New to retro, need some advice

[zspaun]

Hi guys,

I've been reading a lot on the site/forums but I am a bit overwhelmed/confused on how to proceed and I have some questions

A) Playstation 1 - I have an original console however due to HDTV etc. I am wondering what would you recommend - Emulation or original console ? I have a powerful PC hooked up to my 42" inch TV and a USB dual shock style gamepad... I own original games on CDs

B) Anyone can redirect me towards a list of PS2 / old XBOX games that are must have/defining ?

C) Saturn/Dreamcast - I have neither.. Should I get a console or can I use emulators ? I'll buy the games from ebay - See (A) for problem with HDTV though!

D) With the release of Wii-U I think Wii is at a state where defining/must have games can be listed... Any ideas where to find them ? any suggestions? (I own a Wii but I am also considering using the Dolphin emu)

E) Gamecube defining games? Must haves?

F) In general what do you guys think about retro/old school gaming...? With the advance of technology, HDTVs and such it's a problem keeping original consoles...The need of multiple TV inputs, the degradation of quality and the need of multiple power plugs and the potential clutter... What's your ideas?

[Ack]

Haha, welcome! No need to feel overwhelmed, we are always happy to help fellow enthusiasts.

Let me start off by saying, as far as I'm concerned, original hardware is always preferrable to emulation. I just feels better to me. Plus, I don't recall much in the way of emulation for CD-based games, though I admit to having gotten out of the loop on emulation some years ago. But I would say original console, always, even on a crappy TV. It feels more authentic to me.

Now I don't believe we currently have any articles about games that define the Xbox and PS2. We do have hidden gem articles for those two consoles, here:

http://www.racketboy.com/retro/sony/ps2 ... -ps2-games

http://www.racketboy.com/retro/microsof ... xbox-games

But if you want to discuss what you think the defining games are or want to hear thoughts that people have, I'd suggest asking in the dedicated forums. It's a conversation that we should be having, and I know quite a few of the guys here appreciate one or both of those. I'm a big fan of the PS2 myself. I'd say the same thing can be done for the Gamecube and the Wii in the Nintendo subforum.

My suggestion for Dreamcast collecting is to get a VGA box.

As for my thoughts, I appreciate games, regardless of the generation. I have just as much fun with my PS3, my N64, my SNES, and my PC. It is a little difficult keeping original hardware in shape, of course, but I do my best to keep my games and machines clean and in working condition. I also haven't had any issue with keeping multiple consoles on one TV, but I use a switch to route which console's input is being fed to my television. Best Buy should have what you need, along with surge protectors. And as for clutter, zip ties are your friend, as is masking tape and a pen to label everything. Some of the guys here are big on cutting down wire clutter. Hopefully they will respond.

[SpoonyBard]

A) Playstation 1 - I have an original console however due to HDTV etc. I am wondering what would you recommend - Emulation or original console ? I have a powerful PC hooked up to my 42" inch TV and a USB dual shock style gamepad... I own original games on CDs

The emulation has come a long way and can actually give you a bit of a better experience if you're willing to mess around with different plugins and change a lot of settings. If you haven't messed around with emulation past SNES before, the Playstation ones can be a bit of a pain to set up.

If owning the games is your thing, a lot of the great titles for PS1 are relatively inexpensive and easily found. I much prefer sitting down with the console myself.

[AppleQueso]

Yeah I think you'll find that a lot of us here prefer to use the original hardware.

When it comes to wire clutter and multiple plugs... well uh... I bought a 24 outlet surge protector so I might not the best one to ask.

[fastbilly1]

I agree with Ack in many aspects, but I disagree firmly with this one:

Let me start off by saying, as far as I'm concerned, original hardware is always preferrable to emulation.

Dolphin is the superior way to playing Wii games if you can run it properly. Skyward Sword is a gorgeous wonderful game, but on the Wii it is muddy and upscaled on Dolphin it is gorgeous:

You can also do similar things with PSX games in ePSXe (we did a front page article on this a while ago).

As much as I love playing games on my original consoles, sometimes emulation just gives me a better experience. But you have to have the original controller or it just all falls apart.

[bmoc]

A) I think PS1 games look decent on an HDTV when played through a PS3 because of the filters it uses to smooth out the jaggedy lines. Some people around here would disagree with me on that though. If you don't have a PS3, using a PS2 with component cables is the next best thing excluding emulation which I am not an expert on.

B) See Ack's post

C) Saturn games can be pricey. It is up to your wallet really. Dreamcast is more affordable. I'd say start with emulators and see if you like them. Like Ack said, a VGA box will make the Dreamcast look fine on a HDTV. With a Saturn the best you can do is s-video and those cables can be hard to find. Alternatively you could get an RGB SCART cable and get a good SCART to component adapter.

D) There just aren't that many out yet. I'd just read Amazon reviews.

E) Again see Ack's post

F) Get a good switch box. I've seen a lot of people recommend the Pelican System Selector Pro since it can do s-video and component. Lots of folks also get an old CRT TV for their retro consoles as well. If you go that route, I'd get one with at least s-video. If you want the Cadillac of CRTs, scour Craigslist/eBay for a Sony PVM TV. They can be had for very little money if you can find one locally.

As for power, the best advice I have is to get some of these and some power strips.

Velcro cable ties are also your friend for cable management.

[zspaun]

Ofcourse original hardware would probably be best and easier to setup however I would have to buy with their respective controllers/optimal cables

Dreamcast
Saturn
A new PS1 (or repair my overheating one)
A new PS2 (or repair mine that has some reading problems


and add to the mix power strips/surge protectors/switches/scalers blabla

+ add games to that we're talking about quite an expensive undertaking


I own a 4.5ghz 8gb ram PC so if I can emulate these CD/DVD based systems I'd much rather invest in appropriate controllers +effort and make everything look nice...Also much less clutter,power usage etc.

[AppleQueso]

Ofcourse original hardware would probably be best and easier to setup however I would have to buy with their respective controllers/optimal cables

Dreamcast
Saturn
A new PS1 (or repair my overheating one)
A new PS2 (or repair mine that has some reading problems


and add to the mix power strips/surge protectors/switches/scalers blabla

+ add games to that we're talking about quite an expensive undertaking


I own a 4.5ghz 8gb ram PC so if I can emulate these CD/DVD based systems I'd much rather invest in appropriate controllers +effort and make everything look nice...Also much less clutter,power usage etc.

Less clutter? Probably. Less power usage? Highly doubtful. A PC running an emulator is gonna use waaaaaaaaay more power than the original hardware will.

[zspaun]

Yes but my PC is always running anyway since its HTPC thats what i meant sorry

[zspaun]

I agree with Ack in many aspects, but I disagree firmly with this one:

Let me start off by saying, as far as I'm concerned, original hardware is always preferrable to emulation.

Dolphin is the superior way to playing Wii games if you can run it properly. Skyward Sword is a gorgeous wonderful game, but on the Wii it is muddy and upscaled on Dolphin it is gorgeous:

You can also do similar things with PSX games in ePSXe (we did a front page article on this a while ago).

As much as I love playing games on my original consoles, sometimes emulation just gives me a better experience. But you have to have the original controller or it just all falls apart.

Just watched the video and it is amazing... No question that emulator would be better but what about sound compatibility? As long as the must have/defining games of the Wii work with it I'd love to use emulator than my wii