Product Review: INNEX Accessories - Retro Duo Console and Komodo Boxing Gloves
Posted by John De Large on 07.28.2009
INNEX brings you an awesome retro console and an add-on for the Wii that you're going to like.
While out and about at E3, I stopped at the INNEX booth and tried out an awesome light gun controller for the Wii known as the Buckshot (which I will be reviewing shortly). I had a great time and the people were super nice, so I dropped off my business card and several weeks later, they called me up asking me if I wanted to review their products: the Retro Duo, which plays old 8-bit and 16-bit cartridges and a pair of boxing gloves for the Wii (which I've always wanted).
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE RETRO DUO
I like that the Retro Duo is small and compact (and not boxy or heavy like the NES of old or even the somewhat clunky SNES of the 90's) and that it uses controllers similar to those used with the SNES. These controllers let you control both SNES and NES games, which might sound weird in the case of the NES games, but it's actually really comfortable!
Setting up the Retro Duo is pretty simple. You simply take the AV cables and adapter and plug them in. No third party adapter or HD cables to fumble around with, this is pretty straight-forward. Here's a tip though, if you have an older TV (one that isn't HD) you're going to want to connect the Duo to that kind of TV, if not for the retro experience, then definitely for the improvement in graphics.
In addition to the Retro Duo being easy to hook up, it's so simple to pack up and take with you (thanks to its size and its box which doubles as a carry case), you won't have a problem bringing this over to your friends place for late night pizza and old school TMNT.
The Retro Duo plays virtually any Super NES and NES cartridges, even Japanese and European carts, should you have any! The only setback I've run into is playing the older games that been around since the SNES's inception (Super Mario World, ActRaiser, etc). Also, some of the older used games I've acquired over the years from Gamestop, Play N Trade and FuncoLand don't work. To be fair, the games that don't work are the ones with traces of sticker glue and the games that rattle a bit. Some older games might work for a bit, but then just stop working altogether, like my copy of Lufia And The Fortress Of Doom (anyone else remember Lufia? No?), which would work only to promptly shut down 4 or 5 minutes into gameplay. The Duo is a handy, reliable little console, but be ready for older games to crap out or not play at all.
LASTING APPEAL AND FUN FACTOR
At just $60, the Retro Duo is a steal! Older consoles that have been used, abused and are discolored will run you way more than $60 and they only play one set of cartridges. This system plays all of your cartridges (the ones that are in decent to good condition, anyway), looks pretty, goes anywhere and sets up quick.
How long you play your Retro Duo is kind of dependent on how many games you have. If you've got a bunch of titles you haven't played in years, you're going to lose a few weeks reliving the past on this thing like I did. If you've got a stack of old Square RPG's and/or Star Tropics for the NES, then you'd better clear your schedule for the rest of the summer.
And if you don't have any old titles, then hit up your local Play 'N Trade and scoop up as many cartridges as you can get, 'cause you know the other guys don't carry 'em!
PLAY LIST
EDIT: Just to liven this review up, I decided to include my 5 favorite retro titles (that I own) to play on the Retro Duo. Maybe this list will remind of you of some of your old favorites and that'll be even more incentive for you to go out and pick up the Retro Duo!
1. TMNT Tournament Fighters (SNES)
2. Double Dragon II (NES)
3. Crash 'N The Boys Street Challenge (NES)
4. Secret of Mana (SNES)
5. Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)
Honorable mention: Beetlejuice (NES, this is the worst game I've ever played, but me and my friend Endless Mike had a good laugh over how bad this game actually was)
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE KOMODO FINGERLESS BOXING GLOVES
The gloves are bright and colorful (either bright blue or bright red) and are made of a nice vinyl-type material with soft, cushy foam inside. The foam is so soft you could deck someone (not that you should haul off and deck someone) and not really hurt them all that bad, which if you ask me is a GREAT safety feature with the younger boxers in mind. Even with all that foam inside, these gloves'll fit your hands whether you're a big boxer or a little boxer or just an average guy with huge hands (see also: me).
I'd be lying if I said the gloves slide right on, but getting them on is no big chore. Just make sure to load up the remote and nunchuck first before you put the gloves on, then slide your fists in. Don't try loading a glove with your remote or nunchuck after your fist is in it, unless you've got a buddy around to help you make it fit. Kids might need mom or dad's help.
Once the gloves are on, controlling your boxer becomes more challenging, while still fun. The box recommends that you try them with the new Punch Out remake. I do not have Punch Out, so I popped in Wii Boxing and decided to see just how the gloves work.
Guarding is not as simple as it sounds. To guard accurately, I had to spread my hands apart and hold them out and away from my body as the picture below illustrates.
Once you get the hang of the unorthodox guard, you can punch like normal and the wire that connects the remote to the nunchuck rarely gets in the way, unless you're trying to somehow add a tae-kwon-do kick in there somehow.
LASTING APPEAL AND FUN FACTOR
If you're the type of gamer who likes mix physical activity and gaming (and these days, who isn't?) then you'll get a kick out of these! Even if you're the couch potato type, you're bound to get some enjoyment out of these boxing gloves, who knows, they might even get you off the couch.
THE 411
Wow! INNEX makes a lot of cool stuff that'll appeal to any gamer! The Retro Duo still gets used on a regular basis at my house (I love to play Street Challenge and Super Mario 3 and my Mom plays Earthbound, because she's awesome like that) and whenever I throw in Wii Boxing, I still use my gloves, at least for a couple of bouts.
You can check out ALL of INNEX's wonderful products at Innexinc.com
