suanyuan has released a new version of his Visualboy Advance build known as VBA smooth. Here is the changes for version 6.3.


new features:
- auto select driver, select Direct3d firt, if failed to initialize then select DirectDraw.
- add window size 1.5x (thanks mikoxc's suggestion)
- add Simple Chinese language DLL
(簡體中文語言包 thanks mikoxc to provide this dll)

bug fix:

[mikoxc] when select menu File => Import => Battery file => Flash save, then VBA crash
- fix GBA import battery dialog bug

[mixoxc] when using HQ3X and HQ4X filter with window size x2, VBA only show black screen with sound
- fix bug in D3D driver

[suanyuan] if using filter and change window size from 4x or 3x or 2x to 1x, VBA crashed
- force to disable filter when window size is 1x or 320x240

[suanyuan] pokemonhacker release his code to CVS
- apply most crash bugs fix from latest VBA version on CVS

[many people] It’s very annoyed every time VBA smooth switches to 16 bit color depth, the screen blinked.
- now VBA smooth select the best rendering driver for you

http://www.emutalk.net/emu64-news/30...-released.html ...

Nintendo's new Game Boy Micro has hit store shelves in Japan but isn't staying there long, according to Reuters.

One electronics store clerk in Tokyo reported that 70 percent of the store's initial stock had been devoted to filling preorders, with the limited-edition Micro styled after the Famicom (the Japanese version of the NES) accounting for most of the preorders. Four other colors of the Micro were available for the Japanese launch: silver, purple, black, and blue.

Despite the strong showing for the Micro, a clerk told Reuters it doesn't appear so far to measure up to the Game Boy Advance SP's launch, when the entirety of the launch stock was presold out.

The Micro is being targeted at an older generation of gamers than previous Game Boy models, looking to hit a technology-obsessed, gadget-loving crowd with disposable income who would be attracted to the unit's sleek design. It will release in the US September 19 in black and silver versions, each of which will come with three interchangeable faceplates and a $99.99 price tag. ...

Xbox 360 owners in Europe will pay 59.99 Euro (GBP 39.99) per year for a Gold Xbox Live membership, Microsoft has announced, and the company has also done away with the need to input credit card details to access the service - a move that's likely to meet with a positive response.

UK subscriptions to the actual online gaming part of Xbox 360's online service, Xbox Live Gold, will be available to buy from retailers for cash. As well as online multiplayer gaming, matchmaking and feedback tools, the Gold sub opens up "exclusive privileges and rewards on Xbox Live Marketplace" - possibly an allusion to Marketplace points, the anticipated currency for premium content.

Concerns about the safety of credit-card-free online subscriptions are likely to be nullified by the presence of parental controls, which can be used to prevent youngsters from engaging in certain activities both online and off. In other words if parents choose not to allow it, their children won't be able to go online - even if they buy the Live pack behind their backs.

Those happy to pay by credit card will be able to do as they used to do and subscribe via the Xbox 360 dashboard for periods of one month (6.99 Euro, GBP 4.99), three months (19.99 Euro, GBP 14.99) or 12 months (59.99 Euro, GBP 39.99). Anybody with an existing Xbox Live subscription from the first-generation Xbox will be able to migrate it to the new system as a Gold membership when they first start it up for no extra cost.

As promised, no payment will be necessary to access Xbox Live Silver, whether you own the high-end or low-end Xbox 360 hardware package - players will just need a broadband connection and a memory unit or hard disk. With Silver, it's possible to create a gamertag and personalised profile, send and receive voice and text messages using the Xbox Live headset - sold separately - download trailers, demos, new levels and other extra game content from Xbox Live Marketplace, and purchase games through the retro/indie-oriented Xbox Live Arcade area.

Overall, the European pricing structure for Live on the Xbox 360 is largely as expected - more expensive than comparable services in North America, confirmed last week, but on a similar scale. That said, Microsoft hasn't announced any premium packs as it did in the USA - those packs included all the Gold features as well as a headset and a free Xbox Live Arcade game - and says that at present, no such packs are planned.

