PlayPal Genesis portable

In article <fhfvkj$kd7$1@aioe.org>,
BelPowerslave <bel RemoveThis @whipassgaming.com> wrote:
>> For those of you who covet a Nomad, be aware that there's a new PlayPal
>> handheld coming out that has Genesis guts instead of Megadrive guts:
>>
>http://kotaku.com/gaming/sega/brazil-gets-this-wonderful-portable-mega-drive-322425.php
>>
>> Although this article is specific to Brazil, it looks like TecToy is the
>> distributor and not the manufacturer. Except for the hardware, this looks
>
>The price seems extremely high, especially for something that has no way
>of changing out the titles installed. Now, if this had a USB port or
>something, and you could change out games....that'd be kind of
>interesting. Still, it's very pretty!

The price seems to be local in Brazil only. Rumor is, games are taxed all
to hell and so they're used to paying that kind of price for 16-bit
consoles without built-in games or screens. Comparatively, this would be a
bargain.

>> -KKC, who still hasn't done anything fun with Bel's old Nomad.
>
>{shakes fist} Damn you KKC, damn you to Hell!

Yeah, I'll post again when I get the 32x successfully connected.

-KKC, tracing itty bitty ribbon wire traces.
--
-- Universal survival rule #109 - Chicken nuggets must be served -- kendrick
in a quantity that is also a prime number. Failure to do so will -- @io.com
result in a geometric disturbance conducive to the resurrection of Cthulhu.
Disregard this rule if the meat in the nuggets is not actually chicken.
 >> Stay informed about: PlayPal Genesis portable 

Kendrick Kerwin Chua wrote:
> For those of you who covet a Nomad, be aware that there's a new PlayPal
> handheld coming out that has Genesis guts instead of Megadrive guts:
>
> http://kotaku.com/gaming/sega/brazil-gets-this-wonderful-portable-mega...ive-322
>
> Although this article is specific to Brazil, it looks like TecToy is the
> distributor and not the manufacturer. Except for the hardware, this looks
> exactly like the Master System portable that Coleco distributed in the
> States under the PlayPal name. People were able to hack RGB output and
> cartridge slots on the previous unit, so my hopes are high that the same
> can be done for this new model.
>
> -KKC, who still hasn't done anything fun with Bel's old Nomad.

If you really want portable Genesis goodness with no strings attached,
I'd have to recommend a PSP with custom firmware. That little device
kicks all sorts of booty when appropriately hacked.
 >> Stay informed about: PlayPal Genesis portable 

Kendrick Kerwin Chua a écrit :
> For those of you who covet a Nomad, be aware that there's a new PlayPal
> handheld coming out that has Genesis guts instead of Megadrive guts:
>
> http://kotaku.com/gaming/sega/brazil-gets-this-wonderful-portable-mega...ive-322
>
> Although this article is specific to Brazil, it looks like TecToy is the
> distributor and not the manufacturer. Except for the hardware, this looks
> exactly like the Master System portable that Coleco distributed in the
> States under the PlayPal name. People were able to hack RGB output and
> cartridge slots on the previous unit, so my hopes are high that the same
> can be done for this new model.
>
> -KKC, who still hasn't done anything fun with Bel's old Nomad.
>
Already available in Europe: http://videojet-jeux.fr/megadrive.htm
 >> Stay informed about: PlayPal Genesis portable 

ZikZak a écrit :
> Kendrick Kerwin Chua a écrit :
>> For those of you who covet a Nomad, be aware that there's a new
>> PlayPal handheld coming out that has Genesis guts instead of
>> Megadrive guts:
>>
>> http://kotaku.com/gaming/sega/brazil-gets-this-wonderful-portable-mega...ive-322
>>
>>
>> Although this article is specific to Brazil, it looks like TecToy is
>> the distributor and not the manufacturer. Except for the hardware,
>> this looks exactly like the Master System portable that Coleco
>> distributed in the States under the PlayPal name. People were able to
>> hack RGB output and cartridge slots on the previous unit, so my hopes
>> are high that the same can be done for this new model.
>>
>> -KKC, who still hasn't done anything fun with Bel's old Nomad.
>>
> Already available in Europe: http://videojet-jeux.fr/megadrive.htm

