Emulation News Page
January - June 2002

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ZSNES 1.35 storms onto the scene!

June 24, 2002 - 10:49PM EST

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Looks like the 1337 crew over the ZSNES project decided it was finally time for a new release to hit the streets. This release has so many chnages not only did it hit the street.. it broke the damn pavement!

• Fixed triple buffering corruption on some VESA 2.x video modes, a very nasty bug which accidentally slipped into version 1.337. [stainless] (DOS only)
• Added full scanlines to 320x256x8b Mode-X. Uses the same timings as the 256x256x8b full scanlines, so it may or may not work correctly depending on your video card. [stainless] (DOS only)
• Linked the EAGLE engine to the filtered GUI option and fixed guassian interpolation which has been broken since version 1.71b. [stainless, kode54] (DOS only/all ports)
• Cleaned up the 320x480x8b and 320x240x16b blitters and added MMX support to 320x480x8b for a nice speed increase. [stainless] (DOS only)
• Added 640x400 alternatives to 512x384 video modes for video cards which don't have them. Added a small screen option to the 512x384 and 640x400 video modes with MMX support. Also added a "wide screen" option to 640x400 video modes. [stainless] (DOS only)
• Added a full screen option to the 320x480 video modes, along with a basic interpolation to 320x240x16b and 320x480x16b Full screen in 320x480x16b has full/25%/50% scanlines and interpolation has full scanlines. [stainless] (DOS only)
• Added experimental 800x600 video modes. Fixed 'n' command-line option to allow toggling of 25%/50% in addition to full, also cleaned up the command-line options message and the config file. Noticed some video modes were way off-centered, fixed that too, should now be perfect. [stainless] (DOS only)
• Fixed printing of MMX enabled message on the GUI background if you checked MMX SUPPORT under CONFIG -> OPTIONS. Also, if you check MMX SUPPORT by using the keyboard shortcut it will now attempt to actually detect MMX before enabling it. :) [stainless, pagefault] (DOS only)
• Command line support in windows port [StatMat]
• Fixed problem when some video modes were not being saved. (Windows only) [pagefault]
• Lots of updates to Linux/SDL version, including sound fixes, video code updates and other misc bugs. [theoddone33, Thorsten Glaser, Wilbern Cobb]
• Fixed gamma in PNG snapshots. [pagefault]
• Added several new goodies to the GUI, which include a force 8-bit sound option (fixes a few cards under WinMe), a second water effect, and an experimental smoke effect. [stainless] (DOS only/all ports)
• Fixed problem with sound getting disabled when running command-line network games. (Windows only) [pagefault]
• Updated video code in Windows port to properly display 239 line modes. (Windows only) [pagefault]
• Commented, unified, and cleaned up the Mode-Q and Mode-X blitters. I did a major overhaul to the DOS video code, I cleaned up and reorganized it alot, and there seem to be no problems as of yet. [stainless, TRAC] (DOS only)
• Fixed a bug in sprite priority rotation. (fix damage in FFMQ) [TRAC]
• Fixed long delay between battles and fixed flickering colours on map in Front Mission. [pagefault]
• Fixed hang when picking up apples in Equinox. [pagefault]
• Fixed keyon bug in DSP code, fixes sounds in Flaskback 3 Language Edition (Thanks neviski) [_Demo_]
• Fixed "disco colours" in NBA Hangtime when the ball drops. [pagefault]
• Fixed an NMI issue with register $4212, fixes hang in Cu-On-Pa, Bubsy and others. [pagefault]
• Fixed a mode 4 bug in the new graphics engine that was causing the title screen in The Lost Vikings to be scrambled. [pagefault]
• Added support for Super System arcade system, set DIP switches in add-on's menu in GUI. Games MUST be zipped in order to load. [pagefault]
• Added special support for Earthworm Jim 2 sound effects. [_Demo_]
• Added hack for Deaetonosama Apareitiban. [_Demo_]
• Fixed super scope position reading. [_Demo_]
• Modified a few timing things. [_Demo_]
• Fixed some 65816 instructions in processor emulation mode. [_Demo_]
• Added special timing for Grand Prix 3. [_Demo_]
• Modified sound decoding another time (helps various noise sounds like DQ6). [_Demo_]
• Modified joypad reading for VS Collection. [_Demo_]
• Special modification for Bahamut Lagoon and Clay Fighter to delay write to the hdma register. (those games need dma delay implemented) [_Demo_]
• Lots of other minor fixes and things we forgot to mention.

