Handheld NES consoles

DRW · 04-27-2009, 12:54 PM

Does anybody of you know these handheld consoles that have a built-in NES emulator and disk space to load ROMs onto it? If yes, has anybody made any experiences with them? Because I'd like to know which is the best one. I especially need to know if there is any console that has the correct screen resolution. I saw a console that has a resolution of 320x240, but the seller told me that the image of the NES game (which has 256x224) is stretched then. While the better opportunity would have been of course to leave the unused pixel lines black.
So, is there such a console that you could recommend? (By the way, according to quality, I only need one that's good in playing NES games. If it has support for other consoles, but they don't play well, that doesn't matter.)

I REALLY HATE POKEMON! · 04-27-2009, 05:25 PM

I am not sure if I completely understand what you're asking for, but the PSP emulates NES, SNES, GBA and PS1 (probably other systems as well) games flawlessly, and the emulators are very user-friendly. So, I suggest getting a hacked PSP. =|

DRW · 04-28-2009, 06:17 AM

Well, a PlayStationPortbale is much more expensive than such a device. Plus possible costs for hacking it. And since I only want to play NES games, such an unofficial handheld console would do just fine. But of course I need to know in advance if it's any good because although it's much cheaper than a PSP, it still costs about 60$. This one looks preddy good, but I don't know how it plays. And if the correct screen resolution is used. And if I can remap the buttons.

Robotazy · 04-28-2009, 08:25 AM

The closest I heard of was on one of them Tech Shows, which basically showed off a clunky looking machine playing Super Mario Bros. quite effeciantly (sp?). Still, I'm sure 500 people have done that at this point.

Now, if they could do that for the Super Nintendo, We'll be in business.

DRW · 04-28-2009, 09:11 AM

The one that I linked to can also play Super Nintendo games.

Robotazy · 04-28-2009, 10:16 AM

Dizzy · 04-28-2009, 02:49 PM

Oh, man.

I need one of those devices.

I REALLY HATE POKEMON! · 04-28-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRW

Well, a PlayStationPortbale is much more expensive than such a device. Plus possible costs for hacking it. And since I only want to play NES games, such an unofficial handheld console would do just fine. But of course I need to know in advance if it's any good because although it's much cheaper than a PSP, it still costs about 60$. This one looks preddy good, but I don't know how it plays. And if the correct screen resolution is used. And if I can remap the buttons.

Actually, if you get one used they're cheap as dirt. A local video game/sports shop sold one for like $50 and I think it came with a game and a 2 GB Memory Stick. But yeah, it's probably just not what you're looking for.

***Cosmonautical*** · 04-30-2009, 09:51 AM

I still have my GBA flash cart, which I load up with my favorite NES games. The GBA screen is a bit of a squish for NES games, though, missing a few horizontal rows of pixels, but it has a resize feature. I suppose you're asking for the most accurate use of screen-space, and I don't know anything that's too handy in the way of screen ratios. You've either got screen stretching, or you don't have anything at all, these days.

DRW · 04-30-2009, 09:57 AM

Yes, a Game Boy Advance is definitely too small.
Well, these Chinese handheld consoles have a screen resolution of 320x240. So, displaying 256x244 should not be a problem. But I don't understand why they still use the stretching feature, so that some lines are drawn twice. Just blacking out the rest would be fine. But I only know how one specific console does it. I don't know how if multi platform stretches it, too.

Steven9wii · 06-03-2009, 10:47 PM

just use wii virtual console if at home.

DRW · 06-04-2009, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven9wii

just use wii virtual console if at home.

That's really the most stupid advice in this context ever: "I want a cheap handheld console." "Just use an expensive home console." And for this you bring back this inactive thread?

(If you had at least said that I shall use an emulator for the PC, but no: It's a Wii. Although I already said that even a PSP would be too expensive.)

t3hDarkness · 06-04-2009, 01:32 AM

If you are too broke for a used PSP then you are too broke for pretty damn much anything.

DRW · 06-04-2009, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t3hDarkness

If you are too broke for a used PSP then you are too broke for pretty damn much anything.

I didn't say that I'm too broke for it, just that I don't want to spend money on a PSP for a bit NES gaming. (And I don't want a used one.) However, that wasn't the point at all. I just wanted to point out that it's stupid
a) to suggest a home console when it's about handhelds
b) to suggest a console that costs more than a console I already rejected because of the price.

***Cosmonautical*** · 06-04-2009, 07:48 AM

Yeah, bad advice, yada yada. Unfortunately, the Chinese device is probably your best bet for a cheap deal, unless you wanna blow some cash on a crappy system like Game Theory Admiral, which actually plays NES carts.

The PSP isn't a bad idea, though, considering what else it does - if you're gonna drop near a $100USD on something, might as well go the whole nine yards. The functions you get for it can more than make up for the price difference, and you're pretty much guaranteed hardware support and a rebuying market if you lose interest. The emulator software is also going to be continually developed and updated so long as there is a homebrew/emu audience for the PSP, whereas the emulator on the cheaper one is probably going to be custom or lacking support. The PSP will also probably have better buttons and less fragile, clearer screen. Budget and knockoff devices like that Chinese one also have a bad battery-life track record. You could probably go through several of them before your PSP needs replacing.

