Ikari has released a new firmware for the SD2Snes Flash Cartridge (Super Nintendo/Famicom). The upgrade instructions can be found here.

Sorry for the delay, but it just escaped me to post it here.

Features added:

• [All] USB (usb2snes) support by RedGuy
• [All] save state support (via USB/savestate2snes) by RedGuy
• [All] stand-alone save state features by FURiOUS
• [All] some compatibility improvements and optimizations for stand-alone save states by ikari_01
  • Add support for YAML list items for multiple savestate_fixes entries per game
  • Add support for simple bitwise operations on savestate_fixes patches
  • Add support for verbatim code execution on savestate_fixes patches – notably fixes Star Ocean (decompressed) save states (however the save state hook still needs CPU time optimization to prevent music glitches in Star Ocean.)
  • Add IRQ support on top of NMI for the save state hook – this enables save states on Out Of This World and possibly other games that only use IRQ. Also fixes controller input capture on a number of games so the game-specific input hacks could be eliminated.
  • Moved save state code outside of the USB hook area to make room for USB hook execution.
• [All] SGB support by Redacted173.
• [All] favorite games list by freelancer42

Fixes:

• [All] Fixed data caching bug in MSU1 data extension which could cause wrong data to be streamed
• [All] Savestates: do not try to capture data that is already in cartridge space anyway (e.g. SRAM). Fixes text distortion in Near’s Bahamut Lagoon translation when loading a state.
• [All] Fixed YAML config parser to support comment signs after list start items
• [All] Fixed SNES open-bus contamination (fixes sprite flickering in Near’s Bahamut Lagoon translation, certain speed runs that rely on open bus behaviour)
• [All] (hopefully) fixed rapid data line toggling sometimes resulting in address line glitches, causing random crashes in extreme cases, and occasional garbled graphics on SMRPG among others
• [All] Fixed data integrity problems when loading BSX games

Download:

• SD2Snes Firmware v1.11.0 Beta 1 (664)

source: sd2snes.de

The return of the Hybrid Sid Player by xAD/Nightfall & Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab)

Based on the Project and Hardware Schematic by Markus Gritsch released in the years 2011-2015 on the forum dangerousprototypes. Thanks Markus.

Changelog:

v1.15 – 26/9/2021

Updated:

• Slightly improved the CIA timing, now the SID tune “https://hvsc.csdb.dk/MUSICIANS/P/Page_Jason/25_Hurts.sid” and probably some others they sounds fairly well without “clicking/noise/beeping” in some parts of the song. *
• Slightly improved the VBI timing, now the SID tune “https://hvsc.csdb.dk/MUSICIANS/S/Stinsen/Freeloader.sid” and probably some others they sounds fairly well without  “clicking/noise/beeping” in some parts of the song. *
• When the (Auto/Random/Intro) MODE is used the brightness of the oled is restored on each change of music until the default timeout is reached.

* I’ll never stop saying we are far away from my personal feeling of absolute perfection but sound ok for 90% of peoples, luckily there aren’t many SID sound purists :-D
Many people still think that a SID played with a SID emulator on a Mobile Phone or PC sounds absolutely identical to the one played with the SID in the original hardware version :-|

Fixed:

• In some cases the choice of subtunes is no longer displayed if the SID supports the multi-tunes after the implementation of clock speed emulation display.
• Fixed subroutine which takes care of loading and initializing the SID tune with SUBTUNES, were are missing some variables such as the “show_sidinfo_model” and some debug strings.
• LAX Opcode $AB instead of LXA (https://www.oric.org/ftp/ceo/ceomag/downloads/ebooks/nomoresecretsnmos6510.pdf) Used by this SID Tune: https://hvsc.csdb.dk/MUSICIANS/H/Holt_Hein/Whats_Your_Lame_Excuse.sid

NEW TAG: C64 BIG GAME PACK

Some new games or tools (Cracked / Trained or Unrealeased) for Commodore 64 have been released from your favorites groups.

