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GP2X Surpasses Expectations

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the raising-the-bar dept.

Harry Trotter writes "Gameparks GP2X Linux Based Console had a lot to live up to with Some amusing boasts from Gamepark, but it has lived up to its pre-billing rather well with great ports of commercial games and emulators such as Mame, Vice (Commodore 64), NeoGeo CD, Duke Nukem 3D, ScummVM and another 150 more releases so far, all of which can be followed at GP2X News & GP32 Xtreme. The Open Source Development of this console has ensured a following that will keep the console alive for years to come."

1 of 195 comments (clear)

  1. Long term viability? by dada21 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm sure this is a slashvertisement, but this is a very cool device. I hope that they can profit where other gaming manufacturers don't: from the hardware itself. Not placing a financial income take in future sales of games is sort of odd, but it makes sense that someone has to try it. Doing so in an OSS sort of way is REALLY bizarre from a competitiveness perspective.

    I'll buy one or a dozen of them just as a show of faith. Many of my friends with kids could use an introduction into the great games of my time -- if only someone would make Mattel's Utopia, then I'd be happy.

    A few questions that I didn't see on the site:

    1. Is it Mac compatible? I assume it is just a basic Mass Storage device on the USB chain.
    2. Does anyone have a link to the actual technical specs? I can't find anything on that site about the tech specs, other than the ARM processors.
    3. How bright is the screen and how do they get 10 hours out of 2 AA batteries?
    4. What is the estimated profit margin per unit? Is the price enough to keep them solvent AND address tech support concerns?
    5. Is 320x240 enough? I'm an Action Quake 2 addict, but not sure I can play on 320x240.
    6. Can they hire a grammar and spell checker? :) It keeps trying to install the Korean fonts, so I guess they might have an excuse. Bad Engrish is acceptable in some situations. (Do not click this link if you need to be silent in a cubicle, FWIW.)
    7. Does anyone want to go in with me to pick up about 100 of these so we can save shipping and make a few bucks on our friends?

    I'm pretty happy with the HP iPAQ I received for Christmas, but I'd love to screw around with this thing. Great, another freaking device I'll need a pocket for. I still can't see how they'll be able to fix bad units and support their customers merely on profit from the console sale, but if its built properly and an open source support community props up around it, anything's possible.