Hardware vs. Emulation

[CheapAssGamer]

I used emu to play Phantasy Star but most of my Genesis gaming is Hardware. I prefer hardware simply because it 'feels right'. Which is probably more about the controller than anything else.

[KnightWarrior]

both...

[gamegenie]

to those who play emulators, how the heck do you do it. Gens from what I tested doesn't run full screen properly in the latest version of Windows. i.e. Windows 7, I never tested it on Vista but I'd imagine it probably run the same.

Are emulator users on XP? or using some other emulation device?

[goldenband]

With the Genesis, I play on real hardware 99% of the time. I have a medium-sized Genesis/32X collection and I enjoy the experience of firing up the physical object itself. But even if I didn't, with an Everdrive I can play pretty much anything that's been dumped, and with a Nomad I can take it on the road.

(Also I'm still on a PPC Mac, so without Kega Fusion the emulator options are pretty grim.)

Having said that, I do use emulation to practice difficult levels before beating a game on real hardware. I feel it's an appropriate vengeance against games that either change the gameplay mechanic for the last level, or otherwise get really cheap right at the end to make them harder to beat. Otherwise 45 minutes of easy game + 5 minutes of insane cheapness = broken controller hell.

I've also been thinking that emulation is an appealing option for some of those sim/strategy/RPG titles that use gigantic passwords -- passwords that don't even fully restore your state when you resume your game. That's a big part of why I haven't touched Populous, Centurion of Rome, et al. since buying them.

Really the only platform I've ever owned where I've now gone 100% emulation is the NES. I just have no interest in trying to gather up all those carts, and if I really want to play it on a tube TV, I've got my Dreamcast.

[108 Stars]

to those who play emulators, how the heck do you do it. Gens from what I tested doesn't run full screen properly in the latest version of Windows. i.e. Windows 7, I never tested it on Vista but I'd imagine it probably run the same.

Are emulator users on XP? or using some other emulation device?

Try Fusion, it´s better.

As for other devices, Xbox and PSP are very good.

[Myrkwood]

to those who play emulators, how the heck do you do it. Gens from what I tested doesn't run full screen properly in the latest version of Windows. i.e. Windows 7, I never tested it on Vista but I'd imagine it probably run the same.

Are emulator users on XP? or using some other emulation device?

Kega Fusion is a great multi-OS emulator. I definitely recommend it.

Also, on topic, I like having the real hardware. I like being able to sit back with the real Mega Drive controller with a cartridge in the system. It just feels right, especially if you're playing with friends.

I do however have Kega on my laptop with a few games for if I have my laptop out somewhere during a break and need to kill some time.

Edit: 108 Stars beat me to it with the Kega recommendation.

[retrospiel]

I've been considering selling all my Genesis stuff lately and going emulation-only.

There is another option: Sell your games but keep your hardware and buy a flash cart.

(EDIT: didn't notice above replies)

Personally I've been playing emulators since 2002. But since 2007 I've gone back to real hardware and I really, fully, truly appreciate the difference. Never ever did I experience my Mega Drive / Genesis games on such an awesome setup as today:

Back in the day I did have a Model 1 VA6 so it sounded perfect BUT I mostly played in RF with mono sound on a tiny TV. All the controllers I had were in bad condition, and since I live in Europe all my games ran 20% too slow, in the wrong aspect ratio, and with huge borders on top and bottom.

Today I got a 29" CRT with great stereo speakers, and Tiido modded my original model 1 Mega Drive with a 60Hz and region switch. I got a NeoMyth 3-in-1 flash cart with Master System support, a variety of excellent controllers (from arcade sticks to remote controllers), and an RGB-SCART cable providing the best possible picture and stereo sound!

There's no way I'd go back to emulation.

[Camo_Camel]

Gamers sure have gotten soft these days. I joined thinking most of you were collectors...

[evildragon]

I use a flash cart, but find most EA games won't run, like Crue Ball.. Just a black screen..

[Curious Sofa]

Emulation has its ups... but I prefer real hardware.
One sticking point for me is I don't spend too long on any single game in emulation. I don't have a PC hooked up in my living room, I'm not as comfortable, etc and I prefer to kick back for a long session on real hardware.

Another is that I really like how the Genesis / 32x looks, and I love the Genesis 6-button pad to pieces. I've got a decent gaming pad for my PC, but nothing beats the feel and responsiveness of the real deal.

I also really like occasionally thumbing through the manual, looking at boxes to see how they wrote up and advertised games, checking out the art on the box and cart. I can't really defend it, but there's something to it.

But yes, emulation can be VERY good. Save states, graphics assistance, nice monitors, great soundcards... you can do a lot with it. But I'm voting real hardware.

[GohanX]

Real hardware all the way. I actually prefered emulation on the Xbox for a little while, but once I started playing my old systems through the RGB YUV encoder I never went back.

Emulation definately has its place, especially in portables, or when I'm simply too lazy to lug out the real hardware.

[Obviously]

Gamers sure have gotten soft these days. I joined thinking most of you were collectors...

Well the poll results support that assumption.

The majority opinion seems to be real hardware is preferred but emulation has its perks and uses.

[joshvox]

I use all original hardware, but I'm considering using emulation based on a severe lack of funds recently.

A quick question--what do people use for a controller to play games on their computers? Using the keyboard is a bit problematic.

[108 Stars]

There are gazillions of USB gamepads out there, shouldn´t be a big problem to find one that you feel comfortable with.

[BARBEERIAN]

Right now I'm all emulation (Genny's been dead for almost two years now), but when I find another Model 1 locally it'll be back to a mix of both. I prefer real hardware but I'm not gonna spend 'big' money tracking down certain titles.

For emulation on the PC I like to use the Logitech PS2 style dual analog gamepads. The Dpad is much better than a real Playstation controller (one piece vs the 4 tabs), but not as good as a real Genny pad. Other than that it's basically identical to a Sony PS2 controller. It's nice having the dual analog sticks for some arcade games in MAME too if you're into that sorta thing. Sure beats your character schizing out when you try to press more than 3 keys on the keyboard at the same time.