Not sure. I do know it's removable, and is said to get 7- 10 hours/charge. Maybe a proto owner can give us more info.
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GCW Zero - new retrogaming open source handheld!
- Thread starter Vitacat
- Start date
Not sure. I do know it's removable, and is said to get 7- 10 hours/charge. Maybe a proto owner can give us more info.
This looks half-baked. Why did they omit the second analog stick and extra shoulder buttons needed for proper PS1/N64 emulation? Why is the screen only 320x240 when there are games, even going back to the 80's arcade era, that could benefit from say a 640x480 screen. Even something like the Genesis only displays at 320x224, so you'll still need to scale the image to properly display the intended 4:3 ratio.
Everything about this looks sloppy.
Everything about this looks sloppy.
I kinda agree. I can understand to some point omitting a second analog. But, at the very least, the handheld should at the very least have two more face buttons to facilitate genesis/n64 emulation or serve as auxillary buttons for extra sholder buttons.
Well from a controller standpoint you could use the iCade mobile:
http://www.ionaudio.com/products/details/icademobile
And I thought SNES emulation was pretty good on Android. What about SuperGNES? Use that on my Nexus 7 and it works really good. So is the problem with specific games that have trouble with emulation or is it the Android hardware that's not powerful enough?
I've never heard about the input lag problems on PSP, does anyone know why that happens? Trust me, I'm not against this device at all, I'm just trying to figure out whats so appealing about it.
On my phone and hate phone typing so this will short, but to address some of the above comments in a very general way...
I think you guys make some valid points and raise good questions, but I will just say this: the GCW Zero is a well balanced compromise. It can apparently run most if not all 8bit and 16bit era games at full speed, with good controls and in a small, affordable package. As simple as that sounds, there really isn't anything else that can truly make that claim. Combined with being open source, and having cool features like hdmi and usb, it's just a solid package with a narrow but accurate focus.
For some it simply is not the right device. Accept that and move on. This is a very well designed niche device, but the niche is small. If it's right for you, you will know it.
I think you guys make some valid points and raise good questions, but I will just say this: the GCW Zero is a well balanced compromise. It can apparently run most if not all 8bit and 16bit era games at full speed, with good controls and in a small, affordable package. As simple as that sounds, there really isn't anything else that can truly make that claim. Combined with being open source, and having cool features like hdmi and usb, it's just a solid package with a narrow but accurate focus.
For some it simply is not the right device. Accept that and move on. This is a very well designed niche device, but the niche is small. If it's right for you, you will know it.
gingerbeardman
Member
I reviewed this response via Kickstarter
Which makes me happy.
My next question: are all the emulators free?
Justin Barwick said:
Which makes me happy.
My next question: are all the emulators free?
Good, like this one:
http://www.gamestop.com/psp/consoles/sony-pspgo-black/75742
Or this one:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002BSC55M/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Or you mean a refurbished and or second hand device?
I honestly can't tell, because here in europe the psp go doesn't exist anymore, and we have a shitty ass psp e1000 for 100€
How much is a GCW Zero @ GameStop?
thechristoph
Sir!
Pretty exciting update just posted:
Noisepurge
Member
backed for 155$. Love the Dingoo A320.
SnakeSlashRO
Banned
Found this in my gmail a few mins ago
I really hope this kickstarter meets its goal...
I really hope this kickstarter meets its goal...
thekonamicode
Member
I'll increase my backing to $160 near the end if the Zero needs that extra push.
Again, as I've said, SNES is pretty much the only weakpoint for the PSP. SNES emulation on handhelds just isn't very good across the board.
I'm skeptical of this handheld simply because every open source device I've tried to date has real problems with virtually ALL emulators. The average person won't notice the issues, but for me, they really ruined the experience. I haven't been even remotely impressed by any of these devices yet.
Even if this NEW device is faster, we still have to rely on the emulator coders to deliver on the software front. The other handhelds have been able to deliver performance from a numbers perspective, but what you see in motion isn't as smooth as it should be.
SnakeSlashRO
Banned
Well I can tell you one thing. Emulation on the PSP is not going to get any better, probably going to have to really wait and see if the Vita actually gets hacked. And I'm not talking about the PSP backend. Also what is the difference with waiting on android devs making better quality emulators? As it stands the emulators the Zero has to offer are already performing much better than android based devices.