Snatch the latest version from the Super Nintendo section.

MagicEngine version 0.9.9 beta 5!

June 24, 2002 - 10:18PM EST

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David released a new version of his outstanding PC-Engine/TurboGrafx-16 emulator MagicEngine over the weekend. Mostly just video mode changes in this release, but one new feature has been added that was sorely needed. Screen stretch, Finally you can play FULL-fullscreen! Some games have a bit of shimmer effect because of the method that is being used to stretch the graphics, but over all it is a much needed improvement.

Changes in 0.9.9 beta 5:

• fixed 'Cho Aniki' and 'Seiya Monogatari' CDs.
• added support for higher screen resolutions (up to 1280x1024)
• added new video options in the PCE.INI file : 'fullscreen' to enable fullscreen stretch, and 'filtering' to enable bilinear filtering (this may not work on all the video cards).
• added a new scanlines mode (25%).
• added an option to control the level of the sound interpolation : 'interpolation_level'.
• added a new option to control the delay of a PC-Engine video frame : 'frame_delay', this can be used to adjust the speed of the emulator to match the CD audio play speed more accurately.
• added a new option to display the name of the ROM files in the load menu instead of the internal game names : 'use_rom_file_name'.

Inhale the latest version from the PC-Engine section.

Changing Nintendo Emulators

May 29, 2002 - 10:27PM EST

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Well.. NESten has been long dead and I have been debating for quite some time on which NES emulator I'd be changing to. The Race has been between FCE Ultra and RockNES X for quite some time but I think I have finally picked a winner. :) Although RockNES X has some features that I really like, such as 2xSAI and the like, it has a tendecy to crash for no reason and randomly run really slow no matter what the Priority is set to. FCE Ultra is a very stable, very compatable emulator which also happens to have Power Pad and Light Gun support. (now if only someone could make it so you could shoot the dog in Duck Hunt I'd be happy)

That being said, I'd like to introduce FCE Ultra as the latest NES emulator of choice!
Grab the latest version of FCE Ultra from the NES Section!

On the bright side.. ePSXe 1.5.2!

May 5, 2002 - 11:10PM EST

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Hey.. This was kind of unexpected. The ePSXe crew dropped a new release today. Looks like there are quite a few fixes in this release a good number of which are to do with CD emulation. Be sure to check it out.

Changes in 1.5.2:

• Fixed a bug which got into 1.5.2 regarding several gte flags (Porsche Challenge, Tomb Raider).
• Partially rewrote the CD-Rom decoder, now it doesn't need custom flags in order to run various games any more.
• Moved the subchannel read options to it's own window in the CD-Rom configuration. Also added a new subchannel reading mode, which works with various LG 852x cdrom drives.
• Fixed a bug in the internal SPU plugin, which has been there since v1.5.0! It caused sound effects to repeat and several games to freeze (BOF series, Soul Blade).
• Added support for the Nero ISO format (.nrg).
• Massive changes to the SIO emulation. It should have better timing now and the F4 trick shouldn't be necessary that often any more. "SIO irq always on" has been removed from the GUI, but you can still turn it on using the F4 key. (affects Silent Hill esp, Track & Field, Metalslugx, NFS5 PAL, Rapshody ...)
• Fixed a bug in the internal ISO reading routines, which prevented some of the last sectors to be accessed.
• As the Chrono Cross trick isn't necessary any more, we have assigned a new trick to the F7 key, for the Xenogears dreams sequence: Press this key at the beginning of the scene, and once again after the end ;)
• Fixes to the CD-Rom decoder and the core, which made some more games playable like, for example, Theards of Fate, NBA Basketball 2000, Legend of Mana, Rebelt Assault 2, Tekken 2, MegamanX series, Jackie Chan US, Michelin Rally Masters, Transformers Beast of Wars ...

