Buying The Gp32 For The First Time...

[Amiable-Akuma]

I know little about the GP32 scene but I've decided to buy a system.

If I want to be a high-end emu and multimedia user what should I buy and/or buy with it?

What size memory card, what speed to the system, what other apps or things do you recommend to a new user buying one today? Also, Is the anything else I should know about before purchase?

I was planning on buying from GBAX.com - are they the way to go for everything?

Thanks...

 

[starpause]

If I want to be a high-end emu and multimedia user what should I buy and/or buy with it?

What size memory card, what speed to the system, what other apps or things do you recommend to a new user buying one today? Also, Is the anything else I should know about before purchase?

I was planning on buying from GBAX.com - are they the way to go for everything?

Thanks...

​

the system has limited specs--even for a handheld these days. so make the most of it--get a 166 verified unit! espeically if you want lower frameskips in the emulators.

128MB is the largest SMC you can buy, do it!

if you're in europe GBAX seems to be the best bet. in the states i'd recomend gp32z.com

 

[KickinWing]

#1, read the FAQ, that will help you out tremendously.


If you want the best of the best, then buy a guaranteed 166mhz version of the GP32, most of the emus run fine at lower speed but if anything that was extreme dependent on 166mhz was released then you'd be fine.

As for apps. they're all good, look at the reviews and other threads about the different emulators and homebrew and make your decision based on the stuff you like to play.

 

[Amiable-Akuma]

OK, thanks guys, - just saw the FAQS and I'm defintely gonna be reading through all I can.

By the way, the main/only reason I would be buying the system is because I really just want to be able to play the old Gameboy Mono, the old Gameboy Color, and Neo Geo Pocket Mono/Color games well on one handheld...

How well does the GP32 emulate and run those above systems? Does it emulate them all perfectly at full-speed and sound? What's your experience with those? Appreciate it...

 

[LHC]

Gameboy Mono and Gameboy Color are full speed with sound. Neo Geo Pocket/ NGPC on the other hand are not. There is a NGPC emulator in production however, called fngp32 (and made by rlyeh), set to be released on "f day". "F day" is some time this year, although we cannot say when this will be.

 

[Amiable-Akuma]

^^^OK, yeah, that's fine. How are the controls for the Gameboy Mono/Color using the GP32?

For example, I've been playing GBM/GBC games on my PSP using the recently released Swaploit trick and I've been dissatisfied with the experience since the PSP's shiny buttons and size doesn't seem suited to 2D games where you have to press buttons continuously (like Warioworld, etc). It's uncomfortable for me anyway.

Also, yeah, I guess I undestand about the NGPC/NGP - as it runs slows as hell on the PSP too. Good to see there may be progress in the future. Though, I'll probably just buy a NGPC system to satisfy my craving for nostalgia (not sure why I sold it in the first place).

 

[DaveC]

^^^OK, yeah, that's fine.  How are the controls for the Gameboy Mono/Color using the GP32? 

For example, I've been playing GBM/GBC games on my PSP using the recently released Swaploit trick and I've been dissatisfied with the experience since the PSP's shiny buttons and size doesn't seem suited to 2D games where you have to press buttons continuously (like Warioworld, etc).  It's uncomfortable for me anyway.

Also, yeah, I guess I undestand about the NGPC/NGP - as it runs slows as hell on the PSP too.  Good to see there may be progress in the future.  Though, I'll probably just buy a NGPC system to satisfy my craving for nostalgia (not sure why I sold it in the first place).

​

If you get the GBAX 2005 preview release of the GB/GBC emu it is great pretty much full speed on most games. It plays very well with the digital stick and the buttons are very good on the GP32. Also try DrMD it is a fullspeed full sound Megadrive emu and it is amazing. I have heard complaints that the PSP pad has trouble hitting diagonals because it is too recessed in the center. I have not really had too much trouble but I play the real PSP titles and most use the analog. The GP32 is one of the best portables for ergonomics in my opinion.

I would wait for fday to see how good the NGPC/NGP emu turns out, you may not need a real unit if it is good.

GBAX is fine to buy from. They have been supplying GP32s to the scene for years.

 

[Amiable-Akuma]

^^^I appeciate the response and all the info. Yeah, I too, have no problem at all using the PSP for it's commercial games - it feels and works great, in that case. But for some reason, when I play certain emulated 2D titles like Bionic Commando, Warioland, etc it doesn't seem as intuitive.

It's hard to describe what the problem is exactly - but it does just seen notably less comfortable to play certain old games on the system versus playing them on their native system. I think because the PSP's D-pad is less flexible and because it's buttons aren't "soft". It largely changes game to game though - because for example, Super Punchout works fine. Maybe it's just games where you have to mash buttons constantly to "shoot" or "jump". The PSP buttons are different than the ones on the PS2 Dual Shock controller. They're more rigid therefore you begin to feel the sydrome I'm talking about when playing those old button masher titles.

 

[DaveC]

^^^I appeciate the response and all the info. Yeah, I too, have no problem at all using the PSP for it's commercial games - it feels and works great, in that case. But for some reason, when I play certain emulated 2D titles like Bionic Commando, Warioland, etc it doesn't seem as intuitive.

