Emulators!

[Renzatic Gear]

This was one of the main reasons why I bought a PSP, being able to play old SNES, Genesis, and NES games anywhere is a huge appeal to me. And now, thanks to recent developments in the homebrew scene, I can do so!

WOOT! (http://users.chartertn.net/greymatt/dragonquest6.jpg)
WOOTx2! (http://users.chartertn.net/greymatt/punchout.jpg)


The PSP has literally increased it's worth to me by tenfold overnight. It was an absolute blast playing old games like Bionic Commando and Ninja Gaiden while laying back and relaxing in bed.

If you have v 1.50 or the nads to do the downgrade (like I did), I really recommend it. There's alot of nostalgic fun to be had here.

[Pandarbock]

yep, i can finally do what i bought the psp for as mine came with 1.51 already installed. I will probably re upgrade too 2.0 as soon as they get snes9x tyl running on it but until then much snes good times.

[Renzatic Gear]

I'm gonna wait on reupgrading. 2.0 is gonna be cracked really soon, maybe about a month or so at most, but I wanna see how easy it is to install the emus before I decide to do so.

I can live without the webbrowser and the themes, and you can use the WAB version changer to get around the coded bios blocks that are appearing in certain UMD's and games....to tell the truth I don't have much of a reason to go back to 2.0 really.

[T.Tashi]

I'm gonna wait on reupgrading. 2.0 is gonna be cracked really soon, maybe about a month or so at most, but I wanna see how easy it is to install the emus before I decide to do so.

I can live without the webbrowser and the themes, and you can use the WAB version changer to get around the coded bios blocks that are appearing in certain UMD's and games....to tell the truth I don't have much of a reason to go back to 2.0 really.
If you come across Shadowrun, let me know!

[Cuddly Knife]

How do you put an emu onto your PSP? Where can I find emus for NES and SNES and Genesis? Will I need a bigger memory card than the one that came with my PSP?

[Renzatic Gear]

I'm assuming you have a USB adapter you can use to run between the PSP and your PC. That's the first step.

Go here for the 2nd step. You'll find everything you need here..both for the emus and the downgrader if you need it. (http://www.pspbrew.com/) If your PSP is version 1.5 you don't have to worry about it, you can skip to step 4.

The 3rd step is doing the downgrade. It's a little scary, during the process it looks like you've screwed something up and bricked the machine at least 3 times...but as long as you follow the instructions nothing bad should happen (emphasis on should. There's always a risk when screwing around with this stuff).

The 4th step is to find the emulators. The best place to get em is PSPBrew (link above) since they're already packaged and cleaned up for 1.5. Just plug your PSP into your USB port, click the emus you want to download, and follow the instructions. Completely painless...but if you do come across an emu that isn't 1.5 ready you can find a load of tutorials here (http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=8010).

It looks daunting at first, but once you get into the groove it's a fairly simple process.

Now the last thing you have to do is get the roms, Google is your best bet here. Since oldschool roms aren't exactly legal, I obviously can't post a link out here in the open...but they're not that hard to find.

The bog standard 32 meg card will work fine if you're only interested in the earlier portables like the Gameboy or 8-16 bit machines. GBC games are usually about 500-800k in size, SNES and Genesis games are usually around 1-4 meg each. If you want to get into Neo Geo and arcade games you'll need to get a 512 meg stick at least.

As for the emulators themselves...I recommend getting SNES9x TYL for the SNES (duh), Nester J for the NES, and RIN for the GB/GBC. While the SNES emulator still needs some speed and code optimisations (some games run perfectly, some require a bit of tweaking, and some games don't work), the NES and GB emus run just about everything you throw at em provided you have a good rom.

In the end all I can say is just to play around with all the various emus out there and see which one works best for you.

And Tashi...which one do you want? The SNES or Genesis version?

[Jupiter_x]

If you come across Shadowrun, let me know!

Shadow Run...For SNES? I have that one. I can Email it too you if you want!

[Jupiter_x]

As for the emulators themselves...I recommend getting SNES9x TYL for the SNES (duh), Nester J for the NES, and RIN for the GB/GBC. While the SNES emulator still needs some speed and code optimisations (some games run perfectly, some require a bit of tweaking, and some games don't work), the NES and GB emus run just about everything you throw at em provided you have a good rom.


I just picked up a PSP the other day, I have a new found love for this thing. It was a split decision for me aswell. The Emulator capability had me sold.

I went to this website that had most of the emulators in one "Zip" file. The only one that gives me some minor problems is the Snes9x for PSP, and the sound is different. Yet on my PC, Snes 9x is the one with the least problems and has the closest sound to the original games.

What is a good Sega Master system Emu though?

[Renzatic Gear]

Dunno. Haven't tried out any of the SMS emulators yet.

And you know there's more than 1 SNES9x for the PSP right? I think you've got about 4 different ones based off the same source code to choose from, how well it works depends on how good the programmer is. The one I have, TYL, doesn't seem to have any problems with sound and is fairly speedy as well. See if you're using the same one.

