| |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The FAQ, as you can see, is grouped in several distinct sections. Sometimes, a question would pertain to two sections. In this case, I would put the question in both sections, and the one question simply directs you to the other where I actually answer the question. I felt that this was the best way to go about it because not everybody thinks the same way, and the grouping theory is a very good one, I think. Anyway, it's pretty huge, so get reading.
Introduction
|
GP2X? What the heck is that?
|
The GP2X is a truly open-source handheld game console from a small company called Gameparkholdings. The GP2X runs programs that can be found for free on the internet; these programs include emulators, media players, and homebrew projects. In addition to that, the console is host to a meager (but good) selection of commercial games; of course, those aren't free. ;-)
|
So is it the new GP32 or what?
|
Nope. This is the new Gameparkholdings console. See, the company that was Gamepark—the company responsible for the GP32—split up due to differing opinions on what direction the next console should go in. And because of this, there are two GP32 successors. The true Gamepark-made successors are the XGP line. This is strange because the GP2X is more similar spec and vision-wise to the GP32... It's a very complicated situation, and there are still some questions relating to the XGP line of consoles. Just know that, if you liked the GP32, you'll love the GP2X.
|
Is XGP better? Why are there so many consoles?
|
Well, this is a pretty difficult question. For one, none of the XGP consoles have been released yet, and there's been very little (reliable) news about any of them. Second, it's very much a matter of preference. At its core, the GP2X is a retro emulation machine and multimedia player. The XGPs, on the other hand, seem more geared toward new, commercial games and 3D games (with the exception of the XGP Kids which is literally a glorified GP32). But if you desire commercial or 3D games above all else... why not go with a mainstream console, like the PSP and DS? As far as why there's so many consoles, read the above question for a little insight on that.
Uh... yes. Ah, I suppose you want me to go into detail on exactly what it plays. Well, no such luck, friend. You're going to have to wait until I address software for that. ;-)
Yes, and Yes. The GP2X is an impressively robust multimedia player right out of the box. To make matters even cooler, you can attach the GP2X to your television and what your video files in full resolution on the big screen. Trust me, it's very nice. I'll cover the GP2X's multimedia capabilities in more detail later in the FAQ.
|
Okay, okay. I like it. But what'll it cost me?
|
Great news! For all the entertainment possibilities the GP2X presents to you, it boasts a very reasonable price. Prices vary somewhat from distributor to distributor, but you can generally expect to pay around £125 or $190. If you're thinking, "Well, that's almost the same as the PSP!" you're right, but PSP games aren't free like most games and apps on GP2X are. ;-) And anyway, take it from someone who owns and loves it, the GP2X is worth every penny (much unlike the PSP).
|
Where can I buy one of these?
|
Well, you certainly can't run down to your local department store and pick one up. The GP2X caters to a very niche market, so the platform is pretty exclusively available through online distributors. Never fear--they're not hard to acquire. Just head over to Links, and you'll find a slew of distributors ready and willing to sell you a GP2X.
|
What colors are available?
|
Only black right now. GPH has stated in the past that they are exploring other color choices (they have shown off a silver model), but nothing is decided. However, it should be known they are interested in releasing more colors.
Hardware
|
How powerful is this thing?
|
It's difficult to say exactly how powerful this system is, really. From specs, I can tell you it's fairly powerful--sporting two ARM9 processors clocked at 200mhz (but can very often be overclocked to anywhere between 240mhz and 300mhz+). It also has a very impressive 64MB of RAM and Linux. At the same time, it's still a new console, and devs are still learning new, better ways to take advantage of these specs. However, if your idea of power is super advanced 3D graphics, GP2X might not be your thing. Read on for more on that.
|
Specs mean nothing to me... how's it compare to the PSP? DS?
|
Ah, you're one of those people. Well, to put it bluntly, the GP2X blows the DS out of the water (good thing, too, because DS's and water aren't a great combination). PSP, on the other hand, is a tougher call. GP2X can't match the PSP on 3D capability because the PSP has a dedicated 3D GPU, and the GP2X does not (GPH opted instead for a 2D accelerator, which is more useful for emulation). GP2X has more RAM, which is great. As for which processor is better (GP2X ARM9 @ 200MHZ or PSP MIPS @ 222MHZ), it's a hard call. You'd have to consult a hardware expert for that one.