Titles:

• Wargle! +1
• 2k-Fighter +1
• Detonation +1D
• Torreoscura V1.1 [english/spanish]
• Turbo Ski +1D
• Spray Cam +D
• Frutty Man 64 +
• Paper Route +1D
• Volley Bound +D
• Pie Emporium +1D
• Lernaia
• Archaeologist +DJ
• Table Soccer +D
• Totoro64 +1D
• Totoro64 +2DFJ
• Shock Raid
• C64 Engine Preview +1D
• Unspool
• Shock Raid +3CD
• Panther +1DHMP
• Roundabout Solitaire +2D
• Shock Raid +4D
• Syncro +2DG
• Gates of the Ancient +2D
• Rainfighter +2DFG
• Sterntaler +2DGH
• Unspool +D
• Life +D
• Springer &DGT
• Your Game Preview
• Abrakadabra +2DGJ
• Flag Hunt &D
• Exploding Atoms &DG
• PushPuzzle +D
• Lachmann +2DGT
• Logomix +2D
• Preacher vs. Zombie +2
• Xplore +1D
• Hot Dog Puzzle +1TD
• Musery +1DG
• Cyber-Race
• Xplore Expanded +1D
• Hexed Preview 2 +2
• Uforce +1DG
• The Duell +1DG
• Graviton +1D
• PushPuzzle V1.2
• Graviton +
• Sydney Hunter and the Sacred Tribe Multicolor +7DW
• Keyhole
• Galaga C64 Preview 3.1+
• Galaga C64 Preview 3 +
• Astroblast +3D
• Lady Pac V1.0.5 +2
• Roboform-X 2 +2D [seuck]
• Space Eggs +2D [seuck]
• Droid Rumble +2D [seuck]
• Dawn Patrol +S
• Iunnuh 2 – The Curse from the Past +S
• Crappy Walls +D
• Rolling Coin +
• Pac-Man +1DGHM
• Space Invaders V1.1 +
• Space Invaders V1.1
• Night Knight +2
• Espace Preview +
• Night Knight +5PD
• Dungeon &D
• Night Knight +5HPD
• Spaceball +1D
• Scarabaeus II Preview
• 2K Ishido +D
• The Authentic Tetris +1DF
• Colorix +TD
• Hard’n'Heavy +9
• Night Knight +5HPD
• Gianna Sisters +9H
• Head or Tail Oneliner
• Galaga +1D
• Egg Catcher 4K +2
• Tarkus +3D
• Galaga V1.03 +
• Zak McKracken & Maniac Mansion +1D [german] fix (Easyflash)

Download: All Games in One Archive (4289)

source: csdb.dk

This is the official demo party results from World Wide ZOO 2021. See also the CSDB World Wide ZOO 2021 section for more informations.

C64 Demo:

• 1 – Mörkroom by Da Jormas
• 2 – My Name Is Soft, Mihail Gorbat Soft by Gorbat Soft
• 3 – VIY by Atlantis, Pretzel Logic
• 4 – Pigs in Space by Mahna Mahna
• 5 – Arena XIII by Atlantis
• 6 – DUGA3 by Karjala!
• 7 – Love Hate Ordnungsamt by Mayday!
• 8 – C1X1 by The Solution
• 9 – World Wide Load by Wide Load
• 10 – Ski or Death 2022 Invitation by Hiihtoliitto
• 11 – CNCD at Zoo by CNCD
• 12 – You Suffer
• 13 – I’m a Banana by STARZ

C64 Music:

• 1 – Banaanin Alle by Mutetus
• 2 – Nelly Goes West by Shogoon
• 3 – Helix by Flex
• 4 – Electrostatic by Jangler
• 5 – Backward Ride by Deetsay
• 6 – Gone Already by Juzdie
• 6 – Prtzl+Kola by Flotsam
• 8 – Jungle Polka by The Syndrom
• 9 – Future Lover by Rock
• 10 – Second Bite by Proton
• 11 – Bassonavajo by Agemixer
• 12 – Morphine Revisited by chuinho
• 13 – Oktopose by Barracuda
• 14 – A Warm Place by Mankeli
• 15 – Wattson by Barik
• 16 – Majoneesi by Anacron
• 17 – Big Gelatine Scam by Stabile Altbauten

C64 Graphics:

• 1 – Departed Together by Duce
• 2 – Dream Membrane by Joe
• 3 – Skullflower by Electric
• 4 – Best Friends by Facet
• 5 – Fleshy by Electric
• 6 – Lada 3000 by L3nin666
• 7 – The Darkness Hour by Almighty God
• 8 – Sofasceners by Vent
• 9 – Parallel Dream by jetan/Isildur/uka
• 10 – Her Highness Compofilleria by ptoing
• 11 – Electricified by Aomeba
• 12 – Purification (Preview) by Leon
• 13 – Blooden Guts by Dr. TerrorZ
• 14 – Hooded Goblin by Ilbu
• 15 – Kisse
• 16 – Green Glasses by Hairdog
• 17 – U Are the Animal by Backspin
• 18 – Iltapala by Anacron
• 19 – Metsäretkellä by Supermonni

