The "What are you playing now?" Thread

[Walter White]

A quick search, it looks like there is a adapters to usb for virtually all old controllers. N64, NES/SNES, Ps1/Ps2, etc.

With that information, how easy does that translate to emulation through a computer? Is there software that can easily plug and play with the proper controllers? Would there be a bad lag between the controller, the computer, and then hooking it up to the tv as well? Or is there a custom emulator console somewhere that actually uses usb's for that purpose and plugs right into the tv, and is modded to account for lag problems?

I know what I'm looking for is possible. I just don't know where to look. I don't even necessarily need the later generations, but an actual decent computer definitely has the power to do it.

I'm fine with SNES or NES retro console knock off as I really just want to play the Mario games authentic as possible as I never have yet. But the dream is playing all games up to Ps1/N64 (maybe to Ps2), through a console (likely computer) where you can plug in any systems original controller and it works perfectly well and feels original. Like I said, through adapters to a computer is probably best way, but I don't know if any software can or has done it to where it would actually work smoothly.

 

[Walter White]

Yep, and it's crazy to think that Nintendo would make a system that was so hush-hush moddable. I mean, it's basically a more powerful RPi3 with a very good graphics controller (for some reason?).



Very smooth.

The SNES clover emulator is actually better than Snes9x, it's very spot on for most SNES games. But for those that don't work, you can just use Snes9x.

For NES emulation, you'll use FCEmu by default as part of (lib)RetroArch, it's seamless, works flawlessly, and you have shader support, so, make the games look however you like.

For Genesis emulation, you've got the full gamut, including Sega CD, 32X and even 32X-CD. I had Snatcher up just the other night.

Turbo Grafix-16 works perfectly, including Turbo Duo -- just played Castlevania - Dracula X: Rondo of Blood, and it was perfect.

Higher end consoles are decent. Saturn is a bit choppy in Panzer Dragoon 1 & 2, PlayStation seems to work really well, and N64 is hit or miss with graphics glitches but this is where the SNES Mini beats out the RPi3 as it has a capable graphics processor.

Also, just recently I've gotten DOS and Amiga games running on the SNES.. I could probably even boot Windows 98 SE pretty easily, and maybe Windows XP (not that I would).



You can't really go wrong with an RPi3. The only benefit of the SNES is the simplicity, and how it works. There's the on/off button, and the reset button, and it's very accessible. To mod it, there's tons of tutorials or I could just walk you through it -- however, with the RPi3, you really have no limitations, but... technically speaking, the SNES Mini IS an RPi3, it just has better 3D capabilities. So, there isn't a ton of distinction here, however, it's much easier to boot up a full Linux distro on an RPi3 than it is on an SNES, but, you could if you wanted to.



It can run some Steam games that are Linux compatible, yes. You could also stream them, but I would not recommend this solution.. The recent Moonlight build works through the browser context, which, IMHO, sucks. It works well enough, don't get me wrong, but the overhead is very high and I'd have preferred a standalone solution. I get why they went this route though.

For game streaming, you're much better off spending the extra $80 and getting a Nvidia Shield. The fucking thing is amazing and would be better at Linux-based games.

Also, the Shield can do everything we're talking about, and much much more.... If you want to play modern games, get the Shield.



Retropie and Kodi play from the RPi3... but you can also play them from a Shield.

If you have a gaming PC, and only want a single device, and you wanna stream something that your RPi3 can't handle (like PS2 games or modern games) then get a Shield (assuming you have a Nvidia 9xx-series or better graphics card).

Thank you dude. Amazing information. I might be asking you more questions the more I look into it. I'm just trying to find a solution that can fit everything I want or is the easiest. One of the two.

 

[gourimoko]

Thank you dude. Amazing information. I might be asking you more questions the more I look into it. I'm just trying to find a solution that can fit everything I want or is the easiest. One of the two.

Right on bro..

FWIW, if ease of use is important... I'd go with the SNES Mini Classic which is a collectors item, and everyone loves looking at the thing. It also comes with two VERY short but perfect controllers (man are they short). But, if I wanted any kind of streaming, I'd go with the Shield.. Without a doubt. Or you could just get both, which, is what I did.... But you can't go wrong with either.

The RPi3 though, it's the most customizable of the lot out of the box, but all three are Linux boxes of varying customizability.

 

[Walter White]

I'd go with the SNES Mini Classic

Quick questions. Is there an HDMI plug in or just AV? Can you save progress? And when you mod in Playstation or N64, you use the SNES controller?

The knock off SNES classic are AV only and you can't save progress. Just wondered if the actual ones were like that. The knock offs do come with more games though.

 

[gourimoko]

Quick questions. Is there an HDMI plug in or just AV?

HDMI, and the upscaling is GREAT. I'm playing on both a 1080p and a 4k 65" set and it genuinely looks good!

Can you save progress?

Yes, even unmodded, the the Clover emulator that comes with the SNES Classic supports save states. You can mod and use the keys (Down+Select) to return to the menu and save state. You also get battery backups as well.

And when you mod in Playstation or N64, you use the SNES controller?

I do use the SNES controller mostly yes, but you can use the Wii Classic Gamepad and the Wii Classic Gamepad Pro too.