|
200mhz? That's toooo sloooow!
|
Really, why? When they were designing the GP2X, GPH set out to create a console that would serve as a substantial upgrade over the GP32 but keep it as affordable as possible. One might question why they have two 200MHZ processors and not a single 400MHZ one. Honestly, I don't know which would be better. GPH claims that the two processors operate better than the single, but many devs have struggled to properly utilize the second processor. Time will tell whether this remains a problem, but the GP2X has already done some very impressive things. Also, remember that most GP2X's can be greatly overclocked--increasing its performance.
|
...But what about this new 275MHz GP2X version?
|
Okay, here's the deal. There's no "275MHz version" of the GP2X. I know, I know. Several distributors are claiming there is, but here's the truth: it's the same GP2X everyone's buying, but it's been tested stable at 275MHz. So yes, you are getting a GP2X that runs at 275MHz, but it's only being overclocked (and along with it comes the abysmal battery life). It's up to you whether the assurance of that speed is worth the extra money. Mine only clocks to 260, and I'm very happy with it. ;)
|
Can it overclock, like the GP32? How?
|
Yes, it can, and, in many cases, it's done the exact same way as the GP32 was. Overclocking is handled through software; on many programs, you just set the clockspeed you want from within the program and get playing. However, not all GP2X's can clock at 300MHZ. The best way to find out what your GP2X is capable of is just launch a program (that allows overclocking) and set it at progressively higher clockspeeds, run it for a little (5-10 minutes), and, and when you reach a speed that makes your GP2X freeze or crash, you know your GP2X clocks at the last stable speed. This speed may vary a little between programs (because some are more demanding than others) but not by too much. Finally, to overclock a program that doesn't have an overclocking option, you have to use scripts, which are explained here (you'll need cpu-speed in the root of your SD card. Also 'cpu_speed.gpe' should be renamed to just 'cpu_speed'-- or just remove the '.gpe' part).
|
First Edition, MK1, MK2.... What's all this mean!?
|
Well... this gets very technical. The GP2X Dev Wiki has a nice writeup about this. But essentially, they're all just slight variations on the same thing. All models play the same software and have pretty much the same hardware inside (certainly none of the specs are different between them). Each model addresses hardware issues present in the previous version. The MK2 is the newest and best version that solves most of the problems from previous models. Any new GP2X you buy will be an MK2, which is a good thing.
|
AA batteries!? Why no li-ion?
|
There are lots of reasons. First of all, those Li-ion batteries are pricey. They are also rather difficult to replace if the current one wears out; with GPH being such a small company, its hard to say whether the battery will remain available in years to come (when the battery would actually become a problem). Finally, rechargeable AA batteries are really good nowadays. Personally, I suggest these. ;-)
If you're looking for a portable PS2, look elsewhere. The GP2X does not have any dedicated 3D graphics hardware. Now, that's not to say that it can not do 3D because it can. But it's not likely to make your jaw drop. After all, this is above all else a retro game player, and "retro" games are more often than not 2D, which is exactly why GPH opted for a 2D accelerator. But there's no doubt that the GP2X is capable of displaying 3D (it already runs Quake).
|
2D accelerator?! What is this--1994?
|
Nope! It's not 1994, but the GP2X does have a 2D accelerator, which is, believe it or not, a good thing. Think if it this way--classic computer and console games were usually what? That's correct--2D. So it makes perfect sense that a console created with emulation in mind would have a 2D accelerator, but like I stated before that doesn't mean that 3D is impossible on the platform.
|
SD cards... that's a good thing, right?
|
Are you kidding?! It's a wonderful thing! I can't tell you how frustrating it was to be limited to a meager 128MB on the GP32. But SD cards can hold up to 4GB, and they're much easier to find and one of the most reasonably priced flash media formats around. SD cards are a very good thing. ;-)
|
But what speed SD card should I get? 60x? 166x? Does it matter?
|
The speed of and SD card simply tells you how quickly the card reads and writes. Of course, the higher number, the faster your card is. Overall, I really don't think that the speed of your SD card makes a big difference to your GP2X's performance. But in my unscientific opinion, I'd say get the highest speed card you can. The difference in price is minimal, and, if nothing else, it'll just allow you to add files to the card a little quicker.
