Tprrt's Blog

Processor Specifications

Memory Configurations

Key Observations:

The evolution from kilobytes to gigabytes of RAM represents a million-fold increase in memory capacity. The NES operated with just 2 KB of main RAM, requiring extremely efficient programming. Modern consoles like the Switch have 4 GB, enabling complex 3D worlds and high-resolution textures.

Color Depth and Palette

Sprite Capabilities

Key Observations:

Sprite-per-line limits were a critical constraint for 8-bit and 16-bit consoles. Developers had to carefully manage sprite placement to avoid flickering. The Neo Geo's massive sprite sizes (up to 16x512 pixels) and high sprite count made it exceptional for arcade-style action games.

Display Characteristics

Key Observations:

Resolution evolved from the Game Boy's 160x144 to Full HD (1920x1080) on the Switch when docked. Most classic consoles targeted NTSC's 60 Hz or PAL's 50 Hz refresh rates. The shift from 4:3 to 16:9 aspect ratios occurred around the PSP/Wii generation.

Sound Architecture

Audio Output

Key Observations:

The SNES was revolutionary with its 8-channel PCM audio at 32 kHz, enabling CD-quality sound. The transition from mono to stereo output occurred in the 16-bit generation. Modern consoles support Dolby Pro Logic surround sound encoding.

Hardware Effects by Console

Game Boy / Game Boy Color:

• No special graphics modes beyond basic tile and sprite rendering

NES:

• Attribute Tables (Limited Tile Coloring)
• CHR-ROM for Tile-Based Graphics

SNES:

• Mode 7: Affine transformations for scaling and rotation, enabling pseudo-3D effects (used in games like F-Zero and Super Mario Kart)
• Windowing Effects: Variable transparency regions
• HDMA (Horizontal Direct Memory Access): Per-scanline effects
• Color Math: Hardware addition/subtraction for transparency and lighting effects

PC Engine:

• No special graphics modes beyond standard tile/sprite capabilities

Neo Geo:

• Hardware Scaling for sprites
• Line Scroll: Independent line offsets for parallax effects
• Raster Effects: Per-scanline modifications

Game Boy Advance:

• Affine Transformation: Mode 7-like scaling and rotation
• Mosaic Effect: Hardware pixelation for special effects
• Alpha Blending: Multi-layer transparency
• Object Priority: Hardware Z-ordering for sprites and backgrounds

Nintendo DS:

• 3D Rendering: Hardware-accelerated 3D graphics engine
• Extended Affine Transformations: Advanced 2D rotation and scaling
• Fog Effects: Depth-based atmospheric effects
• Multiple Background Layers: Up to 4 background layers with independent scrolling

Nintendo 3DS:

• Stereoscopic 3D: Glasses-free autostereoscopic 3D display
• Advanced Shader Support: Programmable vertex and fragment shaders
• GPU-Accelerated Rendering: PICA200 graphics processor

Wii:

• GPU Effects: Programmable shaders, bloom, motion blur
• Texture Mapping: Advanced texture filtering and mipmapping
• Bump Mapping: Per-pixel lighting simulation
• Hardware Anti-Aliasing: Multi-sample anti-aliasing (MSAA)

PSP:

• Hardware Transform & Lighting (T&L): Vertex processing on GPU
• Texture Compression: Efficient VRAM usage
• Advanced Alpha Blending: Complex transparency effects

Switch:

• Advanced Shaders: Physically-Based Rendering (PBR)
• Hardware-Accelerated Global Illumination: Realistic lighting
• HDR (High Dynamic Range): Expanded color and brightness range
• Post-Processing Effects: Depth of field, screen-space ambient occlusion (SSAO), temporal anti-aliasing

Key Observations:

The SNES Mode 7 was revolutionary for its time, enabling pseudo-3D effects with 2D hardware. The transition from fixed-function 2D hardware to programmable 3D GPUs occurred around the Nintendo DS/PSP generation. Modern consoles like the Switch support physically-based rendering and advanced post-processing effects comparable to modern gaming PCs.