Don't buy the Hori wireless controller tho -- it fucking SUCKS!

But keep in mind, a lot of people are using other 3rd party controllers after they've modded, and you can also use a mouse and keyboard.

The knock off SNES classic are AV only and you can't save progress.

Fuck that, that's crazy!

Just wondered if the actual ones were like that. The knock offs do come with more games though.

Without any additional hardware you can get 300MB of space to store as many ROMS as you want within that limitation.. You don't need anything to mod the SNES. So in 15 minutes you could get hundreds of games on your console, without changing it much at all...

I'm using an external USB for storage now though... Pretty much turned it into my one stop shop for emulation, especially since it's portable enough to take with me to friends house, etc.

 

[ChicagoCavFan]

I think Gour should just build us each a turnkey system and ship it to us.

Really though, can you point me to links on where to get these items, and which are best? I've googled things like this and get frustrated due to not knowing what works, is easy to build and has what I'm looking for.

 

[cavman]

Any of you guys play path of exile?

 

[Walter White]

I think Gour should just build us each a turnkey system and ship it to us.

Really though, can you point me to links on where to get these items, and which are best? I've googled things like this and get frustrated due to not knowing what works, is easy to build and has what I'm looking for.

I know right!

I've done extensive research the last like 3 days. Watched tons of videos.

I think the best option is going with Raspberry Pi 3, although I'm currently researching if there is better single board computers. After that, it's a matter of finding the emulation software you prefer, and I think it comes down to preference. Retropie, Recalbox, and Lakka are the main three I've found up to this point. Right now I'm leaning toward Lakka, even though I like the visual interface of the other ones a bit better. But I think it's possible to even try out multiple ones if you download them on separate SD cards and you can just swap the cards out. Or obviously just all on a computer.

So for me, right now it's just a matter of making it happen in the cheapest way possible. They sell the kits that come with case, hardware, cables, controllers, power source and software for like $100-150 depending on the size of the SD card. But the thing is, I'd rather choose the software or controllers for myself.

I think those prices are fair because I've seen how much it costs to buy everything separately and it's about the same. However, I'd rather not spend that much right now so I'm trying to find a way to get it cheaper. I'm aiming for like 50-70 bucks, but that might be hard to pull off.

But another thing I like about it is that you can play with any controller, which fits what I want. Over time, I could eventually add USB versions of all the controllers or even use adapters for original controllers. Like NES, SNES, Sega, Atari, N64, and Ps1 controllers etc. That flexibility is really nice.


The most cheap way to do it I'm guessing is to download emulation software to your computer/laptop. From there, I think you really just need to buy the controllers you want. And assuming you already have an HDMI cable, just plug it in to the TV. But if you are like me, I want a more physical console effect. But I may resort to other methods if I can't make it happen cheap enough.

 

[Chris]

The Last of Us is fucking amazing. Can't believe I missed on this game for so long. Glad I picked up a PS4 this year.

 

[Jack Brickman]

The Last of Us is fucking amazing. Can't believe I missed on this game for so long. Glad I picked up a PS4 this year.

Also has one of the best endings of any game I've played. Very few story-based games stick the landing. The Last of Us was one that did.

 

[Coyote850]

Playing Star Wars Battlefront 2 on PC. Yes EA had to stop the micro transactions due to customers bitching. The progression of ranking things up is slow. The game however is fun as hell, and the graphics are amazing. I have a Nvidia 970 GTX, i7, with 16 gig ram. Plays smooth, except for some lag on certain maps. Hit detection is pretty good. I have been playing a lot of Star Fighter Assault. I use a flight stick since I used to play a lot of flight sims. Absolutely loving Star Fighter Assault. I would have bought the game for that mode alone. Maps are gorgeous, visuals are great. I don't play the Heroes -vs- Villains mode, so no opinion on that.
Overall: Most fun I have had playing in a couple years.

 

[bigfoot5415]

Playing Star Wars Battlefront 2 on PC. Yes EA had to stop the micro transactions due to customers bitching. The progression of ranking things up is slow. The game however is fun as hell, and the graphics are amazing. I have a Nvidia 970 GTX, i7, with 16 gig ram. Plays smooth, except for some lag on certain maps. Hit detection is pretty good. I have been playing a lot of Star Fighter Assault. I use a flight stick since I used to play a lot of flight sims. Absolutely loving Star Fighter Assault. I would have bought the game for that mode alone. Maps are gorgeous, visuals are great. I don't play the Heroes -vs- Villains mode, so no opinion on that.
Overall: Most fun I have had playing in a couple years.

Its a fantastic game. I enjoyed it more than I have just about any game I have purchased the last 18 months.

 

[Jack Brickman]

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is free on PC for the next six days.

https://freetrial.ubisoft.com/promotions/assassins-creed-black-flag/16/

 

[Chris]

Ripping through Wolfenstein as my side piece, at the moment. Pretty fun and I'm enjoying the story a bit too. Far Cry 4 was the last shooter I had this much fun with.

 

[Jack Brickman]

Saw that Okami released on PC today. Been wanting to replay that game forever. Remember it being awesome on the PS2, but that was like ten years ago. I just remember it being an awesome Zelda clone where you played as a wolf.