You were so CLOSE! - Polymega Console
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Description
Shop smartly with Karma for free at lmg.gg Retrogaming is getting more "mainstream," if you can call it that. The Polymega is an exciting device as you can use your older cartridges and CDs to play the games. Also, you can even install the games to memory, so the cartridges and CDs don't wear out. But, there's an issue. Here's why.
Promos
Check out the Polymega at polymega.com Buy an NES on eBay: geni.us Buy NES Games on eBay: geni.us Buy a SNES on eBay: geni.us Buy SNES Games on eBay: geni.us Buy a TurboGrafx-16 on eBay: geni.us Buy TurboGrafx Games on eBay: geni.us Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► AFFILIATES, SPONSORS & REFERRALS: lmg.gg ► PODCAST GEAR: lmg.gg ► SUPPORT US ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Instagram: @shortcircuityt TikTok: @linustech Facebook: @ShortCircuitYT CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 - Kinda Retro Time 0:10 - Polymega backstory and overview 1:45 - Unboxing and build quality impressions 6:08 - Sponsor - Karma! 6:40 - Turning it on! 7:00 - Sega Saturn gaming impressions 7:48 - Virtual display impressions 8:10 - Playstation gaming impressions 8:43 - Installing game impressions 10:14 - Why won't you work SNES? 10:46 - Game files thoughts 11:10 - Final thoughts
Polymega is introduced as a hybrid retro console designed to run legacy games from cartridges and CDs while also offering digital storage and a modern user interface. The video opens with a quick recap of the device's history, noting the initial 2017 announcement as the RetroBlox and the long development journey before shipping in 2021. The host walks through unboxing the base PM01 unit, its included controller, cables, and the modular approach that allows plugging in various cartridge formats via dedicated expansion modules. Throughout the first segment, emphasis is placed on the promise of digitizing a game collection, preserving cartridge contacts by storing games in internal storage, and providing a robust onboard database with metadata and box art, all accessible without requiring constant internet once set up. The discussion then shifts to build quality and component layouts, with hands-on impressions of the controller, the modular rail system for adding NES, Super Nintendo, and other modules, and initial curiosity about how the internal M.2 bay and external connectors interact with the overall system. The host teases a later deep-dive into performance, compatibility, and the user experience when switching between multiple classic systems, framing Polymega as a potentially convenient all-in-one solution for retro gaming enthusiasts who want to minimize wear on original media while enjoying modern conveniences.
Topics · technology · retro-gaming · hardware
Questions answered
- What is the Polymega base unit capable of doing out of the box?
- The base unit can run legacy games from CDs via a built-in drive, digitize games into internal storage, provide a Plex-like interface with metadata and box art, and operate offline after setup.
- Can all expansion modules be used interchangeably with the base unit?
- Expansion modules for different formats (NES, SNES, TurboGrafx, etc.) slide onto the rails and enable respective cartridge connections, though some modules may have fitment or reliability caveats based on impressions.
- Does the Polymega support playing directly from original cartridges through passthrough or RAM?
- According to the video, the system loads games into memory for play and can install to internal storage but does not pass through the cartridge contents in real time; the experience is more like a modern emulator with ROMs stored locally.