RetroTink 5x System Spotlight: OG XBox Component Video Cables Gameplay

In this episode, we demonstrate how the original Microsoft XBox looks when connected to the RetroTink 5x using Monster Component Video Cables.

Please note, this footage was captured using the original launch 1.01 firmware for the RetroTink 5x. At the time of this posting, Mike has released firmware 1.25, with additional benefits and features that make the Xbox look even better than what shown here.

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
0:29 - Component Cables Used
0:39 - RetroTInk 5x Settings Overview
2:49 - Indycar Series
7:07 - Star Wars: Battlefront
10:09 - Project Gotham Racing
12:43 - Enter the Matrix

I have to admit, I've never been the biggest fan of the original Xbox. Part of it boils down to the fact that I don't care for the controller, either the Duke or the S controller a whole lot. That being said, there are some games that look absolutely stunningly beautiful on this system when hooked up using component video cables and the RetroTink 5X.

One of the first games I picked up for the original Xbox was Indy car racing. I believe it's done by Codemasters, and they have created some of my favorite racing simulations ever produced for any platform. I was blown away just how good this game looked. There were certain shapes and whatnot that gave away the fact that this was not a modern game, but the depth of field, the colors, the resolution, the overall quality looked stunning and I was blown away just how good this system looked. With an exceptional start, it was time to move on.

One of my favorite games of this generation was Star Wars: Battlefront and Star Wars Battlefront 2. While I did not feel that the graphics held up quite as well as Indycar racing, I was still impressed with how sharp everything looked. The graphics were stunning, even the full motion video bits in the game looked great. I did think this game looked a little bit blurry, but I attribute that more to the game itself than anything else.

The Project Gotham Racing series is very well known for the original Xbox for being not only a great racing game, but also looking terrific as well. Very similar to the IndyCar racing game, Project Gotham Racing looked incredible. I played several rounds, and never felt any lag, delay, or latency issues. The one thing looking at the footage as I edited it that cropped up to me was the fact this almost looks like it could have been a 16x9 game, and perhaps I should have set it to such in the RetroTink 5x.

The final game tested here was Enter the Matrix, an amazing title that I absolutely love. I actually played this game several times through on my GameCube, but has been a long time since I have fired it up. One of the most outstanding features of Enter the Matrix is, at least on the Xbox, it outputs in 1080i. The RetroTink 5X handles interlaced content without any problem whatsoever, and output a glorious 1080p picture. Much like all the other titles I tested, there was no lag, no latency, it just played terrifically.

Now that I have my gaming setup better organized, I plan on playing the original Xbox more. I absolutely loved Enter the Matrix, although some of the button controls were terrible. The Indycar racing game brought back so many memories, I can't wait to spend more time and I intend on running an entire season. Finally, I have tested the new 1.25 firmware with the Xbox, and it looks even better with it. I'm excited to see what more is to come from this pairing in the future.

#RetroTink5x #Xbox #Upscaler #HDMIXBox

The footage used in this review are used under the Fair Use laws, referenced below:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/107

Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include—

(1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
(2) the nature of the copyrighted work;
(3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
(4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.
(Pub. L. 94–553, title I, § 101, Oct. 19, 1976, 90 Stat. 2546; Pub. L. 101–650, title VI, § 607, Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5132; Pub. L. 102–492, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3145.)