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GP2X: No need for PSP homebrew

KDR_11k
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KDR_11k polycounter lvl 18
http://gp2x.co.uk/

Looking sweet and does everything many geeks use their PSP for (videos, MP3, emulation). Sure, it has no commercial game support lined up right now but doesn't look to me like a lack of games is a problem for the PSP, either.

The thing is completely open and ships with Linux preinstalled. Means no exploits that will stop working with the next firmware revision needed to get homebrew running. And it does what many wish the PSP could do, plug into a TV and put its picture on there.

It costs 125 GBP, I don't think that's much more than what you pay for a PSP.

Granted, you could probably do most of the same with a flashed DS but hey, it's still neat.

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  • rooster
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    rooster mod
    I was checking its specs out today, looks interesting. It'll only be as good as it's community/developer support of course- Ill get one when/if it'll run a bunch of emulators flawlessly, but only then.
  • Ramucho
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    Ramucho polycounter lvl 18
    well developing little games for it could be really fun!, I also like the design, but the screen being too big (320*240!)i'm fearing scratches and dead pixels.
  • JKMakowka
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    JKMakowka polycounter lvl 18
    I already preordered one from www.gp2x.de for 165€ (special preorder price).

    It really is the best portable console in my oppinion, and I wouldn't worry about support for the homebrew and emulation:
    As it is the successor to the GP32 (which has about any emulator available for it that is thinkable), all of the major developers already confirmed that they will also programm for the GP2X (and many of the Dreamcast homebrew programmers make also the switch).
    Some of them even got a free devkit from the company already, and the first programms are expected to be available at launch.
    (and maybe commercial games will also be available on the webportal, as seen with the GP32 already.)

    @Ramucho: It is the same screen as it was used in the GP32 which is extremly nice and fast (no ghosting as with the PSP) and dead pixels are almost unheared of. It is also protected by extra hardened plastic cover (which is also replacable), so I wouldn't worry about scraches.
    It also has the perfect size for emulation and movies (which arn't widescreen) as it is a real 4:3 ratio, which makes the actually screen-size when displaying a 4:3 input bigger than the PSP.

    For movies its biggest feature is that you can just put any movie on the SD (up until now max of 4GB is available) and play it without the need to reencode it! And that is either on the screen at 320x240 or on the TV at full DVD quality.

    So get one while they last, since the initial shipment is supposed to be limited, and the next big wave isn't expected until christmas.
  • rooster
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    rooster mod
    I also read elsewhere that the gp32 had plenty of emulators, but I'm a little sceptical of how well they run and how good the compatibility with roms is. Have you seen the gp32 playing emus, and if so how well do they actually work? It's something I'll certainly keep an eye on, but I'm only interested once it's proven its worth. The idea is definately cool
  • JKMakowka
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    JKMakowka polycounter lvl 18
    I own a GP32, and it varies from emulator to emulator.

    There is for exampe a Sega Genesis/Megadrive emulator that runs fullspeed on nearly all games with perfect sound and is compatible to about 95-99% of all roms. In other words it is perfect smile.gif

    Snes on the other hand runs ok on the GP32 but it is a lot less perfect, but that console is expected to run perfectly on the GP2X since it was mostly a speed issue smile.gif

    Overall the emulators for the GP32 are really good, but there are of course limits, since the GP32 is quite slow, and lesser known or hard to emulate machines do have some flaws.

    But I wouldn't really worry about that for the GP2X, atleast if you wait half a year before buying, since initial ports might be have a few more bugs.

    P.S.: www.gp32x.com is a great resource for both the GP32 and the GP2X
  • Ramucho
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    Ramucho polycounter lvl 18
    you're a good advertiser JK cuz' im seriously thinking to get one mainly to try developping on it, still not sure tho, do you know anything specific about the SDK? or even if they're are easy game making possibilities (game makers and stuff)?
  • JKMakowka
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    JKMakowka polycounter lvl 18
    smile.gif Don't get me wrong, I just happen to like the device.
    Oh and it is made by a real 'underdog', so that's worth supporting, too wink.gif

    Concerning the SDK:

    I don't think there will be game makers, unless someone programms one of course.
    But developing for the GP2X is made quite easy by the use of SDL (which is officially supported) and Fenix will probably be ported to it also.

    Edit: Check this site for a french forum: http://www.gp32france.com/
  • Snowfly
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    Snowfly polycounter lvl 18
    Nice PC/Linux/PPC 2D game middleware. $15!

    www.game-editor.com

    The interface is crude but it's really powerful.
  • JKMakowka
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    JKMakowka polycounter lvl 18
    That looks nice Snowfly.
    And yes that could probably work very well on the GP2X, it is just a question if it supports ARM CPUs.
  • Dravalen
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    Dravalen polycounter lvl 18
    I don't like how it runs on regular batteries, I really like to not have to worry about buying new batteries/rechargeable ones.
  • Ramucho
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    Ramucho polycounter lvl 18
    oh thanks again! from what I understand they mainly use C to code and simply compile the code with an arm compiler. Not really a coding geek (only have some Veeeeeeery basic c++ knowledge) just hope they'll have an extensive documentation for the Sdk.
  • rooster
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    rooster mod
    I actually reckon that AAs are better than lith-ion, you could buy 4 rechargable batteries and a charger, and keep 2 charging while you use the others. Then just swap them over when the juice runs out and keep going. Lith-ion batteries gradually lose their capacity, so the AA option could be the most future-proof.
  • JKMakowka
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    JKMakowka polycounter lvl 18
    It not only not most future proof, but also the most mobile option.
    What if your build-in battery is empty on the go? You could of course buy a replacement battery (but those are more expensive than two more rechargable AA), but with AA support you can just get a few AA at the next shop / tankstop etc, or even carry a buch of them with you since they are really cheap.

    @Ramucho: Don't expect a really extensive documentation from the company, since they are quite small (and from Korea tongue.gif )
    But since most of the documentation for Linux coding should be compatible, and the community is really helpful, it shouldn't be much of a problem, right?
  • JKMakowka
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    JKMakowka polycounter lvl 18
    Ok short update.

    This is a really nice FAQ:
    http://www.emuboards.com/invision/index.php?act=ST&f=62&t=24174&st=0

    And this a picture of the black unit (only this one will be availabe at launch):
    http://www.gpx2.com/pds_data_eng/gp2x_real.jpg
  • rooster
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    rooster mod
    been reading a bit lately about how it has DRM, which has got a few people concerned. Wonder how this might affect its use, or if it is merely intended to let people play DRM protcted files..
  • JKMakowka
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    JKMakowka polycounter lvl 18
    To be honest, that really is a bit cheesy, and no real clarification has been made by the company about that.
    The lastest word was that it is used to make sure DRM protected MP3s are playable on the GP2x, and I guess it is also used to protect possible commercial games (or better not to scare away potential commercial developers).

    But GameparkHoldings would be stupid to do anything else with it, and since one of the main supporters of the GP32 homebrew scene had a word in the design of the GP2x and always confirmed that it will be perfect for homebrew and emulators, I have some confidence.
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