Lunar
* 28-Sep-2022(#1)
Discussion for all things Analogue.
Duo coming out soon, fingers crossed.
But for starters, let's take a look at Pocket.
NES and SNES unlocked.
As far as I can tell, there's no other comparison for FPGA on a portable screen.
It. Is. Good.
imageimage Staraang
29-Sep-2022(#3)The Duo looks sweet. I just signed up. Why is everything they sell out of stock? Supply chain issues still a problem?
Lunar
29-Sep-2022(#7)Renaissance2K wrote:> It's hard to understate my glee in having a portable FPGA-based NES and SNES.
Yea, I don't think people realize how good this is. I took it for a test drive, it is excellent.
Only other feature I really want would be the sleep/resume(suspend) function.
The Spiritualized cores (GB/C/A, SMS) do support it, so I think it's only a matter of time.
Noid
30-Sep-2022(#11)benstylus wrote:> Admiral wrote:
>> Wow, these are pricey
>
> They are pricy but fpga is the best emulation technology out there.
>
>
>
Quizzle! Can anyone name lone Analogue console that doesn't use FPGA technology?
Noid
30-Sep-2022(#13)Lunar wrote:> Analogue NT
>
>
I'll certainly accept that since it is correct. Though, I was actually looking for another answer. Any other guesses?
Noid
30-Sep-2022(#15)Renaissance2K wrote:> That wooden Neo Geo console they made used actual MVS guts, correct?
>
>
Yup! That's it! That's the one!! But, bonus points to @Lunar for remembering what I'd forgot.
ChronoLe
30-Sep-2022(#16)I haven't had time to look into the light mods for the NGPC yet, so looking forward to the NGPC adapter. Duo would be lovely too.
Lunar
3-Oct-2022(#20)Admiral wrote:> For my money, I'd prefer to spend $100 on an emulation handheld vs $1000 for an FPGA.
>
> Granted, I should have preordered the Pocket NT when I had the chance at regular
> price...but in the market today, that's simply too much for a video game handheld.
Where are you getting $1000?
Admiral
3-Oct-2022(#21)benstylus wrote:> Admiral wrote:
>> For my money, I'd prefer to spend $100 on an emulation handheld vs $1000 for an
> FPGA.
>
> Enjoy your imperceptibly inferior gaming.
>
>
>
Admiral
4-Oct-2022(#22)Lunar wrote:> Admiral wrote:
>> For my money, I'd prefer to spend $100 on an emulation handheld vs $1000 for an
> FPGA.
>>
>> Granted, I should have preordered the Pocket NT when I had the chance at regular
>> price...but in the market today, that's simply too much for a video game handheld.
>
> Where are you getting $1000?
>
>
There were a couple that went for that much, but you are right I'm seeing more like $500-$700 depending on condition. Point is still the same
Lunar
4-Oct-2022(#23)benstylus wrote:> Admiral wrote:
>> For my money, I'd prefer to spend $100 on an emulation handheld vs $1000 for an
> FPGA.
>
> Enjoy your imperceptibly inferior gaming.
>
Ignorance is bliss, as they say.
But hey, enjoy what you enjoy, no judgment here.
benstylus
* 4-Oct-2022(#25)Lunar wrote:> benstylus wrote:
>> Admiral wrote:
> |>> For my money, I'd prefer to spend $100 on an emulation handheld vs $1000 for
> an
>> FPGA.
>>
>> Enjoy your imperceptibly inferior gaming.
>>
>
> Ignorance is bliss, as they say.
>
> But hey, enjoy what you enjoy, no judgment here.
Thanks, I shall. Just poking some mild fun at gaming snobs who sneer at using anything less than the 100% best equipment available.
People who talk about their setup like most people would talk about their children.
To this I say... many of the folks who developed for older consoles did so with the understanding that their games would be viewed on crt screens through standard AV cables or even (GASP) an RF switch.
Who are we to say that blurriness and interlacing wasn't the intended way to play these games (especially N64 games hahaha)
benstylus
* 4-Oct-2022(#27)Lunar wrote:> 2. re: developer intent: who are you, or anyone to say what they intended?
I'm benstylus.
