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+--- Thread: Playing old games on new hardware - emulation machines (/Thread-Playing-old-games-on-new-hardware-emulation-machines)
Playing old games on new hardware - emulation machines - BurritoBeans - 06-02-2019
Like always with my threads, there's TL;DR at the bottom - sorry if the rest is a bit wordy.
Do you want to play a ton of old games and still get the "console experience" without spending the cost of the hardware, repairs, and mods to keep it alive?
Emulation has been getting better and better over the years, and honestly having a dedicated setup on your PC is the best way to go, but there is something cool to having a small hookup on the big TV which works when you want it.
So, if you don't know this type of stuff already, hopefully you'll learn how to enjoy all the past systems without the frustrations of using the old hardware.
Option 1 - Computers
So, what better way than to use the computer you have sitting in front of you or a small Linux box?
Multi-system emulators exist and are easier than ever to pick up, a few popular options include: ...with the first two being GUI-based and the last two being CLI-based. These options cover a wide variety of systems, and are easier than anything to set up. Pretty much just go grab a download, put the stuff in their respective folders, and run it - setups like RetroArch even allow you to pick and choose cores for each system you want. Personally I'd reccommend MAME as MESS does almost everything, but the command line is a pain at times.
Let's say you want a more console-like experience, how would you get that? Plugging your PC or laptop into a TV only goes so far anyways. For that, we have things like the Raspberry Pi.
The RPi and other similar boards (ASUS Tinkerboard, Libre Computer, ODROID, CHiP, etc.) are real basic ARM-based computers, usually the size of a credit card or so, which are generally powered off of a standard 5V 3A MicroUSB power supply. These things make perfect setups for emulation, being as far as getting original controllers and cases for systems if you want to.
A barebones setup would look something like this:
- RPI3B+ - $35
- Power Supply - $10
- HDMI Cable - $5
- USB Controller - $10+
- 128GB MicroSD - $20
- ROMs - Free
How do I run emulators on these you ask? Well, there's this beautiful distribution known as RetroPie which is just RetroArch (supporting up to Dreamcast with some compatibility issues once you hit Sega Saturn, N64, and DC) and a fancy little UI to make it easy on you. Download this, go get ROMs and put them in the ROMs directory, BIOSes in the BIOS directory, and you're set to go.
Being one of the most popular options out there there's tons of tutorials, I'd be happy to help anyone but there's tons of help already online.
Note: If you go browsing around you may see stuff on eBay, etc. which are systems that say something like "Retro Gaming Machine 16 in 1" or whatnot. I'd *highly* advise staying away from these as they're usually pre-built RPi setups that cost twice as much, alongside the fact that you're being a complete sucker and paying for ROMs you could just go get for free. Not to say you're an idiot for getting these, but it's definitely not that great of an option.
Option 2 - FPGA and hardware-perfect recreations
Do you like your emulation to be more hardware-accurate to the point of having an emulated Commdore SID chip that doesn't sound like ass? Well, FPGA is the way for you.
I'm no expert on the things, but essentially what these do is use a FPGA chip to re-create the original chips of old systems and give you the closest-to-real-steel experience you can as software only goes so far. Not only do these make great solutions as stand-alone devices but they work real well in replacing old proprietary chips. These used to be a pain to set up, but modern projects have made them pretty easily accessible for most people.
Options here are a bit pricier, but things like the MiSTer or a jailbroken Analogue NT Mini will give you the best emulation there is to offer. If you want a more luxury option this is definitely the way to go.
Note: Because the type of stuff we're talking about, you're not going to go past SNES and Genesis. These projects take a good while and are usually done by hardware purists or people really into collecting, so just be patient as something like a PS1 is going to take a decent chunk of work.
Option 3 - Arcade-style cabinets
Maybe arcade machines are more your style?
I wrote a whole thread on this a while back, but essentially you just make a fancy case with some fancy hardware for a PC and also maybe a harness to use real arcade boards.
There's two good ways to go about this - repurpose an old machine, or build your own. As an arcade operator, please for the love of god don't cannibalize a working machine as you're wasting good hardware. Go find a dead Pac-Man with a screen burnt our to the point of being un-readable and missing its boards, don't destroy a perfectly working Neo Geo.
For building your own, there's plans everywhere - I'd highly advise you building out of 1/4" plywood instead of MDF as spilling a beer won't ruin the machine, and please use some good sticks.
A final thing to note is what UI you want to use. I prefer Hyperspin by a longshot, but it's well-known that there's a lot of configuration that goes into these setups. If you're willing to take a minor headache or two, this isn't bad option, it's just not easy.
Note: The little Arcade1Up cabinets at Wal-Mart and Gamestop? They're bad clones of good hardware and awkward as hell. The boards aren't very modifiable, I mean if you like the look that much then fine but I promise you that the controls will break fast and you're going to be shit out of luck, the clone Sanwas aren't nearly as good as the real ones and their spinners grind until they break.
Getting ROMs
It may not be as easy after the whole Nintendo sueing LoveROMs for $10mil issue scaring everyone off, but these are still more than easy to find. My reccommendations are to use the wget-able folders on the-eye, TOSEC fullsets off of archive, or just googling and using a site that doesn't pop a million ads at your face.
Note: Emulators for anything disc-based will probably also need a BIOS - these are the same case, and using your search engine will usually get you what you want.
Spoiler: TL;DR
Nowadays getting all the old systems under one box is easier than ever, and a lot more user friendly than the MESS CLI interface. Be it your main computer, a tiny single-board computer, a dedicated FPGA, or even a big arcade enclosure you can bring the old console experience for a fraction of the cost of the old systems.
...now of course these aren't all the options, but they are the usual big ones. Have you done anything like this, and if so, how has it gone for you?
Thanks for reading,
-BurritoBeans