Polymega system claims to now run neo geo cd games with faster load times

Rot

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That's nice...

However... I am unsure if it's really gonna make that much of an impact.

...The NGCD titles don't account for the entire NG library... coupled with the fact that the Neosd is available for all the NG library (barring the NG.dev, some developer homebrews, protos and some variants...)... then I'd suspect that the market for this is not going to be awesome large...

xROTx

PS. If it's true... cool device tho:D
 

Tarma

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it's a nice looking system... the modular design reminds of LaserActive :)

Not for me though. I'm stictly OG when it comes to retro gaming. :D
 

Atro

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It looks slick and clean.

However, I'd like to see a proper "module" for the NGCD. Play Neo without the proper DB15 Sticks feels weird.
 

oliverclaude

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It looks slick and clean.

...and cold plus boring. But the comparison vid is stunning. Makes you imagine how popular the NGCD would've been with such short loading times. That and proper DB15 sticks, of course ;).
 

SNK_Pro

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When you start going down the route of non original hardware, I really don't see the point of not just using emulation. I realise of course that it's the same 50/50 balance in reverse of using an AES/MVS with a Neo SD, but just not for me.
 
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PigInTheMud

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It's still vaporware as far as I'm concerned, and I'll treat it like the coleco chameleon until it actually comes out
 
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Fygee

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On its face, its a neat feature. Its good for people that absolutely insist on playing authenticly produced games, and also good for folks that want to play the many classic Neo titles with the extra features, notably the arranged soundtracks.
 

awbacon

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I'd hope to hell in 2017 loading would be improved

Still, original hardware or nothing. I'm cool with reengineered hardware, fpga stuff, but these "x in 1" consoles are always a bit shit
 

Niko

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Any product that needs to start off its introduction with "Meet <product name here>, the worlds...." is guaranteed to be shit.
 

Neo Alec

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Yeah, I really don't get the excitement over playing real games on fake hardware.
 

awbacon

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Yeah, I really don't get the excitement over playing real games on fake hardware.

the Retron stuff is the worst. Lets jam some unlicensed emulators onto a SoC and sell it for crazy markups. Who cares if the gameplay is off and the audio is jacked
 

famicommander

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Same thing I always say in these topics: If you're going to emulate, do it on PC. It's better and free. If you're going to buy something, you might as well buy the real thing.
 

mjmjr25

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Chad on 2017-06-13 at 9:06 AM
Will this work with CD-R’s?
 

egg_sanwich

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Yeah, I really don't get the excitement over playing real games on fake hardware.

100% this. Real hardware with a real controller feels right to me, even if it is an Everdrive or similar solution.

What benefit do you get from a real game on fake hardware? The joy of putting the disk in?
 

awbacon

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ten bucks says that for the cost of the system and all their modules, you could buy the damn systems themselves with an upscaler. Nes/she's/genesis are all cheap. Even sega cd. Only expensive ones in the whole idea are turbo/pc engine and cd
 

c0nn0r

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Why is everyone calling this fake hardware? It's an FPGA solution. I would consider this system, with the fpga, to be at parity with the real hardware. I think of FPGA systems as if it was the same as the real system, but just add another manufacturer to builders of the console. So in the case of Genesis/MegaDrive there were a number of manufacturers back in the day (I think hitachi, samsung, TecToy, etc.) Now there is an additional manufacturer that makes genesis hardware; These Polymega guys.

For those saying why not just get a PC to emulate - a) Polymega is a FPGA solution. b) consider that not everyone has a PC in their living room, nor would they ever want one in there. I thought we knew this already?

Also, Polymega also plays SEGA/MEGA CD ROM, as well as Turbo/PC engine CD ROM, in addition to the NG-CDROM. As far as I know there are no other set-top FPGA solutions that play CD images. The only other way to play these on real hardware would be difficult, and not as nice as this (HDMI, menu, save-states, fast-load) as many of these old systems are broken, or will break. Polymega is a new solution with a fresh out-the-bag smell guys.

