Homebrew Large NeoGeo games support and CPS3 tests

xaviersaverio · Feb 20, 2019

@Wiimpathy Thanks again for your work. I'm using your FBA-VM R5 and am enjoying NeoGeo games on my CRT TV with genuine scanlines

By the way, I found that the best screen resolution setting for my setup is 384x224. This is the closest to NeoGeo hardware resolution and shows as full screen without tearing.

Now I would like to get the same fun with arcade games and since I'm new to emulation on Wii, I have a question:
What should I do in order to play CPS1, CPS2 and some other arcade games like R-Type?

Should I simply pick up from RetroArch 1.7.5 stable realease (as I understand your R5 is based on that) the fbalpha2012_cps1_libretro_wii.dol, fbalpha2012_cps2_libretro_wii.dol & fbalpha2012_libretro_wii.dol (or maybe mame2000_libretro_wii.dol) cores and copy to my apps\retroarch-wii folder on my SD card?

or

Should I rather put the A to G mame2003-plus_core.dol files from your MAME2003-WII-0.2 release in my current folder? And what to do for CPS1 & CPS2 games?

or

As I think I understood putting all these cores in the same folder may result in issues, I should use multiple instances of retroarch i.e. one with your FBA-VM R5 for NeoGeo, one other with MAME2003-WII-0.2 for most arcade games and one other for CPS1 & CPS2 games?

SieKensou · Feb 20, 2019

No, it doesn't. In my opinion NeoGeo and NeoGeoCD are different systems and I don't think the same core should support both systems... In any case, it should be a specific core for NeoGeo CD, separated from the NeoGeo AES/MVS core. Specially knowing that every kb is very important in this release.

Ericsonanzois · Feb 20, 2019

Wiimpathy said:
I suppose you're launching retroarch from Hombrew channel.

Yes.

Wiimpathy said:
Not my business but if you have an sd card why do you want to launch R5 dol from usb?

In SD card there is a R3 version that is running perfectly. Im afraid in delete the early version and put the R5 with no sure that is 100% running (This is the case).
If you want i can create a "video" showing the problem.
I Suppose (stupid supposition) that the R5 version not is creating the cache files.
I verified the R3 and there is some "cache" file from titles that i played.

SieKensou · Feb 20, 2019

Ericsonanzois said:
I verified the R3 and there is some "cache" file from titles that i played.

You need to put the cache folder with the cache files in the R5 folder (inside of the folder called "system"). Check in the directories options if it's set right...
The error you are having means that the emulator doesn't find the cache files.

Ericsonanzois · Feb 21, 2019

SieKensou said:
Check in the directories options if it's set right...

Checked.

SieKensou said:
You need to put the cache folder with the cache files in the R5 folder (inside of the folder called "system").

The version that i did download R5 not have the cache files. The retroarch not would have create itself the cache files? Because i verified the cache files created by R3 with no any action mine.

SieKensou · Feb 21, 2019

Ericsonanzois said:
The version that i did download R5 not have the cache files. The retroarch not would have create itself the cache files? Because i verified the cache files created by R3 with no any action mine.

No, the cache files are not included with the emulator or the roms. You have to create the cache files with the program "romcvn" of the first post. But if you said that the games worked in the old version, that means that you already have the cache files. If you have them, just put them in the right directory. If you haven't them, you will have to create them again and put them in the right directory.

Ericsonanzois · Feb 21, 2019

SieKensou said:
No, the cache files are not included with the emulator or the roms. You have to create the cache files with the program "romcvn" of the first post. But if you said that the games worked in the old version, that means that you already have the cache files. If you have them, just put them in the right directory. If you haven't them, you will have to create them again and put them in the right directory.

AH! Perfectly clear to me now. So not is enough only download the FBA-VM_R5.zip. I need create the cache files.

