To celebrate my birthday + tax refund, I picked up a PSP and began playing with homebrew. Here are my impressions of how the PSP performed compared to the GP2X. Although I've owned a GP2X since last year, I don't believe I carried any bias against the PSP. In fact, I expected the PSP to replace my GP2X; didn't happen, surprisingly. Also, these comments are based upon 10-12 hours with the PSP.
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Handhelds
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PSP: Purchased last week at Target. Initially FW 2.71 (indicated by the letter "K" above the bar code). Downgraded to 1.50 then upgraded to Dark_Alex's 3.10 OE-A homebrew-friendly firmware.
GP2X: Mk2 model purchased last year from gp2x.co.uk, just arrived (kidding! :lol: ). FW 2.1.1.
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Emulators
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Most emulators on PSP found at PSP News: http://psp-news.dcemu.co.uk/
All emulators on GP2X found at GP2Xtreme, natch.
NES: NesterJ vs GPFCE
- NesterJ scales to the PSP display's height with the correct aspect ratio. Fullspeed at default settings.
- GPFCE must be overclocked to 233 via Cpuspeed (popular GP2X overclocking app) for fullspeed.
- NesterJ: slightly better interface and default performance. GPFCE: slightly smoother animation, compared to NesterJ slight flicker. Both emulators easy to install via simple drag-and-drop with a card reader.
+ No clear preference
PCEngine/TG16: e[mulator] + PCEP + HuE PSP vs Hu6280 + CPCE + gp2xengine
- It's a wash. Performance, features, audio are indistinguishable. The PSP never outperforms the GP2X in this area, nor vice versa. Also, there is no single best PCE emulator on either platform: one that has fullspeed with audio lacks real-time save.
+ No preference - and some emu developer ought to take up this cause
Gameboy/Gameboy Color: Rin vs GnuBoy2x
- Both up-scale to the full display height with correct aspect ratio (and gameboy graphics look ugly that close...).
- Better audio on GnuBoy2x; however, Rin has a better interface without the ponderous scrolling marquees of GnuBoy2x.
+ Somewhat prefer GP2X
MAME: Mame4All vs Gp2xMame
- Mame4All no apparent built-in overclocking nor any or orientation adjustment (e.g. flip to landscape orientation for cocktail mode). Also lots of wasted screen real estate. And less compatible than the current release of Gp2xMame. Less friendly interface than Gp2xMame.
- Given the slower hardware, Gp2xMame hits a performance upper bound for more demanding titles. Sometimes, 250Mhz overclock just isn't enough.
+ Strongly prefer GP2X
Megadrive/Genesis: Megadrive for PSP and DGen vs PicoDrive
- Megadrive hasn't been updated in over a year. DGen is still being developed, but PicoDrive has a far superior list of features. Did not attempt nor discover Sega CD emulation for PSP, which PicoDrive supports.
+ Strongly prefer GP2X
Commodore Amiga: UAE PSP vs UAE4All2x
- GP2X control handles mouse emulation quite smoothly. By contrast, the PSP analog control is jerky and difficult to use as a pointing device.
- UAE4All2x has a far better interface
- Performance practically identical
+ Strongly prefer GP2X
SuperNES: Snes9X PSP + Snes9X PSP Optimized vs PocketSNES and SquidgeSNES
- All of the above have good runtime configuration menus.
- Do-Re-Mi Fantasy - Milon no Dokidoki Daibouken is my SNES torture test. Little Milon deserves the best :wub:
- All emulators were set to frameskip = 0 and audio_frequency = 44KHz.
- Both PSP emulators averaged at least 10fps worse than SquidgeSNES and 15-20 fps worse than PocketSNES. For more detailed performance numbers on SquidgeSNES and PocketSNES, check their compatibility lists @ wiki.gp2x.org.
- At the initial Do-Re-Mi Fantasy title screen, both GP2X emulators are 60fps with perfect sound. However, both PSP emulators *lag* to 45-55 fps!
- EDIT: Tested PSPSNES_TYL v0.4.2, both "standard" and "Media Engine" releases. PSPSNES_TYL is the latest and greatest SNES emulator on PSP. Both releases crashed on loading Milon - my first time seeing PSP's BSoD. Since this emulator claims to fully utilize the PSP's graphics hardware, it probably outperforms Pocket and Squidge on other games.
