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Internet Archive starts preserving classic game consoles on the web
Many gamers won't load a console emulator for much more than a brief nostalgia kick. The Internet Archive has loftier goals, however. It's expanding its Historical Software Collection to include the free-to-play Console Living Room beta, which recreates classic '70s and '80s systems on the web for the sake of the historical record. The initial library includes hundreds of games for the Astrocade, Atari 2600, Atari 7800, ColecoVision and Magnavox Odyssey. There are gaps in the catalog, and sound isn't working; the CLR isn't yet a match for a conventional software emulator, let alone the real thing. The Internet Archive promises to address both problems in the near future, though, and it shouldn't be long before its collection delivers a complete vintage gaming experience... minus the old-fashioned tube TV.
Capcom's CPS-3 arcade board decrypted at last
It wouldn't take too many minutes of perusing the archives here to realize that we're fans of obscure emulation feats, and this one certainly ranks pretty high up there. Apparently, Capcom's CPS-3 arcade system board has finally been cracked, which means that the next logical step of bringing titles such as Red Earth, Street Fighter III, and JoJo to the emulation realm has already begun. A post over at Haze's Mame WIP page notes that the challenge has been duly accepted, and we're hoping that it won't be too much longer before success is found. Of course, it sounds like this will not be an exceptionally easy task, but at least half the battle has already been won.[Via Exophase, thanks zshadow]
McKenna's battery-powered DEK create iconic lamps
Sure, we've seen a plethora of design-inspired lamps before, but the biggest (and most refreshing) difference between the prototypes we typically see on expo floors or in the back of one's imagination is that Mark McKenna's iterations are actually for sale. Big shock, we know, but somehow Mr. McKenna has crafted five slightly different Design Emulation Kits (DEK) that "pay homage to some of the greatest modern designers of our time" by allowing customers to create their own masterpiece using pre-printed parts. Once assembled, the light is then attached to a 9-volt battery to light up the LED within, and at just $29 apiece, these would have that engineering cousin of yours occupied and off your back for days. Click on through for a few more selections.[Via Inhabitat]
Hacked PS1 emulation on PSP now more efficient [update 1]
Dark_AleX has released another edition of his custom PSP firmware. Just as it appears '3.03 Open Edition Revision A' (OE-A) is essentially a modified version of Sony's official v3.03 fimware. 3.03OE-A also comes with a modified version of Sony's PS1 emulator, popstation; and with this latest custom firmware release, custom-made ISOs (game files) can now be compressed to conserve memory stick space.Ethical concerns aside, it's amazing how the PSP homebrew scene has exploded ahead of Sony, unlocking the company's emulator for use with all PS1 titles. With just a few hours of research, a stack of old PlayStation games on hand, and perhaps a little trial and error, you now have the power to forge your own emulation experience -- imagine that. You don't even need a PlayStation 3.Update: clarified that popstation is a modified version of Sony's PS1 emulator.
Hudson talks Dungeon Explorer VC delay
Hudson's Dungeon Explorer missed its target launch date yesterday, leaving Urban Champion (NES) and Baseball (NES) to represent Wii Virtual Console's New Years releases. The muff doesn't sit well with TurboGrafx-16 fans who have already suffered through two Hudson VC blunders: a broken Military Madness and a pricey R-Type.Speaking on Dungeon Explorer's tardiness, Hudson's John Master Lee cited "funky things" (bugs) appearing during last-minute tests. Lee wisely avoided suggesting a new release date, saying only that an update on the game's condition would be "coming soon."
New DevHook emulates 3.01 firmware
Just in time for PSone downloads, it appears that Sony has been completely outwitted by the homebrew community yet again. Less than a week after its previous update, DevHook now emulates the 3.01 firmware for users with homebrew-capable 1.50 PSPs. Until the next major firmware upgrade, it appears as though Sony's anti-homebrew efforts have been completely defeated.
PS1 catalogue on PS3 not yet playable
Speaking with 1UP, Sony's Phil Harrison detailed plans to make most of the PlayStation (PS1) catalogue available for download on PlayStation 3 -- in addition to PSP. Harrison confirmed that a few titles will be available at launch, including Twisted Metal and Syphon Filter. The catch is you'll have to play them on your PSP, since PS3 currently lacks PS1 emulation software.Once the patch is distributed though -- Harrison hopes by year's end -- each PS1 download will be playable on both PS3 and PSP, allowing us to enjoy treasured classics and rarities on-the-go and on the big screen. Just be warned, PS1 games will not be enhanced for your 1080p display.Note: Actual PS1 discs will be playable at launch.
SheepShaver
Damien found SheepShaver last February, and at the time this PowerPC emulation environment (great for running Classic on Intel Macs) had 'experimental' attached to its explanation. While I don't know if it can be referred to as a solid powerhouse environment even still, it seems to have come quite a ways since February; up to version 2.3, to be exact. The latest version has support for up to 1 GB of memory, many bug and crash fixes, clipboard updates, performance enhancements and more.While it still might not be pretty, SheepShaver is one of the few, if only, methods I've heard of for running Classic on an Intel Mac.
