17 KiB
Get back your Childhood-Retro-Gaming-Experience
(without a hassle!)
A Talk in 640x480
ChaosBBQ2018
Why the Hassle?
- Retrogaming is Fun!
- Show the Kids how to play the "Right Way"
- Nostalgia
- Learning about Technology
- Having fun while fixing Things
- Input Lag
- Un-Archiveable with most modern Games
Notes: ...some of the AAA-Titles unfortunately more on input-lag later
What we're dealing with?
- Everything from Nintendo
- Everything from Sony
- Everything from Sega
- Everything from Microsoft
- ...and early Homecomputer-Predecessors
Homecomputer-Era:
- Commodore PET/C64/C128
- Amiga 500
- Atari (Several)
Note: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Commodore-64-Computer-FL.png - cc0
Gen 1:
- Magnavox Odyssey
- Pong
- Telstar
Note: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:TeleGames-Atari-Pong.png - cc-by-sa-3.0
Gen 2:
- Atari 2600
- Vectrex
- Sega SG-1000
Note: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Vectrex-Console-Set.png - cc-by-sa-3.0
Gen 3:
- Nintendo NES/FamiCom
- Sega Master System
Note: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:NES-Console-Set.png - cc0
Gen 4:
- Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
- SNES
- Neo Geo
Note: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Japanese_Mega_Drive_%2B_Mega.png - cc0
Gen 5:
- Sega Saturn
- Nintendo 64
- Sony PlayStation
- Atari Jaguar
Note: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:N64-Console-Set.png - cc0
Gen 6:
- Sega Dreamcast
- Sony PlayStation 2
- Nintendo GameCube
- Microsoft Xbox
Note: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:PS2-Versions.png - cc0
Gen 7:
- Microsoft Xbox 360
- Nintendo Wii
- Sony Playstation 3
Note: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Xbox-360-Consoles-Infobox.png - cc0
Gen 8:
- Microsoft Xbox One
- Nintendo Wii U
- Sony Playstation 4
- Ouya
Note: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Wii_U_Console_and_Gamepad.png - cc-by-sa-3.0
Gen 9:
- Nintendo Switch
- Sony PlayStation 4 Pro
- Microsoft Xbox One X
Note: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nintendo_Switch_Console.png - cc0
Handheld Consoles
...were absolutely dominated by Nintendo
By now, Nintendo rules Handheld-Market since around 30 Years!
Notes: even thou the lynx and gamegear were technically superior
Note: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Game_%26_Watch.png - cc-by-sa-3.0
Note: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Game-Boy-FL.png - cc0
Note: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Atari-Lynx-I-Handheld.png - cc0
Note: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Sega-Game-Gear-WB.png -cc0
Note: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Game_boy_pocket.png - cc-by-sa-3.0
Note: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Game-Boy-Color-Purple.png - cc0
Note: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Nintendo-Game-Boy-Advance-Milky-Blue-FL.png - cc0
Note: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Game-Boy-Advance-SP-Mk1-Blue.png - cc-by-sa-3.0
Note: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Game-Boy-Micro.png - cc-by-sa-3.0
Note: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nokia_N-Gage.png - cc-by-sa-3.0
...And the Nintendo DS of course
- DS, DS Lite
- DSi, DSi XL
- 3DS, 3DS XL
- 2DS
- New 3DS, New 3DS XL
- New 2DS XL
One more to Note
Before I Forget:
Sony also made some Handheld-Devices:
- PlayStation Portable (PSP)
- PlayStation Portable Go (PSP Go)
- PlayStation Vita (PS Vita/PSV)
Notes: Current competitors are primarily Android and iOS Devices
The 4 Ways of doing it:
Emulators Buuuuhhh! ✗
Play on original HW The Real Deal ✓
Play on Clones The Awkward Way ✓/✗
Play on modified HW The Hacker's Way ✓✓✓
Why not just use a RasPi?
- Your Experience WILL vary!
- No Hardware Accessories
- No Network or Multiplayer
- Many "Special" Games not working properly
- Input Lag
Using Emulators
- On a PC
- On a Raspberry PI
- On other Original Retro Hardware
Cheap, Easy, Fast, Casual
ROMs are easy to get
Incompatibilities
Poor Performance
Input Lag (sometimes)
Note: ScummVM, Retropie, Retrofitted Consoles, Emulators in e.G. Everdrive for GBA. Hassle woth Controllers, Savegames, and Performance. Wii, WiiU, Switch Virtual Console (also on PS3,4)
Using Original Hardware
The Original Experience
No Compatibility Issues
Everyone tries to get rid of old TVs
Less Problems with Handhelds
Usually small Screens
Consoles are getting more and more expensive
Hardware is dying out
Sucks on Flatscreens (Input Lag)
Note: especially CRT-TVs are Dying out more on the "Flatscreen-Problem" later
Using Clones
Not too far from the Original
Works great with modern Setups
Comes bundled with Games
Works great for Casual Gamers
Accessories/Special Hardware not useable
Limited to Bundled Titles
Many Problems that Emulators also have
Did I mention Input Lag?