Oh, and for craps and giggles...check your sound frequency as well. If it's set at 11k instead of 23k that'll explain why it doesn't sound quite as good as what you're used to.

[Jupiter_x]

Dunno. Haven't tried out any of the SMS emulators yet.

And you know there's more than 1 SNES9x for the PSP right? I think you've got about 4 different ones based off the same source code to choose from, how well it works depends on how good the programmer is. The one I have, TYL, doesn't seem to have any problems with sound and is fairly speedy as well. See if you're using the same one.

Oh, and for craps and giggles...check your sound frequency as well. If it's set at 11k instead of 23k that'll explain why it doesn't sound quite as good as what you're used to.

I have 2 of them so far 1. Bifuteki 2. "Y". I'll take a look for the TYL version.

I need a bigger card too, I want to get the Neo Geo Roms up and going as well as some PS1 roms. Damn, this PSP is just too cool!

[Renzatic Gear]

PS1 roms? I remember someone mentioning it was very possible, but I don't think one has been released yet.

You'll probably need a gig card for those, by the way. Since they're CD's you'll have to have at least 700 meg of space to load an ISO onto it.

[T.Tashi]

And Tashi...which one do you want? The SNES or Genesis version?
Well, I always had preference is for the Genesis version. Jupiter X said he'd hook me up with the SNES version though, so Genesis!

[Jupiter_x]

I have heard that some Roms are missing code preventing the player from advancing further into the game. (example: The last level of Final Fantasy 1, the little staircase heading to the last boss is mysteriously missing, The flying demon in Demon's Crest will not die even though you have shot one million fireballs at him for about a half hour) I have heard rumor of situations like this...can this happen?

Also....what does "Bad Checksum" mean? Some of my Roms say "Bad Checksum" upon initiation.

[Pandarbock]

I have heard that some Roms are missing code preventing the player from advancing further into the game. (example: The last level of Final Fantasy 1, the little staircase heading to the last boss is mysteriously missing, The flying demon in Demon's Crest will not die even though you have shot one million fireballs at him for about a half hour) I have heard rumor of situations like this...can this happen?

Also....what does "Bad Checksum" mean? Some of my Roms say "Bad Checksum" upon initiation.
That Demon Crest issue has been present since way back when zsnes was the latest and greatest, I think it is possible that there are a few mostly unused and uknown opcodes or something that are not emulated in any emulator thus far (similar to un emulated nes mappers). I also noticed one of the bosses in super ghouls and ghost wasn't beatable so I wonder if it is maybe just something capcom used that no other developers did at the time of snes development. Also bad checksum can mean that either the rom was dumped wrong is patched for compatibility, or that maybe it is a hacked version (ie engish versions of games like final fantasy V and secret of mana 2).

[Renzatic Gear]

I've played through tons of roms and have only ran into the problem with Demon's Crest mentioned above...and I somehow made it past that guy, too.

Bad checksums aren't usually much to worry about. Usually if you have a bad rom it just won't play, but when it does come up you won't ever notice any problems.

And Tashi...I'll send you the Genesis version here soonish. Probably on AIM tomorrow if you're around.

[Jupiter_x]

I've played through tons of roms and have only ran into the problem with Demon's Crest mentioned above...and I somehow made it past that guy, too.

Bad checksums aren't usually much to worry about. Usually if you have a bad rom it just won't play, but when it does come up you won't ever notice any problems.

And Tashi...I'll send you the Genesis version here soonish. Probably on AIM tomorrow if you're around.


No worries Beer, I sent both versions to him last night!

I played both versions too, they seem totally different games, like night and day.

[Renzatic Gear]

I always liked the SNES version better, it had more atmosphere and told it's story much more effectively. Though the Genesis version is closer to the PnP game, admittedly.

Still, they're both good.

[T.Tashi]

I always liked the SNES version better,
What?! (That's my Little Jon impersonation)

it had more atmosphere and told it's story much more effectively. Though the Genesis version is closer to the PnP game, admittedly.
Well... that is true.

[Jupiter_x]

I always liked the SNES version better, it had more atmosphere and told it's story much more effectively. Though the Genesis version is closer to the PnP game, admittedly.

Still, they're both good.

So far the Snes version seems more interesting but the visuals on the Gen version are nicer.

[Jupiter_x]

What?! (That's my Little Jon impersonation)


Well... that is true.


Tashi, did you get the games? Did they work properly?

[T.Tashi]

Tashi, did you get the games? Did they work properly?
The Genesis one works great. Not a single glitch that I can tell. I haven't tried the SNES one yet.

[Jupiter_x]

The Genesis one works great. Not a single glitch that I can tell. I haven't tried the SNES one yet.

Glad to hear!

[T.Tashi]

2.0 has been cracked.

http://www.pspworld.com/sony-psp/psp/psp-20-software-cracked-001604.php

That's great news. I really didn't want to upgrade and downgrade continually. But Sony is already hard at work on a new update to counter the downgrade exlpoit. I under what features they will try and entice people with.