Xbox 360 will launch worldwide in late 2005 - with most observers pointing to a late November launch, likely to be confirmed in the next few weeks. It will be available in two packages. The lower-priced, GBP 209.99 version, will offer access to Xbox Live Silver, but players will have to purchase an Xbox Live headset separately to engage in voice chat. The GBP 279.99 version will include a hard disk, headset, and a month's free access to Xbox Live Gold. ...

News from Lik Sang

A group of pixels is worth more than a thousand words. In this case they tell a story that begins in 1985, where one Japanese industrial design graduate can't stop thinking about how bad he wants to create an explorable world around a character he introduced four years earlier, a somewhat feisty Italian carpenter, sporting a moustache. Super Mario Bros. was born on the ingenious home gaming system Famicom, and today, 20 years on, Nintendo is honoring their most famous icon Mario with the release of games, merchandise and even a handheld system for the occasion. Likewise we at Lik-Sang have geared up to provide you with a look back through his history, and a chance to get your hands on all the cool products that are available to celebrate Mario's 20th birthday in style. Note that many more goodies are planned by NoJ and are coming in with the coming weeks.

The Early Years - From Miyamoto's Childhood to Super Mario Bros.

At Donkey Kong's introduction in 1980 (shown left below), the main hero was referred to simply as 'Jumpman', based on his one and only ability. It wasn't until 1982 that Mario got the name we know him by, and back then Pauline was his girlfriend, before Princess Peach was even in the picture. Rescuing Pauline from the clutches of a big barrel throwing ape was as basic of a Jump'n Run style game as there ever was, but this retro platformer is considered a true classic of its genre, appealing to both Japanese and Western markets in the golden era of arcade parlors.

Donkey Kong and Jumpman didn't spring up from nowhere though, they were the creations of the brilliant Shigeru Miyamoto, who was born and raised in a rural community near his current home of Kyoto, Japan. Humbled by the natural world surrounding him, and lacking a television set growing up, young Miyamoto had to fall back on his own imagination for entertainment. This certainly showed in the virtual worlds he dreamed up throughout his career, and it goes without saying that employing Miyamoto was directly responsible for Nintendo's radical success in videogames. In an industry where only a handful of names are widely recognized, his is one that draws massive crowds whenever he makes an appearance across gaming trade shows. Despite this, unlike movie and music stars that have touched so many people worldwide, Miyamoto can probably walk into supermarkets un-noticed.

As the father of videogaming’s most recognizable mascot, Miyamoto actually admits though, that "I cannot come up with hairstyles so good." That, along with avoiding the difficulty of having hair move realistically, is the reason for Mario sporting a hat, while his moustache and oversized nose were added simply to make the nose more noticeable on such a small and pixilated character. Moving onto his famous overalls, these were chosen since they make Mario's arms and arm movements more obvious. In Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr., he started out with a blue shirt and red overalls, but the color scheme got switched to a red shirt and blue overalls when Mario Bros. hit arcades (middle below). Super Mario Bros. (right below) for the Famicom however, saw him give a brownish shirt a go, then thankfully in the sequel, Mario went back to the blue and red he's been like ever since.

For many, Mario entered their homes through the Famicom, but years before that Mario Bros. was officially developed and released on various Atari consoles, from the 2600 to 7800, and Commodore 64. Further ports were also later released on the Intellivision and Colecovision!

Check out the rest of the great article at Lik Sang ...

News from Lik Sang

A group of pixels is worth more than a thousand words. In this case they tell a story that begins in 1985, where one Japanese industrial design graduate can't stop thinking about how bad he wants to create an explorable world around a character he introduced four years earlier, a somewhat feisty Italian carpenter, sporting a moustache. Super Mario Bros. was born on the ingenious home gaming system Famicom, and today, 20 years on, Nintendo is honoring their most famous icon Mario with the release of games, merchandise and even a handheld system for the occasion. Likewise we at Lik-Sang have geared up to provide you with a look back through his history, and a chance to get your hands on all the cool products that are available to celebrate Mario's 20th birthday in style. Note that many more goodies are planned by NoJ and are coming in with the coming weeks.

