How good is emulation on Xbox?

[parski]

Hello!

I just got a PVM the other day and I'm stoked to play my games looking better than ever. While plugging in different systems and dropping my jaw every time I turn on a system I realized that I have an Xbox laying around. Isn't Xbox like the most moddable home console ever? I got almost everything I need to soft mode it and I thought it would be really cool to put a bunch of arcade games I've never been able to play and experience them with beautiful scan lines in the comfort of my home.

However, before I buy a bunch of hardware to mod the system and spend a bunch of time executing the mod I thought I'd ask you guys how good the emulation really is. Can I expect a solid gaming experience or will I have to tweak every setting for each game in order to get a frameskipping abomination running? I'm mostly wondering for arcade emulation as well as 8/16-bit emulation like NES, SNES, MD, and maybe PlayStation?

Also, what controller do I need? I am NOT playing 2D games with that Xbox controller D-pad. I'm thinking of getting a PS2 controller adapter so that I can play with the DS2 D-pad and maybe get an arcade stick on the cheap, but if there's a Hori Xbox Extremepad or something that I've missed while doing my research please let me know.

[Ziggy]

I had an Xbox with a soft mod for a brief time. Emulation for most things was great. But in my opinion, the Wii is a much better console for emulation. It's MUCH easier to mod, there's a TON of controller options available, and you can get more storage space easier.

The Wii, at this point, is extremely easy to soft mod. It takes mere minutes to get the Homebrew Chanel installed (from which you would install anything else you wish). When I had the Xbox, I remember it being a pain in the ass process to swap out the HDD (I don't know if an easier solution has been realized, this was years ago). For the Wii, you can simply use an SD card up to 32GB. And if that's not enough, you can simply plug in a USB HDD without having to configure anything (aside from formatting the HDD if needed). Using new apps and whatnot on the Wii is as easy as copying files to your SD card or USB HD from a computer. With the Xbox, I remember having to FTP stuff to it which was kind of annoying.

When I was using the Xbox, I got a PS2-Xbox controller adapter since the PS2 has a lot more controller option than Xbox. You're right, the Xbox controller is not desirable for 8 and 16-bit games. But with the Wii, the Wii controllers alone are great. The sideways remote works perfect for NES and SMS, and the Classic Controller works great for almost everything else. What's more, you can find an adapter for just about any console to plug into the GCN port and use authentic controllers. This improves the emulation experience a great deal in my opinion.

[Sarge]

I used an XBOX for emulation for years. It's extremely good at what it does. I'd say the upper limit on what you're going to play effectively is SNES/Genesis/GBA and the like. It can do PS1/N64, to varying degrees of success.

MAMEox is my go-to for arcade emulation, I have a couple of pre-built DVDs with a ton of stuff on it.

The Wii may be a touch better now, but I don't know that it's leaps and bounds above. But ease of loading games on is certainly a factor.

[parski]

Huh, to think I didn't even consider my already soft-modded Wii for this. I haven't used in it ages but a few queries in my trusty search engine do indeed indicate that this might be a much easier route to take.

I went ahead and ordered an RGB cable right away and now I'm looking for controllers. I'm really doubting that the Wii will be able to handle arcade games but I guess I'll be able to find a bunch of good games in the Wii library to play instead. I mostly want a simple way to play 8/16-bit games and this sure seems the way to go.

I mean look at this comparison from RetroRGB:



There is no way I am busting up my SNES Jr and soldering a RGB amp and 75Ohm resistors just to get, what, a slight palette difference?

I guess arcade emulation will have to wait. Thank you for your swift responses!

[Ziggy]

FYI, the SNES mini doesn't need an amp to add RGB, just a resistor and cap on each line.

But for sure, the Wii is an easier route. Here's some controller adapters, if you prefer using authentic controllers...

http://www.raphnet-tech.com/products/sn ... /index.php

http://www.raphnet-tech.com/products/ne ... /index.php

And PS, welcome to the Racketboy forums!

[fastbilly1]

The Wii is spotty on arcade emulation, but randomly some games work like a champ. I recently beat Tatsujin 2/Truxton 2 on it, in tate.

[Sarge]

Yeah, I was doing some research, and apparently XBOX is far superior in that regard.

[parski]

I ended up picking up one of these:



I can't wait for it to arrive!

FYI, the SNES mini doesn't need an amp to add RGB, just a resistor and cap on each line.

But for sure, the Wii is an easier route. Here's some controller adapters, if you prefer using authentic controllers...

http://www.raphnet-tech.com/products/sn ... /index.php

http://www.raphnet-tech.com/products/ne ... /index.php

And PS, welcome to the Racketboy forums!

Yeah, you're right. I might actually still mod my SNES without the RGB amp and live with the line issue. However, for my immediate needs I think emulation on the Wii will be sufficient. Thank you for the links and the warm welcome! I've been lurking the site for ages and I thought I'd try the forums. What a great place it is!

The Wii is spotty on arcade emulation, but randomly some games work like a champ. I recently beat Tatsujin 2/Truxton 2 on it, in tate.

Have you tried any shooters through Saturn emulation? Do you know if they work well? I'd like to get into shooters more but the bulk of what I've been looking at has been NTSC-J exclusive for Saturn.

Yeah, I was doing some research, and apparently XBOX is far superior in that regard.

That's the feeling I got as well. I wonder how well it really does handle arcade games, though. I've been looking at alternatives such as putting together a small PC for arcade emulation but it's pretty steep right now and I don't think I'd do it right away. If the Xbox can handle most of the games I want to play I'll just settle with that.

[samsonlonghair]

That's the feeling I got as well. I wonder how well it really does handle arcade games, though. I've been looking at alternatives such as putting together a small PC for arcade emulation but it's pretty steep right now and I don't think I'd do it right away. If the Xbox can handle most of the games I want to play I'll just settle with that.

If you're going to use a PC for emulation anyway, than just go that route for all your emulation needs. PC emulators are the best, the most accurate, and the most up to date.

[Erik_Twice]

The Wii is spotty on arcade emulation, but randomly some games work like a champ. I recently beat Tatsujin 2/Truxton 2 on it, in tate.

On one hand, this makes me extremely happy because I want to play exactly that game on the Wii.

On the other, I'm scared you have beaten it given how extremely difficult it is