Who hasn't cursed at their overloaded power strip crammed with mismatched bulky transformers just to run their NES, Megadrive and Super Nintendo at the same time? Kytor Industries has the answer with the RetroTap, a power distribution unit designed specifically for our retro machines.

A smart distributor rather than a simple power strip

The RetroTap doesn't replace each original power supply: it centralizes their function. Connected to a single external 9-volt power source, the unit can power up to 11 consoles simultaneously, with a manufacturer recommendation not to exceed 4 devices running at the same time.

To sum up, your console's power cable will no longer be connected to its own individual power supply, but to the RetroTap unit along with your other consoles — the RetroTap thus acts as the single, sole power supply.

A design built to protect vintage hardware

Consoles from the 80s and 90s are particularly sensitive to electrical instability, which can show up as on-screen interference or, over time, damage internal components. To address this, Kytor Industries has integrated LC filtering on each output to deliver stable DC current with very low residual ripple. The manufacturer's own tests show notably better results than a PS2 Slim power supply or a Triad block, whether tested on an SNES Jr. or on a full Sega "Tower of Power" (Genesis + Mega CD + 32X).

On the safety side, the unit includes reverse-polarity protection on the input and resettable fuses on each port: in the event of overvoltage or a short circuit, power cuts automatically and resets itself once the unit has cooled down, with no soldering required.

Broad compatibility

The RetroTap is announced as compatible with more than 45 retro console variants from Sega, Nintendo, NEC, Atari and Neo Geo, covering both center-negative power (NES, Super Nintendo, Mega Drive Model 1, PC Engine...) and center-positive power (Mega Drive Model 2, 32X, TurboDuo...).

Sturdy 18 AWG copper power cables, available in 2 or 4 meter lengths with custom molded connectors, round out the ecosystem.

Availability

Kytor Industries has announced the commercial launch of the RetroTap and its accessories for September 3, 2026, priced at $59.99. The product has been validated by an ISO 17025-accredited third-party laboratory for FCC, CE and UKCA certifications, following more than six months of beta testing by volunteers.

Sources: Kytor Industries, Retrogamer.cc, Time Extension

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