All-in-one retro console Polymega is due to launch this year, and the company behind it has just announced a beta test program which will give a lucky number of applications early access to the hardware.
If you've already placed your preorder and you apply via the website before 5PM PST on January 31st, you could be selected to receive a beta sample unit in order to assist with the testing of the system prior to its final release.
This testing will involve using games, accessories and AV equipment with the unit and reporting your findings to help fine-tune the final retail version of the console. There will be no NDA in place during the test, so those involved will be permitted to freely post their findings online and talk about their experience with Polymega – a fair sign that the team behind the system is pretty confident in what it has created.
After the beta program is complete, testers will have the option to either hold onto the sample unit as your 'preorder' or elect to trade it in for a final retail unit at launch.
Polymega was announced back in 2017, and was supposed to launch late last year.
Will you be applying to be part of this test? Let us know with a comment.
This article was originally published by nintendolife.com on Wed 22nd January, 2020.
[source polymega.com]
Comments 24
I just wonder, how does Polymega bypass the Locked Region from old generation games ?
Important to note that it's only open to people who already pre-ordered and therefore who have already paid for their unit. So you don't get one for free, early.
A bit expensive for what it does, seeing as most PCs and phones can emulate coming up to everything these days, plus there are classic mini consoles. Heck, even the Switch manages to offer a small selection of old games. At $299 this is definitely for the enthusiast, although, you'd think they'd get the original machines.
@RudyC3 I didn't make that clear enough, so I've edited the piece. Thanks!
I'd rather use FPGA based emulation consoles due to being more accurate
I think this system is perfect for me. I can take all of my old discs and cartridges and dump them right on the system. Having one dedicated retro console hooked up to my TV would be better than all these retro consoles. I just dont have the room for it. At this point the Switch is turning into my retro-system.
This is so confusing / annoying. They sent out an email update recently that said the system is launching next month (February) for preordered customers and now they are sending out units to select people to allow them to test and provide feedback? Clearly it's not going to meet their ship date ... yet again.
Cue the damning comments.
I'd love to try one out but there's absolutely no way I'm pre-ordering.
@RudyC3
Or those who have been shilling/reporting on it for years
A $299 console that has software-based emulation is a no go.
Why is this even a thing anymore? It only was relevant back when they claimed it would have FPGA-based emulation. When they failed to keep that design goal, it became nothing more than an over priced console emulator joining an over crowded industry of low priced console emulators.
I feel sorry for the people that wasted money on this thing. They should have just spent their money on companies that use FPGA emulation like Analogue does.
For instance, if you are a true retro gamer that actually collects AND plays retro games, then there is no better option than to buy a Super Nt from Analogue for $189.99. Yes it only plays SNES cartridges, but it literally is the equivalent of a SNES with HDMI made by Nintendo IF Nintendo made one. It's made of top quality parts, will last you a life time, and is supported by a company that you can actually rely on.
If the PS1, Sega Saturn, Sega CD, and NeoGeo CD compatibility works well enough then perhaps I may pick one up in the future but I'm not pre-ordering it knowing it'll still had problems. Also it needs N64, Sega Dreamcast, and 3DO support.
Or you could just get a raspberry pi and build your own.
Omg I’ve also just pre-ordered the deluxe bundle....
The angle of the B & A buttons seem to be wrong. The thumb doesn't move that way. Ever seen a dog bone controller. Much better.
@mikegamer True, but there's no FPGA Sega Saturn available.
I am watching Terminator from 1984, time for FPGA emulation
I was originally looking at this for the TG16 unit. But when I added the needed base unit+the TG16 unit+shipping in Canada+conversion..well it's over 500$ CAN. I'll just get an original TG16 then and a mini as well...thanks :/
@ramu-chan Saturn is notoriously difficult to emulate
Early? Wasn't the original release date 3 years ago?
@ramu-chan @mikegamer
The polymega has the equivilent of a celeron g4900. This is a low powered pc and there is no way it will provide accurate saturn emulation.
This looks both impractical and somewhat flimsy, but I'm still exciting to see how it has all come together.
hope the success convinces them to move towards a n64 attachment, mines starting to show its age.
@PharoneTheGnome Your post doesn't make any sense. To get FPGA consoles for NES, SNES, and Genesis, I'd have to spend $600. And that number doesn't include TurboGrafx-16, TurboGrafx CD, Playstation, Saturn, Neo-Geo CD, 32X, and SEGA CD. The Polymega bundle for all of those systems is $500, and includes a generic controller and 4 additional controllers modeled after NES, SNES, Genesis, and TG16. All of the videos they have shown of the emulation suggests it's very high quality. And it will all use a grand total of one single solitary HDMI port. But by all means, if you have a TV with 10 HDMI ports, then great.
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