How to Use Your Old School Controllers with the Retron 5
Posted by Steven Collier on Sep. 4th, 2015
Here at DKOldies, we pride ourselves in providing our customers with quality products and top-notch technical support. This is especially true for our popular multi-platform console:
The Retron 5. The Retron 5 is an incredible system that adds an unprecedented number of enhancements to any user’s retro-gaming experience. Unfortunately, a clearly written instruction manual doesn’t seem to be one of them.
Lately, our business has received multiple calls from customers who are understandably confused about how to use their NES, SNES, and Sega Genesis controllers with the Retron 5 system. So to help you out, we’ve compiled a simple, 5-step guide on how to get your vintage controllers in sync with today's technology. Don’t worry; it’s nothing too complicated. So, take a deep breath, and relax. With this information you should have your console fully configured in just a few short minutes.
Step 1: Prep Work
Turn on your Retron 5 system. Once the Home Screen has loaded, plug in the controller you wish to use into one of the corresponding ports located on either side of the Retron 5. It does not matter which you use as both left and right sides function equally well. For this example, we’ll plug an NES controller into the left port.
Out of the box, any functioning NES, SNES, or Sega Genesis should allow you to navigate the Retron 5’s menus. It is not necessary to use the Retron’s included controller to format your system. This is because every aspect of the menus can be selected, formatted, and reset using just a D-PAD, “A” Button, and “B” Button. Each of these is present on every standard controller supported by the Retron 5.
The D-PAD allows you to highlight the Retron’s different menu selections in exactly the same way you’d adjust the options in a video game. The “A” button selects a menu options, while the “B” button allows you to back out of various menus.
But don’t worry about any of that, just yet. Right now, all you have to do is use your D-PAD to scroll down the Home Menu and highlight the “SETTINGS” option, and select it by pressing the “A” button.
Step 2: Navigating the Settings Menu
Great, you’ve reached the settings menu! Now what? Well, remember what you did on the Home Menu? Second verse is same as the first. Use your controller to scroll down through the many settings options until you reach a section labeled: “Controllers.” This is the section you’re looking for. Underneath the “Controllers” header, there should be an option entitled “Controller to Player Mapping.” Again, select this by pressing the “A” Button.
Step 3: Setting the Stage
If you’ve followed all of the steps properly, you should now be on a screen entitled “PLAYER MAPPING.” The option “System Playing” should be highlighted. From here, you can toggle through a list of every single gaming system the Retron-5 support by either pressing the “A” Button or by using the D-PAD to scroll left and right. Adjust this option until it displays the system that corresponds with whatever game you plan to play. Since we’re using a Nintendo controller for this example, we’ll set it for “NES/FAMICOM.”
Step 4: Taking Control
You’re almost there! Once more, use your controller to scroll down and highlight the “Player 1” option. It should currently be set to “Any Controller 1.” But, we’re going to fix that. Making sure you’re holding the controller you want to use, and press its “A” Button while “Player one is still highlighted.
The "Any Controller 1" option should now read: "NES Controller 1." This means that the Retron 5 will now recognize that
controller as the default Player 1 controller whenever you're playing an NES game.
Congratulations! You should now have a fully-functioning retro controller hooked up to your Retron 5. Now, all you have to do is press the “B” Button until you’re back to the Home Menu.
Step 5: Fine Tuning
But, wait! What if I want to play a game with friends? What can I do to enable two-player mode? If you have other controllers plugged into the Retron 5’s various ports, you can assign them to other players by selecting the “Player 2" option and pressing the “A” button for that corresponding controller. So for our example, let’s plug a second NES controller into the Retron 5.
To activate it, you’ll need to follow Steps 1-3. Once you get to the “PLAYER MAPPING” screen, all you have to do is scroll down and highlight the “Player 2” option. Now, pick up the controller you want to use as 2nd player’s controller and press its “A” button.
You and your pal should now be good to go.
And remember: even though we used NES controllers, the same 5-step process applies for SNES and Genesis controllers too.
Pop in whatever game you like into the corresponding cartridge slot, and enjoy your Retron 5 gaming experience!
Hopefully, this guide has helped you solve your Controller Management problems.
However, if for any reason you are still experiencing difficulties setting up your Retron 5 system, please feel free to get in touch with the DKOldies tech staff. All our contact information can be found
here.