Emulation boxes: Difference between revisions

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An '''emulation box''' is a device built for the specific purpose of running emulators. While it can technically be any small computer, the emulation boxes we list here are primarily single-purpose embedded devices intended to capitalize on nostalgia despite a multitude of better alternatives being readily available (like computers, mobile devices, and game consoles). There are generally ~~two~~ types of boxes:

An '''emulation box''' is a device built for the specific purpose of running emulators. While it can technically be any small computer, the emulation boxes we list here are primarily single-purpose embedded devices intended to capitalize on nostalgia despite a multitude of better alternatives being readily available (like computers, mobile devices, and game consoles). There are generally three types of boxes:

;First-party boxes

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;Third-party boxes

:Use their own branding because they don't have a license to use the actual companies' trademarks. A legal ruling for emulators has allowed them to use the name of the console in marketing (such as advertising the ability to play games from a specific console on the packaging), but not as the name for the box itself.

;Generic emulation boxes

:A large number of these devices are Chinese, often constantly produced in new versions with slightly different form factors. Some are Western such as the Retroid Pocket. Hundreds of these devices exist. They generally don't have any game licenses, though many come with pirated ROMs. They may be handhelds or consoles, with handhelds more common.

~~Emulation~~ boxes are ~~frowned upon because, aside from a first-party box's value as a collector's item, the hardware in an emulation box is~~ often ~~nothing~~ more than a ~~cheap, locked~~-~~down~~, ARM-based ~~system-on-a-chip~~, ~~and the price you pay~~ for ~~obtaining it is marked~~ up by the ~~designer in order to make easy money~~. ~~To make matters worse~~, ~~numerous boxes~~ have ~~been found using~~ emulators ~~illegally~~, ~~due~~ to ~~a prohibition in the emulator's license~~ (~~like commercial distribution~~ or ~~locked down hardware), resulting in many controversies unfolding over~~ the ~~matter~~.

First and third party emulation boxes are often locked down. Many of them have jailbreaks which let users unofficially add their own games. They cost more than generic boxes, although some of this is because the games are licensed. Quality varies by quite a bit.

Generic boxes are single-board computers, usually ARM-based, specifically designed for use with emulation. Even low end ones can play up to 16 bit systems and the PS1. They are normally not locked down, and most have custom "firmware" available for free, which is usually a Linux or stripped down Android system packaged with free emulators. Custom firmware is usually recommended over the emulators they come with, which may not be up to date (and are often not there legally anyway). It is generally not worth buying these with ROMs or SD cards since the SD cards can be unreliable and ROMs are easy to get.

==First-party boxes==

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|[[m2engage]]

|Offical SEGA product designed to emulate Game Gear games. The form factor is small and is difficult to play by Western users, as the device was meant to not be sold outside Japan. 5 variants of the handheld exist, 4 being in retail and one being exclusive as a Limited Edition for Aleste Collection. Only the Aleste version includes Master System games.

|-

|}

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|Miniaturized X68000 personal workstation. Limited run. The standard pack comes with a joypad and two games: Gradius and ChoRenSha 68K on SD cards. Full-sized USB keyboard (mechanical switches, X68000 layout), USB mouse, and more games on SD cards are available separately. Capable of booting from third-party floppy/disk images.

|-

~~|Pandora Boxes~~

|[[wikipedia:Evercade|Evercade]]

~~|Unknown~~

|Blaze Entertainment

|[[~~Arcade emulators~~|~~Arcade~~]]

|Multiple systems

|$30-~~$170 (Depends on model and peripherals)~~

|$100-130

|~~[[MAME]], [[FinalBurn Alpha]] (Older ones) / [[RetroArch]] (Newer ones)~~

|Proprietary

|~~A kind of plug & play device filled with hundreds of pirated arcade game ROMs,~~ which ~~was designed to be used as substitutions~~ for ~~actual arcade boards in commercial arcades~~. ~~Emulation quality is always hit or miss, with issues like unbearable slowdowns, input latency, and screen tearing in some games~~.

