retroguru.com reports that gp2xmess, the open source GP2x port of MESS (the Multiple Emulator Super System), has been updated to version 0.8-beta. Below are the changes in this version.

- Made use of sdl_gfx only used when compiling for gp2x *and* the target is xmess.  This allows me to use scaling code when host debugging.

- Added.gpe launcher for odyssey2.  Driver works but compatibility with the current mess source low.  I was able to get golf, hockey, bowling, skiing, and few others to work fine.  KC Munchkin and Pick Axe Pete do not.  Collision detection seems to be spotty also.  I have downloaded the specs for the intel 8048 and other related odyssey2 docs and hope to work on the actul driver.

- Added support for launching the "pre" file selection dialog for the odyssey2 which needs a cart inserted before starting the emulation.

- Added coco2, apple2e, and apple2c to the drivers list.

- Added keyboard support for coco2, coco3, apple2, apple2c, and apple2e  drivers.

- Added code for scaling image down if driver's resolution is larger than 320x240.  This allows apple2 and coco3 to display now.  It's a wicked CPU hog and there are some slight palette issues but I'm hoping going to HW surfaces will speed this up.

- Added SDL_gfx lib for stretch blits (quite slow in SW), will only be used on gp2x host.

- Added makefile define for GP2X

- Switch to a newer gp2x libs package from theoddbot.  This one includes SDL_gfx and SDL_ttf so I can add scaling and also a better (smaller) font for the virtual keyboard.  I'm also hoping this will fix the timer and vol down button issues I'm having.

- Added Odyssey 2 objects, CPUS, and driver info.  Compatibility seems to be low.  driver is marked as non-working.  Baseball seemed to work fine for me.

You can visit the official homepage here, or simply download it here.

Emu#dreams reports that Ville Linde has been working on adding new hardware support to MAME, the Multiple Arcade Machine emulator. Below is Ville Linde's post from his/her official development log.

Some MAME progress

 

Magical Tetris Challenge now shows the standard Capcom test menu, and Eleven Beat shows its own test menu with a bit more broken graphics.

You can visit Ville's Development Log here for screenshots and more.

sypherce has released version 0.21 of DS2Key, the gamepad emulator for the PC.. Here are the changes.

(01.26.06) 0.21

PC Side:

1. Replaced buttons on Gui with a right click menu on the tray icon.

2. Fix all settings in options menu so they apply immidietly.

3. Connecting is no longer initiated by opening the options menu,

use the Dis\Connect Menu command to connect or disconnect.

4. Winamp support is installed, refer to Codes.txt for settings, or

the winamp.ini for the default setup.

5. Windows now move around properly, a few improper situations still.

6. ::BUG:: Closing the options menu before saving will revert changes

instantly --- this will be fixed when profiles are implemented,

hopefully next version.

»» Original Thread/Download (DS2Key)

»» Official DS2Key Forum (Discuss about the release!)

Source - R.Belmont

Running in reverse

As most people understand by now, the ZiNc arcade emulator runs games based on varients of the original 1995 Sony PlayStation hardware. For a variety of reasons (one being just to see what happened), I’ve done some initial work towards having it also emulate the base home console itself. The 3 major points of difference are the CD-ROM drive’s type (custom Sony vs. IDE or SCSI in the arcade boards that used CDs), the memory cards, and the joypads. I hooked up a CD-ROM capability by loading and calling out to an ePSXe-compatible CD plugin and almost immediately started getting some cool things to happen. Here’s a few:

 

Silent Hill: Boot warning Title

Wipeout XL: Title In-game

Tekken: Galaga (loading)In-game

Crash Bandicoot: Title

Time Crisis: Title In-game

Madden NFL ‘97: Main menu In-game

 

Please note that the final fate and design of this feature are not yet decided, so if you’re definitely interested in shaking things up a little in PSX emulation (it’s been kinda dead for a while, hasn’t it?), voice your support on the official ZiNc forum at bannister.org.