theiceman085 wrote on 2023-06-08, 16:27:
I'd say it depends on how big the interest in real classic pc games is. if your buddy is more into playing ps1 games and real hardware is necessary getting a Sega Dreamcast would be much cheaper.
For example, the Dreamcast versions of Tomb Raider 4, RE 2, Re3, Seoul Reaver, and Shadow Man are great. The resolution is just 480p but they graphics themselves are really great and should be comparable to the pc version.
Excellent suggestion, +1 for Dreamcast if graphics is the true factor for your friend, it never disappoints in that regard. Have him look for these types of comparison videos for the games he wants, maybe that will help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4Ir9eaUiF0
If he was purely a console guy back then and if retro PC hardware prices are getting up there in your country, just stay with the consoles imo. Dreamcast was the first console of the 6th generation, and thus has many graphically superior versions of Playstation titles, some almost look like remasters even. And its exclusives are more Arcade style in nature, which is an excellent complement to all those multi platform games, and plus they're pretty great too. Some info if he considers that route:
- Like theiceman085 said, a Dreamcast should be way cheaper. Try to get it with at least one VMU included to save games. 80's/early 90's Panasonic TVs kill the Dreamcast video DAC while connecting and turning it on for some reason, so be aware if you have a CRT TV like that.
- Before buying, just check to make sure that the number on the small circle in the lower part of the sticker right where it says PAL is number 0 or 1, not 2 or any other. It's the sticker below the console. If it is "0" or "1", then that model can read backups of your games without any modding of any kind. For burning, use DiscJuggler with the exact settings attached. It says 16x speed, but a CD drive that can burn as low as 4x will be ideal, if not even essential. Dreamcast lasers are of much better quality compared to the original Playstation, so games will boot up first time almost every time. PSX lasers will start being less effective and wear out quicker due to being forced to read CD-Rs.
- If any of you has basic soldering skills, you can add a diode to the front controller board so that you can use CR2032 batteries, instead of the ML2032 rechargeable ones that it uses originally. This video shows how to do that and add a simple battery support instead of the originally soldered on battery, which will surely be dead and useless by now. This will remove the annoying startup screen asking for the time and settings, similar to the Saturn, and keep your settings. Don't install the battery support with the CR2032 battery without the diode too, or it will most likely blow up in your face when testing! https://youtu.be/FQMO8sdzazI
- And lastly, if image quality is his ultimate goal then your friend should do this: the Dreamcast has a VGA output, and if you buy the cable for it with the VGA port and stereo output, connect it to at least a 15/17" CRT monitor with some speakers, once he experiences the image quality in person he won't believe his eyes. It's absolutely STUNNING. And 90% of the people at the time had absolutely no idea about this.
I love the original Playstation and will always be my favorite console and library, but for all its innovations and features, the Dreamcast was truly way ahead of its time.
Edit: of course there are also emulators for Dreamcast, but one thing that's also fantastic are the NEO4ALL fan made ports for the console, which has prepatched images of most games of the Neo Geo library. If you connect it through VGA, it's the best quality possible to play those titles as well.