And the best of all, the website allows directory listing:
http://videojet-jeux.fr/media/jeux/
 >> Stay informed about: PlayPal Genesis portable 

In article <473bcc55$0$20620$4c368faf@roadrunner.com>,
"Dr. Luveno" <doctor DeleteThis @luveno.com> wrote:

> If you really want portable Genesis goodness with no strings attached,
> I'd have to recommend a PSP with custom firmware. That little device
> kicks all sorts of booty when appropriately hacked.

And the battery life is a bit better than the Nomad too. But you don't
get people asking you what you're playing on like with the Nomad.

(FWIW, I have three Nomads and two hacked PSPs)
 >> Stay informed about: PlayPal Genesis portable 

In article <8bitwizard#fanboy.net-78EDF1.08465615112007@news.newsreader.com>,
8bitwizard <8bitwizard#fanboy.net@127.0.0.1> wrote:
>In article <473bcc55$0$20620$4c368faf@roadrunner.com>,
> "Dr. Luveno" <doctor.RemoveThis@luveno.com> wrote:
>
>> If you really want portable Genesis goodness with no strings attached,
>> I'd have to recommend a PSP with custom firmware. That little device
>> kicks all sorts of booty when appropriately hacked.
>
>And the battery life is a bit better than the Nomad too. But you don't
>get people asking you what you're playing on like with the Nomad.

I do like that the Nomad is a conversation piece. It's also a good way of
sorting out the hardcore gamers too ('What's that?' versus 'Hey, cool, a
Nomad!') I've found it's most useful for two-player action, as Streets of
Rage under emulation just isn't as much fun without someone else there to
watch your back.

-KKC, who runs off to investigate PSP host USB functions for possible
external controller hacks...


--
-- Universal survival rule #109 - Chicken nuggets must be served -- kendrick
in a quantity that is also a prime number. Failure to do so will -- @io.com
result in a geometric disturbance conducive to the resurrection of Cthulhu.
Disregard this rule if the meat in the nuggets is not actually chicken.
 >> Stay informed about: PlayPal Genesis portable 

Kendrick Kerwin Chua wrote:
> In article <8bitwizard#fanboy.net-78EDF1.08465615112007@news.newsreader.com>,
> 8bitwizard <8bitwizard#fanboy.net@127.0.0.1> wrote:
>> In article <473bcc55$0$20620$4c368faf@roadrunner.com>,
>> "Dr. Luveno" <doctor.DeleteThis@luveno.com> wrote:
>>
>>> If you really want portable Genesis goodness with no strings attached,
>>> I'd have to recommend a PSP with custom firmware. That little device
>>> kicks all sorts of booty when appropriately hacked.
>> And the battery life is a bit better than the Nomad too. But you don't
>> get people asking you what you're playing on like with the Nomad.
>
> I do like that the Nomad is a conversation piece. It's also a good way of
> sorting out the hardcore gamers too ('What's that?' versus 'Hey, cool, a
> Nomad!') I've found it's most useful for two-player action, as Streets of
> Rage under emulation just isn't as much fun without someone else there to
> watch your back.
>
> -KKC, who runs off to investigate PSP host USB functions for possible
> external controller hacks...
>
>

What drove me to eBay my Nomad was (a) the PSP replaced it, (b) the
battery wart, (c) the battery life (even with the charge pack), (d)
carrying around the relatively clunky carts, and most of all (e) the
blurry passive matrix screen which made many games nearly uplayable.

