Should I just emulate?

[Gunstar Green]

I think emulation is the way to go unless you are into the actual collecting aspect of it. I know many people who have a ton of fun collecting and often they don't play a tenth of the games they buy. If your main interest is playing the games I'd just emulate.

What I ended up doing was to buy the games that were nostalgic to me and emulating everything else. It keeps my collection small and manageable and instead of spending a ton of time tracking down good deals on games I spend that time actually playing them!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with either approach. But unless you really enjoy the 'thrill of the hunt' of finding physical copies your limited free time would be better served just playing the games.

This, pretty much. Collectors get joy out of the tangible aspect of their collections. If you don't, then just emulate.

[Tweekers237]

Im 50/50 on this topic because I still play on the systems and Im a bit of a collector. Im also this way when it comes to CD's and DVD's. I pirate a lot of music on my IPOD but i usually just end up getting the CD from the artist. I use it as a kind of "trial" thing. Instead of buying a CD and not liking it, ill DL it first. Movies I don't really care about so I just constantly pirate them through VUZE.

Currently however Im looking into emulation of MAME for a Sega Dreamcast (any help is appreciated ). MAME because who has money and space for arcade caninets. I may venture into emulation of systems I have just for the fact that I would like to extend their life.

Im definitely considering the RETRON5 when it comes out because I can still play carts and save my actual systems, plus I can get into Famicom games now.

If you just emulate everything, personally I think thats kind of lame but whatever.

[Jamisonia]

Given some recent developments in my life I think I may have to move again. My extensive video game on BD collection always makes finding a new place a pain, since I still live with roommates. I live in DC and housing is just out of sight. It just seems that as much as I like playing on original hardware, emulation may be the way to go.

Next question, I currently only have a 5 year old laptop, so obviously to emulate I would have to a build a computer. If I build one based around running Dolphin, will that pretty much get me where I need to go emulation wise?

[pierrot]

Next question, I currently only have a 5 year old laptop, so obviously to emulate I would have to a build a computer. If I build one based around running Dolphin, will that pretty much get me where I need to go emulation wise?

Not positive of this, but PCSX2 might actually be more hardware intensive given the dual PCU emulation.

[deathsled]

Next question, I currently only have a 5 year old laptop, so obviously to emulate I would have to a build a computer. If I build one based around running Dolphin, will that pretty much get me where I need to go emulation wise?

Not positive of this, but PCSX2 might actually be more hardware intensive given the dual PCU emulation.

I think Dolphin is more intensive. My rig runs games in PCSX2 with the graphics jacked up about as good as you can get just fine but Dolphin has always chugged along more slowly even at lower settings. It was bad enough that I just bought a used Wii and dedicated a hard drive to it lol.

Gradius V at 1080p with the internal rendering cranked up even higher? Oh my is it pretty....

[BitFaced]

With the Universal PPU & HDMI NES thingies coming out it'll be a hundred times easier to get high quality video out from a NES instead of emulating it but, to each his/her own, as they say.

[tintinmayo]

Next question, I currently only have a 5 year old laptop, so obviously to emulate I would have to a build a computer. If I build one based around running Dolphin, will that pretty much get me where I need to go emulation wise?

Not positive of this, but PCSX2 might actually be more hardware intensive given the dual PCU emulation.

I think Dolphin is more intensive. My rig runs games in PCSX2 with the graphics jacked up about as good as you can get just fine but Dolphin has always chugged along more slowly even at lower settings.

This. PCSX2 is slightly less stressful on the CPU. After an hour's worth of playing PCSX2, realtemp shows both of my cores at 57-58C. Playing for the same amount of time on Dolphin gets me to 62-64C (note that I live in a really hot place with no AC).

Although it can be game-specific as well. My midrange PC with a low end videocard struggles with Budokai Tenkaichi 3 PAL in one of the stages on PCSX2, but Budokai Tenkaichi 3 PAL on Dolphin runs fullspeed on the same stage (it's probably because the PS2 version runs at 50 fps while the Wii version runs at 25). On the other hand, I can't get fullspeed on Battle Stadium D.O.N on Dolphin, but I can easily run it smoothly on PCSX2.

[zspaun]

I was on the same boat with you OP.

After a lot of thought and letting go of nostalgia I went from

PC (for CPS1/2/Neogeo emulation) + XBOX + XBOX360 + PS1 + PS2 + PS3 + Genesis + NES + SMS + SNES + Wii

to

PC + XBOX360 + PS3 + Wii and a 3-way component switch (PS2/XBOX/Wii) with a loose power plug (matches both PS2 + XBOX here in the EU, same kind of power plug) and loose component for both PS2 + XBOX - When I feel like playing PS2 or XBOX I just hook them up and put them on the floor in front of my TV and play.

For the rest since I consider them 100% emulated (even PS1 with XEBRA running from a shortcut in XBMC) I hooked up a wireless XBOX360 receiver so I can use a 360 gamepad on my PC. (I still have some older school wired USB just in case)

The truth of it ? I DRAMATICALLY reduced space required for my setup since I removed around 7 devices (meaning less input cable clutter, less powerplugs required, less power consumed etc. etc.) and I firmly believe with the right setup you can get a quite decent experience. I integrated my emulators via Maximus Arcade and XBMC.

For PS1 I just insert the game CD and press PSOne on my XBMC and it boots up like a proper console.

I know a lot are nostalgic but I firmly believe you can get an improved experience via emulation (deeper better sound, crispier graphics even if it's a bit "inaccurate").

I do not want a specific room turned into a game room, I like to have everything neatly tucked away in my home cinema living room with as less wire as possible, using as less power as possible etc.

I do not buy older game originals since I am satisfied by having the ROMs but you can always buy the games for collecting/display purposes... You don't actually have to use the cartridge itself to enjoy a game...

Similarly I gave up on my quest for printed comic books when the prices got ridiculous leaving me with gaps or certain issues I just can't get my hands on...I went 100% digital on that too...

[BitFaced]

Is this relevant?

[meat]

Saw this and figure it was neat
http://www.1emulation.com/forums/topic/ ... i-vs-xbox/