How many of you play emulated games

[Commander Marklar]

The actual hardware and software isn't really that hard to get a hold of either. For a ?100 or so, you could grab a master system and a hundred games or so quite easily, so the mind boggles at why everyone says "Sega should do this and that". I'd rather see more of a arcade-style heritage resurface or even older hardware.

It's quite funny that video games get compared to two other art forms that have been around for generations too. Maybe that's why it's still considered a 'fad' 'cos looking back, there really isn't any kind of cultural change or influence from video games, beyond the Daily Mail-style "video games killed my kid" bad parenting seen in the news.

[Duddyroar]

I know that Sega have made steps to bring their older titles to the current gaming public, but a few badly emulated Megadrive games does not satisfy my retro hunger. Also, I wouldn't touch Sega's PC-based conversions with a twenty-foot pole. The only Sega retro pack that's worthwhile is the Sonic Mega Collection (which you mentioned). Still, this is not enough. And the less said about Sega's recent 'Ages' collection on the PS2, the better. I want to play some of the Sega's 'lost gems' like their many arcade releases that didn't see home conversions.

The actual hardware and software isn't really that hard to get a hold of either. For a ?100 or so, you could grab a master system and a hundred games or so quite easily, so the mind boggles at why everyone says "Sega should do this and that". I'd rather see more of a arcade-style heritage resurface or even older hardware.

That's like saying everytime someone wants to listen to a U2 record they have to buy a different CD player. There is no reason whatsoever why Sega couldn't emulate the Master System 100% on current hardware. I know that it's nice to play games on the system they were originally intended for if we're being honest here it wouldn't make a jot of difference if you played Psycho Fox on the MS or a PS2. I can be done and it should be done - Sega will make money out of retro packages, they will not make money out of someone buying an old MS and some second hand games. Plus I simply don't have the room or money to buy up every console I fancy playing games on.

It's quite funny that video games get compared to two other art forms that have been around for generations too. Maybe that's why it's still considered a 'fad' 'cos looking back, there really isn't any kind of cultural change or influence from video games, beyond the Daily Mail-style "video games killed my kid" bad parenting seen in the news

I'd disagree there, too - films like The Matrix show the influence of videogames on modern culture.

[Blu3Flame]

For a ?100 or so, you could grab a master system and a hundred games or so quite easily

For an all inclusive ?20 you could pick up a SMS, a couple controllers and all the parts to knock together a re-writable flashcart and programmer within an hour or two

[Duddyroar]

For an all inclusive ?20 you could pick up a SMS, a couple controllers and all the parts to knock together a re-writable flashcart and programmer within an hour or two

You could, maybe. With a full time job, child, dog and a house to look after I have very little time for gaming as it is. I want a one-stop solution, as will many other gamers my age who want to play retro titles.

[Blu3Flame]

Well there are official licensed SEGA consoles which come with prebuilt games, I believe the SMS one comes with 105 games, infact its a damn good selection of games from what I've seen

[Duddyroar]

Are these 'Official' consoles? Could you point me in the direction of this Master System machine, as I would be really interested if it had over a 100 titles. I had to get rid of my MS collection due to lack of space.

[Blu3Flame]

I believe it is 'official' yes its a Sega/Tectoy product, Tectoy hold an official license to manufacture Sega consoles and games. It is also said that Tectoy is possibly Sega's brazilian subsidary, but unsure if this was confirmed or not.

They also do a Megadrive variant with 60 games. Would be worth mentioning that I'm not sure all 105 games are in english, gbax do mention that their are brazilian titles on the machines as well.

They sell them in the UK here,

http://www.gbax.com/brazilsega.html

The official website is here,

http://www.tectoy.com.br/

And here is a page generally about Tectoy and all the weird and wonderful stuff they have been doing with their Sega affiliation over the years.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~coleman/sms/

[Duddyroar]

Cool...I knew of Tectoy but I didn't know they did this...this beats the hell out of the 'Joystick' consoles released over here so far - 60 games compared to the handful on the UK version!

[Blu3Flame]

Might be worth mentioning released by Sega, the Megadrive 6-in-1. The console is housed within the controller, and it contains the games:
Sonic the Hedgehog, King of Monster, Golden Axe, Dr. Robotnics Mean Bean Machine, Kid Chameleon and Flicky

You can buy them from:

http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=159&products_id=4273&

Or from here in the UK:

http://www.firebox.com/?dir=firebox&action=product&pid=864

[Commander Marklar]

That's like saying everytime someone wants to listen to a U2 record they have to buy a different CD player.

Don't be silly That wasn't my point at all, just pointing out that while some may yearn to get a hold of these games or whatever, they can. It's also why I mentioned arcade style stuff, because that's much harder/impossible to come by.

I can be done and it should be done.