It was a great device for the time, and it got me through the late
1990's, but it is strictly in retirement land with other fond memories
for me.
 >> Stay informed about: PlayPal Genesis portable 

Dr. Luveno wrote:
> Kendrick Kerwin Chua wrote:
>> In article
>> <8bitwizard#fanboy.net-78EDF1.08465615112007@news.newsreader.com>,
>> 8bitwizard <8bitwizard#fanboy.net@127.0.0.1> wrote:
>>> In article <473bcc55$0$20620$4c368faf@roadrunner.com>,
>>> "Dr. Luveno" <doctor.DeleteThis@luveno.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> If you really want portable Genesis goodness with no strings
>>>> attached, I'd have to recommend a PSP with custom firmware. That
>>>> little device kicks all sorts of booty when appropriately hacked.
>>> And the battery life is a bit better than the Nomad too. But you
>>> don't get people asking you what you're playing on like with the Nomad.
>>
>> I do like that the Nomad is a conversation piece. It's also a good way
>> of sorting out the hardcore gamers too ('What's that?' versus 'Hey,
>> cool, a Nomad!') I've found it's most useful for two-player action, as
>> Streets of Rage under emulation just isn't as much fun without someone
>> else there to watch your back.
>>
>> -KKC, who runs off to investigate PSP host USB functions for possible
>> external controller hacks...
>>
>>
>
> What drove me to eBay my Nomad was (a) the PSP replaced it, (b) the
> battery wart, (c) the battery life (even with the charge pack), (d)
> carrying around the relatively clunky carts, and most of all (e) the
> blurry passive matrix screen which made many games nearly uplayable.
>
> It was a great device for the time, and it got me through the late
> 1990's, but it is strictly in retirement land with other fond memories
> for me.

I paid $70 for a Nomad this year, and am still unwilling to spend
even that much on a PSP, hacked emulation or no. I've found the video
quality on the Nomad superior to the quality on a CRT or LCD PC monitor
when using a video capture card (ATI or Avermedia). I've also found the
PSP's LCD display blurry, especially when fast moving objects such as
sprite based bullets are on screen. So, I think I'll be bringing my
Nomad with an AC Adapter and six AAs, along with two or three Genesis
carts, on vacations for some years to come. That all sounds way too
snotty, but I really am just trying to say that the Nomad still has it's
qualities.

-
Scott
 >> Stay informed about: PlayPal Genesis portable 

Scott H wrote:
> Dr. Luveno wrote:
>>
>> What drove me to eBay my Nomad was (a) the PSP replaced it, (b) the
>> battery wart, (c) the battery life (even with the charge pack), (d)
>> carrying around the relatively clunky carts, and most of all (e) the
>> blurry passive matrix screen which made many games nearly uplayable.
>>
>> It was a great device for the time, and it got me through the late
>> 1990's, but it is strictly in retirement land with other fond memories
>> for me.
>
> I paid $70 for a Nomad this year, and am still unwilling to spend
> even that much on a PSP, hacked emulation or no. I've found the video
> quality on the Nomad superior to the quality on a CRT or LCD PC monitor
> when using a video capture card (ATI or Avermedia). I've also found the
> PSP's LCD display blurry, especially when fast moving objects such as
> sprite based bullets are on screen. So, I think I'll be bringing my
> Nomad with an AC Adapter and six AAs, along with two or three Genesis
> carts, on vacations for some years to come. That all sounds way too
> snotty, but I really am just trying to say that the Nomad still has it's
> qualities.
>
> -
> Scott

As they say, to each their own.
 >> Stay informed about: PlayPal Genesis portable 

Dr. Luveno wrote:
>
> As they say, to each their own.

The ever-present post-modern method of dodging the bullet. Do you
really find the PSP screen less blurry in motion than the Nomad's?

-
Scott
 >> Stay informed about: PlayPal Genesis portable 

Scott H wrote:
> Dr. Luveno wrote:
>>
>> As they say, to each their own.
>
> The ever-present post-modern method of dodging the bullet. Do you
> really find the PSP screen less blurry in motion than the Nomad's?

