Hyperkin - Retron 77. HD Atari 2600?

[Atari Today]

Uhh..dudes? Looks like there is an HD offering from Hyperkin that will potentially be announced during E3.  

Some folks were doing some super sleuthing in regards to the teaser trailer released for "Ataribox" and while they didn't find further details in regards to that, they did stumble across the following on the E3 exhibitor details site.  This week could get interesting in regards to Atari announcements..for better or worse.

 

http://mp037jm24.mapyourshow.com/7_0/exhibitor/exhibitor-details.cfm?ExhID=vKfzxkpC RetroN 77 Retro Gaming Console

 

The RetroN 77 plays all your favorite 2600 cartridges in beautiful 1080p HD. It's one happenin' pixel party for the senses. Marvel at the slick wood paneling; the on-board game and difficulty select; and the included premium joystick - perfect for all you one-button warriors. Can. You. Dig. It? 

 

 

 

-My thoughts on Hyperkin very.  I own the Retron 5 and while it I've had fun with it I admit that the build quality isn't exactly top notch.  My SNES first controller port has crapped out (along with the cheap wireless controller the system came with) and I can no longer go left.  I now use a sega genesis controller with my system.  My friends Retron 5 system has completely bitten the dust after getting close to two years out of it.

 

Some random questions include:  Will this be emulation based?  If it is emulation based will there be lag?  Will it support paddle, racing, keypad, controllers? 

[MaximumRD]

I am just hoping if it plays original carts it fully supports my HARMONY CART. IF NOT meh, I have enough 2600 compatible consoles and modded systems to support my 2600 games. 

[Atari Today]

I've yet to jump into purchasing a Harmony Cart.  It would probably save me lots of space (and money?) in regards to my collection..but i love me some Atari manuals and boxes.  My family is probably planning an intervention in the near future. 

 

If this is emulation based I'm afraid you won't be able to use your Harmony Cart.  The Retron 5 didn't support multi-carts or even random bootlegs from back in the day.

 

I want to support Hyperkin jumping into making an HD Atari..but I can't help with be super skeptical at this point.  Fingers crossed they prove me wrong

[Sabertooth]

I am just hoping if it plays original carts it fully supports my HARMONY CART. IF NOT meh, I have enough 2600 compatible consoles and modded systems to support my 2600 games.

 

This.

[TrekMD]

I'm with MaximumRD!

[MaximumRD]

I've yet to jump into purchasing a Harmony Cart.  It would probably save me lots of space (and money?) in regards to my collection..but i love me some Atari manuals and boxes.  My family is probably planning an intervention in the near future. 

 

If this is emulation based I'm afraid you won't be able to use your Harmony Cart.  The Retron 5 didn't support multi-carts or even random bootlegs from back in the day.

 

I want to support Hyperkin jumping into making an HD Atari..but I can't help with be super skeptical at this point.  Fingers crossed they prove me wrong

Yes that is what I fear, that it will work in the same manner as the Retron5 literally dumping cart content to a ROM for it's own emulator use. I suspect that will be the case. I also thought the Retron 3 which I have is junk in build quality though it DOES support flashcarts. I went for the RetroBit SuperRetroTrio though instead of the Retron5 because that not only plays nicely with all my Everdrives (Snes / Nes / Genesis) built is pretty good in the compatibility and even comes with a pretty nice stock controller. 

[fergojisan]

I'll have to get an HDTV first. I guess they're catching on.

[dauber]

I've yet to jump into purchasing a Harmony Cart.  It would probably save me lots of space (and money?) in regards to my collection..but i love me some Atari manuals and boxes.  My family is probably planning an intervention in the near future. 

 

Oh, I'm all about the actual carts, too, but man, that Harmony is a wonderful thing. Great for playing works-in-progress, unreleased games, and games that I just plain don't have but want to play for friendly competition. Also, if I want to bring some games to an Atari party -- which has happened, by the dubs -- I can just load 'em up on an SD card rather than have to toss my stuff in a box and toss said box in the car.

[Atari Creep]

I read that Hyperkin is working on a system called the RetroN77. A system to play 2600 games (hopefully 7800 too) for modern setups.

 

This is cool, I BEGGED them many times to do so. Even made a video about it. 

 

This is too cool, what a fantastic week for Atari lovers!!!!!

[RickR]

As MaximumRD stated....if it can run a Harmony cart...I'm interested.  If not...no thanks. 

