Should I buy a GP2x?

[AussieAtari]

Well, should I? Is it a really good portable emulation device and a fun bit of technology?

[Ze_ro]

I think it is. I consider it one of the best gaming purchases I've made in the past few years. There are a few issues with the system, although I'm sure you're aware of them by now (most have already been discussed in previous GP2X topics).

 

There have been some exciting developments in the world of the GP2X lately... the main one has been the emergence of Picodrive, which is generally considered the best Genesis emulator at the moment. The latest version uses the 2nd processor to emulate the Genesis sound chips, which basically means that everything runs full speed, with sound, no frameskip, and no overclock (In fact, you can even UNDERclock it to save some battery life!). The author responsible for porting Picodrive is currently working on SquidgeSNES, so the future is looking good there too (although it'll likely still be a while before SNES emulation is quite as good as Genesis emulation has become).

 

The GP2X version of Payback should be available soon. A playable demo was released recently, although I admit I haven't tried it yet. They have supposedly beefed up the game quite a bit over the GBA version. This will follow Vektar as the 2nd commercial release for the system. Not exactly a long list of 3rd parties here, but commercial releases were never really a big selling point for the system.

 

The MMU hack that was discovered a while ago has been incorporated into most emulators for a nice speedup, and some emulators are now providing the option for "aggressive RAM timings" for another slight speedup (This is a little complicated, but is in a similar vein to overclocking). Some emulators are also starting to add support for USB controllers, which you can use via the breakout box (I don't have one of these yet, so I can't say too much about it).

 

There has been some announcement that 275 MHz systems will be available soon in addition to the normal 240 MHz versions... but this is somewhat misleading. All GP2X's run at 200 MHz by default, and can be overclocked via software... all GP2X's will clock to 240 MHz without problem, but some systems will become unstable if you attempt to set the clock speed too high. If you spend the extra money for a supposed 275 MHz system, you basically get the same thing as everyone else, except that the system has been tested and confirmed to be stable at 275 MHz.... so I wouldn't waste too much money if I were you. By the way, 280 MHz is about the maximum I've seen anyone manage to clock to reliably.

 

Oh, and firmware 2.1.0 was released recently. I'm still running 2.0.0 on my system, as it doesn't look like 2.1.0 really adds a whole lot (The biggest updates seem to be related to menu theming)... but still, it's nice to see updates coming along.

 

--Zero

[pmpddytim]

How would you compare it to the PSP emulation wise? I have a 1.5 PSP and was wondering if was redundant to get a GP.

 

-Tim

[Shannon]

I think the only area that the PSP currently beats the GP2X in emulation is with the SNES emulation and GBA emulation (with the new HLE GBA emulator). But someone has been working on the SNES emulator recently and it sounds like he will eventually make some good progress.

 

Personally I don't think a PSP is worth the headaches with all the firmware battles going on.

 

Z_ero pretty much summed it up. Things were quiet for a while there but lately it has picked up. I could name a handful of emulators (mostly 8-bit systems and MAME) that just run better overall on the GP2X. I use my GP2X fairly consistently for the homebrew.

 

My PSP tends to get less action homebrew wise. But the commercial side gets a pretty good workout. I'll probably be picking up another one come christmas for my son (It's really more for my wife since she wants to play lemmings). Homebrew development on the PSP has practically dropped to zero. Plus people have slowly been leaving the scene.

Edited October 26, 2006 by Shannon

[Ze_ro]

If all the systems you like already play nicely on your PSP, then I'd say you might as well stick with it. I don't have a PSP myself, so I can't make any direct comparisons.

 

SNES emulation has been a long road for the GP2X, but it'll get there... it may be near-perfect by the end of the year even. GBA emulation is going even slower, but it'll eventually happen too. One thing where the PSP will likely have the GP2X beat is Playstation games... There is a PSX emulator for the GP2X, and the author has done some truly amazing things with it, to the point where there are actually many games already playable. However, the chances of ever getting full speed out of high-end 3D games is very low... meanwhile Sony is doing their own PSX-on-PSP thing, so if you're interested in portable PSX games, then I'd go with a PSP instead.

 

And of course, the amount and quality of commercial releases on the GP2X is pretty much non-existent compared to the PSP.