+ Strongly *and very surprisingly* prefer GP2X (in the absence of further testing)
PSX: 3.10 OE-A built-in PSX emulation vs GP2PSX
- Here's your reason to get a homebrew-friendly PSP. The GP2X will never get close.
- PSP FW 3.10 OE-A launches PSX ISOs directly. It's a little more circuitous to set up GP2PSX.
+ Strongly prefer PSP
CPS: CPS2PSP vs CPS2EMU test version 8
- Each has a clean interface. Both are packaged with the "rom convert" tool that generates required cache files from rom packages.
- While audio and performance are nearly identical, the PSP's wide screen shines here. Fonts in particular look crisp on the PSP and distorted on the GP2X due to aspect ratio differences. It's similar to what happens to a widescreen film projected onto a fullscreen television: either the vertical dimension is scaled (letterbox mode with black bars on top and bottom) or each frame is forced to a non-native resolution (causing distortion).
+ Strongly prefer PSP
ColecoVision: Columbo vs Columbo + Gp2xMess
- Both Columbo ports suffer from poor sound quality, confusing control mappings, and sync problems that resemble dropped frames.
- Columbo for PSP has a better GUI but is less stable. During one session I loaded and ran a game, then returned to the GUI, reloaded the same game, and the emulator locked up. Hard reset time.
- GP2XMess includes first-rate ColecoVision emulation. It's only lacking virtual numpad support and real-time save/load. Please note that it does include a virtual keyboard but lacks the numpad portion of a standard keyboard. Since XMess maps numpad keys to numpad buttons on the ColecoVision controller, this results in some confusing control mappings as well.
+ Strongly prefer GP2X running GP2XMess
NeoGeoPocket: NGPSP vs RACE
- NGPSP failed to work. I could navigate the GUI but "LOAD ROM" was a no-op. The last update was September, 2005. The author's comments in the readme mention working real-time save/load but "ungodly bad" sound that was recently added.
- As for RACE, the audio seems perfect, and SRAM is supported, but there is no real-time save/load.
- RACE is known to be frustrating to set up. It took me an hour of editing GPE files. Part of the problem is RACE's integration with Selector, the generic "drop-in" file selector frontend popular among developers who lack the time or inclination to write and maintain their own GUIs.
- RACE also features an *extremely loud and obnoxious jingle* that plays at maximum volume on boot. Luckily, the jingle is easily disabled by replacing its WAV file. And what are WAV files doing on a GP2X? I'm guessing that feature is owned by "Flavor", the developer chiefly credited with porting RACE to the GP2X. I'm not sure whether to thank him or kick him.
+ Prefer GP2X after some customization
Gameboy Advance: Did not test. I use my NDS for this.
MSX: Did not test on PSP. However, fMSX2x needs function key support before Metal Gear and Solid Snake are playable. Also lacks real-time save.
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Ergonomics
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PSP Pros: Impressively lightweight for such a packed handheld! Good case width for a comfortable grip over extended periods. Excellent battery life. Widescreen display that benefits from freeware media players that are compatible with homebrew-friendly PSPs.
PSP Cons: The PSP analog control is poorly calibrated and curiously positioned toward the bottom-left of the case; it's difficult to reach the analog control without cradling the case with the left hand. Also, having 4 directional buttons rather than a D-Pad was pure idiocy! It is simply the worst control mechanism I've ever used. And trust me, I've suffered through a year with two different GP2X stick caps.
GP2X Pros: Although not widescreen, the GP2X display subjectively appears to be sharper when playing games. Also, the PSP suffers from blurring during fast-motion scenes; this is particularly evident when playing some commercial PSP titles such as GTA:LCS.
GP2X Cons: Suffers from poor battery life. Is there a LI-ON replacement for AA batteries that would fit the GP2X battery compartment? And that stick - it's better than the PSP's control by far, but a D-Pad mod would be nice.