Overall I think the main focus here is NOT to compete with other emulators on other platforms, but to offer an open source linux device on a handheld for gaming. In the end with a large community can produce something very special and maybe if this goes well there will be future support for higher end devices.
thechristoph
Sir!
I guess I want this thing to succeed, even though I have a PSP, because it's going to be fun to see what they can pull off. It's more that just memory and frame rates to me (even though I'm psyched that they're increasing the memory). It's the idea that a community has assembled around this concept and they're trying to get it made for real. Maybe a PSP is good enough for Genesis emulation, but then you have to use a PSP. It's big, heavy, It has a shitty d-pad and shoulder buttons... IMO, a PSP is just not fun to use. Plus everything a PSP can do has been done and developers have moved on. This is a new platform for developers to tinker with.
A question about the Zero's OS. It's running a flavor of Linux. Does this mean that any emulator coded for Linux (after optimization of course) will run on the Zero?
A question about the Zero's OS. It's running a flavor of Linux. Does this mean that any emulator coded for Linux (after optimization of course) will run on the Zero?
Nope, the Zero uses a MIPS processor, so emulators need to be ported, you can't just pick a emulator made for PCs...
...but at the same time the Zero is binary-compatible with most Dingoo (which also uses a MIPS processor, albeit with a much lower clock frequency) emulators, which means you can run them almost out of the box. Maybe they won't take advantage of the Zero's higher specs, but it shouldn't be too hard to optimise them.
I'm simply saying that I've had very bad experiences with every other open source device to date. Every single one of them fails to deliver the kind of fluidity I'm looking for.
Dingoo emulators almost all suck in the sense that they don't perform properly. I was unable to find even one single emulator that delivered the kind of performance I was looking for (even when the emulators themselves claim to be running at 60 fps without frame skipping).
SnakeSlashRO
Banned
I can agree with you here. I am a handheld lover so I have supported a few, one that really sticks in my mind was the gamepark... or GP3X I think it was called, I believe everything on it was handled poorly and in the end the PSP could sill outperform it. But right now the GCW-ZERO is performing better than other emulation devices, look at some more videos and think of the possibilities. I don't think you will be unhappy in the end with this device in your collection.
Don't Jinx it! XD, can never have to much ram right? 16GB micro internal storage... I had a 32 waiting for this badboy for the external slot. I might have to really get another one of these, seeing ill have one on me at all times lmao.
Yeah, me too. I think 16 int + 32 ext will be plenty for me, but it's nice knowing 64 will work too. As for the 512MB, there is one use that might be fun: adding multislot MVS emulation to a NeoGeo emulator so that you can load several games at once and select them on the fly like a real MVS cabinet.
SnakeSlashRO
Banned
Not that ive seen yet. I think theyre still working on the drivers for that.
New 32 minute video was posted showing the GCW Zero playing the following:
- ScummVM : Monkey 1,2,3 + Broken sword
- Snes : Bahamut Lagoon, Chrono Trigger, Illusion of Gaia, Super Mario RPG, Final Fantasy VI, Seiken Densetsu 3
- Megadrive : QuackShot, Sonic 3,Sonic and Knuckle, Sonic CD, Virtua Racing, Legend of Thor, Flink + Ristar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiJUrzml71A
- ScummVM : Monkey 1,2,3 + Broken sword
- Snes : Bahamut Lagoon, Chrono Trigger, Illusion of Gaia, Super Mario RPG, Final Fantasy VI, Seiken Densetsu 3
- Megadrive : QuackShot, Sonic 3,Sonic and Knuckle, Sonic CD, Virtua Racing, Legend of Thor, Flink + Ristar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiJUrzml71A
Agent X
Member
I'd guess that some of those features were omitted to keep costs down.
I would have loved a 640x480 screen, and you're right, there were even some early 1980s games that could benefit from that. If there's one thing I would change, that would be it. But that might jack up the price to something unreasonable.
Well, 320x224 on a TV doesn't usually have square pixels. You'd have to get a very unusual custom-designed LCD to get a native 320x224 with true 4:3 ratio. Most devices on this level would just display 320x224 pixels at 1:1 mapping, with a border around the image. The very slight aspect ratio change is not that big of a deal. If 4:3 is preferable over 1:1 pixel mapping, then I suppose the emulator could do a slight vertical stretch.
The other thing is that a lot of other 1970s and 1980s systems have different resolutions, such as 320x200, 320x192, 256x224, or 256x192. 320x240 is good at "containing" all of these, with only minor changes in the aspect ratio in most cases. The alternative would be to create multiple devices, each with a different resolution (and differently shaped pixels, in many cases). This is simply not feasible.