I personally have a Retron 3 (which I bought used) and it's been really good for me.  The build quality isn't the best.  But I love that it uses real controllers for each system.  For the NES carts, I have to use a little folded piece of paper to keep the cart angled right in the slot to get it to work.  No big deal to me.  I love how much space it saves -- not to mention the huge reduction in wiring (both power and AV).  Plus it's red...my favorite color. 

 

So I'll call myself interested...but waiting to know more details. 

Edited June 11, 2017 by RickR

[Atari Creep]

Personally think they would be doing a disservice to themselves if they do not take the extra steps in including the 7800 on this thing. I'm interested either way just for the idea of it. Love for the pre 8 bit stuff finally. Now we just need to make a RetroN 5 like system with Coleco and Intellivision too. Maybe 8-bit computer jazz too!!!! 

[Justin]

Personally think they would be doing a disservice to themselves if they do not take the extra steps in including the 7800 on this thing. I'm interested either way just for the idea of it. Love for the pre 8 bit stuff finally. Now we just need to make a RetroN 5 like system with Coleco and Intellivision too. Maybe 8-bit computer jazz too!!!!

In my opinion the 7800 is the untapped pinnacle of Atari 8-bit awesomeness. For 1984 it was amazing and even when compared to early NES there are a number of ways in which the 7800 performs very well. Unfortunately I don't see that the 7800 ever reached its full potential. Nintendo continued to develop the NES and push the envelope of what it could do, meanwhile Atari Corp. was aggressive about cost-saving measures, i.e. no POKEY, no new chips, no new accessories, etc. The 7800 was left to compete for shelf space with the XE, 2600, and Lynx before facing the real competition from Nintendo, Sega and others. I would love to see the new Retron include 7800 compatibility and hopefully jumpstart a new frontier of 7800 homebrew developers. Not to do so I believe would be a mistake.

[Atari Today]

Oh, I'm all about the actual carts, too, but man, that Harmony is a wonderful thing. Great for playing works-in-progress, unreleased games, and games that I just plain don't have but want to play for friendly competition. Also, if I want to bring some games to an Atari party -- which has happened, by the dubs -- I can just load 'em up on an SD card rather than have to toss my stuff in a box and toss said box in the car.

I quickly went from pondering my next big purchase from being a maybe this Retron 77 system thing to a definite must purchase on the Harmony cart.  I didn't even consider the possibilities of playing work in progress games and unreleased prototypes!  

While i don't own one I now understand why it would suck if this new system doesn't support it.

[Starbuck66]

Yes that is what I fear, that it will work in the same manner as the Retron5 literally dumping cart content to a ROM for it's own emulator use. I suspect that will be the case. I also thought the Retron 3 which I have is junk in build quality though it DOES support flashcarts. I went for the RetroBit SuperRetroTrio though instead of the Retron5 because that not only plays nicely with all my Everdrives (Snes / Nes / Genesis) built is pretty good in the compatibility and even comes with a pretty nice stock controller. 

 

I haven't heard any rumors that this will be emulation based, but there's very little info out period. I'm hoping they follow the model of the Retron 1 HD; it doesn't use emulation, but they do use a NOAC with an upscaler for HDMI output. Not ideal, but better than nothing I guess. The Retron 1 HD also has AV ports, so if you don't have an HDTV and want to use it you still can. 

 

My guess is if this is a solo cart product it will be some sort of Atari on a chip scenario similar to the Retron 1 HD. I can't see them going the emulation route to play carts from one system on a console.

[Ballblaɀer]

From @simoncarless, on Twitter:

 

 

From @BillLange1968, on Twitter:

Edited June 13, 2017 by Ballblaɀer

[Atari Creep]

[nosweargamer]

Hmm... I don't see difficulty switches or the color/B&W switch, which are need for some games. I wonder if there is some sort of in game menu you can access to get to those.  

 

Also, they put Pac-Man in backwards....or the cartridge slot backwards....

Edited June 13, 2017 by nosweargamer

[MaximumRD]

OK some of you have posted the pics floating around, screw it I will add all mine again lol, Posted by Dr. Manhattan on Atariage, yes some images are duplicated but it seems he has been sourcing some info as well which I will include here. The case looks a bit rough but keep in mind it was a demo unit thrown together for E3. Honestly, if the look remains but smoothed out that is fine and also hopefully the info so far is very promising imho, for the price and the features will certainly be worth considering and buying may encourage more such devices for us classic gaming enthusiast. It certainly seems like something we have been clamoring for. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated $40 price point.

Should work with Harmony cart. 

No release date yet.

 

Currently does work with Harmony cart. This will remain pending legal dept approval. 

