The Newest and Most Serious Rival to the Homebrew Crown

[wraggster]

The PSP has enjoyed a good few months atop the homebrew scene but from today the homebrew world gets a bit more interesting, a new console called the GP2X will make waves like no other in our scene for the foreseable future, heres more info on the GP2X:

GP2X UK have posted news that all fans of homebrew and emulation on consoles will be happy to hear, finally the GP2X is released and shipping, the console for those that dont know is a Portable Linux Based console which already has ports of Quake, Quake 2, Duke Nukem 3D, Amiga and Gameboy Emulators being worked on and that is nothing compared to whats not been publically revealed. One very cool addition is the fact that it has a TV out thats compatible via software with any region.

Heres a screen of the Box


More information at both GP2X UK & GP2X News

[iball]

Lack of wireless ANYTHING will kill it. Too little, too late.

[benn]

is this a US gizmondo?

[iball]

Nope, but it will die just as badly.

[parabolee]

Well for those of us that actually like emulation and homebrew as much as new games I think this is awesome!

I am honestly considering buying one of these just for my homebrew stuff and giving up the fight against Sony to keep homebrew on PSP.

It's looking more and more like eventually we will either have to stop playing newer games, loose homebrew alltogether OR buy a second PSP, and I'm thinking I might go for the GP2X instead. It's going to be very popular amongst homebrew devs, especially since all there work can be OFFICIALLY enjoyed on it and the company that makes it will NEVER try and stop the homebrew.

And to tell you the truth, I love PSP games but I end up playing more emu's and homebrew than true PSP games anyway!

I say rock on GP2X!!

[Mr.Modem]

You're so right parabolee, and I've thought about getting an GPX2 too. This will be the ultimate emulator handheld.

[watoto]

ok,before any more bashing,the true and only force of the gp32 and this new console are homebrew games and apps.it's obviosly not meant to go against anyone commerially,just a small korean company releasing a new version of a favorite with the homebrew community,so you can stop the death reports right there.Why does it always have to be about competition and who's winning?

[jwilds73]

I just might buy one for emulation that way I don't have to worry about weather or not to update my psp and waiting for new loaders everytime sony makes you update to play a new game.

[iball]

It's still going to die, but I'm still going to get one...LOL.
Once they start hitting the bargain-basement prices of around $100 a pop.
You're right about the homebrew aspect of it though. I thinks it's a good thing someone finally came out with a handheld GAMING-LAYOUT console dedicated to open source. But I hope the company behind the GP2X knows they are selling a "niche" product and don't have any hopes or dreams of beating any of the big three with it.
I'll be watching further development of games for this thing though....and once it can run the following list of emulators 100%, then I might hunt for a used one or one on sale:
SNES emulator
Genesis/Megadrive emulator (SegaCD support would be BONUS!)
SMS/GG emulator
PC Engine/TG-16
Gameboy/Gameboy Color (think one is already out...)
Gameboy Advance
SCUMMVM (this one should be easy as pie since it's been ported to everything ELSE on the planet)
Quake 1/2/3
Doom (yes, I still play it...with custom WADs)

Then I would consider picking one up at a lower price for my "old-school" gaming habit.
But the lack of wireless in today's world just hampers it from the get-go....imagine a small browser or email checker on this thing? Online mutliplayer Quake/Doom?
Meh, but who knows...maybe they'll come out with a new version next year called the GP3X or something with built-in 802.11b. I mean, they're building 802.11b into coffee makers and refrigerators now, why not this thing?
And no, a wi-fi SDIO stick isn't cutting it since it's limited to a small amount of on-board storage.
But if anyone picks one up, please write us all a good review of it, showing good and bad.

[nambo]

It seems like the PSP homebrew scene is dying. I see fewer and fewer releases all the time, and with the sorry list of good games on the PSP, I hardly use my PSP anymore.