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Conclusion
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+ Strongly prefer the GP2X
Also, I just received my new Tapwave Zodiac 2 and spent several hours setting it up. Most emulation doesn't approach the GP2X. However, naturally mouse-based games like ScummVM, PalmUAE (Amiga), and CliFrotz (Infocom) work better with a touchscreen and stylus. Between the two, it seems that I've attained the Holy Grail of feature convergence B)
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Handhelds
-------------
PSP: Purchased last week at Target. Initially FW 2.71 (indicated by the letter "K" above the bar code). Downgraded to 1.50 then upgraded to Dark_Alex's 3.10 OE-A homebrew-friendly firmware.
GP2X: Mk2 model purchased last year from gp2x.co.uk, just arrived (kidding! :lol: ). FW 2.1.1.
-------------
Emulators
-------------
Most emulators on PSP found at PSP News: http://psp-news.dcemu.co.uk/
All emulators on GP2X found at GP2Xtreme, natch.
NES: NesterJ vs GPFCE
- NesterJ scales to the PSP display's height with the correct aspect ratio. Fullspeed at default settings.
- GPFCE must be overclocked to 233 via Cpuspeed (popular GP2X overclocking app) for fullspeed.
- NesterJ: slightly better interface and default performance. GPFCE: slightly smoother animation, compared to NesterJ slight flicker. Both emulators easy to install via simple drag-and-drop with a card reader.
+ No clear preference
PCEngine/TG16: e[mulator] + PCEP + HuE PSP vs Hu6280 + CPCE + gp2xengine
- It's a wash. Performance, features, audio are indistinguishable. The PSP never outperforms the GP2X in this area, nor vice versa. Also, there is no single best PCE emulator on either platform: one that has fullspeed with audio lacks real-time save.
+ No preference - and some emu developer ought to take up this cause
Gameboy/Gameboy Color: Rin vs GnuBoy2x
- Both up-scale to the full display height with correct aspect ratio (and gameboy graphics look ugly that close...).
- Better audio on GnuBoy2x; however, Rin has a better interface without the ponderous scrolling marquees of GnuBoy2x.
+ Somewhat prefer GP2X
MAME: Mame4All vs Gp2xMame
- Mame4All no apparent built-in overclocking nor any or orientation adjustment (e.g. flip to landscape orientation for cocktail mode). Also lots of wasted screen real estate. And less compatible than the current release of Gp2xMame. Less friendly interface than Gp2xMame.
- Given the slower hardware, Gp2xMame hits a performance upper bound for more demanding titles. Sometimes, 250Mhz overclock just isn't enough.
+ Strongly prefer GP2X
Megadrive/Genesis: Megadrive for PSP and DGen vs PicoDrive
- Megadrive hasn't been updated in over a year. DGen is still being developed, but PicoDrive has a far superior list of features. Did not attempt nor discover Sega CD emulation for PSP, which PicoDrive supports.
+ Strongly prefer GP2X
Commodore Amiga: UAE PSP vs UAE4All2x
- GP2X control handles mouse emulation quite smoothly. By contrast, the PSP analog control is jerky and difficult to use as a pointing device.
- UAE4All2x has a far better interface
- Performance practically identical
+ Strongly prefer GP2X
SuperNES: Snes9X PSP + Snes9X PSP Optimized vs PocketSNES and SquidgeSNES
- All of the above have good runtime configuration menus.
- Do-Re-Mi Fantasy - Milon no Dokidoki Daibouken is my SNES torture test. Little Milon deserves the best :wub:
- All emulators were set to frameskip = 0 and audio_frequency = 44KHz.
- Both PSP emulators averaged at least 10fps worse than SquidgeSNES and 15-20 fps worse than PocketSNES. For more detailed performance numbers on SquidgeSNES and PocketSNES, check their compatibility lists @ wiki.gp2x.org.
- At the initial Do-Re-Mi Fantasy title screen, both GP2X emulators are 60fps with perfect sound. However, both PSP emulators *lag* to 45-55 fps!
- EDIT: Tested PSPSNES_TYL v0.4.2, both "standard" and "Media Engine" releases. PSPSNES_TYL is the latest and greatest SNES emulator on PSP. Both releases crashed on loading Milon - my first time seeing PSP's BSoD. Since this emulator claims to fully utilize the PSP's graphics hardware, it probably outperforms Pocket and Squidge on other games.
