zektor
Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2006
- Messages
- 359
- Age
- 49
Before I begin, let me start by saying that I am not completely new to the GP2X. I was an owner of the original model about two years ago. While I did like the GP2X then, there were some things that I did not. It kind of felt cheap to me, although I quickly got past that factor. The controller was absolutely terrible IMHO...and I could never really get over THAT. I played with it for quite some time before simply giving up and selling it off...moving on to other devices.
After only recently hearing that a new model was released, I decided to re-visit the old GP2X. The pad looked a helluva lot better, the white color was nice, and the inclusion of the touch screen seemed to seal the deal for me.
I ordered the F200 only this past Saturday, and I am still not sure how the hell it arrived on my doorstep this morning. I live in NJ, and GP2X Store is in CA. Holy cow. Way to go GP2X Store!
Anyway, Got home from work and eagerly opened the package. It was nice to see that GP2X Store also included a card reader...although I didn't order one
The system is built VERY well. I didn't expect that. I think I was kind of expecting it to be kind of cheap...not building myself up for anything in other words. But no, it is built solid. Let me put it this way: I have purchased PSP Slim units in which the QC was not as good as this out of the box. I am truly impressed.
I booted up and tried the stylus for a second. Ehh, no...I think I'll be using my wife's spare DS stylus for this one Not that it is bad, but telescoping styli are just not my cup of tea.
The system's menus are not what I remember, of course due to the new firmware. It is not bad, but kind of seems like GPC are trying to cater to a wider crowd of folks that do not want to play with settings or something. It just seems lacking. I can't find any screen adjustment settings at all...but maybe I am missing something? I also say the earlier due to the fact that the system just "creates" folders for you on the SD card when you enter certain aspects of the menus (ie: enter "game", get a "game" folder). Not a big deal (kind of used to it as the PSP does the same thing when you format a card from within it), and I am sure that newcomers will find the simplicity appealing.
The sound is clear and loud. I remember the old model was loud too, but this is just so much clearer. It sounds absolutely fantastic. The only other device that *might* sound better than this that I have ever owned was the Zodiac.
The controller. I think this is a matter of personal opinion. I can now see why people say you either "love it or hate it"...as it is more of four buttons than a controller. Me? I love it! I popped in a card chock full of emulators and games and played literally for three hours straight. I was able to pull off moves in games as if I were playing with the original controller. I don't know what it is, but I jumped into this controller just perfectly. It is very responsive, and I can finally get into the games on the device.
The buttons are equally good. These buttons are better than my PSP buttons, hands down. It always seems difficult for me to play shmups on the PSP, as the buttons feel mushy. These buttons are great. Much better imho.
The USB function works, although I experience the same problem dozens of others do regarding having to shut down and reboot to get out of the USB screen. Screw it. I'll just use my card reader like I always did anyway.
Videos: As expected, it works great. I popped on a few DivX "Quantum Leap" episodes. Ahh, what a great show!
Battery life: Well, I have Duracell 2650's, and they've been on a charge since Saturday. I played with the unit for a total of four hours, with the battery bar only decreasing by one notch. Either the battery bar is not accurate, the battery life is great, or my batteries are We'll see as the days go by, but so far so good!
Everything I tested works. I tested only about half a dozen emulators...from a very old backed up disc I had from the heyday. I will of course be scouring the downloads, updating and testing over the next week (on vacation...thank god!) but compatibility so far seems solid.
That's all for my mini-review. Two big thumbs up for the new F200 model.
After only recently hearing that a new model was released, I decided to re-visit the old GP2X. The pad looked a helluva lot better, the white color was nice, and the inclusion of the touch screen seemed to seal the deal for me.
I ordered the F200 only this past Saturday, and I am still not sure how the hell it arrived on my doorstep this morning. I live in NJ, and GP2X Store is in CA. Holy cow. Way to go GP2X Store!
Anyway, Got home from work and eagerly opened the package. It was nice to see that GP2X Store also included a card reader...although I didn't order one
The system is built VERY well. I didn't expect that. I think I was kind of expecting it to be kind of cheap...not building myself up for anything in other words. But no, it is built solid. Let me put it this way: I have purchased PSP Slim units in which the QC was not as good as this out of the box. I am truly impressed.I booted up and tried the stylus for a second. Ehh, no...I think I'll be using my wife's spare DS stylus for this one
Not that it is bad, but telescoping styli are just not my cup of tea.The system's menus are not what I remember, of course due to the new firmware. It is not bad, but kind of seems like GPC are trying to cater to a wider crowd of folks that do not want to play with settings or something. It just seems lacking. I can't find any screen adjustment settings at all...but maybe I am missing something? I also say the earlier due to the fact that the system just "creates" folders for you on the SD card when you enter certain aspects of the menus (ie: enter "game", get a "game" folder). Not a big deal (kind of used to it as the PSP does the same thing when you format a card from within it), and I am sure that newcomers will find the simplicity appealing.
The sound is clear and loud. I remember the old model was loud too, but this is just so much clearer. It sounds absolutely fantastic. The only other device that *might* sound better than this that I have ever owned was the Zodiac.
The controller. I think this is a matter of personal opinion. I can now see why people say you either "love it or hate it"...as it is more of four buttons than a controller. Me? I love it! I popped in a card chock full of emulators and games and played literally for three hours straight. I was able to pull off moves in games as if I were playing with the original controller. I don't know what it is, but I jumped into this controller just perfectly. It is very responsive, and I can finally get into the games on the device.
The buttons are equally good. These buttons are better than my PSP buttons, hands down. It always seems difficult for me to play shmups on the PSP, as the buttons feel mushy. These buttons are great. Much better imho.
The USB function works, although I experience the same problem dozens of others do regarding having to shut down and reboot to get out of the USB screen. Screw it. I'll just use my card reader like I always did anyway.
Videos: As expected, it works great. I popped on a few DivX "Quantum Leap" episodes. Ahh, what a great show!
Battery life: Well, I have Duracell 2650's, and they've been on a charge since Saturday. I played with the unit for a total of four hours, with the battery bar only decreasing by one notch. Either the battery bar is not accurate, the battery life is great, or my batteries are
We'll see as the days go by, but so far so good!Everything I tested works. I tested only about half a dozen emulators...from a very old backed up disc I had from the heyday. I will of course be scouring the downloads, updating and testing over the next week (on vacation...thank god!) but compatibility so far seems solid.
That's all for my mini-review. Two big thumbs up for the new F200 model.