If this project is successful, then perhaps its creators could consider offering an upgraded 640x480 version in the future, with extra buttons and a second analog stick. For now, though, I think this looks like it is striking a good balance of features with a reasonable price point.
twinturbo2
butthurt Heat fan
If they can get official support from big-name developers, this could go somewhere.
Like that will ever happen...
Like that will ever happen...
That's not the point of this device, though. It's meant purely for homebrew and indies.
SnakeSlashRO
Banned
I just hope Mega Man X2 and X3 are smooth... still cant find any emulators outside of one for PC or my 360 that can do that game ok.
SnakeSlashRO
Banned
Just did first thing in the morning, I already backed the zero but ill have to make a video response showing all the emulators that can't handle X2 and X3.
Why would we want that? Its a handheld designed almost specifically for retro emulation.
Nice update from GCW today:
Kickstarter now over $55K and climbing. Pledge and get your own GCW Zero! 12 days to go!
thechristoph
Sir!
If the Kickstarter doesn't make it, I'm going to have to mug someone for their SE. Every video I see makes me want this more.
Over 58k now. Doing pretty well. If they don't make it, it will be because the mainstream gadget press chose to ignore it. Just one story on one of the big tech/gaming blogs would make a big difference.
SnakeSlashRO
Banned
I really hope it does, I plan on supporting and getting another unit for myself. The whole ram and data boost really made my day. I mean how often does that actually happen? I remember when users begged OUYA to boost ram and they had a SURPLUS of backers.
Haha! Same here.
What I can't tell from the videos is if the dpad is any good. Sure, it looks good, and others have said its nice... But man, the dpad could make or break my enjoyment. Really crossing my fingers tight on this one, although I'd be surprised if it turns out to be shitty as its sole purpose is retro games, a d it's made by retro gamers.
SnakeSlashRO
Banned
Well what makes a crappy D pad for you? I don't like it already because it reminds me of a nintendo d pad... which isn't a deal breaker, but I much prefer the sega saturn or xbox style d-pad. I think the worst D pad ever is the PS1-PS3 D-Pads.... while the best actually is the Vita D Pad... which is more like a Saturn Pad lol.
I never cared about D-Pads till I started playing fighters more seriously when SFIV and MVC3 came out... so I dunno lol
clay_ghost
Member
your thread help a lot already. Neogaf is one of the biggest handing "press", and its has how many pages now? The only thing really holding me back now is that I live outside of the USA, not sure what kind of shipping will I get and how long it will take ... If only vita or 3ds have good snes emulator too,I have too many handheld devices now..
The Vita dpad is my favorite, it's so damn responsive and just clicky enough.
My newest 360 controller is just barely ok, while my older ones are horrible at properly registering directions. My Saturn pads are generally awesome. Most of my SNES pads are great too, even though hey are a bit soft. I've just bought too many third party controllers with mushy unresponsive pads, or first party controllers like the Wii remote that are just too small. The PS3 pad is at least responsive, but I'm pretty against the 4 way split, and it almost ruins certain games.
I have high hopes for this because of some similarities to a snes pad.
SnakeSlashRO
Banned
The Vita dpad is my favorite, it's so damn responsive and just clicky enough.
My newest 360 controller is just barely ok, while my older ones are horrible at properly registering directions. My Saturn pads are generally awesome. Most of my SNES pads are great too, even though hey are a bit soft. I've just bought too many third party controllers with mushy unresponsive pads, or first party controllers like the Wii remote that are just too small. The PS3 pad is at least responsive, but I'm pretty against the 4 way split, and it almost ruins certain games.
I have high hopes for this because of some similarities to a snes pad.
Couldn't have agreed more.
I hope this D-Pad delivers as well, I am going to try and make some videos of other emulators (specially handheld ones like the PSP) to show how good the zero is in comparison. Probably have them up this weekend. I hope I can draw more people in with the videos. Today seems like a huge day for backers!
If I recall, this is for the first "real" production run of 1000 units, most or all of which will be accounted for by pledges. More units being made later is likely, but this is the only guaranteed way to get one right now.
SabinFigaro
Member
Well, I've never funded a Kickstarter before, and now seemed like a good time.
$155 pledged, but that $130,000 total seems a far ways off.
$155 pledged, but that $130,000 total seems a far ways off.