Retro Duo: Nintendo NES and SNES Hybrid
February 13, 2008 - 8:10 pm - Posted by Sean R.
For the people who don’t have the original console systems anymore, there’s a relativity new system out that was released earlier in the year to help you remember your old school gaming days: The Retro Duo.
Basically the Retro Duo from Innex is a tiny console that accepts both NES and SNES cartridges. Rad dude!
The Retro Duo features S-video out as well as standard AV video (Red, White and yellow RCA) cables. The S-video only works on the SNES games since S-video wasn’t around when the original Nintendo came out.
The Retro Duo’s controller looks and feels like the stock Super Nintendo controllers which is pretty cool, however I prefer the original SNES controllers that also work with this system.
Talking with the folks at Innex, they have a dongle in the works that will allow the original NES controllers and also the Zapper light gun to work with the system. Awesome!
One advantage the Retro Duo has over some of the other NES/SNES clones is its ability to properly play the original Starfox, which looks and plays just as I remembered it.
I’m still doing a lot of testing but so far from what I can tell, the Retro Duo accepts Super Famicom (Japanese games – no adapters needed) and PAL Super Nintendo games.
It also plays all Dragon Quest NES games, SNES Kirby Superstars, SNES Mario RPG and every NES game I currently own.
A lot of the other clones don’t play every NES or SNES game. One game in particular is Castlevania III – but guess what? The Retro Duo plays it with perfect sound and colors. Take that FC Twin!
The only game I can see an issue with is my copy of Nintendo Paperboy. It loads up but I can’t seem to control the paperboy on the bike.
So far the double duty console looks like a pretty nice product, especially for anyone who still has plenty of retro titles on hand (like me) and isn’t already in possession of similar products like the FC Twin.
The Retro Duo comes in two color schemes: black with red accents and white with blue accents. I prefer the white and blue model.
I’m really enjoying this console so far, but of course not as much as my original Nintendo system.
I still have a lot more games to test on the Retro Duo. I’m sure in the coming days or weeks I’ll have more to post on the subject.
26 Responses to “Retro Duo: Nintendo NES and SNES Hybrid”
If you like this post, then please consider subscribing to our full RSS feed.
Well so far so good. I bought one about a month ago and it works wonderful “so far “. My question is if one of the slots stops working, where do I turn it in to get it fixed? and how much would it cost me?
Also it be cool if there were different colors like green and grey, green and white, all gray like the original, black and blue, etc.
One more thing, what about a cleaning kit for both slots to clean where the tapes go?
Does this console play the American SNES games, I know Australia has different kind of SNES. Does it work with Super Mario Bros SNES, Zelda Link To The Past, and Super Mario All Stars and the Donkey Kong games? Anyway, my problem was I have a SNES but I lost the AC adapter and had no luck at buying a new one anywhere?
Write me soon, Katt
@Mike: If you purchased your unit new, they come with a warranty. Innex is the company that produced the Retro Duo. I linked to them in my post, so if you have issues or a cartridge slot stops working, contact them directly. From my experience so far, these consoles are built pretty solid and you shouldn’t have any issues.
@Katt: Yes, the Retro Duo plays American Super Nintendo games and it does work with all the titles you listed. I’ve personally tested those games as I have them in my collection.
As for needing an AC adapter for your SNES, you can find them on eBay for less then $10.00 USD.
BLINKING ANGRY!!!!
I purchased a Blue/White about 6 months ago. After playing it for about 1 month my dog ran into the entertainment center where my RetroDuo was sitting while i was playing it. The unit didn’t fall, it barely moved, it both NES & SNES started blinking (like 1989 hyperventilate from blowing into your cartridges type blinking) and has not stopped since. Figured it was the dog’s fault. Ordered a Black/Red unit about a month ago. Unit worked fine, until… I was playing Zelda, paused the game to go do something, came back to blinking! No dogs or other people or ghosts or anything touched the unit! Both NES & SNES blink every game I try! This thing is a joke!
@Steve: I’ve had my unit quite a while now and never experienced the issues you are having.