Absorb the latest version from the Playstation section.

On the topic of Magic Engine....

April 29, 2002 - 10:02AM EST

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Magic Engine has been consuming a lot of my time lately. There have been a few releases of the wonderful TG-16/PCE emulator Magic Engine as it's up to version 0.9.9 beta 4 now. The latest changes are as follows:

• fixed beta 3 bug.
• fixed Windows 2000/XP CD-ROM drive detection code.
• fixed 'Exile (US)' game.
• fixed graphic glitches in 'Fantazy Zone' and 'Wonder Momo'.
• added two new options in the PCE.INI file : 'size' to select display size at startup (1x1 or 2x2 zoom), and 'res_lock' to enable/disable screen resolution locking for games that change resolution like Military Madness.

<RANT>
However I having a hell of a time getting it to work with any CD game I own. After I load up a CD-System card and hit start it just sits at a blank screen. And it does this every time, with 3 different CD drives from 3 different manufactures. People tell me that's it's my ASPI layer, but I know it's not as everthing else that uses ASPI works just fine. It would figure that all the free emulators that use ASPI as a CD interface work, but the one I pay for doesn't. Anyway, it's gotten to the point that I just rip the CDs to bin/cue images and use Daemon Tools to create a virtual CD-ROM drive pointing at the CD image. It works, but it's definately a pain in the ass.
</RANT>

Nab the latest version from the PC-Engine / TurboGrafix-16 section.

Gens 1.91, music to my ears

April 29, 2002 - 9:32AM EST

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Yup, late again. But I've been horribly obsessed with trying to get my CD drives to work in Magic Engine. Anyway, Stef released a new version of his masterpiece GENS for the huddled masses to enjoy. This update is composed of nothing but sound engine changes, and I can definately take back everything I saind about the 1.90 release. The sound core in GENS is probably the most acurate I've ever heard. It definately stands it's ground against a real Genesis is side by side tests of all the hard carts I own. Don't be afraid... download the latest release now.. It's good for you.

• YM2612 :
  • Fixed a stupid bug with decay rate calculation.
  • Fixed the enveloppe recalculation.
  • Fixed the LFO in High Quality mode.
  • Improved the interpolation calculation in HQ mode (slower).
  • Fixed a bug in the reset processus.
• PSG :
  • Fixed a bug with very high frequencies.
  • Fixed a bug in the reset processus.
  • Volume ajusted.

Ingest the latest version from the Sega Genesis section.

Updated Sega-CD Section..

April 13, 2002 - 2:49PM EST

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Hmm.. Kinda slow around here, so I got off my ass and finally finished the Sega-CD page. Put up some game screenshots and a little bit of a system description. So, now that each section is finished, I guess it's time to add that Neo-Geo section that I mentioned forever and a day ago. Maybe I'll get to work on that today some...

Gens 1.90!

April 8, 2002 - 1:38PM EST

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Lets all jump for joy! Stef bounced out another happy version of GENS for us all. Looks like Stef wasn't too satisfied with the sound core that he was using, so he decieded to code a new one which he says is more acturate. I'll have to take a minute later tonight to do some side by side comparison with a real Genesis, but I think the old one sounded better. But, like I said, I'm not sure, it could just be because I'm so used to Gens' old sound core, and the new one just sounds a little bit different. Anyway, buncha 1.80 bug fixes also, including one that was keeping me from playing Robo-Aleste, I don't know how many of you have ever played this Sega-CD game, but it's a pretty decent vertical scrolling shump.

