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REVIEW: software-rendered version of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater2

I’ve reviewed the hardware-optimized (Intel 2700G) version of the Pocket PC port of the famous desktop game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 some weeks ago. I had mixed feelings with the game – probably because I’ve never skated myself (cross-country skiing, swimming and Nordic walking are my favourite kinds of sport. I used to play basketball too, but haven’t played it in the last 15 or so years and I also used my bicycle a lot to go to school/work, even in the deepest snow.)
In the meantime, the developer of the game, Aspyr Media, has released a version for Pocket PC’s that don’t sport an Intel 2700G chip (that is, Pocket PC’s except for the Dell Axim x50v/x51v).
I, frankly, didn’t have high expectations before testing version 1.1 of the software-rendered version because I’ve found the hardware-accelerated version quite annoyingly slow.
Fortunately, I turned out to be wrong. While the game is in no way as spectacular as, say, Anthelion II by PDAMill (the latter uses almost full-screen animation in high, VGA resolution on VGA devices - also with software-only rendering), it’s not worse than most, other, software-rendered 3D titles. This may be adequate (or even great) for THPS2 fans.
Also, the software-only version has much better map loading times than the hardware-only one (some seconds vs. about a minute or even more). This, however, may be a version number-reated problem (of the hardware-accelerated version, I’ve tested version 1.0, while I’ve tested version 1.1 of the software-rendered version) already fixed in the 1.1 2700G version. (Or, with a problem with the built-in storage/file handling speed of the Dell Axim x51v.)
Important!
The homepage of the game states the game is compatible with “Windows Mobile 2003 or Windows Mobile 5.0”. This is only half-true – the game is not compatible with WM2003 devices, only with WM2003SE ones. The reason for this is that the game relies on the built-in orientation change support of the operating system. This means the game will display in Portrait on WM2003 devices, meaning the rightmost third of the screen won’t be visible. An example screenshot of this is as follows (taken on my iPAQ 2210):
Click for screenshot
Also, the homepage lists the following supported devices: Dell Axim X50, Dell Axim X30 above 500 MHz, HP iPAQ hx2410/2415, HP iPAQ hx2700/2750, HP iPAQ hx4700/4705. In addition to them, I’ve successfully played the game on a VGA Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket Loox 720 as can be seen in here:
Click for screenshot
RAM shortage – beware!
The game only runs with 28 Mbytes of free RAM (dynamic program memory – don’t mistake it for storage ROM on WM5 devices!). If you have less RAM, the game will not run and you can’t “hack” it to run either. Unfortunately, this makes it impossible to start the game on, for example, the HTC Wizard – with any HTC Wizard ROM (see the article here). Unfortunately, this also means you'll have problems with a lot of other WM5 devices that "only" have 64M RAM built-in RAM because, in general, 64M WM5 devices have around 30M of free RAM, of which Today plug-ins (for example, Spb Pocket Plus 3.1 takes some 1.6 Mbytes of precious RAM memory on WM5 devices) and extensive Contacts/Appointments lists can take Megabytes - just to start with.
My biggest grief with the game...
...is still the lack of a trial version. A $30 game, especially a 3D title, should have a trial version. The lack of the trial version is especially annoying because of the non-full device compatibility list (the game runs on a lot of other PC’s but you can't be absolutely sure your particular one) and, more importantly, it claiming WM2003 compliance (which the game completely lacks).
Verdict
If you’re a fan of the genre, check it out – you will most probably like it. Don’t expect too much, however – software-only rendering won’t deliver you miracles, particularly not with this title. Finally, if you do not want to spend $30 on a game you can’t test before buying, mail Aspyr Media to release a trial version.

Wow, 28MB of free RAM required. My Treo 700w doesn't even have that at a hard reset state... perhaps not even before the WM5 OS is loaded. LOL
In case anyone doesn't know, the "128MB/60MB Storage Capacity" that they mention on their website omitted the fact that the device only has 32MB of RAM, and that 128/60 is the Flash ROM area...

New version of best, free arcade emulator, FinalBurn, out!