Have you tried cleaning your games? Dirty games can cause issues like you describe.
You also said that “No dogs or other people or ghosts or anything touched the unit”. How do you know for sure a ghost didn’t touch it? Hehe.
In all seriousness, if all else fails, the Retro Duo does have a warranty, so for your red/black unit, return it to get a new one and/ or send it in for warranty repair.
Do any of the NES turbo controllers work on the Retro Duo and also does Game Genie work on the Retro Duo?
@Timmy: Any controller with the same connector as the SNES will work on the Retro Duo, and yes, the GameGenie does work on the Retro Duo.
Were can I get a Retro Duo?
@Timmy: You can get one directly from Innex or ask your local game store too.
For those in the DFW Metroplex area of Texas, many retailers do not sell the Retro Duo. However, there is a “Play-N-Trade” store at this address, which does. the cost is $50.00 USD, plus tax.
1201 E Spring Creek Pkwy
Plano, TX 75074
i just got a retro duo, but when i plug it into the tv, the only thing i see is this grey, sort of pixel-y picture. when i hit ‘reset,’ the grey is replaced by a black screen. i’ve tried it w/ several different games and the same thing happens over and over. i think the cables are ok, since they work fine when i try to hook other things to the tv (dvd player, etc). i think i got a dud. or i am an idiot.
@Kate: I’ll try and help you a little. Does this happen with both NES and SNES games? or just one of them?
I’m also thinking you need to clean your games. This issue sounds like your games might be dirty. It happens. Check out our classic game cartridge cleaning tips. If the connector for the games is dirty, it will cause the games to not work, so try the cleaning tips first.
If after you clean your games you still have the same issue, let me know and I’ll try and help you some more.
Yeah, I’ve tried cleaning them…I even bought a game from the game exchange so that it would be one not stored in my house and supposedly cleaned by the staff before sale. I haven’t actually used the SNES part–we never had SNES, so I just have old NES games. I guess I should get a SNES game to test it out, but I really wanted it for the NES part. Thank you so much for your help!
@Kate: How long ago did you buy your Retro Duo and from where? Was it new in the box or used? and did it ever work for you? I’m thinking you might want to return the unit and get a replacement.
yeah, i’m returning it. i got it from amazon like a week ago. it never worked, not with any of my games or the one i bought. i think it’s just a bad system. thanks for your help!
I was wondering if the Retro Duo also played Duck Hunt? Thats a major reason that I didn’t get the fc twin because the system could not support the Zapper contoller. Just wondering if you had been able to play it. Thanks.
@Barrett: Indeed, Duck Hunt does work on the Retro Duo. You do however need to get the adapter from Innex to be able and use your Nintendo light gun zapper.
What is the adapter called to plug in a Nintendo Zapper light gun and can it also use the Power Glove?
@Timmy: It’s called an NES controller adapter. Contact Innex to get one.
Hi,
I am curious about this system, but first I am wondering if there are some certain games that just don’t work on this system? Like similar duo system some games don’t work like Castlevania and TMNT and a few other that I can’t remember.
@Andre: Castlevania (1, 2 and 3) for the NES work on the Retro Duo. Castlevania IV for the SNES also works on the system. TMNT does work too. Check with Innex for a complete compatibility list but so far from what I know, it plays about 98% of all NES and SNES games, including most Japanese titles.
@Sean R.: thanks for the fast replied info.
Hello all,
I am wondering if Japanese games (which were sold in Japan and played by Nintendo Famicon and Super Famicon console) work on the Retro Duo.
I heard that Japanese Famicon and Super Famicon system is slightly different from North American NES/SNES.
I don’t have original Nintendo Famicon console anymore, but I would like to play old games like Dragon warrior series (A.K.A Dragon Quest)
If anyone know anything regarding compatibility, please let me know .
Thank you in advance !
@enix: Yes Japanese (Famicom and Super Famicom) games work on the Retro Duo.
Hello Sean,
Thank you very much for your quick reply!
I am going to order the Retro Duo.
Can’t wait to play old games.
Domo Arigato!