SieKensou said:
But if you said that the games worked in the old version

Well, this old version i did download not directly but from site that configured everything.
I only put the files in dir correct according with a tutorial and voilá everything already there.
In R5 case im doing manually.
Thanks for all support

Wiimpathy · Feb 21, 2019

Thanks @SieKensou

It's the type of question that make the developpers crazy. Ok, I know a lot don't care about a boring Readme. But what isn't clear with this sentence :
First, you need to convert your games on your computer with the Rom converter.

It takes literally days of work to code and test this stuff. I also try to write concise and clear instructions. So please be nice with me and other devs and just take 5 minutes to read.

Ericsonanzois · Feb 21, 2019

Ok. Cache files created. R5 running perfectly and with faster performance. Dreaming with better performance in CPS3. I know that will make developpers crazy but i believe.

Wiimpathy · Feb 21, 2019

rogerioronin said:
Does the "R5" revision support Neo Geo CD?

No, it doesn't. The code is there but incomplete. The more recent https://github.com/libretro/fbalpha has neogeo CD but no Wii version. I've let the possiblity to backport the code in fbalpha2012_neogeo. But I doubt it happens.

xaviersaverio said:
@Wiimpathy
Now I would like to get the same fun with arcade games and since I'm new to emulation on Wii, I have a question:
What should I do in order to play CPS1, CPS2 and some other arcade games like R-Type?

For CPS1 CPS2 : fbalpha2012_cps1_libretro_wii.dol, fbalpha2012_cps2_libretro_wii.dol. There's also a mame capcom core to play the few games unplayable in fba. Look in the mame2003 thread.
For R-type : mame2003
Other games : fba or mame

Here's FBA Compatibility list.

But yeah, you can't easily mix versions.

I've been asked what does 'Reduce memory cache' means. It just uses less Ram for Garou,mslug3, kof2000 and kof2003 in the Virtual manager. 256kB vs 1MB for other games. This value also seems to impact loading times. It doesn't change anything in practice, you still need the cache files. To be honest, I still don't fully understand this part of code.

About cps3 performance one can dream. The frameskip can improve it a bit but it's not really enjoyable either.

niuus · Feb 21, 2019

Wiimpathy said:
Ok, here's an update for the NeoGeo core :

FBA-VM_NEOGEO R5

- Better loading time. Around 27s for KOF2003 now, it was 40s before.
- Display a simple loading bar.
- Reduce memory cache for the largest games.
- Conditional define for NeoGeoCD in case of backporting recent FBA changes.
- Remove/disable remnants only used for other FBA drivers.

I've made a pull request so that it's available in the daily builds. But, with the latest Retroarch there are more unexpected black screens when starting games. The R5 dol is from january 22 and it's working rather well. It's based on this commit : https://github.com/libretro/RetroArch/tree/26ea9d9f0ccb66176b4986cf382a647ce4e01fc5
Right now, I don't feel like testing every commits to see when it happens. I put this here as a reminder or warning in case I quit.

Thanks for the new version, Wiimpathy. The loading bar is a perfect touch, besides the better loading times. This surely is a welcome build

xaviersaverio · Feb 22, 2019

Thanks @Wiimpathy. So you're saying we can't easily mix versions and I don't want to use Wiiflow with plugins, so I assume I need to use 2 different versions of RetroArch, right?
If yes then how can I put 2 versions on my SD card since there will be 2 retroarch-wii folders in my apps folder with 2 different boot.dol files?

Sorry for my questions but I'm not familiar at all with multi-core emulation, especially on Wii.

Wiimpathy · Feb 22, 2019

There aren't necessarily issues with different versions. Just something to take into account to avoid bugs due to changes, incompatible options etc.
Anyway, if you only use Homebrew Channel there shouldn't be any problems with the latest stable: https://buildbot.libretro.com/stable/1.7.6/nintendo/wii/RetroArch.7z

With the boot.dol that comes with fbaneo R5, you can copy all the cores you want in /apps/retroarch-wii. Then you select 'Load core', you chose the dol, fbalpha2012_cps1_libretro_wii for example and 'Load content' as usual.
As long as you don't use ancient retroarch versions...

