Emulation Best device to play GBA games currently?
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Classic GBA modded with a AGS-101 screen and a flashcard like EZFlash IV.
I'm honestly curious, what games have slowdown issues and where? AFAIK, the only inaccuracies are on games that require things the 3DS doesn't have (a link port) or the cartridge has but the system doesn't (cartridge built-in things like a gyro sensor or a light sensor or whatever).
This is true, but that's not exactly a big stumbling block, even if it's definitely annoying.
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It's more of a compatibility layer, closer to hardware emulation than anything. Real shame GBA emulation on the 3DS XL still suffers speed issues.
Last time i checked, the donkey kong country ports have little frame drops or slowdowns here and there, at least thats what i noticed since i have played those games since forever on a lot of different devices and emulators.
I can guess it could have happened due to the sd, since your are not playing the games natively from a cartridge, but rather from a sd card which class and read speed have an impact on this kind of stuff. Of course it is still native support, but not from a cartridge.
This is why I was asking. I know if I go back to a real NES, I often notice frame rate issues and it makes me realize that emulators will often be inaccurately less laggy. Also, at least in this case, I've no idea if the DKC ports (IIRC, they actually recreated the games) have the same frame rate as the SNES versions, so there also could be a reason for the perceived difference. I just wanted some confirmation of something specific to test against.
Uh, actually I've no idea of how the actual mechanism of GBA support is done. It doesn't seem impossible games are copied from SD to NAND before execution. Heck, it wouldn't be surprising me to if games were copying to RAM (128MB on the o3ds and the GBA's memory is ~1-2MB even with 1MB save). So, I've no idea if SD card speed would be a factor or not.
If you have any video examples to compare, I would be very interested. So far my experience is that 3DS's GBA mode is actually more like the GBA than the NDS Lite's. Admittedly, though, it was through a very specific test.
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I'm more curious to see why people would play the GBA DKC games over the SNES originals (which would work via VC injection on 3DS XL as well).
Would glady do the test for you, but i sold my 3ds like a year ago in favor for ps4 goodies...
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I like to play both versions from time to time. I highly love the series and replaying them anytime i can.
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Not a fan of the butchered sound quality or washed out colors, but to each their own. GBA VC injection works well with the games it does, but compatibility isn't the greatest, I think.
The best option is - as other people already mentioned - a classic GBA AGB-001 with a backlit screen from an AGS-101 model. If you prefer the GBA SP clamshell design, you can also just get an AGS-101 and not bother with a mod. These two methods have the advantage of being compatible with GB and GBC games as well.
If classic GB/GBC games is nothing you worry about you could use a Nintendo DS or DS Lite. They have a backlit screen as well but are usually cheaper to get than an AGS-101 or a modded AGB-001. I am not entirely sure I understand why you don't like using the DS Lite currently.
For all the options above I recommend getting a flashcard like the EZ-Flash IV or an Everdrive X5.
A final alternative is a New 3DS (I am not sure about the emulation quality on a O3DS) - I am not entirely sure if it's software emulation or a compatibility layer, but it is, afaik, the most accurate emulator available (It's the only system - other than original GBA/NDS Hardware - to pass the hardware test of the 'AGS Aging Cartridge' ROM)
EDIT:
other emulation options (with a big screen) would be a PSP (with an emulator GPSP, easy and cheap to find, any PSP is modable), PSVita (harder to find in a modable state, more expensive system and storage) but emulation usually suffers from inaccuracies and maybe sometimes slowdowns.
If classic GB/GBC games is nothing you worry about you could use a Nintendo DS or DS Lite. They have a backlit screen as well but are usually cheaper to get than an AGS-101 or a modded AGB-001. I am not entirely sure I understand why you don't like using the DS Lite currently.
For all the options above I recommend getting a flashcard like the EZ-Flash IV or an Everdrive X5.
A final alternative is a New 3DS (I am not sure about the emulation quality on a O3DS) - I am not entirely sure if it's software emulation or a compatibility layer, but it is, afaik, the most accurate emulator available (It's the only system - other than original GBA/NDS Hardware - to pass the hardware test of the 'AGS Aging Cartridge' ROM)
EDIT:
other emulation options (with a big screen) would be a PSP (with an emulator GPSP, easy and cheap to find, any PSP is modable), PSVita (harder to find in a modable state, more expensive system and storage) but emulation usually suffers from inaccuracies and maybe sometimes slowdowns.
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I've got a 101 modded original GBA like many above me. It just feels so much nicer than the SP. Need to invest in an Everdrive at some point too, my SuperCard SD gets the job done, but I'd like something better.
guys while i do also enjoy the real gba option+flashcart, the OP is clearly complaining that his ds screen is too small, therefore he doesn't wish to get a real gba even modded..
a really good way would be getting a controller for your phone, i do believe some controllers got a holder to place the phone?
the 3dsxl\n3dsxl would also be a good option, however i do have to mention that the screen sucks, specially with the bluriness and no great filter options
a really good way would be getting a controller for your phone, i do believe some controllers got a holder to place the phone?
the 3dsxl\n3dsxl would also be a good option, however i do have to mention that the screen sucks, specially with the bluriness and no great filter options
The screen will either be tiny or blurry. That always happens when upscaling the small 240x160 screen.
I use various machines! 
Depends on the game really... N3DS XL for the most part... Wii U Gamepad sometimes, and for the motion stuff (specifically WarioWare Twisted) it's got to be my phone (balls to using it with the non-motion stuff though!)
Depends on the game really... N3DS XL for the most part... Wii U Gamepad sometimes, and for the motion stuff (specifically WarioWare Twisted) it's got to be my phone (balls to using it with the non-motion stuff though!)
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