 

--Zero

[guitarmas]

Let's not forget the N64 emulator that is in development.

http://sourceforge.net/project/screenshots...?group_id=57977

[Shannon]

Well aside from Snes emulation, N64 (non-existant on the GP2X), and the future Sony PS1 emulator (which will only play what they want it to play unless someone hacks it).

 

In my experience everything that exists on both the GP2X and the PSP is either equivalent or better on the GP2X.

 

To put things a little in perspective. N64 emulation is barely doable on the xbox so dont expect much more out of the PSP. PS1 emulation on the Xbox aint so hot neither, but there are certain source code limitations that prevent us from seeing it's full potential. But chances are it is in the same arena as N64 emulation.

[guitarmas]

In my experience everything that exists on both the GP2X and the PSP is either equivalent or better on the GP2X.

 

For example....?

[Shannon]

The lynx emulator, the atari 800 emulator (better sound), the stella emulator (better sound), MAME (better period), atari 7800 (not even on the PSP). Off the top of my head. I'm too tired to think of any more. The rest are about even.

 

NES emulation on the GP2x though has kinda come to a standstill so I'll have to add that one to the PSP being better.

 

Bottom line, though, is Sony is gonna eventually manage to squash homebrew out. Unless someone manages to come up with something to downgrade the ta-082.

 

Anyways things have been reeaaaal quiet in the PSP homebrew scene. It's enough to make one sleep.

Edited October 27, 2006 by Shannon

[rxd]

The lynx emulator, the atari 800 emulator (better sound), the stella emulator (better sound), MAME (better period), atari 7800 (not even on the PSP). Off the top of my head. I'm too tired to think of any more. The rest are about even.

 

NES emulation on the GP2x though has kinda come to a standstill so I'll have to add that one to the PSP being better.

 

Bottom line, though, is Sony is gonna eventually manage to squash homebrew out. Unless someone manages to come up with something to downgrade the ta-082.

 

Anyways things have been reeaaaal quiet in the PSP homebrew scene. It's enough to make one sleep.

 

Exactly what do you need and where can you get it as far as hardware and software for the GP2x?

 

I've been interested in picking up one of these things for a while but I'm not too sure what's needed to get the ball rolling...

[Shannon]

I'm not sure who sells for people in the US, cause the main guy before closed down. But GP32X.com is the place to go for software. They probably have ads over there for sellers as well.

[guitarmas]

Anyways things have been reeaaaal quiet in the PSP homebrew scene. It's enough to make one sleep.

 

heh, well not really.

 

http://www.Pspupdates.com

http://www.psphacking101.com

[Shannon]

Like I said there has not much been going on. Aside from the 271-SE A&B build and a bunch of boring LUA stuff, things have been fairly quiet.

[TailChao]

Personally, I'd wait and see what happen's with GamePark's XGP

 

I bought my GP2X with the original intention of developing for it, but have had a completely negative experience with it. Not only did GP2X.co.uk "forget" to ship my order for a month, but it bricked itself soon after. Even though I did get it replaced, I soon realized the community is such a disorderky mess and I really didn't use the device much, I sold it and went back to using my GP32 FLU (Which amazing has a MUCH higher build quality).

GPH needs to do some work before the GP2X is a high quality machine, and with the current confrences in Korea with the distributors, I hope they do some redesigns for a possible Mk3. If they do a good job with that then I probably will buy another 2X', until then I'll stick with Lynx development, toying with the GP32, and happily awaiting the XGP.

[Shannon]

The bricking situations were pretty ugly back at the beginning of the year, but I have not heard any mention of bricking "episodes" since then.

[TailChao]

The bricking situations were pretty ugly back at the beginning of the year, but I have not heard any mention of bricking "episodes" since then.

Yeah, that's mostly been cleared up with the U-Boot patches for 2.0 (Requiring the press of START+SELECT to search for updates). The older U-Boots were misreading the SDs on some boots and would interpret the false presence of a firmware update file. Gald they took care of that, still lots of work to do though.

