Using special adapters that plug into one of the cartridge slots, you can extend the range of games and controllers that your Retrode can access. In close collaboration with users all over the world, we have managed to support a multitude of different cartridge systems. Most of these plug-ins are not available for sale, since they involve connectors that can no longer be obtained. DIYers who want to build a certain plug-in can salvage a broken console to get the connector, and head over to our community website to find the pinouts.
For three major cartridge systems, however, we were fortunate enough to source the matching slots: N64, Master System, and the Game Boys. All plug-ins come in Sega Mega Drive cartridge shells with printed label. Plug-ins cannot be used to play games on other systems than Retrode.
N64 Plug-in
This plug-in adapter offers support for N64 cartridges and up to two controllers. Controllers must be connected to Retrode before USB connection is established.
| Feature | N64 |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 3.3V |
| ROM (game) | Supported |
| SRAM (saves) | Firmware support pending 1 |
| Flash/EEPROM (saves) | Firmware support pending 1 |
| Cartridge insertion | Auto-detected |
| Game title as filename | Yes |
| Game size | From heuristic 2 |
| Controllers | Up to 2 N64 controllers |
GBx Plug-in
This plug-in adapter offers support for Game Boy cartridges of all generations (Classic, Color, Advance).
| Feature | GB, GBC | GBA |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage | 5V | 3.3V |
| ROM (game) | Supported | Supported |
| SRAM (saves) | Supported | Firmware support pending 1 |
| Flash/EEPROM (saves) | N/A | Firmware support pending 1 |
| Cartridge insertion | Manual reset | |
| Game title as filename | Yes | |
| Game size | From header | From heuristic 2 |
| Controllers | N/A | |
SMS Plug-in
This plug-in adapter offers support for Sega Master System cartridges.
| Feature | SMS |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 5V |
| ROM (game) | Supported |
| SRAM (saves) | Firmware support pending 1 |
| Cartridge insertion | Auto-detected |
| Game title as filename | Data missing in cartridge header |
| Game size | From header |
| Controllers | Via Retrode core unit |
Explanations
1 “Firmware support pending”: The hardware design in principle allows for this feature to be enabled by a future firmware update (though we can’t guarantee that).
2 “Heuristic”: The cartridge does not contain any information on the size of the ROM. The Retrode attempts to auto-detect it using certain characteristic features in the data.