Firestorm gbaZ Gameboy Emulator Available

Crimson Fire have released a new Gameboy and Gameboy Color emulator for the Tapwave Zodiac.

The company was initially challenged with legal threats from Nintendo prior to release, which pushed back the release date. Crimson Fire decided they would challenge Nintendo and release the project as a free, open source application. The groups has done a 180 of sorts, and has now released the emulator as a commercial product.

The Firestorm gbaZ emulator plays original Gameboy and Gameboy color title. While it was originally planned to include emulation of the Gameboy Advance system, however that portion was not released due to a last minute technical bug issue. gbaZ supports full screen graphics and has limited sound support.

The program only works with the Tapwave Zodiac handheld, a general release Palm OS 5 version is being planned. It costs $19.99 USD, but is available with a $2 discount for the next few days. At this time there is no demo version.

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So when will the GBA version be released? :(

gfunkmagic @ 3/29/2004 10:01:28 PM #
I hope this released soon. Also do they ever plan on releasing a general PalmOS version of the GBA emu?

I support http://Tapland.com/

--------------------
GNM

RE: So when will the GBA version be released? :(
ZekeSulastin @ 3/29/2004 10:53:39 PM #
*Sigh* Not only do they backpedal on providing thhe source code, they eliminate the only real interesting part of the emu - here's a clue, CF - there's already a decent GB (non-A) emu out there: Phoinix - and it's free.

Now, once they release the promised GBA support, my tune'll change ;)

RE: So when will the GBA version be released? :(
just_little_me @ 3/29/2004 10:59:22 PM #
Great, more piracy... hands up who actually owns a flash linker to play their own games on these emulators...?


JLM.

RE: So when will the GBA version be released? :(
Scott R @ 3/29/2004 11:40:23 PM #
"*Sigh* Not only do they backpedal on providing thhe source code, they eliminate the only real interesting part of the emu - here's a clue, CF - there's already a decent GB (non-A) emu out there: Phoinix - and it's free."

In fairness, their "decision" to release it as open source was made after the threats from Nintendo and they saw that as one means of getting around the lawsuit. So, they thought they would release it as open source and just ask for donations in helping to fight Nintendo. Then, Nintendo sent a follow-up letter informing them that releasing it for free would still lead to lawsuits. I honestly expected the whole project to die and am surprised that they're moving forward in releasing it.

I do agree, though, that GBA emulation is what everyone cared about. So if that never comes (or the performance is awful), this whole story will turn out to be much hype about nothing.

Scott

http://Tapland.com
- Tapwave Zodiac News, Reviews, & Discussion -

RE: So when will the GBA version be released? :(
I.M Anonymous @ 3/30/2004 1:36:31 AM #
The one major advantage this will have over Phoinix is that it will use arm code, and therefore run at decent speeds on low end OS 5 handhelds. Currently, Phoinix is unusable on my T|E, although ARM emulators such as NESem (for NES games) and Gizmo (for Game Gear games) work just fine.

RE: So when will the GBA version be released? :(
rory @ 3/30/2004 10:44:25 AM #
If you actually brought a gameboy and owned the games for it I see nothing wrong with finding ROMs for the ones you owned. Ok granted it probably breaks some copyright law or obscure license agreement you accepted by looking at the product the wrong way, but as far as fair use goes - seems fine to me :)

--
Visor Deluxe > iPod > Clie SJ33 > Zire 71 > ?

Yawm...

JonathanChoo @ 3/30/2004 11:10:27 AM #
I guess the only thing interesting bout this news is the fact that it would be great to run it on a Zodiac since its the only PDA to offer a real game controller. I have a Gameboy Advance emulator on my h4150 (MorphGear) but the buttons on the PDA is crap.

---
PDAs: Psion 5> Vx > m505 > N770C > T625C > NR70V > e310 > T/T > HP h2210 > T/T3 & h4150
Mobiles: StarTac > T28m > T39m > T68m > T610 > T630
DigiCam: DiMage E323

Well this sucks..

helf @ 3/30/2004 11:40:02 AM #
Only reason to get this was for the gba emulation.. I'd rather have had a buggy gba emulator than a gb/c one :(

Oh well, Now I can atleast play dw3 on my z..

RE: Well this sucks..
skeezix @ 3/30/2004 11:49:27 AM #
CF has stated that the GBA module will come out once they get it fixed up a touch, so presumably the purchase price will get you the GBA version as well.

jeff

The Shadow knows!

RE: Well this sucks..
helf @ 3/31/2004 3:33:51 PM #
ah, cool :)

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