Emulation central - recommendations in 1st post

[lightbane]

Hey guys, I require help of the Kodex's Kreative Komitté regarding emulation. I was planning to play the Metroid Prime trilogy through the Primehack thing. I made a few quick-runs to see if it works and so far it seems to do so perfectly, with a few graphical glitches that according to what I read is due using save-states. Does that mean you cannot use save-states with Primehack? Another issue I noticed is that the game's starting video lacks the voice-over that should be there for some reason. That seems to be another bug of sorts somewhat known, but no idea how to address it, if possible. I think the game also shows graphical errors while showing up the map. So far I only tested MP 1 though, no idea with the others.

Also, what is the recommended way to play it according to you, gentlemen? I have a powerful computer, so I can tune up the graphics a little.
Lastly, what do you recommend to do with the control schemes to make it better for a left-handed user, as that's my case?

 

[Grauken]

Additional note on emulating DOS games:

OP recommends PCem for emulating Windows gaming environment, but it can also be useful to get more accurate DOS game emulation.

Ultima 7 runs like it should, which is a big deal, but the biggest benefit of using PCem is excellent support for joysticks. Joysticks work right out the box with DOSBOX, but you get lots of issues with games tied to CPU speed (notably, Wing Commander 1). PCem is WAY better than DOSBOX here, every game I've thrown at it (Wing Commander 1, Red Baron, Xwing) works flawlessly with a joystick, no lag, no dead zone, just fantastic.

Another benefit of PCem is that it offers better OPL emulation for adlib/soundblaster music, at least compared with vanilla DOSBOX.

[Edit] Confirmed also that Wing Commander Privateer works fine with joystick in PCem, whereas in DOSBOX it's been unplayable with high end joysticks due to massive deadzone.

Thanks for the info, I have to check this out

 

[newtmonkey]

Thanks for the info, I have to check this out

There are a couple quirks.

1) It fully emulates the PC you select, so you need to do everything from scratch, from selecting the type of PC (CPU, memory, sound card etc) to installing DOS, etc. I'd recommend setting up a 386/33, 486/33 (can be easily switched to 66MHz if needed), and P133. This will let you run pretty much every single DOS game except old boot loaders at the correct speeds.

2) I had some issues with my mouse at first (very jerky movement), but setting it to 400 DPI fixed it. Another option that works is to get an old PS/2 mouse with PS/2 to USB adapter; I've verified this works also. You will probably have to modify the horizontal/vertical resolution using the Microsoft mouse driver in DOS or the mouse will end up being more sensitive on the horizontal axis due to 320x200 resolution.

 

[spekkio]

lightbane

I've completed Prime 1 with gamepad, as God intended.

Don't remember having any serious issues.

the game's starting video lacks the voice-over that should be there for some reason

I didn't even know about this FMV missing voice-over. I just thought it was weirdly "minimalistic".

 

[lightbane]

I've completed Prime 1 with gamepad, as God intended.

Hm, I have a PS3 controller which I used to play AMR2, funnily enough. I suppose it could be compatible here, but FPS were not meant to be played with pads.

Don't remember having any serious issues.

What about using save-states then? What was your config like?

didn't even know about this FMV missing voice-over. I just thought it was weirdly "minimalistic"

Yep, the intro is missing voices. I believe the game has an outro video, no idea if that one is missing voices as well. What about the other two Prime games?

 

[spekkio]

but FPS were not meant to be played with pads.

Except the "console FPS" games, which were developed with pad as a primary control device. You will need more than 2 mouse buttons in this game, believe me (for targeting & shooting - related stuff I mean).

What about using save-states then? What was your config like?

I don't remember having issues with save states. And you know I'm a savescumming whore. Was using more or less default config.

Nothing on the game compatibility page too, maybe you are just unlucky?

What about the other two Prime games

Haven't played them yet. But I remember that 3 was totally unplayable with k+m without Primehack (mouse movement was "accelerated" the way Nunchuck or how that shit was called worked).

tl;dr

Maybe try MP1 with recent Dolphin build and gamepad and check if the problems are present there too?

 

[newtmonkey]

Some versions of Metroid Prime have the voice-over during the intro, and others don't.

More info here:

http://metroid.retropixel.net/games/mprime/versions.php

 

[lightbane]

Except the "console FPS" games, which were developed with pad as a primary control device.

Well, okay then. I remembered Timesplitters was a thing and were actually good games. I was thinking about Halo and how it introduced the decline. *Shudders* But that's not the thing here.
About that, did you play MP1 with Primehack, or regular Dolphin emulator? If I try a pad, would I have to configure the whole thing, or does the latest build include default configs?

Haven't played them yet. But I remember that 3 was totally unplayable with k+m without Primehack (mouse movement was "accelerated" the way Nunchuck or how that shit was called worked).

Yeah, it has to be emulated due the whole movement thingy. I suppose that with a Dual Shock pad, you can instead use one of the sticks for said movements, right? I still have to test it further and these days I'm unable to do so.

Some versions of Metroid Prime have the voice-over during the intro, and others don't.

More info here:

http://metroid.retropixel.net/games/mprime/versions.php

Thanks! That explains a lot! It seems the Trilogy re-edition included new changes, such as removing the voice-acting in some sections, such as the intro and outro for some reason, and making the game easier, but more shiny visually. Typical trade-off.

And to think the Metroid franchise was effectively murdered with Other M and Federation Force.

 

[Lyric Suite]

Is Demon Souls fully playable yet? I have a ryzen 2600 what can i expect with that?

 

[spekkio]

Did you play MP1 with Primehack, or regular Dolphin emulator?

Regular Dolhpin + Dual Shock 2 (via USB converter).

If I try a pad, would I have to configure the whole thing, or does the latest build include default configs?

Hesus, mang. It's not a Wiimote + Nunchuck, configuring GC pad takes like 30 seconds:

Yeah, it has to be emulated due the whole movement thingy. I suppose that with a Dual Shock pad, you can instead use one of the sticks for said movements, right?

Problem is, Wiimote works as a "pointing" device (AFAIK) (cursor goes where the "red dot" goes), while analog pad works differently (amount of deflection from the "center"). Try it and you will know what I mean (camera movement feels awkward AF with a gamepad in MP3).

 

[oddech_wymarlych_swiatow]

Is Demon Souls fully playable yet? I have a ryzen 2600 what can i expect with that?

\

On the very same processor I was able to run Persona 5 with full speed, even something as demanding as God of War 3 were a little bit choppy but playable so DS should be ok.

Vulkan gives better results than OpenGL if you have AMD card.

 

[Gerrard]

Thank you China

 

[aweigh]

Very close to being able to play this extremely shitty game:

 

[rusty_shackleford]

game

It's an interactive movie.
I borrowed a PS3 just to play it, it was alright.

 

[Sentinel]

Is anyone aware of a site that has tons of save data for different games? I need save data for FFIX PSX with all (possible) chocographs unlocked (but not collected). Preferably divided by disc 2 and disc 3/4.

 

[pakoito]

These used to be in Gamefaqs years ago.

 

[Sentinel]

Yeah I know but I can only find 100% complete pre-final boss saves with all shit collected there, hence the question.

 

[aweigh]

i downloaded a game save once off a really shady looking site but i don't remember the url. i'll post it if i find it again

 

[flyingjohn]

Pcsx2 has a new stable version finally.
https://pcsx2.net/293-pcsx-1-6-0-is-out.html

You still need to check the wiki for every single game issues but,you ain't got a choice emulating the ps2 anyway.

 

[oddech_wymarlych_swiatow]

Pcsx2 has a new stable version finally.

I've been using PCSX2 since 2008 and this the first build that allowed me to play Tekken 4 (every previous ended up with freeze), thanks!

 

[Perkel]

Yuzu multicore update released. It will be in early access for a week then it will go public.
Basically now you can have old 4xxx intel i5 and you will play full speed most of games.
Witch something better you can go for 60fps mods.

 

[oddech_wymarlych_swiatow]

Super Mario Odyssey is considered as demanding game or not?

So far it runs terribly on my Ryzen, 10-13 fps.

 

[Perkel]

Super Mario Odyssey is considered as demanding game or not?

So far it runs terribly on my Ryzen, 10-13 fps.

Which ryzen ? With new update it should run 60fps on most ryzens.
Here is early access build with multicore update

Even with multicore things are not perfect still:
- openGL - works really bad on AMD, with nvidia you have to set multithreading optimizations in nv settings. Frequently stutters building shaders. But once you at least once build every shader it plays smoothly
- vulcan - fixes AMD performance, builds shaders lightning fast but generally it is less stable than opengl and doesn't save those shaders on disc atm which means every time you turn game on you build new shaders. It also has some nasty memory leaks atm.

Once they fix leaks in Vulcan and port disc based shader cache emulator will be pretty much 90% done. 10% left will be finding those bugs not allowing games to run or graphical glitches.

Tries few games on ryzen3600+gtx980

- SMO - 60fps locked - vulcan works well
- Diablo3 - 60fps, almost perfect emulation
- Astral Chians - 30fps(default game speed), vulcan crashes, opengl has heavy stutter due to shader compilation.
- Fire emblem TH - 30fps(default game speed) in opengl, vulcan crashes on startup

 

[aweigh]

 

[oddech_wymarlych_swiatow]

- Fire emblem TH - 30fps(default game speed) in opengl, vulcan crashes on startup

Mine work on Vulkan, Ryzen 5 2600.

Anyway, if things go as well as you described, we can be sure Shin Megami Tensei 5 will run nice on Yuzu once it is released.