GUI for ZSNES?

[Dib]

Does anybody know of a third party program to give ZSNES a proper Windows GUI?

[SquareHead]

There are front ends for zsnes (I think), but as for zsnes having a windows gui. Not yet.

[Dib]

I don't think a frontend would be satisfactory, they seem to be intended as overreaching rom database and management utilities. All I want is something so I can run ZSNES like any other Win32 emulator: no mouse trapping, proper Windows alt+ menu system with dialog boxes, and have it available at all times during windowed mode without having to toggle it with Esc.

I'm kind of surprised something like this hasn't been in such demand that it would have been included months or years ago. ZSNES looks like an old DOS emulator a'la Nesticle, and it seems overdue to join the current age. It's not like all the current functionality down to the screen saver pause effects couldn't be retained.

[Deathlike2]

I don't see that many people losing sleep over the lack of a Windows GUI..

Even though some people have problems using the emulator (the infamous double screen problem because people have shitty graphic cards/not updated drivers), I believe the majority don't find that to be most important factor... people look at other things that are much more important to them.. such as proper emulation, compatibility, and whatever... having a Windows GUI is not high on the list of problems with this emulator..

This emulator is arguably the most advanced of all SNES emulators in terms of features and compatibility (first emulator to have DSP4 support is nothing to scoff at, though I don't really care for that game that it matters most to).

I'm kind of surprised something like this hasn't been in such demand that it would have been included months or years ago. ZSNES looks like an old DOS emulator a'la Nesticle, and it seems overdue to join the current age. It's not like all the current functionality down to the screen saver pause effects couldn't be retained.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH.. did anyone tell you that looks can be deceiving? There is so much more to an emulator than its GUI.. especially when way back when ZSNES and Snes9x started.. there WAS NO TRANSPARANCY. That was one of the most important things added to the emulation than the "lack of a Windows GUI".

Deal with it.. you're making it sound like the GUI is hurting the emulation of an SNES game.

[Agozer]

I see that people are still bitching about this. So, being different is a bad thing, I gather? You'll get your Windows GUI eventually.

[Dib]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not exactly spending tiresome nights trying to come to terms with ZSNES and it's software GUI. But I do really enjoy my SNES gaming, so ZSNES tends to be an often used program. Now in my case, if I'm going to waste time playing video games then I'm going to make the most of my wasted time, and I'll often do other things simultaneously like watch cartoons or browse web sites. It's nice (or would be nice) to be able to work with other windows without having to constantly toggle the GUI and disable the mouse trap.

There would be other benefits too, such as a greater menu resolution. This would mean being able to display filenames longer than the current limitation of the window (too low for many full SNES game titles, e.g. "The Legend of Zelda - A Link to the Past.smc".

I believe the majority don't find that to be most important factor... people look at other things that are much more important to them.. such as proper emulation, compatibility, and whatever... having a Windows GUI is not high on the list of problems with this emulator..

The initial topic was just my hopes that there was already a solution in existence. But since it's already been answered in the negative and we're now obviously talking about the potential and merits for a Windows GUI, I'll state my reasoning:

By relative standards ZSNES is a highly efficient and functional emulator. I have yet to encounter a game that didn't run; and without the glitching, garbled sound and graphics, and numerous unimplimented features that are common in other projects. I have no doubt that there are things that take precedence over bringing the GUI up to date, but at the same time that's not a dismissal of the idea.

So if the case has to be made, then hopefully the developer(s) will take it into account and realize how much better the emulator will be if they can accomplish this for some future release.

This emulator is arguably the most advanced of all SNES emulators in terms of features and compatibility (first emulator to have DSP4 support is nothing to scoff at, though I don't really care for that game that it matters most to).

1) I wholeheartily agree.
2) It is because of my fondness for ZSNES that I even bring up issues like this. I hope to see it improved. It's the most advanced in terms of functionality, but it's usability is suffering.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH.. did anyone tell you that looks can be deceiving? There is so much more to an emulator than its GUI.. especially when way back when ZSNES and Snes9x competed.. there WAS NO GUI.. you had to freaking learn how to use the command prompt and parameters to get it going the way you wanted to. Deal with it.. you're making it sound like the GUI is hurting the emulation of an SNES game.

And yes, I fully understand that the GUI does not dictate the functionality of the software (if you'll notice, I even made a point to include that fact: "It's not like all the current functionality down to the screen saver pause effects couldn't be retained."). If that were true, SNES9x would be the superior emulator though that is clearly not the case.

As I said, I didn't state or imply that the lack of a modern GUI is affecting the performance of ZSNES. I'm sure I don't have to explain to you how a GUI--being the interface with which we interact--has a real effect upon our experience with the software and when the GUI is poor then the experience suffers as a result. Because that's all there really is to it.

Also, FYI, I was one of those DOS gurus back when it was a viable OS option. I know how to use a DOS prompt, and a Unix prompt, and anything else thrown at me dating back to when PCs ran on BASIC. Let's not begin underestimating or insulting each other's intelligence.

I see that people are still bitching about this. So, being different is a bad thing, I gather? You'll get your Windows GUI eventually.

Sure, I suppose that is precisely what I wrote. Other than the fact that I didn't, of course.

Firstly, I am both unaware of and unresponsible for other people, their opinions, and their posts (notice my own low post count). Secondly, your point is moot because I said nothing of the sort.

[grinvader]

I'm tired of these requests. Enough.