Pocket MD and Pocket Boy ~ Hand Held Game Engine

Koa Zo · Post by **Koa Zo** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 3:32 am

Are Nomads and Game Axes obsolete?

2.7 inch TFT widescreen ~ in an image in the linked article above, it appears cartridge games will be displayed in original aspect ratio.
On the back of the box it appears there may be some new games which take advantage of the wide display.

It also looks like there isn't any two player capability. So I guess Nomad still has an edge.

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 4:57 am

About dang time, if it has good emulation, that is.

Now if only they'll do the same for the Game Gear.

Also, Nomad has TV-out, another edge.

D · Post by D » Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:44 am

Awesome
So what is the screen like
bump
more info please.

Fenrir · Post by **Fenrir** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:08 am

Nomad could have an edge, but it's still a battery whore, it's huuuuuuuge (lynx in comparison is a GB micro) and heavy and the passive matrix screen is a pain.
Mind you, I've got one. But doesn't feel so fresh anymore.

But we're still looooong behind. Those hybrid handhelds aren't the real deal yet.

Koa Zo · Post by **Koa Zo** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 12:28 pm

Ed, these little doo-dads have AV out as well.

Though, everything Fenrir mentioned is right-on... the Nomad is kind of lame.

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 12:36 pm

I suppose a custom firmware psp-2000 makes all of this obsolete? unless for some reason you really want to play with your own carts...

Koa Zo · Post by **Koa Zo** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 1:33 pm

Turrican wrote:I suppose a custom firmware psp-2000 makes all of this obsolete? unless for some reason you really want to play with your own carts...

I like carts.

There's a certain romanticism with clicking and interchanging carts that will never be replicated by emulation.

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 1:53 pm

Koa Zo wrote:
Turrican wrote:I suppose a custom firmware psp-2000 makes all of this obsolete? unless for some reason you really want to play with your own carts...
I like carts.

There's a certain romanticism with clicking and interchanging carts that will never be replicated by emulation.

I totally understand you

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 4:27 pm

The NEC PC-GT and the NEC Turbo Express are notoious for being battery guzzlers as well. They can drain six "AA" batteries in about three hours or so. Makes logical sense to have an A/C adapter handy if you do plan to play on it for any lengthy period of time. ^_~

It's nice to have the ability to play those cool JPN PCE games with the appropiate Hu-Card convertor on a TE unit. The Kisado convertors stick out too much...it is better to use the smaller and more compact Hu-Card convertor as they take up less valuable "real estate" anyways. ^_~

NEC had oriignally planned to have the production model of it's PC-GT handheld with TV output but that idea was axed. The prototype PC-GT handheld does have the highly touted TV output via 75ohm output TV anntenna jack but no composite video output jack.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 4:36 pm

Koa Zo wrote:Ed, these little doo-dads have AV out as well.

I had a feeling I was gonna hear that.

One other failing of these old systems (Nomad, GG, PC-GT) is the highly audible electronic whine (noise) in the sound.

I end up using these systems when I'm in a settled situation (like on vacation); it doesn't make sense to me to be banging around an old Genesis cartridge in a pocket. I use the wall plug for all three systems and TV-output when possible.

But still, having the proper control setup and perfectly accurate gaming means that these slimline-design handhelds have a ways to go. The energy savings, region freedom, and much better screens nearly turn things around, though.

Koa Zo · Post by **Koa Zo** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 5:45 pm

Ed Oscuro wrote: The energy savings, region freedom, and much better screens nearly turn things around, though.

I think region freedom has yet to be determined.
That is a big factor in the appeal to me.
At $40-50 I'll likely buy them, but if they can't play Genesis carts, then I will be a lot less interested.

Right now, there is a used Pocket MD on eBay from SAFJ for $120.
...the article linked in the original post shows the Pocket Boy priced at ~ 3900 yen.

Specineff · Post by **Specineff** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 7:26 pm

Koa Zo wrote:
Turrican wrote:I suppose a custom firmware psp-2000 makes all of this obsolete? unless for some reason you really want to play with your own carts...
I like carts.

There's a certain romanticism with clicking and interchanging carts that will never be replicated by emulation.

Guess I'll just get a bunch of 32MB memsticks and load a rom in each. With custom mini-label.

To quote Sethsez: Fuck systems. I play games. on my PSP

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 7:49 pm

Specineff wrote:
Koa Zo wrote:
Turrican wrote:I suppose a custom firmware psp-2000 makes all of this obsolete? unless for some reason you really want to play with your own carts...
I like carts.

There's a certain romanticism with clicking and interchanging carts that will never be replicated by emulation.
Guess I'll just get a bunch of 32MB memsticks and load a rom in each. With custom mini-label.

To quote Sethsez: Fuck systems. I play games. on my PSP

Lol...most retail places don't even sell those Sony 32MB Memory Pro Duo cards anymore. Nice touch with the custom mini labels. Yeah, it's nice to play MVS and CPS1/CPS2 games on the ol' PSP with CFW. ^_~

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:00 pm

PC Engine Fan X! wrote:Lol...most retail places don't even sell those Sony 32MB Memory Pro Duo cards anymore.

Yeah, they're up to 32GB now.

I'm guessing he means buy 'em online; of course, I'd look for something bigger, like 64 or 128 MB. I picked up a few 128MB microSDs a while ago and they were very, very cheap. Sony sticks will probably not be terribly more expensive.

As a side note, the big old MMC cards seem quite expensive still, because they aren't made anymore and some old devices require them.

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:15 pm

Ed Oscuro wrote:
PC Engine Fan X! wrote:Lol...most retail places don't even sell those Sony 32MB Memory Pro Duo cards anymore.
Yeah, they're up to 32GB now.

I'm guessing he means buy 'em online; of course, I'd look for something bigger, like 64 or 128 MB. I picked up a few 128MB microSDs a while ago and they were very, very cheap. Sony sticks will probably not be terribly more expensive.

As a side note, the big old MMC cards seem quite expensive still, because they aren't made anymore and some old devices require them.

What retailers sell the 32GB Sony/Sandisk Memory Stick Pro Duo cards nowdays and how much do they go for? ^_~

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:36 pm

Bah, that's Sony for you, about a year behind the ball. Plans to release them later this year.

I already have a 32-GB e-Sata drive, of course that's an entirely different form factor.

shmups.system11.org

Pocket MD and Pocket Boy ~ Hand Held Game Engine

Pocket MD and Pocket Boy ~ Hand Held Game Engine

Re: Pocket MD and Pocket Boy ~ Hand Held Game Engine