Retrode

Retrode, commonly spelled Retrode in many references, is a USB hardware peripheral designed to read data from cartridge-based video games by physically inserting cartridges into built-in slots. The device is used to back up ROM images and, where supported, battery-backed save data, facilitating preservation and use with emulators or modern hardware.

Mechanically, the Retrode consists of a small printed circuit board with one or more cartridge slots, a USB interface, and on-board firmware that reads cartridge data and presents it to a connected computer as standard dump files. To support a range of systems, the device relies on interchangeable adapters and, in later versions, a second cartridge slot for simultaneous dumps.

Version history centers on the original Retrode (first released in the mid- to late-2000s) and the Retrode 2, which added a second, larger slot and expanded compatibility. The Retrode community has produced firmware updates and third-party adapters to broaden format support, turning the device into a flexible tool for ROM dumping and archival.

Usage and impact: The Retrode is widely cited in hobbyist and archival contexts as a practical means of creating accurate ROM images for classic consoles. It is used by collectors, preservationists, and emulation developers. Legal and ethical considerations vary by jurisdiction and depend on ownership of the original media and the intended use of dumped data.