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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2019 22:10:00 GMT -5
This is probably the coolest, most versatile arcade cabinet I've seen. Unlike most other arcade cabinets, this one has most of the controls you'd need for various games (joystick, trackball, spinner knob, light gun - the last two are options that can be tacked on for an additional cost) in one unit. Best of all, it allows you to download games via WiFi. www.dreamarcades.com/vision29.html?keyword=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9dWJlZK25AIVE5SzCh1rjQGMEAYYAyABEgKL9fD_BwEI'm surprised that it works with light gun games. So I thought maybe it has CRT monitor, since I've read that consoles' light guns & associated games are only compatible with CRT's. But no, they've engineered a way to make it work with a 29" HD LCD. They say it's a "PC based arcade" and allows you to install games via WiFi. Several of the game packs are cool and offer great games (particularly the "Capcom Classics Collection"). Although, it seems like they're shooting themselves in the foot by making it PC based (i.e. users could download any game they want off the interwebs... no need to waste money on the game packs). |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2019 15:45:21 GMT -5
This is probably the best value retro console I've seen that allows you to load ROMs (NES, SNES, Genesis) from an SD card. Super Retro-Cade Plug and Play Console retro-bit.com/super-retrocade-plug-and-play.htmlAdding ROMs to the Super Retro-Cade hackinformer.com/2018/01/13/adding-roms-super-retro-cade/I went ahead and ordered one from Amazon, because it's only $60 ($10 less than retail). Later, I'll post how it compares to NES mini, SNES mini, and (if/when I get one) Genesis mini. I can already see from the photos that the included controllers aren't as good compared to the official mini console controllers. Although, it's compatible with other USB controllers, so this shouldn't be a deal breaker. Retro-bit is the official Sega licensed maker of Genesis mini 6-button controller, so no doubt it'll be compatible with Retro-bit's "Super Retro-Cade" console. Unlike the original Genesis controllers, this one has shoulder buttons. In terms of design/ergonomics and number of buttons, it's actually a better controller than the original SNES controller. It has a near perfect review score on Amazon. www.amazon.com/Retro-Bit-Official-Controller-8-Button-Raspberry/dp/B07P37ZGTF/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2771ZEBDX3QPG&keywords=retrobit+sega+genesis+controller&qid=1567629687&s=gateway&sprefix=retrobit+%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-2 |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2019 16:59:40 GMT -5
The "GPD XD Plus" is an impressive handheld gaming console for running emulators. Based on the hardware specs, this looks to be an even better platform for playing games on emulators than a hacked Nintendo Switch, since it has hexa core cpu's (two more cores than a Switch) running at approximately double the clock speed. www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9IG6BL/?coliid=I14GRJQIJW8O8H&colid=3LUTZN5WLB8E1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1The Switch is likely better at running newer games tho (games dedicated to the platform), because its gpu is at least twice as powerful (based on MT8176 CPU vs Tegra K1 benchmark comparisons I found on google... and the Switch's Tegra X1 is newer/faster than the Tegra K1). Of course, games developed for the consoles (i.e. Switch or Vita/PSP games) are more gpu bottlenecked (relative to older games running on an emulator, which I gather would be more cpu bottlenecked). Hence, the hardware differences (wide variations between cpu & gpu power) in these two handheld gaming platforms makes sense given their respective purposes. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2019 11:34:09 GMT -5
My Gamecube still works afaik, I might get one of those HDMI adapters for it. Definitely would play Metroid Prime(s). A friend of mine had a modded Wii that had a ton of games on it, I think it was Dolphin on it. They made some new component video cables for the Gamecube as well, priced at less than half the rare/limited production Nintendo ones. They say that adapting standard component cables for the Gamecube didn't work, because Nintendo had a special chip in the cable (evidently, the big N intended the cables to be proprietary and you would've had no alternatives to the Nintendo cable). Nice to see that somebody has finally cracked it. Still pricey tho. castlemaniagames.com/products/insurrection-industries-carby-gamecube-component-video-cable?variant=30038954639442 |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2019 10:01:47 GMT -5