The Early Years - From Miyamoto's Childhood to Super Mario Bros.

At Donkey Kong's introduction in 1980 (shown left below), the main hero was referred to simply as 'Jumpman', based on his one and only ability. It wasn't until 1982 that Mario got the name we know him by, and back then Pauline was his girlfriend, before Princess Peach was even in the picture. Rescuing Pauline from the clutches of a big barrel throwing ape was as basic of a Jump'n Run style game as there ever was, but this retro platformer is considered a true classic of its genre, appealing to both Japanese and Western markets in the golden era of arcade parlors.

Donkey Kong and Jumpman didn't spring up from nowhere though, they were the creations of the brilliant Shigeru Miyamoto, who was born and raised in a rural community near his current home of Kyoto, Japan. Humbled by the natural world surrounding him, and lacking a television set growing up, young Miyamoto had to fall back on his own imagination for entertainment. This certainly showed in the virtual worlds he dreamed up throughout his career, and it goes without saying that employing Miyamoto was directly responsible for Nintendo's radical success in videogames. In an industry where only a handful of names are widely recognized, his is one that draws massive crowds whenever he makes an appearance across gaming trade shows. Despite this, unlike movie and music stars that have touched so many people worldwide, Miyamoto can probably walk into supermarkets un-noticed.

As the father of videogaming’s most recognizable mascot, Miyamoto actually admits though, that "I cannot come up with hairstyles so good." That, along with avoiding the difficulty of having hair move realistically, is the reason for Mario sporting a hat, while his moustache and oversized nose were added simply to make the nose more noticeable on such a small and pixilated character. Moving onto his famous overalls, these were chosen since they make Mario's arms and arm movements more obvious. In Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr., he started out with a blue shirt and red overalls, but the color scheme got switched to a red shirt and blue overalls when Mario Bros. hit arcades (middle below). Super Mario Bros. (right below) for the Famicom however, saw him give a brownish shirt a go, then thankfully in the sequel, Mario went back to the blue and red he's been like ever since.

For many, Mario entered their homes through the Famicom, but years before that Mario Bros. was officially developed and released on various Atari consoles, from the 2600 to 7800, and Commodore 64. Further ports were also later released on the Intellivision and Colecovision!

Check out the rest of the great article at Lik Sang ...

News from Lik Sang

A group of pixels is worth more than a thousand words. In this case they tell a story that begins in 1985, where one Japanese industrial design graduate can't stop thinking about how bad he wants to create an explorable world around a character he introduced four years earlier, a somewhat feisty Italian carpenter, sporting a moustache. Super Mario Bros. was born on the ingenious home gaming system Famicom, and today, 20 years on, Nintendo is honoring their most famous icon Mario with the release of games, merchandise and even a handheld system for the occasion. Likewise we at Lik-Sang have geared up to provide you with a look back through his history, and a chance to get your hands on all the cool products that are available to celebrate Mario's 20th birthday in style. Note that many more goodies are planned by NoJ and are coming in with the coming weeks.

The Early Years - From Miyamoto's Childhood to Super Mario Bros.

At Donkey Kong's introduction in 1980 (shown left below), the main hero was referred to simply as 'Jumpman', based on his one and only ability. It wasn't until 1982 that Mario got the name we know him by, and back then Pauline was his girlfriend, before Princess Peach was even in the picture. Rescuing Pauline from the clutches of a big barrel throwing ape was as basic of a Jump'n Run style game as there ever was, but this retro platformer is considered a true classic of its genre, appealing to both Japanese and Western markets in the golden era of arcade parlors.

