make. Just that they are going to build something that plays N64 games.
But who needs all those pesky details anyway, right? It's not like the retro gamer community cares about things like that at all!
lol
It needs to be a clone console...
Even Nintendo couldn't get the emulation right on the Wii U
@KennyBania That doesn't mean much. Retron '77 can play rom images off the internal SD card for instance. Don't need a SD multicart if the system itself directly supports the playing of rom images.
Sorry. I'll wait for Nintendo's Mini 64. Why would I want to buy an almost illegal product from an unknown company instead of Nintendo?
For some folks this will be just fine. I'm more of a discerning retro gamer, as I'm sure most are who grew up when these systems were new and know how everything should look, feel and sound.
Analogue makes the best retro recreations and I'd like to hold out for their hopefully inevitable pass at the N64. I've put all of my classic carts on Everdrives and such, so an emulated console just doesn't interest me
The new name sucks, why not kept the old name, the Ultra Retron or the Retron Ultra sounds way better than this Retron Ult.
720p? What is this madness?!?
240p or get outta here!
Hmm, I went back and found my old N64 instead, then applied UltraHDMI to it. Hyperkin, no thanks, your track record is just above 0 in quality if not for the Supaboy S/SFC actually working entirely right.
Hyperkin have zero of my trust. The Retron5 is essentially illegally using emulation code made by others who stated their work is to be shared freely. The cartridge slot pins are so damn tight they do more bad than good to any carts you insert and take out.
Now this guy is saying he has no real idea how the N64 system will run? Its obvious they’ll rip off N64 emulators and once more profit off someone else’s work. There’s no way these hacks would come remotely close to FPGA on their own any time soon.
How not to run a business right there..
@PBandSmelly where? Do you know a good one that isn't too expensive? Thank you!
@Cosats Patents are expired. So while I don't know what "almost illegal" even means, this definitely is fully legal.
@carmudgeon No, Hyperkin themselves support the playing of rom images on the Retron '77.
As for the rest, I'm not sure what the point is supposed to be. How does the fact that the Stella team has done a lot of work to enable users to run the latest and greatest version of Stella on the Retron '77 when Hyperkin couldn't be bothered to do the same, defeat what I said?
The point remains that if this is the emulation based machine it surely will be, and if Hyperkin (Or an outside source) enables the playing of N64 rom images off the system's internal SD card, it won't matter that it can't interact with an Everdrive 64.
I suspect you're not a Hyperkin fan and possibly misconstrued my original post as me defending them. But rest assured I'm no fan and I don't think this has a chance of being worthwhile.
@PBandSmelly
Yeah but any HDMI Convertor at that price is going to be pretty bad. Functional at the most basic level but doing nothing about how bad N64s look on modern TVs. The type of person who would be interested in a Clone Console won’t be happy with that, they’re looking at Framemeisters and OSSC boxes.
@Cosats
It’s not illegal in the slightest
@Heavyarms55
That was my first thought. Whatever this thing turns out to be it’s years away. Vapourware at the minute.
@Heavyarms55 I'm gonna guess... Hyperkin only use emulators
@liveswired Well that's a fair guess. I mention the clone system possibility because they did as an option they were looking at.
@SPG wow how did you test it before release?
@electrolite77 I think what @Cosats was getting at is, in the past Hyperkin have used open source emulators on closed platforms, which goes against the open source license agreement which, I'll be honest not being a lawyer, I am not sure if it's legally a grey area or out right illegal. Either way it's a sucky way to do business.
I don't understand why Nintendo can't re-release an official N64 for people who are still interested to play on original hardware without the emulation stuff. I'm sure that old hardware shouldn't cost that much anymore to produce. Release a limited edition. I still have N64 games, but not the original hardware anymore
@Cosats probably because we want to play goldeneye in 720p which won't be on the n64 mini
Tip for Hyperkin:
When making public statements, avoid the term 'the final solution'.
The guy just wasn’t prepared or just wasn’t bothered.
@Alucard83 It would be really expensive because the CPU, GPU aren't produced anymore. That's why you only see emulation and FPGA-based solutions. The original hardware isn't there anymore, and is probably more expensive to make than modern hardware. Especially in lower volumes.
@Cosats Almost illegal? Is that like being almost pregnant? To be clear, it’s not illegal, or even almost illegal, whatever that is...
@Unblowupable5 So does that mean everybody who actually uses are doing the illegal thing then?