Analogue are making a device that allows you to play their consoles on a CRT. Sadly, it's only compatible with Analogue consoles. www.analogue.co/dac/Why bother with CRT? According to the guys at DF, even newer games like "Control" look & play better on a CRT at 720P compared to a 4K LCD. They've maxed out settings (except lowered res to 720P) and the game plays at 120fps with no dips in framerate, and image quality that surpasses modern 4K LCD's. |
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Post by ForRealTho on Sept 18, 2019 10:37:31 GMT -5
Not a big surprise. I used to have an amazing looking little CRT monitor with a .20 dp. The image quality was fantastic but it was only 17" and 4:3.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2019 10:56:11 GMT -5
LCD is inferior technology compared to CRT, Plasma, OLED, and most likely whatever else is coming down the pike. Not sure why the industry pushes it so hard. LCD's are probably cheaper to manufacture. Humans f'ing each other over for gaw-damn percentage... paraphrasing Ripley from Aliens.  |
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Post by Cop on Sept 18, 2019 12:25:27 GMT -5
Don't forget about size and weight. When we finally got a flatscreen in the livingroom, I moved the 28" 4:3 CRT to the bedroom upstairs. Not something I'd recommend doing. At the top it was just about wide enough to fit the set through, sideways, except for my hand, that wouldn't quite fit and I skinned it. Just lifting that thing is almost impossible, and that's only 28"...
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2019 13:10:54 GMT -5
Don't forget about size and weight. When we finally got a flatscreen in the livingroom, I moved the 28" 4:3 CRT to the bedroom upstairs. Not something I'd recommend doing. At the top it was just about wide enough to fit the set through, sideways, except for my hand, that wouldn't quite fit and I skinned it. Just lifting that thing is almost impossible, and that's only 28"... Hire movers next time. Most ppl don't move very often. Once you have it place, you don't have to move it often... well, unless there's a woman in the house/apartment, because we know how much the wahmens love rearranging furniture & things, and protest about audio equipment & bulky electronics. Yeah, you have the WAF (wife approval factor) to contend with. That's your problem. j/k. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2019 13:17:13 GMT -5
True tho. For any CRT larger than a 19", you need two people or a dolly/cart to lug it around. Luckily, my NEC CRT that I've kept all these years is a 19".
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2019 21:16:53 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2019 9:47:18 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2019 15:39:12 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2019 12:16:37 GMT -5
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Post by Coolverine on Sept 25, 2019 21:57:07 GMT -5
I still have a very good 19" 4:3 monitor that does 1600x1200, I've thought about hooking it up again.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2019 14:08:47 GMT -5
I still have a very good 19" 4:3 monitor that does 1600x1200, I've thought about hooking it up again. Same here. And I'll probably be keeping it 'til the day I die. lol Edit: If you watch the DF video (analysis of CRT with modern games), they point out that you can play games at much lower resolution on CRT and it still looks better than 4K res on an LCD! I'd like to get one (or more) of those Analogue retro consoles along with their new DAC device (which has a VGA output) and hook it up to my NEC 19" CRT monitor. Not sure if it'll work though. If not, I might have to buy an old CRT television. The VGA to RGB component cables are dirt cheap too, for tv's that have component inputs but no VGA input. www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=2170Also, I've thought about just getting an OLED tv instead (since those offer quite a jump in image quality over LCD/LED, even if not quite as good as CRT). The only thing holding me back is that OLED is still pricey, even on sale. If I do buy one at some point, I'll probably purchase it from Best Buy w/ the extended warranties, because I heard they cover your tv against screen burn in/image retention. I researched it a few months ago and BB seems to be only one offering that level of coverage in their extended warranties. www.bestbuy.com/site/lg-55-class-oled-c9pua-series-2160p-smart-4k-uhd-tv-with-hdr/6338498.p?skuId=6338498&irclickid=w4pzkfX2QxyJW%3A8xU-SAVSQkUknxQlQVr1fPxg0&irgwc=1&ref=198&loc=78091&acampID=614286 |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2019 20:10:54 GMT -5
