Lots of new games to talk about, but first I wanted to mention the topic of emulation on the Android platform and my stance on it. If you're unsure of what I'm talking about, emulation refers to software that allows you to use the software (usually classic games) from an older system on newer hardware. It offers a way of preserving the past which, being a video game collector, I am all for. In fact this was one of the bigger reasons that forced me to choose an Android phone over the iPhone as Apple has little tolerance for emulation on their platform.
If you're wondering what is available do an Android Market search on emulator and you'll find software for emulating the NES, SNES, Genesis, Apple II, Commodore 64, TurboGrafx 16, Amiga, Gamegear, Gameboy Advance, old arcade machines and more. Some are free and some cost a few dollars. I'm not going to spend any real time talking about or reviewing emulators, though, as the only thing that matters is if they run the software you want them to. I can say compatibility is good or great, but that doesn't matter if it does run your favorite game even if that's the only title the emulator fails to run.
My hope is for emulators for the Atari platforms to appear someday (Atari 2600, Atari XL/XE, and Atari ST) especially having had a good, free Atari 2600 emulator on the Pocket PC, but as of now I'll have to wait. And, of course, native Android games written by a quality developer will always be better than emulated games as they will (hopefully) take advantage of the form factor and properties of the platform better than something that was never intended to be used on such a device.
I've just bought myself a galaxy s...and also have an atari st emulator on my pc...(with original joystick throught a handmade printer port connection)...must be a matter of time or maybe my first steps at programming? :-)
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