Retro VGS launched their funding campaign

[RHE]

I hope its going to happen and it looks good so far: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/retro-vgs#/story

Its currently at $22,786.00 USD

[Fudoh]

I don't get why they're going with a FPGA design. OK, I don't know which level of power they're eventually aiming at, but given the readily available solutions with an ARM core or x86 CPU (think NUC class PCs), the FPGA choice seems like a terrible decision in terms of power per $.

[ZellSF]

This seems like the Ouya to me. Except the Ouya ran on hopes and dreams. This runs on hopes, dreams and nostalgia.

The Ouya was also a lot cheaper.

[awry]

This is going to have a chintzy controller, mark my words.

[emphatic]

This is going to have a chintzy controller, mark my words.

Well, you could make your own controller really easy.

My thoughts so far:

RGB output and easy to make custom controllers, so ideal to add JAMMA to it and put inside an arcade cabinet. The FPGA, does this mean that it will emulate retro consoles including the platform the NG-DEV games mentioned are based on?

[o.pwuaioc]

This is going to have a chintzy controller, mark my words.

House built on sand...

More smoke and mirrors:


Their "prototype controller" playing a game on hardware that doesn't exist sure looks a lot like this:

[Ed Oscuro]

Now universally compatible with the Retro VGS too!

[BryanM]

This seems like the Ouya to me. Except the Ouya ran on hopes and dreams. This runs on hopes, dreams and nostalgia.

The Ouya was also a lot cheaper.

A generous assessment. I'd just summarily lump them all into the same category as the snuggie, Tae-Bo and the bacon genie. At least this one probably won't have such outright disdain for its customers.

Hey guys, want to get together and make our own console?

I'll do my part to fill out the library with such classics as ASCii Donkey Puncher 5000. It will be a tempest clone crossed with interactive novel.

Why does that sound more interesting than Tiny Knight does : (

[ZellSF]

The thread linked to earlier is interesting. kevtris made some criticism of the project and now Retro VGS says they want to look for cores elsewhere (they were planning on working with kevtris).

[MR_Soren]

I thought the concept was interesting. I've wanted something like this to exist. A cartridge-based console that hooks up to modern televisions. I think some of the criticisms are a bit unfair.

I don't get why they're going with a FPGA design. OK, I don't know which level of power they're eventually aiming at, but given the readily available solutions with an ARM core or x86 CPU (think NUC class PCs), the FPGA choice seems like a terrible decision in terms of power per $.

My understanding is that they are using an ARM processor and an FPGA. The assumption is that most games will be programmed to run on the ARM processor, but the FPGA could be programmed to add enhancements similar to the the add-on chips found in games such as Virtua Racing or StarFox - except that the chip won't have to be put inside every cartridge. I've never worked with an FPGA before, but it sounds fascinating.

The FPGA, does this mean that it will emulate retro consoles including the platform the NG-DEV games mentioned are based on?

The NG-Dev Team games will be ported to the ARM processor according to a comment on the funding site. I find it rather encouraging that the NG Dev Team sees the value in this along with some other developers.

I doubt that the FPGA will be powerful enough to replicate Dreamcast or Neo Geo, but the stretch goals hope to make it powerful enough to replicate at least the NES. This would supposedly allow NES code to run on the Retro VGS if the FPGA was programmed to behave like an NES. Not sure how difficult it would be to adequately do that or how well it would actually perform. Also not sure if the NES core will be made available to developers or if every developer porting NES code to the Retro VGS has to program the FPGA from scratch. I hope that SNES and Genesis are also options.

Their "prototype controller" playing a game on hardware that doesn't exist sure looks a lot like this:

They said they were using an existing controller manufacturer who was going to make branded controllers for the Retro VGS, so I guess now we know who the manufacturer is. The real question is whether or not that Wii U controller is a good controller? If it is, the Retro VGS will likely have a good controller too. Plus it sounds like you'll be able to make or buy just about anything and use it.

As for playing on hardware that doesn't exist, the game is likely running on a PC that is being used for development. Pretty typical.



I backed the Ouya and then canceled my support after thinking about it and realizing that it sounded like a bad idea. I was surprised to later see one in stores. Retro VGS sounds more appealing to me than the Ouya, and they have more to show than Ouya did when their kickstarter launched. They seem to have experienced people working on the project. I like the idea that you will be able to hook it to a PC via USB and do game development. If the tools are well-designed, this could be a joy to develop for.

My main concern is a lack of information. How powerful is it? I'm not getting a strong sense of what it can do. They said 2D and early 3D. So are we looking at a cartridge-based PS1 or a single-screen Nintendo DS? Why the high price point for a machine running an ARM processor? You can buy an Nintendo DS or 3DS for less, and that includes screens and speakers. It seems like it should be pretty powerful for $300.

How well is it going to support a variety of controllers? Will the controller mapping software add input lag to the games? How do you open the system menu to map the controller when using a random device plugged into the 9-pin connector? Do you have to remap controllers every time you turn the system on?

Will upscaling a 320x224 NTSC game to 1080p introduce display lag?


CRTs and retro consoles that work well are going to run out. Something modern that functions like the classic consoles would be awesome. I want this to be a success and have enough users to make game development worthwhile. They really need a working prototype, no stretch goals that add functionality (people need to know what they are plunking down money for), and some examples of games actually running on the prototype. I like what is being promised, but I can't toss money at this until I see something.

I feel like they started the campaign too soon, and the price is too high for what you get. I can get a retron 5 with an ARM processor for $140 in stores all across the country. If you take away four cartridge slots and add an FPGA, should the price be more than double?