C64 Basic Demo:

• 1 – Machine by New Basic Group
• 2 – Let’s Twisting by Jupp3
• 3 – Head or Tail Oneliner by Logiker

Mixed Graphics:

• 1 – Siam by Electric, Extend
• 2 – True Faith by Atlantis
• 3 – Party Scener by Pretzel Logic
• 4 – Dedhors by Artline Designs
• 5 – Poirobot by Artline Designs
• 6 – Upsetting by Electric, Extend
• 7 – Catching Kermit by Atlantis
• 8 – Rules of PETSCII by Dr. TerrorZ
• 9 – Self Portrait by Artline Designs
• 10 – Grendel by Byterapers, Fit    
• 11 – Tinder Match by Vent
• 12 – WTF Is Happening??! by Vent
• 13 – Rhaalanis by Mayday!
• 14 – 90′s Daydreams
• 15 – Zoo Run! by Samar Productions
• 15 – Chopped and Stacked
• 17 – Tukkajumala etenee by Dekadence, Fit
• 18 – Samurai by Atlantis
• 19 – Pondering by christwoballs
• 20 – Self Portrait
• 21 – The Great Inventor by Logiker
• 22 – Kalmo by Vilke
• 23 – YLE Is by Yleisradio

Download: Zoo 2021 Full Party Stuff (717)

source: 2021.zooparty.org

Nobomi already developer of the famous ARMSID and ARM2SID, an excellent alternative developed with STM32 of the famous Commodore 64 Sound Chip, has made a nice interface via Terminal (putty) to update and modify the ARMSID configurations without using the native program that runs on the Commodore 64.

The project is based on Arduino UNO REV3, therefore very cheap, the sources are available on GITHUB and can be purchased HERE in the KIT version.

Nobomi has also ventured a SIDPLAYER that runs under Windows and via serial sends DATA and ADDRESSES which are captured by the ARDUINO and then send to the ARMSID and consequently plays the music but don’t expect a perfect SIDPLAYER,  it works but not perfectly.

However, i did not self-build it for this reason but to modify the ARMSID configurations without using the Commodore 64, this will come in handy to check for any problems when i implement the real time switch in the SID Player “The Return of the Hybrid SID Player” between 8580 and 6581 with ARMSID or ARM2SID sound chip.

Gallery:

Jean-François DEL NERO (who’s behind the HxC SD Floppy Emulator) recently has released a version of the HxC emulator firmware that is compatible with the STM32 chip used in the Gotek floppy emulators.

This means that the great functionality of the HxC SD emulator is now available on cheaper and more widely available hardware.

The bootloader to convert the Gotek floppy drive in HxC compatible must be purchased on the website HXC 2001 by sending an email to Jean-François DEL NERO. The price of the bootloader is one-off 10 Euro per Gotek that you want to update. Future updates of the software are free and can be made from a USB stick

The HXC Usb (Gotek) firmware supports: + many more….

USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) HxC Floppy Emulator Firmware v3.4.16.4a -> v3.8.1.2a cumulative changelog:

• Build-in USB stick init / format function :
• The USB stick can now be formatted/initialized for the “Image-less mode” by the firmware.
• Remove the USB stick, press both buttons to enter the embedded menu and select the sub menu to activate the format mode :
  •  - 7 digits display “d” menu entry -> Should display “For”
  •  - OLED display “Format USB Key” menu entry.
  • Then insert the USB stick you want to format.
  • WARNING : Formatting will erase all data on the USB stick !
  • The default built-in image is an HD 1.44MB Floppy disk, but you
  • can select another built-in image on the firmware customization
• SFRKC30 / SFR1M44-U100LQD Gotek support enhanced :
• The new rotary port is now supported.
• New explicit U100LQD OLED configuration.
• (Specific binaries for this new Gotek are now provided in the “New_U100LQD_Gotek” folder)
• The detected hardware model can now be read in the embedded menu
• (Sub menu ‘F’ for the 7 digits Gotek and in the “FW/HW version” sub menu for the OLED Goteks).
• Hardware ID definitions :
  • 000 : Original STM32F105 Gotek (64KB of RAM)
  • 001 : 64 pins ARTERY AT32F415RCT7 on an old STM32 Gotek board (32KB of RAM)
  • 002 : 48 pins ARTERY AT32F415CBT7 (New board) (32KB of RAM)
  • 003 : 64 pins ARTERY AT32F415RCT7 (New SFRKC30 / SFR1M44-U100LQD Gotek : Native OLED and Rotary support) (32KB of RAM)
• Test firmware updated to support all STM32 and Artery Goteks.
• Some important fixes in the emulation from folder mode
• (Informations about this mode are available on this page : https://hxc2001.com/docs/gotek-floppy-emulator-hxc-firmware/pages/emulation-from-folder.html)
• The emulation from folder mode was broken on ARTERY MCU based Goteks.
  •  Update recommended for all “emulation from folder mode” users !
• New SFRKC30 Gotek boards support added :
  •  This new Gotek revision has a new rotary port and will be shipped
  •  with a rotary switch and an OLED screen directly from the factory
  •  (No “mod” required anymore)
• Bootloader updated.
• Firmware updated.
• Firmware customization page updated.
• Normal/direct selection mode :  File sorting optimized for low memory “Artery” Goteks.
• 1680KB Distribution Media Format (DMF) .IMG support adjusted / fixed.
• Firmware STM32 USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.7.1.4a for all Artery AND STM Goteks ! ( -> In the “Artery_AT32_Gotek_HxC_Firmware” folder !)
• Update recommended for Artery Goteks users:
• “Normal mode” / Direct stick browsing mode :
• Fix regression with Artery Goteks  ! (Crash due to a memory alignment issue)
• Custom firmware page updated
• Build tools updated.
• RAM Memory management enhanced : Detect the RAM size and change/adapt  the cache buffers size according to the available memory.
• Compatible with all Goteks (Artery and STM MCU compatible).
• Now support all Artery versions (AT32F415RCT7, AT32F415CBT7…)
• Fixes : EPROM emulation support, Index signal.
• Rotary connections moved to PA13/PA14 (2 pins in the prog header) for the 48 pins MCU version.
• Firmware STM32 USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.6.1.2a for Artery AT32F415RCT7 Goteks ( -> In the “Artery_AT32_Gotek_HxC_Firmware” folder !)
• Since March/April 2021 we can see some new Gotek variants on the market.
• Due to the electronic components shortage, these new Gotek revisions use different MCUs.
• The STMicroelectronics STM32F105 MCU was replaced by Artery MCUs : AT32F415RCT7, AT32F415CBT7,…
• These MCUs are “mostly” compatible with the previously used STM part but there is an important difference : The RAM size. While the STM32F105 offers 64KB of RAM, these Artery parts have only 32KB of RAM. These changes imply modifications in the firmware.
• A first HxC Firmware compatible with the AT32F415RCT7 MCU can be found in the Artery_AT32_Gotek_HxC_Firmware folder.
• The bootloader was updated this week to support all the 3 Gotek variants:  STM32F105RB6, AT32F415RCT7,AT32F415CBT7.
• The bootloader now supports GPT/GUID formatted USB sticks.
• The server was updated this week to support all the 3 Gotek variants :
• The bootloader can installed on all these Gotek using the normal online procedure :  https://hxc2001.com/docs/gotek-floppy-emulator-hxc-firmware/pages/bootloader-installation.html
• Preparing the firmware for the next releases / features : Important code size optimizations. (First round !)
• OSD : The HSYNC polarity can be set on the custom firmware
  • (VSYNC already supports both polarity)
• Finally introducting the Raspberry Pi Zero W Gotek companion :
  • https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_drive_emulator/RPiZeroW_HxC2001_StickEmulator.zip
  • (To be installed on the SD Card with rufus, dd, …)
  • Use the USB device port to connect the Raspberry Pi Zero W to the Gotek.
  • You can access the virtual stick through Wifi.
  • The Raspberry is by default setup as an access point. (HxC2001_RPIZeroW SSID)
  • The following services are currently enabled in the image :
  • IP :  192.168.100.1
  • Samba/Windows Share -> login : data, password : data
  • ftp -> login : data, password : data
  • ssh -> login : data, password : data / login : root, password : root
  • http -> just a test page for the moment.
• IMG file images : Fix Technics SX-F100 organ format and file deletion support.
• HFE files : Blind write mode now used on all non-MFM/FM HFE files.
• Quickdisk .QD files write support : Some fixes and improvements.
• Code improvements.
• Roland machines out,img,ima files support : sector interleave and track skew adjusted to the S-550 values. (Fix S-550 issues).
• Internal parameters : Power-up clear/reset right button timeout set to 3 seconds.
• Electone EL-900 disk change issue fixed :
• Clear internal ready timer at image selection.
• Internal default ready timing changed from 200ms to 400ms.
• v3.5.1.1 regression fix : Broken USB stick folder Auto mount feature fixed.
• Major release : Image-less mode support! Mount USB stick’s FAT12 partitions !
• USB Stick : GUID Partition Table (GPT) support. The firmware now support medias with GPT, MBR or without any partition table. GPT is becoming the default partition table used by most operating systems.
• New custom firmware page option:
  • GUID Partition Table (GPT) support option (enabled by default).
• Regression fix : Fix Amiga 1.76MB HD .ADF images support.
• Upside down orientation OLED screen option.
• “Normal mode” / Direct disk browsing mode : Fix possible erroneous “No file image found !” message issue. Update recommended.
• Amstrad CPC / ZX Spectrum EDSK & DSK:
  • Fake Track ID protection support.
  • Fake Side ID protection support.
  • Bad CRC protection support.
  • 6144 bytes sectors support fixed.
• (Fix the following copy protected ZX Spectrum games :
  • Robocop 2,Turrican 2,Barbarian 2,New Zealand Story,
  • Dan Dare 3,Operation Thurderbolt,Simpsons and probably others titles).
• Amstrad CPC / ZX Spectrum EDSK & DSK  : Fix deleted data mark support.
• v3.4.16.2a regression fix : Fix file selector issue on fast Amiga machines (>= A1200).

