GP32 Info and opinions please....................

[OldSchoolGamer]

I live in Canada and am considering a GP32 unit. It's been on my mind since I first heard about it. To be honest I was thinking why bother with the as I currently have a GBA with Flash cart as well as I am considering of course the new portables coming soon (PSP/Nintendo DS). I think the GP32 sticks in my mind though because it already has such great emulation potential already available and to be honest I just like having fun and different items, like when my main PC was an Amiga 1200 people always were amazed at what it could do with such little memory and no hard drive, some things other PC could not manage under any circumstances. Anyway, I hope one of you could answer some questions regarding the GP32:

1. Best place to buy it?
2. Is a Backlit model essential? I assume it is because GBA sp is pretty much useless without it.
3. Don't you need to register it or something before you start using it?
4. What are best software for it (emulation/utilities/games)?
5. Is it even worth bothering with any commercial games?
6. Please rate performance/quality/dependability?
7. Is it worth it, I mean are you truly happy with the unit (IE: any regrets?)
8. Recommended memory card (size/make)
9. Any other info you can supply!

THANKS! :D

[Ed Oscuro]

I've heard that most folks who own a GP32 use it for emulation - it's got some games, but apparently they're considered "the usual Taiwanese stuff;" pretty, but maybe not as fun as the usual action title on the NGPC or the Wonderswan, for example.

Best place to buy...well, the price should be consistent among the import sites.

[Cauterize]

www.gbax.com <---- go go go

[soniko_karuto]

sorry. plz delete.

[soniko_karuto]

i'd better go with lik sang. i don't know, lik sang is kinda better.

[Flack]

1. Best place to buy it?

Lik Sang or GBAX.com.

2. Is a Backlit model essential? I assume it is because GBA sp is pretty much useless without it.

No. Mine is not backlit and I love it. I had a non-backlit GBA and I sold it after a month because I couldn't see the screen at all.

3. Don't you need to register it or something before you start using it?

Yes. To get up and running should take you about 10 minutes. You will need the USB cable that comes with it, and a computer with an internet connection.

4. What are best software for it (emulation/utilities/games)?

Check gp32x.com and gp32news.com. I think the C64, Atari ST, Atari 2600/5200, NES, SNES, and Genesis are all pretty good.

5. Is it even worth bothering with any commercial games?

IMO, no. But then, with a portable C64 that I can stick in my pocket, who needs commercial games?

6. Please rate performance/quality/dependability?

It's fine.

7. Is it worth it, I mean are you truly happy with the unit (IE: any regrets?)

If you read the review on GBAX.com and expect it to do everything in that review you will be disappointed (ie: they hint that it'll play GBA games at a decent speed -- not a chance!). The biggest problem with the unit is that for all your software you will end up waiting around for ego-pumped kids to port code and tell you how great they are the entire time. When stuff actually does come out though, it's pretty cool. Then again, like I said I have a 128 meg card full of C64, NES, 2600 and ST games, so I could really care less if it'll run GBA stuff or not.

8. Recommended memory card (size/make)

128 meg/cheap.

9. Any other info you can supply!

Search the forum, we've done this before and I've posted more comments elsewhere.

[jonjandran]

OK, now for the REAL ANSWERS. LOL

1. GBAX .. They guarantee a 166mhz or 180 mhz GP32. Lik Sang doesn't guarantee anything.

2. Yes , you will regret it if you don't. I have all 3 models. Regular, Flu (front-lit unit) , and Blu (back-lit unit ). All I play now is the BLU. The screen is of a much higher quality and the contrast and brightness is wonderful.

3. No. You had to register the first 2 models but the new ones with the new Firmware don't have to be registered . They have a launcher included with them so you don't need to register for the free-launcher.

4. The Snes ,Nes Mame, Atari, Genesis, etc , etc. They are all worth it !!

5. No, as of right now the commercial games suck. The freeware games are better. Like GPAdavance Wars.

6.Terrific. If you like emulation you won't regret it. Nothing like play Genesis and Snes on the road with sound.

7. The only rgret is that I didn't by the Blu first.

8.128m The others are to small and the 128 is the biggest you can get. Oh and get 2-3 of them.

9. Pssssss. the Tapwave Zodiac just got the Snes and Genesis Emulator and it's screen is bigger and brighter. But I still love the GP32

[Keir]

8.128m The others are to small and the 128 is the biggest you can get. Oh and get 2-3 of them.
I just have one 64Mb card and it serves me well. Sure I'd like more, but transferring files from your computer is so easy there's no need for more, unless you'll be using it to watch movies or something.

[kai123]

8.128m The others are to small and the 128 is the biggest you can get. Oh and get 2-3 of them.
I just have one 64Mb card and it serves me well. Sure I'd like more, but transferring files from your computer is so easy there's no need for more, unless you'll be using it to watch movies or something.

I would go with the 128MB card though. They are only $20 a pop no need not to have a 128MB card.

[Keir]

8.128m The others are to small and the 128 is the biggest you can get. Oh and get 2-3 of them.
I just have one 64Mb card and it serves me well. Sure I'd like more, but transferring files from your computer is so easy there's no need for more, unless you'll be using it to watch movies or something.

I would go with the 128MB card though. They are only $20 a pop no need not to have a 128MB card.Seriously? I need to get one then. When I first got my GP32 a year ago, 64 Mb cards were $20 and 128 Mb were more than twice that.