 

Has 4x3 and 16x9 modes. Has color & b/w modes

 

Built around Stella emulator 

 

Will work with track balls, 3rd party controllers, etc. 

 

The USB port is for power. Considering making it open source based on what they've seen from the Atari community. No save states yet. Hardware is very early. Input lag doesn't seem to be a problem. Had a very good run in both Atari Pac-Man and Missile Command. For an early prototype it's a very impressive product. 

[TrekMD]

This is a must-buy!

[fergojisan]

Looking at the back, I guess that means it is HDMI only? I don't have one so I'm not sure. Missing the physical switches will affect some games like Phil said. I guess it will work with a Harmony cart, that is good news. The price point is incredible. As long as they don't find a SNES inside later on, this should be a great thing for the community. Except for cart prices going up.

[Starbuck66]

Saw this article yesterday:

 

https://www.engadget.com/2017/06/13/atari-2600-retron-77/

 

This is saying 80 for the price? I also heard rumors that it is emulation and Harmony won't work. Guess we'll just have to wait and see how it shapes up, but still exciting news!

[MaximumRD]

Saw this article yesterday:

 

https://www.engadget.com/2017/06/13/atari-2600-retron-77/

 

This is saying 80 for the price? I also heard rumors that it is emulation and Harmony won't work. Guess we'll just have to wait and see how it shapes up, but still exciting news!

To be clear, what I posted did come from somebody who asked the person giving the demo of the prototype at E3 apparently. Obviously nothing is written in stone in such a case, myself I try not to get too excited over any info that far as is my skeptical nature. To be honest, I found it kind of telling that they said "should" work with the harmony part as often with such things I find they will say should because they don't want to flat out say WONT as that is a negative and of course they try to avoid being as negative as possible displaying an upcoming item but it is definitely emulation or I assume it must be because the selector and toggle switches etc supposedly are selected using the interface and not physical buttons so yeah, I was also surprised to read that it "should" work with the harmony. As for $40 being the price I was quite surprised to hear that as well that is really low, I could see it being for one of the cheap Atgames handhelds but for the first 2600 compatible console? I would be very surprised, so double definitely sounds more realistic a price. Anyway we have to take all information up to the release with a grain of salt hope for the best, I am just hoping it has decent compatibility and minimal to no lag while playing, anything else would surely be icing on the cake. Let's keep our fingers crossed. 

[Justin]

A few thoughts about the Retron 77…

 

 

• It's a tremendous missed opportunity for the Retron 77 not to play Atari 7800 games. That would've introduced the 7800 to a ton of people and sparked more homebrewing and new 7800 developers. Hardware is still very early with talk of open source, so I’m holding out hope.
   
• It's nice to see Atari finally represented in a modern repro console. Until now Atari has taken a back seat to almost everything else.
   
• If the $40 price point holds true Retron 77 will be super attractive to new 2600 gamers just getting introduced to the world of Atari, who want new hardware and HD. I’ll always advocate original hardware but a fresh new $40 HD console on storeshelves eliminates reliability fears in the minds of new Atari gamers not wanting to mess with old hardware and old hookups. If that grows the Atari community and creates more interest in Atari I’m totally for it.
   
• Retron 77 styling looks quite similar to that Atari Box thing. The classic lines and woodgrain of the original 2600 integrated into a flat pizza box design. Wonder if one of these guys will change course before these hit retail shelves.
   
• Will new 2600-compatible HD consoles spark renewed interest in Atari games and cause prices to go up? $10 Space Invaders? New wave of homebrews? More 2600 players means more demand for games.
   
• Now might be a good time to get your hands on a Harmony Cart if you don’t already have one.

[MaximumRD]

Here is somewhat of an update from the author of that ENGADGET LINK -

 

I'm the author of the Retron 77 report... he told me they were thinking around $80, but hadn't decided yet (so yes, it can change... but that's definitely what he said).

 

I actually played it in 16:9... and their stand at the show lists "16:9" as a feature on the printed materials. Though he listed a number of modes to ensure authentic retro feel (black and white etc) so much of this is likely configurable, and original aspect ratio etc. And again... yes possibly subject to change. But the report is based on actual experience.

 

The image didn't look terribly stretched, but not sure what method they are using for upscaling etc. -

 

JUST SHARING INFO AS I SEE IT 

[Justin]

I'm the author of the Retron 77 report... he told me they were thinking around $80, but hadn't decided yet (so yes, it can change... but that's definitely what he said).

 

$80 for an Atari 2600 clone is a reach. $40 would be a home run. My guess is they will settle somewhere in the middle.