retroUSB
retroUSB is a founder-operated, bootstrapped hardware company that designs and sells FPGA-based retro gaming consoles, flash cartridges, wireless gamepads, and USB adapters exclusively to NES and SNES hobbyists via an eBay storefront.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersRedwood City, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What retroUSB does
retroUSB is a privately held, founder-operated hardware business founded by Al Bailey, specializing in retro gaming hardware for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Super Nintendo (SNES) ecosystems. The company designs and sells FPGA-based consoles, flash storage cartridges, wireless and USB controller adapters, and DIY controller-modification kits, serving hobbyist retro gaming enthusiasts and the modding community.
The technical foundation is built around field-programmable gate array (FPGA) hardware rather than software emulation. The flagship AVS console, released in October 2016 and discontinued in December 2025, was described as the first FPGA-based NES console with HDMI output built from all-new parts. The PowerPak line (NES in 2007, SNES in 2010) uses a Xilinx FPGA with 512KB program space, 32KB battery-backed RAM, and 512KB character ROM space to load games from CompactFlash media. The wireless gamepad uses 2.4GHz radio (not Bluetooth) with microswitch buttons, adjustable turbo, four-player support, and latency tuning validated with competitive Tetris players. USB adapters use generic driverless plug-and-play protocols compatible with Windows and macOS. The company also publishes homebrew games (Sudoku 2007, Airball) authored by its founder.
retroUSB operates a direct-to-consumer model with minimal overhead. Products are sold exclusively through an eBay storefront (ebay.com/usr/retrousb), while the corporate website functions as a product archive hosting manuals, firmware, and documentation rather than as a commerce platform. Distribution is global via eBay with no retail, wholesale, or third-party reseller relationships identified. The company is bootstrapped with no evidence of institutional funding, venture capital, or outside ownership. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is set per listing on eBay. There is no active social media presence, and the marketing footprint appears to be word-of-mouth within the NES/SNES hobbyist community.
retroUSB firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- retroUSB
- Website
- https://retrousb.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- retroUSB is a founder-operated, bootstrapped hardware company that designs and sells FPGA-based retro gaming consoles, flash cartridges, wireless gamepads, and USB adapters exclusively to NES and SNES hobbyists via an eBay storefront.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
retroUSB industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Retro Gaming Hardware
- NAICS
- Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (33411), Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (3341)
- SIC
- Household Audio & Video Equipment (3651), Computer Peripheral Equipment, Nec (3577), Electronic Components & Accessories (3670)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arcade & Retro Gaming Hardware (Mini Consoles, Arcade Sticks, Cabinets) (HDACANAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Console Repair Parts & Modding Hardware (Replacement Components, Modchips) (HDACANAL), Console Hardware (Home/Hybrid Consoles) (MPAFAGAA)
Keywords
Where retroUSB is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Redwood City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
retroUSB business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel
Revenue model
- Hardware Product Sales: retroUSB generates revenue primarily through the sale of physical hardware products including the AVS console (now discontinued as of December 2025), PowerPak flash cartridges for NES and SNES, USB adapters, and wireless gamepads. Products are sold through their eBay store as the primary sales channel.
- DIY Kits and Components: Sale of DIY USB retrofit kits for NES and SNES controllers, allowing users to build their own USB controller adapters using provided wiring diagrams and troubleshooting guides.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
retroUSB product offering
Product offeringCore offering
retroUSB designs and sells specialty retro gaming hardware for the NES and SNES, including FPGA-based flash cartridges (PowerPak), USB controller adapters, DIY USB retrofit kits (RetroKit), wireless gamepads, and homebrew game cartridges. The company's flagship AVS FPGA NES console with HDMI output was discontinued in December 2025, while remaining products continue to be sold through its eBay storefront.
Product overview
retroUSB offers a portfolio of retro gaming hardware products centered on Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Super Nintendo (SNES) era gaming. The core products include the AVS (an FPGA-based NES console with HDMI output), the NES and SNES PowerPak cartridge storage devices for loading games from flash media, USB controller adapters for using original controllers on modern systems, and wireless gamepads. The company also sells DIY kits for building USB adapters and releases homebrew games. All products focus on preserving and enhancing retro gaming experiences using modern technology like FPGAs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AVS: First FPGA NES console featuring high definition output over HDMI, released October 2016 and discontinued December 2025
- PowerPak
- RetroKit
- Wireless Gamepad
Products and services
- NES PowerPak Cartridge-based flash storage device for the Nintendo Entertainment System that uses a Xilinx FPGA with 512KB program space, 32KB battery-backed RAM, and 512KB CHR space to load and play games from a CompactFlash card, targeting retro gaming enthusiasts who want to run homebrew, reproduction, and licensed NES ROMs on original hardware.
- SNES PowerPak Cartridge-based flash storage device for the Super Nintendo that allows users to load and play games from a CompactFlash card, targeting retro gaming enthusiasts seeking to run SNES homebrew and reproductions on original hardware.
- AVS FPGA NES Console First FPGA-based NES-compatible console featuring 720p 16x9 HDMI output, built from all-new parts with support for both NTSC and PAL formats, four controller ports, NES and Famicom cartridge slots, Famicom expansion port, and expansion audio support, targeting retro gaming enthusiasts who want authentic NES gameplay on modern HD displays.
