Retro Duo
An unlicensed hybrid console for NES and SNES cartridges.
The Retro Duo is an unlicensed console from Retro-Bit, distributed by Innex, Inc., that runs both NES and Super NES cartridges. It accepts games from North America, Europe, and Japan, and works with official or third-party SNES controllers. While not every title for either system is compatible, the vast majority play without issue. The console was sold only in the United States and Canada, but a power plug adapter lets it operate in Europe and Japan. S-video output is available when playing SNES games.
Reviews highlight the Retro Duo's ability to run games that give many other clone consoles trouble, including Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, Star Fox, and the Game Genie cheat cartridge. It also supports the Super Game Boy accessory. The system came in four color options: white/blue, silver/black, black/red, and a limited red/gold edition. The 3.0 revision, released as a red/blue Mascot edition, fixed compatibility issues from earlier versions, notably with Castlevania III.
A portable version, the Retro Duo Portable, launched in a black case on January 23, 2012, followed by a red case on September 25. It plays Super NES cartridges through a large slot on the back and supports NES, Genesis, and Game Boy games via separate cartridge adapters.
Quick Facts
- Manufacturer
- Retro-Bit
- Generation
- Seventh generation (emulates third and fourth)
- Lifespan
- NA · 2008
- Cpu
- 8-bit & 16-bit
- Controllers
- 2 SNES controller ports
- Media
- NES/SNES/SFami ROM Cartridge
- Compatibility
- NES, Super NES/Super Famicom
- Successor
- Super Retro Trio
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Retro Duo was developed by Retro-Bit and distributed by Innex, Inc. It plays cartridges for both the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Nintendo Entertainment System, including North American, European, and Japanese releases. The console is not licensed by Nintendo and has only been sold in Canada and the United States, though it can be used elsewhere with a power plug adapter. It is compatible with official and third-party SNES controllers, and S-video output works when playing SNES games. The Retro Duo was released in four color schemes: white/blue, silver/black, black/red, and a red/gold limited-edition version. A later 3.0 release, the red/blue Mascot edition, fixed many issues from the previous two versions. Retro-Bit also produced a portable version, the Retro Duo Portable, released with a black case on 23 January 2012 and later with a red case on 25 September. The portable unit plays SNES cartridges via a large slot in the back and supports NES, Genesis, and Game Boy games with appropriate cartridge adapters.
Reader's Guide
The Retro Duo is notable as a third-party clone console that offers broad compatibility with NES and SNES libraries, including games from multiple regions. Reviews have praised its ability to run titles that many other clone consoles struggle with due to hardware issues, such as Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse on the NES, Star Fox on the SNES, and the Game Genie cheat cartridge. It is also compatible with the Super Game Boy device. However, the console has a list of known incompatible games, including Duck Hunt (due to the NES Zapper not being pluggable), Battletoads (which hangs after level 2), and several PAL SNES titles that are not playable on a real NTSC Super NES either. The 3.0 release addressed earlier compatibility problems, notably with Castlevania III. The Retro Duo's significance lies in providing a single-hardware solution for playing two generations of Nintendo cartridges, though its unlicensed status and regional limitations mean it does not support every game or accessory without adapters.
Did You Know?
- The Retro Duo is compatible with the Super Game Boy device.
- The 3.0 Mascot edition fixed compatibility with Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse.
- The Retro Duo Portable supports NES, Genesis, and Game Boy games with cartridge adapters.
- EarthBound on the SNES has a minor incompatibility that causes increased enemy spawn rate but remains highly playable.
More in Video Game Consoles by Generation, Part 4 1-24
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