GP2X handheld game machine

[dubya-]

Has anyone at Revision 3 reviewed this yet?:

http://digg.com/hardware/Retro_in_your_pocket_The_Linux_based_GP2X_handheld _game_machine

The best post in that thread is from a GP2X developer, Epicenter713. I've seen videos on YouTube of this device. Looks impressive, it's open source for development and it's only $189.

[lupin]

Yup yup here you go bud
http://revision3.com/indigital/2006-09-26

Its a very good device I have owned one before but the devlopment has died down and people are looking forward to the XGP an Open Source device that has more power then the PSP. Looking good.

[dubya-]

Thanks for the info. I've found the XGP entry in Wikipedia and via that found the manufacturer's web site as well as the web site of the VRENDER-3D custom chip manufacturer. While the custom chip is available right now and has been since around 2004, the last press release from the XGP's future(?) manufacturer, Gamepark, is dated 16 Feb 06. Also, although the dropdowns are present on their web page for downloading of the XGP devkit, the link isn't functional. Wikipedia states that the target release date for the XGP was supposed to be September 2006. And somewhere in my reading I saw the rumor that all but one of the Gamepark GP32 engineers left Gamepark to form Gamepark Holdings and produce the successor to the GP32, the GP2X. Gamepark claims that only one engineer left.

Not good signs. The XGP is supposed to retail for around US $300 which is considerably more than the US $189 for the GP2X. While I'd pay the $300, this might be a wait for vaporware. In that case, it's a real shame if vaporware is negatively impacting development for the GP2X, something that's already available in Version 2.

[lupin]

It depends on who you ask about that devloper thing. GPH says what you said and Gamepark says only one left. So who knows, but I really doubt the XGP is vapoware.

[dubya-]

I was wrong on the XGP's VRENDER-3D chip availability. It's the MMSP2 chip that has been out since 2004 and it's the one used in the GP2X (based upon my reading of the chip's specs). The VRENDER-3D doesn't seem to be available yet according to the roadmap here which makes it appear that it should have been out in 2006:

http://www.mesdigital.com/english/Products/product.asp

This seems to be confirmed by dead links on their web page to such things as VRENDER-3D brochures and a devkit demo for same. I'll bet it's the lack of availability of the _primary_ chip in the XGP that's holding up its release. The MMSP2 used in the GP2X seems to be the best chip that they have in production right now.

I really hope the XGP actually becomes available. It seems like the outside vendor for its primary chip might be behind schedule.

[beta7]

that device looks like a rip between the psp and nintendo DS

[dubya-]

The development community for the GP2X _does not_ seem to be abandoning the device in anticipation of the XGP. Development is still very active as seen here:

http://www.gp32x.com/

and, more specifically, here:

http://www.gp32x.com/board/

[lupin]

Im sorry but are you just here to spam us about the Gp2X? Im an active member from that board buddy I know about it. And development is not going anywhere near as fast as it once was trust me.

[dubya-]

Im sorry but are you just here to spam us about the Gp2X? Im an active member from that board buddy I know about it. And development is not going anywhere near as fast as it once was trust me.

I don't have any association with anyone even remotely involved with the GP2X in any way. I just found out about it and am pretty impressed with what it can do for the price. In my continuing research, I found the aforementioned forum after you made the comment about development and, as a result, was expecting much less activity than I found.

I read a thread there where some developer "Squidge" wrote a Vectrex emulator over the holidays and I mean JUST over the holidays. Plus, did I understand it correctly when I read something about GP32 emulators not available for the GP2X that are finally being ported to the GP2X after a long delay? Is that correct or is it something else?

BTW, I emailed MES Digital's sales department to see when the XGP's VRENDER-3D chip would be available in quantity in an attempt to determine if that is what is delaying the XGP's release (which I am ALSO looking forward to buying and would WAIT to purchase in lieu of the GP2X IF I could determine that it's ever actually going to be released or, at least, released any time soon). I used the HTML "mailto" email link to their sales department on their contact web page:

http://www.mesdigital.com/english/support/support_contactus.asp

I received this automated mail server response:

"This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification.

THIS IS A WARNING MESSAGE ONLY.

YOU DO NOT NEED TO RESEND YOUR MESSAGE.

Delivery to the following recipients has been delayed."

Full mail box?

[dubya-]

Well, I found proof that an XGP with its VRENDER-3D chip were available to demo at least 6 months ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16lu8xMWLBU&mode=related&search=

VERY impressive, especially for an open platform. I hope the rumors I've read of a mid-2007 release are correct. I can wait that long.

[dubya-]

BTW, I emailed MES Digital's sales department to see when the XGP's VRENDER-3D chip would be available in quantity in an attempt to determine if that is what is delaying the XGP's release (which I am ALSO looking forward to buying and would WAIT to purchase in lieu of the GP2X IF I could determine that it's ever actually going to be released or, at least, released any time soon). I used the HTML "mailto" email link to their sales department on their contact web page:

http://www.mesdigital.com/english/support/support_contactus.asp

I received this automated mail server response:

"This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification.

THIS IS A WARNING MESSAGE ONLY.

YOU DO NOT NEED TO RESEND YOUR MESSAGE.

Delivery to the following recipients has been delayed."

Full mail box?

Well, the email finally bounced completely. Now, remember that this is their SALES department, a rather important department. Doesn't look good...

[dubya-]

I've been informed in another forum (GP2X & XGP) that they are in the process of physically relocating their company. That might explain the bounce.

[dubya-]

The company behind the now-confirmed-as-vaporware XGP handheld gaming system has declared bankruptcy:

http://www.gp32x.com/board/index.php?showtopic=35908&hl=

The company which makes the GP2X is named Gamepark Holdings and they are still around.