n64 handheld emulator?

[Tastywheat]

Okay guys, im new here so please be nice when telling me how bad my ideas are . So after looking through all these awesome portables that everyone has made i cam across a thought. What if you made a n64 portable, but instead of building it out of a n64, just make it with parts like a computer, but only the small parts that would be needed to run a n64 emulator. i know what your saying, cant you just home-brew a psp or put the emulator on a ipod touch? Most of these emulators are hard to find, hard to get working, hard to find roms for, or run slow. And also that takes all the fun out of the project.

Basically this would be just like the a320 or the mn2014, but instead of playing NES/SNES games, it would play n64 games, and most likely be bigger. If planned properly though, i believe this could be achieved without being as big as some n64 portables out there, and most likely easier to achieve a comfortable handheld that plays n64 titles. If its possible to put a n64 on your phone and ipod, then i think we could make a handheld n64 emulator. Yet, I'm not as skilled as you guys, so tell me your opinion and knowledge you have obtained from the experiences i do not have.

Bob

 

[samjc3]

Its been done. Most notably the OpenPandora. However, most smartphones these days are capable of emulating n64, as well as many other consoles. Building something specifically to emulate n64 would be pretty shortsighted, since any hardware capable of n64 could also emulate pretty much every console that came before.

As far as making a new hardware platform goes, I imagine the RasberryPi would be a great place to start, as it is plenty powerful, and should have a good stock of emulators quite soon. Its also quite small, and power friendly compared to what we normally deal with in portablizing.

It would certainly be neat to see a emulation device in the pedigree of the gp2x and the pandora that is actually comfortable to hold, and less half baked. I think thats quite possible, what with the android OS and the SOCs available these days. At the same time though, I imagine the market for such a thing is smaller than ever, especially since, if it hasn't been hacked already, when the ps vita is hacked, it should provide a fantastic emulation platform.

 

[DefectX11]

I'm betting on the Vita being able to run some top emulators out there. Quad core CPU and quad core graphics beats the OpenPandora by a long shot. Should there be a linux build for it, you'd be flying through N64 games.

 

[vskid3]

Its not power that is the problem with emulating the N64. The PSP can emulate a few games at near full speed. However, my laptop, that is many times more powerful, still has graphics issues and glitches that can render some games completely unplayable.

The other problem is controls. I have 2 Android phones that have no problem running the usual N64 games (SM64, SSB, Mario Kart 64), but I can't stand actually playing the games. The onscreen controls are terrible compared to a real controller. Making a good bluetooth controller that isn't stupid expensive would be a much better project, in my opinion.

 

[Zero]

Like everyone has said already, making something like this for just N64 doesn't make much sense when you can have it do much more. Anyway, it should be possible using something like a BeagleBoard, Raspberry Pi, etc.

There are plenty of options here, just do some research on which one is best for your needs.

 

[DefectX11]

The onscreen controls are terrible compared to a real controller. Making a good bluetooth controller that isn't stupid expensive would be a much better project, in my opinion.

Hence the Vita- those analog sticks + buttons would be nice with emulators.

 

[Zero]

The Vita is proprietary hardware that literally just came out. Not only is it still expensive, but it can't even run homebrew yet (unless you count running PSP homebrew from the PSP emulator). I'm sure in the future it'll be a good suggestion, but there are plenty of other options to do what the OP wants right now without waiting for someone to crack open the Vita.

 

[Tastywheat]

To be honest, im not asking so i can do it. I have no intentions of making one, i was just wondering if anyone has though about doing this. The i dea is having a hand held emulator that is not a homebrewed psp or vita. just plays n64 roms. just a though, thanks guys for your information and helpful tips.

Bob

 

[DefectX11]

The Vita is proprietary hardware that literally just came out. Not only is it still expensive, but it can't even run homebrew yet (unless you count running PSP homebrew from the PSP emulator). I'm sure in the future it'll be a good suggestion, but there are plenty of other options to do what the OP wants right now without waiting for someone to crack open the Vita.

It's was painful to drop the cash on my Vita- it's quite high for a system, but then again I've got a good 1 1/2 hour commute, so it does get good use.

There's no doubt in my mind that it will get hacked, and will run emulators- there's the people and the need (want) for something like that. It's just a matter of time and how much energy Sony puts into keeping out the hackers.

 

[Tastywheat]

If the vita gets a homebrew type hack I'll buy it no doubt. The joy sticks are very comfortable.

 

[DefectX11]

I feel a derail coming on.

On topic (derailed topic) the sticks are nice, despite being small. I haven't tried any FPS shooting, but for platforming, moving around, etc it's quite nice.

 

[Zero]

Oh I'm sure it will get hacked since they've already made some small progress, but since it hasn't been yet, it's anyone's guess as to when an exploit will come out.

 

[DefectX11]

Oh I'm sure it will get hacked since they've already made some small progress, but since it hasn't been yet, it's anyone's guess as to when an exploit will come out.

AND how quickly Sony will move on it.

 

[Zero]

Not really, if someone really wants a Vita for homebrew specifically they can just not update.

Sony is also not very good with security. The only reason homebrew still doesn't work on PS3 firmwares past 3.55 is that the people high up in the PS3 scene keep everything pretty secretive. That and no one wants to get sued like Geohot. All the tools are there, someone just needs to do it and release it publicly.

 

[Kickback]

Yeah, might be a while yet before the Vita gets hacked properly, and how far Sony fancy going with security.

Not to mention, it getting hacked is nothing, remember that people still need to develop emulators for it.

If you really want to go through with this, try the Raspberry Pi, it's tiny, cheap, and should emulate N64.

 

[DefectX11]

Raspberry Pi is a really cool little board- I'm interested to see what one could do with it. I may actually try this.

I'm doing this.