The Pre gets PlayStation gaming and more thanks to ZodTTD (video)

If you're familiar with the emulation scene (and let's be honest, you are reading Engadget), then you know the name ZodTTD -- the brain behind some of the best jailbroken emus for the iPhone, including variations on the PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, and most importantly... the TurboGrafx-16. Now the master-hacker has brought his goods to the Pre, cooking up a version of psx4all on the Palm device, with the aforementioned GBA and TG16 ports on the way! Interestingly, he reports that the performance on the Pre is actually better than that of the iPhone 3GS, and of course he's hacked access to the keyboard, allowing for (more) proper control of games. There are still kinks that are being worked out (sound emulation, screen scaling, etc.), but it looks like we can expect big things in the near future. We at Engadget know everyone will rest a bit easier tonight knowing that real gaming on the Pre is at hand. We'll hopefully be getting our hands on a version soon, but for now hit the read link for more info, and check out the full video after the break!

[PuBeLeSs @ Jun 30th 2009 9:53PM]

deff looking forward to what comes out in the next few months for this and the 3gs sense they are so similar.

[willxcore @ Jun 30th 2009 9:53PM]

well then, this settles it.

[Wizardhowl @ Jun 30th 2009 9:54PM]

But hey Sony you're right just release that 250 dollar PSP Go that doesn't have a phone function. Obviously no one is interested in a phone that can play PlayStation games...

[JohnTitor @ Jun 30th 2009 11:22PM]

PSX library is better than PSP's anyway

[Boards of Canada @ Jul 1st 2009 12:04AM]

I think so too.

[Ethos @ Jul 1st 2009 3:09AM]

Agreed

[rube @ Jun 30th 2009 9:55PM]

I don't even play games but I have to admit that is pretty cool you can do that on the palm.. it's too bad the battery life isn't better.

[Epsilon-Not @ Jun 30th 2009 9:59PM]

Why was the TG16 not first? I need my Bonk's Adventure!

[rv @ Jun 30th 2009 10:01PM]

This is where a side sliding keyboard wouldve been optimal. Oh well, still looks awesome. Btw typed from my pre!

[HenryJonesJr @ Jun 30th 2009 10:32PM]

I don't see why you couldn't use the keyboard sideways and have the game running in landscape. Seems to me like that might be more comfortable on the hands too.

[patriotsn1 @ Jul 1st 2009 2:03AM]

umm... I might be confused as to what you guys are saying, but wouldn't your right hand cover the entire screen while trying to control it with 2 hands?

[where u at? @ Jun 30th 2009 10:02PM]

Actually I'm not familiar with emulators and ROMS and stuff. Simple explanation please?

[joshua @ Jun 30th 2009 10:04PM]

There is no simple explanation. People are running Linux software on the phone that has framebuffer support.
Doesn't look like they are doing much if any code changes either, the screen resolution never seems to fit right.

[NickNick @ Jun 30th 2009 11:48PM]

simple explanation

emulator: makes your pc/mobile/whatever think that its another device, like a snes or playstation etc.

roms: the cartridge, i.e the game disk, the game itself

[DirtyVegas @ Jul 1st 2009 12:16AM]

The Emu (pronounced /ˈiːmjuː/[4][5]), Dromaius novaehollandiae, is the largest bird native to Australia and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius. It is also the second-largest extant bird in the world by height, after its ratite relative, the ostrich. The soft-feathered, brown, flightless birds reach up to 2 metres (6.6 ft) in height. The Emu is common over most of mainland Australia, although it avoids heavily populated areas, dense forest, and arid areas.

[Joshua @ Jun 30th 2009 10:09PM]

Can somebody please scoop this kid up and give him a +100k job? Honestly, he is a maniac! Imagine what he could do with the right resources!

[Sabi @ Jun 30th 2009 10:17PM]

what a bad idea...
giving him a job would make him worse, he would eventually get a life and family and stop doing the "cool" things we have seen him done...


stay single to stay cool, in his case...

[zodttd @ Jun 30th 2009 11:59PM]

If there's a company in need a software engineer who specializes in porting software between different platforms and architectures, while still paying a decent salary...there's interest. Though I'm very happy doing what I do as is. :)

[maveric101 @ Jul 1st 2009 12:13AM]

holy crap it's the man himself! *faints*

awesome work.

