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Published on December 6th, 2011 01:00
As the video gaming juggernaut rumbles tirelessly onwards, one might assume that the past is in danger of being forgotten. Games like Gears of War 3, Rage and Uncharted 3 are pushing the graphical standard into hitherto unknown realms, while titles like Skyrim boast gameplay so engrossing that previous efforts seem almost simplistic in comparison. Surely then, no one could possibly be interested in dusty old retro titles when such aesthetic splendour is available right here, right now?
Mercifully, that couldn't be further from the truth. Despite the massive strides being made in terms of both visuals and depth, more and more people are casting their gaze into the past, looking to reacquaint themselves with classic titles or discover vintage experiences with a fresh pair of eyes.
While services such as the Wii Virtual Console, Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network are allowing us to enjoy drip-fed classics from yesteryear, the rapid expansion of the smart phone arena has also played a huge part in keeping retro gaming alive. The average handset is comfortably capable of replicating the performance of 8 and 16-bit machines, with some even tentatively dipping a toe into 32 and 64-bit waters. Astonishingly, consoles that were once considered cutting edge only a decade and a half ago can now be carried around in your pocket.
MD.emu is a fantastic emulator for Sega's Mega Drive and Master System, and Mega CD support is promised in the future.
Google's Android operating system is arguably at the forefront of this retro revival. This is largely thanks to the platform's open nature; while Apple's iPhone is locked down and its App Store diligently policed, the Android Market is slightly more lax - which is both a blessing a curse, if you look at the sheer volume of dodgy downloads available.
Emulators do occasionally get taken down due to copyright infringements, but for every one Google removes, five more seem to sprout up in its place. Such moves are futile anyway; Android supports multiple marketplaces, and also allows users to to 'side-load' applications downloaded from sources other than the official Android Market. On the iPhone, such functionality is only possible if you jailbreak your device, thereby invalidating your warranty.
If you're reading this and wondering just how it's possible to transform what appears to be a fairly standard Android handset into a dream ticket to some of the finest games from the past thirty years of video gaming, then rest easy. The purpose of this feature is to not only to inform but also to educate. We're going to showcase the best retro gaming applications, where to source games and how you can use proper controllers to create the ultimate portable gaming platform.
Step 1: Preparation
Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play (AKA: The PlayStation Phone) offers the perfect interface for retro gaming.
You may assume that you'll be able to source all of your emulators from the officialAndroid Market. Sadly, due to Google's inconsistent policies on such programs, many of the best and most established emulators are no longer available for download there, while poorly-programmed substitutes appear on an almost daily basis as opportunist coders look to make a quick buck. With that in mind, one of the first things you'll want to download is the SlideMe 'SAM' app. This is an alternative app market for Android which has provided a safe haven for developers locked out from the official market.
To install SAM - as well as any other applications you download - you'll need to make sure you phone is configured to allow side-loading. In your phone's 'Settings' menu, selection the 'Applications' option and ensure that the 'Unknown Sources' box is ticked.
Step 2: Choosing your Emulators
Between the Android Market and the SlideMe Market, there's no shortage of emulators to download. It pays to be wary, however - many of these programs are based on the same code, and crafty developers charge exorbitant prices for apps that are readily available for free elsewhere. Here we present a selection of the best downloads, saving you the bother of having to find out the hard way.
SNES9X EX
The iconic SNES console is faithfully represented by SNES9X EX, which is so good that Nintendo took action forced it underground.
Nintendo's SNES needs little in the way of introduction, and its lofty reputation is sure to place it at the top of many would-be emulation enthusiast's wish list. Thankfully, Android is served well by the sublimeSNES9X EX, which offers a highly accurate replication of the 16-bit powerhouse. Must-have classics such as Super Castlevania IV, Zelda: A Link to the Past and Chrono Trigger all play perfectly. So comprehensive is this particular emulator that it even supports Super FX games like Star Fox and Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. Sadly, due to a recent complaint (presumably by Nintendo itself), SNES9X EX has been removed from the official Android Market, but it can be downloaded free of charge direct from theSNES9X developer's website. While you're at it, check out MD.emu, PCE.emu andGBC.emu, all from the same developer.
Tiger
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