ColecoVision Emu

[CRP]

This version adds an "ARMified" emu core...

get the file here:
http://discussion.brighthand.com/palmhandhelds/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34378

[Glacialeye]

Great work... but please, for next release, don't use the 5-way navigator only :) so that NX users could try it too :)

Keep up the good work, glacialeye

[CRP]

Would it be ok to use page up/down for up and down and datebook/contacts for left/right? Or do some clies have different keys I can use?

[iebnn]

Let us customize them. please :)
some clies have the gamepad

[davidbrit2]

Only the Colecovision Super Action Controllers actually have the C and D buttons. It would be safe to make them optional in favor of hard key left and right buttons. Only a handful of games used C and D anyway.

I'm super impressed with it so far, though. I tossed on a couple ROMs to get a look at the speed, and it looked about 100% on my NX60. It might not hurt to add an optional frame rate display so we can benchmark the emulator on different handhelds.

[CRP]

how does the clie gamepad work? does it simply remap ordinary keys or is there a dedicated sdk?

tnx

[iebnn]

I don't know. I don't have it, sorry. I think it's best if you just let users set the keys, because I know that the gamepad can work with a standard set of buttons.

[Glacialeye]

CRP: it remaps the existings keys in the positions they have in original Clies as far as I know. However (if possible) I'd like to use the keyboard keys (arrows and stuff). For now, using the standard buttons is OK anyway.

[iebnn]

Its not possible to use the thumbboard on the keyboard in games.

[davidbrit2]

That was my suspicion too. I think the keys just send graffiti codes, and not key up/key down events. You'd have to go REALLY low level to get around that, and knowing Sony, I'm sure it's a closed spec.

[dwallin]

The game pad does have an SDK for using all it's functions, which would be cool, but otherwise it can map to the old buttons. I just got the gamepad today, and I'm happy with it.. it works with all games I tried it with.

-Dave

[CRP]

I have just compiled a small update of ColEm. It features a few bugfixes, and the two hard buttons on the right are not Fire C and D, but Left and Right for Clie users.

Get it here
http://www.palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?prodID=49521
and let me know what you think and if you find any bugs.
If there's nothing serious the next step will be adding sound

Cheers

[Massman82]

Originally posted by CRP
I have just compiled a small update of ColEm. It features a few bugfixes, and the two hard buttons on the right are not Fire C and D, but Left and Right for Clie users.

Get it here
http://www.palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?prodID=49521
and let me know what you think and if you find any bugs.
If there's nothing serious the next step will be adding sound

Cheers

I'm sorry, but what is a ColecoVision and does anyone have any screenshots of the games that run on it? This sounds as if it is a very interesting emulator!

Also, is there an emulator section in the files section at Cliesource? If not, it would be a great idea to add one because of all of the new emulators! (Many new ones in the past few months)

[NeilShapiro]

Wonderful work! I immediately was able to run Frogger and Zaxxon on my NX60. (By the way I actually do own a Colecovision and most of the games for it altho it is in a box somewhere in the attic). One idea -- the emulated screen leaves a lot of screen space even in normal res. Perhaps you could program a stylus-controllable joystick pad on an area of the screen? Much as you did keyboard key? Right now, with just the hard buttons, control is very iffy. Thanks again!

[Trp]

I dont know about not being able to use the keyboard, when i program in flash i do use key up key down events, though that may just be the flash player doing the "low level" stuff to get those events.

[hansschmucker]

You can get them as events, but not as states

[CRP]

I will add configurable input in one of the next releases...

[dwallin]

Col Em is now playable on my Clie NX70v and it looks great! The games run fast (maybe a little drop faster than the original coleco, from what I remember) and look nice. I can't wait to try it out with my gamepad later. This will really add some nice playable games to my handheld.

As far as I'm concerned the emulator is usable now, but if I were going to make a couple suggestions, they'd be:

1. sound
2. Option to stretch the screen to fill available screen space? Maybe even a rotated 90 degree and stretched option for those of us with big clie screens, if that were possible..
3. ability to save the game state so you can come back later.

I don't mind loading the roms off of storage space - in fact it's better because I have much more storage than memory.

[CRP]

I am working on sound, savestates and configurable control right now, though it will take some time ;)

I have thought about stretching the screen, but the CV has a 256x192 resolution, which means stretching would mean a 1.25x factor, interpolation, distorted pixels etc. I do not think I will even try to do this :)

cheers,
Christian

[drvman02]

I like the emulator. Every game I have tried on it works so far.

I even have been able to somewhat get the game controller to work with emulator by remapping the buttons. Some times it doesn't work but all I have to do is start another game where it does work and then use the emulator.

Keep up the good work.

[dwallin]

I've also had the same problem with the controller working sometimes but not others.. using the controller SDK would probably solve those problems.

Stretching the screen is not a big deal, I'm happy with it the way it is, tho maybe you could make the background color black instead of white.

Anyway, the other things you mentioned would be great.. keep up the good work!

-Dave

[TheSpies]

I am glad to hear some people are having some luck with the gamepad, i have not had any luck yet but will keep trying. its a great emulator but some games are waaaaay to fast (just try and play dragonfire).