I had heard rumblings about this new console (soon to be kickstarted by the same folks behind that RETRO magazine that the OLR crew spoke with on previous episodes) but I figured I'd make a thread to get everyone's opinion on this interesting sounding project! I know it's been briefly mentioned on the show here and there, but I wanted to get everyone's thoughts on this new system!

So as far as hardware specs go... well I don't recall if they've ever said specifically what's under the hood, just that the system would be able to do almost anything 'retro', from games similar to the Atari 2600 all the way up to simple polygon stuff like on the PSX! The system supports both USB controllers as well as the retro-style 9-Pin (there's a laundry list of classic consoles that used this controller type, but you've probably seen this style on the SEGA Genesis) The system also uses carts instead of CDs or DVD/Blu-rays, their reasoning is that with carts they could do extra hardware like the Super FX chip on the SNES!!)

Another reason they went with carts is evident in almost any disc game released on on consoles in the past few years... you get it home, pop it in and get to play right away, right? nope! usually you have to wait for a day-one patch or the online-only servers to work... the Retro VGS will likely not have any of these problems.

As for the controller itself it seems they're going with a design similar to the Wii U Pro Controller, and while it might not be super 'retro' to have dual analog sticks, their reasoning to include them is that they would definitely benefit a twin-stick shooter like Geometry Wars or Robotron/Smash TV!

The system itself looks very similar to the Atari Jaguar, but that's merely because of the system molds that they were able to use (I believe they got them from the company that repurposed them for dental x-ray machines)

As far as games go, they're reportedly in talks with several developers to port newer and old-school classic games to the RVGS! There is one game in development that's gonna be the pack-in game, a WonderBoy-inspired action RPG called 'Tiny Knight' (link to an article with the first screenshot of the game)

here is a link to their Facebook page to keep tabs on their updates, if this sounds like something you'd want to check out! EDIT: they recently just launched on indiegogo so if you're interested be sure to check them out!!

I might have to pick one of these up myself, if the selection and the price of the launch games are good enough.

_________________
OLRmy since 6/23/2002!
OLR Wikia | OLRChive (now with Vanilla skie episodes!) | OLR: Best Hits Volume 1 (highlights from our first 30 episodes) out now! | OLR: Best Hits Vol. 2

I think this is a really cool idea, but that it's doomed in today's market.

We ditched cartridges due to their limited capacity and high cost. While the new cartridges will differ greatly from the old ones, I'm sure, it will still cost at least as much to manufacture them as it would to make a flash drive (and more than that, I'm sure, because not as many are going to be made).

There is always a "hardcore" crowd that is willing to pay what a game is worth. The casual crowd is much larger these days, and that crowd seems to believe (as far as I can tell) that "retro" looking games shouldn't cost more than 10-20 dollars. Once you add manufacturing and shipping costs, plus consider retailers' profit margins (if retailers are involved), those price points will be impossible. Ask yourself this: would you pay $40, or perhaps $50, for Shovel Knight on a cartridge?

Of course, you also have to ask potential developers if they're willing to take a huge monetary risk. The physical manufacture of a game generally involves the publisher putting up enough money to manufacture and ship at least several thousand copies. The reason you're seeing so many indie releases these days is because there is no manufacturing or shipping cost.

At the least, this will require support from well-known indie developers who have been successful enough in the past that they are willing to take this risk, and support from consumers who are willing to either re-buy games they already bought digitally, or take a chance on something they might have paid $10 for on a digital platform.

Quite honestly, I didn't think the Ouya sounded like a platform with a bright future back when their Kickstarter went up, and I didn't bother grabbing one. I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but despite how cool the idea is, the realist in me can't see this doing well in the long run, or even lasting as long as the Ouya did. The difference in costs all around is simply too high to overcome...almost comparable to the Neo-Geo versus everything else in the early 90s.

Oh yeah I could definitely see people being a little gunshy after the whole Ouya debacle, though I think this thing shows a lot of promise at least... I do really hope that they can deliver on it though.

I did research some more articles and I found this interview with Venture Beat it sounds like the kickstarter funds will also go toward the launch lineup, about a dozen games at least! (and it also sounds like they're in talks with some big name people to get some well-known franchises on the system, though they didn't name drop anyone in particular, yet.)

EDIT: and it does indeed sound like they're getting a lot of support from willing indies to port their games, I do believe they're in talks to get Retro City Rampage, and they're talking to Yacht Club Games so a port of Shovel Knight is also likely (I bet it may have all the extra content that's supposed to be coming out for it, at least the non-console specific stuff)

Also I did see mention of another kickstarter for new updated versions of some of the old Intellivision library, and it seems the plan for that is to do some budget-priced three-in-1 or whatever carts for the RVGS.

It does sound like these guys are really passionate about this project, and don't want to launch til they've got everything absolutely perfect... I do hope they do well in the end when its on store shelves, though.

_________________
OLRmy since 6/23/2002!
OLR Wikia | OLRChive (now with Vanilla skie episodes!) | OLR: Best Hits Volume 1 (highlights from our first 30 episodes) out now! | OLR: Best Hits Vol. 2

Real quick update, if you guys remember 'Read Only Memories' (the kickstarted Snatcher-inspired adventure game), the RETRO VGS facebook page just confirmed that ROM is on the way to their console!

_________________
OLRmy since 6/23/2002!
OLR Wikia | OLRChive (now with Vanilla skie episodes!) | OLR: Best Hits Volume 1 (highlights from our first 30 episodes) out now! | OLR: Best Hits Vol. 2

Just a quick heads-up for those of you following this they just launched their indie-gogo campaign!: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/retro-vgs#/story

_________________
OLRmy since 6/23/2002!
OLR Wikia | OLRChive (now with Vanilla skie episodes!) | OLR: Best Hits Volume 1 (highlights from our first 30 episodes) out now! | OLR: Best Hits Vol. 2

so recently there have been some interesting developments, they've gotten the rights to the Coleco name so they've redubbed it the Coleco Chameleon, and the system has had a bit of a redesign... the 9-pin genesis ports are gone, now the system has four USB ports on the front, and the backplate has the same silver as the original Colecovision.

they're also planning on launching a kickstarter next year (no word on if the previously reported custom color schemes are happening, but I would assume they'll be back in the new kickstarter.) as well as the first look at it at the 2016 New York Toy Fair!

also in good news it sounds like they'll be able to get the price down from the $299 or so version from the initial indiegogo... I'm sure that's what scared a lot of people off was the hefty price tag.

It's been a rocky road to be sure but I'm still hoping they can pull it off next year!

_________________
OLRmy since 6/23/2002!
OLR Wikia | OLRChive (now with Vanilla skie episodes!) | OLR: Best Hits Volume 1 (highlights from our first 30 episodes) out now! | OLR: Best Hits Vol. 2

_________________
OLRmy since 6/23/2002!
OLR Wikia | OLRChive (now with Vanilla skie episodes!) | OLR: Best Hits Volume 1 (highlights from our first 30 episodes) out now! | OLR: Best Hits Vol. 2