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Non-NEC Console Related Discussion => Console Chat => Topic started by: VenomMacbeth on November 24, 2013, 08:13:30 AM
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What all do I need & how much will it cost? I'm thinking of saving up for one & I need a goal.
Sorry if this has already been discussed...
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Emulation. Seriously, it's not for casual gaming if you just want to mess around. Obtaining one is part of the problem. Having a good monitor is part of the problem and cost, not to mention the different midi that you'll need. I'm not really the one to ask though.
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Emulation. Seriously, it's not for casual gaming if you just want to mess around. Obtaining one is part of the problem. Having a good monitor is part of the problem and cost, not to mention the different midi that you'll need. I'm not really the one to ask though.
Really? I've heard that emulation sucks for the x68k. That and I'm not a huge fan of emulation in general, unless I can use it on a console & the only one I have right now that runs emulators is my PSP.
Also, I wouldn't say I want it for casual gaming. In fact, I mainly want it for games that I guess you could say I'm a fan of (Genpei Toumaden, Thunder Blade), some of which didn't really get a home console port to speak of (Bosconian, Full Throttle).
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Xm6i is a good emulator
with an XPC-4 the monitor wont be a problem as you can use any CRT or LCD
Id get an XVI if you could afford it since it has a 10/16mhz switch
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Buying a peke is like buying a Ferrari. It's a very expensive quest of love. If you are one of those types that will be whining about money, stop now.
However if you are prepared to dish out, the best way to go is to start simple and build up. I live in Japan and it took me two years to complete my dream machine.
1. Pick your model. XVI is the best bang for the buck, if you want cheaper go Super. I do not recommend the older SASI machines, and the compacts tend to fall apart sooner or later.
2. Monitor. The Peke is designed to be connected to a proper tri-sync (15/24/31khz) monitor. This is something most people do not have. A lot of people use an old VGA CRT monitor (31khz) which will allow you to play maybe 80% of the library. Sooner or later you will want to get a real tri-sync monitor, or you can get the Micomsoft XPC-4 scan converter which will give 100% compatibility at 1080p if you wish. However the XPC-4 costs about $400...
3. Keyboard and Mouse. You need these plain and simple. Keyboard for certain, mouse can be had when you need it, but keyboard is mandatory. Getting a machine that comes with a keyboard will save you in the long run.
4. Compact Flash board. This will run you another $100. But the benefit is that you can play 95% of the games off it directly. Meaning you do not need to buy original software outside of collection purposes and a few special games.
5. RAM. If you get a Super or XVI, you most likely will have it come stock with 2mb of RAM, this is enough to get started, but you will want to upgrade as soon as you can afford to. More RAM = more games that can be played off Compact Flash. If you max out the machine at 12mb of RAM, you will be able get the full benefits of the CF route.
6. Controllers. Most games use the simple d-pad and 2 button MSX standard. You can easily make an adapter for MD or NeoGeo controllers. Some games need the mouse, and many games offer analog control using the cyberstick, which is highly recommended and makes a lot of games way more fun to play.
That's it for the basics. MIDI setups are optional (Angel Dive is the only game that requires MIDI afaik). Going MIDI is a long discussion by itself. I highly recommend you wait on this until you are ready, you can easily spend hundreds on MIDI equipment alone, start with simple to use (and totally badass) internal FM. Don't go MIDI until you are ready to.
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Thanks a lot for the feedback, guys. :) And SuperDeadite, I do agree that the compact flash board definitely seems a worthy purchase, considering many peke games seem to go for well into the triple-digits. It helps that most of the games I want are relatively affordable, though.
I knew it was going to require lots of $$$, I just wanted to get an idea of how much. The XPC-4 might be a worthy purchase, anyway, if I can use it for my other consoles as well. So, all together, how much should I save up for a bare-bones x68k setup? For example, if I got the Super or XVI, a keyboard, mouse, controller, RAM (not necessarily the whole 12 mb), flash board, and monitor?
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Lots of variables make it difficult. Generally it's cheaper to splurge and buy a bigger setup then individual parts. But then you have shipping to deal with. Which can easily triple the price. If you say buy from BMW, you will save a bundle on shipping.
Really there are 2 ways to go, buy a refurbished unit which costs a lot but will actually work. Or buy a junk unit off yahoo for $50 and spend a month or so restoring it. If you're lucky all it needs is a new PSU. If you aren't lucky, it might be so junked so bad that it won't be worth fixing. Lot's of weird little quirks with these machines, if you have a bad floppy ribbon cable, the system won't even boot.
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That is an awesomely informative post Deadite. X68K is one of those things that has always been in the back of my mind but I can't pull the trigger on it because of space and cost.
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I put mine on a computer desk with the MSX and FMT feels good man
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I put mine on a computer desk with the MSX and FMT feels good man
I'm surprised they all get along so well. :P
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Theyre all grumpy old men now matt... They relive tales of their past quarrels!
"Heh, remember how Id blow up your monitor if you connected it to me??? Hahaha those were the days!"
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Can't wait to test drive my Ferrari;)
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Theyre all grumpy old men now matt... They relive tales of their past quarrels!
"Heh, remember how Id blow up your monitor if you connected it to me??? Hahaha those were the days!"
Ha! Makes me think of Grumpy Old Men.
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Theyre all grumpy old men now matt... They relive tales of their past quarrels!
"Heh, remember how Id blow up your monitor if you connected it to me??? Hahaha those were the days!"
XPC seems to be a good mediator :D