Geek Theory Retro-Bit Super Retro Trio HD Console

I bought this Retro Trio HD Plus to replace my RetroDuo that went bad, fast…

A while back my sister had purchaced a retro-bit Duo for NES and SNES from a used games store. I don’t know if the console was used or not though. It worked for a bit and then broke down, broke apart, and the pins became so damaged that the force required to remove the NES cartridge actually broke the cartridge internal board from it’s plastic case. It rattles now. That was after the DUO had sat on my shelf unused for years. It was cheap, cheaply made, and you could easily tell just from holding it.

But I figured that it was an early model and after so long, the company probably improved the product.
So I took a chance on the Super Retro Trio HD Plus. For NES, SNES, & Genesis.

The Video is a definite improvement. Crisp and clear.
Same with the audio. Probably cause of the HDMI connector. Nice choice going in that direction.
I also like the idea that they included the RGB plugs as well. Nice Touch.

The included controllers are better designed as well. And feels better in my hands.
Though I could complain about the button mapping.
(why is the left shoulder button used so much when you have 4 buttons under my right thumb, mostly unused – Please add button mapping so I don’t have to dig out my original genesis controller, though it is great that the Trio has original controller support)

The power cord is just a USB wire with an AC outlet adapter.
I actually like this idea cause the system doesn’t take much power to run.
Simple is better on this point. Especially since USB technology has improved so much.

The Console Itself !!!
This is where it all happens. A USB power plug, 2 video/audio output choices, multiple controller choices from the 2 that are included, to even being able to use the original system controllers. Ports for NES, SNES, and Genesis cartridges that grab the cartrige and hold it firm. The Genesis and SNES slots let go with less force required then the NES slot though. I’d like to see that required force lessen even more. the slot doors have some push to them, but when putting in a cartridge, you don’t notice, so that’s good.

The reset and system selection buttons are well made. A definite improvement over the early models. And I like the more defined click between each option as oppossed to not really knowing if I was all the way off the console option and onto the “off” setting, like with the early models.

Via flash light looking through the cartridge slot doors. NOT taking it apart.
Internally, there seems to be 3 circuit boards, one for each slot with the power and output connectors on one, the controller connectors on another, and the 3rd just connects them. The plastic is better quality then the early models. The screws are tiny though. That was 1 of the 2 biggest issues with the early model. The screws were tiny and the plastic weak so that everything broke lose and broke the plastic just from inserting and removing the cartridges. But with seemingly stronger plastic, I hope for a MUCH longer life span on this console.

The 2nd biggest issue I had with the early model, was the connector pins for the cartridges. The downward bend on the weak metal pins caused them to get snagged on the cartridge board and get pulled/bent upward. This caused the cartridge to get stuck, needing rediculous amounts of force to free it from the console. Possibly what broke the internal plastic on my cartridge. That’s why I noted that the required force to remove the game from the TRIO was much better and will hopefully remain that way over many uses. (SAY NO TO BAD CONNECTOR PINS. LOL)

FINAL SUMMERY !!!
The Super Retro Trio HD Plus, sees vast improvements in all areas, from Retro-bits earlier model designs. And even included extra features to make your gaming experience better.
It’s simple to setup, is better made, has better audio and video, and just over all performs better.
The price is actually really good for a 3 in 1 console. $97 (approx) doesn’t go far in this world, so to get a whole console, let alone 3 in 1 for that price. Is great.

Only time will tell if the connector pins are as easily bent, or the screws holding everything together, brake lose as easily. I have confidence that this console will last longer and remain on my shelf for years to come. Me and my rattle-y 1994 Jurassic Park NES cartridge have ALOT more gaming to do!
So let’s put it to the test, and game our hearts out.

5 STARS for vast improvements that create confidence in the product design!

the console is working fine and all my games are compatible with it too, the controllers are surprisingly working well and are comfortables. i gave 3 stars because one of my genesis port is broken ( for the controller 1 ) and also the controls when you play genesis games with the standard controllers ( the R3 plus controllers ) are very bad settle. It would have been very easy to put the A-B-C on the Y-B-A but instead, its B-Y-L ( lol why put a main button on the L ???? ) and there is no options to change this setting. I could return the console and ask for another because of my genesis port broken but i dont want to wait over a month to get it back.

I’ve always been on the hunt for an HD solution for my NES, SNES and Genesis. I had my eye on the the Retron 5 but due to its severe hardware failure as well as being an emulation machine so certain games can’t work for the life of it, I’m going to play it safe and not buy it. I had my eye on other clones consoles but out of all of them the Retro Trio + caught my attention as it allowed you to play the big three instead of only two out of the three which is inconvenient.

The system came in nice working condition. In the box you get the system, HDMI cable, USB connector, USB outlet adapter, and two controllers.

The controllers in my opinion are the biggest highlight as I used to own the Retro Duo back in the day and the controllers for that weren’t the best as they were very plasticky and didn’t feel the most responsive. But these were the opposite, the plastic used isn’t so plasticky, the control pad, the buttons and even the triggers all feel really nice. Honestly I feel like using these controllers instead of the originals because of how nice they feel. Though I will say that the control pad is sensitive as I found my character moving to the right or left by just positioning my thumb to the left or right of the top part of the pad. But that’s not really a deal breaker as long as your pushing exactly in the direction you’re trying to go.

All games I’ve tested on it so far have worked with no real issue but bare in mind my collection isn’ the largest so this is NOT a replacement to the original systems, so there may be some games that may not work so bare that in mind. But the image quality is great, especially on the NES side, never have Tetris looked so good haha. But seriously the games look so crisp without any rough edges. Very smooth, very sharp, very nice. The sound as far I can hear is pretty much spot on though it is softer sounding then the original systems so you might want to turn up your volume to hear, but no big really. I also haven’t noticed any input lag. The buttons respond pretty instantaneously as far as I see it and I’ve been playing the originals for quite some time. I played Contra on the NES and TMNT 4 on both the SNES and Genesis, very button heavy games and noticed no real lag.

The system also have AV output on it so if you have AV cables you can hook it to your CRT and play your light gun games, though I haven’t been able to test this at the time of this review.

But the one deal breaker for some if not all people is the fact that the system stretches the picture of your games. This right here is literally the only negative I can find for this, however it’s not at all a deal breaker for me as my TV allows you to change the aspect ratio. I also plan on using this to record gameplay footage for game reviews in the future and you can fix the aspect ratio in the editing software. So the stretched picture is no problem, but it is too bad they didn’t include an aspect ratio switch on the system.

But overall I’m extremely pleased with this console, the games look and play great and the system works without fail. If your looking for an HD solution for you old retro games and are okay with working around the stretched picture, then the Retro Trio + is worth the price of admission:)