|
Will this 8GB card work in my GP2X?
|
No! At least, not right now. There have been some positive steps to making these cards compatible, but at this time they are not. This applies to all cards in the SDHC format (usually clearly stated somewhere on the card or the page selling it). These cards range from 4GB to 32GB. For the record, not all 4GB cards are SDHC; that's why many 4GB cards are compatible with the GP2X.
|
I like options--can I use media other than SD?
|
Though I can not independently confirm this (I don't have the media cards to test with), many people report that MMC cards are also compatible with the GP2X. Also, it's likely miniSD would be compatible, if inserted into a miniSD adapter. If you can confirm either of these, please send me an e-mail. Update: I've received confirmation that MiniMMC work in the GP2X with the necessary adaptor; I suppose that also confirms the MMC claims. Thanks. :)
|
TV-Out? That sounds awesome!
|
Oh, but it is. Initially, GPH hadn’t intended to included TV-Out functionality in their handheld, but, thanks to a great deal of community outcry for the feature, they decided to include it! So why’s it so good? Well, you can just plug your GP2X into your TV, and you’ve got one of the many emulated systems playing fullscreen on your big, beautiful TV screen. And a movie played through TV-out will be played in full-res instead of the GP2X’s 320x240 resolution (unless you resized the video, that is).
|
Okay, big question. Can it emulate (insert random console)?
|
Oh, here we go. Just a little advice--do not go into a GP2X forum and ask something like this. Being that this is Gameparknewbie, I welcome this kind of question, but other people tend to get a little annoyed. Anyway, it's a pretty safe bet that anything more powerful than the PSX is not possible at any playable level; this list includes the N64, Saturn, Dreamcast and anything released after that. You have to understand that an emulator does just that--it emulates every aspect of another piece of hardware (CPU, graphics, sound, etc.). This means that you need a considerably more powerful piece of hardware to emulate a much weaker one. For more on this, check out Emulation Speculation on the GP2X Dev Wiki.
|
Well, N64's pretty much the same as PSX, right? Why no emulator?
|
Au contraire, my ill-informed friend, it is not. The N64 runs on a 93MHZ processor. The general rule of thumb for emulation is that the hardware emulating should be 10x the processor speed of the one being emulated. Clearly, the GP2X doesn't meet that criteria. Plus, the N64 has some powerful graphics hardware that makes an emulator even more unlikely. Don't expect playable N64 emulation on the GP2X... ever.
Software
|
So where is all the software?
|
Right here. That is the GP2X File Archive (hosted by EvilDragon, who also hosts this site), which houses (I think..) every pieces of free software for the GP2X. Now, don't go looking for ROMs there; you won't find any (acquire those by your own means). But you will find every emulator, homebrew or application. The only thing you won't find there are commercial games, which is understandable (you can find commercial demos there though).
|
You mean I can just download this stuff off the net? Sounds illegal.
|
It might sound like it, but it's not. GPH created the GP2X with the hope that a community would form around it and that community would then create the software for the platform and distribute it freely (much like was done with the GP32). Well, their plan worked, and there's now a vast library of free software available right from your browser. Best of all, more gets released almost every day. :-)
Commercial Games
|
There are commercial games, right?
|
Yes, and you can see all of them right here. I know what you're thinking, "That's all?" Yes, it is. You have to realize that the GP2X is a console built around a very small community, so it's not bound to gain much attention from commercial game developers or publishers. At the same time, you can expect a lot of games from small game makers, which is very unlikely on a PSP or DS. Still, if you're thinking of purchasing a GP2X for the commercial games alone, don't.
|
So when can I expect EA or Sega to publish for this?
|
haha, you can expect a commercial release from any major game company... NEVER. As I said in the last question, the GP2X is based around a very small community of users. It's unlikely that a major company would ever spend money on a console with such a small userbase. Plus, the open nature of the platform would probably scare them away even more (piracy concerns, of course). Again, like I said it the prior question, if commercial games are all you're interested in, forget the GP2X.
|
Okay... Then who makes the commercial games for GP2X?
|
Small, independent game developers are primarily the ones interested in GP2X development. This is good because that means you'll find a unique array of commercial games on GP2X (like Vektar) that can't be found on any other platform.
|
How much do they cost and where can I get them?
|
Well, the prices for commercial games on GP2X seem to be around the same as a DS game. This is based off of the very limited number of games shown for the GP2X right now. As for where to purchase them, they can be found in the same places GP2X's are available. Just go to Links and check out the retailers to see if they sell these games. Obviously, you won't find these games in any stores.
