[NES Emulator] vNESLight

[returned4good]

I don't understand why NES emulators on WM6 phones ran smoothly while WP7 and Android phones run them choppily. I mean performance-wise, not bugs; I can understand bugginess this early WP7 development. But after I've played them flawlessly on my T-Mobile Dash (HTC Excalibur) it's hard to understand how my HD7 struggles so much.

 

[Leapo]

I don't understand why NES emulators on WM6 phones ran smoothly while WP7 and Android phones run them choppily. I mean performance-wise, not bugs; I can understand bugginess this early WP7 development. But after I've played them flawlessly on my T-Mobile Dash (HTC Excalibur) it's hard to understand how my HD7 struggles so much.

It's probably because those older WM6 emulators were coded in C or C++, where as this WP7 emulator is written entirely in .net / silverlight .

C and C++ are native code, they run right on the hardware. Not as easy to code, not as "safe", but there's less overhead than with a managed language like .net / silverlgiht.

It's the same deal for Android. An emulator written in Java suffers similar overhead.

 

[returned4good]

It's probably because those older WM6 emulators were coded in C or C++, where as this WP7 emulator is written entirely in .net / silverlight .

C and C++ are native code, they run right on the hardware. Not as easy to code, not as "safe", but there's less overhead than with a managed language like .net / silverlgiht.

It's the same deal for Android. An emulator written in Java suffers similar overhead.

Ah. Good, detailed answer. Thanks.

 

[Nudua]

Yeah that's more or less the reason why, thanks Leapo.

Regarding the beta 6 (0.6) update that fixes the timeout + isolated storage issues.

Got an email on Thursday saying there was an issue with two of the screenshots for the application being graphically enhanced. Probably due to the screenshots having a little note in the top saying "not included" on the Mega Man and SMB3. (which is a extremely silly reason to hold back an update) BUT that the update would get a pass anyway, as long as it's addressed in the next update.

Really getting fed up with the inconsistency with the certification process, sometimes even the most irrelevant thing will stop it and other times it doesn't feel like they are actually testing anything.

In short it's still in a pending state and I've sent in a ticket so **** knows when its going through. I'm really sorry for the people affected by this, might even have to hide the app until the update goes through.

 

[DavidinCT]

Really getting fed up with the inconsistency with the certification process, sometimes even the most irrelevant thing will stop it and other times it doesn't feel like they are actually testing anything.

In short it's still in a pending state and I've sent in a ticket so **** knows when its going through. I'm really sorry for the people affected by this, might even have to hide the app until the update goes through.

Hey Nudua,

At least they are letting it in the marketplace, remember when there was a time when if it said "Emulator" it was banned?

I have heard a lot of nightmares tho on getting stuff in the marketplace...

 

[Nudua]

Finally got a reply yesterday. Apparently it's 'stuck' in certification and its going to be another 2 week at least until they can implement a fix so they can remove the update from the system. Also they can't make the application hidden either since the application is locked.

So the new eta is somewhere from 3-5 weeks depending on how fast they implement the new fix, plus the time for re-certification.

If you really can't wait, I'm just gonna recommend getting a unlock of your choice. ChevronWP7 is probably the least painful way to unlock though, but it does cost 9$ and it can be used to sideload other cool apps.

 

[Nullstring]

Hello! Another supporter here! Thanks for your very hardwork!

however, am not able to add a NES file because I keep getting "an error occurred while accessing the IsolatedStorage" even though I am already using a Custom ROM and developer-unlock.

I'm using HTC 7 Mozart btw.. So What I just did is to get that XAP downloaded, extract it, add the 2 NES files I always wanted to play and add it on "nesgames.zip"

 

[jackrabbit72380]

LOOKING FARWARD TO portrait mode when playing!

gameboy style will be great without the controls in the way of the screen.
i find it had to play when my thumbs are in teh way.

I have a question for you!
have you ever played a game called super mario brothers x for the pc?
It is freeware and i must say it is a very nice game based on smb123
I would love to have this game on my phone if you know how to go about doing a port as side project mb you could look into it?

 

[Nudua]

@Nullstring
Yeah the problem is there if u add via single nes files first, adding via zip/rar or zip file in xap first will eliminate the problem since it will create the required folder. I'll get a fixed version up when I get the time, haven't since most people just use archive or the other methods.

Can also just put the nes files in the 'roms' folder via isolated storage, vNESLight will detect the new roms when u start the app. Also Thanks!

@jackrabbit72380
The new controls are starting to look awesome (portrait included). I'll post some screenshots once I get closer to the release.

Think I've briefly heard about SMB X, isn't that for the pc and is the source even available? Also if it's not written for Silverlight or XNA, it's generally not worth the time it would take to port over. Dunno what I'll do for my next project gotta make my current ones more complete first.

I was messing around with EMU7800 which is an Atari 2600 and 7800 emulator. Got it up and running without sound, but it would be too much work for me right now to get up to speed.

