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Hyperkin is a company that specializes in refurbishing and distributing old video games and gaming equipment — as well as making the RetroN, a console that packs multiple classic gaming systems in one. Up until now, its console (the RetroN 3) only let you play 3 kinds of systems: NES, SNES, and Sega Genesis.
They must have heard old school gamers around the world let out a collective sigh of anguish, because this week they’ll be releasing the RetroN 4, a console which packs in all of the above systems, as well as a built-in Game Boy Advance console.
The console will also feature HDMI output, a Bluetooth wireless controller, and, almost as important as the actual games, ports which will let you play using the original control pads (provided you want to pick up a couple via eBay/garage sale). From the company’s official press release, which comes via Joystiq:
“The console will also allow users to play both NTSC and PAL cartridges and will incorporate Bluetooth technology, with a completely new, redesigned wireless Bluetooth controller.”
Along with these additional specs:
2 Original Controller Ports for Each Platform (6 Total)
· Wireless Bluetooth Controller
· 4 Cartridge Ports for NES, SNES, Genesis and GBA cartridges
· HDMI Output with Digital Signal Conversion
· “Perdana” Digital User Interface
· PAL and NTSC compatible
While exact details on gameplay and quality are scarce, we’ll probably be hearing more about it at the Midwest Gaming Classic. Meanwhile, the rest of us old school gamers who live on either coast will have to settle for what will inevitably be an excruciatingly long wait for the release date — which will hopefully come later this month. Watch a cute girl give you an idea of what the experience will be like:
Jeff Nau – who has written 1264 posts on The Jace Hall Show.
Jeff Nau is a main contributor to the Jace Hall Show covering pop culture and music trends in the nerd community. He has contributed to San Diego City Beat, 944, and Ill Literature, amongst others, and spends his spare time working as an artist and photographer.

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