Have the desire to play your original NES & SNES game cartridges while ON THE GO?! The Retro Duo Portable handheld console by Retro-Bit allows you to play your 16-bit, 8-bit, and even original Genesis cartridges both on your TV and on the road! With up to eight hours of playtime from the equipped dual-capacity rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the RDP is the perfect choice for retro gamer road trips. This portable handheld device is mobile and travel-friendly, so you can show off your old-school gaming skills everywhere you go!
A**A
Only one fatal flaw keeps me from enjoying it
Just to clarify something: This particular system is the Retro Duo Portable Core Unit. The cartridge slot is only compatible with SNES games. This unit comes with an adapter you plug into the slot that allows you to play NES games. It isn't like the Retro Duo traditional console that has two separate slots, one for each cartridge.When I first stumbled across this product I thought that the Retro Duo Portable was the answer to my prayers. I always wanted a portable system capable of playing SNES games. I purchased the “core” version of the system which came with an A/V cable, an adapter that allows the user to connect two original SNES controllers, a stand, and an adapter that makes it possible to play original NES cartridges.The stand, A/V cable, and controller adapter are so you can use this portable system like a traditional console and hook it to a TV and play with another person or even just two players on the unit's screen. If this is your only Retro system then this is great news, however, being a portable SNES/NES is its true selling-point.First off, this system is solidly built. It's from RetroBit, famous for their consoles that allow you to play NES, SNES, and even Sega Genesis carts in one system. There are still some compatibility issues and the console might not play ALL SNES or NES carts you load. I haven't seen this issue in any of the titles I own, but I have heard of complaints about some titles not working correctly.The screen is a fair size, roughly a 3.75” diagonal. It provides a sharp, clear picture. Again, RetroBit shows their stuff. It's not very expensive, but it's a fine quality screen.The sound is equally good. These are 16-bit era titles so the sounds they make aren't exactly going to surpass your gaming PC, PS4, or XBone. The sound is clear and doesn't have that tinny, cheap rattle that can so often be an issue on any smaller speakers. Considering the nature of the sound in these games this accomplishment cannot be understated.The D-Pad and action buttons feel sturdy, sure to stand up to lengthy gaming sessions drenched in nostalgia. I've had issues with trying to press a single direction and the pad rocking over to make me tap a diagonal, but I've had that problem with every controller I've ever used. On games where precision controls are important, exercise caution.Now for the flaws:The unit feels bulky and more than a little awkward. Hitting the shoulder buttons is fairly difficult. Even with short runs my hands felt like they were cramping. I'm not a hardcore gamer who logs more hours a week playing video games than I do working (I'm applying that to the gamers who do work 40 hours a week), but I've not experienced cramping issues like this playing other systems or using other controllers.The volume slider was kind of stiff, at first. It loosened up after several seconds of playing with it, but it still struck me as odd that it first felt like a two-position switch. I honestly thought that the volume control was an On-Or-Off kind of thing, until I felt the slider loosen up.My biggest gripe, this wonderful system's Achilles' Heel, if you will, is the cartridge slot located on top of the back side of the unit. The cartridges nestle firmly enough in the slot, but they stick up out of the top of the unit quite high. Any of you Kartridge Kids who played with these relics of the by-gone age when they were new know that they're incredibly sensitive to shock. If you bump or jostle the system, even slightly, it is enough to disrupt the connections in the unit. This flaw is woefully, PAINFULLY clear with the RDP. SNES cartridges sit in there well enough, but I haven't had a complete run through any of my games yet, because at some point I will nudge the cartridge with my finger, and BOOM, it locked up. When I say nudge, I mean nudge. I am referring to the kind of slight contact you can make with the cartridge very easily when you're trying to do something like press the L and R shoulder buttons (which sit extremely close to the slot), or even adjusting your grip when your hands start cramping.This becomes a MASSIVE problem if you try to use the adapter to play NES cartridges or an old Game Genie. It all sticks up out of the top of the unit so far that it's next to impossible to keep it from shifting in the slot more than enough to crash a game. At that point it's so high and unstable that merely shifting the system will make it crash. It is a serious weak-point in this system.This one weakness is, in my opinion, a fatal flaw. I, personally, will not recommend it. From what I've seen of compatibility issues I would suggest you stay away from any portable that plays cartridges until they work out this bug. Just get a Retro Duo or Retro Trio and hook it to your TV to scratch your retro-gaming itch.However, if you're determined to get yourself portable console that can play SNES and NES games then the review didn't help. If you're going to get one, no matter what, then get this one. From what I've seen of things like the Supaboy, you could do a heck of a lot worse than the RDP. Just be wary of what I've set down here.
