Will Anybody Be Buying The Retro VGS?

[fdurso224]

Hi guys,

 

I haven't been following this system as of late on the status of it I apologize on that part.

 

But will anybody be purchasing this unit in the future?

 

What are the pros & cons on this unit and would you recommend me to order one?

 

 

 

Anthony...

[0078265317]

Pros, plays multiple games. Cons, nothing beats the look and feel of original hardware.

[Nutsy Doodleheimer]

Same here. I like the effort of putting out a video game system to play games from the second to fifth generations. But I dislike it due to that I'd rather play all my classic games on their respective units than a Jaguar lookalike. And re-releasing games in a Jaguar cart format if I recall correctly. Final verdict: Not going to put my money on this. I like the idea but think it's going to be a flop.

[mbd30]

I checked out the FAQ. It looks like the console is going to have new "retro-style" games along the same lines as downloadable indie games on other consoles, but released as cartridges. It doesn't look like it's for playing old games. http://www.retrovgs.com/f.a.q..html

[CatPix]

I wouldn't buy that.

No identity as it's into a Jaguar shell, and carry harware that can "emulate" different thing (from what I understand, it's more like FPGA that emulation running on an OS, but... it's weird).

The asking price is like, 300$???

Even the Ouya was priced at 99$.

 

They claim to have games to be ready for it... wait and see. Even hardware add-ons strugle to get games (how many game there is for the SGM?, for the AtariVox ? ) so a whole new machien, overpriced and with no "recognizeable" hardware?

 

No.

Give me a machine based around a Z80, with 64Ko of RAM, a video chip able to display 3 or 4 resolutions, 32 colors out of a 256 palette, a blitter; a sound chip with 4 or 5 voices, a noise generator, a vibrato, maybe a possibility to play some compressed audio files, and THERE you'll see programmers wanting to showcase their capabilities. Because having pwoer is fun, but having limits is MORE fun.

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

Geez did we really need yet another thread on this unreleased console?

[SiLic0ne t0aD]

Hmm.. I haven't posted in the other RVGS threads but as of now, I won't be buying one.

 

I have every classic system and I could ever want and then some.. If I need more games, i'll buy a couple more flashcarts that I still need and use them on real hardware with authentic controllers.

The only way I'd buy it is if my consoles and/or CRT TVs crap out on me.

Eventually I'm going to have to start converting everything over to HDMI or RGB when I finally get a flat panel HDTV but until then, I'll wait it out.

[fdurso224]

Geez did we really need yet another thread on this unreleased console?

 

Meow!

Edited September 15, 2015 by fdurso224

[fdurso224]

Hi guys,

 

Judging by others are viewing this unit, I might just stay way from it.

 

Anthony...

[Great Hierophant]

I recall that about 10 years ago, someone released a retro console in kit form called the XGameStation. It was programmed like an Atari 2600 but with much improved capabilities. It never took off and I do not see this taking off either unless the developer can produce enough exclusive quality games.

[Austin]

Pros: The cases look cool.

 

Cons: Pretty much everything else.

[toiletunes]

You can't play games that don't exist on a console that doesn't exist.

[imstarryeyed]

I own an XGameStation and it is a great system to learn hardware design. Andre LaMoth is a brilliant designer and the book that came with it. The black art of videogame hardware design is a great complete course to anyone wanting to learn how to make video game console hardware.

 

The problem with the XGameStation was that it was originally pitched as an easy and fun way to program games by taking sprites from the internet or ones you create and make games on par with super Nintendo graphics. It would have supported a C / C++ as well as BASIC and allow anyone with the desire to make games. His demos all had great looks and feels and lots of people were super excited. When it came out however, it was a simple board that only supported Atari like graphics and could only be programmed in assembly.

 

It was unfortunate but at this point it seemed to go downhill.

 

The biggest draw to it was it's easy to use and fun to program languages for anyone who cares too. I honestly think if the retro system addressed that market they can find success. In my perfect console I would have BASIC installed on boot and allow easy access to sprites, sounds, music, controllers and graphics built right in on bootup like a Commodore 64 had.

 

I would also allow for C, C++, and C# for those of us who want more control and compiled programs and need me access to deeper hardware.