04-27-2009, 12:54 PM	#1
DRW Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Gender: Posts: 106 Thanks: 16 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Handheld NES consoles Does anybody of you know these handheld consoles that have a built-in NES emulator and disk space to load ROMs onto it? If yes, has anybody made any experiences with them? Because I'd like to know which is the best one. I especially need to know if there is any console that has the correct screen resolution. I saw a console that has a resolution of 320x240, but the seller told me that the image of the NES game (which has 256x224) is stretched then. While the better opportunity would have been of course to leave the unused pixel lines black. So, is there such a console that you could recommend? (By the way, according to quality, I only need one that's good in playing NES games. If it has support for other consoles, but they don't play well, that doesn't matter.)

04-28-2009, 10:16 AM	#6
Robotazy PRESS ANY KEY TO PANIC! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: A Tiny Shed Gender: Posts: 16,483 Thanks: 529 Thanked 1,254 Times in 897 Posts Blog Entries: 46	:O

06-04-2009, 07:48 AM	#15
*Cosmonautical* Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I rub my tilde all over your asterisk Gender: Posts: 28,100 Thanks: 2,156 Thanked 5,338 Times in 2,433 Posts	Yeah, bad advice, yada yada. Unfortunately, the Chinese device is probably your best bet for a cheap deal, unless you wanna blow some cash on a crappy system like Game Theory Admiral, which actually plays NES carts. The PSP isn't a bad idea, though, considering what else it does - if you're gonna drop near a $100USD on something, might as well go the whole nine yards. The functions you get for it can more than make up for the price difference, and you're pretty much guaranteed hardware support and a rebuying market if you lose interest. The emulator software is also going to be continually developed and updated so long as there is a homebrew/emu audience for the PSP, whereas the emulator on the cheaper one is probably going to be custom or lacking support. The PSP will also probably have better buttons and less fragile, clearer screen. Budget and knockoff devices like that Chinese one also have a bad battery-life track record. You could probably go through several of them before your PSP needs replacing. Last edited by Cosmonautical; 06-04-2009 at 07:55 AM.

04-27-2009, 05:25 PM	#2
I REALLY HATE POKEMON! Goku lives on the Sun Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: California, U.S.A Gender: Posts: 12,717 Thanks: 1,334 Thanked 275 Times in 234 Posts Blog Entries: 1	I am not sure if I completely understand what you're asking for, but the PSP emulates NES, SNES, GBA and PS1 (probably other systems as well) games flawlessly, and the emulators are very user-friendly. So, I suggest getting a hacked PSP. =\|

04-28-2009, 06:17 AM	#3
DRW Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Gender: Posts: 106 Thanks: 16 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Well, a PlayStationPortbale is much more expensive than such a device. Plus possible costs for hacking it. And since I only want to play NES games, such an unofficial handheld console would do just fine. But of course I need to know in advance if it's any good because although it's much cheaper than a PSP, it still costs about 60$. This one looks preddy good, but I don't know how it plays. And if the correct screen resolution is used. And if I can remap the buttons.

04-28-2009, 08:25 AM	#4
Robotazy PRESS ANY KEY TO PANIC! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: A Tiny Shed Gender: Posts: 16,483 Thanks: 529 Thanked 1,254 Times in 897 Posts Blog Entries: 46	The closest I heard of was on one of them Tech Shows, which basically showed off a clunky looking machine playing Super Mario Bros. quite effeciantly (sp?). Still, I'm sure 500 people have done that at this point. Now, if they could do that for the Super Nintendo, We'll be in business.

04-28-2009, 09:11 AM	#5
DRW Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Gender: Posts: 106 Thanks: 16 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	The one that I linked to can also play Super Nintendo games.

04-28-2009, 02:49 PM	#7
Dizzy Podiaphobe Join Date: Oct 2007 Gender: Posts: 19,359 Thanks: 1,764 Thanked 1,161 Times in 804 Posts Blog Entries: 116	Oh, man. I need one of those devices.

04-30-2009, 09:51 AM	#9
*Cosmonautical* Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I rub my tilde all over your asterisk Gender: Posts: 28,100 Thanks: 2,156 Thanked 5,338 Times in 2,433 Posts	I still have my GBA flash cart, which I load up with my favorite NES games. The GBA screen is a bit of a squish for NES games, though, missing a few horizontal rows of pixels, but it has a resize feature. I suppose you're asking for the most accurate use of screen-space, and I don't know anything that's too handy in the way of screen ratios. You've either got screen stretching, or you don't have anything at all, these days.

04-30-2009, 09:57 AM	#10
DRW Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Gender: Posts: 106 Thanks: 16 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Yes, a Game Boy Advance is definitely too small. Well, these Chinese handheld consoles have a screen resolution of 320x240. So, displaying 256x244 should not be a problem. But I don't understand why they still use the stretching feature, so that some lines are drawn twice. Just blacking out the rest would be fine. But I only know how one specific console does it. I don't know how if multi platform stretches it, too.

06-03-2009, 10:47 PM	#11
Steven9wii Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: america Gender: Posts: 35 Thanks: 35 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	just use wii virtual console if at home.

06-04-2009, 01:32 AM	#13
t3hDarkness Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: I weep oily black tears of joy. Gender: Posts: 7,590 Thanks: 119 Thanked 418 Times in 306 Posts Blog Entries: 5	If you are too broke for a used PSP then you are too broke for pretty damn much anything.