Multimedia
|
Multimedia... that's music and movies and stuff... right?
|
Right you are, Sherlock. And, to put it bluntly, the GP2X trounces the GP32 in this category. No more tedious fiddling with your video files (unless you want to, of course); just drag and drop your movie onto your card, insert it, and enjoy. Naturally, you can enjoy all the music you like on this console, as well. Photos, ebooks—the GP2X pretty much does it all. And with the high capacity of the SD media, you can do a lot of it all at once.
Nope! As long as your video is encoded in a supported format(MPEG4, Divx 3.11, 4x, 5x, XVID), all you have to do is drag it to your SD card and drop it in. ;-) The GP2X's second processor goes a long way here--allowing for the video to be resized to a GP2X-friendly resolution in realtime. Of course, you're perfectly welcome to encode your videos to already fit the GP2X screen; this will save some valuable MBs on your card.
|
What video codecs are supported?
|
As of right now, the built-in video player (based on mPlayer) in the GP2X firmware supports "MPEG 4, Divx 3.11,4x,5x, and Higher, XVID." They claim they will have WMV support later. However, Waninkoko has released his own version of mPlayer that also supports MPG videos.
|
What music formats are supported?
|
The built-in music player in the GP2X firmware currently supports MP3 and OGG with WMA coming "later on."
Emulation
Emulators are explained in the next question.
YES!!!!!!!eleven!!!1 Arguably the biggest draw of the GP2X for many people is its ability to emulate classic computers and consoles. In terms of the GP2X's capabilities, "classic" extends about up to the PSX, but I can almost guarantee you'll never see anything more powerful than that emulated at a reasonable speed. Still, that's potentially 30 or 40 years of gaming available on one, attractive little platform. Yes, you have good reason to be excited. To see what's currently emulated on the GP2X, check out the Emulation section. Mind you, not all emulators run at full speed (and there's a chance some never will).
|
So what can I expect this system to emulate?
|
You can check out what's currently emulated on the GP2X in the Emulation section. As I stated in the previous question, not all of these emulators are full speed, and some may never be (read the comments for more information about each emulator). If you're interested whether a platform will ever be playable on the GP2X, you should check out Emulation Speculation on GP2X Dev Wiki.
|
Retro's so old. How about some more recent games?
|
Well, the most recent platforms that will likely ever be playable on the GP2X are PSX and GBA. But if you're looking for more recent games to play on the GP2X, I think you should think about purchasing a commercial game or downloading some free homebrew games. These options are too often ignored on the GP32 and GP2X, but you really shouldn't. Some of the most interesting, fun things on these platforms have been release natively for it.
|
...N64 emulator? Dreamcast? PSP? Ooooo--Xbox 360!!
|
NO! I can guarantee you will never be playing any of those systems on your GP2X. Just because one platform is newer than another, does not mean it's powerful enough to emulate an older one. Emulation is very demanding (see here and here), and the GP2X, while powerful, has its limitations. Just read Emulation Speculation on GP2X Dev Wiki, if you still don't believe me.
Homebrew/Interpreters
Homebrew are original software and applications that are created by members of the community. This can be an entirely new game or a port of something made by another dev, but they run natively on the GP2X hardware. Another big requirement of homebrew is that they are free and available right off your browser. For more about homebrew on GP2X, check out the Homebrew section.
|
...And why should I care?
|
Well... you should care because you might eventually get tired of beating Sonic the Hedgehog 2 again (no offense to Sonic--he's a great guy ;-). Homebrew software keeps things interesting; often time, homebrew will feature very simple gameplay that would never make it commercially but is extremely addictive and fun (Spout is a wonderful example of this). Also, a lot of the homebrew can only be found on the GP2X, which is pretty cool.
|
Interpreters? What are those?
|
Interpreters are programs released by devs in the GP2X community that make games whose source codes have been made available playable on the GP2X. These games include classics like Doom, Quake, and Flashback. There is also SCUMM, which lets you play many classic graphic adventures (Day of the Tentacle, Broken Sword, Full Throttle, and lots more). Be aware that you must have a copy of the game to get these interpreters working on the GP2X because you will have to copy certain files from the computer version to get them running. To see what interpreters are available, check out the Homebrew section.