+ Strongly *and very surprisingly* prefer GP2X (in the absence of further testing)
PSX: 3.10 OE-A built-in PSX emulation vs GP2PSX
- Here's your reason to get a homebrew-friendly PSP. The GP2X will never get close.
- PSP FW 3.10 OE-A launches PSX ISOs directly. It's a little more circuitous to set up GP2PSX.
+ Strongly prefer PSP
CPS: CPS2PSP vs CPS2EMU test version 8
- Each has a clean interface. Both are packaged with the "rom convert" tool that generates required cache files from rom packages.
- While audio and performance are nearly identical, the PSP's wide screen shines here. Fonts in particular look crisp on the PSP and distorted on the GP2X due to aspect ratio differences. It's similar to what happens to a widescreen film projected onto a fullscreen television: either the vertical dimension is scaled (letterbox mode with black bars on top and bottom) or each frame is forced to a non-native resolution (causing distortion).
+ Strongly prefer PSP
ColecoVision: Columbo vs Columbo + Gp2xMess
- Both Columbo ports suffer from poor sound quality, confusing control mappings, and sync problems that resemble dropped frames.
- Columbo for PSP has a better GUI but is less stable. During one session I loaded and ran a game, then returned to the GUI, reloaded the same game, and the emulator locked up. Hard reset time.
- GP2XMess includes first-rate ColecoVision emulation. It's only lacking virtual numpad support and real-time save/load. Please note that it does include a virtual keyboard but lacks the numpad portion of a standard keyboard. Since XMess maps numpad keys to numpad buttons on the ColecoVision controller, this results in some confusing control mappings as well.
+ Strongly prefer GP2X running GP2XMess
NeoGeoPocket: NGPSP vs RACE
- NGPSP failed to work. I could navigate the GUI but "LOAD ROM" was a no-op. The last update was September, 2005. The author's comments in the readme mention working real-time save/load but "ungodly bad" sound that was recently added.
- As for RACE, the audio seems perfect, and SRAM is supported, but there is no real-time save/load.
- RACE is known to be frustrating to set up. It took me an hour of editing GPE files. Part of the problem is RACE's integration with Selector, the generic "drop-in" file selector frontend popular among developers who lack the time or inclination to write and maintain their own GUIs.
- RACE also features an *extremely loud and obnoxious jingle* that plays at maximum volume on boot. Luckily, the jingle is easily disabled by replacing its WAV file. And what are WAV files doing on a GP2X? I'm guessing that feature is owned by "Flavor", the developer chiefly credited with porting RACE to the GP2X. I'm not sure whether to thank him or kick him.
+ Prefer GP2X after some customization
Gameboy Advance: Did not test. I use my NDS for this.
MSX: Did not test on PSP. However, fMSX2x needs function key support before Metal Gear and Solid Snake are playable. Also lacks real-time save.
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Ergonomics
-------------
PSP Pros: Impressively lightweight for such a packed handheld! Good case width for a comfortable grip over extended periods. Excellent battery life. Widescreen display that benefits from freeware media players that are compatible with homebrew-friendly PSPs.
PSP Cons: The PSP analog control is poorly calibrated and curiously positioned toward the bottom-left of the case; it's difficult to reach the analog control without cradling the case with the left hand. Also, having 4 directional buttons rather than a D-Pad was pure idiocy! It is simply the worst control mechanism I've ever used. And trust me, I've suffered through a year with two different GP2X stick caps.
GP2X Pros: Although not widescreen, the GP2X display subjectively appears to be sharper when playing games. Also, the PSP suffers from blurring during fast-motion scenes; this is particularly evident when playing some commercial PSP titles such as GTA:LCS.
GP2X Cons: Suffers from poor battery life. Is there a LI-ON replacement for AA batteries that would fit the GP2X battery compartment? And that stick - it's better than the PSP's control by far, but a D-Pad mod would be nice.
----------------
Conclusion
----------------
+ Strongly prefer the GP2X
Also, I just received my new Tapwave Zodiac 2 and spent several hours setting it up. Most emulation doesn't approach the GP2X. However, naturally mouse-based games like ScummVM, PalmUAE (Amiga), and CliFrotz (Infocom) work better with a touchscreen and stylus. Between the two, it seems that I've attained the Holy Grail of feature convergence B)