I agree with you, there is no reason why it can't (legal issues aside, e.g something like the Amiga) other than providing a stable-hardware platform to play them on. The PS2 (for example) isn't gonna be around forever...

I'd disagree there, too - films like The Matrix show the influence of videogames on modern culture.

Explain? Other than producing some dodgy franchise games, what influence has videogaming got to do with the Matrix? I thought it was a religious film?


edit: Thing is, there are tons of retro-things out there, from these stupid 100-in-1 controller things, which Sega have also produced, to retro-packs a dozen. They have been around since the Saturn days and quite prolific on Sega's hardware. I don't think they have set the world alight with sales, tbh. Like I said before, there only a tiny minority of people who go out and buy these things.

[Duddyroar]

Might be worth mentioning released by Sega, the Megadrive 6-in-1. The console is housed within the controller, and it contains the games:
Sonic the Hedgehog, King of Monster, Golden Axe, Dr. Robotnics Mean Bean Machine, Kid Chameleon and Flicky

I mentioned it in my post...like I said, compared to the Tectoy version it's a complete waste of time - 6 games compared to 60? Come on Sega...

I agree with you, there is no reason why it can't (legal issues aside, e.g something like the Amiga) other than providing a stable-hardware platform to play them on. The PS2 (for example) isn't gonna be around forever...

Well there shouldn't be any legal issues if Sega produce this collection themselves. However the games could be licenced out for re-release to another company, as is the case with some CD collections and films. And as for the PS2 not being around forever...well, VHS and audio cassettes won't be around forever either - that's why companies have updated their catalogue to DVD and CD. With 'classic' games, this could be done for the next generation as well. Surely a game as good as Zelda: A Link to the Past should be enjoyed by future generations? That may sound a little silly but a game as good as Zelda will remain playable forever (I'm sure in 50 years time consoles will be generating photo-realistic visuals - but just because colour films came along doesn't mean that people stopped watching black and white ones). Thankfully Nintendo have released it for the GBA, but there are countless other classics that would be lost forever were it not for emulation (or seeking out the host hardware - not something everyone can do, as previously discussed). PLUS! Games like Zelda which make use of battery backup will eventually become useless unless you're prepared to open up the cart and replace the battery. A version adapted for current hardware could make use of the flash memory cards/hard drives for saves. I'm starting to ramble here, but these are the reasons I see for bringing old games to current hardware.

Explain? Other than producing some dodgy franchise games, what influence has videogaming got to do with the Matrix? I thought it was a religious film?

Well I for one felt like many sections of the film(s) looked like they were inspired by videogames. In the second film the fight scenes were so game-like that I felt the need to pick up a controller and see if I could influence the outcome. (I'm not saying the Matrix films were good, BTW - the first was half-decent but the other two were shocking.)

Oh, and there's also Tron.

Thing is, there are tons of retro-things out there, from these stupid 100-in-1 controller things, which Sega have also produced, to retro-packs a dozen. They have been around since the Saturn days and quite prolific on Sega's hardware. I don't think they have set the world alight with sales, tbh. Like I said before, there only a tiny minority of people who go out and buy these things.

No, they don't set the world alight in terms of sales - you're correct there. But then neither does the 100th re-issue of Citizen Kane - but it gets released regardless because it's a classic and it would be criminal if people didn't have access to it. I feel the same should apply to classic games as well. These retro packs won't sell in huge numbers but I'm sure we'll be seeing more of them anyway. So why not do it right?

[Blu3Flame]

Games like Zelda which make use of battery backup will eventually become useless unless you're prepared to open up the cart and replace the battery. A version adapted for current hardware could make use of the flash memory cards/hard drives for saves. I'm starting to ramble here, but these are the reasons I see for bringing old games to current hardware.

My snes does this already, by far one of its greatest features. Backs up the saveram from cartridge directly to hardrive, and can also upload stuff back onto carts Tis handy for backing up my own and other peoples saves for them or downloading saves from the net and slapping them onto carts.

[anephric]

Well I for one felt like many sections of the film(s) looked like they were inspired by videogames. In the second film the fight scenes were so game-like that I felt the need to pick up a controller and see if I could influence the outcome. (I'm not saying the Matrix films were good, BTW - the first was half-decent but the other two were shocking.)

Oh, and there's also Tron.

The semiotics of The Matrix are undeniably "videogamey" - yeah, there's religious and philiosophical guff slurping around as well, but, as you say, the stylistics are gamelike in many instances (the Burly Brawl? religious? Nay. Streets of Rage? Yea).

There's also Wargames as well. And D.A.R.Y.L.

[ItsThere]

slighty off topic, but do i need to emulate Sam and Max: Hit the Road or can i actually still buy it anywhere for a mac?

[Duddyroar]

You can get it for the PC, dunno about the Mac though.