custom firmware for sega flashback 2018

BillyHGamer · Feb 12, 2019

MB79 said:
Hi BillyHGamer

From my understanding Picodrive doesn't support GG so you won't be able to play them if you have used that update.
There are two emulator options and unfortunately neither play all games, so it is a case of picking which one plays the most of the games you want.

Genesis Gx Plus (the original emulator) plays everything except 32X games/roms

Picodrive plays everything except Game Gear games/roms

Depending on what your CD games/roms are saved as, may also depend on which update/emulator you wish to use.

The CD games/roms are normally .bin/.cue or .img/.cue or .chd and again each of these need little adjustments for them. I had a fair few issues getting it all working myself and struggled with websites for downloads so happy to help you out.

What are your CD games/roms saved as?

How do I get the bios files for Genesis Plus GX I downloaded the update for it but the 3 bios files are not in there to add to the GAME folder

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

rrifonas said:
I updated Post #97 with the new update for Picodrive adding Sega CD support. I did some tests and US and JP games work fine. EU games play fast, the emulator is forcing the game to run at 60fps while it should run at 50fps.

No, you can't. This is an emulation device and while most of the cartridges can be 'dumped' just fine, a few of them have problems. Games that should have problems running from cartridge:
+ Sonic 3 doesn't work due to its memory to save games
+ S&K with other carts, it can't merge the ROMs
+ SSF2 due to bank switching
+ Virtua Racing

How do I get the 3 bios files I downloaded the update for Genesis Plus GX but no bios files

rrifonas · Feb 12, 2019

You will need to find the files by yourself. This article has the file names (bios_CD_U.bin, bios_CD_E.bin and bios_CD_J.bin) and file hash for each file:
https://docs.libretro.com/library/genesis_plus_gx/

BillyHGamer · Feb 12, 2019

rrifonas said:
You will need to find the files by yourself. This article has the file names (bios_CD_U.bin, bios_CD_E.bin and bios_CD_J.bin) and file hash for each file:
https://docs.libretro.com/library/genesis_plus_gx/

Ok thanks

rrifonas · Feb 13, 2019

MB79 said:
Thank you very much for your answer and also taking the time to look into it, when you have the opportunity.
Greatly appreciated.

Answering your question about Game Genie / Lock-on cartridge, it works but:
1) It's not implemented in my current custom firmware but you can download US version or the EU/UK version if you want to test.
2) You will need to edit this retroplayer.ini in you computer every time you want to enable, disable or change "Sonic & Knuckles" or "Game Genie" support
3) You need to have the correct files to make it work, the list of files is available in the Genesis Plus GX documentation

EDIT: added the EU/UK version, but I've only tested the update for the Genesis Flashback (US version)

MB79 · Feb 14, 2019

Hi @rrifonas

Thank you for going to the effort to figure this out for me and so quickly as well, greatly appreciated.

I got the game genie one to work nice and quickly - mainly as I already had the correct file for that one.

Had a small issue with the Sonic & Knuckles one, I renamed Sonic and Knuckles rom (as per readme file) in rom folder on SD card and in all_games.ini (plus renaming the png files after the box art images disappeared on load up!!), I also downloaded the correct file after a bit of searching..the first file I found was the wrong size and broke Sonic 2, rather than loading it with Knuckles instead of Sonic on front screen. This second file also allows "Blue Spheres" games to be played with any other rom loaded up as long as player remembers to press A, B & C together on the NO WAY load screen, and the add on rom is smaller than 2GB.

I am not sure if it is a typo on the readme page of the download, but the Sonic 2 patch rom needs to be saved as sk2chip whereas in the readme file it says s2kchip otherwise it doesn't work.

Thought if you knew then you could change it in case anyone else wants to do it, even though the typo actually helped me find the correct size file!!!

Again a massive thank you for this and all the other work you have done for this thread.

rrifonas · Feb 14, 2019

It was a typo. I've seen one thing in the screen and typed another. I will fix the "readme" later.
I'm happy it worked as expected.

BillyHGamer · Feb 14, 2019

rrifonas said:
You will need to find the files by yourself. This article has the file names (bios_CD_U.bin, bios_CD_E.bin and bios_CD_J.bin) and file hash for each file:
https://do

I looked for these files I can't find them anywhere looked for about 3 hours what's the key search for them never did this kind of stuff before

subcon959 · Feb 14, 2019

BillyHGamer said:
I looked for these files I can't find them anywhere looked for about 3 hours what's the key search for them never did this kind of stuff before

3 hours? I've just googled bios_CD_U.bin and it literally took a couple seconds to get the file.

BillyHGamer · Feb 15, 2019

subcon959 said:
3 hours? I've just googled bios_CD_U.bin and it literally took a couple seconds to get the file.

Yes

BillyHGamer · Feb 15, 2019

I'm new to all this

rrifonas · Mar 3, 2019

Atgames released a new update for the Genesis Flashback HD 2018 last week (v20190226).
The issue with PAL games seems fixed (I've only tested Sonic 2 for Master System and Sonic CD) and the games are running even better in my opinion. The scanline filter is much better than the older version. The core was not changed but they've implemented the improvements from the latest update for the Legends Flashback emulator.