Absolutely - the PSP's screen is actually one of its strongest
qualities. The Nomad screen is a blurry mess, even compared to its
contemporaries like the Turbo Express (much less a modern device like
the PSP). That, with the expanded portability and battery life, plus
the SNES, PS1, MAME, and native PSP features (games, movies, music, web
browser, etc.) all loaded onto a single tiny Memory Stick make the
decision a no-brainer for me. Emulation is spot-on and save state
features make it that much better when gaming on the go.

But I ain't going to besmearch anyone for digging their Nomad. As
mentioned earlier, it is a great conversation piece - but time has
passed it by for me. I'm glad you enjoy yours.
 >> Stay informed about: PlayPal Genesis portable 

Dr. Luveno wrote:
> Scott H wrote:
>> The ever-present post-modern method of dodging the bullet. Do you
>> really find the PSP screen less blurry in motion than the Nomad's?
>
> Absolutely - the PSP's screen is actually one of its strongest
> qualities. The Nomad screen is a blurry mess, even compared to its
> contemporaries like the Turbo Express (much less a modern device like
> the PSP). That, with the expanded portability and battery life, plus
> the SNES, PS1, MAME, and native PSP features (games, movies, music, web
> browser, etc.) all loaded onto a single tiny Memory Stick make the
> decision a no-brainer for me. Emulation is spot-on and save state
> features make it that much better when gaming on the go.

Right, no doubt the PSP is more versatile. The Nomad came out in a day
where versatility in a game console was practically looked down upon, as
was the price tag. I'm just surprised at your observation of the
screen's quality. My experience, and every comment I have seen up until
now about the Nomad's screen is that it exemplifies Genesis graphic.
Plus, I haven't even gotten in to the differences in controls between
the Nomad and PSP.

> But I ain't going to besmearch anyone for digging their Nomad. As
> mentioned earlier, it is a great conversation piece - but time has
> passed it by for me. I'm glad you enjoy yours.

I'm mainly pointing to actual advantages that I think the Nomad
has over the PSP for playing Genesis games. Clearly the PSP would win
in an overall sense, but I have never seen emulation match the actual
hardware 100%.

-
Scott
 >> Stay informed about: PlayPal Genesis portable 

In article <B4W1j.7245$dh.775@trnddc05>, Scott H <weaponx013.DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote:
<snip>
>was the price tag. I'm just surprised at your observation of the
>screen's quality. My experience, and every comment I have seen up until
>now about the Nomad's screen is that it exemplifies Genesis graphic.
>Plus, I haven't even gotten in to the differences in controls between
>the Nomad and PSP.

The Nomad screen is an analog RGB LCD, and it does accurately represent
the experience of a Genesis on an SDTV. But one of the things happening
with emulation is that people are getting used to that product being
qualitatively better than the original. Stuff like slowdown in shooters or
blur in fast scrolling goes away when your emulated screen can produce
more frames per second than the real hardware. Whether or not this is a
better gaming experience is perfectly debatable, of course.

> I'm mainly pointing to actual advantages that I think the Nomad
>has over the PSP for playing Genesis games. Clearly the PSP would win
>in an overall sense, but I have never seen emulation match the actual
>hardware 100%.

I can't think of any Genesis operation that isn't also reproduced by the
emulators, at least nothing that's unacceptably off. TurboGrafx and Saturn
emulation is a little worse, because of the parallel processors. It gets
to the point where some games just can't be run in an emulator because not
all the code has been documented by the hobby programmers. The Genesis
hardware is so well documented, people have actually gone and built their
own hardware just for fun.

Still, I do tend to side with Scott on this. Nothing beats the original
gear, if you can have it. But if you can't or won't, emulation is good
enough in this circumstance. But come get me when they figure out how to
get the Xbox virtual machine running.

-KKC, merrily playing the original Phantasy Star Universe until Amazon
ships the expansion to him.
--
-- Universal survival rule #109 - Chicken nuggets must be served -- kendrick
in a quantity that is also a prime number. Failure to do so will -- @io.com
result in a geometric disturbance conducive to the resurrection of Cthulhu.
Disregard this rule if the meat in the nuggets is not actually chicken.
 >> Stay informed about: PlayPal Genesis portable