It's hard to describe what the problem is exactly - but it does just seen notably less comfortable to play certain old games on the system versus playing them on their native system. I think because the PSP's D-pad is less flexible and because it's buttons aren't "soft". It largely changes game to game though - because for example, Super Punchout works fine. Maybe it's just games where you have to mash buttons constantly to "shoot" or "jump". The PSP buttons are different than the ones on the PS2 Dual Shock controller. They're more rigid therefore you begin to feel the sydrome I'm talking about when playing those old button masher titles.

​

I will try to describe what the feel of the controls on the GP32 are like.

The buttons on the front are kind of like SNES buttons in feel, a hard plastic button over a soft rubber membrane, and they stick out far enough to press easily. The digital stick is alot like a NeoGeo Pocket, it is a joystick with microswitch contacts.

 

[KickinWing]

it is nothing like the neo geo pocket, the neo geo pocket, well at least mine is not as flimsy, its very tight and alot easier to use. The GP32s stick takes some time to get used to but once you do get used to it, you will love it.

EDIT: re read above post, it is the same concept, but not exactly like the GP32s, that is a misconception. I own both and can vouch, the Neo Geo pockets stick is easier to use.

 

[onionfrog]

The gp32 is a very comfortable machine...
The Dpad/Stick hybrid takes a bit of getting used too.. But I love It!

 

[tattooman]

You will get a better deal off eBay most likey and with extra stuff. Just get a Gp32 with some type of front of back light unless you want to play only in sun light...

 

[trooper]

You will get a better deal off eBay most likey and with extra stuff. Just get a Gp32 with some type of front of back light unless you want to play only in sun light...

​

He obviously wants a new unit.

Trooper

 

[alyinsanfran]

I haven't tried any other handhelds running emulators but after 6 months with my blu+ I'm a happy camper. It emulates so many systems it's out of control. I just filled my 128mb smc and had to get rid of Doom to make room for more roms ('course I have all the original carts... in my basement. Yeah, that's it, in my basement).
Browsing the 'net for an hour finding obscure old games and having a crack at them whenever I want, it's a hell of a lot of fun. At last count I had over 800 games on my GP. Really, what else could you want?
Get one. And a 128mb smc, and a card reader. You'll be good to go.
And welcome to the club!

 

[trooper]

I just filled my 128mb smc and had to get rid of Doom to make room for more roms ('course I have all the original carts... in my basement. Yeah, that's it, in my basement).

​

Can i see some proof.

Just one SMC ?, Mmmm, It may be wise for him to pick-up couple, As you can never have too many SMC`s.

Trooper

 

[DaveC]

Yeah I have 8 128 MB SMCs dedicated to emulators, 3 cards just for Megadrive alone (thanks Reesy ). There are more games here than I could play in a lifetime but it is fun to pick a system and explore new games (of course I have all of those original tapes and carts and arcade cabinets in a basement, ok it is a big basement, I just forgot how they played). Some of them, even with the simple graphics, are quite interesting in design. They are so different that any modern games that they aren't even the same thing anymore.

 

[alyinsanfran]

I just filled my 128mb smc and had to get rid of Doom to make room for more roms ('course I have all the original carts... in my basement. Yeah, that's it, in my basement).

​

Can i see some proof.

Just one SMC ?, Mmmm, It may be wise for him to pick-up couple, As you can never have too many SMC`s.

Trooper

​

Trust me... it's a biiiig basement. You're right, I gotta get another smc!
You know, that brings me to a question I'd like to pose:
Has anyone really ever been busted for owning (not distributing) roms? If so, has it been only for recent still-commercially-viable roms (PS2 etc). Or maybe only Nintendo (famously defensive of i.p. rights)?
There seems to be a standard "don't answer" reply when noobs ask where they can get 'em.
Why is this? Is it so that we can ensure the places we get them from continue to exist? Or is it misplaced paranoia? Either way it kind of makes sense, and I'm the last person to post urls for leeching. I'm not suggesting we alter the status quo.
But the question remains. Has anyone been busted?

 

[trooper]

I was kidding/joking on the proof part.

No, To your being busted for rom owning, Though i don`t let everyone know about it, Whether living in the uk makes any difference i couldn`t tell.

The unwanted posting of romz links is two fold:

1) It protects the identity of the site hosting the romz from legal action and being shut down, Thus protecting our personal resource to such media.

2) It protects the site we would post the link on (namely gp32x) from any unwanted attention and the risk of a big part of many of our lives (gp32x) being shut down too.

Trooper

 

[alyinsanfran]

I was kidding/joking on the proof part.

No, To your being busted for rom owning, Though i don`t let everyone know about it, Whether living in the uk makes any difference i couldn`t tell.

The unwanted posting of romz links is two fold:

1) It protects the identity of the site hosting the romz from legal action and being shut down, Thus protecting our personal resource to such media.

2) It protects the site we would post the link on (namely gp32x) from any unwanted attention and the risk of a big part of many of our lives (gp32x) being shut down too.

Trooper

​

Yeah that was my reason/s too, though it's good to hear it backed up.
I was just going with the flow.
I knew you were kidding/joking! Like I even have a basement.... this is California! I've used them as landfill to increase my land size and value! (Mind you, I had to dig out the 3 million copies of E.T. for the 2600 to find room for the house... trust me to build on the site of the great crash of '84's greatest stockpile). Obscure retro-geek joke there....I rent nowhere near 'Area 2600'