I've made a custom firmware based on this new update in case anyone want to try it.
Features:
-> Genesis Plus GX to load Genesis, Master System, Game Gear and Sega CD games from SD Card OR Picodrive to load Genesis, Master System, Sega CD and 32x
-> Support to mount the games from the SD Card
-> Game Genie support won't work with this update as Atgames changes the emulator and most of the settings for retroplayer.ini are now being read from a read-only file in the /emulator partition
-> The European Firmware is based on the US version but I've replaced the assets, the "About" section will not be displayed as it's the US firmware
-> This update replaces the data partition. Save states stored in the console will be deleted. Backup them to the SD Card before starting the update

For the latest version, check this post.

If the controllers stop responding, you may need to pair them again:
-> Turn off the console and the controller
-> Press A+UP and turn on the controller; The blue light will start blinking
-> Turn on the console, the controller will sync

To mount the rom partition in the SD Card:
-> Create a file mount_sd.ini in the root of the SD Card
-> Copy the backup from your 'rom' partition a 'rom' folder in the root of the SD Card
-> Removing the SD Card and rebooting the device will revert to the original partition
-> Renaming/deleting mount_sd.ini will also revert to the original partition

EDIT: Removed old build, update link to the latest version.

Conex · Mar 3, 2019

rrifonas said:
Atgames released a new update for the Genesis Flashback HD 2018 last week (v20190226).
The issue with PAL games seems fixed (I've only tested Sonic 2 for Master System and Sonic CD) and the games are running even better in my opinion. The scanline filter is much better than the older version. The core was not changed but they've implemented the improvements from the latest update for the Legends Flashback emulator.

I've made a custom firmware based on this new update in case anyone want to try it.
Features:
-> Genesis Plus GX (no Picodrive this time) to load Genesis, Master System, Game Gear and Sega CD games from SD Card
-> Support to mount the games from the SD Card
-> Game Genie support won't work with this update as Atgames changes the emulator and most of the settings for retroplayer.ini are now being read from a read-only file in the /emulator partition
-> The European Firmware is based on the US version but I've replaced the assets, the "About" section will not be displayed as it's the US firmware
-> This update replaces the data partition. Save states stored in the console will be deleted. Backup them to the SD Card before starting the update

Genesis Flashback HD 2018 - custom firmware based on FB3680_v2.0.1

Mega Drive Flashback HD 2018 - custom firmware based on the US FB3680_v.2.01

If the controllers stop responding, you may need to pair them again:
-> Turn off the console and the controller
-> Press A+UP and turn on the controller; The blue light will start blinking
-> Turn on the console, the controller will sync

To mount the rom partition in the SD Card:
-> Create a file mount_sd.ini in the root of the SD Card
-> Copy the backup from your 'rom' partition a 'rom' folder in the root of the SD Card
-> Removing the SD Card and rebooting the device will revert to the original partition
-> Renaming/deleting mount_sd.ini will also revert to the original partition

AWESOME thx

Conex · Mar 3, 2019

rrifonas said:
Atgames released a new update for the Genesis Flashback HD 2018 last week (v20190226).
The issue with PAL games seems fixed (I've only tested Sonic 2 for Master System and Sonic CD) and the games are running even better in my opinion. The scanline filter is much better than the older version. The core was not changed but they've implemented the improvements from the latest update for the Legends Flashback emulator.

I've made a custom firmware based on this new update in case anyone want to try it.
Features:
-> Genesis Plus GX (no Picodrive this time) to load Genesis, Master System, Game Gear and Sega CD games from SD Card
-> Support to mount the games from the SD Card
-> Game Genie support won't work with this update as Atgames changes the emulator and most of the settings for retroplayer.ini are now being read from a read-only file in the /emulator partition
-> The European Firmware is based on the US version but I've replaced the assets, the "About" section will not be displayed as it's the US firmware
-> This update replaces the data partition. Save states stored in the console will be deleted. Backup them to the SD Card before starting the update

Genesis Flashback HD 2018 - custom firmware based on FB3680_v2.0.1

Mega Drive Flashback HD 2018 - custom firmware based on the US FB3680_v.2.01

If the controllers stop responding, you may need to pair them again:
-> Turn off the console and the controller
-> Press A+UP and turn on the controller; The blue light will start blinking
-> Turn on the console, the controller will sync

To mount the rom partition in the SD Card:
-> Create a file mount_sd.ini in the root of the SD Card
-> Copy the backup from your 'rom' partition a 'rom' folder in the root of the SD Card
-> Removing the SD Card and rebooting the device will revert to the original partition
-> Renaming/deleting mount_sd.ini will also revert to the original partition

Hey man after testing the update on Megadrive HD (2018 Eur) all Gen and Megadrive and Master System roms no longer work but CD does. So CD only?
UPDATE: Megadrive/Genesis roms work but must be .bin and the rest cannot be zipped like before.