Another GREAT piece of news for you emulator fans after the recent release of Pocket Commodore 64 3.0 (see review HERE): version 0.14 of FinalBurn, without doubt the BEST arcade emulator, has just been released with many optimizations (most importantly, the CPS-3 core has been rewritten) and compatibility enhancements.
Please see THIS for a complete tutorial on using the emulator. As usual, you’ll need to download the executable HERE, from the first post. Note that you’ll only need to download burner0.014.rar; FinalBurn.rar contains the old, 0.11 version and fbaud.rar is only needed for desktop usage (if you plan to create cache files on the desktop). Also make sure that the ROM pack is still at its previous URL linked to from my tutorial.
I’ve thoroughly tested it on several of my Windows Mobile devices; most importantly, with the very resource-hungry, excellent platformer shoot’m’up Metal Slug 2, which did have sound emulation problems in previous versions. (The new, 0.14 version has some 68k optimizations too, in addition to the new CPS-3 core). While it’s on very few, high-end devices that the game is playable without any sound glitches, there is indeed some performance gain over the older versions. Note that with less resource-hungry games (for example, the CPS-1 / 2 vertical scroller 19xx-series) there won’t be performance problems at all, not even on less capable platforms.
WM2003 QVGA iPAQ 2210 (400 MHz PXA255): works better than on the TI OMAP-based HTC Vox / s710 running at 200 MHz; however, it too has sound problems
HTC Vox / s710 (200 MHz TI OMAP; haven’t tested it overclocked) running the latest (January 2008) factory ROM: major sound problems (better to switch it off entirely)
Dell Axim x51v with WM6.1 (see THIS), PXA270 at 624 MHz: minor sound problems on scenes with many opponents
HTC Universal with WM6.1 (see THIS) (PXA270 at 520 MHz): absolutely no sound problems, perfectly playable (Great news!)
HP iPAQ 210 with factory ROM & the official battery update, no other tasks running, PXA310 at 624 MHz: definitely worse than on the x51v / Universal, choppy sound most of the time (but, of course, better than on the old iPAQ 2210 or the HTC s710).
All in all, if you like quality (!!!!) 2D arcade games, you MUST give it a try. Again, don’t forget to read THIS for a tutorial. You may also want to read the WinMo Arcade Bible for more info on how FinalBurn compares to other arcade emulators and what makes it the best.

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3d Games on jbed

Hello all,
I was playing asphalt 4 on a 201 mhz processor device, it was extremely smooth but not was the same case with graphics they werent smooth. So i thought since java games can be played on wm with full smoothness i got a asphalt4 java version (jar) and installed but as soon as the game is about to begin it closes. So this may be because of no 3d support by jbed but then installed a 3d supported version of jbed it also closed.
So anyone can tell me which is the best and working midilet manager to play that game.?

jagan2 said:
Hello all,
I was playing asphalt 4 on a 201 mhz processor device, it was extremely smooth but not was the same case with graphics they werent smooth. So i thought since java games can be played on wm with full smoothness i got a asphalt4 java version (jar) and installed but as soon as the game is about to begin it closes. So this may be because of no 3d support by jbed but then installed a 3d supported version of jbed it also closed.
So anyone can tell me which is the best and working midilet manager to play that game.?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't expect much of current WinMo midlet managers when it comes to 3D. Should you really want to play 3D Java games, get a second-hand Nokia N95. Or, forget the entire thing and get, say, a second-generation, used iPod Touch - the 8GB version can be had for around $150. It runs (native) 3D games very-very fast - much faster than, say, the iPhone 3G (or, for that matter, any Java game on even the Nokia N95).

Too bad there's no native WM version of that game, it's a great title.

chambo622 said:
Too bad there's no native WM version of that game, it's a great title.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are some native Asphalt titles for WinMo, but they don't use 3d acceleration hardware at alll and are, visually, way inferior to the iDevice versions.
(Nevertheless, they're still better than the much less detailed Java versions.)

@all thanks but its true there is a native game asphalt 4 but on a slow processor devices it has some graphics glitches still enjoyable, so i though how about running a java version of that game, i tried when i click start it just closes the game thats why asked.
@Menneisyss: Lol why would i buy those crap phones for just game, i always dont play games only sometimes, i know it is possible there is java midilet manager supports 3d games, but i dont know why this particular game not running or may be i have downloaded the java version which is corrupt, just wanted to knw if anyone played the java version on wm.

[Q] psx4droid tested yet?

Anyone tested psx4droid yet?

it works ok for me, however wiimote will not work on tnt. it will work on zpad however.

Plays a ton of games at full speed, but the v-pad sucks for most games. Gtablet plays the following games smoothly with sound. Please note that 1.5 and 1.6 are a LOT faster than 1.7 (current version in market).
Sound is fairly rough for a lot of games though: Some are ok.
Sample of more cpu killing games for other Android devices:
Dead or Alive
Bloody Roar 2
Crash Racing
Tekken 3
NFL Blitz 2001
NBA Live 2001
March Madness 2000
NBA Showtime
Tobal 2 (when in game)
Rival Schools
There are others, but Tegra 2 handles these very well. Of course, no current way to play the games decently, since no control options other then the virtual pad.
Games play rather well with the v-pad on the Incredible and Droid X, but smaller design (closer controls & lighter) and actual touch response & multi touch is better on those devices. Catch is those devices plays all the games noted above slow, except Crash Racing.

rushless said:
Plays a ton of games at full speed, but the v-pad sucks for most games. Gtablet plays the following games smoothly with sound. Please note that 1.5 and 1.6 are a LOT faster than 1.7 (current version in market).
Sound is fairly rough for a lot of games though: Some are ok.
Sample of more cpu killing games for other Android devices:
Dead or Alive
Bloody Roar 2
Crash Racing
Tekken 3
NFL Blitz 2001
NBA Live 2001
March Madness 2000
NBA Showtime
Tobal 2 (when in game)
Rival Schools
There are others, but Tegra 2 handles these very well. Of course, no current way to play the games decently, since no control options other then the virtual pad.
Games play rather well with the v-pad on the Incredible and Droid X, but smaller design (closer controls & lighter) and actual touch response & multi touch is better on those devices. Catch is those devices plays all the games noted above slow, except Crash Racing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice. You say 1.5 and 1.6 run smoother. Do you have .APK for one of the older versions?

