FC Twin Vs. Retro Duo

Connections

• Both consoles connect to a TV set through an RCA composite cable connection as opposed to the RF coaxial adapters the original consoles used. The Retro Duo can also be connected with an S-Video cable, but it will only play the Super NES games when using this connection.

Games

• Both games play cartridges for both the NES and Super NES consoles. Each console has two top-down slots---one for the NES and one for the Super NES games. The slots will also support third-party enhancers like the Game Genie. The FC Twin also has an updated version called the FC 3, which also allows Sega Genesis games to be played on it.

Controllers

• Both consoles supply their own controllers that are designed similar to those of the Super NES; they work with both types of games. The FC Twin controllers use the same gray and purple colors of the Super NES, while the Retro Duo's are colored in shades of red and black. The original controllers from a Super NES console will also work on both systems. The FC Twin also has a light gun that works with the NES Zapper games, while the Retro Duo is developing an adapter for the original NES controllers and gun to work.

FC Twin Problems

• The FC Twin has encountered a number of problems with some game cartridges. A select number of NES and Super NES games have been proven by consumers to not work (including Battletoads, Paperboy, Mad Max and Super Mario RPG), while some cartridges of other games like Super Mario Bros. 2 won't work but different cartridges of the same game will. The Super Scope gun controller has also had reported issues.

Retro Duo Problems

• The Retro Duo has far less compatibility issues than the FC Twin; however, there are still some games that encounter difficulties. Battletoads, Paperboy and Super Mario RPG won't work, just like with the FC Twin (some earlier releases of Mario RPG can work). Super Mario Bros. 3, Castlevania III and Kirby's Adventure have issues with the sound quality but otherwise appear to play fine.