Services
Allow us to handle the hardware, while you embark on a journey into the worlds of the games of your childhood!
RetroReplay Co. specializes in retro console restoration, refurbishment and modification, so you can simply turn it on, plug it in and play!
Restoration
Every console we sell is guaranteed to be fully cleaned, re-capped, and retrobrighted.
We perform all of these services as a one stop shop, so you have nothing to worry about, and can enjoy your console looking nearly brand-new and working like the day it shipped off the factory floor.
Modification
Let’s face it, the times do change.
But that doesn’t mean that our consoles can’t change with them! Many of our consoles have been modified, to keep up with the times, or to add new functionality. All modifications will be documented for you.
Some modifications include: optical disc emulators (to allow our console to load game libraries from SD cards!), RGB modifications to get the best analog quality, or HDMI mods. Connect the retro systems directly to the new TVs!
Repair
Our games and consoles break down over time. Cartridges no longer hold saves, systems no longer power on.
RetroReplay Co’s most important job is that of repairing our old electronics, getting them back in working order.
We are not currently accepting consoles to fix (sorry about that!), but we absolutely do repair and refurbish the consoles we sell.
FAQs
What is a capacitor?
Capacitors are used in electronics, like our consoles as sort of a mini battery. It’s main job is to hold a small charge and discharge it slowly over time. Due to the way electricity works, this can have the effect of smoothing voltage delivery.
What is recapping?
Over time, electrolytic capacitors dry out and need to be replaced. This can show up as all sorts of issues in our consoles, from buzzing to video or audio issues, to outright not working.
Re-capping replaces these electrical components with new, more modern ones that are rated similarly to the old ones, ensuring proper operation. Because they are new, they ensure our consoles work they way they should for years more to come.
RetroReplay Co. uses only high quality Panasonic, Rubycon or Nichicon capacitors.
What is retrobrighting?
Chemicals in old plastics tend to break down and change overtime. As a result, older consoles can often take on a yellow or brownish color. Retrobrighting is a process where the yellowing is removed chemically, returning the console to its original lustre.
There are some caveats — retrobrighting can weaken plastics. However, this is a minor tradeoff, the results speak for themselves.
Why modify the consoles?
Time marches ever on, and technology changes too. Far more intelligent people than I have created things like Optical Drive Emulators or ODEs, that replace the CD and physical disc drives in our old consoles. CDs break down over time and cannot be replaced. Thankfully, we can place an image, or a copy of the disc, on a SD card and play games directly from the consoles.
Other modifications allow you to plug in your old consoles, directly into your LCD tvs. While RetroReplay Co recommends investing in an old tube TV to play, this is not ideal for everyone. A HDMI mod allows you to enjoy, without a significant investment.
What is all this about RGB?
RGBs is probably the purest analog signal you can get from your consoles. It is the video components broken up directly into a Red, Green, Blue and Sync signal. RGBs requires a TV equipped to handle the signal, and that’s usually a broadcast or production type of monitor. The guys over at RetroRGB have dedicated sections for you to research the specifics.
Caution: The search for the perfect signal is a very expensive rabbit hole!
Can I send in my console for repair?
Not at this time, no. Though, if you are local in the NYC area, reach out, and maybe I’ll do a favor for a friend.
We do this for the love and nostalgia, after all.