Changes in 1.90:

• Sega-CD
  • GFX conversion fixed (all conversions possibilities are emulated now).
  • Severals bugs added in Gens 1.80 have been fixed.
• Genesis
  • New YM2612 core :
    • More accurate.
    • We can activate a "High Quality" emulation mode.
    • A bit faster.
  • New PSG core :
    • We can activate "PSG improvement" mode (see the shortcut section).
    • Faster.
  • Save state support fixed a bit (some stuff were broken in Gens 1.80)
  • Minors others changes or bugfixs...
• General
  • Removed the 8 bits sound option (useless).
  • Fixed the infamous "closing during initialisation" bug.
  • Fixed a minor bug with the software x2 blit MMX.

Download the latest version from Sega Genesis section.

VisualBoyAdvance updates

April 8, 2002 - 11:01AM EST

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I thought I had reported when forgotten released VisualBoyAdvance 0.9a, but apparently I didn't. So for everyone that didn't know already. He did. Also it appears that forgotten became a new father on March 25! Take a second to congratulate him on a job well done.. :) Now that he's got his hands full, it may be awhile before he can devote any serious amount of time to the emulator, so he's released a Work-In-Progress version of the successor to 0.9a. Both the official release and the WIP are available for download, just in case there is something horribly wrong with the beta.

Changes in 0.9a

• Core changes:
  • fixed rotation screen bug introduced in version 0.9
  • fixed some memory write corruption
• Windows changes:
  • fixed small bug in 320x240 mode
  • fixed open dialog when in 640x480 mode

Changes in WIP

• fixed BG2CNT corruption in some cases
• fixed rendering of sprites with invalid OBJ Mode
• fixed 32-bit access to some IO registers
• fixed some unknown messages when loading ELF files

Ingest the latest versions from GameBoy section.

ePSXe 1.5.1 released.

Mar 14, 2002 - 1:19PM EST

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Well well.. what do we have here? A new release from _Demo_ and the crew! The uber Playstation emulator ePSXe was updated on tuesday. This release includes support for Subchannel reading! Which means that all those copy protected PAL games you've been wanting to play no longer need those stupid PPF patches! There is a catch though... you need to have a CD-ROM that supports subchannels. Not all CD-ROM drives do, but most decent quality CD-Burners support subchannels so you could be in luck!

Changes in 1.5.1:

• Included partial support for libcrypt games. (Read the ePSXe Text)
• Added support for Teac cdrom readers to internal cdrom plugins.
• Added support for pov hat joysticks.
• Some CD stuff got fixed (ie.CD-Changing/CDDA/PPF Support Issues)
• Fixes to the GTE (102 Dalmatinas,Rugrats,DD2,Nuclear Strike and more)
• Changed some internal timing stuff (Faster BG sound in FF7, Threads of Fate, Valkyrie Profile)
• Removed the auto detection of game and required BIOS (Legend of the Draggon, Wild Arms 2)
• Removed the two options -cdinc and -nocdinc
• Added support for MDEC transparency (Oddworld, DW4/DW7)
• Added support for Capcom MDECs (Read the ePSXe Text)
• Included a new commandline, it is called -nocdoverwrite
• Fixes to CPU and CD-Rom make games like Star Wars - The phantom Menace, Resident Evil 1 PAL, Legend of Legaia, Star Ocean 2, Gran Turismo JAP and Philisoma playable

Absorb the latest version from the Playstationsection.

VisialBoyAdvance hits 0.9

Mar 14, 2002 - 11:43AM EST

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Forgotten released a new version of his GameBoy/Gameboy Advance emulator VisualBoyAdvance yesterday. Looks like a pretty big list of changes for this one. However, he has posted a few known bugs in the new release that may make you stick with 0.8 until he can get an update out.