Notes: accessories MOSTLY not useable Many FamiClones Official Clones for NES, SNES, Atari VCS (nice one, not released yet, 2600's library and more) not-so-official clones for atari2600, nes, wii, c64 (inside controllers) multi-clones: retro n(1-3,5) by hyperkin
Using modified Original Hardware
- Great boosts in Functionality
- Not interesting for Collectors
- Mods can make old Goods play together with the new Shit
- Old A/V-Connectors become less available (and useable)
- If done right: No Input Lag!
Notes: ...and old mediums also. explain input lag here!
So, what Mods are
Available and Possible?
Popular Mods
(Stationary Consoles)
- RGB and/or HDMI Output
- SD-Card-/HDD-Mods
- "Mod-Chips"
- Wireless Controllers
- Mobilization
- The all-time famous blue Power-LED!!
Note: hdmi with FPGA-Boost! ...or even Composite for those, who have only RF/HF. Mod-Chips for Homebrew/Pirated. Mobilization == Retrofitting, e.G.: N64. Like MODBO 5.0 Chip for PS2
Popular Mods
(Handheld Consoles)
- SD-Card-/HDD-Mods
- Homebrew-Mods
- Case-Modding
- Front-/Back-lighted Display
- LiPo-Mods and USB
Note: "Re-Shell"ing. Swapping Batteries for LiPos for Charging. homebrew mods moslty archiveable by Software only.
Other Mods
- General Maintenance and Cleaning
- Retro-Brighting with H²O²
- Replacing rotten Pads
- Re-Capping
- Changing Power Supplys
- Case-Modding and Bodyworks
Note: broken controls like @n64. and other broken parts replacement. Powersupply: useful on NES, C64
Other Mods (Cont.)
- OS-Swap
- Region-Lock-Mods
- Over-/Under-Clocking
- VGA-Mods
- S/P-DIF-Mods
- Oscillator-Mods
- RAM/ROM-Swap
- TAS-Bot!
- Usage as SoundMachine or for VJs
Note: fanciest shit: reverse motordriving for c64-disc-drive. VGA on Mobile Consoles. tweaking for ntsc and pal. sound: DMG and C64, VJ: lomo-mods. mono2stero demodulation. accessing expansion ports.
Ancient Analogue Terminology:
- PAL, NTSC, SECAM
- Progressive, Interlaced
- Deinterlacing
- Scanlines
- HF/RF
- FBAS/Composite
- S-Video
- Component
- RGB, YUV, YPbPr, YCbCr
Note: pal tends to flicker, ntsc color-errors, pal better than secam or ntsc. all interlaced (halbbild-zeilensprungverfahren). FBAS=Farbbildaustastsyncronsignal yuv often wrong labeled and != yPbPr, has different rendering, which has another color-realm as RGB. avoid HF,RF, Composite. Use RGB or S-Video. SECAM: France, East-Europe and Africa. pal/ntsc only allow up to 480i60 and 576i50, progressive modes only avail. in component, up to 1080p! yuv: pal only, yiq: ntsc.
Connectors you may Encounter
- Cinch/RCA
- Phone-Connector
- BNC
- RF/HF-Antenna-Plug
- SCART/JP21
- DIN/Mini-DIN
- D-Sub 9,15,25
- AV-Multi-Out
Note: avoid: RF/HF, Composite. use: RCA, BNC, S-Video. Watch Out on: s-video, SCART. d-sub 15 is NOT VGA here, but breakout for component (RGB)! Will not work on Computer Monitors (different Samplerate). "Klinkenstecker"
Modern Stuff for Old Machines
- Multicarts/SD-Mods
- Wireless Controllers
- Aftermarket-Games/Homebrew
- Modded Displays
- Customization
- Hi-Def-Kits
- Hi-Def Upscalers/(Scart)Switchers
- Retrode
Note: Nes: RGB,HDMI, SNes: RGB, N64:RBG, HDMI, GC: a plugin-hdmi! best example XBMC on xbox. Wireless Controllers from 8BitDo Custom as in Casemodding. open source scan converter, OSSC: <2 input scanlines framebuffer Framemeister: 20ms input lag Hydra, gScartSW/gcompsw, Selecty21,
Note: https://www.dragonbox.de/
Note: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:OSSC-Open-Source-Scan-Converter-Open-FL.jpg - cc0
Note: https://retroactive.be/
Gear Up!
Already hooked up with Retrogaming?
Okay, lets see what goes to the Shopping-List.
What you Need
- Your favourite Consoles
- A Good TV or Projector
- Must-Have AAA-Titles
- Titles you owned as a Child
Notes: avoid 100hZ-TVs, try to get good ones like sony trinitron
What you don't Need
- Counterfeits
- Outdated 3rd-Party-Addons
- Cases/Carrying Bags
- Cheap Upscalers/Switches
- Cheap SCART-Cables
Notes: Cheap SCART Cables are ALWAYS crap and not full-featured!
