Demanding games to test emulators with?

[Pulsar_t]

Let's try to list a few games for each platform that modern emulators have trouble running on lower-end hardware. Sort of reference titles to test new hardware. The important criterion here of course is that the games run well enough on a contemporary system (a dual-core PC with DirectX9-capable GPU for instance). This excludes all pre-sixth gen consoles. With SSF I think most Saturn games run at decent speeds on dual core processors?

Dreamcast: I think Sonic Adventure 2 and Shenmue are heavy-hitters are would run s-t-u-t-t-e-r-i-n-g-l-y on single core PCs.
Arcade: Any of the games that run on Playstation hardware (typically Namco hardware), or Cruis'n World. Also, games that run on Sega's ST-V board. A lot of 3D games are unoptimised in MAME so I won't mention any more. Feel free to do so however! And Naomi titles that are too demanding should also warrant mentioning.

PS2 and Gamecube are two platforms I haven't tried emulating recently so suggestions are more than welcome!

[lisalover1]

Shantae for the GBC is always very taxing on emulators; it still runs quite buggy on GBC emulators for the PSP.

[weasels]

mystical ninja staring goemon for the N64 is a pain to get running in project 64. it is possible with some experimentation though.

edit:
you see it's very picky with project64. you need to find the right plug-in's along with the right settings. i wish i could say the one's that work for me but i don't have project 64 on my pc right now since i had to switch to another pc i never really had the time.

[Pulsar_t]

In what sense? Is it demanding in terms of hardware?

@lisalover1 The PSP is a closed platform and even if you count in the ability to overclock its CPU it's still not quite flexible.

[Dylan]

Here's the thing: a lot of times when emulators experience slow performance it's due to the actual software of the emulator. Very often bad timings or inaccurate cycles will slow a game down, rather than it's actual hardware needs. For the most part, necessary system performance is based heavily around optimization, so even the lowest tech games can run slowly on modern hardware.

[Pulsar_t]

That's true but some games like SA2's intro skating level are demanding regardless what emulator I use. I think some games do task the original hardware more than others which makes emulating them more difficult. It just dawned on me that the PS2 and GC both have only one feasible emulator currently in development so it's pointless

[Dylan]

It just dawned on me that the PS2 and GC both have only one feasible emulator currently in development so it's pointless

Emu development seems slow these days, for most any console. It's a shame, really.

[Pulsar_t]

I'm satisfied with Makaron for the time being, though the author himself admits he's stumped when it comes to perfecting the remaining functions. PCSX2 is still alive but many games run like rubbish thanks to the intricacies of the platform itself. I haven't tried the current Gamecube emulator but I hope it fares better than PCSX2.

I can't imagine any current gen console emulated for many years to come.. The emulation scene isn't what it used to be as you pointed out.

[GSZX1337]

Shantae for the GBC is always very taxing on emulators; it still runs quite buggy on GBC emulators for the PSP.

LameBoy has a hell of a time with Shantae. (Which is one of the reasons I stopped playing) It's gotten a little bit better, though.

I haven't tried the current Gamecube emulator but I hope it fares better than PCSX2.

I can't imagine any current gen console emulated for many years to come.. The emulation scene isn't what it used to be as you pointed out.

I haven't used any GameCube emulators since I'm going to mod my Wii (I have the WiiKey/WiiClip combo, I just haven't opened the Wii up, yet.) but I've read that GameCube emulation is pretty good and not very taxing.

[gtmtnbiker]

Shantae for the GBC is always very taxing on emulators; it still runs quite buggy on GBC emulators for the PSP.

I was trying Shantae out for the first time and I agree with you. It's even buggy on many of the emulators for the PC. I was fortunate to find that it seems to run in BGB perfectly. With my NES pad, it's not a bad way to play the game at all.

I was looking at the completed auctions on ebay and wow, the game is expensive! The cheapest copy went for $100. Racket's guide states that the price range is $27-$100.

If the game was released near the end of GBC lifecycle, I wonder why they didn't do a quick port to the GBA platform?