Can the Hyperkin RetroN SQ Be Saved? How to Update the Firmware

In this episode, we walk you through the steps needed to update the firmware on the Hyperkin RetroN SQ and whether it makes a difference.

Thanks to the amazing @Disk Cart for the background image in our thumbnail. If you like display videos, check him out at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0rpPbtxnkegWkageb4eJFA

Please note, the steps here are for Windows PC Users.
Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction
1:53 - Adding the Firmware To Your SD Card
7:53 - Applying the Firmware to the RetroN SQ Testing
9:53 - Ducktales 2
11:14 - Tetris
12:42 - Super Mario Advance 4 - SMB3
16:15 - Conclusion

In our review of the Hyperkin RetroN SQ, we were sent a pre-production model that had a number of performance issues. Controller inputs not being read, cartridge compatibility, and that Game Boy Advance performance was truly bad. We shared our results with the team at Hyperkin, and they have gone to work on a firmware update. Their goal is to have it available before the system launches, but worst-case it will be a Day-1 Patch.

To update your system, you'll need the following items:
Windows PC
Micro SD Card Reader
Firmware (public link TBD)
Win32DiskImager

One of the annoying issues I ran into on the stock RetroN SQ Micro SD Card is that it is formatted in such a way you cannot read or write to it from the factory. I don't know what Hyperkin did, but there was nothing I could do (to this point) to access the root directory of the stock card. As such I went and purchased a new card for this process. Please note, once you write to the new card you will have the EXACT same issue.

Firmware Update Process:
1. Extract zip file with, which should give you a ".img" file.
2. Download and install Win32Disk imager
3. Run Win32Disk imager as ADMINISTRATOR.
4. Remove Micro SD card from Retron Sq.
5. Insert Micro SD card into your Micro SD card reader.
6. Select the Retron SQ firmware ".img file" in the image file selection in Win32diskimager.
7. Press Write on Win32 Disk imager and wait until the writing is finished.
Select "Yes" on the "writing to physical device" prompt and confirm overwrite.
8. Safely eject the Card & Reinsert into Retron Sq.

With the firmware on our new SD Card it was time to start testing. I started out with a Game Boy Game since it would be the least taxing on the system. I threw in my copy of Ducktales 2, and WOW, it was so much improved. Now, the aspect ratios were still wrong at 4:3 or 16:9, but the input issues were completely gone! This was such a HUGE improvement over the original performance, I could hardly believe it! With this new test game out of the way, it was time to re-test Tetris.

Where I immediately had input lag issues on my first test of Tetris with the RetroN SQ, with the new firmware, the inputs were spot on. It was amazing at how much better the performance was on the controls, the input lag and misses were completely fixed! Ok, so with this improvement confirmed, what about Game Boy Advance games?

I once again tested my copy of Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3 and, well, it's still hurting. It is improved over the firmware that the RetroN SQ shipped to me with, but it still had framerate and overall performance issues. Was it better? Most definitely. Was it more playable? Yes. Is it fixed? Nope, there are still significant enough issues on the GBA side that hurts the overall performance.

What's Been Fixed:
- Controller lag is completely fixed!
- GB & GBC Games look better

What's Not Been Fixed:
- Framerates on GBA are better but not ideal

What Needs to be Addressed:
- There's no way to tell the current version of firmware
- Once you format the SD Card in Win32DiskImager you can no-longer access the SD Card file structure. In anything. This needs to be more consumer friendly IMO

So, this is definitely a step in the right direction, but Hyperkin needs to do more to get the Retron SQ to where it should be before shipping. I strongly advise not shipping the SQ until these issues have been taken care of. I would also suggest that they update the firmware before it ships. The system is broken with the original firmware, and as such, Hyperkin needs to deliver a more finished product. Don't make the customers do this. We'll continue to follow this as updates are available.

#Hyperkin #RetronSQ #FirmwareUpdate

The footage used in this review are used under the Fair Use law:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/107

Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright.

(Pub. L. 94–553, title I, § 101, Oct. 19, 1976, 90 Stat. 2546; Pub. L. 101–650, title VI, § 607, Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5132; Pub. L. 102–492, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3145.)