On the other hand, just rechecked the site now. Seams the author has submitted a WP7 version to the marketplace. January 1st *Initial Windows Phone release to Windows Phone Marketplace* So hopefully we'll see an Atari emulator in the marketplace shortly.

 

[anseio]

testing upload

 

[jackrabbit72380]

about smbx i will look in to that for you. looking farward to screenshots!

 

[DavidinCT]

I was messing around with EMU7800 which is an Atari 2600 and 7800 emulator. Got it up and running without sound, but it would be too much work for me right now to get up to speed.

A classic Atari emulator, cool. I'd enjoy that one.

I need to nuke my phone back to NoDO, then I should be able to play again, just trying to get the time to do it.

 

[jackrabbit72380]

Any chance you could alter the button layout a bit? The current configuration can become unreadable in a lot of circumstances, and puts your thumbs over the image (even in 4:3 mode)


Something like this for landscape mode:

the screen size there is exactly double the normal NES output resolution, so scaling wont wreck the image. This also leaves a bit more room to fit in controls.


And this for portrait mode:

This is similar to the button layout on an old-school GameBoy. The screen can't be exactly 200% here, but it leaves plenty of room at the bottom of the screen for buttons.

I think this layout is realy great however I would like to make small sugjestion regarding the A & B buttons
Thay should be done like this insted so as that I can hold down B to run in mario & also still hit A with same thumb!
& also for more easy fit of thumbs! Because that is teh way i played all my nes and gb games back in the day!
I played much nentedo in my younger life hope you will consider my sugjestion!
As for the looks I know you will inpress me! Feal free to hit me up if you need any photoshop work done I have some skills!
also think you should reconsider useing my boot logo!
Anyway will the portrat mode be in next relese?
Well hears the pics I was talking about!


​

 

[Nudua]

As said before, portrait mode and new customizable controls will be added in the 1.0 release. I will also release the format the controls are made in so people can make their own.

 

[jackrabbit72380]

As said before, portrait mode and new customizable controls will be added in the 1.0 release. I will also release the format the controls are made in so people can make their own.

wow thats even better news than i expected nice job I cant wait to bring back the good old days!

 

[DavidinCT]

Nudua, I'm back ! I finally got a chance to blow away my phone back to NoDO to get my Unlock working again(now on 8107) so I can side load. Yea !!! My apps are working again too.

This was on my list of the first things to try, I have tried the Marketplace ones but, only got a few games tested. Just downloaded beta 5 and will be trying tonight.

Glad I'm back and unlocked/Inerop unlocked again

Edit: Played with for a 1/2 hour, WOW, sound works almost perfect on my Trophy with very little noticeable slow down (a small spots here and there but, impressive). I Still have the same problems, buttons are too far apart, to move left to right I have to lift up my finger and move it to change angle, not just lean my thumb left or right as I should be able to. Also, A and B are too far apart from each other.

Other wise, I love what you have done, I can't wait till you start on the SNES Vlight

 

[graham535i]

Hi,

First off let me say great job on the emulator, I have been playing the demo's quite a lot.

My question is I have shared a folder on dropbox and pc can access fine, but when I go to access the "rom".zip file from vNes it says no files found, no matter what I do.

Please help it's almost duck hunting season

Thanks
Graham

 

[DavidinCT]

As said before, portrait mode and new customizable controls will be added in the 1.0 release. I will also release the format the controls are made in so people can make their own.

Nice, I look forward to this. No hurry as the current version runs really well but, do you have a time frame ?

I look forward to geting the arrows and buttons a little closer together so it's easier for me to play.

As always thanks for this great app. This app was one of the main reasons to get my phone unlocked (before it was in the marketplace)

 

[Nudua]

@graham535i
It's a known bug with the marketplace version, only the sideloaded version works until Microsoft can put through my update.

@DavidinCT
If the current progress keeps up, I'll probably start closed beta testing in a couple of weeks. Still have a lot of things to do with the GUI and emulation.

So far I've added;
Jumplist for the games
Save states nearly 100% working
New controls system; Portrait Mode, Extra hitboxes, Easier to create different layout
Started working on Skydrive integration; Add games, Backup saves, Restore saves etc.
Plus tons of internal changes that aren't worth mentioning
Separated the core of the emulation in vNESLight from everything else, it will be uploaded to codeplex eventually.

Planned;
Hardware keyboard support
Performance improvements
Improved game compatibility
Fixing Sound issues
New pause menu
Multiple save states
Polish!

Maybe (if time);
Dropbox integration
Virtual Lightgun
Switching to player two controller

So there's still a lot of things to be done and there will be an extended testing period this time around. Because u can't depend on App Hub not utterly failing and delaying your fix for months.

edit: This is also a good time to request any planned features not mentioned, I'll always take it under consideration.

 

[DavidinCT]

Wow, impressive list. I'll have to think about it a little more. If you need any interm testing on a feature done, you know how to get in touch with me.

I look forward to your update, awsome progress so far.