[shep]

They've really been working hard on the SquidgeSNES emu as of late and its getting way better each time! Having a Wonderswan, Genesis, Master System, 2600, NES, GB/GBC, and GameGear in one central spot at all times is amazing! Let alone I could put more emus on it if I cared too and video! I love my GP2X...well aside from the utterly trashy battery life.

[Shannon]

Lots of work to do in what area?

 

I'm just curious.

[shep]

A great thing with the video playback that I love is that its an awesome little DIVX player that has no need for you to format the video in any special way (very much unlike the PSP). All you do is drag and drop, and if you are at a friends, use the tv playback, its great!

[TailChao]

Lots of work to do in what area?

 

I'm just curious.

Most of the issues are in hardware implementation. The joystick needs to be replaced eventually (it really costs more to use such an apparatus than a real D-Pad or Microswitch set anyway). There should be a power cutoff circuit to shut off the unit when the battery voltage reaches a certain threshold (Would prevent the common "Lines of Death"). Even nice little things like an SD activity LED would be completely awesome. Coupled with slightly better build quality, more attractive firmware and this could be a very nice machine again.

The 2X is one of the most photogenic consoles I've ever seen, it looks awesome in pictures, so I was quite disappointed when my unit arrived and felt like a famiclone. If GPH can have a 5,000 USD developer's contest, they should be able to get some nice revisions on the unit. Even if they do charge a bit more, I'd love to buy the "Mk3" but if the current conferences with GPH lend no improvements, it's still a good handheld but I don't have the incentive to develop for it right now. I'm only one developer and had a bad experience with GPH and GP2X.co.uk, so take my criticisms of the unit with a grain of salt.

 

I have extremely high expectations of the XGP right now, so if that has release issues, it's guaranteed to be scorned upon by me

[Ze_ro]

I'm not holding my breath for the XGP... the thing has been in the works for so long now that it'll soon reach Duke Nukem Forever status. Also the idea of having multiple versions of the system with different screen resolutions and stuff seems like a huge problem to me, as it would only serve to fragment the community. Having hardware accelerated 3D would be nice, but I'm perfectly happy with the GP2X as it is.

 

I have to disagree about the production quality on the GP2X... I think it feels completely professional. Every bit as well made as my DS. Although I do agree that the joystick kind of stinks. Have you tried the new joystick cap they're selling? I hear it helps things a bit, although I still don't have one myself.

 

I'm also not sure what you mean about the GP2X community being disorderly... basically everything that happens ends up on GP32Xtreme... personally I think the community is one of the best things about the system!

 

Although it sounds silly, I've actually been a bit curious about buying a Gizmondo, as there is apparently a pretty decent homebrew/emulation scene for that device too.

 

Exactly what do you need and where can you get it as far as hardware and software for the GP2x?

Well, here's GPH's list of distributors. I bought mine from GP32Z myself, but they're no longer in business. If I ever have to buy anything else, I'd probably go to GP2X.co.uk... it would mean sending things across the Atlantic, but the guy who runs that site (craigix) is a frequent poster on GP32Xtreme, and very trusted in the community.

 

As for what you need, all you REALLY need is the GP2X itself and a blank SD-card to put stuff on (I'd recommend 1GB or higher). However, I would recommend you pick up a set of good NiMH rechargeable batteries. Look for something that says 2500mAh or higher. The system chews through regular alkaline batteries like nothing. You may also want to pick up an AC adaptor for the system. I've gone without one so I wouldn't consider it necessary, but it's up to you. Another thing I would recommend is to buy a carrying case for the thing. I bought one of the official cases for mine, and I keep it in there all the time. I'd hate to accidentally scratch the screen because I knocked it off the table or something. I've heard some DS cases might fit the GP2X fine, but I haven't tried this myself. Anothing thing I'd say is worth investing in is a USB SD-card reader for your computer. The GP2X can connect to a USB port and act as a card reader itself, but I find this rather cumbersome, and many people have had compatibility issues in the past... SD card readers are super cheap anyways, so the convenience is worth the $6 or so.

 

As for software, just about anything you could ever want for the system is available here. The only exception I can think of is the GP2X port of Wolfenstein 3D, which they cannot host due to German laws. There is also a torrent site specifically for the GP2X out there which you will likely find useful. I won't link to it, but I'm sure you'll be able to find it on your own.

 

--Zero