In all seriousness though, there are visual tricks developers used with interlacing and dithering and stuff that isn't really noticeable until you play it on the so-called better equipment, and it looks markedly worse on modern TVs. I would posit that the developer's intent was for those visual tricks to work correctly or they wouldn't have programmed them.
> 3. You don't use RF the same reason you don't use sundial anymore to tell time, or
> a typewriter anymore to type a word document, or a horse carriage to commute, or
> go to the outhouse to take a piss.
I use fountain pens, so I can still lay claim to old fashionedness thank you very much.
benstylus
4-Oct-2022(#31)Lunar wrote:> It's actually better on a smaller screen such as the Analogue Pocket truth be told.
>
> Man, a "hardware snob" must have left some deep scars within you.
Not specifically hardware snobs, but any kind of snobby/gatekeeping behavior just immediately gets me into ocular gymnastics.
benstylus
* 4-Oct-2022(#33)Lunar wrote:> 😂 kinda like telling people the right way to emulate?
Sorry, but I don't see being anti-piracy as gatekeeping or snobbery.
You could argue that the companies themselves are gatekeeping by not keeping their games in print (either physically or digitally), and I would probably agree with that to some extent
Especially because I am very much for companies re-releasing their older titles via emulation on modern systems.
I want all games to be affordable and available to anyone. Well, almost all games. There's a whole genre I wish would just go away and I will be extremely snobby about that if pressed.
Lunar
* 4-Oct-2022(#35)benstylus wrote:>...I will be extremely snobby about that if pressed.
That's the irony here.
Anyway, to wrap up this pointless debate, no one said you NEED to play FPGA, but better and higher quality hardware exist.
benstylus
4-Oct-2022(#36)Lunar wrote:> benstylus wrote:
> |>...I will be extremely snobby about that if pressed.
>
> That's the irony here.
>
> Anyway, to wrap up this pointless debate, no one said you NEED to play FPGA, but
> better and higher quality hardware exist.
The real irony is thst for the longest time people were snobs about playing on original hardware compared to cheap emulation machines.
Now that FPGA exists and is way more expensive than original hardware in most cases, people can't get enough of it.
Lunar
4-Oct-2022(#37)benstylus wrote:> The real irony is thst for the longest time people were snobs about playing on original
> hardware compared to cheap emulation machines.
>
> Now that FPGA exists and is way more expensive than original hardware in most cases,
> people can't get enough of it.
>
I guess we are continuing. Who are we talking about here?
Original hardware is still good. As far as people in my retro circle, everyone who has Analogue machines still have most of their original hardware.
Lunar
* 4-Oct-2022(#41)Admiral wrote:> Emulation is REALLLLY good right now. Almost not noticeably different than FPGA...but
> the cost is 5x as much.
It should be clear by now, this varies from person to person. It's hugely noticeably different to some people. So there you have it.
If it's the same for you, that's good for you. Feel free to keep using the Mini consoles. Nothing wrong with that.
ChronoLe
4-Oct-2022(#42)I don't have any of the pure emulation systems, but there have been neat features that have come from the community continuing to grind. For example, some systems make it really easy to back up your game saves for preservation when the batteries die out before a swap. Granted this was available on a limited number of cart systems back in the day in the form of backup machines like the Game Doctor, Super UFO, Wild Card for Genesis and Snes, but it was limited and expensive for most.
This has been a conversation ever since emulation began. My mindset is that people play/use different hardware for their own personal reasons. As long as they are happy with it, no harm no foul. Pirating/bootleg software is a whole different discussion that is often a side story to the emulation scene as well.
MondoCoffee
4-Oct-2022(#43)I'm excited to get mine sometime in the next year. I preordered at the beginning of the year. I was bummed when I realized the window is just 2023 instead of just Q1.
Best1989
5-Oct-2022(#45)Gypsy wrote:> ...collecting Genesis carts does not spark any joy.
:o
:,(
Renaissance2K
5-Oct-2022(#46)Lunar wrote:> I pre-ordered the Pocket then came back immediate to pre-order the dock and the Game
> Gear adapter, the second order's fulfillment is alot later
This is what happened to me. I think the stock for accessories during the second waves was much less than for the consoles, not just that it took longer for us to order them.
