Original Xbox as emulation machine?

[o.pwuaioc]

I got an old 2.6 Ghz Pentium 4 for free from work which they were throwing out and turned it into my emulation machine, plays everything up to N64 and PSX perfectly through GameEx. You mentioned at the top that you don't like the look compared to an Xbox360, I can understand that, mine does look kinda weird in the living room, but I plan to buy a load of vinyl arcade stickers and plaster them over the machine, or you could buy a nicer looking case.

Point is, it's cheaper than even a second hand Xbox and it runs everything up to N64/PSX. I love it tbh, but I guess it's personal preference.

I've seen major problems with various roms using the latest build of 1964. The various Cruisn' or Carmageddon games are unplayable. I would use Project64, but I can never get it to adequately work with my controller.

[Nyukki]

@o.pwuaioc

If I'm completely honest, I don't play N64 games that much compared to NES, SNES, PSX and MAME, other than Zelda OoT, so I don't know how those games run. Certain games, I must admit, have slightly choppy sound when starting up, like Goldeneye, but play perfectly once you're in the game.

I use Project64 btw. Can't remember the version number but I've never had issues with controllers. I've used generic USB gamepads and my Rapoo V30 wireless controller which it picks up as PC MLK Controller and works perfectly. What issues are you having?

I think mine runs Carmageddon 64 fine, but even if it didn't I wouldn't give a rat's ass cause it's the worsed version of Carmageddon ever. I have the XP version of Carmageddon 2 installed which I control using Joy To Key.

[o.pwuaioc]

@o.pwuaioc

If I'm completely honest, I don't play N64 games that much compared to NES, SNES, PSX and MAME, other than Zelda OoT, so I don't know how those games run. Certain games, I must admit, have slightly choppy sound when starting up, like Goldeneye, but play perfectly once you're in the game.

I use Project64 btw. Can't remember the version number but I've never had issues with controllers. I've used generic USB gamepads and my Rapoo V30 wireless controller which it picks up as PC MLK Controller and works perfectly. What issues are you having?

I think mine runs Carmageddon 64 fine, but even if it didn't I wouldn't give a rat's ass cause it's the worsed version of Carmageddon ever. I have the XP version of Carmageddon 2 installed which I control using Joy To Key.

Actually, I think I was just thinking of the Cruis'n games, not Carmageddon. I have an N64 to USB adapter, but no matter what direction I press the joystick, it acts like I barely am moving it. I can't turn properly on Mario Kart, and Zelda creeps everywhere, not walks. 1964 doesn't have this problem, but both the older and most recent (v 1.7) versions of PJ64 do.

[Nyukki]

Hmm, never had that problem, was gonna say it might be your controller or converter but if the problem doesnt occur in 1964 then it must be something else. I guess you gotta do what you gotta do!

Edit: Actually, just a thought, could it perhaps be something to do with the following controller settings? (see attachment)

[Evildeadmanwalking77]

I was thinking about picking up a second Xbox and using it for retro emulators on my living room TV since it would be much cheaper than building a crappy PC for the purpose. Not to mention it would also look better & it fits nicely in my current TV setup.
So my question is:
What systems can the Xbox emulate well?

Check out my thread for when I modded mine (I recommend doing that):

http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 25&t=29121

I HIGHLY recommend doing it! I absolutely love it and really puts some new life into your old xbox. Some of the roms don't work though, especially w/ N64 but most of the games do work and I also had trouble with the Atari 5200 Roms altogether but I'm working on it. I recently added Sega Cd and Commador 64 Roms to it as well. It's just freaking awesome. Go for it and don't look back!

[Hateshinai]

I picked up a second Xbox + controller off Ebay for 30 Euros including shipping across Europe. The description said "Xbox in perfect working condition. I also installed other software on it" which sounds promising. It might be softmodded already.

[Breetai]

wii is about the same but something just feels right about the wii...

I completely disagree.

I find the Wii lacks support for a number of SNES and TG-16/PCE games that the X-Box has no problem handling. Heck, the X-Box even has Sega CD support. The Wii doesn't at all.

The arcade support on the Wii is absolutely pathetic, but it wonderful on the X-Box through FBA and MAME. That includes Neo Geo, which I find has major control and frame rate issues on the Wii, yet runs fine on the X-Box.

PS1 and N64 support on the X-Box is pretty decent, but it does depend on the game. I had no problems with some N64 games like Zelda: OoT, Mario 64, No Mercy, Paper Mario, etc. Playing N64 games through an emulator on the Wii is a painful experience.

Long story short, the X-Box blows the Wii out of the water as far as emulation is concerned.

[vlame]

when i said feel, i was talking about the controller...

[Breetai]

when i said feel, i was talking about the controller...

Ohhhhhh... in that case, I agree with you.

[APE]

That is my single gripe with the XBox as a platform for playing anything but XBox games with. Every console is akward with that controller and the other day I tried out Playstation emulation and found I couldn't use the analog sticks being forced to use the D-Pad. I don't know about any of you but the XBox D-Pad is atrocious.

On the plus side the XBox is ridiculously moddabled. USB powers can be crammed in easily, an additional 64mb of ram isn't too hard to install with a lick of experience and if you've got the cash or equipment upgrading to a 1.4ghz CPU is possible. Though by the time you've done that and the ram upgrade about the only benefit is superior MAME and N64 performance to the tune of ~$300.

Might as well grab an older PC and drop in the best CPU made for it. An Athlon64 X2 is like what, $50 these days?