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The Simpsons (beta), Black Tiger (Pocket, public release)
🕑 Added 2023-08-11 14:39:32 +0000 UTCEspañol abajo, 日本語は以下, Português abaixo
MiSTer users: update your jtbeta.zip file using the attached one
The late 1980s and early 1990s marked a dynamic era for both video games and popular culture, with iconic franchises leaving an indelible mark on us. Among these, "The Simpsons" stood tall as an animated powerhouse that seamlessly blended humor, satire, and societal commentary. Konami harnessed the zeitgeist by releasing The Simpsons arcade game in 1991, around the time the 2nd season was aired. They managed to encapsulate the show's irreverent spirit despite the striking similarities to the popular "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" game.
Technically, the Simpsons is a mixed bag as it has a more powerful sprite hardware, capable of displaying twice the number of sprites with more zooming capabilities, but it also uses Konami’s custom 8-bit CPU instead of the M68000. Using their own CPU prevented bootlegs and that was probably the only reason to use it.
This system also uses a custom sound chip, probably developed by Yamaha itself, as it can take the digital output of a Yamaha chip and merge in four ADPCM channels. The new sound bit stream can be fed into a Yamaha DAC designed specifically for the YM2151. Thus I think that the chance of Yamaha being behind this is quite large. If turn off the FM sound using MiSTer’s OSD option, you will be able to appreciate the sound of this new ADPCM chip.
Konami’s manual includes some of the schematic sheets but the video circuitry was missing. We asked Museo Arcade Vintage, a preservation site in Alicante, for help and they lent us a board for research. Simpsons' PCB resembles Vendetta’s and it also has pretty much the same video subsystem as Konami’s X-Men. You can expect to see support for these arcade boards soon.
NeoGeo Pocket development continues and we found and fixed two more bugs but there still seems to be more hiding as the system is not stable yet. Work on CPS3 or System 18 will not start until NGP is completed.
Finally, the Black Tiger core for the Analogue Pocket is promoted to public and it can be found in JTBIN as usual.
Thank you for your continuous support.
Español
Usuarios de MiSTer: actualicen su archivo jtbeta.zip utilizando el adjunto
Los últimos años de la década de 1980 y los primeros de la de 1990 marcaron una época dinámica tanto para los videojuegos como para la cultura popular, con franquicias icónicas que dejaron una huella indeleble en nosotros. Entre ellas, "Los Simpson" se erigió como una poderosa serie de animación que combinaba a la perfección humor, sátira y comentarios sociales. Konami aprovechó el espíritu de la época lanzando el juego arcade de Los Simpson en 1991, más o menos cuando se emitió la segunda temporada. Consiguieron encapsular el espíritu irreverente de la serie a pesar de las sorprendentes similitudes con el popular juego "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles".
Técnicamente, "Los Simpson" es una mezcla de dos cosas: tiene un hardware de sprites más potente, capaz de mostrar el doble de sprites con más posibilidades de zoom, pero también utiliza la CPU de 8 bits personalizada de Konami en lugar de la M68000. El uso de su propia CPU evitaba los pirateos y esa era probablemente la única razón para utilizarla.
Este sistema también utiliza un chip de sonido personalizado, probablemente desarrollado por la propia Yamaha, ya que puede tomar la salida digital de un chip Yamaha y fusionarla en cuatro canales ADPCM. El nuevo flujo de bits de sonido puede introducirse en un DAC Yamaha diseñado específicamente para el YM2151. Por lo tanto, creo que la posibilidad de que Yamaha esté detrás de esto es bastante grande. Si desactivas el sonido FM mediante la opción OSD de MiSTer, podrás apreciar el sonido de este nuevo chip ADPCM.
El manual de Konami incluye algunas de las hojas esquemáticas, pero faltaban los circuitos de vídeo. Pedimos ayuda al Museo Arcade Vintage, en Alicante, que nos prestó una placa para investigar. La placa de Simpsons se parece a la de Vendetta y también tiene prácticamente el mismo subsistema de vídeo que el X-Men de Konami. Es de esperar que pronto veamos soporte para estas placas arcade.
