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Playing Game Gear on TV

Posted: June 3rd, 2017, 7:19 pm
by VideoGameCritic
So I'm going to be reviewing a few Batman games for the Game Gear when my buddy Eric comes to town in a few weeks (of batmannotes.com). It occurred to me that it would be a lot more fun if we could play these on a TV.

Apparently if I purchased the Retron 5 there is an adapter I can buy that would allow me to play Game Gear games on television. Would this be my best course of action? Please advise.

Re: Playing Game Gear on TV

Posted: June 4th, 2017, 11:34 am
by TJ818
I just picked that up a few weeks ago. Works great and you can use a NES or Sega Controller. I like using the NES controller personally since its 2 buttons like the Game Gear. Maybe you can use a sega master system controller too?

Re: Playing Game Gear on TV

Posted: June 5th, 2017, 8:54 am
by Zachwave
Although I am not a big fan of the Retron 5 if you already have it then by all means, right?

Here's some cool links regarding Game Gear on television. I'm assuming you've already bumped into these websites but you never know!

http://retrorgb.com/gamegearongenesis.html

Talks about patching game gear games for the SMS via rom carts.

http://retrorgb.com/gamegear.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiJL27Jy-rI

this fella made a "Mega Gear" console. Looks fantastic.

Essentially all you need to know to get the most out of your Game Gear.


I personally have AV out on my game gear and it works nicely on small CRTs. The smaller resolution and subsequently the bar around it might throw some people off but I like the aesthetic.

Re: Playing Game Gear on TV

Posted: June 5th, 2017, 10:40 am
by scotland
Remember the Retron 5 is android emulation using a native cartridge, but if you are willing to go emulation and are okay playing off-cartridge, then there are lots of avenues .

However, if you want to keep to original hardware, there are sites like this offering Game Gear tv out mod.
http://retrorgb.com/gamegearrgb.html

Re: Playing Game Gear on TV

Posted: June 5th, 2017, 3:11 pm
by VideoGameCritic
Looks to me like the mod out is really expensive. How is the Game Gear emulation with the Retro 5?
I suspect I could write a better review off the emulation, compared to squinting at that small screen.

Re: Playing Game Gear on TV

Posted: June 7th, 2017, 9:47 am
by Rookie1
VideoGameCritic wrote:Looks to me like the mod out is really expensive. How is the Game Gear emulation with the Retro 5?
I suspect I could write a better review off the emulation, compared to squinting at that small screen.


If youre just going to emulate, play it on the PC and save yourself $200.

Re: Playing Game Gear on TV

Posted: June 7th, 2017, 12:02 pm
by bluenote
VideoGameCritic wrote:Looks to me like the mod out is really expensive. How is the Game Gear emulation with the Retro 5?
I suspect I could write a better review off the emulation, compared to squinting at that small screen.


Personally I think handheld games should be reviewed on their original hardware, not a tv. This is how the game was originally intended to be played. Most of the old handheld games were created within the limitations of the hardware (screen). Playing them on a giant tv makes those limitations more glaring.

Re: Playing Game Gear on TV

Posted: June 7th, 2017, 5:34 pm
by VideoGameCritic
I don't like playing stuff on a computer. I associate computers with work. With the Retron at least I can use a traditional controller and sit back on a couch.

I already tend to review Game Boy carts on my Super Game Boy (SNES) or Game Boy Player (GameCube) and aren't they really just emulators as well?

Re: Playing Game Gear on TV

Posted: June 7th, 2017, 8:13 pm
by ptdebate
VideoGameCritic wrote:I already tend to review Game Boy carts on my Super Game Boy (SNES) or Game Boy Player (GameCube) and aren't they really just emulators as well?


Actually they aren't! The Super Gameboy and Game Boy Player contain the physical hardware of a Game Boy and Game Boy Advance, respectively, so there's no emulation necessary.

A retron (or a PC with an emulator installed) virtualizes the hardware of retro consoles. This is the process being referred to as "emulation." Some folks feel that running a game on its original hardware, whether it be a physical Gameboy, a Super Gameboy, or a Game Boy Player, is superior to running it on a virtualized system, although there is little actual evidence to support this. I personally prefer the original hardware for nostalgia purposes, which is why I still have an N64 hooked up to my main TV. I do occasionally dig into Virtual Console on Wii U, however, for consoles I don't own.

Re: Playing Game Gear on TV

Posted: June 7th, 2017, 8:44 pm
by Robotrek
VideoGameCritic wrote:I don't like playing stuff on a computer. I associate computers with work. With the Retron at least I can use a traditional controller and sit back on a couch.

I already tend to review Game Boy carts on my Super Game Boy (SNES) or Game Boy Player (GameCube) and aren't they really just emulators as well?


I can't say for the Super Game Boy exactly (though bear in mind the games play slower on an SGB) but I know for a fact the Game Boy Player for the GameCube is real GBA hardware, the software simply allows for the video processing.