Here's the CRT I've got. NEC FE991SB-BK (Black) with "SuperBright Diamondtron" technology. So advanced and far ahead of its time, it puts modern displays to shame. www.necdisplay.com/documents/ColorBrochures/FE_Series_SpecBrochure.pdfNEC FE991SB Resolutions: 640 x 480 @ 60-160 Hz 800 x 600 @ 50-146 Hz 832 x 624 @ 50-141 Hz 1024 x 768 @ 50-116 Hz 1152 x 864 @ 50-103 Hz 1280 x 1024 @ 50-89 Hz 1600 x 1200 @ 50-76 Hz 1792 x 1344 @ 50-68 Hz Evidently, my old CRT monitor doesn't do 1080P. The Analogue retro consoles output to 1080P. I'm surprised that Analogue doesn't say on their website what resolution/s their DAC device (the "Analogue DAC") outputs at. www.analogue.co/dac/If it's 1080P just like their consoles, then it's a no go with my NEC monitor. However, I could play the older consoles (Genesis, SegaCD, NES, SuperNES, PS1, PS2, 3DO) I still own on the NEC monitor, by using the "RetroTink2X" upscaler device (since it outputs at 480P). The image might be too crisp on CRT PC monitor (since these old games were designed for relatively crappy CRT televisions). However, the RetroTink2X does have a blur feature. castlemaniagames.com/collections/retrotinkIf that idea fails (I don't think it would, but if it does), break out an old PC or laptop that has a VGA output and play games using emulators on the CRT. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2019 12:45:22 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2019 19:25:59 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2019 19:29:58 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2019 22:21:47 GMT -5
Raspberry Pi cases for building your own retro mini console. The Retroflag MEGAPi Case detail & authentic/replica look is almost on par with the Sega Genesis mini.  castlemaniagames.com/collections/retroflagRaspberry Pi 3 B+ heat induced cpu throttling and cooling solution tests. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2019 20:25:59 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2019 19:21:08 GMT -5
The "GPD XD Plus" is an impressive handheld gaming console for running emulators. Based on the hardware specs, this looks to be an even better platform for playing games on emulators than a hacked Nintendo Switch, since it has hexa core cpu's (two more cores than a Switch) running at approximately double the clock speed. www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9IG6BL/?coliid=I14GRJQIJW8O8H&colid=3LUTZN5WLB8E1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1The Switch is likely better at running newer games tho (games dedicated to the platform), because its gpu is at least twice as powerful (based on MT8176 CPU vs Tegra K1 benchmark comparisons I found on google... and the Switch's Tegra X1 is newer/faster than the Tegra K1). Of course, games developed for the consoles (i.e. Switch or Vita/PSP games) are more gpu bottlenecked (relative to older games running on an emulator, which I gather would be more cpu bottlenecked). Hence, the hardware differences (wide variations between cpu & gpu power) in these two handheld gaming platforms makes sense given their respective purposes. DIY handheld console more powerful and less expensive (if you find a good deal on a smartphone with a Snapdragon octa-core cpu). Impressive that it's capable of emulating Dreamcast games with steady fps. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2019 21:48:58 GMT -5
