The team behind the Playdate’s best Game Boy emulator, CrankBoy, have released version 1.1.0 to GitHub. This update features enhancements across the board, detailed on their Patreon page. The release addresses community feedback aimed at improving performance and introduces a host of new features.
The team was able to boost compatibility for titles like Bubble Bobble, Alleyway, and Mortal Kombat 1, reporting them all fully playable. A bug that caused slowdowns in Super Mario Land 2 has also been addressed, which should benefit other games in the library.
Audio has also received a complete overhaul. An optional buffered audio engine provides more accurate timing, while a high-pass filter recreates that shrill Game Boy sound we all know and love. Excitingly, stereo sound makes a return, now with configurable settings.
Visuals in the “resource-saving” mode have also been addressed. To combat the issue of disappearing transparent sprites, users now have two frame blending options.
Other features include a new user interface allowing players to browse and download patches and romhacks directly within the app. This feature doesn’t even appear on any dedicated emulation devices that I know of, so that is pretty cool. The team also added warnings for common issues, like accidental resets or save file corruption when using save states with games that have built-in save systems.
What really sets CrankBoy apart is its integration with the Playdate’s hardware. CrankBoy lets the physical crank be used as an input, transforming actions that were once simply button mashes into engaging physical motions. An example given is the fishing minigame in Link’s Awakening DX, where players can now physically “reel in” their catch by turning the crank.
The v1.1.0 update is available now and marks a huge step forward for CrankBoy, solidifying its place as a robust and user-friendly emulator for the Playdate console. You can download the update at their GitHub now and support them on Patreon.
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Source: Crankdate Patreon
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