Which emulator is the most compatable? To find out, I choose twelve games at random, ran them under three different emulators, and evaluated the results.
I assigned points based on how well the game performed. The closer they ran to the original, the higher the point value (up to 5). I didn't calculate sound into these figures, since none of the emulators can reproduce sound accuratly. (XL-It comes closest) I was surprised to find the average coming out so close. Don't be fooled though, these emulators are not created equal, each has it's own stregnths.
How I worked out the scoring: If the game ran with no detectable flaws, (disregarding speed and sound) it received a "5". If it was correct apart from some minor flaws (i.e. colors wrong (Blue cherries), garbled graphics, P/M priorities wrong, etc) during gameplay, it received a "4". "3" indicated major flaws, but otherwise playable. "2" means the program runs incorrectly or barely runs. "1" means the program starts, but hangs.
Also watch this space. There should be a new PC Xformer Demo available soon. I will also re-evalute Atari800, since it is now at v. 0.5.2. The first shareware release of Rainbow should be available soon, and I will evaluate that.
Guide: 5-virtual perfect emulation 4-almost perfect (minor cosmetic flaws)
3-runs but has obvious bugs 2-almost runs, not usable
1-partially runs -- - no go
Name: PC Xformer Atari800 XL-it! Pokey
version: 2.5 0.4.5 0.15 0.6
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Games:
Elektraglide 2 4 4 4
M.U.L.E 4 5 4 5
Donkey Kong 5 5 4 5
Archon 5 4 5 5
Mr. Do! 4 4 5 4
Castle Wolfenstein 5 5 5 5
Pitfall 2 4 2 5 4
Spindizzy 5 5 4 5
Boulderdash 4 4 5 5
World Karate Championship 3 4 3 4
Q*Bert 5 5 5 2
Pac-man 1 4 5 5
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AVERAGE: 4.00 4.50 4.08 4.42