GP32 and Mame

[Graham1]

Hi

I'm thinking of getting one of these handhelds now that Mame GP32 has been released. How well does the GP32 (Mame GP32) play the old style arcade games? Al comments welcome (especially GP32 owners).

[GGKoul]

Supposely very well!!

[Graham1]

I'm surprized not many have commented . I would have thought the GP32 would be ideal for playing arcade games and would be very popular for retro gaming on the move (unless there is another unit available that does the same).

[GGKoul]

http://www.talfi.net/gp32_franxis/

[Graham1]

Thanks for the link GGKoul .

I've already downloaded Mame GP32 and GeePee32 but I guess it's not the same as having the real thing. I've posted a similar question on another board but there doesn't seem to be much interest in this product which makes me think, should I hold back for a while and see how well it develops. AFAIK, there are no other handhelds that can run open source software. I'll keep browsing the forums for info.

[Arcadiac]

After reading this thread and downloading the emulator and trying it out on my GP32, it appears to run some of the "classics " adequately.

[Graham1]

Thanks for your comments

I was thinking of getting a 166MHz from GBAX. I have downloaded Mame GP32 and GeePee32 but haven't got any roms yets. I'm familair with ClrMamePro and RomCenter so getting the correct roms shouldn't be a problem. I was also concerned about running GeePee32 on a Athlon XP 2400. Would the emulation be true to the original GP32? I guess it's still early days and Mame GP32 has just been released so problems can be expected and things will probably be improved over time. It's just that I saw GP32 can now run arcade games and I got really excited . Do these games have sound? I'm also interested in the PC Engine as it plays alot of Sega games. What are your views on this emulator? I would have prefered a more powerfull system myself but AFAIK, it is the only kind that can do this.

[Arcadiac]

Graham you may want to check into PalmOS emulation.  My understanding from my meager research is that PocketPCs are more powerful that the GP32 and can run emulators better as a result.  Understand that I don't have one and have no practical experience other than reading other's online experience.
I have had no luck with GeePee32, and really no desire to keep screwing around with it trying to get it to work for testing purposes, maybe you have more patience. 
Some of the games on MAME32 have good or choppy sound, some have none.
I think that the GPengine is the best emulator for GP32 that I've tried, although I'm biased, I love TG-16.  Most TG-16 roms run great on this system.
If you are still considering a GP32 purchase I would highly recommend buying the BLU version for the backlight feature. 
I am dissapointed that I didn't as the non-lighted version is hard for me to see (Old Fart syndrome) and there are no built in options for brightness adjustment.
And if buying from someone who "guarantees" the fast 166 version, find out what their return policy is in case they sell you something lesser.  I'm sure that the guaranteed fast version is gonna cost you a little more money, be sure you get what you pay for.
Also keep in mind that you will need a SmartMedia memory card, I have a 64mb, suggest you get a 128 if possible.
As you can see GP32 can be an expensive proposition for emulation, doing the research before you decide if its worth buying is a great idea.
For me the limited use that I get out of mine was not really worth the cost, the TG-16 emulation was the saving grace for me, justifying keeping the GP32 around a bit longer.
Just my opinion based on my experience, your actual mileage may vary.
Here's hoping that the coders will get busy emulating something better, like a solid Genesis or SNES emulator that will run most games smoothly with sound.
Good Luck, keep us posted on your decision/experience with this console.
ARCADIAC!

[Graham1]

Thanks again .

After reading reviews at various GP32 forums, the feedback seems a good one.

[Arcadiac]

Hi y'all just a small update that may make a difference to anyone thinking of buying one of these systems.  A working Genesis emulator with full-speed, full-sound has just been released.  DrMD 2.0

http://www.gp32x.de/cgi-bin/cfiles.cgi?0,0,0,0,5,109

As usual when something I've been interested in being emulated for GP32 is released, I download it and give it a try.  This release actually runs most of the roms I threw at it smoothly at 144mhz.  A few of the imports and some domestic titles crashed, but by and large this is a very good effort at Genesis emulation, something I have wanted to see since buying one of these consoles over a year ago.

Of course if you don't have the GP32 and are going to buy one, try to go the extra $ it takes to get the guaranteed fastest version with the BLU backlight.
My early version only runs reliably at 144mhz although this new emu runs some games at 150 for me.
Obviously the more processing power, the smoother this and future emus written for this will run.

Also the gp32x site promises a new version of the MAME emulator, possibly to be released later today, hopefully a faster version than the pathetic first release.

ARCADIAC!

[Graham1]

Well, I finally went and did it . I've actually had my GP32 for over a week now and am totally happy with it . DrMD and GPEngine are totally awesome and well worth purchasing just for those emulators. Mame GP32 is a little slow but as it's only on it's second release (1.1), I can live with that. As mentioned, it plays the old classics fine. I guess the novelty will eventually wear off but not for a long time yet.

[tmasman]

Well, I finally went and did it ...

Where did you buy from?
I'm interested, but I don't see any "reliable" resellers out there...
Even Lik-Sang doesn't have them.?

[Graham1]

I got mine from www.gbax.com (as I'm in the UK). I checked on the GP32 forums beforehand and the site seemed popular with other members. Another site is www.gp32z.com (US, I think) so you may also want to try there to.

Btw, you may want to browse the forums first as there are minor issues with the new BLU's (or BLU+ as there called). Nothing major as I have one of these myself but it's worth checking if your interested (may sway you).