It has NO FPGA emulation which means it is a NO BUY.
For those uninformed on what that means, please allow me to educate you
FPGA is hardware-based emulation. FPGA is emulation at the chip level which essentially means it is as close to the real thing as possible with out actually being the real thing.
When they originally announced the Polymega, they said it would have FPGA. Later on, they got rid of the plan to use FPGA.
That means that the Polymega that is coming out is SOFTWARE EMULATION. You can get the same quality of emulation on your current computer if it is software emulation.
In other words, they are charging you a premium to play your games on their device that you could have played on the computer you already own.
There is a HUGE difference between FPGA-based emulation and Software-based emulation consoles.
A $299 console that has software-based emulation is a no go.
Why is this even a thing anymore? It only was relevant back when they claimed it would have FPGA-based emulation. When they failed to keep that design goal, it became nothing more than an over priced console emulator joining an over crowded industry of low priced console emulators.
I feel sorry for the people that wasted money on this thing. They should have just spent their money on companies that use FPGA emulation like Analogue does.
For instance, if you are a true retro gamer that actually collects AND plays retro games, then there is no better option than to buy a Super Nt from Analogue for $189.99. Yes it only plays SNES cartridges, but it literally is the equivalent of a SNES with HDMI made by Nintendo IF Nintendo made one. It's made of top quality parts, will last you a life time, and is supported by a company that you can actually rely on.
Wasn't this the device that was supposed to have hardware emulation when they first announced it, and then they walked that back to be just software emulation?
If it was true hardware emulation, then yes it would be worth the money. Seeing as it's just software emulation, you can get the same thing with the PC you already own.
Comments 7
Re: Polymega Will Launch For Real This November - Or Earlier, If We're Lucky
It has NO FPGA emulation which means it is a NO BUY.
For those uninformed on what that means, please allow me to educate you
FPGA is hardware-based emulation. FPGA is emulation at the chip level which essentially means it is as close to the real thing as possible with out actually being the real thing.
When they originally announced the Polymega, they said it would have FPGA. Later on, they got rid of the plan to use FPGA.
That means that the Polymega that is coming out is SOFTWARE EMULATION. You can get the same quality of emulation on your current computer if it is software emulation.
In other words, they are charging you a premium to play your games on their device that you could have played on the computer you already own.
There is a HUGE difference between FPGA-based emulation and Software-based emulation consoles.
The Polymega is a 100% pass for me.
Re: You Could Get Your Hands On A Polymega Early Thanks To Its Upcoming Beta Test
A $299 console that has software-based emulation is a no go.
Why is this even a thing anymore? It only was relevant back when they claimed it would have FPGA-based emulation. When they failed to keep that design goal, it became nothing more than an over priced console emulator joining an over crowded industry of low priced console emulators.
I feel sorry for the people that wasted money on this thing. They should have just spent their money on companies that use FPGA emulation like Analogue does.
For instance, if you are a true retro gamer that actually collects AND plays retro games, then there is no better option than to buy a Super Nt from Analogue for $189.99. Yes it only plays SNES cartridges, but it literally is the equivalent of a SNES with HDMI made by Nintendo IF Nintendo made one. It's made of top quality parts, will last you a life time, and is supported by a company that you can actually rely on.
Re: Polymega Slips Into Early 2020, But It's Bringing Some Cool Stuff With It
No FPGA = No Purchase
Re: Exclusive: The Evercade Handheld Is Getting Earthworm Jim, Clayfigher And Midnight Resistance
I'll stick with my Nintendo Switch.
Re: First Images Of Cartridge-Based Retro Console The Evercade Revealed
Interesting. I'm not sure I would buy one, but color me interested at the very least.
Re: Hands On: Polymega Is Shaping Up To Be The Ultimate All-In-One Retro Emulation Box
They lost me when they changed their design from HARDWARE emulation to SOFTWARE emulation.
Re: More Tantalising Polymega Details Emerge From GDC 2019
Wasn't this the device that was supposed to have hardware emulation when they first announced it, and then they walked that back to be just software emulation?
If it was true hardware emulation, then yes it would be worth the money. Seeing as it's just software emulation, you can get the same thing with the PC you already own.