This is only a little part of the changelog. The original one is very long and you can read it here. (instruction manual here)

The HxC Floppy Emulator Firmware Customization page: https://hxc2001.com/custom_fw/

Download: USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) HxC Firmware v3.8.1.2a (864)

source: hxc2001.com

A new version of the firmware for the AVGCART (SD multicart for 8bit Atari) by tmp is released.

Changelog (v0021):

• XEX loader now doesn’t occupy $0800 page
• ATR/ATX emulation fixes (Bruce Lee, Ultima, Flight Sim II)
• Allow IDE emulation together with ATR emulation (SIO)
• Show COM/EXE files in browser
• Increased limit of virtual drives to 8 (SIO)
• Autorun key changed from ‘A’ to ‘N’ due to issues with PS/2 adapters
• Added saving facility (used by FloB)
• Stacking SpartaDOSX with another CAR (CTRL-SHIFT-RETURN)

Download:

• AVGCART [0021] (542)
• AVGCART Manual (1052)

source: atariage.com

A new version of the firmware for the Ultimate-64 (U64/U64E) / U2 / U2+ by Gideon is released.

This release has again some significant changes and improvements over 1.37 / 3.9. The following bullet list gives an overview of the features and fixes. Below the items, a short explanation is added.

This release has again some significant changes and improvements over 1.37 / 3.9. Please read the manual before installing 3.10a.

Fixes:

• [Issue-246] Fixed: Virtual Printer crashes when file cannot be created.
• [Issue-234] Deleting last item in directory makes selection invisible
• [Issue-236] Confirmation modal asking a question only gives ‘OK’ instead of ‘Yes/No’.
• [Issue-R17] Added mapping of ESC key to RUN/STOP.
• [Facebook Request] Added: Leave menu on mount (can be selected per drive)
• [Facebook Bug Report]: Allow Maverick (and others?) to write wrong sector headers on MFM tracks.
• [Facebook Bug Report]: Unable to select GeoRAM. Is now a mode of the RAM Expansion Unit.
• [Facebook Bug Report]: Fixed color palette not loaded at boot (U64 only).
• [Facebook Bug Report]: Fixed USB sticks not recognized
• [Messenger Report]: Improvements to palette file read. Rejects faulty files. Fixes hang-up
• [Messenger Report]: Fixes ‘Create DNP’ when run from Telnet. Turned out to be a stack overflow.
• [Email Discussion]: Adds EEPROM segment to GMOD2 when it is missing in the CRT file

U2:

• Fixes that U2 updater killed the flash before asking to update, leaving a semi-bricked device.
• Fixes drive sounds.