Donkey Kong and Jumpman didn't spring up from nowhere though, they were the creations of the brilliant Shigeru Miyamoto, who was born and raised in a rural community near his current home of Kyoto, Japan. Humbled by the natural world surrounding him, and lacking a television set growing up, young Miyamoto had to fall back on his own imagination for entertainment. This certainly showed in the virtual worlds he dreamed up throughout his career, and it goes without saying that employing Miyamoto was directly responsible for Nintendo's radical success in videogames. In an industry where only a handful of names are widely recognized, his is one that draws massive crowds whenever he makes an appearance across gaming trade shows. Despite this, unlike movie and music stars that have touched so many people worldwide, Miyamoto can probably walk into supermarkets un-noticed.

As the father of videogaming’s most recognizable mascot, Miyamoto actually admits though, that "I cannot come up with hairstyles so good." That, along with avoiding the difficulty of having hair move realistically, is the reason for Mario sporting a hat, while his moustache and oversized nose were added simply to make the nose more noticeable on such a small and pixilated character. Moving onto his famous overalls, these were chosen since they make Mario's arms and arm movements more obvious. In Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr., he started out with a blue shirt and red overalls, but the color scheme got switched to a red shirt and blue overalls when Mario Bros. hit arcades (middle below). Super Mario Bros. (right below) for the Famicom however, saw him give a brownish shirt a go, then thankfully in the sequel, Mario went back to the blue and red he's been like ever since.

For many, Mario entered their homes through the Famicom, but years before that Mario Bros. was officially developed and released on various Atari consoles, from the 2600 to 7800, and Commodore 64. Further ports were also later released on the Intellivision and Colecovision!

Check out the rest of the great article at Lik Sang ...

The major soccer game has been released in Japan, heres the info:





The first handheld iteration of Konami's top sports title, this PSP version of Winning Eleven (known as Pro Evolution Soccer in Europe) will feature the utter realism, intuitive play and fast-paced action of the ever-popular series. The handheld version will also be almost identical in terms of available clubs and international sides, with 57 national sides lining up alongside 136 club teams. The highly-competitive multi-player aspects of the game are highlighted using the hardware's wireless systems. Challenge rival players (via an ad-hoc wireless connection) to games, with all data related to match results ? goals for, goals against, wins, etc ? retained in a running tally. Solo players can also hone their skills within six different leagues and a host of cup tournaments, and the PSP game can also be linked to the PlayStation 2 version for data exchange of created teams for play on either version or for trade with friends.

More info Here --> http://www.yesasia.com/?/info.php?pro...2&lsaid=219793 ...

The major soccer game has been released in Japan, heres the info:





The first handheld iteration of Konami's top sports title, this PSP version of Winning Eleven (known as Pro Evolution Soccer in Europe) will feature the utter realism, intuitive play and fast-paced action of the ever-popular series. The handheld version will also be almost identical in terms of available clubs and international sides, with 57 national sides lining up alongside 136 club teams. The highly-competitive multi-player aspects of the game are highlighted using the hardware's wireless systems. Challenge rival players (via an ad-hoc wireless connection) to games, with all data related to match results ? goals for, goals against, wins, etc ? retained in a running tally. Solo players can also hone their skills within six different leagues and a host of cup tournaments, and the PSP game can also be linked to the PlayStation 2 version for data exchange of created teams for play on either version or for trade with friends.

More info Here --> http://www.yesasia.com/?/info.php?pro...2&lsaid=219793 ...

The major soccer game has been released in Japan, heres the info:





The first handheld iteration of Konami's top sports title, this PSP version of Winning Eleven (known as Pro Evolution Soccer in Europe) will feature the utter realism, intuitive play and fast-paced action of the ever-popular series. The handheld version will also be almost identical in terms of available clubs and international sides, with 57 national sides lining up alongside 136 club teams. The highly-competitive multi-player aspects of the game are highlighted using the hardware's wireless systems. Challenge rival players (via an ad-hoc wireless connection) to games, with all data related to match results ? goals for, goals against, wins, etc ? retained in a running tally. Solo players can also hone their skills within six different leagues and a host of cup tournaments, and the PSP game can also be linked to the PlayStation 2 version for data exchange of created teams for play on either version or for trade with friends.

More info Here --> http://www.yesasia.com/?/info.php?pro...2&lsaid=219793 ...