GCW Zero, A New Dingux-enabled Handheld

[RupeeClock]

It's so close now, I can feel it.
This thread started a few months ago, and since then I've backed the kickstarter, it ended successfully, and they've got the units manufactured and shipped to the company, almost there.

And then they showed an update that resolved the sound stutter issue they apparently had, and added 16bpp native support allowing the 16bpp applications to run at a proper speed (half as processor intensive!)


So yeah I'm excited, the emulators looked like they were running great before, now they're running even better than that.

 

[GuyInDogSuit]

Saturn is one of the more difficult systems to emulate due to its complicated Design with its CPU's, GPU's and Sound set up
It comes from the fact the saturn was designed to be a 2D 32-Bit console but then Sony showed they was making the Playstation which was mostly 3D so Sega quickly added on an extra 3D Processor (Which lacked some effects the Playstation could do mind you) but it did well enough. Made it hell to code on and even more hell to emulate

Yes, I am aware of this, which is why I actually OWN a Saturn. I just would love to see it on a handheld, though I really doubt it will ever happen unless Sega either steps up to the plate and develops a new console with a VC-like service, or gives license to another company to do so. Hey, you reading this, Nintendo? Or Sony? Bwahahahaha. That'll be the day. They'd rather focus on old Sonic the Hedgehog games.

 

[the_randomizer]

It's so close now, I can feel it.
This thread started a few months ago, and since then I've backed the kickstarter, it ended successfully, and they've got the units manufactured and shipped to the company, almost there.

And then they showed an update that resolved the sound stutter issue they apparently had, and added 16bpp native support allowing the 16bpp applications to run at a proper speed (half as processor intensive!)


So yeah I'm excited, the emulators looked like they were running great before, now they're running even better than that.

Impressive, the emulators actually decent sound, and I wonder if Snes emulation would ever git cycle-accurate SPC700/S-SMP on the handheld.

 

[Kouen Hasuki]

Yes, I am aware of this, which is why I actually OWN a Saturn. I just would love to see it on a handheld, though I really doubt it will ever happen unless Sega either steps up to the plate and develops a new console with a VC-like service, or gives license to another company to do so. Hey, you reading this, Nintendo? Or Sony? Bwahahahaha. That'll be the day. They'd rather focus on old Sonic the Hedgehog games.

To be honest your best bet outside the console itself is there PC Versions or something, doubt we would see hit a handheld for a while yet, but its nice to dream.

Multi CPU consoles are always a pain in the butt to emulate xD

 

[Arm73]

To be honest your best bet outside the console itself is there PC Versions or something, doubt we would see hit a handheld for a while yet, but its nice to dream.

Multi CPU consoles are always a pain in the butt to emulate xD

Well you got a good point there.
For years, I was crazy about Radiant Silvergun ( which is the prequel to IKARUGA ) and I was desperately trying to find a good Saturn emulator to play it, but my new PC, can handle the MAME version pretty decently.

The point is, some games were arcade ports, some others were ported to other consoles (PSX) and PCs, some had better sequels on the DC.
So in the end, what were actually good, exclusive Saturn games that stood the test of time and are still worth to play today?
There might be not too much on the radar, hence the lack of interest, considering how complicated it is to emulate the hardware in question.....

 

[Kouen Hasuki]

Well you got a good point there.
For years, I was crazy about Radiant Silvergun ( which is the prequel to IKARUGA ) and I was desperately trying to find a good Saturn emulator to play it, but my new PC, can handle the MAME version pretty decently.

The point is, some games were arcade ports, some others were ported to other consoles (PSX) and PCs, some had better sequels on the DC.
So in the end, what were actually good, exclusive Saturn games that stood the test of time and are still worth to play today?
There might be not too much on the radar, hence the lack of interest, considering how complicated it is to emulate the hardware in question.....