Modem:

• ACIA NMI pulse extension to extend over bad line. This allows the 6502 to see it always.
• Performance optimization ACIA / Modem
• Allow spaces after ATDT command.

Cartridge Support:

• Additional C128 cartridge variant that allows banking and offers some RAM (U2/U2+ only).

Download:

• U64/Ultimate-64 - U2 - U2+ v3.10a (Core: v1.41) (616)
• Installation and User Manual V3.10 (805)
• Ultimate 64 Starter Pack supporting FW 3.10 (852)

source: ultimate64.com github.com

The return of the Hybrid Sid Player by xAD/Nightfall & Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab)

Based on the Project and Hardware Schematic by Markus Gritsch released in the years 2011-2015 on the forum dangerousprototypes. Thanks Markus.

Changelog:

v1.14 – 22/8/2021

Added:

• Illegal/undocumented opcodes to the CPU Emulator:
  • ISC (Combination of two operations with the same addressing mode: INC, followed by SBC)
• Display emulation clock:
  • I used the same position of the OLED display where the sid Subtunes are displayed (if are present), otherwise if the song doesn’t support subtunes it will displayed in the same position the type of clock speed emulation: |CIA| or |VBI|.

Fixed:

• DMP files additional information:
  • Display of additional information of the SID when a DMP files is played but there are no additional information to display in the header of the DMP files.
• CPU timing:
  • Some months ago when i wanted to fix the timing of the 6510 CPU emulator i made an unforgivable huge mistake :-D
• Random Playing Mode:
  • The load routine try to load a index of a file that don’t exist and everything freeze.
• File error handling:
  • When an load error occurs and you are in the TUNEINFO mode the player don’t back to the FILE Browsing mode.

NEW TAG: C64 BIG GAME PACK

Some new games or tools (Cracked / Trained or Unrealeased) for Commodore 64 have been released from your favorites groups.

Titles:

• Commodore Dungeon Preview &D
• Lava Flow +1DG
• Lost Realms of Murkasada Episode 1 +2
• Kong +3
• Ninja Carnage +3D [spanish]
• Lost Realms of Murkasada Episode 1
• Kong +
• Ninja Carnage +3D [english]
• Ninja Carnage +3D [german]
• Ninja Carnage +3D [polish]
• Ninja Carnage +3D [italian]
• Ninja Carnage +3D [greek]
• Ninja Carnage +3D [french]
• Phoenix Recovered +2M
• Phoenix-Recovered +4H
• The Mad Scientist +2
• Phoenix-Recovered
• Phoenix-Recovered +2
• Laser Invaders +3
• Lost Realms of Murkasada Episode 1 +3 [tape]
• The Raven +1DGMS
• T-Rex 64 Preview 4 +2H
• Islands +1DG
• Minotaur Maze +1D
• Space Battle +1D
• Polar Pete +1D
• Kiro +2
• Lady Pac +
• Dig Dug +1DGHJM
• Droid Rumble [seuck]
• Space Eggs [seuck]
• Roboform-X 2 [seuck]
• Galaga Preview +1D
• Galaga Preview &D
• Galaga Preview 2
• Freeway +1D
• TAZ +1HD
• Taz C64 +1D
• Rock Invaders
• Pilot Lander
• Lady Pac V1.0.3 +1D
• Fast Food +1D
• Fast Food +1HD
• Plekthora +2D
• Midsummer Olympics +TD
• Thunderground +1HD
• Thunderground +1D
• Plekthora +3HD
• Heli 1983 Part 2 +3D
• Lady Pac V1.0.4 +1D
• Space Snakes +2DG
• Time of Silence +1DW
• The Empire Strikes Back Preview +2
• Phoenix Fight +1G
• Ranatan
• Final Defense +1DGF
• Heat Seeker +1DG
• Heli 1983 Part 2 V1.1 +5DF
• Tanks 3000 +D [EasyFlash Release]
• Head On +D
• Cyborgrid
• Alchemist64 &DJ
• Cosmic Jailbreak +1DGH

Download: All Games in One Archive (4169)

source: csdb.dk

The Mega Blaster 2 by Aidan Lawrence is a hardware Sega Genesis/Mega Drive video game music (VGM) player that utilizes the real sound chips.