These bugs are:

• graphic errors: distorted graphics, corrupt graphics, etc...
• open dialog in fullscreen mode too small: on 640x480 mode the open dialog is smaller than it should be.

if it sounds like these would annoy you. Then pass on this one for now.. But if your like me, you'll just use the new version anyway. :)

Core changes:

• support for enabling/disabling graphical layers
• correct sound channel 4 emulation
• support for multiboot files (.MB)
• support for ELF files
• fixed some memory leaks
• fixed LDM/STM instructions (missing formats and wrong behaviour - littleos now works)
• fixed PUSH/POP instructions
• fixed misaligned half word reads
• fixed invalid memory reads
• fixed IO memory readability and register writing
• fixed HuffUnComp missing last bytes bug
• fixed a small DMA bug
• fixed bug in rotation screens (hoffset demo works again)

Gameboy changes:

• correct sound channel 4 emulation
• fixed bug reading joypad when LCD is off
• fixed small bug in SGB code
• fixed bug in SGB Block command

Windows changes:

• can now save GB Printer output as well as print
• 320x240 mode support
• support for more joystick axes and HAT(POV)
• separate directory for GB roms
• option to use old sound synchronization code (to avoid crackle problem)
• fixed add internal code dialog bug when entering multiple codes
• fixed closing dialogs by clicking on X
• fixed handling of root directory for saving

Engulf the latest version from GameBoysection.

retroDrive actually updated.

Feb 14, 2002 - 11:18AM EST

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Some neat stuff that happened, like, a week ago. Tim Meekins actually updated his Genesis/32X emulator retroDrive to version 5. Woo Hoo. Some new stuff like NOT needing the 32x BIOS files in order to play, and a feature that I'm not too sure about. There is a new INI file that will be used to "tweak" games. Sounds like the system that is currently used for Nintendo-64 emulators, not a good idea IMO.

Changes to retroDrive 5:

• A number of small Genesis bugs has been fixed.
• A new .ini system has been developed so I can start tweaking games for better compatibility. A future release will take more advantage of the new system.
• Added a Rom Information dialog box.
• Added a Debugging Log dialog box. Mainly used by me during development, but perhaps others will find it interesting.
• Added drag-and-drop capabilities. Just drag a Rom image or a Zip file containing a Rom Image to retroDrive and it will run. However, you can’t drag to the retroDrive icon. This feature is nice if you have a lot of Roms in one directory since the Windows file open dialog box is very slow.
• All 32X Bios Rom’s are now emulated and are no longer required for running games.
• Fixed a bug in the 32X sound emulation, and it now sounds very good. (assuming you have a fast enough machine to run 50/60 fps!)
• I fixed a number of 32X bugs and have achieved my highest compatibility to date. Several games that were broken in recent releases, such as Virtua Racing and Kolibri are working again. Knuckles and Chaotix finally runs!! This is by far the most requested fix for retroDrive! Several of the bug fixes required slowing up the emulator, but I’ve tried to offset by further optimizing the 32X emulation.

Inhale the latest version from 32-Xsection.

Change in Sega-Cd emulator of choice.

Feb 24, 2002 - 11:19PM EST

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Well, I'm happy to say that a new, but very familiar, emulator is replacing AGES as the Sega-CD emulator of choice. Stef's GENS has toppled the innovator of Sega-CD emulation himself, Quinntesson, for the best Sega-CD emulator in existence. :) Bravo! Bravo!

Obtain the latest version from of Gens from the Sega-CDsection.

Gens 1.80 magically appears!

Feb 24, 2002 - 11:00PM EST

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Stef never fails to amaze me. He has released another update to his masterpiece Genesis/Sega-CD emulator GENS. The latest version includes a few Sega-CD Timing issues, the Sprite limit issue, and includes the latest version of Kaillera (which should make the online players out there happy).

Changes in 1.80:

[Sega CD]

• CDD and CDC emulation improved.
• Fixed the bug with mono MP3 (broken accidently in Gens 1.70)
• Perfect Synchro fixed (can't break a game which work in normal mode).
• PCM timing fixed.
• Minor bugs fixed.

[Genesis]

• Sprite limit fixed (thanks Steve Snake).
• VDP rendering engine tweaked a bit.
• Save state modified :
  • Better compatibility with Genecyst.
  • Old saves states (with Gens version < 0.76) are probably not correctly supported anymore.