If they deliver I'm getting one for sure to play CD ROM systems.
 

c0nn0r

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ten bucks says that for the cost of the system and all their modules, you could buy the damn systems themselves with an upscaler. Nes/she's/genesis are all cheap. Even sega cd. Only expensive ones in the whole idea are turbo/pc engine and cd

Please show me some of these systems for cheap. Please point me to a cheap, and working Mega CD and PC Engine CD.
 

awbacon

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Why is everyone calling this fake hardware? It's an FPGA solution. I would consider this system, with the fpga, to be at parity with the real hardware. I think of FPGA systems as if it was the same as the real system, but just add another manufacturer to builders of the console. So in the case of Genesis/MegaDrive there were a number of manufacturers back in the day (I think hitachi, samsung, TecToy, etc.) Now there is an additional manufacturer that makes genesis hardware; These Polymega guys.

For those saying why not just get a PC to emulate - a) Polymega is a FPGA solution. b) consider that not everyone has a PC in their living room, nor would they ever want one in there. I thought we knew this already?

Also, Polymega also plays SEGA/MEGA CD ROM, as well as Turbo/PC engine CD ROM, in addition to the NG-CDROM. As far as I know there are no other set-top FPGA solutions that play CD images. The only other way to play these on real hardware would be difficult, and not as nice as this (HDMI, menu, save-states, fast-load) as many of these old systems are broken, or will break. Polymega is a new solution with a fresh out-the-bag smell guys.

If they deliver I'm getting one for sure to play CD ROM systems.

Their FAQ specifically says "hybrid emulation" and does not specify fpga.

Add on units are "coming in around $60"...I highly doubt you are getting an FPGA solution, w/ native controller support, for sixty bucks.

$60 to emulate sega cd. $100 if you are patient for a working sega cd. I'll pay the extra coin for real hardware.

You can get nes / snes / genesis for sub $60 if you aren't including controllers. That's not even being patient...that's walking into a retro game store in chicago
 

awbacon

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And you can get a flash cart for genesis for around $60...flash your sega cd bios and you are playing mega cd games. Takes like two minutes tops for me
 

c0nn0r

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Their FAQ specifically says "hybrid emulation" and does not specify fpga.

Add on units are "coming in around $60"...I highly doubt you are getting an FPGA solution, w/ native controller support, for sixty bucks.

$60 to emulate sega cd. $100 if you are patient for a working sega cd. I'll pay the extra coin for real hardware.

You can get nes / snes / genesis for sub $60 if you aren't including controllers. That's not even being patient...that's walking into a retro game store in chicago

Right, it's hybrid because there is additional software on top of the FPGA implementations of the systems. There is a software hypervisor that allows save states and all the other modern stuff. If that stuff was implemented in the FPGA on the system images.. well then the systems would not be "original".

The $60 add-ons are for the native controller ports and cartridge slot. There will not be separate FPGA boards inside those add-ons - it's a single FPGA in the core unit that is "flashed" with the configuration of whatever system is selected. Technically they could enable all the systems without the add-on parts, but then you would not get to use original peripherals, and they would not get paid for their work.

Anyways, we'll see if they even launch. I'm excited for it though.
 

Tanooki

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I still question it at this point until some real prices are set so you can see what kind of damages you're really looking at. You're right though about the perks of the FPGA with the emulation upper layer for the saves and side stuff as it's a nice touch. One thing I'd really want to know is, how kind and fuzzy would it be towards ROMs (ie: flash kits) and burned games, or would it be a bitch about it like the Retron5 that ignores the stuff. Given how damned expensive TG/PCE CDs are among others it could get deep pocket out of control expensive fast for some fun.

Personally I've been leaning towards getting a retrofreak. Use the real stuff, or snap off most the unit, throw the games (ROMs) on a little memory card and stuff it in that tiny remaining part and go that route. A nice middle of the road thing as it's not a bitchy retron 5, yet not real hardware either, but runs the ROMs like a flash kit would.
 
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