Retro games and emulation - Discuss retro shit in case you're stuck in the past or a hipster

Just got a PS Vita as a gift, really excited to hack it. Does anyone have any Vita/PSP game recommendations? I’m not very familiar with the library.
If you don't care about exclusivity there's quite a bit, these are a few of my favorites for Vita:

Gravity Rush
Sonic Racing Transformed
Utawarerumono
New Little King's Story
Death Mark

For PSP:

Brandish
Riviera
Metal Gear Acid
Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X
Final Fantasy 7: Crisis Core
 
How is Acid? Ive been a long time mgs fan but have only heard bad things about that one.
Like many series spinoffs, if you go into it expecting traditional gameplay or story you'll be disappointed, but for what it is I find it incredible. I like the even wackier story, the more stylized art, and the gameplay is fun if you're into card-based battle systems (which I am).

It does have flaws though. It's pretty damn slow, difficult, and the story is fun but feels less fleshed out than usual. I can't remember which it was, probably MGA2, but it's worth noting that multiplayer is a blast.
 
The Sega Genesis version of Shadowrun has yet to be surpassed. I've spent countless hours completing many playthroughs over the years, both on the original system, and through an emulator on my PC.
I like the Genesis version of Robocop VS The Terminator more because the level design is less fucky and it has a cheat code that increases the gore.
 
Yeah this was the easiest but simultaneously most nerve wracking because of Enso. So far so good though :)
Did you got the 3G enabled model or the regular one?
How is Acid? Ive been a long time mgs fan but have only heard bad things about that one.
Acid is an acquired taste. It may seem boring at first, but when it clicks it's very addictive.

If you had Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater, interrogating soldiers and receiving card codes for Acid was a nice touch.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lone MacReady II
Did you got the 3G enabled model or the regular one?

Acid is an acquired taste. It may seem boring at first, but when it clicks it's very addictive.

If you had Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater, interrogating soldiers and receiving card codes for Acid was a nice touch.
Just Wi-Fi, since 3g has been discontinued in my region. I read somewhere in passing that the wireless modem can be made into something useful for modding*, but whatever I’ve already made my bed
*Edit: the slot can be used for more storage. Pretty bummed I didn’t see this sooner, honestly.
IMG_0062.jpeg
 
Last edited:
  • Feels
Reactions: Pepe Cortisona
Just Wi-Fi, since 3g has been discontinued in my region. I read somewhere in passing that the wireless modem can be made into something useful for modding, but whatever I’ve already made my bed
The regular one is more than enough, you are all set.

The 3G one can be modded by replacing the SIM module with an SD card reader, that way you can still use game cards normally (if you have some), among things like video out or other shenanigans if my memory serves me right.

I have a launch 3G model and the SD card satisfied my needs. And I still mad at Sony for letting the console die.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: The Cheese Aisle
The Paper Mario debacle got me thinking, right? I have a four year old cousin, around the same time I started playing video games. I don’t want to get her a Switch- between the (presumably for a 4 year old) large amount of buttons, the highly breakable screen, and the actual, real life sexual fetishes the troonslaters are forcing onto us, I want something a bit less complex and/or breakable. Should I go for an SNES (or aftermarket SNES) and flashcart? And if I do, what games would be best for a four year old girl?
 
  • Dislike
Reactions: The I Scream Man
I'm getting really interested into lightgun/ir gun games.
I'm considering getting an Ultitrack since I don't have CRT nor I have the space for one (nor I care), but then I hear that most of these new lightguns are glorified mouse pointers and the interest wanes.
I've saw this, the pandora's retro shooter.
Anyone got any experience with lightguns/ir guns? I heard about the wii remote and dolphin bar, but the wii remotes I had all have some issues, mostly because the wii remote usually sucks and the ir sensor goes to fuck itself really quickly.

I'd love for something like this but that works on PC and modern TVs (like the Guncon 3).
I've also tried to get the Top Shot Elite by Activision and... yeah it's just a DualShock 3 controller that gets recognized as a GuitarHero Controller on PC. The IR inputs are either ignored or simply not implemented. What a waste of money and time.
 
The Anbernic View attachment 6006027Anbernic Handheld's emulator consoles are decent too If you can find them at a good price from a proper vendor on Aliexpress.
I have the RG351V (one stick, looks like a GameBoy, emulates up to and including the PS1 without a hitch) but the screen got fucky and I really ought to upgrade. Thinking of the RG35XX H, that thing looks amazing for the price.
 
