For example, the same game from a different region might have the same internal header name. This would cause conflicts with saved progress data, save states, recorded movies (save state + input events), cheat files, etc.

For quick identification, the text file could be named after the internal header name (ie: “SUPER MARIOWORLD.TXT”).

-Ichinisan

I would actually prefer if the SNES / Genesis features were split into two SEPARATE products. Each should have ONE cartridge slot and TWO controller ports.

I realize that this would be like starting a second project from scratch, because you may not already have experience creating USB HID-compliant game controllers…but this would REALLY seal the deal and make this a must-buy product. Most people already want to use their favorite authentic controller / joystick with their emulators. My Ascii Fighter Stick SN, Fighter Stick SG, Capcom Pad Soldier (By Ascii), Capcom arcade stick, and AsciiPad (SNES) would all get some serious play-time if I could easily connect them to my PC!

I was reunited with my NES Advantage earlier this week and I have played for HOURS AND HOURS on my original NES. This is the only joystick I use with platformers like Super Mario Bros 3, and it’s BETTER than using a gamepad! Nothing else even comes CLOSE (though I haven’t tried the SNES Super Advantage, by Ascii).

I realize that asking for a direct-access controller API for emulators may be too much to expect…but I’d be happy anyway if the device simply allows me to use two regular controllers with my PC.

Also, if there was a tiny amount of writable storage on the device, you could store your emulator of choice on the device along with controller configuration settings, saved states, cheats, etc. An “autorun.inf” file could be generated automatically, and it would launch the emulator with a parameter specifying the .SPC filename.

This would be an AMAZING experience for newcomers to console emulation.

Please tell me: Is an “autorun.inf” file understood by operating systems other than Microsoft Windows? Even if it’s not supported in Linux / OSX / etc, I’m sure those operating systems would just ignore it and everything else would function just the same.

If the automatically-generated “headername”.spc causes problems with foreign games, etc…it might make sense if the game name always shows up as the unique checksum value “XXXXXXXX.SPC”. This way, each game would have a unique name and would always match up with its own SRAM saves, screenshots, recorded movies, and save states. In addition to the SPC and SRM files, a third file could appear in ASCII text format that contains readable information about the game, such as the internal ROM header information, size, etc. I believe the ROM’s internal header can identify the developer, region, size, checksum, title, co-processor type, etc.

-Ichinisan