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Sunset Riders & Pocket Analogizer
🕑 Added 2024-07-27 09:25:03 +0000 UTCSunset Riders
Four gunmen looking for action under the hot sun. If you have not met Sunset Riders before, get ready to fall in love with its smooth animations, humour and saloon girls. We welcome a new core: JTRIDERS, compatible with Konami's Sunset Riders hardware. This core operates in all FPGA platforms (including the small SiDi) and should present no problems to CRT screens.
The core has proved to be challenging due to its protection chip. This is a chip that seems to reconvert some data written in the sprite RAM region. We were able to make some measurements but we had to eventually rely on MAME's description of its behavior, which is in turn based on a bootleg PCB. The core adds bus timing accuracy over the emulated version, as the CPU is halted while the protection chip is working.
Technical Chat
The protection chip is also used to calculate collisions. This took much longer to implement than expected because of a very odd quirk. The following code in MAME:
data = -space.read_word(0x105818);
data = ((data / 8 - 4) & 0x1f) * 0x40;
Has an unexpected behavior when the 16-bit word read is negative, because the variable receiving it is a 32-bit integer. When the read word is -4, the divide operation produced a wrong result which was needed by the game. I do not know whether this is a fluke in the MAME implementation, but it is needed. These operations are done in Verilog like this:
vx0 = (v0+16'd32)>>3;
vx1 = -vx0;
vx2 = {5'd0,vx1[4:0],6'd0};
You can see how the minus is applied after the divide by 8 in Verilog. This code produces the same quirk using only 16-bit integers. Without this, the character can just walk through anything on screen, making the game unplayable.
Pocket Analogizer
Supporting CRT gaming is one of our goals so when the Analogizer developer approached us for support we took an interest in the project. This a device that connected to the Analogue Pocket provides analog video output in a number of formats. It also supports SNAC devices (original game console controllers).
As of today, all JT cores support the Pocket Analogizer. You have to enable it, though. Follow these instructions to configure it. Note that JT is not related to this hardware development or selling. Please contact the Analogizer developer for support.
NVRAM Files
Sunset Riders and other games keep their configuration in a non-volatile memory (NVRAM) and do not have regular DIP switches. In order to change the game settings you need to enter the test menu (F2 on MiST(er) and coin+A on the Pocket). When you quit the core on the Pocket, your settings get saved automatically. On other platforms you have to go through the OSD menu and save manually.
This has created discussions in the past. For instance, you had to manually configure The Simpsons to get the theme music on start up. But, for Sunset Riders, the situation is worst. It requires a valid configuration to boot up. This has triggered the need to provide a default NVRAM configuration. Here is how it works:
MiSTer: the default configuration is part of the NVRAM file. No special attention required by the user
MiST family: the default configuration is in a *.RAM file in JTBIN. Copy it to your SD card.
Analogue Pocket: the configuration is in a *.sav file in the Saves folder. If you just copy or unzip the files from JTBIN you will get it. I am not sure about how updaters will handle that folder.
Note that for MiST and Pocket, if you have already created modified settings files, you may lose them when updating cores if you blindly copy the files from JTBIN. Most people do not modify the default settings, but this is a small detail to take into account. If you want your specific configuration to persist, do not copy the default NVRAM files to your SD card.
Other news
Alien Storm graphics have been restored after the regression introduced with the Moonwalker release
WWF SuperStars schematics are now about 30% complete
Fixed a bug in Bubble Bobble for the Pocket that made it start in test mode
Support for 2P versions of Sunset Riders will be released in the future, together with some GFX fixes needed for the second boss fight
The Simpsons default configuration has been set to play the opening theme
Note that today's update already has next week's Friday date in the file names as we are releasing on a Saturday
The full team is on holidays next week, so there will be no update on the 2nd of August
Comments
Glenn Percival
Interesting, I copied the new Beta key to the correct folder, but maybe I need to restart my MiSTer, weird
Glenn Percival
Thank you, I looked around, but I didn't see this!
JOTEGO
Please read through this: https://github.com/jotego/jtbin/wiki/Why-I-only-see-the-on-screen-credits%3F
THE_MAQ
So is the simpsons title zoom in fixed yet??
