I ask because I decided to try out PCSX2 for the first time in many years today and was blown away by things like the resolution scaling.
When I first started using emulators having save states and the ability to rewind in GBA blew me away.
I am wondering what features, added by emulators, you really appreciate or would make going back to the original console difficult? Are there any emulators you’d highly recommend to a friend who is into retro gaming but never really tried out emulation?
Are there some emulated consoles that don’t quite have the feature set of the native experience? For example I haven’t tried out Xenia but I know a bit about the history of 360 emulation and why it’s lagged behind (Modern Vintage Gamer I believe has a decent video on this I’d link if I wasn’t on mobile). Is it missing some key or quality of life features?
Thought this could be a fun Friday discussion for this community
PPSSPP: I initially installed it because my PSP Go was failing and corrupting my save files.
Dumping all the PSP files onto a pc and loading one save with PPSSPP, fixed all the saves. Then I put them back on the PSP to continue my Gran Turismo career while commuting on the train.
It was mind-boggling to me that the emulator could fix the original console. Of course, it also does all kinds of upscaling, double framerate, etc.
After this happened twice though, I replaced the PSP with a Steam Deck. Sadly, the large stick on the Deck has caused me some trouble with controlling the higher end cars. PSP has no analog triggers, so all the finesse is in the flick of the ministick. I should load up GT4 (PS2) on the Deck soon. And MGS 1 through 3. Am very happy playing GRID (2008) and Death Stranding for now though.