El desarrollo de NeoGeo Pocket continúa y hemos encontrado y corregido dos bugs más, pero parece que todavía hay más escondidos, ya que el sistema aún no es estable. El trabajo en CPS3 o System 18 no comenzará hasta que NGP esté terminado.
Finalmente, el núcleo Black Tiger para el Analogue Pocket se promociona al público y se puede encontrar en JTBIN como siempre.
Gracias por vuestro continuo apoyo.
日本語
MiSTerユーザー：添付のファイルを使用してjtbeta.zipファイルを更新してください。
1980年代後半から1990年代前半は、ビデオゲームと大衆文化の両方にとってダイナミックな時代であり、象徴的なフランチャイズが私たちに忘れがたい足跡を残した。その中でも「ザ・シンプソンズ」は、ユーモア、風刺、社会批判をシームレスに融合させた大作アニメとして、高い人気を誇っていた。コナミは、第2シーズンが放映された1991年に『ザ・シンプソンズ』のアーケードゲームを発売し、時代の流れをつかんだ。人気ゲーム『ティーンエイジ・ミュータント・ニンジャ・タートルズ』に酷似しているにもかかわらず、番組の不遜な精神をうまく封じ込めた。
技術的には、『ザ・シンプソンズ』はより強力なスプライト・ハードウェアを搭載しており、2倍のスプライト数を表示でき、より多くのズーム機能を備えているが、M68000の代わりにコナミのカスタム8ビットCPUを使用している。独自のCPUを使うことで海賊版を防ぐことができ、それが唯一の理由だったのだろう。
このシステムはまた、おそらくヤマハ自身が開発したカスタムサウンドチップを使用しており、ヤマハチップのデジタル出力を4つのADPCMチャンネルにマージすることができる。新しいサウンド・ビット・ストリームは、YM2151専用に設計されたヤマハのDACに送り込むことができる。従って、ヤマハがこの背後にいる可能性はかなり大きいと思う。MiSTerのOSDオプションでFMサウンドをオフにすれば、この新しいADPCMチップのサウンドを堪能できるだろう。
コナミのマニュアルには回路図の一部が掲載されているが、ビデオ回路は欠落していた。アリカンテの保存サイト、Museo Arcade Vintageに助けを求めたところ、調査用の基板を貸してくれた。シンプソンズの基板はヴェンデッタのものと似ており、コナミの『X-MEN』とほぼ同じビデオサブシステムも搭載している。近いうちにこれらのアーケード基板に対応することになるだろう。
NeoGeo Pocketの開発は続いており、さらに2つのバグを発見し修正したが、システムがまだ安定していないため、まだまだ隠れているようだ。NGPが完成するまで、CPS3やSystem 18の開発は始まりません。
最後に、アナログポケット用のブラックタイガーコアは一般公開され、通常通りJTBINで見ることができます。
今後ともよろしくお願いします。
Português
Usuários do MiSTer: atualizem o arquivo jtbeta.zip usando o arquivo anexado
O final da década de 1980 e o início da década de 1990 marcaram uma era dinâmica para os videogames e a cultura popular, com franquias icônicas que deixaram uma marca indelével em nós. Entre elas, "Os Simpsons" se destacou como uma animação poderosa que misturava perfeitamente humor, sátira e comentários sociais. A Konami aproveitou o zeitgeist lançando o jogo de arcade Os Simpsons em 1991, na época em que a segunda temporada foi ao ar. Eles conseguiram encapsular o espírito irreverente do programa, apesar das semelhanças impressionantes com o popular jogo "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles".
Tecnicamente, Os Simpsons é um jogo misto, pois tem um hardware de sprite mais potente, capaz de exibir o dobro de sprites com mais recursos de zoom, mas também usa a CPU de 8 bits personalizada da Konami em vez da M68000. O uso de sua própria CPU evitava a falsificação, e esse foi provavelmente o único motivo para usá-la.