[Stu L Tissimus @ Jul 1st 2009 12:59AM]

I LOVE YOU ZOD

[Mr V @ Jul 1st 2009 6:58AM]

Kneel before ZOD!!!!

[10minutehobo @ Jul 1st 2009 7:08AM]

*_*
:3
wow

[Hel @ Jul 1st 2009 9:46AM]

ZOD - cool to see you out and about on the intarwebs. Have you approached Google about a job. Android is really the only smartphone OS that's not produced alongside and tightly coupled to a specific set of hardware. I'd think with your resume you'd be able to walk on to Google's Android team.

Also, they're a great place to work, and will encourage (actually the REQUIRE) you to work on your on projects on company time.

[Sharppay @ Jun 30th 2009 10:16PM]

Mindless Iphone Fanbo comment in 3, 2......

[danny @ Jun 30th 2009 10:28PM]

1 9/10, 1 4/5...

[patriotsn1 @ Jun 30th 2009 10:15PM]

Buttons make everything more fun!

[peter @ Jun 30th 2009 10:16PM]

That explains why there is no MAME yet for the dingoo, although he promised us. :´(

[zodttd @ Jun 30th 2009 11:59PM]

Franxis complained, I backed out as he wanted to do it first.

[peter @ Jul 1st 2009 3:23PM]

seriously? ha, ok, i won´t complain then. :D
But slaneesh could steal franxis the show. ^^

[ED @ Jun 30th 2009 10:21PM]

"jailbroken emus"
As an Australian, I must confess that my mind went in the wrong direction for a moment.

[King Mook Mook @ Jun 30th 2009 11:03PM]

LOL!!! That's the best comment I have read all day!

[MrNuclear @ Jul 1st 2009 2:28AM]

As did mine when I read 'A rooted Palm Pre'.

[Ethos @ Jul 1st 2009 3:12AM]

"Rooted" haha is it just a Aussie I don't think I've heard other people(overseas) say?

[The Quote Train @ Jun 30th 2009 10:23PM]

Does anyone know if any third parties are going to release larger a larger capacity battery for this phone? Is it even possible :o

[Demo @ Jun 30th 2009 10:28PM]

http://www.seidioonline.com/product-p/bacy26pmpre-bk.htm

http://www.seidioonline.com/product-p/basi13pmx3.htm

[Yankees368 @ Jun 30th 2009 10:29PM]

seidio is working on it now. until then, just go to a sprint store and ask for a spare pre battery. they should just give you one, if they have it.

[james rose @ Jun 30th 2009 10:35PM]

Yes...seidio has an extended battery out now and another even higher capacity one is coming soon

[Hooterman @ Jul 2nd 2009 5:26PM]

@ Yankees368

Why would they just give you a free battery?

[Seven @ Jun 30th 2009 10:24PM]

But can it run Crysis?

[Templarian @ Jun 30th 2009 10:31PM]

The only reason I can see why it couldn't is because it's based off of Linux. Other than that I think it would play fine.

[GroovDude @ Jun 30th 2009 11:36PM]

^^CAPTAIN OBVIOUS TO THE RESCUE!!!!^^

[friktionn @ Jul 1st 2009 6:13PM]

that's a serious right index finger!

[Someperson @ Jun 30th 2009 10:37PM]

So....when will this available on Android?

[B3astofthe3ast @ Jul 1st 2009 1:24AM]

Its been out for the G1...full screen too.

[Jacob @ Jun 30th 2009 10:42PM]

Cool, if it works with no lag I'm sold.

[henry earl @ Jun 30th 2009 10:49PM]

Alright! Wipeout FTW!!!!

[nick @ Jun 30th 2009 10:59PM]

what about an amiga emulator - that would be sweet!

[GRAMMAR POLICE @ Jul 1st 2009 12:36AM]

I could play Knights of the Crystallion again...

[Peter @ Jun 30th 2009 11:19PM]

Hi palm pre is an okay product, but the build quality sucks. It feels like a cheap plastic nugget

[Chaz D @ Jul 1st 2009 1:53PM]

Hi you're a douche