Note that there are workarounds such as hex editing the core dol and changing 'retroarch.cfg' to something else.

xaviersaverio · Feb 22, 2019

Great! Thank you. I'll do that.

One thing I've noticed and wanted to share with everyone is that it's actually possible to use the Wii U Pro Controller on the Wii to play RetroArch games with a much better D-pad than on the Wiimote or the Gamecube controller. I didn't want to get a Wii classic controller as having to plug it to the Wiimote just doesn't make sense for me as I'm afraid it may drop from my desk and break.

Most of you may already know but I'll share just in case.
No need to use Nintendont to sync the Wii U Pro Controller to the Wii. Here's what I've done and it worked perfectly with fbaneo R5 (not tested on other cores for the moment):

- While in Wii system menu, press the red sync button at the bottom of the Wii U Pro Controller
- Press the red sync button on the Wii console
- Wait a bit. After blinking for a few seconds, blue leds on the controller will turn off. Don't worry, it's actually synced
- Use your Wiimote to launch RetroArch via Homebrew Channel
- Once in RetroArch, just press any of A, B, X or Y button on the Wii U Pro Controller to wake it up (second blue led should turn on)
- Now you have the Wiimote for player 1 and the Wii U Pro Controller for player 2
- You can switch the order by going to Settings/Input/Input User 1 Binds and select Classic Controller in User 1 Device Index (yes, Wii U Pro Controller is being recognized as Classic Controller)
- Do the same procedure for player 2 and assign the Wiimote or whatever other controller you're using

Enjoy great gameplay with a wonderful D-pad!!!

comokepa · Feb 22, 2019

xaviersaverio said:
By the way, I found that the best screen resolution setting for my setup is 384x224. This is the closest to NeoGeo hardware resolution and shows as full screen without tearing.

Interesting. I do not have a CRT to test myself, but original NeoGeo purportedly always displays 320×224, with different games filling up all or only part of that, the rest becoming black filler columns. Yet, I have read that for 240p on the Wii only double horizontal resolutions make sense. Isn’t that the case with your CRT setup?

I’d like to know because I am setting up an SD card for a friend who does have a modded Wii connected to a CRT but he is not into tinkering himself, and I’d like to nail the settings as much as possible before actually being able to touch his setup.

xaviersaverio · Feb 22, 2019

@comokepa
I've not tested double horizontal resolution as it would be 640x480 pixels and it won't probably be possible in Progressive mode on my CRT since it's a regular 4/3 50/60 Hz european consumer Sony TV set which can display 480i max and I want to stay in Progressive. Plus I'm connected via RGB scart, so I'm limited to 480i.

480p can be displayed via Component cable on last generation consumer TV sets (probably those with 16/9 and 100 Hz screens), some Sony PVM/BVM monitors or PC CRT VGA monitors via an adapter.

xaviersaverio · Feb 22, 2019

I've just tested 640x480 and 640x240 on my CRT and it's blurry.

384x224 is much better as it's sharp and has scan lines.

niuus · Feb 23, 2019

xaviersaverio said:
I've just tested 640x480 and 640x240 on my CRT and it's blurry.

384x224 is much better as it's sharp and has scan lines.

Usually, unless it's a perfect multiple, it will be blurry.

comokepa · Feb 23, 2019

Double horizontal resolution would be 640×224.

xaviersaverio said:
I've just tested 640x480 and 640x240 on my CRT and it's blurry.

384x224 is much better as it's sharp and has scan lines.

comokepa · Feb 23, 2019

comokepa said:
Double horizontal resolution would be 640×224.

Do note that someone in the thread I linked to above about Retroarch for Wii resolutions for NeoGeo recommends 640×224 for some games and 608×224 for others. I do not understand how that fits with the argument that all NeoGeo games render onto a surface of 320×224 (therefore 640×224 when doubling horizontal resolution), with filler blacks when smaller, though.

Homebrew Large NeoGeo games support and CPS3 tests

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Popular threads in this forum