 

In my humble opinion a console like the retro does not need exclusive games if it offers something to allow budding and hobbyist game makers a platform.

 

I honestly do hope they can find this market if they see it as one.

[Noah98]

For $300 I have to take a wait and see approach. If it was $150, I would pre-order it, but still be a little worried about it getting cancelled and losing my money. I can't really afford to throw away money, especially $300.

 

I like the concept of playing new retro style games on cartridges though. If it launches with a few good games and is available to purchase without waiting, I may jump in.

 

I just got a Jaguar, so I would prefer to get one of the unique color cases to differentiate from the real deal

[zylon]

I'd sooner buy this:

 

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/new-2014-TV-game-supporting-the-arcade-fighting-games-play-against-double-handle-game-consoles-support/1934557276.html

[CatPix]

Don't. Unless they improved it, the PAP1000 is a weak emulating machine that barely struggle to his promises.

You'll best spend those 55$ on an used Android tablet with HDMI out and use bluetooth controllers on it that on this thing. Again, if it's the same generation of PAP1000 that I've seen (I would link you the test, but it's in French so probably not much of a help for you)

[Keatah]

To answer the question, there is not enough clear information available.

[Keatah]

Geez did we really need yet another thread on this unreleased console?

 

With the childish behavior exhibited in the other threads, yes we do.

[+remowilliams]

The prototype looks promising.

 

 

[Great Hierophant]

I think the idea behind the Retro VGS is interesting, to have an FPGA-based console that is reconfigurable in whatever way the game programmer desires to the limit of the number of logic elements available. According to the FAQ, it has sufficient capacity to replicate the logic of an Atari 2600 or a NeoGeo. In this sense, it is hardware-based emulation, simulation or recreation. Of course, that does not guarantee that it would be totally accurate to the original hardware, but that is not the intent of this device. However, you could program it to act in a totally unique way. Essentially it is the Tabla Rasa of video game consoles.

 

Of course, does that mean that the hardware has no personality of its own? Why should I pay $300 for this console instead of an HTPC or SFF PC that is likely to be far more powerful than this device. What can it do that my generic PC cannot?

 

What is really going to be inside those cartridges? Real cartridges, in my opinion consist of ROM chips connected to the system by a parallel address and data bus. Mask ROMs are especially impressive and durable, and I still prefer battery backed RAM to games that save via a portion of a flash chip. The GBA was the last true major cartridge system released, the Nintendo DS, 3DS and PS Vita are using glorified SD cards. Large ROM chips are expensive to produce in quantity, as are cartridge circuit boards, carridge shells, boxes labels and manuals.

Edited September 16, 2015 by Great Hierophant

[Keatah]

Of course, does that mean that the hardware has no personality of its own? Why should I pay $300 for this console instead of an HTPC or SFF PC that is likely to be far more powerful than this device. What can it do that my generic PC cannot?

 

Not a heck of a whole lot. But RVGS will attract developers whom have no interest in the PC.

[godslabrat]

I checked out the FAQ. It looks like the console is going to have new "retro-style" games along the same lines as downloadable indie games on other consoles, but released as cartridges. It doesn't look like it's for playing old games. http://www.retrovgs.com/f.a.q..html

That, I think, is a major missed opportunity, if not a glaring flaw. I'm glad it can play new "classic style" games.... But the machine has the horsepower to play vintage carts natively, all someone has to do is add the physical ports (via an adaptor).

 

I realize it's not the intended use, but this thing is going to have a TINY user base.... They really should consider more applications to widen its potential pool of customers.

 

IMO, there's a lot of "we did it just because we could" going on with this project.

[Great Hierophant]

I wonder if they would even have achieved nearly as much notoriety if they had not found the Jaguar molds.

 

Without some killer exclusive software, this console is going to have a niche appeal, especially given its price tag, which is the same price as a Wii U.

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

 

With the childish behavior exhibited in the other threads, yes we do.

 

Because it is totally unlikely to start up in this thread as well. But if it does the answer will be to start another thread

Five other threads on this isn't enough huh?

Edited September 16, 2015 by OldSchoolRetroGamer

[CatPix]

Five? I only see one here.

There might be other threads on other parts of the forum but we don't go in all sections.