I'm getting really interested into lightgun/ir gun games.
I'm considering getting an Ultitrack since I don't have CRT nor I have the space for one (nor I care), but then I hear that most of these new lightguns are glorified mouse pointers and the interest wanes.
I've saw this, the pandora's retro shooter.
Anyone got any experience with lightguns/ir guns? I heard about the wii remote and dolphin bar, but the wii remotes I had all have some issues, mostly because the wii remote usually sucks and the ir sensor goes to fuck itself really quickly.

I'd love for something like this but that works on PC and modern TVs (like the Guncon 3).
I've also tried to get the Top Shot Elite by Activision and... yeah it's just a DualShock 3 controller that gets recognized as a GuitarHero Controller on PC. The IR inputs are either ignored or simply not implemented. What a waste of money and time.
Never used one, but in my searches over time:

Gun4IR? Sort of a build it yourself system and not cheap.
Sinden?(Although I worry that it doesn't have remote IR for tracking and apparently just puts a border around your display for it to lock on)
Arcade AE is mentioned, but it doesn't seem to exist
Looks like most still recommend WiiMotes with a different "Sensor" bar.(You could just use a couple candles)
 
The Paper Mario debacle got me thinking, right? I have a four year old cousin, around the same time I started playing video games. I don’t want to get her a Switch- between the (presumably for a 4 year old) large amount of buttons, the highly breakable screen, and the actual, real life sexual fetishes the troonslaters are forcing onto us, I want something a bit less complex and/or breakable. Should I go for an SNES (or aftermarket SNES) and flashcart? And if I do, what games would be best for a four year old girl?
Don't get her games. Games that early in life can fuck up your brain's development. It's too much stimulation.

Get physical, tactile toys and maybe like a bicycle. Revisit videogames in a few years when she's literate.
 
Is any one getting ANBERNIC RG35XXSP? Everything about it looks pretty good (with a excellent price point) and it would be nice have a flip GBA that makes it easy to play up anything up to Playstation games.

View attachment 6008211
Mentioned it in the handheld thread, but it's looking interesting. The amount of hype from YouTubers with early access has me suspicious though.
 
Mentioned it in the handheld thread, but it's looking interesting. The amount of hype from YouTubers with early access has me suspicious though.
Yeah, the market for such handhelds is so iffy. To be honest with you, I'm surprised conversion kits for old smartphones never really became a thing. Like where you could flash a stripped down version of Android onto an old phone that boots right into Emulation Station. Like RetroPi, but with phones. And then the kit would also come with a little controller thing you plug your old phone into and just keep it there permanently.
 
Yeah, the market for such handhelds is so iffy. To be honest with you, I'm surprised conversion kits for old smartphones never really became a thing. Like where you could flash a stripped down version of Android onto an old phone that boots right into Emulation Station. Like RetroPi, but with phones. And then the kit would also come with a little controller thing you plug your old phone into and just keep it there permanently.
The unit economics of portable electronics is such that shitting out a new handheld is cheaper per unit than paying for the labor to convert an old phone to be in a gaming-friendly form factor. Also, a lot of old Android phones are on effectively dead platforms from a software perspective - they don't have drivers for newer android versions and will never have them.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: Judge Dredd
The unit economics of portable electronics is such that shitting out a new handheld is cheaper per unit than paying for the labor to convert an old phone to be in a gaming-friendly form factor. Also, a lot of old Android phones are on effectively dead platforms from a software perspective - they don't have drivers for newer android versions and will never have them.
I don't think it really matters that they're on dead versions of Android. My idea is just designed around running emulators. Even Dolphin ran great on flagship phones from half a decade ago.

Plus, a conversion kit would let you use those nice high-res OLED screens, which you're just not gonna see from a Chinaware device. The only real problem is the ever-aging batteries in obsolete smartphones.
 
Is any one getting ANBERNIC RG35XXSP? Everything about it looks pretty good (with a excellent price point) and it would be nice have a flip GBA that makes it easy to play up anything up to Playstation games.

View attachment 6008211
I would, but I got an RG35XX-H (same specs, different form factor) right before this was announced. I'm holding out for someone to finally make a dual-screen handheld that's less terrible than the AYANEO Flip DS.
 
  • Feels
Reactions: Judge Dredd
Back