[General]

• News render modes : 50% and 25% scanline interpolated.
• Game Genie feature easier to use.
• More complete language support added.
• Kaillera client updated to version 0.9
• Some shortcuts added or modified.
• Minor other changes.

devour the latest version from Sega Genesissection.

VisualBoy Advance 0.8 emerges

Feb 5, 2002 - 3:55PM EST

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Forgotten, as promised released a new version of his dominant GBA/GB emulator VisualBoyAdvance on Super Bowl Sunday. List of changes is quite long, but one thing really sticks out, something I wish all emu authors would take note of: -=[disable screen saver when emulating]=- Yes folks, nothing sucks more than whooping Dracula's ass in Castlevania Adventure and the screen saver kicks on. This happens with TONS of emulators, I'm glad authors are starting to notice. Forgotten is THE man. Period.

Core changes:

• correctly initializing IO registers when running without BIOS(Gollum/Costis)
• support for GSA ROM patching codes and button codes
• support for CodeBreakerAdvance codes
• support for separate frameskip for GBA and GB roms
• reworked the cheat system internal (should improve speed a bit)
• added a small interrupt latency to avoid interrupt loop
• fixed 16-bit DMA transfers with decrement options
• fixed semi-transparent OBJ bug
• fixed Gameshark Advance snapshot import
• fixed crash when passing filename without a path on command line
• fixed ARM LDR/STR with ASR shifted register instructions
• fixed some disassembly bugs
• fixed sound mixing (reversed sound)
• fixed misaligned 16-bit reads

Gameboy changes:

• fixed sound mixing (reversed sound)
• fixed vertical scrolling bug (Kefren bars demo)
• fixed speed up bug changing sound quality during emulation

Windows changes:

• disable screen saver when emulating
• added option to pause the emulator when window not active
• added keyboard shortcut for recent files
• added support for more keyboard keys when configuring controls
• added sound recording to a wave file
• fixed Add code dialogs to allow multiple codes entered at once
• fixed DDraw clipping bug (should work when window partially offscreen)

SDL changes:

• added command line flag for frameskip
• added command line support for bios file
• fixed configuration file comments on control configuration

Pilfer the latest version from the GameBoy section.

Gens 1.70 kicks ass, ninja style!

Feb 5, 2002 - 3:43PM EST

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Alright, Stef comes through again in brilliant fashion! GENS 1.70 has been released and is better than ever. Not only is the SCSI CD-ROM bug fixed, but he seems to have fixed the bug in Ecco The Dolphin CD that was locking the emu up when you viewed the video crystals in the library. What else can I say!

Changes in Gens 1.70 :

[SEGA CD]

• Bug with memory fixed.
• PCM sound fixed (but still a bit buggy sometimes).
• SCSI CD/DVD ROM drives are now correctly supported.
• Memory mode register fixed.

[GENESIS]

• Bug in 2 Cells V-Scroll fixed.
• Bug with dword 68000 predec EA mode fixed.
• DBtr instruction fixed in Starscream 68000 core.
• Minor fix in V counter (added in Gens 1.56)
• Z80 initial state fixed.
• Hilight / Shadow effect fixed.

[GENERAL]

• Gens manual support added :You can now have a context help, you need to download the Gens manual (made by Red5) then configure the path in the Gens options.

Snatch the latest version from Sega Genesis section.

ePSXe 1.5.0 released!

Jan 28, 2002 - 8:01PM EST

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Well if this little bit of news didn't just blow me away this morning. ePSXe, the ultra l33t Playstation emulator, errupted onto the scene after 6 months with a new release! I waited to report it till I got a chance to try it, but I'll have to say it's very impressive to say the least! Smooth and fast, no bugs that I can see. Apparently some people are having trouble switching discs in multi-disc games. But as I haven't tried to do that yet, I can not confirm these reports. By all means, grab this emulator!