ChronoLe
18-Oct-2022(#47)Systems will be back up for sale this month according to an email. Also, the Pocket Adapters are being sold in a bundle for $100 in a few days.
Staraang
19-Oct-2022(#49)Scalpers probably going to be all over these systems. Hope that won’t happen. I don’t understand why this has to be the final run. Is there not demand for these consoles?
Renaissance2K
* 19-Oct-2022(#51)A couple of theories
- They're going all-in on the Pocket since they can barely keep up with the demand for one of their consoles, much less the full lineup.
- They're going to release new versions that run off of Analogue OS.
Considering the Pocket is getting TG16/PCE support and we haven't heard a peep about the Duo, I'm leaning towards the former. A FPGA-based cartridge console with save state and game database support (like Analogue OS would provide) would rock, though.
Edit: Well, that was timely.
https://twitter.com/iam_agg/status/158277704268451... Renaissance2K
8-Dec-2022(#55)Lunar wrote:> Finally, after a year since I ordered it.
Same. I was surprised to see that the cool screen filters carry over as well.
Renaissance2K
8-Dec-2022(#57)Lunar wrote:> Too bad DAC support isn't up yet. Who knows when sigh.
While I'm disappointed it's not supported yet, it's less of a priority for me with regard to portables because none of these devices were ever intended for analog displays.
For the OpenFPGA cores, that's a different story.
ChronoLe
22-Dec-2022(#59)Lunar wrote:> Looks like Analogue silently pushed the Duo to 2023.
>
> Not surprising.
>
>
I know chip shortage is a challenge, and I suppose if you've followed the company for a while, then this type of delay is not news, but it's still a bummer to potential customers. From a business/hype standpoint, I would want to ride a wave of news not too long before release. For example, Grand Theft Auto series, at least for the last 2 releases, when they officially announced the game, it was typically released within that same calendar year, 6 months give or take? I can't recall hearing any news of Analogue showing off a prototype system or anything since the teaser. I also understand it is a small company, and resources may be limited.
On a side note, I wish we didn't have to wait another year for the Pocket bundle adapters after ordering, lol.
ChronoLe
19-May-2023(#61)Locked in. @Lunar Do you think they will hit their target ship date in 2023? Lol. If they do, I would bet a dollar it will be December 31st. Still waiting on the trio of Pocket adapters to ship out.
flamingtoastjpn
19-May-2023(#62)Analogue is kind of a “you’ll get it when you get it” sort of deal, I don’t believe the 2023 ship date for a second lol
Hopefully the duo is quality. I was really unimpressed with Pocket. Will be fun to revisit rondo of blood and try out some new titles since I’ve never had a PCE
Lunar
19-May-2023(#63)flamingtoastjpn wrote:> I was really unimpressed with Pocket.
What didn't you like about the Pocket?
@ChronoLe, I hope they do, but yea, it's likely going to be a delay into sometime in 2024
Renaissance2K
19-May-2023(#64)Lunar wrote:> Duo Pre-orders today.
>
> Get em!
Got mine. Hopefully, it plays nicely with the Turbo EverDrive Pro.
flamingtoastjpn
* 19-May-2023(#65)Lunar wrote:> flamingtoastjpn wrote:
>> I was really unimpressed with Pocket.
>
> What didn't you like about the Pocket?
>
> @ChronoLe, I hope they do, but yea, it's likely going to be a delay into sometime
> in 2024
>
>
A lot of stuff. The buttons are too mushy, it’s too easy to hit the sleep button by accident since it is right next to the volume rocker and the side buttons all feel the same, and the sleep function didn’t work well with some games for me. Also the dock software is pretty bad (maybe they fixed it since then)
It might sound like a nitpick, but the dmg form factor got left in the 90’s for good reason. It’s not very comfortable (in my opinion at least) and it breaks compatibility with the Boktai games, which is a damn shame since they’re some of the few games that you can’t really emulate to begin with due to the cool gimmick
The product would have been much improved (again, in my opinion) if they used the GBA form factor. Oh well though. At least the screen is nice and the second FPGA is a nice inclusion
Lunar
19-May-2023(#66)Renaissance2K wrote:> Lunar wrote:
>> Duo Pre-orders today.
>>
>> Get em!
>
> Got mine. Hopefully, it plays nicely with the Turbo EverDrive Pro.
