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Review : NesterDC for Dreamcast
This weekend BBQ and I burned CDs of the latest edition of NesterDC for Dreamcast with a games database composed of all the ".NES" ROM files that we have been collecting for the last five years. For those of you who do not know what the hell that means let me break it down for you.
It is possible to recreate old game systems by using a programs that simulates the hardware with a file of data extracted from a cartridge. Since the Dreamcast has a some what open environment a group of quite ingenious nerds have put together a near perfect NES emulator for Dreamcast.
Most of my NES Roms were from Usenet Newsgroups and between BBQ and myself we have ROM images of all the NES games that we could ever want to play. Then I used a tool made to stitch together a CD image with the emulation and the ROMs that can be played in a Sega Dreamcast like any other game. Older versions used a CD swapping method so after the program was loaded we would swap the disc for the disc with the games. I have been using Nero Burning ROM for all my Dreamcast needs.
Nester DC is not a hack job slapped together but it is a highly evolved software project and is one of the finest NES emulators I have ever used. It delivers a pretty damn near perfect gameplay experience that looks and feels like a real 8 Bit NES should. The latest version supports the ability to save the games battery saves to the Dreamcast VMU, Instant game freezes and un-freezes to either the VMU or to the DC memory, Autofire, 4-player game support, GameGenie codes and a bilinear filter to smooth out graphics flicker.
A real bonus to NesterDC is loading a ROM hacked game like a un-official translation or a comedic hacked ROM. It is a trip to play BBQ's Dishonor Thy Father game on a TV on a real game system. Besides everyone loves a game of Wilford Brimley Battle for NES
It is a real pity that projects like this are not condoned or published by Nintendo. I am blown away by how complete and well designed the project is and how well it delivers that classic 8-bit Nintendo feel on a normal TV with all the advantages of emulation.
It looks like Dreamcast but it tastes like NES!
Jake at March 23, 2004 
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Comments
I was surprised that you didn't review this during Dreamcast week. Don't forget to play Super Cigarette Bros., hard to believe that pretty good hack could be based off such a stupid idea. Also don't forget that NESterDC can play Famicom Disk System games, so you can play Doki Doki Panic - the game redone and released as Super Mario Bros. 2 in the states.
Posted by: InsaneDavid at March 23, 2004 2:36 AM
This is, indeed, the one of the best damned pieces of emulation software I've ever seen. I've been playing it for more than a year and have yet to exhaust the collection of games it contains.
Within the game, how can I check my version number? I want to see if this version you linked to is a possible upgrade for me.
Posted by: Bryan at March 23, 2004 4:52 AM
Well Bryan do you have a copy of Nero or Discjuggler to burn CDs with? You can probably find out the version number when the program starts before you pick your game.
Posted by: Jake at March 23, 2004 9:30 AM
Most versions of NESterDC will display their version number at the top of the screen when they are loading up the theme (background) images. Current release is 7.1 ... 7.1+b includes support to use most Dreamcast lightguns. Support for a handfull of games, most notably Bionic Commando, was broken after release 6.0.
Posted by: InsaneDavid at March 23, 2004 4:49 PM
That makes sense. I always bypass that screen as quickly as possible, never really paying much attention to it. I'll check it next time I load it.
Posted by: Bryan at March 24, 2004 4:54 AM