- NES USB Adapter USB adapter that converts NES controller signals (standard NES controllers, NES Advantage, retroUSB wireless gamepad, PowerGlove, PowerPad, Vaus controller) into a standard USB game controller protocol using generic OS drivers, requiring no software installation, targeting retro gaming users who want to use original NES peripherals on modern PCs.
- Wireless Gamepad 2.4GHz wireless gamepad for NES with microswitch buttons, over 100 hours of battery life per charge, 50+ foot range, adjustable turbo, support for up to four simultaneous gamepads, and latency optimized through testing with competitive Tetris players, targeting retro gaming enthusiasts who want wireless input on AVS consoles, original NES toasters and top loaders, Analogue NT, and retroUSB USB adapters.
- DIY USB Kits (RetroKit) Do-it-yourself kits that allow technically skilled hobbyists to solder USB connectivity into original NES or SNES controllers, including wiring diagrams and step-by-step troubleshooting guidance, targeting the DIY/mods community that wants to repurpose or preserve vintage controllers.
- Sudoku 2007 Homebrew puzzle game cartridge released by retroUSB and created by Al Bailey, serving as the company's first homebrew product offering for the NES homebrew gaming community.
- Airball Homebrew game cartridge released by retroUSB as the company's first complete-in-box (CIB) product, targeting NES homebrew game collectors.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 100 hours of battery life on wireless gamepad
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use retroUSB
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
retroUSB technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
retroUSB partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights2 records
retroUSB competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Brook: Brook designs controller adapters and converters that let original console controllers work across modern and classic systems (Wingman series, Retro Board). It is directly comparable to retroUSB's NES-to-USB adapter line in function and target user.
- Analogue: Analogue is the leading maker of premium FPGA-based retro gaming consoles (Nt, Nt Mini, Super Nt, Mega Sg, Pocket). It directly competes with retroUSB's AVS in the FPGA NES console category and operates at a larger scale with broader platform coverage and retail distribution.
- Krikzz: Krikzz manufactures the EverDrive line of flash cartridges for NES, SNES, Genesis, and other retro consoles. Its EverDrive products directly compete with retroUSB's PowerPak as the dominant cartridge-based flash storage solution for vintage systems.
- TerraOnion: TerraOnion produces FPGA-based retro consoles (MD/SNES) and the Mega EverDrive Pro flash cartridge line. It competes in both the FPGA console and flash cart categories that retroUSB operates in, with comparable technical sophistication.
Broad incumbents
- Retro-Bit: Retro-Bit manufactures licensed and unlicensed retro gaming controllers, cables, and accessories for NES, SNES, Genesis, and other classic systems. It overlaps with retroUSB's gamepad and USB adapter offerings at a more mass-market price tier.
- Hyperkin: Hyperkin is a larger established player in retro gaming accessories and consoles (RetroN series, Supreme Controller, Game Genie relaunch). It competes with retroUSB's adapter and gamepad lines at a broader price-point and retail scale.
- 8BitDo: 8BitDo is a leading maker of retro-styled Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless controllers compatible with modern and classic systems. It competes with retroUSB's wireless gamepad in the premium wireless retro controller segment with stronger brand and broader SKU range.
Others
- PixelCade: PixelCade makes arcade marquee displays and accessories for retro gaming cabinets and emulation setups. It is a thematic ecosystem participant that serves the same retro gaming hobbyist demographic retroUSB targets with its PowerPak and USB adapter products.
Emerging players
- MiSTer Project: MiSTer is an open-source FPGA platform that emulates dozens of classic systems on standardized hardware with active community development. It represents an alternative approach to FPGA retro gaming that competes for the same enthusiast dollars as retroUSB's hardware.
- Sinden Technology: Sinden makes light-gun and retro gaming accessories including the Sinden Lightgun and border packages. It overlaps with retroUSB's retro-accessory focus on a niche use case within the broader retro gaming enthusiast market.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
retroUSB social profiles
Digital presenceretroUSB financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
retroUSB leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
retroUSB funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
retroUSB M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about retroUSB
What does retroUSB do?
retroUSB designs and sells specialty retro gaming hardware for the NES and SNES, including FPGA-based flash cartridges (PowerPak), USB controller adapters, DIY USB retrofit kits (RetroKit), wireless gamepads, and homebrew game cartridges. The company's flagship AVS FPGA NES console with HDMI output was discontinued in December 2025, while remaining products continue to be sold through its eBay storefront.
Is retroUSB a public or private company?
retroUSB is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was retroUSB founded?
retroUSB was founded in 2007. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is retroUSB based?
retroUSB is headquartered in Redwood City, United States, in the North America region.
How does retroUSB make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Hardware Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are DIY Kits and Components.
Who are retroUSB's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Brook, Analogue, Krikzz and TerraOnion. Broad incumbents are Retro-Bit, Hyperkin and 8BitDo. PixelCade is listed as an others. Emerging players are MiSTer Project and Sinden Technology.
Does retroUSB have an API?
No public API is recorded for retroUSB.
What industry is retroUSB in?
retroUSB's product category is Retro Gaming Hardware. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDACANAK, Arcade & Retro Gaming Hardware (Mini Consoles, Arcade Sticks, Cabinets), with a secondary code of HDACANAL, Console Repair Parts & Modding Hardware (Replacement Components, Modchips). Its NAICS code is 33411 and its SIC code is 3651.