This Kickstarter project aims to create Genesis component cables

One of the worst aspects of retro gaming is trying to play your old SEGA Genesis on a modern TV. Because some newer TVs don’t have S-video input, we’re stuck with having to use those shitty old AV cables, which can distort the quality of the video presented on screen.

The guys at HD Retrovision are aiming to fix this problem by creating component video cables for the model 1 Genesis (with mono audio output and also compatible with the Master System), and a model 2 Genesis (with stereo audio output and compatible with a SEGA Nomad, 32X, Genesis 3, CDX and JVC X’Eye) and Super Nintendo (who cares about that one, amirite? *snickers*).

They’ve created a Kickstarter project to launch these cables, and a $35 pledge will get you your choice of cable for your desired system. These cables won’t output your old games in high definition, but they will “clarify the original standard-definition video signals provided by the consoles,” according to the Kickstarter page.

“The goal of this Kickstarter is to fund an initial production run of the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo component cables. We have years of research and development under our belt. We have spent hours writing custom test software, testing a multitude of console hardware revisions and building working prototypes (which our beta testers love),” reads the Kickstarter page. “Now we are approaching the final production ready cable design. We need your help to get us through the final steps to be able to produce these cables in a factory setting.”

This video shows the difference between using the standard AV input (composite video) and the HD Retrovision cables (component video).

If these cables work as advertised, it might be a great solution for retro gamers who prefer to use their new TVs and don’t have an older CRT handy.