Troubleshooting
|
What's wrong with this thing?
|
That is an extraordinarily broad question... Wow. I don't know. If you're having a hardware problem (flickering screen, washout picture, etc), your best bet may be to contact whoever you bought your GP2X off of. Distributors tend to be pretty good about repairs and replacements. If you're having trouble getting some software to work, verify that you have thoroughly read over the readme file and done a search on the GP32x forum for other people having similar issues. If all else fails, e-mail me or make a post on the forum in the "I Need Help..." section. If you've done all the things I've said, there's no reason you should get flamed. ;-)
|
This joystick's terrible!
|
If you're saying this, I'll assume that you have an original MK1 joystick (You can find examples of all joystick caps including MK1 here). Though I've never experienced them, I have heard about how terrible the original joystick is. But, if yours looks like that, don't worry! It's very easy to replace. Just find a distributor in Links, and see if they sell replacement caps. These will make gaming much better, and they very simple to install (just pull off the old one and replace it with your new one :-).
|
Why are my batteries dying so quickly?
|
While there are a lot of things to brag about with the GP2X, battery life is not one of them. But be certain that you are using rechargeable batteries. Standard non-rechargeable batteries (even the most expensive brands) will be drained extremely quickly. They might last 30 minutes; they might not work at all! But which rechargeables should you choose? Basically, get the ones with the highest MAh possible. I see a lot of people using 2500MAh rechargeable. Be advised that even with these batteries, you're only going to get a few hours per charge.
|
My video won't play! You said no need to convert!
|
I lied. Okay, no, I didn't, but I suppose I didn't give you the whole story when I said that. See, my statement's true when your video's in MPEG4, Divx 3.11, 4x, 5x, or XVID. These are the codecs that the built-in player supports. If your video isn't in one of these formats, then you'll have to convert. Sorry. BUT Waninkoko's version of mPlayer supports MPG video, so try that before you start converting.
Be certain that your music is in either MP3 or OGG format as these are the only two supported formats right now. This guide tells you how to convert your music to an approriate format. You can ignore the space saving measures though (since the GP2X has ample storage space); instead, I'd suggest using around 128Kbps, which will give you very nice quality music.
|
I don't know how to use this TV-Out cable...
|
First of all, if you don't have an S-video jack on your TV, you can purchase a converter for very little money. Just head over to an electronics store or search the internet; adapters are everywhere and cheap. Second, the TV-Out cable itself is very short. Use standard AV and/or S-Video cables to extend them. You'll have to get couplers to connect the two, which are available almost anywhere. Finally, with everything connected, turn on your GP2X, go to Setting, TV-Out, and choose either NTSC or PAL (NTSC is the North American standard, PAL is European and Australian). Remember that some applications do not support TV-Out. Also note that sound will still come out of your GP2X's speakers while using TV-Out; I don't know why, but it still does.
The Big Question
This is a very important question, but it's something that only you can answer. The GP2X is not a DS; you don't just insert a game and start playing. While the requirements to run something on GP2X are still fairly simple, there will be times when things will not run properly, and you will have to work it out yourself. A GP2X owner--especially a newbie GP2X owner--must be willing to read readmes and do their own research. The community is there to help, but they'll be angry if they have to answer every single question you have. You must be willing to read this site thoroughly (trust me, you'll be glad you did). A GP2X owner must also be patient. Rome wasn't built in a day, and an SNES, PSX, or GBA emulator isn't either. These things take time--more specifically, the developer's free time. Show some appreciation! Finally, and most importantly, you have to actually want what the GP2X has to offer. Don't buy it because it's cool or different; buy it because you're actually interested in its multimedia capabilities, retro emulators, or homebrew (or any combination of these, of course). Do not buy it for commercial games. So, if after all of that you can still say you want a GP2X, it just might be for you. ;-)
| This FAQ was last updated on
Dec 2, 2006
|
|
|
| |
|
 |