Esse sistema também usa um chip de som personalizado, provavelmente desenvolvido pela própria Yamaha, pois ele pode pegar a saída digital de um chip Yamaha e mesclar quatro canais ADPCM. O novo fluxo de bits de som pode ser alimentado em um DAC da Yamaha projetado especificamente para o YM2151. Portanto, acho que a chance de a Yamaha estar por trás disso é muito grande. Se você desativar o som FM usando a opção OSD do MiSTer, poderá apreciar o som desse novo chip ADPCM.
O manual da Konami inclui algumas das folhas de esquemas, mas o circuito de vídeo estava faltando. Pedimos ajuda ao Museo Arcade Vintage, um local de preservação em Alicante, e eles nos emprestaram uma placa para pesquisa. A placa de circuito impresso do Simpsons é parecida com a do Vendetta e também tem praticamente o mesmo subsistema de vídeo do X-Men da Konami. Em breve, você verá suporte para essas placas de fliperama.
O desenvolvimento do NeoGeo Pocket continua e encontramos e corrigimos mais dois bugs, mas parece que ainda há mais bugs escondidos, pois o sistema ainda não está estável. O trabalho no CPS3 ou no System 18 não será iniciado até que o NGP seja concluído.
Finalmente, o núcleo Black Tiger para o Analogue Pocket foi promovido ao público e pode ser encontrado no JTBIN, como de costume.
Obrigado por seu apoio contínuo.
Comments
piers75
I have no trouble with the core and roms but when launching the Simpsons Arcade game on Analogue Pocket I just keep getting the end credits and can't play at all. Where are we supposed to place the beta key or what is the issue?
Männerquatsch
Do I need to exchange the jtbeta.zip every time an update was posted? Or can I just run the update all script?
粤不凡
After the update, you can't have the full screen. Why?
Plop Slop
is there a way to change controller input on Analoge Pocket to play other characters?
Brady Sammons
I get a rom missing for simpsons
Matt Pannella
that means you're missing the rom. make sure you download the alternative roms
AutopilotZombi
Did you ever figure this out?
Bubbaloo
I copied pasted the POCKET files to my Analogue Pocket and it just does not show up anywhere.
Bubbaloo
:( can't seem to get any of these to work. I have tried everything really. And there are no instructions as to how to get them to work.
Heisenmack
https://github.com/opengateware/tools-orca I used this post to help get it running: https://www.reddit.com/r/AnaloguePocket/comments/xf9o3i/galaga_port_for_pocket_released/
Luke Barton
Looking at github the tool is 404'd?
Heisenmack
You need to create the "alternative" rom file. I used Orca and the mra for the 2p simpsons version
Kyle
I am getting the same error would love to hear how to fix this. Thanks
lemon
Anyone knows how to use the "alternatives" roms? I always get an error "ROM ID 1". I used Pocket Sync to update the Core (to get the main rom which works).
JOTEGO
Good point. I will check it.
THE_MAQ
The simpsons title is a bit too shaky during the intro when it zooms in compared to real pcb?
Tofana10am
This is for MiSTer FPGA (DE-10 Nano)
JOTEGO
Which FPGA system do you use?
Tofana10am
Anyone have any insights for how to adjust the settings to allow for player 3/4 coin slots/buttons. I’ve got 4 player controls working, but the coin entry only registers from the player 1/2 controls. Player 3/4 can start once player 1/2 coins are registered. Looking in the “I/O Check” entry in the F2 service menu reveals that there is no COIN INPUT available for player 3/4
Frank McDonald
that's good enough for me. :D
JOTEGO
It is, but it will come after the other systems
Martin Hinchliffe
Same thing has happened to me, I tried using World 2P set 2 and the same thing occured after I remapped the buttons.
Michael Di Filippo
Amazing work, out of the gate the aspect ratio doesn't quite fill the pocket and modifying the video.json file causes issues. 4 player set 3 goes to a black screen on the pocket. no big deal cause we can use set 1 or 2.
ronalvel .
