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After years of seeing TVs professionally calibrated for an old job, I’d be inclined to say yes. More accurate and dialed in settings can look kinda dull when directly compared to Vivid Store Mode. It is interesting that the 2X Pro is brighter by comparison for sources like component, even when using a 1 Chip System. With all that said, an individual’s TV settings are going to have a lot of influence over those aspects. I can tell you that when I play on my TV, the 5X looks great, with vivid colors and clear visuals, as does the 2X Pro.

@@RetroBoost Yes, the brightness boost out of the 2X Pro is an interesting quirk. The effect is not as drastic as the 2X Pro Multiformat as I've seen from your other video: the image from the M looks a bit washed out--like exposure is increased or contrast is decreased. With the 2X Pro, however, the output appears to be more of a brightness/color issue, which is preferable over the M for me. The pass-through mode on the M is a fantastic feature, but I its output is too much of an alteration from native for me. That said, I'm only using a scaler on the output of the PS2 for 480i games, as the rest of the setup will be 480p games on Xbox and Dreamcast. Ultimately, I'd love to use the 5X for its more accurate output, but I can't justify a $200 price difference for only certain games on one console. Thank you for your reply and providing the best comparisons of these products on the internet!

Thanks! I'll have to check out Top Gear Rally and WCW Revenge. Shadows I played for the first time back when we did that Retrospective in the beginning of the year, I thought it was pretty fun. Super Mario 64 at one point was like #6, but ultimately I just have more powerful memories with the other games on this list. I do wish I had played more Diddy Kong Racing when I was younger, it would've certainly been on this list if I had. Trying to remember what the deal with that was, and I believe that I got Diddy Kong pre-owned either right before or maybe even a couple years after getting a GameCube, so it just never got a chance lol.

@RetroBoost Diddy Kong Racing is in my opinion a better racer even if you take out the adventure mode. I sank so many hours into adventure mode until I completed everything

That would produce an identical experience to what you see with the GameStop Device. AVRs, TVs, and so on all tend to use the same generic converters. I have a Denon 7200WA for my home theater; its ability to convert and scale analogue content is indistinguishable from the AV2HDMI devices, I've never thought it was good personally. RetroTINK and others like the RAD2X, OSSC, and so on use parts and programming that is specific for the task of scaling and improving game console content.

When I play with any of these devices on my TV (5X Pro, the GameStop ones, etc) the colors are great. I think its my capture card that does that, its been a challenge to find the right combo of settings that won't crush the blacks. RetroTINK's website states they don't support elgato cards, which I owned prior to getting the 5X, so I've always wondered if that had something to do with it. It might not and it just comes through slightly muted/dull though, I could believe either. What I will say is: On my TV in front of me, the colors of all these devices are fine. It's the clarity where you find the most difference between them.

It has been. One of the funnier side effects of Double Pain is that the Bingo game can now kill you. Normally getting poison mushrooms in Bingo cuts your HP in half, but x2 of half is 100%, so it’s an instant game over. I think it’s happened twice to me over this play through.

No, it uses the unique Digital AV Port present on DOL-001 model GameCubes. For the Wii, just get yourself some HD Retrovision Component Cables, and if needed, a scaling/converter like RetroTINK or OSSC and the like. If your tv in question has component though, you’re set at that point, scaler wouldn’t really be needed, as 480p looks fine on most TVs as is, at least in my opinion.

@@RetroBoost thanks, I have a GBScontrol but I think I still need to dial in the settings. Just looking for a more plug and play solution.

It’s a great game. Basically a lite Metroidvania Horror game. You’ll enjoy it. I need to finish Diddy Kong Racing as well!

This was a 2-Chip system. I didn’t have a 1-Chip at the time of this video, got one in October 2023, so anything after that date features it.

Thanks! I’ve been really enjoying the 8bitdo experience, though the downside for some people is that to get the most of it you need one of their controllers that has the ability to use their app. I could do a more detailed comparison of them one day down the road for sure.

@@spaztekwarrior I’ve heard of that combo before, whether it be with the CARBY, Prism, etc. I’ll have to try it sometime.

@@RetroBoost When a 480i GameCube game is started, the Carby (by default I think) sets to line doubling. The mClassic will interpret this as 480p and improve the graphics as well. If you turn off line doubling on a 480i games through the Carby, the mClassic does nothing. Should be noted though, a 480p game will look better through an mClassic Carby combo, than a line doubled 480i game mClassic Carby combo. Still the latter scenario looks decent, and better than the Carby alone. :)

@@RetroBoost BTW With the combo, I use the Carby’s settings to adjust brightness and saturation. Yes you can do it with the tv, but then you have to undo it for other things like regular tv viewing for cable and movies.

Wish I could've, but I don't own one. I've mentioned that is a compatible option for RAD2X here and there though, that's the best I can do without owning one.

