8-Bit HD NES Clone Battle - Gamerz Tek 8-Bit HD Versus Retro-Bit RES+

In this video we see who the king of the 8-bit HDMI HD NES Clone systems is between the Retro-Bit RES+ and the Reigning Champion the Gamerz Tek 8-Bit HD.

In the black corner we have the challenger, the Retro-Bit RES+ 8-bit HDMI-equipped NES clone. The RES+ is a derivative of Retro-Bit's existing RES Retro Entertainment System but does update the platform with a new 720P HDMI Output, making it ideal for use on flat screen TVs. Out of the box it includes 2 controllers, Micro HDMI power cord and wall wart and an HDMI cable. See more about the RES+ in our review, found here - https://youtu.be/fUP4j54nSbg

In the red corner is the reigning and defending 8-Bit HD champion,  Gamerz Tek 8-Bit HD Entertainment System. This spunky challenger leads the pack in-terms of pricing but also comes with AV outputs, great games compatibility, 2 exceptional controllers and a whole lot more. Learn more about the Gamerz Tek 8-Bit HD by watching our review, found here - https://youtu.be/n3pOjStI9bI

To determine our overall winner we rated the following factors:
Design
Included Accessories
Controllers
Game Play
Audio Quality
Value

Design:
Both systems are very unique in their look, tending to go down their own path instead of trying to emulate the original NES or the top loading NES-101. Each are offered in just one color, black for the Retro-Bit RES+, grey for the 8-Bit HD. Both feature two controller ports and an HDMI out as would be expected but from here they are a bit different. The Retro-Bit RES+ uses Stereo AV output and a Micro USB connector for power where the Gamerz Tek 8-Bit HD uses a barrel-style connector and mono AV outputs. While minor we do have to award a point for the design to the RES+ from Retro-Bit

Included Accessories:
Both systems include an HDMI cable, power brick and cable and 2 very good controllers. The Retro-Bit RES+, however, omits an AV cable where the Gamerz Tek 8-Bit HD included a set of AV cables. Due to this factor we the 8-Bit HD takes this round.

Controllers:
As mentioned in the video both systems include 2 controllers, a great feature out of the box. The Retro-Bit controller mimics the overall shape and feel of the original NES controller with a few minor tweaks. The Start and Select buttons have been moved higher on the controller and the A button is now angled higher than the B button. It is a very serviceable controller and works well, however I don't care for the placement of the start/select buttons at all. The buttons and D-pad also felt like they were stiff and not as complaint as the original NES pad.

The  Gamerz Tek controllers have a different look and feel to the outside casing but it's a good change. The rounded corners are comfortable and don't dig into your hands like the originals can. The Start/Select buttons, while being rubber membranes and overall smaller, are in the right location and work great. The A/B buttons are also in-line and the D-Pad feels great.

Both controllers are good but I, personally, prefer the Gamerz Tek controller. The buttons feel better, the start/select location really bugged me and the rounded corners of the Gamerz Tek just feels better.

Gameplay:
Both systems played everything I threw at them, no compatibility issues at all. Neither have an NTSC/PAL switch so if that's important to you these aren't the systems you want. The color pallets look solid although I do like the Gamerz Tek look just a touch more. But this is so close I'm calling it a tie.

Audio:
UGH! I really hate the fact that the audio is off on both systems. Take a listen, especially to the Super Mario Bros audio, you can't miss the audio being off. Neither system wins here.

Value:
While in the video I mention that I've seen the Gamerz Tek 8-Bit HD for $30 and the Retro-Bit RES+ for $35 I see Amazon has them at $35/$40 respectively. Sill a $5 difference but both slightly higher than mentioned. That being said the both include the exact things, EXCEPT AV cables. That, plus the lower overall price tag, makes the 8-Bit HD the better value.

Winner:
This was tough, both are amazing but the Champ pulled this one out as I have to give the nod to the Gamerz Tek 8-Bit HD again, but the Retro-Bit is a great system definitely worth consideration.

Points Breakdown
RES+
Design

8-Bit HD
Included Accessories
Controllers
Value

Ties:
Audio
Gameplay





Gamerz Tek 8-Bit HD on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/8-Bit-HD-Entertainment-System/dp/B01MYXNB7G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1504794235&sr=8-3&keywords=8-bit+hd

Retro-Bit RES+ HD on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Retro-Bit-RB-NES-7390-Gaming-Console-Nintendo-Entertainment/dp/B073DV931V/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1504794311&sr=1-1&keywords=retrobit+res+%2B

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Should You Buy a Retro-Bit RES Plus NES Clone System? A RoXolid Review

In this video we review the new Retro-Bit RES+ NES Clone console that features A/V outputs along with upscaling to 720P via HDMI output. 

Retro-Bit has made quite the name for themselves in recent years with their line of quality clone systems. Whether you're looking for a system that will play NES, SNES or Genesis games you'll likely find a solution from Retro-Bit.

The RES+ is a derivative of Retro-Bit's existing RES Retro Entertainment System but does update the platform with a new 720P HDMI Output, making it ideal for use on flat screen TVs. Out of the box it includes 2 controllers, Micro HDMI power cord and wall wart and an HDMI cable. 

The 720P Clone NES market is getting more and more crowded each and every day and there is a lot of competition out there. As such the Retro-Bit provides a good value for the money, but leaves a few opportunities on the table. 

Why it RoX

2 included controllers

$35 price tag makes it easy to justify

Very good games compatibility

Solid color pallette choice

What could be improved:

The audio, I'd give my copy of Zelda for an NES Clone that doesn't drop the ball on audio!

I'm not a huge fan of the controller, I don't like the convex buttons or the placement of the start/select buttons. 

No A/V cables included 

Would We Recommend You Buying It?