Play any Genesis track on-demand with brilliant sound quality on the actual YM2612/YM3438 and SN76489 PSG synthesizer chips that were found in the real Genesis consoles.

The Mega Blaster 2 is compatible with both .vgm and .vgz files and can support both the YM2612 and YM3438 simply by changing the DIP switch values.

This unit does not use any emulated sound – these are the real chips playing back logged data from the vgm files.

Features:

• Your choice of the original YM2612 (OPN2) or YM3438 (OPN2c) sound chip with the ability to swap on-the-fly using the DIP switches on the side of the board. Or, if you already have the sound chips, you can just order the board without any chips for a discount.
• A custom analog stage based on the Kunoichi Labs design on a four-layer PCB for flawless sound quality and stellar amplification.
• No additional power supply required, only a single USB connection.
• Support for file folders to organize your sound tracks.
• On-device file browser.
• Native VGM and VGZ support on-device, no decompression required.
• Brand-new VGM engine written from the ground up allows for accurate playback speeds for even the most computationally intensive sound tracks.
• Huge 64Mbit SPI RAM IC allows for giant PCM samples, allowing sample-heavy homebrew soundtracks to play with ease.
• Automatic YM chip authenticator. If your YM2612/YM3438 is damaged or not authentic, the Mega Blaster 2 will detect this at startup and alert you to it.
• All sound chips included with the Mega Blaster 2 bought from this site are verified to work correctly.
• DAC Stream support for homebrew soundtracks.
• 4 play modes: Loop, In-order, Shuffle ALL tracks, and Shuffle just a single directory.
• Custom looping options.
• An OLED display that’s grounded directly to the power input for zero analog interference.
• An adjustment potentiometer for the SN76489’s volume.
• A custom boost->linear power supply design for optimal audio performance.
• On-board class-AB headphone amplifier IC (TPA6111A2)
• Extremely easy firmware updates that require no external tools other than a computer. Just drag-and-drop an update file to the device as if it were a flash drive. That’s it.

Gallery:

Video:

source: aidanlawrence.com github.com

The return of the Hybrid Sid Player by xAD/Nightfall & Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab)

Based on the Project and Hardware Schematic by Markus Gritsch released in the years 2011-2015 on the forum dangerousprototypes. Thanks Markus.

Changelog:

v1.13 – 3/8/2021

Added:

• Illegal/undocumented opcodes to the CPU Emulator:
  • RLA (Combination of two operations with the same addressing mode (Sub-instructions: ROL, AND))
• From an idea of Faber Pixel we have also added other information of the SID file on the small OLED screen (information available in the header of the file).
  • With a frequency approximately of 7 seconds, the Load Range, Init Address and Play Address in hex addresses will be displayed on the screen alternating with the information of the SID Name, Author and Copyright.

Sample:

• Range: $1000-$2275
• Init Address: $1000
• Play Address: $1003

Obviously the displayed address range is the real memory occupation.

Fixed:

• The visualization of the SID Model of the tune that is playing every 5 seconds alternated between the playback mode icon. (Thanks Gianluca Renzi)
• Missing the file error handling in the subSong subroutine.

What can I do with this?

With the new Ultimate 64 firmware (>=1.1c) there is an option to receive video frames & audio over a network connection at 50fps.

You can use this tool to capture those frames into an image, audio or video file.

Changelog v1.25 (14/07/2021):

• ~ Fixed: Double click on maximized window did not reset window to normal.
• ~ Fixed: FPS calculation was wrong, fixed it.
• ~ Fixed: Exception raised when window is minimised.
• ~ Fixed: Various window position/size, save/restore issues.
• ~ Fixed: some remote function crashed app when u64 is not reachable.
• ~ Fixed: Menu is not controllable with keys anymore to prevent accidentally stop of stream.
• ~ Update: .Net FrameWork 4.6.1 to 4.8
• ~ Update: Optimized scanline simulation, total new processing.
• + Added: Context menu, to open several function from the output window.
• + Added: Multi frame capture function, capture xx frames to PNG files. Can be used to capture interlaced images.
• + Added: Multi Frame Capture viewer, can be opened from the context menu.
• + Added: CRTL+R function to reload last opened file (via dialog or drag and drop)
• + Added: Ping stats to diag window.
• + Added: Handling connection errors, added screens.