[Jupiter_x]

2.0 has been cracked.

http://www.pspworld.com/sony-psp/psp/psp-20-software-cracked-001604.php

That's great news. I really didn't want to upgrade and downgrade continually. But Sony is already hard at work on a new update to counter the downgrade exlpoit. I under what features they will try and entice people with.

Sony really needs to relax and turn a blind eye to all this. Emulation on PSP has helped generate some good sales for it. I bought it for that reason (Split decison). Originally I would have waited well into next year or even overlooked the PSP altogether if it wasn't for the fact it could emulate and download AVI etc. Sony don't screw yourselves!

[Renzatic Gear]

You could always buy a GP2x, they're listing emulators and homebrewed software as one of their major selling points. It probably won't have much pro developer support, but you'll be able to use it however you want to...plus it's a fairly powerful machine in it's own right.

[Jupiter_x]

You could always buy a GP2x, they're listing emulators and homebrewed software as one of their major selling points. It probably won't have much pro developer support, but you'll be able to use it however you want to...plus it's a fairly powerful machine in it's own right.

Nah, I'm through with spending money on handhelds. I'll stick with 1.5 on my PSP until 2.0 is fully hacked and proven to work just as good as 1.5 did....then I'll upgrade!

Altough I hear that you need 2.0 in order to play newer PSP games "Medieval, Death Jr. etc." If that is the case then it's going to be a big desision!

[Cuddly Knife]

I haven't barely even touched my PSP, so what version do I have? 1.0? How do I upgrade if I need to?

[Renzatic Gear]

If you have 1.0 you're lucky as hell. Chances are good you have at least 1.5, if not 1.51 or .52...depends on when you got it.

You can tell which version you have by going to system settings/system information in the bios.

[Jupiter_x]

If you have 1.0 you're lucky as hell.

Why whould having this version make him lucky?

Are there better emu's out there for that version?

[Jupiter_x]

What about a DS emulator on PSP? :p

[Renzatic Gear]

Why whould having this version make him lucky?

Are there better emu's out there for that version?
Because A. it's rare for a US release, and B. it's not as drawn out a process to get homebrewed apps up and running on it.

With 1.0 all you have to do is pop all your stuff into the /GAME folder, with 1.5 you have to use another program to crack the file and make a 2nd folder (like GBA and GBA% for a GBA emulator)...it's just cleaner and easier to deal with.

[T.Tashi]

Sony just released a 2.01 upgrade for Japan. Damn that was quick! 2.0 only's been hacked for a few days. But it has no new features, and no bug fixes. It's only a security fix for the downgrade. F'k that.

[Cuddly Knife]

I'm struggling trying to figure this thing out. I'm totally useless on a pc so I haven't got a clue on how to put the emu onto my psp. I can't even find anything that tells me if my psp is hooked up to my puter. I've been trying to do this thing for days, and I'm about to say fuggit all. SOMEONE HELP ME!!!!!!!

[Renzatic Gear]

This should help you out. (http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=6432)

It's written step by step for stark newbs like you. ;)

The first time does seem a little daunting, but after you do it a few times it becomes as easy as the pie. And the pie is easy.

[Cuddly Knife]

Easy for you. i'm fvcking useless at this sh!t. I got as far as seeing the emu deal on my PSP, but it wouldn't let me get anywhere with it. Nothing wants to open, nothing wants to do anything, so I fvcking give up. Thanks for the info, though. Maybe someone else will find it useful.

It looks like my psp is going back to collecting dust again. :(

I'm so goddam frustrated right now, I can barely type.

[T.Tashi]

Easy for you. i'm fvcking useless at this sh!t. I got as far as seeing the emu deal on my PSP, but it wouldn't let me get anywhere with it. Nothing wants to open, nothing wants to do anything, so I fvcking give up. Thanks for the info, though. Maybe someone else will find it useful.

It looks like my psp is going back to collecting dust again. :(

I'm so goddam frustrated right now, I can barely type.
What psp firmware do you have?

[Cuddly Knife]

I don't know what firmware is, so I'll say 1.5.

[Renzatic Gear]

If it's giving you a really hard time then chances are good it's 1.51-2.0.

[Cuddly Knife]

I checked it in the psp settings. It's 1.50. It must just be my inability to follow simple instructions.

[shogun]

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/6280cefb29.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)
viva la PSP emu!

Gotta say, I'm floored. I need a newer version of Nester though, so as to avoid some of the nasty bugs I've been getting. Still, it's insane how much more awesome this makes PSP. It's also amusing how Sony's lame attempts to defuse the homebrew community via fw2.0 is doing a great job of making me not buy games that need it to run. The whole "portable NES" thing is more valuable to me.

I'm still waiting for SNES emus to get up to full speed, but I'm practically wetting myself in anticipation. :D

oh, if anyone wants anything from me or wants to trade, drop me a p/m. ;)

[Cuddly Knife]

Is there any way for someone to just send me what I need by email and I can just move it onto my psp? Or is that retarded.

And damn you, shogun. That makes me feel like a total wad.

[Renzatic Gear]

You could do that with This. (http://www.pspbrew.com/)

You just select what you want, plug in your USB cord, and lead the extractor to the memory card...then you're all set.