Glenn Percival
What's the secret for adding credits on cores like this and Moonwalker? I reset player assignment, I change the button assigned for credits, and I even switch from Wireless to a USB joystick. Is there something else that I'm not doing?
T L
Great job with all these cores! Unfortunately, I'm still having some issues with Bubble Bobble on the Pocket. Select doesn't seem to be adding coins. Has this changed since the latest update?
Tom Moretti
Im just curious so we have a ngpc core that boots the menu and everything I can change the bios settings and everything. But can not get it to run a game. Is that what it’s supposed to do because I seen no mention of the core going into beta
Tony Vo
Make sure to update saves folder
Icehawk
Original Outrun seems to be working properly again on Analogue Pocket and Turbo Outrun is playable again but still has some visual glitching mostly at the beginning of the race when the countdown happens and the car pulls away from the start line. Greatful for the update and hope Turbo Outrun can be fully restored. 🙏
Louis Zezeran
Ha yes that is a good way to word it. I am now pretty sure that jtbeta needs to be on whatever storage that roms are coming from. So for me, I need to place it on retronas, not the SD card Thank you for your help and your ongoing development!
Lessthankate
Thanks for the reply.
JOTEGO
It should go in the games/mame folder. If you have more than one folder like that, mister make do funny things.
Michael Johnson
Brilliant - this is a classic game and snes version is solid too
Louis Zezeran
Ooohh could be. I am using retronas and playing games off my smb share. Is the beta.zip supposed to go on the SD card or the share? I mean I can test myself later, only if you know off the top of your head. Thank you for rhe help
JOTEGO
Do you have the same problem with the System 18 games? In that case, you are missing the beta.zip file in games/mame
Louis Zezeran
Thank you! Is there something obvious I am missing with the controls? I have tried several controllers and I can't get the ingame buttons to work. I can bring up the MiSTer menu and remap the buttons. It accepts the buttons for coin and shoot. When I exit the menu and go back to the game, the buttons don't register and I can never enter coin. Feels like I am being dumb and something obvious I am missing thank you again for your work
dcampora
¡Genial! ¡Muchas gracias y felices vacaciones!
Geckofingers
Thanks team, now go and have a much deserved break.
JOTEGO
It requires a default configuration for the game settings that was not present before.
Brett
Hi Team, fantastic update. Thanks very much. Appreciate all the hard work again. On a side note, Outrun appears to be working properly on the AP again in this release. Cheers
PAUL G
Yay just noticed Simpsons theme tune added ❤️❤️ I wondered why it was missing from every ROM
Shannon Thomasson
Thanks
Tatton Partington
Great work to you and the team! This is a huge release that many folks have been looking forward to. It makes me happy to see all the excitement around it this week. I also love these detailed updates that really get into some of the technical challenges. It’s always fascinating to see what happens behind the scenes to make these releases come to life. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and get a chance to take a break and enjoy yourselves. It’s been a couple months since there has been an update on the status for the NGP core development (beyond the GA release announcement). Do you think we can get a NGP status update in the Aug 2nd update with some info on how things are progressing?
Mike V.
These Konami titles are very dear to me and one of the main reasons I have a MiSTer and a CRT. Thanks for bringing them back to life!! Can't wait for TMNT Turtles in Time, X-Men, G.I. Joe, Metamorphic Force, Violent Storm, Sexy Parodius, Bucky O´Hare, Gradius 3 and Asterix.
JOTEGO
Not yet possible. The other game versions do not boot correctly yet. We’ll get them working soon.
Alex Limi
Try pressing the East button to start instead of Start
Alex Limi
He did mention that the 2P version would be coming soon, I assume it’s the same as with the Simpsons core where the 2P version lets you select from the four characters instead of them being hardwired to a particular controller.
Kent Pendragon
Thanks! And a great, well-deserved vacation to all of you! 🏄♂️☀️🏝️
Lessthankate
Running great. Anyone know if there is a way to play as Cormano, the best one? Its like being forced to play as Marge or Leonardo, sorry Marge and Leonardo fans.