Download: U64 Streamer v1.25 (562)

source: u64streamer

The return of the Hybrid Sid Player by xAD/Nightfall & Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab)

Based on the Project and Hardware Schematic by Markus Gritsch released in the years 2011-2015 on the forum dangerousprototypes. Thanks Markus.

Changelog:

v1.12 – 18/07/2021

Updated:

• Improved a little bit the file error handling.
  • If you try to load a SID Stereo file a message “Stereo SID detected, but cannot play it!” will be displayed on the OLED screen.
• Modified the modality of visualization of the SID Model of the tune that is playing.
  • Now the display of the SID Model is alternated between the playback mode icon approximately every 5 seconds.

Added:

• Message during the boot that warns a checking of the USB storage and the correct filesystem mounting of the USB pen drive.
• Added six duplicate and probably useless opCodes, we are speaking about the “NOP” (they are $1A, $3A, $5A, $7A, $DA and $FA)
• Added one opcode absolutely useless for our use, we are speaking about the  “JAM”.

Fixed:

• Fixed some opCodes Addressing mode (Accumulator Addressing instead of Immediate Addressing)

A new version of the firmware for the Ultimate-64 (U64/U64E) / U2 / U2+ by Gideon is released.

This release has again some significant changes and improvements over 1.37 / 3.9. The following bullet list gives an overview of the features and fixes. Below the items, a short explanation is added.

This release has again some significant changes and improvements over 1.37 / 3.9. Please read the manual before installing 3.10.

Added features:

• Hardware emulation of 1571 and 1581 drives (U2+ / U64 only)
• MFM support on 1571, with enhanced G71 format to store MFM tracks.
• Added audio samples for insert / remove floppy disk.
• Added second drive sound to speaker output.
• Possiblity to use your own drive sound samples.
• Custom U64 palettes.
• SystemInfo Page, showing drive, cartridge and storage status.
• Flash Disk, to store drive roms, sounds, cartridges and such.
• Cartridges are now always CRT files. Selected by filename in the config.
• Cartridge compatibility check and reporting
• GMOD2 support, including EEPROM (U2+ / U64 only)
• Zaxxon Cartridge support.
• Implemented writing CVT files back to a disk image (enables copying CVT files across disks.)

Various UI Improvements:

• Select & Delete, using Shift-DEL
• Recursive delete from context menu.
• Long filename truncation (thanks to ‘naali’ / Antti Svenn)
• Scrollable string edit box.
• Adds save function for all cartridges, including EasyFlash and GMOD2.
• Full Clear function of configuration in Flash.
• Added ‘F3′ Help screen to config menu.

Technical Fixes:

• Fixed RGB mode (U64 only)
• Fixed block read command
• Fixed access of files with special chars in CBM disk images, accessed from IEC
• Fixed UCI issues with SidPlay and others
• Fixed colon issue in Ultimate Kernal ROM
• Fixed crash on invalid file chain CBM filesystems
• Fixed check order DIR / VOLUME; fixes some issues with exFAT directories
• Added M and V commands in modem emulation layer, V now supporting numeric responses. Thanks Scott Hutter
• Fixed the root cause of the VOLUME bit set in exFAT directories
• Fixed missing ‘probe’ for filesystems on multi-partition disks
• Fixed loading from wrong device ID when issuing the ‘run disk’ command
• Fixed many little bugs in the generation of CVT files (copying GEOS files from a disk image)
• Adopted changes to U64 Kernal to set default loading ID, as submitted by Leif Bloomquist
• Adopted USB modifier key handling, as submitted by Peter de Schrijver
• Corrected bug in extended partition table reading
• Relaxed C128 cartridge timing (for C128 carts)
• Extended UCI I/O bytes to support Hyperspeed Kernal properly
• Check for file copy onto itself
• Increased robustness against loading faulty disk images
• Fixed VIA latch mode in 1541/1571.
• [Issue 227] Fixes ‘get sensible name’ function for Ulticopy
• Fix for .d71 sector allocation – format should give 1328 blocks free, not 1347.
• Fixes possible crash when decoding a GCR track to binary
• [Issue 160]: SpeedDOS / DolphinDOS loading errors

Download:

• U64/Ultimate-64 - U2 - U2+ v3.10 (Core: v1.41) (584)
• Installation and User Manual V3.10 (805)
• Ultimate 64 Starter Pack supporting FW 3.10 (852)

source: ultimate64.com github.com