Combining the 2-Chip Console with something like S-Video or RGB/Component produces and amazing picture quality. One thing that didn’t exist when I originally made this was the ability to mod the 2-Chip consoles, significantly improving their output and sharpness.

Because they didn’t think about perspective and placement of characters in a 3D Space.…big mistake lol.

Yeah I guess they were supposed to be Witches Hats or something, but Wizard would be the first thought on seeing them. I love the whole costume party idea, plus the goofy ending cinematic where the winner takes on Bowser.

That is on me. Took me a while to figure out the best settings for my capture card and OBS regarding the Color Space. This was the second video I ever did on this topic, was still pretty green in terms of my editing knowledge. On videos starting not long after this, I’d fixed that issue, and darks were being properly shown and not crushed. There are noticeable differences in color between say the 2X Pro and 5X Pro, but one doesn’t crush blacks whilst the other does. Sorry about that. If you check out any of my recent comparisons, going back a couple of years, you’ll see better footage.

@@RetroBoost do those comparisons show difference between native and 2X-Pro? This was pretty much the only substantive video I've found that showed native vs 2X-Pro--most compare 2X vs 5X. This doesn't interest me, however, because I don't find that the 5X is a significant improvement over the 2X (my opinion, I know a lot of people think it's a lot better)

@@lukeautosymbol2668 I’ve done a few videos comparing the “generic” converters to RetroTink and the like, most recently with a variant on the AV2HDMI that GameStop is now carrying. This is one of the best stand-ins for “native” that I can do, since these kinds of converters…convert, nothing else. No line doubling, no additional smoothing or scanline simulation. Their quality of converting is identical to what a TV would do, since all those things tend to use the same generic parts. Here is a link to the 2X Pro Comparison Video: GameStop's RCA to HDMI Converter vs The RetroTINK 2X Pro - Composite and Component Comparisons (Pt1) th-cam.com/video/nTurHDdyRcE/w-d-xo.html That might give you what you are looking forward, hope it can be helpful.

@@RetroBoost Thank you! I appreciate your in-depth replies here--very helpful. My potential use of an upscaler would be very limited given that I generally intend to use it *only* with the PS2 on a 4:3 EDTV that's 640x480p for proper scaling, so an upscaler's effect on that display won't be as pronounced as it would be on a modern TV. Hence why the comparison to native is key--because the difference in my case may not be enough to justify getting it in the first place. I don't know if anyone has documented their use of an upscaler with an EDTV, so I'm kind of flying blind here. I know the RAD2x can be a solution, but its implementation sounds like something of a hassle in my set-up, so RetroTINK 2X would be more convenient. Thanks again!

An experiment! Challenge accepted......Challenge Regretted lol. To describe what I heard as "nails on a chalkboard" does a disservice to Nail-Chalkboard musicians. So no. Technically yes, audio travels through, but something happens to it, it comes out with increased volume and incredible distortion. I know that most Extron Switches let you mess around with the dB levels for the audio...but that wouldn't help here since these are video inputs, so I'm not sure how much control there would be for this use-case. So basically no, audio is intended to enter via phoenix adapters. RetroGamingCables sells specially made ones for Extron Switches, if you didn't know, that is where I got mine. They make dedicated Input and Output versions.

​@@RetroBoost Thank you very much for your experiment. I'm surprised that you got different results, because as far as I know, RCA-type switchers and splitters are RGB and component compatible. I don't know if there's something special about extron products. I predicted it would work and already purchased a 6 input Extron switcher some days ago and it should arrive soon. I bought it for component video & audio. It's a smaller and simpler structure than what you're currently using, so I'm just crossing my fingers that the audio works. 😅

Fantastic call out, thanks for that tip!

Upon seeing that, I can't help but feel I've been cursed and have 7 days to live before Amy comes for my soul!

I don’t have one personally, so I can’t really weigh in. Spec-wise it comes across as something in between the 2X Pro and 5X Pro, lacking only the 5X’s level of customization (unless that’s changed via firmware updates for OSSC?).

I’ve got a couple of link here that brings you to RetroTink and the GS Devices, since I’m not 100% on which one you are referring to. First would be the RetroTink 5X Pro, which accepts component as an input type and by default will output 1080p. Link to the 5X Pro: www.retrotink.com/product-page/5x-pro Then there are the two GameStop devices. This is a link for both. The one that outputs 1080p is Composite only, it does not accept component. The component model is strictly a converter, it does not scale. Give it 480i, you get 480p, and so on. Link to look at both is here: www.gamestop.com/search/?q=hdmi+converter&lang=default&start=0&sz=20

I think its a flawed but ultimately decent game. I've always had a soft spot for it. It has amazing visuals and I think the voice actor for Fox here is probably the best one. It's let down by a poor soundtrack, a lot of boring segments....and well, the fact that it was never supposed to be a Star Fox game obviously haha.

