Gamenomics & Comicology

Say you are looking to crack open a can of nostalgia by plugging in your old video game console, but alas, your patience is quickly tested with blurry graphics, flickering backgrounds, and frustratingly unclear images. That is why HD Retrovision, a company founded in March 2014, has made it its mission to preserve retro gaming history while improving the retro gaming experience:

Before you roll your eyes about hardware limitations of older systems, their concept is pretty simple. The objective was to find a compatible link between newer HDTVs and retro gaming systems with minimal-to-no modifications to the original hardware. The ‘link’ quite literally, is a new set of video cables. By replacing the older composite video with component video, HD Retrovision is able to put out the clearest possible image by sharpening lines, brightening colors, and defining images.

HD Retrovision Example
Composite (left) vs. Component (right)

HD Retrovision is currently being funded on Kickstarter and is offering component cables for two systems. First, the Super Nintendo Component Cable, which is compatible with the original SNES model. Second, the Sega Genesis Component Cable is offered in two versions: mono audio output and stereo audio output. A set of cables will run you about $35 each off Kickstarter, but are worth it for the fun you will experience with your new high-definition retro games. HD Retrovision appears to be most noticeable in its background and lettering. Especially in older games with digitized photo images to flickering backgrounds, the new component cables really sharpen up what used to be a blurry mess. All in all, for a relatively small investment, you can drastically improve the capabilities of your retro systems, while still enjoying the classic games you grew up with.