Steve_Rose · Mar 3, 2019

@rrifonas great work

must start playing with this again

rrifonas · Mar 3, 2019

Conex said:
Hey man after testing the update on Megadrive HD (2018 Eur) all Gen and Megadrive and Master System roms no longer work but CD does. So CD only?
UPDATE: Megadrive/Genesis roms work but must be .bin and the rest cannot be zipped like before.

Can you give me more details about your issue?

This device doesn't support zip files. It only supports the games in their original extensions: .bin or .md for Genesis, .sms for Master System .gg for Game Gear, .cue or .chd for Sega CD.

The older version is still available if you want to rollback to the original firmware.

Alphons Potters · Mar 3, 2019

Hello people, First of all I see some great work with new mods and interfaces and a lot of info.

I have owned the old Sega Flashback 2017 version (also hacked it and put some extra games on it) and sold it because the system couldn't play some games like Contra, Super Street Fighter 2, Nba Jam Te, Virtua Racing Etc. but the new model has a lot of improvements over the older version. (better build quality, better emulation, better support of games, better menu to navigate, better battery valves of the controllers etc. etc. etc.

A friend of mine bought the new 2019 version (in Europe it's just released with 82 games) its missing unfortunately the 3x Mortal Kombat games on it because of copyright issues. I know the AMERICAN version has 85 games and the old version was released with 82 and 85 in Europa, but the new version so far only with 82.

Mine question... is it possible to Hack the 2019 version (just like the old version) and adding games to the system so you will see a nice picture and title and add some extra tabs to the original Flashback menu? I just want to add games, not put a totally new interface on it. Just add some extra games on the system. I know I need to open it up and hook the system to the PC to hack it (well at least you needed to do that with the old 2017 version).

I know you can add games with the SD but it's much more beautiful to put them on the system itself rather than put them on the SD card. Maybe it has mentioned here, but there is so much information I couldn't find it and sorry for asking the easy way!

UPDATE: I see it's possible with this software (looks really great!)
https://gbatemp.net/threads/genesis-flashback-hd-2018-game-manager.529624/
THANKS DCUK7 for this!!

DCUK7 do you mind if me and my buddy make a video about it on youtube (tutorial) so more people know about this?
Our channel is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW_sIU3MaWW5cXSjGqNIvbw

UPDATE:
rrifonas thanks for all your hard work too and the updates!

dcuk7 · Mar 3, 2019

@Alphons Potters I don't mind at all. I've watched your channel many times for the reviews of the Chinese retro systems. I'd be honoured.

Alphons Potters · Mar 3, 2019

dcuk7 said:
@Alphons Potters I don't mind at all. I've watched your channel many times for the reviews of the Chinese retro systems. I'd be honoured.

Ok this is really funny and accidental haha.
I hope to get the machine in 4-5 days and will try things out and later this month will make the video's with mine buddy.

dcuk7 · Mar 3, 2019

So, I have two of these units in front of me, one flashed with the new update with stock Genesis GX Plus and one with the previous firmware running PicoDrive.

The new firmware with GX Plus fixes virtually all the sound glitches (such as the harsh sound of the rings in Sonic 1/2/3/3K) but I have noticed that it still has some audio lag. This is easy tested with a Sonic game. Collect a ring or hit a spring and watch as the animation happens, the sound does not play instantly. Doing the same on the old firmware running PicoDrive has virtually no audio lag.

The issue with the PicoDrive firmware though is that the sound will sometimes be slightly choppy (Sonic 2 title screen music for example). This makes the emulation run slower. Running both units side by side with the game synced on both (again, I used Sonic 2 for this test), I let the demo/attact mode run. Every pass of the title screen made the PicoDrive unit run slightly behind. After a 5 or so minutes the PicoDrive unit was a good 1-2 seconds behind.

I've run both units through my 4K Sony TV and my Samsung 4K computer monitor to make sure that the audio lag on the GX Plus version wasn't down to my AV setup but I hear it on both monitors. Anyone else notice this?

I'm going to stick with playing on the PicoDrive version for now. Even though the audio is sometimes choppy (thus slowing the emulator down) trying to collect Blue Spheres in Sonic 3K with the GX Plus audio lag drives me insane!

Edit: I should note that the choppy audio on the PicoDrive firmware is not the fault of PicoDrive. I've tested this on my PC running PicoDrive and the audio is fine.

Alphons Potters · Mar 3, 2019

dcuk7: But you mean the audio will go out of sync more and more after a while with the Picodrive? That is also not very good. I would prefer the GX version more than.
Does the audio lag only happen with the Sonic games or with more Genesis / Mega Drive games?

custom firmware for sega flashback 2018

Member

Well-Known Member

Member

Well-Known Member

Member

Well-Known Member

Member

@!#?@!

Member

Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Developer

Active Member

Developer

Active Member

Similar threads

Popular threads in this forum