Sure, it is definitely not a bad system at all. The colors look good, gameplay compatibility is solid and at $35 it is a solid in vestment. 

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Unboxing the Retrobit RES+ HDMI NES Clone

In this video we unbox the Retrobit RES+, the Retro Entertainment System Plus. This NES Clone system promises to deliver the up-scaled NES experience without the monster price tag of similar systems such as the AVS. In preparation for our review we go through how the RES+ comes out of the box and the different accessories it comes equipped with. Make sure you are subscribed to be alerted when our review goes live in the coming days!

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Should you buy a Hyperkin Smartboy Game Boy Game Adapter? A RoXolid Review

Retro gaming is all the rage right now and the folks at Hyperkin really push the envelope. From NES, SNES, Genesis/Mega Drive, Master System, Famicom, Super Famicom and other systems Hyperkin has continued to develop amazing pieces of tech. One such amazing piece of tech started as an April Fools gag, and I’m of course talking about the Smartboy.

The Smartboy attaches to an Android-powered phone equipped with a USB-C port and allows you to play physical Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges directly on your phone. While you can play these games on your phone you do not play the cartridge itself. The Smartboy borrows inspiration from Hyperkin’s own Retron 5 system as the cartridge has its ROM dumped onto local memory on your smartphone. This process works decently, however the load time can vary depending on the size of the game itself. It is for this very reason that the Smartboy ONLY plays Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, Game Boy Advanced games were deemed too large and took too long to download the ROM to the phone. This, to some, can limit the appeal of the Smartboy.

Once you have downloaded the 2 free apps and connect the cartridge the Smartboy does a good job playing games. There is a little bit of latency added with the Smartboy, odd for a device which connects physically to your phone via USB-C. Here’s the thing, USB-C is faster than Micro USB and a physical connection should be faster than Bluetooth. On some games this caused more issues than others, most noticeably playing platformers.

Overall the Smartboy played everything I threw at it except for Donkey Kong Country. We’ve reached out to Hyperkin and they have acknowledged that the Smartboy doesn’t have 100% game compatibility as the hardware depends on 3rd party software, namely the MyOldBoy! app. This is one instance where having software developed separately truly hurt the performance of the hardware.

At $50 the Smartboy is an inexpensive novelty. My issue comes from being able to buy the real hardware with 100% game compatibility for under $30. If the Smartboy had better compatibility, better latency and the software was less of an afterthought I could possibly recommend trying it. But for right now it doesn’t feel like the Smartboy is ready for primetime and it cannot replace my Gameboy Advance SP for portable gaming. I hope Hyperkin continues to work on development as there’s a lot of potential here, but people don’t buy potential; they buy finished product.

Why it RoX:
Has an “Oh wow” factor when you see it
They actually did it
Allows you to play physical cartridges on your smart phone
Amazing sound and video quality
Replaces crappy touch screen controls with decent feeling physical controls

What could be improved
While the hardware is nice the software feels like an afterthought
You can’t see all the on-screen options on the MyOldBoy! App, leaving the user to guess at selections.
USB-C and Android only limits market penetration
Load times on GBC games can be loooooooong
No support for GBA
No official emulation support
You can get the real hardware for less


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Should You Buy a Gamerz Tek 8Bit HD NES Clone Console?

There are a ton of different options out there these days for playing classic and retro Nintendo Entertainment System games and we, as game players, reap the benefits. The latest console we had a chance to test out is the Gamerz Tek 8Bit HD console, which we recently unboxed. This system is a true clone, no emulation, and plays real genuine NES cartridges. How does the Gamerz Tek 8Bit HD measure up? Were there any issues with compatibility? How do games look and sound on this sub-$30 console? Should you buy one? Watch to find out.

Why it RoX?
Awesome value for the money
2 Controllers, and they're usable!
Great games compatibility
Good color palette
AV and HDMI output
Small size

What could be improved?
The audio is off and it's distracting
AV out is mono not stereo
Power is a barrel-style connector, not Micro USB
The plastic design is a little uninspiring


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Unboxing the Gamerz Tek 8Bit HD NES Clone Console

We’re in an era where what’s old is new again and the folks over at Gamerz Tek are here to breathe new life into your old Nintendo Entertainment System games. Where the NES connected to your 80’s-era tube television via RF Modulator or AV Cables and were perfectly acceptable for your 13” black and white tube TV that just isn’t going to cut it in the 21st century. That’s where the 8-bit HD comes in, allowing you to connect your 1983 copy of Super Mario Brothers to your 2017 HD 4K flat panel tv. We just got our version from Amazon today and this is our unboxing, showing you what all comes in the box. Make sure you come back for our full-blown review.

8-Bit HD on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/8-Bit-HD-Entertainment-System/dp/B01MYXNB7G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502311391&sr=8-1&keywords=8bit+hd

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Unboxing the Hyperkin Smart Boy Game Boy Adapter - Play Cartridges On Your Phone

Several years ago Hyperkin shocked the world with an adapter for smart phones which was reported to allow you to play your classic Nintendo Game Boy cartridges on your phone. Sure, emulators had been out for some time but the promise of Hyperkin’s adapter was that you’d be able to play with physical controls. After a lot of interest, design, testing, tweaking and modifying Hyperkin has actually done it and brought their April Fool’s joke to life and the result is the just-released Hyperkin Smart Boy. Much like their proof of concept piece the Smart Boy will allow you to play your Game Boy and Game Boy Color (or Game Boy Colour) games natively on your smart phone. Check out how the Smart Boy comes out of the box, how it fits our test phone and more in this unboxing.

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Thanks to Live Action Games for help with this review. Make sure to throw them a like on their Facebook Page at

https://www.facebook.com/LAG217/


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