GP32 Gets Homebrew Games Galore For Competition

Thanks to GP32News for its set of freely downloadable games from the ADIC2003 competition, a homebrew contest for the previously discussed GP32 handheld game console. Highlights include 'LOL Fighters', featuring a giant fighting cigarette, a classic 2D puzzler called 'Puzzle Mix', and the sideways scrolling shooter 'Magical Quest'. GP32News also has much supplementary information regarding other homebrew projects for this cult handheld.

Looks. It's Part Of Gaming.

[Yorrike]

Though it's great to see home brew games are alive and kicking, and that the GP32 has a cult following because of it's open nature, I must say that all of the games not mentioned in the article look mediocre to terrible.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm one who'll prefer shining gameplay over shiney graphics, but most of the displayed games look like the developer haven't even tried.

Take this one [gp32news.com] for instance. In case you don't recognise what that's supposed to represent, it's a snowboard going down a mountain. This console is capable of much better.

Re:Looks. It's Part Of Gaming.

[Oddly_Drac]

"I must say that all of the games not mentioned in the article look mediocre to terrible."

I remember buying a Hewson game called '3d tanx' for the spectrum back in the day. 5.00 for the tape. It was bloody awful, but it was a commercial game. Back then your average software company was a couple of guys hacking (if you were lucky) assembly.

So personally I would be a little forgiving to the people that try to create for the GP32. I feel that the game you pointed out wasn't really much cop and I'd not

Re:Looks. It's Part Of Gaming.

[Cpt_Kirks]

the GP32 has a cult following because of it's open nature

For something a bit more advanced, check out the Tapwave Zodiac.

Faster CPU, better screen, better controls, etc. And the SDK is free and (as soon as the new license comes out) OSS friendly.

I have both. The GP32 is great, but the Zodiac has so much more potential. Now it just needs the games and emulators to make use of the potential.

Re:Looks. It's Part Of Gaming.

[mrseigen]

For what it's worth I think most of the games (namely the ones at the top) look good. The rest are of varying quality, but there are some damned nice ones here.

Re:Looks. It's Part Of Gaming.

[stonecypher]

Heh. Homebrew games on closed platforms have been getting stronger every year. Have a look at pdroms.com [pdroms.com], gbadev.org [gbadev.org], devrs.com [devrs.com], et cetera. We all hold competitions like this all the time. It's what keeps us going.

Re:They should port MAME and see what happens...

[imperator_mundi]

it seems that among many other emulators [slashdot.org] a port of MAME is in progress, altough it looks like now just some very old games run.

Re:They should port MAME and see what happens...

[imperator_mundi]

sorry about the link... wrong copy paste I suppose ;-)
it shoud have been this one [gp32x.com], I beg your pardon.

Great.

[mrseigen]

It's nice to see there's people working on the GP32 other than the script-kiddies who just download emulators and ROMs to it and bitch on message boards.

How much does it cost?

[_iris]

Where is the price?

Re:How much does it cost?

[frolik]

If you're in the UK, go to www.gbax.com - you will usually recieve your gear the next day. 125 with a front light, and 90 without. Highly recommended site

Intellectual Property Rights...

[zenintrude]

Am I the only one that thinks this Magical Quest [gp32news.com] borrows more than a little from Cotton [vgmuseum.com]?