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Hyperkin's latest update ruins Retron 5 experience: Here are the downgrade links for the Retron 5


Lifesperience is now Raycommend, which can be found here:  Ray Commend 


There is no easy way to say this.  Hyperkin's latest v2.2 firmware for the Retron 5 is a bug-filled mess which for many people (myself included) will ruin your Genesis experience.  As soon as I upgraded, my Genesis carts would no longer be detected by the system, and sometimes, even the other cartridge slots would stop detecting games.

These were carts that worked perfectly fine on prior firmwares.  They also work on the original consoles (which I also own) flawlessly.  At this time, the Hyperkin website only links you to the v2.2 firmware or strangely enough, the v2.0 beta 6 firmware.

The only fix in my case, was to downgrade back to v2.1 which resolved my issues.  Game cartridges once again detected just fine.  For those of you out there wondering, downgrading is the easy part.  Finding the links for the prior firmware files was the painful part.  Luckily, the pages are still around, and I've linked them below so that others can hopefully resolve their issues.

As previously mentioned, here are the links.  Just click to go straight to the download page on their site.

Retron v2.0

Retron v2.1

If you need instructions on how to upgrade/downgrade the firmware, here is Hyperkin's video on that process.  Once you finish the process, you would be wise to backup your files.  These links can be removed at any time, and each system gets a unique file.  You cannot use another persons update file to fix your own system.


Hyperkin has been suspiciously mum on the topic of a new firmware file.  While there is some mention on their facebook page, I have yet to see an official announcement that something is being worked on.   Considering that v2.2 is (as of this article) three months old, that is an eternity when one is waiting for a fix.  Shame on them for not being more transparent about this faulty firmware, and any possible planned fix.

My theory is a simple one.  With Hyperkin being caught with their pants down over using the libretro code without permission, perhaps they are working to remove all offending code from their firmware.  Creating new code, or licensing what is needed will take time, and that's fine, but if this is the case, then let us consumers know what is happening. Then we can make their own decisions.

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Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2015 at 12:20 AM

    Maybe it depends on what revision of the retron5 you have. I've bought the new one with 3.1GB internal RAM and all my 45 MD/Genesis games are working fine with fw 2.2. Only Magical Hat is not working (after the rom is dumped successfully to the RAM) but no problem wih 2.3 beta.

    My Retron5 does have a blue Famicom slot (the old revision was black), a much more stable plastic case (there the slots are) and the hole where you find the reset switch is not visible.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownDecember 12, 2015 at 2:54 PM

      I had the 1st version, and Hyperkin sent me the same revision that you have. So far, it's been better, but I am waiting for a stable update before I upgrade from 2.2.

      Delete
  2. UnknownNovember 9, 2015 at 4:00 AM

    I've been very annoyed about this myself. Most my Sega games play fine but I have issues with all four if the mainstream Sonic games that I did not have before the update. I really didn't want to downgrade because I like the new features but they are not worth losing compatibility with major Sega Genesis games. I wrote to them months ago and they assured me that it was being worked on but I am seriously starting to doubt this. Guess I'll have to go ahead and downgrade back to 2.1. Thanks for the file links.

    ReplyDelete
  3. RossDecember 12, 2015 at 11:33 AM

    FYI, 2.3B3 was released a couple days ago. I couldn't find a detailed changelog, but it does say stability improvements and game compatibility fixes. Working fine with my stuff so far!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownDecember 12, 2015 at 2:52 PM

      I'm looking forward to an updated firmware @Ross. Hopefully, they post a changelog soon!

      Delete
    2. UnknownMay 15, 2016 at 2:03 PM

      The latest 2.3 beta breaks SMS adapter compatibility. Games will start, but immediately crash due to a "cartridge fault". Downgrading fixes the issue completely.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousJuly 21, 2016 at 3:08 AM

    Hi I tried downloading the 2.0 and 2.1 version and recently upgraded to 2.42 firmware. I'm getting a error 1001 from Retron 5 when trying to downgrade my firmware. Any suggestions on how to overcome this issue?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJuly 23, 2016 at 6:53 PM

      Have you had issues with button mapping not working? I like to use my she's control to play new games but after the most recent update of 2.42, it no longer works .

      Delete
  5. K3October 1, 2016 at 9:21 PM

    Yeah I recently updated to 2.4 and I can't load a patched from of anything.and most of my Genesis carts don't seem to work anymore or my SNES roms....super bummed.

    ReplyDelete
  6. K3October 1, 2016 at 9:21 PM

    Yeah I recently updated to 2.4 and I can't load a patched from of anything.and most of my Genesis carts don't seem to work anymore or my SNES roms....super bummed.

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownOctober 9, 2016 at 5:15 PM

    I also just updated to 2.4 and now the system just restarts every 5 minutes or so when playing Chromo Trigger japanese with english patch. Im going to try a new SD card today to see if it resolves the problem. really wish I hadn't updated :(
    Anyone know how to downgrade back to 2.2??

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownJanuary 10, 2017 at 10:12 AM

    you need to do a firmware reset
    http://retron5.in/node/4

    The install 2.0 and then 2.1 from the links in this blogs original post.

    ReplyDelete

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