Jag questions...

[ApolloBoy]

Alright, I'm thinking of getting a Jag and I have some questions...

 

1: What's a good emulator?

2: Are Jag games multi-regional?

 

Thanks.

[Gunstar]

There's really no "good" emulator yet, I think the ones currently being worked on are still in early beta versions, I don't even think one has reached version "1.0" yet, though they will play some games. I don't really know how well though as I've not used one myself. So, you can probably check out a couple games with it, if you can find rom images.

 

Jag games will work all over the world with any Jag, NTSC, PAL or other.

[Shamus]

No good emulators yet? Hmpf! I beg to differ! Virtual Jaguar is coming along quite well, and is at version 1.0.6! Compatibility has gotten a lot better with the upcoming 1.0.7 version (which is really just the current CVS )...

 

I'm thinking about releasing nightly (or otherwise semi-regular) builds of CVS so that those who don't want to build it from scratch can still cruise on the bleeding edge. Check out the screenshots on the webpage if you're curious to see where CVS is at.

[SteveW]

There's an OS X version? Freakin' sweet! Where can we pick up ROMs at? I'd finally like to play Native, if it's possible.

[Shamus]

Hmm... Icculus seems to be down at the moment...

 

But yes, it works on OSX (and Linux, BeOS, and Win32). I personally would only be able to supply Win32 and Linux binaries if I decide to do nightly (or whatever) CVS builds. I'll have to get hold of our Mac developer to see if he would be willing to do so...

 

Anyway, Native works fairly well with the latest CVS, but not so well with the last official release (1.0.6). (It probably has to do with timing in the DSP. *sigh*)

[Gunstar]

OK, so I was mistaken about no emulators being upto or beyond a 1.0, but I stand by my conviction of no good emulators yet. To me a good emulator runs the vast majority of software of the system it's trying to emulate, at full speed with little or no bugs. Just from what you guys have said above seems to show that this is still not the case. I consider something like STeem or Win800 to be good emulators because they do what they are meant too well: running the vast majority of software as well as the real machines. Or like HANDY, the Lynx emulator which not only can run the software well, but even allows improvement of the graphics, now that's a good emulator, the Jaguar emulators are not good yet, even if they are progressing well.

[Shamus]

Have you tried VJ? If not, then how can you know whether or not it runs the vast majority of software (I think it can handle around 90% of cartridge based software--CDROM is a different story)? It seems to me that what you're calling "good" sounds to my ear like "nearly perfect."

 

Virtual Jaguar certainly isn't anywhere near the "nearly perfect" category but I think it's definitely in the "good" category and on its way towards "great" (in my not-so-humble opinion ).

 

I'm going to start posting binaries of CVS builds on icculus (for Win32 at least--if you can't compile it on linux, there's something seriously wrong with your set up!) on a semi-regular basis, so why don't you give it a try? You could be a real help if you could try it out on your favorite games and let us know how it works for you.

 

If you're willing to do this, keep in mind that we're going for compatibility first, and speed second. But constructive criticism is always welcome.

[Gunstar]

I may indeed try it at some point, but even the ST, 8-bit and Lynx emulators I've only tried on rare occasions, I prefer the real hardware which I have, becuase it runs ALL the software perfectly! Thank you very much.

[Shamus]

So let me get this straight--you're complaining about how there are no "good" Jaguar emulators when you don't really use or give a rip about them?

 

Whatever.

 

In a perfect world we'd all have Jaguar PCI cards that we could plug into our late model PCs and there'd be no need for emulation. But, since we don't... I'm really glad that you still have yours. Really. I hope it lasts you a long time. But not everyone is as fortunate as you.

[Gunstar]

So let me get this straight--you're complaining about how there are no "good" Jaguar emulators when you don't really use or give a rip about them?

 

Whatever.

 

In a perfect world we'd all have Jaguar PCI cards that we could plug into our late model PCs and there'd be no need for emulation. But, since we don't... I'm really glad that you still have yours. Really. I hope it lasts you a long time. But not everyone is as fortunate as you.

 

never once did I say I was complaining about Jag emulation, I could care less about it. Where exactly did you see me complaining about it?!?

[Shamus]

There's really no "good" emulator yet, I think the ones currently being worked on are still in early beta versions, I don't even think one has reached version "1.0" yet, though they will play some games. I don't really know how well though as I've not used one myself.

Sorry if I took this the wrong way, but it sure sounded like complaining to me. And I can see how you could say that in a disinterested way. But if you don't care about it, why are you even bothering to weigh in on the subject? Why so touchy?

 

Personally, I don't care if you don't care about emulation. That's fine. Like I said before, whatever.

[omne]

So, in brief, for those still paying attention, Gunstar's opinion of jag emulation is based on the fact that he could care less about it.

 

Shamus' opinion of jag emulation is from a guy who is actually trying to make it happen, and is up to his hips in it, and the biases that come with that.

 

Give them the weight they deserve ApolloBoy!

 

I believe Jag games are region free.

[Gunstar]

There's really no "good" emulator yet, I think the ones currently being worked on are still in early beta versions, I don't even think one has reached version "1.0" yet, though they will play some games. I don't really know how well though as I've not used one myself.

Sorry if I took this the wrong way, but it sure sounded like complaining to me. And I can see how you could say that in a disinterested way. But if you don't care about it, why are you even bothering to weigh in on the subject? Why so touchy?

 

Personally, I don't care if you don't care about emulation. That's fine. Like I said before, whatever.

 

sorry, I just don't see what you think is a complaint there, opinion? maybe, but there was never an ounce of complaining since I could care less. I also don't see what you think I'm being touchy about, you are obviously reading some emotion into my posts that simply does not exist. As far as me getting in on the subject, emulation was ONE of the questions and I answered more for the regional question, but thought I'd respond to both questions instead of the one. Maybe I'm mistaken like you are, but it seems to me you are the one who is getting touchy here, not I.

[Shamus]

What part of "I don't care" didn't you understand?

[Gunstar]

[Stone]

Snipping to get back to the point

 

I believe Jag games are region free.

 

Belief isn't good enough

 

But you're right, all Jag games work on all regions of Jag, with the sole exception of the Readysoft JagCD games, which are carelessly coded.

 

Stone

[Paolo]

Not to revamp an old thread about emulators, but why you, Apolloboy, ask about emulators when you are going for the real thing?

I am puzzled.