@@RetroBoost by the way i finally beat Mike tyson punch out, well when i stop for 2 weeks, i was in the super macho man's level so, thats Very hard you know, Mike tyson is so strong and fast, i barely could dodge the punches.

@@MrAdam802 I’ll probably end up with the blue retro one as well, I love their OS for customizing, I found the Brook one to be kinda confusing. It was a journey itself just to identify which ones were definitely for which series of consoles. I did not have any issues with the controller I’ve been using for it regarding the dead zone or acceleration curves though.

He is a fast or slow as the situation demands lol. They should just make a game where you enter bullet time or something to truly convey the sense of incredible speed. I also noticed that this video has developed that stuttering issue toward the end, which I do not recall it having when I first uploaded it. I may have to re-upload it if YT Support can’t fix it via re-processing. So tired of this issue…

@@RetroBoost First of all, I'm sorry that you have to deal with these video issues and especially frustrating if those things happen after they are on YT. But yeah this is just bat s*it insanity this game and you and Tory just dying on the inside and outside makes this so good though and enjoyable to watch through at least.

@@Pasixable Thanks! The transformation in our attitudes is my favorite part of this whole thing, especially Tory. It’s the best. He’s so jazzed up and happy in part one, and holy hell, him at the end is so great.

TH-cam got back to me on this video, saying they are reprocessing it. I’m glad that this time around the agent I’m working with is taking me seriously. When I first raised this months ago, they wrote it off as a flaw present in the source file itself, which is not the case. I wouldn’t upload something that had that issue lol. Fingers crossed they not only fix it, but can tell me why it happens at all.

Are there 6 now? The Facebook page says 4 as of the time of me writing this comment. I hope that they grow either way, it’s convenient to have some local options for retro gaming.

@@RetroBoost I’m the video they say “over 5 locations now” Which is a strange way to say what I presume to be “6”

@@GiSWiG For 45$ you got a great great deal, the only eBay listing I saw for it was $500 lol, it retailed for $129, so you still got a great saving in that respect, which is rare in this industry. Check out the firmware updates for it, the community has done a lot with it, I think they added 720p output among other things. I would talk about it more if it wasn’t discontinued. It’s everything the 2X Pro is, but with 480p Passthrough, and though it lacks the smooth filter, it boasts an improved composite video performance vs the 2X Pro. Quoting the Store Page: “One use case where the 2X-M shines over the current 2X-Pro for 240p sources is the handling of composite video. In the Super Mario NES title card, the 2X-M's output is noticeably cleaner with less dot artifacts and no ghosting around sharp vertical lines. If your setup exclusively focuses on composite video, the 2X-M will generally produce better results. Due to composite artifacts, the difference between nearest neighbor and bilinear filtering is much less visible. Our testing has also shown that the 2X-M's composite decoder is more robust and and may handle poorly behaved sources such as the Sega Genesis and earlier PSOne models, where the 2X-Pro fails to produce a correct image.” Overall, great grab for the price, hope you enjoy it!

@@spapa9292 So thanks to my Extron switches, I can do exactly that. Run one of the outputs to something like a CRT, but I’ve got one big issue: no where to put the crt lol. Even a small one. I’ve been on the lookout though, checking my local thrift joints here and there and so on.

@@RetroBoost yeah getting a 20 inch to smaller size crt are getting harder to find, in my area there's alot of 27 inch dirt cheap but people are not picking it up because the size.

@@djm9937 You won’t get the XboXxBoxX DX? Maaaan, missing out. I want to say I read about some people using coax and RF adapters on Reddit sometime recently. Glad this was helpful too, the 5X Pro has become a helluva device over the years. When it comes to modern stuff, I’ve mostly fallen out of the new consoles, the last new console I got was a switch, never got a PS5 or Next Box, what little modern gaming I do is on PC.

This was a couple of months before I got my 1-Chip System, this is my 2-Chip SNES here.

@@RetroBoost ah okay thanks! I figured. Does the 2x scart look pretty good with the 1chip? I ended up getting a 2x scart for $80 and wondering if I should have gotten the OSSC instead.

@@closetotheedge8859 I don’t have a scart 2X, but I do currently use my SNES with every currently. My SNES outputs over scart to an RGB2COMP, which then leads through my switching system, the 2X Pro being one of the final stops. The quality is outstanding.

@@RetroBoost oh okay so I'm not missing out a bunch with the scart 2x. Sweet, thank you! A lot of people online rave about the 5x and discount the 2x.

Thanks! Good feedback too, I was mixed on my decision to do that, I toyed around with playing the same clip multiples times and flipping the sides (I think first with the 5X HDR Video for the GCN footage). I appreciate the specific feedback on that, as I wasn't sure if it was helpful or not.

Nice! Enjoy it, its a great device, just called it out in my most recent video.