>
Hmm, curious how it interacts with the Duo. If it's like the Mega Everdrive Pro, having a Sega CD attached actually hinders the booting of Sega CD roms.
ChronoLe
19-May-2023(#68)Maybe something they can include in future firmware updates if enough people ask for it. Hard to tell if you're unfamiliar with the hardware and how it communicates with the CD drive. Itcould be super easy to implement or incredibly difficult.
flamingtoastjpn
* 19-May-2023(#69)ChronoLe wrote:> Maybe something they can include in future firmware updates if enough people ask
> for it. Hard to tell if you're unfamiliar with the hardware and how it communicates
> with the CD drive. Itcould be super easy to implement or incredibly difficult.
>
FPGA’s are basically a sandbox for creating (inefficient) circuits. They don’t need firmware fixes the way most chips do. The developers can actually rewire the chip however they want
I’m not sure whether they’d want to do the work, but it can certainly be done
Breaking out the disc drive would basically only be used for piracy via the everdrive pro, right? Might be a little on the nose for analogue but they’ve certainly been cool with it in the past
Gypsy
20-May-2023(#70)flamingtoastjpn wrote:> Lunar wrote:
>> flamingtoastjpn wrote:
> |>> I was really unimpressed with Pocket.
>>
>> What didn't you like about the Pocket?
>>
>> @ChronoLe, I hope they do, but yea, it's likely going to be a delay into sometime
>> in 2024
>>
>>
>
> A lot of stuff. The buttons are too mushy, it’s too easy to hit the sleep button
> by accident since it is right next to the volume rocker and the side buttons all
> feel the same, and the sleep function didn’t work well with some games for me.
> Also the dock software is pretty bad (maybe they fixed it since then)
>
> It might sound like a nitpick, but the dmg form factor got left in the 90’s for
> good reason. It’s not very comfortable (in my opinion at least) and it breaks compatibility
> with the Boktai games, which is a damn shame since they’re some of the few games
> that you can’t really emulate to begin with due to the cool gimmick
>
> The product would have been much improved (again, in my opinion) if they used the
> GBA form factor. Oh well though. At least the screen is nice and the second FPGA
> is a nice inclusion
This was largely my experience with the Pocket. I sold it and never looked back.
I'd buy a GBA form (or similar) Analogue handheld system.
ChronoLe
30-May-2023(#72)Did anyone order the Super NT or Mega SG during the last batch run? Wondering if there is any indication that they are shipping out soon.
ChronoLe
12-Jun-2023(#74)@Lunar Did you ever get your Game Gear adapter? If so, positive thoughts or general concerns?
Bighab
12-Jun-2023(#75)ChronoLe wrote:> Did anyone order the Super NT or Mega SG during the last batch run? Wondering if
> there is any indication that they are shipping out soon.
I preordered a Super NT back on October 2022 and have yet to hear anything about shipment.
I have the Game Gear adapter for my Mega CD and it works well.
Lunar
13-Jun-2023(#76)ChronoLe wrote:> @Lunar Did you ever get your Game Gear adapter? If so, positive thoughts or general
> concerns?
I've not used it yet. Having a GG core before receiving the adapter really made it moot.
Renaissance2K
13-Jun-2023(#77)ChronoLe wrote:> @Lunar Did you ever get your Game Gear adapter? If so, positive thoughts or general
> concerns?
I got one. Like the other native cores, the best reason to use it is the awesome screen filter. This will likely also be moot in the future once Analogue enables display modes on OpenFPGA.
ChronoLe
22-Jun-2023(#78)Mega SGs and Super Nts appear to be prepped for shipping for those that ordered the last batch in 2022.
I was hoping they would get those pocket adapters out this summer as well, but it's looking like it might take us all the way to December until we see those.
Lunar
* 20-Aug-2023(#79)Been a while since I messed with JB Pocket, looks like alot of the cores are getting fleshed out, Neo Geo, PCE CD, CPS, other arcade cores are all up and running smoothly.
Here's a good source with all the core links. Also, there's a
good updater(similar to update_all on the MiSTer), if you just want to run that and check out everything.
https://www.timeextension.com/guides/all-analogue-...Pair with a dock, you got yourself a Portable MiSTer-Lite