RetroBlox Inc. (RBXI) today introduced RETROBLOX™, the next generation modular retro game console. With Element Modules compatible with real retro game cartridges for systems like NES, optical disc drive compatible with CD games for systems like PSX, and connectivity that rivals current gen consoles – the one console future is just around the corner.
AN INDUSTRY WITH A PROBLEM
If you’re like us, you take your games seriously. You strive for perfection in competition against other players, in your collection, and in conquering the challenge of the titles that originally influenced your gaming passion. Needless to say, playing classic games on anything less than original hardware is fraught with limitations and soon enough, most of us find the need to revert back to a decades-old old game console in order to play without compromises.
As such, gaming enthusiasts are faced with a difficult choice when it comes to retro games: experience only a subset of popular re-released games made for current generation platforms such as the Virtual Console or NES Classic, use original game hardware and displays from decades ago to play in a specialized game room, or resort to illegitimate means of experiencing gaming history through use of copied roms and emulators.
RETROBLOX™ solves this problem decisively by providing a modern, unified platform for digital retro gaming that’s also committed to unprecedented modular support for original console game media and hardware peripherals.
RETROBLOX™ IS THE WORLD’S FIRST MODULAR AND FULLY-MODERNIZED RETRO GAME CONSOLE
Whether you’re a retro games enthusiast, or a more casual gamer wanting to try out the genuine article, RetroBlox is the #1 way to enjoy a deep and satisfying retro gaming experience in your living room without the mess of wires and clutter.
An industry first, RETROBLOX™ ships with an on-board CD/DVD optical drive, custom produced by partner Hitachi LG Data Services (HLDS) to support the needs and features of retro game consoles. It allows you to experience the full lineup of disc games for never-before supported systems such as PSX, Sega CD, TurboGrafx-CD, and more.
Another key innovation introduced by RETROBLOX™ are modular interfaces, called “Element Modules” ¹, which allow for play using original video game cartridges and controllers from older game systems. Once a game cartridge is inserted into an Element Module, players can add the game to their digital collection, share their new addition on Facebook or Twitter, or play and stream via Twitch and YouTube. Changing games and systems is as easy as ejecting the current module and inserting another.
1080P FULL HD RESOLUTION RETRO GAMING
RETROBLOX™ natively upscales retro games from their original resolution to full HD 1080p, perfect for your living room. While crystal clear pixels are a joy to view for some players, those who prefer the older look of older TV’s from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s will appreciate a suite of virtual displays which model the look, feel, geometry and tone of these classic displays from gaming’s past.
HYBRID EMULATION TAKES RETRO GAMING FURTHER
RETROBLOX™ features new patent-pending technology called Hybrid Emulation, which allows for the direct hardware reading of specialized chips and mappers contained within historically difficult-to-emulate retro game cartridges. This means gamers get full hardware compatibility with every game in their classic games library, and unparalleled performance to boot.
If controller lag is your enemy, Hybrid Emulation technology also allows for the highest speed possible while using classic retro game controllers connected directly to RETROBLOX™ Element Modules. In this mode you can obtain near lag-free speeds² for controller input, allowing casual and competitive players to push their skills to new heights.
THERE’S MORE TO COME
RETROBLOX™ will announce new details and specs of the console and its strong line up of support for classic systems as well as further enhancements and details of the entire RETROBLOX™ platform between now and its anticipated crowdfunding campaign launch in April 2017.