List of changes:

• Fixed a bug in MDECs, which caused Metal Gear Solid and Rayman 1 to crash. Furthermore, the MDEC options aren't read from the windows registry any more, so you can only disable them with command lines from now on.
• Rewritten the code what loaded the ps-exe files when starting a game, for a better detection of the games name and the region.
• Added native support for ppf files. Now you don't need to patch the games any more, simply copy your ppf file into the directory "/patches", with the same name than the main PS-exe file in the cdrom (SLES*,SCES*,SLUS* ...), in uppercase. ePSXe will load it on startup then and patch the game in memory on the fly !
• MCI code is now disabled in WinNT/2k/XP, expect when you are using an external CD-ROM plugin which has its own CDDA functions (e.g. Pete's). Furthermore, the external CD-ROM plugins can now play some games like Tomb Raider I and II PAL, what was not possible before due to a bug in 1.4.0.
• Fixed a bug in the internal CD-ROM plugins, which caused some games to hang when they played CDDA sound and later accessed a data sector (Rayman 1)
• Fixed some bugs in savestates. New savestate are not compatibles with old epsxe versions, but the savestates from a savestate from an old version can still be loaded. The command line -ssv0 has been added, which will let ePSXe save the savestates into the old (but buggy) format. (Fixed savestates in square mdecs, and in threads of fate)
• Some games which ran only with a certain bios version, should now run with any (only checked with Legend of Dragon PAL)
• Fixed some GTE bugs. (Looney Tunes: Perro y Lobo, Nhl 99)
• Included a file with help, what can be accessed from help->contents. (Thanks to Bobbi of www.ngemu.com)
• Last hour changes in internal spu, what fixes Metal gear solid and Valkyrie profile sound, but we have not had too time for test it ;)
• Added a new workaround in order to run Parasite Eve 2 (thanks to Psychojak!). You need to use the command "-pe2". Some PE2 versions are automaticly detected and don't need it though. We didn't play through the complete game though, we we can't tell if it's playable until the end.
• Fixes to the CD-Rom decoder and the core, which make some more games playable like for example Valkyrie profile, Syphon filter series speech, Rayman 1, Micromachines V3, Croc 2, Duke Nukem: Land of Babes, Vrally 2 and Nfs 5 menus, Time Crisis 2 music, Casper Around the World...
• Multiples games can be played using additional commands like: Rebelt Assault 2 (-noignorecmd), Micromaniacs (-cdtiming), Front Mission 3 (-nocdinc)...

pillage the latest version from Playstation section.

News on the Gens \ Win XP issue!

Jan 25, 2002 - 1:00PM EST

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Just got a new test version of GENS from Stef this morning numbered v1.62. Looks like it fixes the Windows XP + SCSI CD-ROM issue! I never knew Gens did Sega-CD emulation so well. This could cause a few changes around here with Gens now holding down slots for 2 different favorite emulators. I think I'll wait till it's officially released to decide. But, I don't think I'll have to wait too long, as Stef has been churning out updates faster that than other emulation author out there. Kudos to him!

Gens 1.60b available

Jan 24, 2002 - 1:51PM EST

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Stef is just a machine lately, churing out release after release of his amazing Genesis/Sega-CD emulator GENS. The latest of which is 1.60b which is the latest of 4 releases since I posted 1.40b All of this in about 2 weeks time. He's unstopable. Unfortuanely I still can't get the Sega-CD emulation working on my machine, seems people with Windows XP and SCSI CD-Rom drive have been having some troubles. However, Stef is aware and I've gotten a test version Gens from him, and sent him a few log files to try and help. Hopefully, we'll see a breakthough sometime soon.

Here's the list of changed since 1.40b:

[Sega CD]

• Bug with win 2000/ win XP fixed.
• Cell GFX conversion fixed.
• Fixed a bug in CDD (bug was added in Gens 1.40)
• Hard reset improved.
• SRAM Cartridge support added.
• Communication register fixed (thanks Steve Snake).
• Minor fix in memory management.
• PCM sound fixed (Popful Mail voices).
• Fixed the memory management bug added in Gens 1.50
• CDD timing emulation fixed.
• CD read improved (better CDDA playback from real CD).
• Perfect Synchro optimised.
• Vector GFX engine fixed.
• CELL conversion fixed.
• Minor fix in CDD emulation.
• BRAM emulation fixed.
• Some minors fix.
• Fast update to fix the CDC DMA to Word RAM (accidently broken in Gens 1.60).

