Apple Boot Camp Now Supports Windows 7

Niemann on Tuesday, 19 January 2010. Posted in News

Apple has just released an update to Boot Camp that includes support for Microsoft's latest incarnation of their operating system; Windows 7.  The update also fixes a number of bugs, addresses a lot of various issues, and adds support for Apple's latest peripherals.

This update adds support for Microsoft Windows 7 (Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate), addresses issues with the Apple trackpad, turns off the red digital audio port LED on laptop computers when it is not being used, and supports the Apple wireless keyboard and Apple Magic mouse.

The new version is Boot Camp 3.1 and is available in 64-bit and 32-bit flavors.  Support for Windows 7 requires an authentic copy of Windows 7 or a legitimate Windows 7 upgrade.  A number of systems are not supported by Boot Camp 3.1, including iMac, MacBook Pro, and Mac Pro models introduced in 2006.

"Come see our latest creation" Gaming Oriented?

Niemann on Tuesday, 19 January 2010. Posted in News

Multiple sources are posting that many gaming related media outlets as well as game developers have been invited to Apple's January 27th media event.  The overwhelming majority of news sites and analysts expect Apple to be introducing their tablet device and recent reports from Fox News, the Wall Street Journal, and CNN have brought up the possibility of iPhone OS, iLife, and iWork updates.

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Snes9X Updated to v1.52

Niemann on Sunday, 17 January 2010. Posted in News


byuu on the forums pointed out an update to the popular Super Nintendo emulator Snes9X.  This open source emulator sports incredible compatibility and has been the most popular Super Nintendo emulator for Windows and Mac for years.  This update includes a large amount of bug fixes, an updated sound core, and some Leopard and Snow Leopard specific changes.

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While Snes9x sports a must faster emulation core, if you are looking for cycle-exact emulation try out Richard Bannister's BSNES.

Genesis Plus v1.3.1

Niemann on Sunday, 17 January 2010. Posted in News

Richard Bannister has updated Genesis Plus to v1.3.1.  The sole new feature in this version is support for Game Genie cheat codes.  Genesis Plus is a very accurate emulator for Sega Genesis games.  If you are using an older machine or you are having speed issues with Genesis Plus it is recommended you use Generator.

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Richard Bannister is a popular Mac emulator porter and author, currently maintaining a library of over twenty-five emulators.  If you are looking for emulators for the Spectrum ZX to the Virtual Boy, Bannister's site is the place to check first.

Maelstrom

mossy_11 on Monday, 11 January 2010. Posted in Mac Classics Reborn

Way back in 1993 a college student by the name of Andrew Welch released a small shareware game called Maelstrom. Despite being little more than an Asteroids clone -- created mainly to prove that a Mac IIsi could handle decent 256 color animation -- the game was so successful that it led to the formation of Ambrosia Software.  Subsequent games solidified the developer in Mac gaming history, but it was Maelstrom that paved the way for the legendary shareware company.

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For those who don't know, the game's premise is that you are a border patrol recon pilot caught in the middle of the 'Maelstrom' -- an expansive asteroid belt that stretches from 'Alpha Centuri' to 'Beta Carotene' where Shenobi fighter pilots lurk menacingly in the darkness. To steer you through the mayhem you have only a ship with plasma cannons and a force shield, and nothing but your wits and good luck to keep you alive. As you might have guessed, the game is full of parody and pop culture references -- though perhaps not as many as later Ambrosia titles, which were not as limited by scope or depth.

Why Emulation?

M.I.K.e on Wednesday, 06 January 2010. Posted in Opinion

Today I wanted to explore why emulation techniques were devised and what makes this hobby so fascinating. I list and explain the most obvious reasons, but this topic surely is very personal and thus the reasons for it quite subjective. Feel free to mention your reasons for the interest in emulation in the comments.

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State of NES Emulation

Niemann on Wednesday, 23 December 2009. Posted in Opinion

In 1983 the world of console gaming changed with the introduction of the Family Computer from Nintendo.  The Famicom (Family Computer) didn't find its way to North America, Europe, and Australia until 1985 as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES); and singlehandedly ended the video game dark ages.  Today the Nintendo Entertainment System still ranks in the top ten of best-selling video game systems, and is by far the most emulated video game system.

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Nintendo standardized the practice of producing the hardware and a small collection of software for their system, while licensing third-party developers to also produce games.  This gave the NES a huge software collection, launching the franchises of Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Mega Man, Castlevania, Final Fantasy, and Dragon Quest.  Individual classics include Duck Hunt, Golf, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Baseball, Tetris, and Excitebike.

N64 Comes to the iPhone

Niemann on Tuesday, 22 December 2009. Posted in News

Looks like everyone's Christmas gift this year is emulator news on the iPhone.  Hot on the heels of Nescaline's release on the App Store (and prompt removal) comes the first N64 emulator for the iPhone.  Unfortunately it's only for jailbroken phones, but it has been released by the master of emulators on the iPhone; ZodTTD.

   

Ignoring the catchy Michael Jackson tunes there are a number of things to note from the video.  The control scheme shows the ability to use the Wiimote as a controller using the iPhone's bluetooth connection (Update: I can confirm this works; supremely cool).  Speed is definitely the biggest shortcoming, as well as a need for alphas in texturing.

Criticisms aside this is a truly impressive work of emulation craftsmanship.  Currently the app is available through Cydia for $2.49.