MiSTer FPGA Forum

Years ago, I remember watching MLiG cover the best way to play PS1 games and the pros and cons of each option.

If I ever made one Youtube video, it would probably be about the BEST way to play PSX games in modern times. It would compare PS1 hardware to PS2, PS3, and PS Handhelds thru both hardware backward compatibility and official emulation on said consoles... vs. PC/Android emulators like Duckstation, vs FPGA via Robert's Mister core. A comparison of hardware accuracy to the PS1 vs other options is in order, as well as extra features such as ease of use, HDMI output [and if the pros of using a PS3 are now superseded by the Mister's 1080p output WITH hardware accuracy, widescreen options, etc.]

Spoiler: Speculation here- if Robert's core goes to the MARS project, then the PS1 in 4K [WITH the hardware accuracy] probably would shoot down any benefit even Duckstation might have and be the BEST way to play... IF you have the hardware to do it. Advanced features, not needing modchips, turning the console upside down, nor memcards... it will be very hard to beat as an option...

Of all youtubers I watch, I feel like VGE is perhaps the best (but not only one) to make such a video.

I think MLiG would be the best to make such a video. VGE is just super low effort daily videos. Only MLiG would do a well produced deep dive for this. Also possibly DF Retro though those tend to be game focused and not hardware focused

I agree that MLIG would be best for this, especially Try.

Right off the bat, mister psx core needs tiny bit more work on MDEC. The most annoying "you can't unsee once you see it" problem to me is this rectangle box in Resident Evil background issue, which is due to MDEC inaccuracy according to Robert.

https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/PSX_MiSTer/issues/260

Also this issue with FMV backgrounds.
https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/PSX_MiSTer/issues/275

I see off color blotches on FMVs sometimes even on 24 bit connections.

Those are just nitpicks since psx core is my fav core by far but I'm curious if anyone doing comparisons would catch that. That RE rectangle box problem was caught by a streamer awhile ago if I remember correctly and I haven't see any youtubers mention it.

Best way to play is whatever is accessible to you..

seastalker wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 12:09 am

Speculation here- if Robert's core goes to the MARS project, then the PS1 in 4K [WITH the hardware accuracy] probably would shoot down any benefit even Duckstation might have and be the BEST way to play... IF you have the hardware to do it.

A PSX FPGA core on MARS (if it will even exist) would not render in 4K, it would output to 4K. Meaning, you could get great e.g. scanlines and shadow masks, but it would not be able to render to 4K “native” output like DuckStation.

Same confusion is seen around Analogue’s “4K Nintendo 64” FPGA console.

Nothing wrong with being able to render the console with 4K effects on top (I’d love that!), but it’s not running in 4K as far as the core is concerned.

(You can do this today with RetroTink 4K + MiSTer, of course that is an expensive combination)