Gracias por el esquematico!!!
Adam Atom Ant
That definitely works on the MiSTer?!? Yes! Thank you for confirming.
Wes Lockhart
Thanks! Works great on mister and pocket.
Mark DeRidder
Any tips for getting player 3 and 4 mapped to usb controllers? I have 1 and 2 working on my Ultimarc iPac Ultimate.
Frank McDonald
With the mention of CPS3 and System 18 not starting till the NGP is completed I take it that PGM is some time away if it's still on the to do list?
Frank McDonald
World 2P set 3 worked fine for me until i remapped the buttons then 12C failed as bad.
Salvador Perugorria Lorente
He probado el core en Sidi y en MiST, todo va genial 😊
Lee Turner
See above fixed Aliens MRA situation not from Update all but JT.Bin also lastly Simpsons World 2P set 3 ROM:12C fails test as "Bad" gracias.
Lee Turner
Hi just to say that Aliens MRA's in the RAR from the 11th of august don't respond to inputs, i.e game is stuck on dev credits irrespective of whether world or alternative MRA.
JOTEGO
The music must be enabled in the service menu (press F2) for now, sorry about that. The blue background is fixed in today's files (attached).
Casey McGinty
Title screen does not have a blue background for me or music?
Fred Jorge Silva de Souza
Thanks a lot Jotego for portuguese language!
Pixel Cherry Ninja
Pocket Users, Updaters have been updated with Simpsons
Holger Lagerfeldt
So am I, which is why you need to insert the custom aspect ratio to fix it on a digital screen, when it isn't done automatically. With an analog screen you would adjust the width with a dial on the screen to approximately match the width of the screen.
JOTEGO
Thank you for the remarks. Press F2 to access the service menu. In the Pocket, press coin+attack
JOTEGO
Look in the alternative folders for the other versions. The 2 player ones let you select character
Adam Davis
Thank you Jose you really make the MiSTer feel fresh when you release titles like this. You and your team are amazing 🤩🙌🏼🙏🏼
Jonlad1
My lord - thank you Joges + team!!
Paul R.
If you have an 'alternatives' folder, there's a 2P ROM where you can select your character.
emerald4224
hello, congrats on the release this week. But I did have a concern, I only have one active rom for the simpsons game and I could only select marge for player 1. Menu controls don't allow me to select anyone else. Is there a way I'm not aware of?
Jesus Rodriguez
Nvm I forgot that I had to covert the mra with the rom. I am able to run it but the initial screen with the sky is gray instead of blue. All the rest is working great. What a masterpiece from my childhood, thanks for the team for making this possible!
Thorias
Excellent!
Gum Bercules
also i get a gray sky in the into on the non-alt game
Jesus Rodriguez
Silly question, I’m getting an error of simpsons.zip. Am I missing converting the mra? Have forgotten how to get these installed
Salvador Perugorria Lorente
Muchísimas gracias 😊
Gum Bercules
Getting an error launching the alternate ones: "Error Framework missing rom id1", not sure if i did something wrong
Pixel Cherry Ninja
If anyone needs a reminder on how to convert assets from MAME to Pocket https://youtu.be/dLdCktUuv-0
V A
Muchas gracias!!.... aguien ha reportado archivos con error en la version pocket?.... ya volvi a descargar y parece que no los reconoce
Paul R.
Thanks for the heads up!
Andi
Warning - don't try to do Save Settings in the OSD after changing the demo sound in the 2-player versions! It's bugged right now. It won't boot the next time you load the core. (If you already did this, you can fix it by deleting the .nvm file at /media/fat/config/nvram)
Rautz
Happy #JTFriday people! Saw this Simpsons update earlier this week on social media and it immediately brought back some great memories of friends and family. That audio tidbit is interesting and I'll definitely be turning off the FM audio to appreciate the difference from the ADPCM chip(though I'm no audiophile) Thanks to Jose, the team, Museo Arcade Vintage and anyone else from behind the scenes that helped get this beta across the line. Churry.
