Updated Hyperspin Android app in 2026?

[reznnate]

WHY!?!?  It's been nearly 11 years!?!?    Well, I fell back in love with Hyperspin and decided to update the app.    I uploaded a quick 'attract' test to see if I'm the only one left here but a few people downloaded and that's enough for me, particularly for an 11 year old Android device.      Anyway, the update is coming along well and it's turned into a significant app overhaul/rewrite.    I'm quite proud of it.   There are a few remaining things to fix and then I should be able to post next month.     

[thatman84]

Happy to see you back at it, my Shield has been gone a few years now! I would be pretty amazed if your still rocking the original Portable

[reznnate]

Still rock'in the TV version.   Also have a prototype handheld that never shipped.   HUGE update to app incoming.  It will run better if NVIDIA ever releases a new Shield.   Shield is 10yrs old!

[mrfomt]

Great news! I'm still using the Nvidia Shield. Will the updated Shield version include support for more standalone emulators? Many of them no longer work.

[reznnate]

I'm not aware of any emulator launcher issues.   The current system (using .ini files) is NOT convenient (and I do intend to improve this), but it does allow the flexibility to support any (one) emulator (per wheel). 

[mrfomt]

I haven’t tried any standalone emulators in a while, but last time I had issues with auto-starting ROM files—maybe that’s no longer a problem now.

 

Are there any updates planned for the carousel itself, like being able to use a normal or horizontal layout? That would be really cool.

 

I think the Nvidia Shield has smoother animations than the PC version, so I really like it.

 

Keep up the good work!

[reznnate]

Okay, I've posted beta4.   I overhauled the app so hopefully it works okay as a drop-in replacement.  I've done a lot of testing but let me know if you have questions or run into issues with it.    Next, I'm going to see if I can simplify emulator setup.   

[reznnate]

Other than Retroarch, what are the most important emulators still being updated and maintained for Android?  With all the new Android handhelds, I expected the scene to be vibrant but the play store has become a wasteland of sorts.   I don't intend to post my app there either.

I'm working on some fixes, new features, and will have another update relatively soon. 

[thatman84]

I rarely game on droid now but occasionally on trips I will delve in, so do keep an eye on the scene a little (Not Shield specific).

3ds emu Azahar is a recent one I have seen chatter about, aPS3e/RPCS3 brings some games, NetherSX2 patch for PS2. My SD845 chip can run some stuff but I genuinely stay below PS2. With the SD elite stuff bringing so much power most of the hype has moved on to PC/Steam gaming apps like Game native and GameHub etc.

 

I'm not sure where the Shield is at in the current landscape!

Russ of retrogamecorps is usually on point.

[reznnate]

Awesome feedback, thanks.   I've been out of the scene for a long while.   The Shield is 10yrs too-old at this point but for most of the older systems I care about, it's still kicking.   Shield won't be able to handle newer emulators/systems but as ARM-based hardware gets more powerful, I will update the Hyperspin app for myself, if nothing else...        I've added a few useful features so I'll be posting another update this week.

[mrfomt]

Great update! A lot of new animations that never worked on the Shield before are now working. Thanks!
Another question: loading a .gcz ROM directly from the Dolphin emulator works fine, but when launching it through Hyperspin I get a message saying that .gcz is not a valid format.

[reznnate]

Did this previously work in prior builds?   Do other non-.gcz formats work?  In the Nintendo Gamecube .ini file, is gcz listed as a valid rom format?

 I'm actually revamping a lot of this code right now although SOME of these issues tend to be emulator-related so this feedback is useful right now.    I ran into issues with both saturn.emu (his other .emu apps work fine, I use c64.emu) and a 'newer' hacked version of Drastic (DraStic_r2.5.2.2a.apk works).