Emulation Device

[KamakoKamako's icon]

What is the main type of device you use to play 5th Generation games or earlier?

How would you rate the experience?

Does it affect the type of games you try to emulate?

(5th Generation = PS1, N64, SEGA Saturn, 3DO)

 

[ZEGA ZONICZEGA ZONIC's icon]

A laptop.
Using a phone for emulation seems a bit unorthodox lol

 

[KamakoKamako's icon]

A laptop.
Using a phone for emulation seems a bit unorthodox lol

I use my phone to emu games when I'm on the go. It usually works quite well, especially on older titles and menu heavy games which usually have simple controls and gameplay (NES games for example).

I think phone might be more common than you think (but I might be wrong). xD

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

I use both a smartphone and a tablet.

PS1 runs beautifully even among the lower spec crowd, while results vary wildly when it comes to Nintendo's machine (and not always for understandable reasons).

I have got no interest on the other systems from that generation.

 

[kbcinharoxa kbcinharoxa]

I use my laptop, but my preference is the original hardware :/
Yeah, you can say it: "What about HD patches, fan dubs, bug fixes, widescreen support and blah blah blah?"
Nah, I'd much rather play a game the way it was originally made to be played, even if it's a complete mess :,v
COUGH COUGH... Sonic '06, Castlevania II: Simon's Quest, and 300+ others..."

 

[KamakoKamako's icon]

I use both a smartphone and a tablet.

PS1 runs beautifully even among the lower spec crowd, while results vary wildly when it comes to Nintendo's machine (and not always for understandable reasons).

Hell yeah. Further proof that the PS1 is the best console. TBF it seems like the N64 had some hardware quirks that makes emulating it quite a bit trickier. The argument still seems to be burn strong today as to which emu gets closest to the original experience/offers the best QoL.

I have got no interest on the other systems from that generation.

Fair enough...the Sega Saturn is pretty neat though! Shame its architecture makes it so damn hard to emulate. The Dev's behind the Saturn emu's are straight up wizards.

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

TBF it seems like the N64 had some hardware quirks that makes emulating it quite a bit trickier.

The - alleged - reason for it is that Nintendo allowed devs to modify and program on top of the very base code running the system (RARE was particularly infamous for it in an attempt to curb piracy), which results on emulators swinging at curve balls every time you run something, because they don't know what to expect, and programming a million plugins to account for every single instance of this free-for-all is just impossible.

But, hey, it's only been 32 years since that accursed thing was released xD

 

[Tsukishima]

N64 games always feel off to emulate, but I'm willing to be it's due to the emulators I've tried, they're either incredibly basic or ... scummy. I don't get what gall a person behind an emulating machine goes through to try to make you buy a "Pro" version of the emulator when it is literal piracy to begin with.

I wish I had a real Sega Saturn to play the system with instead, the six face button interface is rather sketchy when you're trying to use an Xbox One controller oddly enough, sure I can map some of these buttons to bumpers and what have you but the whole thing is truly strange. I wish I was there for the Saturn / Dreamcast era to get a feel for those incredible out-of-this-world peripherals, like that small monitor in the controller? That always looked so cool to me.

PS1 is always so good to me, bless whoever made Duckstation, they made gods gift with that incredible emulator. I love playing with it, messing with it, 'unlocking' the save file icon for list view after I make my first save in the game I'm playing ... It truly is a labour of love.

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

I don't get what gall a person behind an emulating machine goes through to try to make you buy a "Pro" version of the emulator when it is literal piracy to begin with.

I'm not defending them, but programing an emulator is a ton of work and is often non-profitable due to the very nature of the software — I see most of those as an "enhanced" form of receiving donations (I'll wager the average emulation player isn't too keen on clicking on the PayPal button next to the download, but getting something out of it makes it much more palatable and enticing).

Besides, even my ebook reader does the same in the form of a "Pro" version that gives you a few more options.

It is what it is.

 

[Sfjeov]

Laptop plus xbox one controller

 

[shaggi shaggi]

I use a PC for emulation. I also have a cheap portable console that can play 8/16-bit games.

 

[TruxtonTatsujin]

I'll take any excuse to show off my set-up.
(ignore the dust in the back, this picture is old)

flashcarts/ODEs:
GDEMU, ED64X7, FXPAKPRO, EDN8PRO, TURBOEDPRO, XSTATION, FENRIR, MEGAEDPRO
Unfortunately I don't have the MIGHTIEST 5th gen console of them all.

Pretty much any system I don't own at this point I just emulate on my desktop. I'm kind of done adding anything else since the prices are so stupid now. I also have a separate TV stand connected to a flatscreen with 6th gen and up.
I'm very picky when it comes to settings and accuracy, so for me it's worth the peace of mind that I can just throw the game on an sd card and know that it's 100% running as intended. I've also never been a fan of any of the "enhancements" found in emulators. I want to play the game like it's the year it came out.

 

[Don Patch]

So, I have a really neat setup:
I have a Dell Optiplex micro pc Running Lakka and then, through a series of adapters and tinkering, I have it rigged up to a proper CRT.
To boot, the machine is painted like a 90's game console (flat light-Grey with a satin top-coat) so it even looks the part.

Runs everything up through Dreamcast!
Just need to swap controllers now-and-again for the right vibe .

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 11:21 PM

I'll take any excuse to show off my set-up.
(ignore the dust in the back, this picture is old)
View attachment 202271
flashcarts/ODEs:
GDEMU, ED64X7, FXPAKPRO, EDN8PRO, TURBOEDPRO, XSTATION, FENRIR, MEGAEDPRO
Unfortunately I don't have the MIGHTIEST 5th gen console of them all.
View attachment 202268
Pretty much any system I don't own at this point I just emulate on my desktop. I'm kind of done adding anything else since the prices are so stupid now. I also have a separate TV stand connected to a flatscreen with 6th gen and up.
I'm very picky when it comes to settings and accuracy, so for me it's worth the peace of mind that I can just throw the game on an sd card and know that it's 100% running as intended. I've also never been a fan of any of the "enhancements" found in emulators. I want to play the game like it's the year it came out.

Ladies and gents, the King right here!

 

[SoThankful SoThankful]

I always try to keep the experience as authentic as possible. So when I'm not playing on the original hardware, I use my mini consoles for emulation. Which one I use mainly depends on compatibility and convenience.

 

[ArchienineZXAdventArchienineZXAdvent's icon]

My phone since it's the only thing that i can use for old games

 

[Pokenami's icon Pokenami Pokenami]

I mostly use my laptop and desktop but I also use my Raspberry Pi 5, Steam Deck, and Ayn Thor as well.

 

[Megarockman _1987 Megarockman _1987]

My main emulation device is my phone but I have some emulator in my wii or my laptop, even my cousins have a HDMI stick which have a lot of games since atari 2600 until PSX

 

[Majora Fi]

What is the main type of device you use to play 5th Generation games or earlier?

How would you rate the experience?

Does it affect the type of games you try to emulate?

(5th Generation = PS1, N64, SEGA Saturn, 3DO)

If I can carry it in my pocket and play anywhere, that's great (it was never a financial limitation).

 

[Dyne]

I have a PC hooked up to my TV in my living room with a PS4 controller for emulation.
Wireless kb/mouse setup for couch gaming/tv/movies/web browsing/typing this post.

I also have a AYN Thor for portable gaming, in bed or while traveling or whatever.
I also also have Delta on my phone for NES/SNES/GBA/NDS but I dont use it that much because I dont like using the touch screen as a controller. But in a pinch its nice since its already in my pocket.