GP2X - Arcade/Console Shmups on the go!

Sizor · Post by **Sizor** » Fri May 04, 2007 6:17 pm

Hey, was just wondering what you guys think of the GP2X. Does anyone else have one?

I've had my GP2X for about 8 months now, and I still use it all the time. It's great to be able to play shmups in between classes, when I've got nothing else to do. I mostly use the CPS-2 and MAME emulators for shmups, but I find myself playing SNES/Genesis games a lot also (Portable Megaman X/X2/X3 is awesome!).

I have two complaints with the system, however... First is the lack of Wi-Fi, which would make for some interesting development possibilities, but I mainly use it for quick gaming sessions when I'm waiting around, so it's not such a big deal. Second, is the lack of a rechargeable battery. I kind of have mixed feelings about this though, because if it came with a built-in battery, I wouldn't be able to swap it out when it died, as I can do with rechargeable AAs. It's just a bit annoying to have to carry spare AAs around.

If you're not familiar with the GP2X, take a look at these...

Play-Asia link: http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-44r ... -1rsb.html
YouTube links: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_q ... rch=Search
List of Emulators and other software for the GP2X: http://wiki.gp2x.org/wiki/Software_Directory#Emulators

If you're looking at the YouTube videos, it's better to look for more recent videos as development for the GP2X is pretty fast and apps keep getting better and better. This is especially true with emulators, just because of the amount of interest in them.

Anyway, what do you guys think of yours? I'm in love with mine, and have it with me almost all the time. I usually lose interest in portable consoles after a few months, but I can't see that happening to my GP2X any time soon. With the fact that anyone can develop software for it, the free content that keeps rolling in has me hooked.

segasonicfan · Post by **segasonicfan** » Fri May 04, 2007 9:24 pm

I love mine. I came up with some mods to improve it too

Got the joystick controls fixed, better audio output on the MK1, and less interference on the MK1 screen. Even without the mods it's a kickass system though.

-Segasonicfan

KBZ · Post by **KBZ** » Sat May 05, 2007 3:23 am

I still need to send mine to you for the mod :p

I really enjoy having mine around. It was more or less just a metal slug machine for me during the first few months, but now I really enjoy playing Snatcher for Sega CD on it. I just ordered the tvout cable too.

Wifi and built in batter would be interesting, but would driver the price up like crazy. Let's not forget that GPH needs to make a PROFIT on each unit sold. And at $180, that's a good deal for what you get. What would be a sick idea is a link cable for some head to head emu gaming. Probably wouldn't cost too much to make, but might not sell very well?

gonna go eat some buffalo right now..

Sizor · Post by **Sizor** » Sat May 05, 2007 5:47 pm

Link cable would be interesting, but I only know one other person who has a GP2X, and it was only because he saw mine. I'd mainly want Wi-Fi for online play.

You're right about the cost of Wi-Fi/Built in battery though. GPH definitely can't produce the same number of units as the PSP/DS, and probably can't really afford to try to keep up with Nintendo/Sony, as far as hardware features go.

I've read that some have plugged a battery-powered USB hub into their GP2X (the USB port on the GP2X doesn't give power, so battery-powered is necessary) and then attached a USB Wi-Fi adapter to that. I'm not sure if they wrote their own drivers, but they probably would've had to. Even so, I haven't seen any apps that support anything like that, so I don't know what they did with it. It was probably just to show that it could be done.

KBZ · Post by **KBZ** » Sun May 06, 2007 7:38 am

new cradle is out! http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-d1- ... -1f8w.html

http://gbax.com/cradle.jpg

I'm gonna pick this up for sure. This will work out to be a sweet emutainment centre for my living room with 2 usb joysticks and an external usb HDD.

It's a good day for the gp!

on another topic, had anyone tried that dpad mod that uses the NGAGE QD dpad? Or maybe just have experience with that dpad?

peace,

King.

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Sun May 06, 2007 7:58 am

lol, USB keyboard...that's wild. Too bad they don't make USB monitors though

KBZ · Post by **KBZ** » Sun May 06, 2007 5:51 pm

did you not notice that it has s-video out?

segasonicfan · Post by **segasonicfan** » Sun May 06, 2007 5:59 pm

omfg that cradle is awesome...I need to get one! Still looking for a damn replacement screen for my GP2X though

Anybody know where I can find one at a good price?

I'm so amazed with how well the emulation is coming along. I mean CPS2 and Sega CD...I NEVER saw that coming. I'm so so so glad I traded my PSP for this baby.

Also about the built in battery thing: I'm very happy they didn't do this. With a built in Li-Ion you are screwed if the battery dies (which it does on these systems after 4-6 hours usually, same with the PSP). however, I don't want to shell out another $40-$50 just for a spare battery. This way I just keep a spare set of AAs in my pocket and I'm good for the day

Also, built-in batteries rarely have the same power capacity as a nice pair of AAs. This is done to cut costs and make more money on spare batt sales IMO. Just look at the PSP battery, it's 3.6v and something like 850mah? A pair of AAs will give you 3.6v with 2650mah if you get the new duracells. Even the shitty ones are 2000mah.

So yeah, I opt for AA batts all the way ^_^

-Segasonicfan

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Sun May 06, 2007 7:25 pm

Kingbuzzo wrote:did you not notice that it has s-video out?

Nope. That's cool!

KBZ · Post by **KBZ** » Sun May 06, 2007 9:36 pm

Maybe we can mod it for rgb out :p

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Sun May 06, 2007 9:43 pm

Kingbuzzo wrote:Maybe we can mod it for rgb out :p

haha yeah

People better start making DVI connectors for these cradles and things...

Sizor · Post by **Sizor** » Sun May 06, 2007 11:43 pm

Hmm. I don't know how much use I'd really get out of it, but that cradle is tempting. Thanks for the link.

segasonicfan · Post by **segasonicfan** » Mon May 07, 2007 12:15 am

People better start making DVI connectors for these cradles and things...

I reeeeally doubt it has RGB output through the serial connector. It's possible I suppose but the S-video cable doesn't seem to be large enough to have an encoder inside it so I think it just pulls the Y/C output from the system.

I should definitely work on getting some RGB output though, it should be very possible assuming the screen lines aren't all digital and all the chroma encoding isn't done within the main CPU. Then again, both of these things could be entirely possible :/

-Segasonicfan

iatneH · Post by **iatneH** » Mon May 07, 2007 1:28 am

Oh wow I want that cradle. Gotta find some crap to sell!