This thing looks terrible which is a shame because the N64 desperately needs a good clone solution. The original hardware outputs terrible video quality with horrible antialiasing that smears the image to crap. They only way to play it in good quality is the Ultra HDMI mod. I'm lucky enough to have that and it's amazing but I had to spend $400 on a modded system. If we could get a cycle accurate fpga solution that would be great. However I seriously doubt it'll come from Hyperkin. Maybe Analog will cook something up.
@Cosats Almost illegal? Please explain.
@YANDMAN There are lots of videos on it already, if you look at footage of mario kart, the jumbo screen on some tracks such as luigi's circuit is all messed up, and thats do to emulator limitations, real hardware wouldn't have that issue.
@Heavyarms55
You just summarized the whole industry right now. Are you truly surprised?
@Alucard83 Its quite easy to get an excellent condition N64 though. Those things are tanks.
"basically, just something that people can plug and play, and play their N64 games without having to go back and find their old N64."
That's a pretty dumb statement, seeing as if I want to play these games,
I don't just have to go back and "find" my N64, but also my cartridges, seeing as they are all neatly stored together.
So I can easily retrieve them, and hook the system up, you know, if I want to play the games...
@Cosats Almost illegal. What the heck does that mean? It's not illegal at all. Quite frankly its the first of many N64 clones that will be released in the future. It serves a purpose for people who just want to play from time to time. I have no need for it since I have original hardware but I know quite a few people that have been waiting for a device like this.
I’ll stick with my N64, Wii U, Rare Replay, and DS/3DS remakes.
@Cosats Hyperkin is a fairly well known company at this point, but most of their work has been with 8 and 16 bit consoles like the NES. I bought their more current NES emulator but returned it as it had sound issues. I'll keep half an eye on this project, but the quality of the emulation shown at this point is nothing impressive. If they can come up with a decent HDMI version of the N64 I'll be very interested. The other thing they didn't have going was any anti-aliasing that was pretty heavy on the original N64. With the footage shown it wasn't there so hopefully it's available at least as an option. For me it's just part of the look that makes N64 games and I would want the option to turn it on and off.
@Vicki_S I think the biggest benefit of this project would be to have an affordable option for playing the N64 on current HDMI equipped televisions. Most modern televisions don't scale the image from older consoles well, and adding a good scaler or modding your N64 with a quality product like the UltraHDMI can cost hundreds of dollars. If they can improve the emulation and add some options this may be a nice product, though their past history doesn't have me convinced yet. I would love for Nintendo to come forward with an N64 mini to fill the HDMI connection gap. But I'm with you and don't plan on parting with my original N64 console and game collection anytime soon.
@kuliddar I agree that their is nothing they are doing that is illegal. If Nintendo offered the product themselves then no one would bother buying Hyperkins solution. But for now they provide a solution for some, I just don't think their quality is nearly up to Nintendo's standards.
@Cosats Nintendo has already said it isn't making anymore mini-consoles. Besides, an N64-Mini would fail to live up to expectations due to licensing. Aside from Rare's catalog most likely not being available (outside Donkey Kong 64 and Diddy Kong Racing) (and GoldenEye being in licensing hell), there's a lot of third party titles that wouldn't be available.
@Nico07 I know, but I was referring to my personal setup. I have the Wii U and Xbox One connected to my smart TV (it has HDMI, component, and composite), the N64 hooked up to an older TV, and a New 2DS XL.
I wish Dad hadn't gotten rid of the big CRT.
@Cosats because its not illegal and its not an unknown company.
@Galrand64 Nintendo and Microsoft seem to want to portray themselves as almost allies of a sort. Assuming that relationship continues, I wouldn't discount Rare games if a N64 Mini happens in the next few years (Nintendo has said they have no plans, but that doesn't mean it won't change). And that right there would take care of the major non-Nintendo highlights for many people.
Of course, Goldeneye might not be a shoe-in since they'd still need the movie license. But even that might not be as difficult as it has been in the past. We're fast approaching 10 years since the last James Bond videogame was released. There's no exclusivity deal with a videogame publisher these days that would have to be worked around like back in the Xbox Live Arcade era when Activision had it. Just the movie studio itself would have to write off on it (MGM, I think?).
UGLY and N64 games sucks!
@Cosats
Because Nintendo could end up not releasing a N64 Mini, and if they do there’s always the chance it’s missing several great games.
It's an easy way to play on new tv..besides that Id rather use an actual n64. Especially if you own a rare and expensive model. Like me
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