h4x0rjdag said:
Nice. You say 1.5 and 1.6 run smoother. Do you have .APK for one of the older versions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes (from older Titanium BU), but it is apparently linked to my gmail account (would not work until I set my account up on Gtablet). It is a paid app, but the irony is the one on the market (1.7) absolutely sucks compared to 1.5 & 1.6.
Not sure why the dev takes backsteps.
You should have no problem finding the apk. In this situation, can not blame you since the current version is a lost cause.

so is 1.6 better than 1.5

ok so i got it but not sure which version, any way to find the version #.
the bios it came with, i also know nothing about. are there better bios than others?
do you know anywhere i can get a good pack of roms already packed

My Titanium backup showed 1.5, but a way to tell if you have 1.7 is they added some graphics options which are not in the older versions. There should only be scaling mode and framerate adjustment in 1.6 and lower. If you see extra settings for graphics in the menu (can not remember what they are), you have the new 1.7 version.

uh oh, 1.7 i guess haha. i'll look for some alternate .apk's
if anyone else has trouble finding apps for free i just google this...
".apk" "index of /" "NAMEOFAPPHERE"
works well for me!! thanks for all the info though!

searching for roms. is there a certain type that work?
i found listed as NTSC. not sure if there are other types but will these play probably ?

The version number is in the top right hand corner in application info (application manager). Mine says "1.5".
Best bet is eboot files, since they are smaller compressed versions of the iso files. I use eboots, since you can fir almost 2X the roms in the same space (on average).
Eboots are PSX games formatted to work on the PSP. They work here too.

rushless said:
The version number is in the top right hand corner in application info (application manager). Mine says "1.5".
Best bet is eboot files, since they are smaller compressed versions of the iso files. I use eboots, since you can fir almost 2X the roms in the same space (on average).
Eboots are PSX games formatted to work on the PSP. They work here too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cool thanks, i can't find a good source for psx eboots. have any suggestions ?
mine is v1.0 i was looking at something else. is 1.0 reliable?

h4x0rjdag said:
cool thanks, i can't find a good source for psx eboots. have any suggestions ?
mine is v1.0 i was looking at something else. is 1.0 reliable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but 1.1 is best for speed, but has some graphics issues (example is special weapon boxes missing in Crash Racing). This is rare though.
1.1 is easy to find by doing a search for 1.1 and psx4droid.
Worth buying though- assuming the dev fixes the 1.7 fiasco. The dev should at least offer 1.5 or 1.6 as a separate market download for paid users.

I was told v1.61 is the best one available.
I mean v1.7 has the most/best features but sufferes from a lag.
v1.1 has the best speed which is equal in v1.6, but v1.6 is slightly faster for those weaker devices (eg Milestone).
v1.6 has some new features not present in v1.1
I'm guessing a v1.8 may be released later on which is simply v1.7 minus the lag
After that (v1.8) I believe it would remain quite stagnant as zodtt wants to focus on his other projects; vlc4droid and n64droid and not to mention his apps for iOS.

Yep, 1.5 & 1.6 are best for combination of speed and all graphics visible. 1.1 is fast, but gets away with it since some graphics are missing Example is Crash Racing. 1.5 seems as fast as 1.1, but has all the graphics.
1.6 begins the step to the dark side of lag (works for a few games well, most not so much). 1.7 is even more niche and a big step backwards for the app.

[GAME] Trainz simulator for android! Working on adreno200!

n3wgames released a port for android which works very well!
This game is availaible on android market for a very fair price, though originally intended for tablets running honeycomb with tegra chip.
I have bought this game for my tablet and works wonderfully. I have thought of trying this on older hardware to see how this game demanding is.
AND IT WORKS!
I am successfully running this game on typhoon ROM HD2 with chainfire 3D(NVIDIA plugin) There are few problems, but it's nothing hard to fix. Current issue is with S3TC texture compression and rather slow emulation of NVIDIA Tegra part. Looking a way to overcome this.
I'm trying to fine tune graphic settings to:
-get most of detail on my tablet
-reduce quality on HD2 to improve gameplay experience
For example you can tweak some options under
/sdcard/android/data/com.n3vgames.android/trainz/files/userdata/settings
#globalmodule.txt
for example draw-distance can be set higher to increase viewing distance with cost of few FPS, also good/bad-weather-fog can have dramatic impact on game speed. In game options are quite lacking and doesn't have all tweaks needed.
I'm still looking for some settings to add in this file.

Thanks for adreno 200 support

Trainz is adreno200 compatible BUT you must use NVIDIA plugin or you'll get white textures. I'm looking atm for a way to disable S3TC texture compression, it's major performance hogger.

link
Link!!

So on a dhd it will work OK then if it works on a hd2
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA