The Gamecube has very nice composite video output

[Jack_Burton_BYOAC]

I played through Mega Man X recently with my cousin via my PowerPak, and we've now moved on to X2. Since it isn't supported by the flash cart I turned to my Gamecube + SD launcher for emulation.

Going from the SNES to the GC, there's a marked improvement in video quality. No vertical line, no shimmering color, just a very solid and sharp image. And I've played on all kinds of displays through nearly every kind of video standard available, including RGB and pro monitors.

Playing SNES games through the GC looked, well, good. I really have a hard time finding major faults with the image. Perhaps s-video or component could make the colors pop a little more or seem more contrasty, but I don't think there's any loss of detail. Granted, this is coming from a fairly run-of-the-mill CRT TV.

Genesis games benefited even more. Given how some games took advantage of certain aspects of composite video, this might be one of the best ways to play them.

Now if only I could find a proper button mapping...

[reprep]

emulation will almost always look cleaner, sharper than the original. snes games look great when i use my ps3 and my 55" inch TV, or wii virtual console. though i still prefer the original thing (and the noise, grain with it) and the lovely snes controllers.

[Jack_Burton_BYOAC]

emulation will almost always look cleaner, sharper than the original.

If you want to get really deep into the subject there are reasons why a PC can best a console at 240p RGB, but for 99% of everything that matters they are identical.

[wiggyx]

But the gameplay is never the same when using an EMU, no matter how cleaned up the image is :/

[Jack_Burton_BYOAC]

But the gameplay is never the same when using an EMU, no matter how cleaned up the image is :/

You know, I used to (and still do) go on a bit about how emu's just don't have the magic of real hardware and carts, but my opinions are changing a bit. When I'm playing in the living room floor with my cousin on the GC and taking turns with the controller all that stuff sort of fades into the background and I just enjoy the game.

I think many classic gamers with a leaning towards the AV hobby tend to be believe if they can get everything just right they can enjoy games they way they used to, but the truth is most of us will never be satisfied while we're playing alone.