GCW Zero Handheld, pricing announced

[JulietStMoon]

I noticed some framerate differences (the GBA being a bit slower than the SNES.) The controls on the GBA version aren't as solid as the SNES version, it's a little more squashed compared to the SNES version, the sound on GBA is weak compared the SNES version. Controlling Yoshi feels awkward actually, I found doing simple tasks on the GBA to be a little more tasking compared to the SNES version, most likely because the GBA lacks the two extra buttons the SNES has.
I felt the GBA version felt a little more watered down compared to the SNES version honestly.

I really wouldn't consider any of those to be true gameplay differences, honestly. To me, that would be like saying " The Wii U version of Mass Effect has different gameplay because the frame rate is worse, and the placement of the right stick is awkward." I suppose they might slightly affect how you play, sure, but I wouldn't call them true gameplay differences.

As for the button scheme... Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I much prefer the GBA's control scheme. It still uses just as many buttons overall, and I really value being able to keep my fingers on all buttons at once (my index fingers on the triggers, and my thumb between the A and B buttons) without having to hop to other face buttons for throwing eggs and locking aim.

 

[The Catboy]

I really wouldn't consider any of those to be true gameplay differences, honestly. To me, that would be like saying " The Wii U version of Mass Effect has different gameplay because the frame rate is worse, and the placement of the right stick is awkward." I suppose they might slightly affect how you play, sure, but I wouldn't call them true gameplay differences.

As for the button scheme... Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I much prefer the GBA's control scheme. It still uses just as many buttons overall, and I really value being able to keep my fingers on all buttons at once (my index fingers on the triggers, and my thumb between the A and B buttons) without having to hop to other face buttons for throwing eggs and locking aim.

The framerate isn't gameplay indeed, but it's just something I noticed.
As for the rest, a lot just comes from the fact that I spent so many years playing the SNES version that the GBA version just doesn't feel right to me. It's not a bad version and I would recommend it, but personally I prefer the SNES version over it any day.

 

[JulietStMoon]

The framerate isn't gameplay indeed, but it's just something I noticed.
As for the rest, a lot just comes from the fact that I spent so many years playing the SNES version that the GBA version just doesn't feel right to me. It's not a bad version and I would recommend it, but personally I prefer the SNES version over it any day.

I understand. I played the SNES version first (when I was 7) for a few years and never beat it, but I played the GBA version much more once it came out.

 

[henn64]

this is the one time i posted news about them and didn't include the specs. =P

CPU: Ingenic JZ4770 1 GHz MIPS processor
GPU: Vivante GC860, capable of OpenGL ES 2.0
Display: 3.5 inch LCD with 320x240 pixels; 4:3 aspect ratio is ideal for retro gaming
Operating System: Linux 3.x (OpenDingux)
Memory: 512 MB DDR2
Internal storage: 16 GB, most of which is available for applications and data
External storage: micro SDHC up to 32 GB or micro SDXC of 64 GB (SDXC cards must be reformatted before use)
Connectivity: Mini USB 2.0 OTG
Mini HDMI 1.3 out
3.5 mm (mini jack) A/V port for earphone and analog TV-out
Audio: Stereo speakers, mono microphone
Other: Accelerometer (g-sensor) and vibration motors
Wireless: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz, can connect to access point or direct device-to-device
Dimensions: 143 * 70 * 18 mm
Weight: 8 oz / 225 g
Battery: 2800 mAh

the devs on irc are already talking about n64 and ps1 emulation. if/when those things are worked on i think they will top out the feasibility of the hardware.

-another world

-Mips
N64 Emu?! :o

 

[VMM]

You seriously have no idea, what-so-ever, you are talking about. At all.
The LCD screen isn't poor either, a 320x240 LCD display was chosen for being cost-effective and suitable to retro gaming tasks, as well as being readily compliant with existing OpenDingux software.

Is it worth using LCD nowadays with LEDs, OLEDs and Amoleds been around?
Is it worth using such a low resolution instead of having a higher, but using it's power for filters?
I mean, the system is quite powerful, and many old games look a lot better with filters like HQ and Super-eagle.
LCDs are getting rarer these days, Amoleds are better and consume less battery and I think having a bit bigger resolution woudn't hurt, like 480p.

Not super excited for this but I'm glad it doesn't run Android.

Seems like every "game" device be it console or handheld that isn't Nintendo/Sony has Android on it.

It's like, oh goodie, another device to play Angry Birds on just what I wanted. Not like my phone does this already.

I might get one though if the emulators work better than my PSP. The device is certainly stronger than one, so I hope.

With the PSP-scene been dead, and the fact that GCW Zero uses Dingux and is more powerful than PSP,
I can't see it having emulations working worse than PSP.

 

[RupeeClock]

Is it worth using LCD nowadays with LEDs, OLEDs and Amoleds been around?
Is it worth using such a low resolution instead of having a higher, but using it's power for filters?
I mean, the system is quite powerful, and many old games look a lot better with filters like HQ and Super-eagle.
LCDs are getting rarer these days, Amoleds are better and consume less battery and I think having a bit bigger resolution woudn't hurt, like 480p.