Paul R.
Oh wow! Thanks for the info! 👍
Andi
F2 key for service in all Jotego cores if you have a keyboard
Paul R.
im using the 2 Player (set 1) rom and there's graphical glitching with the Bowling Ball boss for a brief moment and at the end of the TV station stage. I too noticed that the sound mixing for the voices is low. can we get access to the service menu as well? there's no attract music and there's a toggle for it in there. Other than that, this is fantastic work! thanks!
Dr Tenma
La versión de 4 jugadores (la por defecto) en pocket no me deja seleccionar un personaje diferente a Marge, no sé si es normal. La de 2 jugadores, sí
AlxUnderBase
That's awesome ! Congrats , Jose , team and to all who did this to be true !
Tony Crisol Gamez
Los simpsons funcionan muy bien, tanto la version de 2 jugadores como la de 4.He actualizado el jtbeta.zip y aunque funcionan, el super contra, el aliens y el crime fighters son injugables, sale todo el rato la pantalla de creditos y no me deja quitarla.Le pasa a alguien mas?
Mike V.
Esto es increíble. Muchas gracias Jotego y Esperanza. Ojalá y el core de Las Tortugas Ninja de Furrtek pudiera obtener tantos mimos como este. Una colaboración entre uds para darle término estaría genial.
Anton Gale
I've never played this... Time to see what all the fuss is about. Thanks to the team!
Tony Shong
Thank you sooooo much for bringing this masterpiece from KONAMI to the FPGA scene!!!
Hiddenbyleaves
Brilliant!
Francisco Blazquez
como siempre, muchas gracias por todo el trabajo
Todd Gill
thanks so much for your teams hardwork!
David Ashby
I’m using MiSTer
Holger Lagerfeldt
If I take a screendump, it looks correct, although with 2 x 16 pixels pillarboxes. But the PAR is off in MiSTer here unless you tweak it. If you copy+paste this into the end of your MiSTer.ini file it and select the custom aspect ratio in the core under Video > Aspect ; The Simpsons aspect fix [jtsimson] custom_aspect_ratio_1=11:7 Before/after photo here (integer scaling): https://onlinemastering.dk/download/mister/simpsons.png 11:7 because 320+(2x16) x 224 pixels = aspect 352:224 = GCD of 32 = 11:7 Or whatever you feel is right, as the arcade monitor would be calibrated on site and it varies quite a bit. Wonder Boy is a great example, it's way compressed unless you use something like custom_aspect_ratio_1=73:56 in the .ini
JOTEGO
in games/mame
David Ashby
Fantastic work! It seems that the 4:3 aspect ratio is a bit more horizontally narrow. Is this normal for the PCB? Also sound effects and music doesn’t seem mixed correctly, the fx are too soft.
Retro Tech
I forget this everytime, but where do I stick the new jtbeta.zip file? Thanks
Jon Anderson
Oh wow, wish I had brought my Pocket on vacation!
LiteUp X
You just made my evening, beer, cheesesteaks and Simpsons for me and the wife to play 👍
Andrea Bogazzi
uuhhh system 18 is on the starting grid then? that is great to hear. Thank you for this release.
Ovean , LLC
Thanks for your amazing work!
Tatton Partington
Great work!! The Neo Geo Pocket core is going to be well worth the wait. Thanks for your diligence with getting it stable and thanks again for keeping it moving forward!
hyp36rmax
Aye caramba! Let's go!
Tom Moretti
Awesome I want to play with pixel cherry ninja and beat the game lol Awesome work team thanks for everything. Have a good weekend neo geo pocket I can almost smell it
Mark Saunders
Fabulous , gracias Team Jt ! Simpsons in my room fresh from the seaside arcades
Pixel Cherry Ninja
Awesome, thanks team. I'll be doing a 4 player Simpsons Live Stream later to celebrate this awesome release. Have a nice weekend 👍
Stephen Marshall
Big day! Thanks Jotego!