|Third party box which makes games available for sale on cartridges. Over 100 cartridges are available.

|}

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-An '''emulation box''' is a device built for the specific purpose of running emulators. While it can technically be any small computer, the emulation boxes we list here are primarily single-purpose embedded devices intended to capitalize on nostalgia despite a multitude of better alternatives being readily available (like computers, mobile devices, and game consoles). There are generally two types of boxes:
+An '''emulation box''' is a device built for the specific purpose of running emulators. While it can technically be any small computer, the emulation boxes we list here are primarily single-purpose embedded devices intended to capitalize on nostalgia despite a multitude of better alternatives being readily available (like computers, mobile devices, and game consoles). There are generally three types of boxes:
 ;First-party boxes
@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 ;Third-party boxes
 :Use their own branding because they don't have a license to use the actual companies' trademarks. A legal ruling for emulators has allowed them to use the name of the console in marketing (such as advertising the ability to play games from a specific console on the packaging), but not as the name for the box itself.
+;Generic emulation boxes
+:A large number of these devices are Chinese, often constantly produced in new versions with slightly different form factors.  Some are Western such as the Retroid Pocket.  Hundreds of these devices exist.  They generally don't have any game licenses, though many come with pirated ROMs.  They may be handhelds or consoles, with handhelds more common.
-Emulation boxes are frowned upon because, aside from a first-party box's value as a collector's item, the hardware in an emulation box is often nothing more than a cheap, locked-down, ARM-based system-on-a-chip, and the price you pay for obtaining it is marked up by the designer in order to make easy money. To make matters worse, numerous boxes have been found using emulators illegally, due to a prohibition in the emulator's license (like commercial distribution or locked down hardware), resulting in many controversies unfolding over the matter.
+First and third party emulation boxes are often locked down.  Many of them have jailbreaks which let users unofficially add their own games.  They cost more than generic boxes, although some of this is because the games are licensed.  Quality varies by quite a bit.
+Generic boxes are single-board computers, usually ARM-based, specifically designed for use with emulation.  Even low end ones can play up to 16 bit systems and the PS1. They are normally not locked down, and most have custom "firmware" available for free, which is usually a Linux or stripped down Android system packaged with free emulators.  Custom firmware is usually recommended over the emulators they come with, which may not be up to date (and are often not there legally anyway).  It is generally not worth buying these with ROMs or SD cards since the SD cards can be unreliable and ROMs are easy to get.
 ==First-party boxes==
@@ Line 114: / Line 118: @@
 |[[m2engage]]
 |Offical SEGA product designed to emulate Game Gear games. The form factor is small and is difficult to play by Western users, as the device was meant to not be sold outside Japan. 5 variants of the handheld exist, 4 being in retail and one being exclusive as a Limited Edition for Aleste Collection. Only the Aleste version includes Master System games.
-|-
 |}
@@ Line 161: / Line 164: @@
 |Miniaturized X68000 personal workstation. Limited run. The standard pack comes with a joypad and two games: Gradius and ChoRenSha 68K on SD cards. Full-sized USB keyboard (mechanical switches, X68000 layout), USB mouse, and more games on SD cards are available separately. Capable of booting from third-party floppy/disk images.
 |-
-|Pandora Boxes
+|[[wikipedia:Evercade|Evercade]]
-|Unknown
+|Blaze Entertainment
-|[[Arcade emulators|Arcade]]
+|Multiple systems
-|$30-$170 (Depends on model and peripherals)
+|$100-130
-|[[MAME]], [[FinalBurn Alpha]] (Older ones) / [[RetroArch]] (Newer ones)
+|Proprietary
-|A kind of plug & play device filled with hundreds of pirated arcade game ROMs, which was designed to be used as substitutions for actual arcade boards in commercial arcades. Emulation quality is always hit or miss, with issues like unbearable slowdowns, input latency, and screen tearing in some games.
+|Third party box which makes games available for sale on cartridges.  Over 100 cartridges are available.
 |}