Even Nights into Dreams got a HD and Saturn Original port not that long ago

 

[Pleng]

Yes, I am aware of this, which is why I actually OWN a Saturn. I just would love to see it on a handheld, though I really doubt it will ever happen unless Sega either steps up to the plate and develops a new console with a VC-like service, or gives license to another company to do so. Hey, you reading this, Nintendo? Or Sony? Bwahahahaha. That'll be the day. They'd rather focus on old Sonic the Hedgehog games.

I think you'd be more likely to see Dreamcast emulation. I remember the guy behind NullDC was working on a port for the Pandora. He even showed some footage of Daytona (one day I shall have portable Daytona!!!) and various other games running. I think he lost interest in the project, possibly p*ssed of with how the whole Pandora 'thing' was handled.

I don't know if he's still developing and if so for what.

 

[superspudz2000]

Why are they developing the system around Dingux? Wouldn't it be better to tailor make a new Linux build to fit this machine. Or it doesn't even need to be linux does it. I remember Dingux on Dingoo being hard to set up, and just got so frustrated with it I used the stock emulators and eventually sold it.

Also why is there a PSP Nub on it? I guess it will be easy to replace, but I'd rather have a Vita style analog, or even better a NeoGeo Pocket stick! I love the "clicky" feel of the NeoGeo Pocket stick.

also I hope they release a "Grip" attachment for it, or maybe release a more expensive "XL" model, it's way too tiny to hold.

 

[Surkow]

Why are they developing the system around Dingux? Wouldn't it be better to tailor make a new Linux build to fit this machine. Or it doesn't even need to be linux does it. I remember Dingux on Dingoo being hard to set up, and just got so frustrated with it I used the stock emulators and eventually sold it.

Also why is there a PSP Nub on it? I guess it will be easy to replace, but I'd rather have a Vita style analog, or even better a NeoGeo Pocket stick! I love the "clicky" feel of the NeoGeo Pocket stick.

also I hope they release a "Grip" attachment for it, or maybe release a more expensive "XL" model, it's way too tiny to hold.

What makes you think Legacy Dingux is used? OpenDingux is a bleeding edge embedded operating system using the latest Linux kernel and standardized Linux userspace libraries as to facilitate porting of existing software. The frustration you experienced can be explained with the fact that Legacy Dingux was not supported by the manufacturer. The nub can be replaced and there are no plans to release a "grip" attachment for it. You'd be surprised with the size.

 

[ICS]

To the people that thought they couldn't reach their $130k goal, they got $238,498.

Can't find the device in stock, though. It was apparently supposed to be for sale on the official website, which it isn't at the moment, and the two resellers listed have no stock. One does state that stock for the handheld won't be available until mid or end of July, which is around now. Hm.

 

[pasc]

The Vita seems like the obvious choice for Emulation if you ask me... once it is hacked you know.

This one is neat however like others already issued I'll only ever be interested if 64, PSX and perhaps (unlikely as he**) Dreamcast were to be done.

These are the highest (spec wise) systems I'd want to emulate on the go.

 

[JulietStMoon]

The Vita seems like the obvious choice for Emulation if you ask me... once it is hacked you know.

You have to remember the nice thing about a dedicated emulation device is that you don't have to worry about updates blocking the hacks. That's the same reason a lot of people consider the DSLite to be the best DS system for homebrew, since it doesn't have updates.

The PS Vita will probably be a great homebrew device at the end of its lifespan when it no longer receives updates, like the PSP. But in the meantime, even if a hack comes out tomorrow, it'll be a power struggle for years between hackers and Sony.

 

[pasc]

Well.... you *could* always have a way to screw those updates if you wanted.

However in terms of simplicity you areright.

Yeah the Sony Cat and mouse game.
I only saw a bit of it due to getting my PSP really late.

 

[JulietStMoon]

Well.... you *could* always have a way to screw those updates if you wanted.

However in terms of simplicity you areright.

Yeah the Sony Cat and mouse game.
I only saw a bit of it due to getting my PSP really late.

It's not just Sony. It happens with Nintendo, too (and probably Microsoft, though I have no experience with that).