[Genesis]

• Z80 BUS flag really fixed this time : All genesis games broken accidently in Gens 1.40 are (normally) fixed.
• YM2612 modified a bit.
• Z80 reset fixed (fix sound bug added in Gens 1.42).
• Minor change in Z80 timing.
• Fixed the CHK instruction in 68000 Starscream core.
• Minor change in Z80 reset stuff.
• Fixed VDP write.
• Fixed the infamous TAS bug.
• Minor fix in Z80 timing.

[General]

• You can now force the 555 or 565 video mode (see the FAQ section).
• Bug with Vsync in Fullscreen with NVidia video card fixed.
• The refresh rate problem with Win XP and Win 2000 is fixed.
• Minor bug with auto detection fixed.
• Game genie codes list no more sorted.
• Added an option to remove SCD LED.
• Others minors changes.

Snatch the latest version from Sega Genesis section.

AGES 0.27a available

Jan 3, 2002 - 10:21AM EST

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Quinntesson updated his Genesis/32X/Sega-CD emulator AGES before the holidays. Looks like he got a little adventurous and completely overhauled his 68000 emulator. He released 2 version of the emulator one with the new core and one with the old, but I haven't found a reason to try the old one yet since the new one is quite a bit faster. Apparently the plan is to do the same renovations to the SH-2 core next, hopefully making 32X emulation a bit better. Only time will tell!

New to 0.27a:

• Added save states for Genesis (Sega CD, 32X, and SMS will come next)
• Overhauled the M68000 core for much improved speed (SH2s are next!)
• Fixed a few M68000 bugs
• Fixed some Z80 bugs and added support for many of the undocumented instructions
• Some changes to the YM2612 envelope code for improved speed
• Fixed some YM2612 bugs
• Fixed some sound engine bugs (lots less static-y now)
• Added Genesis 2x interlace mode (and "squash interlace" option)
• Fixed Genesis window plane emulation
• Fixed many other various Genesis and Sega CD bugs
• Added 5 new frame/stretch behavior options
• Added the weird Japanese BIOS fix used by Gens and Xega and a menu option to enable or disable it
• Implemented the 6-button controller timeout (let's hear no more of this silly nonsense about AGES' input going crazy)
• Eliminated most the thread deadlocks that were causing AGES to freeze up
• Saving PNGs while emulating a Sega CD with CD-ROM drive doesn't crash AGES anymore

Harvest the latest version from Sega-CD section.

Gens 1.40b available

Jan 3, 2002 - 9:49AM EST

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Stef released a new version of his Genesis/Sega-CD emulator GENS a while ago. Just got around to checking it out.. Things being as hectic as they are around the holidays. So here it is.. Finally for anyone that for some reason or another hasn't downloaded it from a different site already. :)

Here is a list of current changes:

SEGA CD:

• CDD/CDC emulation improved (thanks Steve Snake for the fast foward/reverse command).
• Direct CD read for play audio track, for the moment the synchro isn't yet perfect and we can heard noises sometimes.
• CDC DMA fixed.
• It's possible now to disable/enable CDDA playback.
• Minor change in the memory mode register emulation.

GENESIS:

• YM2612 emulation improved :
  • Enveloppe phase fixed (right after a "key on" occurs).
  • Timers fixed.
  • Updated more often (slower but more accurate).
• Z80 BUS flag fixed.
• Z80 interrupt timing back to normal.

GENERAL:

• Added the "interpolated" render mode.
• Some littles optimisations with "not MMX" renders modes.
• Bugs with relative path fixed.
• FAQ section of gens.txt updated, don't forget to check it before send any mails !
• Minors changes...

Obtain the latest version from Sega Genesis section.

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Tell me how much I suck! Niobium