Note: https://blog.tastatursport.de/2018/01/gefaelschte-game-boy-spiele-und-wie-man-sie-erkennt/ - CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0
Note: https://blog.tastatursport.de/2018/01/gefaelschte-game-boy-spiele-und-wie-man-sie-erkennt/ - CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0
Note: https://blog.tastatursport.de/2018/01/gefaelschte-game-boy-spiele-und-wie-man-sie-erkennt/ - CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0
What you Want
(if you can afford it)
- A dedicated Retro-Room
- HighQuality-Cables
- Popular Addons and HW
- Awkward but cool HW
- Hi-Def Upscalers (and/or Mods)
- Matrix-Video-Switchers
- ...for Component in BNC
Note: ...like super gameboy, gameboy player gb cam, nes power glove, R.O.B.
Some Tipps on Buying (used) Retro-Gear
- Leave Stuff in really bad Condition aside
- Try to judge the Technical Condition, not just Optically
- Try to test as much as possible before buying
- Visit Flea-Markets and Retro-Events
- Try to Bargain
- Learn how to Spot Counterfeits!
Note: Retro-Gaming-Stuff is the Opposite of Uncommon; it's just old. You will likely be able to hunt down Stuff in good Condition. bring your own (Mobile) Console and Screwdrivers. Bargain: Especially on Retro-Markets and Flea-Markets. Trusty Traders will let you open Cartridges.
What your Setup should look like
...if <= 3 Consoles:
- Use a normal Flatscreen
- Try adding HDMI to the Consoles
- Use a HDMI-Splitter or A/V-Receiver
- One Device with Component is also OK
Notes: your TV will likely not support more than one Component-Device
What your Setup should look like
...if >= 5 Consoles (the Casual Way):
- Use a quality CRT if Possible
- Use a HiDef-Scart-Switcher
- ...or a Matrix-Switcher
- Relatively Cheap for Composite
- Try to get one with RCA for Audio!
- Relatively Cheap for Composite
- ...or a Matrix-Switcher
Notes: A Quality CRT is Key, because they degrade a lot anyways. On the other Hand even in cheap Setups input Lag will make things unplayable, so avoid using anything but a CRT. Hunt down Surperior Video-Editing Equipment on eBay. This comes in handy!
What your Setup should look like
...if >= 5 Consoles (the Premium Way):
- Use a quality CRT if Possible (with Component!)
- ...or Flatscreen (more complicated, more expensive!)
- Try to use/add Component where possible
- Use a HiDef-Upscaler
- Use a HiDef-Scart-Switcher
- ...or a Matrix-Switcher
- ideally for Component in BNC
- ...or a Matrix-Switcher
Notes: a Flatscreen-setup cost a ton of money, but looks awesome. depends on taste, scanlines... will get expensive anyways, when aiming for quality. Don't Expect Setup beeing completed quickly. Many Components requiring hunting them down on the long run!
Note: https://www.kramerav.com/
What your Setup should look like
...regarding Mobile Consoles:
- Mobile Consoles are way less Complicated to use
- Perfect for Collectors
- Cool Mods available (play in the Dark!)
- No Region-Lock or Resolution Issues
- Still Fun on the Go!
Notes: especially when using Standard AA/AAA-Batteries Mobile Consoles still relatively Cheap (even thou Games aren't)
Final words on this
- evaluate what floats your Boat:
- Cheap and easy
- As Premium as possible
- evaluate if SD-Cartridges may be the right choice for you
- Try to stay EITHER on SCART or Component
- Treat Audio seperately
- Disable TV "Enhancements"
- Get Region-Lock-Free Adapters
Notes: ...but aware Cheap Multicarts due to lack of Features! Best tv-setting is usually "Game" and watch out for different cart-sizes! Lightguns only work on CRTs!
Funny Things you've never heard of
- Nintendo PlayStation
- Four-Score, Sattelite, Zapper-Gun, Advantage Joystick
- GameBoy Player, Super GameBoy
- Light Player
- Super NES Mouse
- GameBoy Camera & Printer
- Tremor Pak
- 64DD
Some Links
- https://www.retroboerse.de/
- http://forums.modretro.com/
- https://shmups.system11.org/
- http://retrorgb.com/
- https://www.videogameperfection.com/
Notes: retrorgb and videogameperfection have good explanations, but they're also a store
Even more Links (Stores)
- https://www.dragonbox.de/ (Accessories, German Store)
- https://stoneagegamer.com/ (Multicarts)
- https://voultar.com/ (modding PCBs)
- https://www.game-tech.us/ (RGB and HDMI Modkits)
- https://www.retromodding.com/ (Handheld-Modding and Multicarts)
- http://www.gretrostuff.com (home of gcompsw and gscartws)
- https://retro-access.com/ (HQ Scart-Cables)
- https://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/ (HQ Scart-Cables, Custom Cables)
Note: 8bitDO, own shop?
...And some Youtube-Channels to Watch
- AGDQ/SGDQ
- The Ben Heck Show
- Nintendrew
- Metal Jesus Rocks
- My Life in Gaming
Conclusion
Thank you for being Retro!
@zeus86
ChaosBBQ2018