I built a Retroflag GPi Case w/ Pi Zero a few days ago. castlemaniagames.com/collections/retroflag/products/retroflag-gpi-caseCastlemania was sold out of the GPi case, so I had to buy it from Amazon. I don't like giving all of my money to Amazon tho, so I purchased the Pi Zero from Adafruit. Their shipping is fast, maybe 1 day slower than Amazon Prime. www.adafruit.com/category/105Boot time is slow after initial setup. But I did some tweaking and got it down to 40 seconds. Performance and audio were kinda bad on occasion in some games (Genesis and SNES, particularly). However, overclocking the CPU, GPU, and RAM of the Pi Zero W fixed this. The Pi Zero runs fairly cool at stock speeds and I put a heatsink on the cpu, so I'm not worried about OC (using ETA Prime's recommended clock settings... he has OC guide/video for Raspberry Pi on Youtube). The biggest drawbacks of the Retroflag GPi Case are the crappy built-in speaker (you'll want to use earbuds/headphones) and that it uses AA batteries (rather than rechargeable lithium ion battery). I found a tutorial video on YT that it can be modded to work with a lithium ion battery. This mod requires ordering other parts and soldering to the board. So I just went with AA NiMH rechargeable batteries instead. Regardless, it's pretty amazing that a $15 single board computer/device about the size of my thumb can emulate games so well. Maybe because its OS is Linux based and there's not nearly as much overhead/background processes compared to Windows. The 2.5" IPS screen is surprising good as well. It's small obviously, but it's very clear, bright, and has nice color saturation (better than Nintendo 2DS/3DS screens in every regard, except size). Well, I read some 3DS handhelds have IPS screens, but those aren't very common. I've found that quality screens make as big a difference on handheld systems as they do with full sized monitors, so I might eventually upgrade my 3DS to IPS screen too. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2019 0:14:16 GMT -5
Raspberry Pi Zero W   |
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Post by Coolverine on Oct 26, 2019 10:52:52 GMT -5
Analogue are making a device that allows you to play their consoles on a CRT. Sadly, it's only compatible with Analogue consoles. www.analogue.co/dac/Why bother with CRT? According to the guys at DF, even newer games like "Control" look & play better on a CRT at 720P compared to a 4K LCD. They've maxed out settings (except lowered res to 720P) and the game plays at 120fps with no dips in framerate, and image quality that surpasses modern 4K LCD's. My work laptop has an OLED screen that looks incredible, makes me wish they'd make OLED monitors. I don't care if it would be $1,000-$2,000 for a 27 inch, I'd get one. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 11:14:59 GMT -5
Analogue are making a device that allows you to play their consoles on a CRT. Sadly, it's only compatible with Analogue consoles. www.analogue.co/dac/Why bother with CRT? According to the guys at DF, even newer games like "Control" look & play better on a CRT at 720P compared to a 4K LCD. They've maxed out settings (except lowered res to 720P) and the game plays at 120fps with no dips in framerate, and image quality that surpasses modern 4K LCD's. My work laptop has an OLED screen that looks incredible, makes me wish they'd make OLED monitors. I don't care if it would be $1,000-$2,000 for a 27 inch, I'd get one. Dell had a 30" OLED monitor available for a short while, but discontinued it. Asus has this 22" one, but it's sold out. www.asus.com/us/Monitors/ProArt-PQ22UC/wheretobuy/OLED's sell out on the rare occasions that they're made available. I don't think it's a cost thing, because they could simply raise the price and the OLED's would still sell out. I speculate it's just that the image quality is so good, you'd resist upgrading your monitor anytime soon and they'd have to pry it from your cold dead fingers. lol. Essentially, these companies did the cost/benefit analysis and realized that they'd kill the volume of market share if they made OLED monitors widely available. It's kinda like how fiber 1gb internet, after all this time, still isn't available in most places. Why invest in the infrastructure/new product when they can profit just as much off of the old product? Of course, this requires a large degree of collusion. It's hardly a conspiracy theory tho, because companies in various industries have been practicing this sort of collusion for decades. |
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Post by Coolverine on Oct 26, 2019 11:37:32 GMT -5
I might just buy an OLED TV and hook it up to my PC, those have gone down to reasonable prices.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 12:02:28 GMT -5
I might just buy an OLED TV and hook it up to my PC, those have gone down to reasonable prices. There's a Dell 55" gaming OLED. However, it costs a whopping $4,000. Linus reviewed it. |
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Post by ForRealTho on Nov 9, 2019 16:34:05 GMT -5
Look what I got off slickdeals for $50 shipped. Going to bring it to the office.
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