Spiff
Another Konami game with great sound design.. I love the "Bury me with my money" sample and the money counter blings :)
Matt Hargett
A well-deserved summer holiday! Thanks for all you and the team continue to do!
Jeruro
Amazing!!!Rainbow Islands next? Pure nostalgia...
Bedwablackburn
Thank you all as always and enjoy the vacation/Holiday week!
ElloMrChris
Works a treat, thank you. I guess that answers your question about how updaters will handle it! (seems they don't)
gkralicek
No problem...Thanks so much for adding the files ! 👍
LiteUp X
Always play the super Nintendo and Genesis version over the years, this is fantastic to get to play the actual arcade version. As always, thanks for your hard work.
JOTEGO
Try updating again. The folder was missing from the Pocket individual zip files. It should be ok now.
JOTEGO
You're right! I just added them. I need to check what went wrong. Sorry about that.
Haymose
Works after using .sav from link
Dotexe55
Another great update, looking good on the CRT.
gkralicek
No they are not, i extracted the "other" zipfile and there are only RAM files for sunset riders. The jtriders.rbf core file is not there 😔
JOTEGO
They are in the "other" zip file attached to this post.
JOTEGO
On the Pocket, check that you have the Saves folder copied over to your SD too. Missing the .sav file in there is what is preventing it from booting up correctly, as explained in the post. This is the content of the Saves folder you should have: https://github.com/jotego/jtbin/tree/master/pocket/raw/Saves
JOTEGO
Check that you have the Saves folder copied over to your SD too. Missing the .sav file in there is what is preventing it from booting up correctly, as explained in the post. This is the content of the Saves folder you should have: https://github.com/jotego/jtbin/tree/master/pocket/raw/Saves
OldManBog
Wonderful update, thank you JT team!
a sandwich
Always appreciate these updates... thank you!
Oisin McGovern
Runs amazing with MiSTercade on my candy cabinet. Thanks man! can't believe it's finally here.
Adam Davis
On these Konamis isn’t START the SHOOT/HIT button? Does that work?
Adam Davis
Thank you so much Jose and team! Thank you for still putting in the energy and love still to this day. Been with you since day one so to still see you putting out such great games is fantastic. Thanks again guys :-)
gkralicek
Where are the MiST and SiDi cores for sunset riders ? All i can find is the MiSTer and Pocket version :=(
MattO
Woohoo!
Shannon Thomasson
Unable to hit start on sunset but i can add coins
Mark Saunders
Thanks JT , and I loved my holiday in Spain in different places travelled the Spanish were lovely good experience for us . Hope for Europe
ElloMrChris
On the plus side, Outrun works for me now where it didn't before!
ElloMrChris
Anyone else having problems with Sunset Riders on the Pocket? I can add coins, but that's about it. I have the latest beta.zip in place, so not sure what else I can try?
Salvador Perugorria Lorente
Thaks very much! :-) Gracias como siempre. Me alegra ver de nuevo System 16 en MiST 😊
Filip Kindt
Hehe you said No core, no holiday ;)
Rick S.
Sunset Riders at last! Thank you!
Adrien Duchemole
Fantastic Happy holidays Very glad about wwf superstars
Alberto Paladino
This is lit! Thank you team!!
Frank McDonald
With the mention of WWF Superstars, would that mean there's any potential for a port of Pram0d's Wrestlefest core to MiSTer?
Rafa Davila
Have a nice holiday, Jose!
Pixel Cherry Ninja
The weekend has begun, it's official!
PAUL G
You have turned the Analogue Pocket from a TOP tier Gameboy into an absolutely essential piece of arcade history! Thanks again ❤️
PAUL G
WWF Superstars!!!! Thank you, that will go so well with Wrestlefest 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Wayne
Argh love this game spent many a £ on this in the arcades 👍thank you
Phil Felice
Looks good, thanks! Enjoy your break, everyone.
Big Al.
Fantastic news, thanks for the bubble Bobble fix, sunset riders, cannot get any better news this weekend, have a great weekend everyone..
Retroplayer
Great way to start the weekend! Thank you.
