Fresh from taking out second prize in the GP32 Spain GP2X-Wiz Coding Competition, Notaz has now released GINGE for Pandora. GINGE provides a WINE-like compatibility layer enabling you to run many titles from the huge GP2X software library. At the risk of hyperbolising, it’s the best thing ever. Notaz explains that some support for Wiz software is now included, and although not thoroughly tested, it’s capable of running the Wiz release of PCSX4all (more on that below).

Games that won’t run include those that use the second GP2X CPU, such as Vektar and Egoboo. Some other software won’t run for various magical reasons (confirmed not working after some quick tests: B’lox, Cat Trap, Sleuth Slots, Simoniz). Touch screen is not supported for the moment either, but it’s early days yet. So what IS working? Lots! Here are some titles to get you started:

PCSX4all – A new PSX emulator for the scene, won first prize in GP32 Spain competition. (Congrats Franxis & Chui!)

gpSP – Exophase’s GBA emu (disable scaling or use software scaling)

Wind & Water Puzzle Battles (demo)

Payback (demo) (requires login)

Animatch

Snake On Dope

Noiz2a

Sqdef (tower defence)

Boomshine2x (set to F100 mode in options)

Read more in the release thread.

New to GP2X software?

Software for the GP2X comes in the form of .gpe executables. Generally you’ll download a game in .zip form, then extract to its own folder. This will contain the .gpe, along with any supporting files and subfolders. You need to keep all these bits together in this folder.

Your SD card should be set up as per any other Pandora SD card (a /pandora folder in the root, and four folders inside this: /apps, /appdata, /desktop and /menu). Drop the GINGE .pnd where it suits you. Then create another folder in the root of the card called /game. The GP2X expects to find games in the /game folder, and GINGE is no different.

Place all your GP2X software folders into the /game folder, and you should be hot to trot.

Just a quick reminder that entries for the 2010 Pandora Angst Coding Competition are closing in about 12 hours. Thanks to ongoing donations from the community, the prize pool has now edged past $1000AUD – so if you’re putting the final touches on your entry this weekend, hurry!

2010 PACC submission page: http://webpoint-servers.com/pacc/

Click here to view the embedded video.

EvilDragon presents EvilDragon at CeBIT! Sadly there is no English version, but it’s surprisingly watchable as it is. ED appears to speak German quite fluently too, good for him. Tidbits of translation can be found in the forum link below.

Video Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6

Forum discussion

Introducing the Pandora Angst Coding Competition, an adventure in creativity/distraction devised and funded by the community. Entries are invited for GP32, GP2X, Wiz, and Dingoo (native or Dingux) games & applications, with a current prize pool of around $400AUD on offer. If you’re not a coder but you’d like to get involved, you can donate to the prize pool, offer your services as a judge, contribute splash screen artwork, or hook up with a coder and collaborate!

For full details & entry form, head to the 2010 PACC website!

Andrewe1 has been hard at work on his embroidery machine making some very nice Pandora and Wiz softcases. He plans to sell some in small quantities, assuming he gets permission from GPH and the Pandora team.

These are just prototypes he whipped up in a day, and he’s looking for input, so post in that thread (source link) if you’ve got any ideas!

More pics and Wiz case after the break.

Source

(foam cut to the Pandora’s dimensions)