C**T
Just add Velcro!
I bought one of these and a supaboy - the supaboy was sturdy and the cartridge sat in the unit in a nice solid way. But, it was too big, the screen wasn't as nice, and as others have mentioned, the resolution is stretched. The rdp is big, but much smaller than hyperboy. The cartridge flops around which I really didn't like, but a little piece of the loop (soft) side of something Velcro tape was the perfect fix. Cartridges now sit nice and solid in the rdp. As for the sound, it is a bit low, but I found the supaboy to be about the same. Note that the rdp core edition mentions on the website that the speakers were improved, so some reviews talking about very low sound may be for previous versions. Lastly, the rdp worked fine with super famicom games.
I**R
Dead on Arrival
I got this after doing my research and comparing all the portable SNES options that would let me continue my Super Mario RPG save from my bed. I was tremendously disappointed when (after the obligatory initial charge) I put my cart in, flipped the switch, and... nothing happened. Well, there was a white flash on the screen, then nothing. No sound or anything. I charged the device for a while more and still saw nothing. I tested with different carts, tried different levels of pushing the cart in (softly and more aggressively) with no luck. I even tried playing Advance Wars 2 with the Super Retro Advance adapter (foolishly thinking maybe it would play nice with a fellow retro-bit product) but got nothing. Side note- pulling carts out of this thing can't be good for either the cart or the device, it's like pulling teeth. But I didn't find any eject button on the RDP or in the manual, so away I tugged.After an hour or two of fiddling around, I give up. Obviously this device works for some people, I can see the photo and video evidence. The one I got is just a dud. Take that for what you will.
C**Y
Too much empty space in Cartridge slot
I'm very impressed by this little machine, the screen is clear and the buttons feel good and are extremely responsive with seemingly no delay whatsoever. However one issue that seems to be present in all versions of this is that if you move too much while playing the cartridge wiggles a bit in the slot and tends to freeze. On that note if you stick something else in the slot to fill up the empty space the issue is fixed. Please make the cartridge slot a bit skinnier in the future if you can, otherwise fantastic product.
J**E
Very decent SNES Portable device
Cartridge slot could be a little better (too open). Added foam strips to the back to make the cartridge fit a little more snugly.Device works well overall. All cartridges I have appear to work with no problems and the display works very well. NES adapter works but it does make the appearance goofy-looking. Audio is ok but since the phone output is for audio and video, you'll likely hear some analog buzz if you plug in your headphones.Don't like where the on/off switch is as you will grip your hand over it when playing the games and could accidentally turn it off with movement. Charge port is in this spot as well which can make playing a little more difficult.There's no information on replacement batteries for this unit so a trip to a battery store will be necessary when it comes time to replace it.Controller output works great with SNES controllers including the Retro-bit controllers that usually come with the Retro-Trio unit.
J**L
screen looks great, audio is ok
screen looks great, audio is ok. only a couple issues... the on off switch is right under your palm so you *could* turn it off while you are in the middle of playing. hasn't happened to me yet but its clearly a bad spot for it. also if you shake it too much, it will freeze up because the cartridge lost connection. so if you're an angry gamer who slams controllers around, this may just make you even more angry and smash it.
M**E
Received broken device, and refused to exchange! Do not buy!
The console does not work. I received a defective device, and because it took some time for it to arrive and for my husband to open it for his birthday, they are refusing to replace the broken device. There is a 30 day return policy, and the item can take almost 30 days to arrive. Terrible customer service, terrible product! Beware of this scam!
A**R
Not great but it's the best portable snes you're gonna find right now
UPDATE: The replacement unit arrived and the d-pad is still not as good as one would accept but it's useable. The device itself is just ok overall, the screen is dark and looks not as good as it should and the speakers are tinny and overall are just ok. It's not a great device but it's the best portable snes you're gonna find right nowThe d-pad arrived defective and was next to impossible to move left or right without moving up or down or looking up or down depending on the game, this makes most games unplayable. I've ordered a replacement and will update my review if the replacement comes back flawless
A**R
Must own for retro gamer on the go
This retro portable gaming system is a great way to enjoy classic NES, SNES and Genesis (with adapter) on the go. I purchased it so I can go to retro game store or local flea market to test out if the game are working before you make your purchased. Also this portable system is good insurance for anyone willing to purchase high price game without getting fake games.
C**N
Cumple pero no esperes mucho
Cumple. No tiene ni el mejor sonido ni la mejor imagen pero ayuda a jugar de nuevo los clásicos de manera portátil y si le pones un Supergameboy, tendrás básicamente tu gameboy color.
Trustpilot
1 month ago
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