Retrode3 – Retro Cartridge Dumping, Reinvented
The Retrode3 is the successor to the legendary Retrode2 and combines the best of both worlds: the plug-and-play simplicity of the Retrode2 and the flexibility of Sanni's Cart Reader. It dumps your original game cartridges, backs up save games and even writes flash carts – perfect for game developers for testing or small-series production! And all of it controlled conveniently from your web browser.
What is the Retrode3?
The Retrode3 is a cartridge reader and ROM dumper with its own ARM processor and a Linux operating system (Debian). Connect it to your computer via USB and it shows up as a network device that lets you copy ROMs and save games right from your browser. At the same time, the controller ports appear as USB gamepads. Thanks to built-in Wi-Fi, you can even dump games completely wirelessly over your network.
Highlights at a Glance
- Three built-in slots: SNES, MegaDrive and – new – NES
- Controller ports: use SNES and MegaDrive controllers as USB gamepads
- Plug & play: connect via USB, operate entirely in the browser (Windows, macOS, Linux, ...)
- Built-in Wi-Fi: dump wirelessly, store ROMs on a server, update databases & OS
- Open software: fully open source and therefore future-proof
- OS on SD card: practically unbrickable – just flash a new image
- Game databases: verify dumps against online databases (e.g. No-Intro)
- Write flash carts: e.g. our DragonDrive for the MegaDrive; SNES and Lynx will be available when the Retrode3 ships
- Expandable: more systems via plugins – so theoretically any system can be supported
How the Retrode3 Works
Simply connect it to your PC via USB: the Retrode3 registers as a USB Ethernet device – which works on all modern systems without drivers. You then open a local address in your browser, where you not only dump cartridges but also configure Wi-Fi, IP address and more. Alternatively, place the Retrode3 anywhere with USB power and access your games over Wi-Fi from across your network.
Retrode2, Retrode3 and Sanni's Cart Reader Compared
| Feature |
Retrode2 |
Retrode3 |
Sanni's Cart Reader |
| Platform |
USB device |
MIPS CPU with Debian Linux |
Arduino |
| Built-in slots |
SNES, MegaDrive |
SNES, MegaDrive, NES |
depends on your build |
| Dumping on PC |
as USB mass storage |
in the browser over network |
standalone to SD card |
| Wi-Fi |
— |
yes |
— |
| Open software |
— |
yes, fully open source |
yes, open source |
| More systems |
via plugins |
via plugins (in progress) |
via plugins (often DIY soldering) |
| Writing flash carts |
— |
yes |
partly |
| Target audience |
beginners |
beginners to developers |
tech-savvy tinkerers |
Note: Because the hardware connection of the three slots is built similarly to Sanni's Cart Reader, its plugins should work in any case. Whether the Retrode2 plugins will also be supported is not yet confirmed – we'll let you know as we make progress.
For Developers & Open Source
The Retrode3 already ships with a framework in its OS that adapts the read routines from Sanni's Cart Reader with little effort. Thanks to a similar plugin system, fixes and improvements can be ported in both directions – true to the open-source spirit. The complete source code is freely available:
Availability & Pre-order
The hardware is fully developed and we are currently working on the software. We are aiming for availability by the end of the year – an exact date and the price (target: under 100 EUR) are not yet final due to component lead times. Don't want to miss the pre-order? Sign up at the top of this page via « Notify me when back in stock » to join the notification list – we'll get in touch as soon as the Retrode3 can be ordered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which consoles does the Retrode3 support out of the box?
Out of the box, the Retrode3 reads cartridges for Super Nintendo (SNES), Sega MegaDrive and NES. More systems will follow via plugins.
Do I need to install any software?
No. The Retrode3 connects via USB and is operated entirely in your web browser – no drivers or extra programs. It works on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Can I back up save games?
Yes. Just like the Retrode2, you can read and write save data (SRAM) – ideal for battery replacement or continuing on an emulator.
Can I order the Retrode3 yet?
Not yet. Join the notification list to be informed about the pre-order.
