Cowon Q5W does SNES emulation with a PS1 controller

If you're an owner or prospective owner of the Cowon Q5W, you're probably impressed with its myriad audio and video playback capabilities -- but did you know it can handle emulation as well? Apparently, since the device is based on Windows CE, it's fairly easy to get game emulators up and running on the 5-inch PMP. In the video you can watch a setup of what appears to be an SNES imitator playing both Donkey Kong Country and Super Mario Kart (two favorites of our SNES fanboy, Paul Miller, we suspect). The games are controlled by a decidedly non-Nintendo accessory -- a PS1 controller connected via USB adapter. With that recent $50 price drop, this may be just the incentive you need to spring for a shiny new edition to your gadget library.

[Cliffy B. @ Mar 10th 2008 3:44AM]

This looks like fun,I just prefer this on my iphone.

[mushrooshi @ Mar 10th 2008 3:44AM]

Yes it runs doom.

[melted @ Mar 10th 2008 3:58AM]

I've heard of this before, I think it was called the PSP.

[Cliffy B. @ Mar 10th 2008 4:09AM]

LOL true true and if u want a cell phone included get
a iphone.

[caramelzappa @ Mar 10th 2008 4:08AM]

Cool I guess but if you really want practical emulation you should probably get a ds, psp, or gp2x

[Kurian @ Mar 10th 2008 8:09AM]

PSP >>> Non phone PMPs.

No one listens to 160 effin gb of music without a visit to a PC inbetween.

[entropyman @ Mar 10th 2008 11:41AM]

since it runs on ce- what are the specs on it? if it handles the acceleration okay you should be able to run a dreamcast OS on it natively

[James Baker @ Mar 10th 2008 12:02PM]

No, actually. the Dreamcast OS runs on Hitachi SH4 hardware, which windows CE hasn't supported since a much earlier version.
WinCE originally supported ARM, MIPS, and SH3/4 CPUs. SH4 was never used in handhelds, AFAIK.

Also, you'd have to emulate the sound and video hardware. Something that's only new being done with some success on a modern PC.

[OneLove @ Mar 10th 2008 2:16PM]

Yo, tell that dude its...Without further ADO. lol. "adieu" means goodbye.

[Abe Frohman @ Mar 10th 2008 5:27PM]

Does anyone specifically know what the "USB adapter" is that is being referenced in the article? I've tried a couple of different ones, but none were compatible with Emulators.

[stevil @ Mar 11th 2008 7:04PM]

Anybody have links or ideas on how to make this work? Every piece of 3rd party wince software I have installed on my q5w has failed to even run.

[t0rment @ Mar 11th 2008 1:57PM]

that's really great. I've been wondering why there are no compact snes hardware-emulators. some chinese companys apparently produce these. the way it's done in the video is pretty circumstantial though.

there is a port of scummvm to winCE/ARM, so you should be able to play monkey island & co. as well :D

[Steffen Jobbs @ Mar 17th 2008 5:47PM]

Apart from having to use a stylus, the Cowon is a nice PMP. Emulation is a plus. I use a PSP but wouldn't mind being able to add a Sony controller to the PSP.

[Josh @ Apr 28th 2008 1:13PM]

Is it possible to hook up two controllers with some sort of USB hub going into the Q5W?