With the PSP-scene been dead, and the fact that GCW Zero uses Dingux and is more powerful than PSP,
I can't see it having emulations working worse than PSP.

There has been a similar handheld in the past that used an OLED display, called the GP2X Wiz.

However the OLED display ended up being a poor choice for the system for three reasons.
First was that the most affordable screen was too small, the device overall was a little small (if not beautiful), and the 320x240 2.8inch screen was a little small compared to the usual 3.5inch screen.
Second was the screen they chose, was actually a 240x320 portrait display turned on its side, this resulted in a few programming headaches and a diagonal screen-tear issue.
Third was that the chosen screen was still expensive, and the price of the system reflected that in the end.

Gamepark Holdings ultimately decided to release a successor system called the GP2X Caanoo, which had more or less the same specs but with a 3.5 inch 320x240 landscape LCD display.
That said the GP2X Wiz was a product of 2009, four years ago now. The state of OLED displays and affordable choices may've improved since then, so maybe it would've been a better choice for the GCW Zero?

As for the screen resolution, 320x240 was chosen for its sweet spot in emulation of retro systems, handling most of them with no up or down-scaling necessary for a 1:1 display.
That said I certainly see your point with higher resolutions lending themselves to filters and other such effects.

And yes, the GCW Zero's specs and software support are looking to make this a far more viable emulation solution than the PSP right now.

 

[VMM]

However the OLED display ended up being a poor choice for the system for three reasons.

Second was the screen they chose, was actually a 240x320 portrait display turned on its side, this resulted in a few programming headaches and a diagonal screen-tear issue.

That seem more of a strategical error, than a problem with Oled.

There has been a similar handheld in the past that used an OLED display, called the GP2X Wiz.
First was that the most affordable screen was too small, the device overall was a little small (if not beautiful), and the 320x240 2.8inch screen was a little small compared to the usual 3.5inch screen.

Third was that the chosen screen was still expensive, and the price of the system reflected that in the end.

Gamepark Holdings ultimately decided to release a successor system called the GP2X Caanoo, which had more or less the same specs but with a 3.5 inch 320x240 landscape LCD display.
That said the GP2X Wiz was a product of 2009, four years ago now. The state of OLED displays and affordable choices may've improved since then, so maybe it would've been a better choice for the GCW Zero?

I wouldn't mind paying more for a device with a better screen,
but seen how people are complaining about GCW Zero price, I see your point

 

[RupeeClock]

Yeah, Gamepark Holdings sadly made a few strategical errors in their time, which is why they packed up their hardware division after the Caanoo made little impact.

Although what I really was trying to get across was that the only viable OLED solution lead to possibly holding the system back more than anything, what displays are available for manufacturing devices is somewhat circumstantial.

 

[KingVamp]

I'm waiting out for a dual screen handheld with gen 6 emulation, maybe with a bigger screen.
Perhaps in 3 more years?

 

[the_randomizer]

OLED has many issues, they're expensive to make and unlike normal LED/LCD technology, it's prone to burn-in.

 

[VMM]

Yeah, Gamepark Holdings sadly made a few strategical errors in their time, which is why they packed up their hardware division after the Caanoo made little impact.

Although what I really was trying to get across was that the only viable OLED solution lead to possibly holding the system back more than anything, what displays are available for manufacturing devices is somewhat circumstantial.

Well, that's sad.
But I believe in the next 5 years Oleds will become cheaper.
With mobile specs getting better so quickly, I wouldn't doubt that we'll see a opensource handheld emulating the 6th gen in the next 10 years.

By the way, GCW Zero seems to be a pretty good alternative mobile,
perfect for retro-gaming. The only thing that concerns me is the built-in quality.

I had many friends complaining about Dingoo quality, so I'll wait until more reviews about it come out.

 

[Hop2089]

Check you e-mails KS backers and fill out the final address confirmation form if you haven't, I got one this morning.

 

[superspudz2000]

good lord! I can't believe all the trolls on here!

its overpriced for the specks....TROLOLOLOLOLOLOL.....
android is a better platform.... TROLOLOLOLOLOLOL....

dude, IT'S OPEN-SOURCE! what don't you get about that?

if it emulates SNES Starfox at full speed then I will definitely buy one. the iPhone is CRAP, no D-Pad, and those cheap Chinese android players are simply garbage.

but let's consider prices for a minute...

I just bought a 3DS XL for $200.
the PS Vita was $200 or so last time I cared enough to check.
the iPod touch is $200 and is missing proper controls.

and non of these are OPEN-SOURCE

i recently bought a PSP-3000 for $130 brand new, but its not as powerful, and has that flimsy little analog nub.

everybody i see has a $500 iPad or iPhone or Laptop, so i really don't see what the big deal is about paying a measly $150.

ok, games...

NES eShop games are $5 each, so if you bought only 30 NES games you spent $150 on top of the wii or 3DS.

the PS3 is $300, and each games is like $50. So if you hadn't bought those last 3 games you hardly play anyway, you'd already have enough.