Retro Games Arcade console

 In the post xmas sales rush here in Australia, one deal that got my attention was from Jaycar, who was offering the Retro Arcade Game console for $50 on clearance! Since it is normally $250, I thought it worth picking one up and quickly checking it out!

I remember seeing these on display in Jaycar electronic stores over the past few years, but I thought they were too expensive. For $50 though I think it was definitely worth trying it - here is the back of the box:

So what is it?

It is a Android OS based system that emulates various Arcade systems, and some home console systems too. It has a MicroSD preloaded with a number of games to try out.

It is setup with a similar form factor to an arcade fighting game two player joystick controller, making it clear that it is intended for two player action! It is very wide and solid!

On the back is a power switch, HDMI output, power input, MicroSD slot and USB socket.

I connected it up to my 1080p TFT screen that I use for the Atari 7800+ I got recently, SNES Mini, NES Mini, Neo Geo X, and PS3 using a HDMI switcher. The Intellivision II and Intellivision Remake are also here too, connected via AV to the 4:3 TFT TV next to it.

Out of the box it has a number of arcade favourites using MAME emulation. I quickly selected Aero Fighters, one of my favourite arcade shoot em up games:

I have to say, the joystick and buttons have that arcade feel, and it feels like you are playing an arcade machine.

I was impressed - Aero fighters ran well with no slowdown. Not sure why the top and bottom of the screen is cut off though...

Unlike a normal arcade game, you can save the progress so you don't have to start over every time, which is a great feature.

This console is running Android, so all the emulations are running on Android platform. The system information is a bit thin on the ground though...I wonder if you can upgrade the firmware?

They have preloaded emulation for Gameboy, Gameboy Color, Gameboy Advance, MegaDrive, SNES, Playstation 1, PC Engine and NES, as well as MAME.

I fired up Puzzle Bobble next:

This game is still as addictive as ever.

I took out the MicroSD and put into my Mac to copy some Megadrive roms to the appropriate folder in the card so they can be seen by the launcher. I tested Cool Spot, a game I used to own on the original Mega drive back in the day, and still enjoy playing today.

I found the arcade controls work well for this game. It is worth noting that games that use unconventional buttons like the playstation will probably be a bit more tricky as you have to map the buttons to the various PS joystick, which was different in features to the arcade joysticks and buttons on this system.

I have to say, for $50 it is hard to complain. It is a good deal for this money if you don't already have these system emulated on another platform like Pi etc, and using the arcade joystick and arcade buttons feels more "real" when playing MAME arcade games on it.

That said, I note that Jaycar has put the price back up to $250 again now, so it makes me doubly grateful I jumped on it while it was on sale!

I had only a short time to try it out before I left for Prague, so hopefully I can dig a little bit deeper later on and see what else I can do with it!