ROM Hack [Release] PS1 Forwarder Creator

Zense

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Is the 13/10 build ok though? I heard many people were having issues with the first few builds, a lot of crashing.
The latest stable 1.7.9 crashes more and has some more issues. I can't speak out of experience of the 13/10 build but generally they've become more stable. Plus they have redbook audio support (like Rayman etc.)
 

Jmbenetti

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Thanks a lot! This is beautiful. I battled with retroarch problems everytime I made a manual install on my system. Could this be done for mame2003 games for making CIAs of arcade games not supported on FBA?

WARNING: NEW 3DS ONLY
OLD 3DS IS TOO WEAK TO EMULATE PS1 AT PLAYABLE SPEEDS


View attachment 182592

Current version: 1.6
PCSX-Rearmed version: Oct 13, 2019 nightly
v1.6
- initial release

Description:
With this tool you'll be able to make independent Retroarch cias for your favorite PS1 games using the PCSX-Rearmed core without having to install Retroarch or anything besides the generated cia.

Usage:
Only PBP files are supported, there are some emulator options you can change.
A bios is not required, but is highly recommended.
To use a bios you need to copy the bios file in the same folder as this program.
Compatible bios files are:
psxonpsp660.bin
scph101.bin
scph5501.bin
scph7001.bin
scph1001.bin

If you copy more than one bios file, the previous list shows the priority order.

If you enable the second memory card this will be created in the sdmc:/retroarch/forwarders folder and will be shared among the games, this is useful for games that can use other games save files (like Resident Evil 2 if you prefer to have the Leon and Claire discs separated).

Key mapping:
The buttons are assigned as follow:
PS1 Cross = 3DS B
PS1 Circle = 3DS A
PS1 Square = 3DS Y
PS1 Triangle = 3DS X
PS1 L1 = 3DS L
PS1 R1 = 3DS R
PS1 L2 = 3DS ZL
PS1 R2 = 3DS ZR
PS1 Start = 3DS Start
PS1 Select = 3DS Select


FAQ:
Q: Why only PBP?
A: PBP files are compressed and can store more than 1 disc. CHD support is planned, but it lacks multidisc support.

Q: How do I create PBP files?
A: You can use PSX2PSP or POPSConv, the internet is full of tutorials about how to use those programs. POPSConv can't create multidisc PBP files though.

Q: How do I change discs?
A: Tap the touchscreen to open the emulator menu and go to the Change Disc option, once there open the disc tray, change the disc number and close the disc tray.

Q: Hey, the Change Disc options isn't there.
A: If the option is missing then the PBP you used only has a single disc.

Q: What is the difference between analog and dualshock?
A: analog refers to the PlayStation Analog Joystick (SCPH-1110) or the Dual Analog Controller (SCPH-1150 or SCPH-1180) with the green led lit (Flighstick mode), while dualshock refers to the DualShock Controller (SCPH-1200) or the Dual Analog Controller with the red led lit.

Q: <insert game name> doesn't run well.
A: Not every game is gonna run full speed, refer to this thread for the compatibility list and advice about how to get better performance.
 

Zense

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what the actual heck
my ps1 dumps are all .bins!!!
Then you'll just have to convert them to .pbp. Truse me it's better because of the speed boost you get ;)

@Sakitoshi Thanks for this great program! I was wondering if it would be possible to have the audio sync as an option? From testing a lot of games, I've found that you get higher fps using that compared to vsync which is very taxing. Btw I didn't know retroarch 3ds had the option to have touchscreen buttons. Does this mean ps1 mouse emulation could be possible if the retroarch people implemented it? That'd be sweet for the couple of point n' click games and real-time strategy games that use it.

EDIT: Just noticed I can easily edit the settings manually myself :yay3ds:
 
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BaconBurg

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Help! When I try to open Crash Team Racing, it just boots me back to the 3ds menu. How do I fix this? I haven't installed any other games yet so I can try those when I finish them, but as of now, it doesn't work.
 

Sakitoshi

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Edit: Also is it possible to access the emulator settings while inside a game?
no, sorry. the options are hidden so it looks more professional. they can only be adjusted when creating the cia.
if you want to easily test settings before creating cias you'll have to use regular retroarch.

Does this work with the new render engine that came out a few weeks ago because this is a game changer if so.
yes, it does. that's the reason I went ahead with this.
I had a prototype before but as the performance was pitiful I left it there.

Is the 13/10 build ok though? I heard many people were having issues with the first few builds, a lot of crashing.
while is not like I carefully selected which nightly to use, I just tested pcsx-rearmed that day and it worked without problems and so I cloned the repo right away. reading a little I found out that a problem with cdda and xa audio was solved some days ago, so it was very good timing.

Help! When I try to open Crash Team Racing, it just boots me back to the 3ds menu. How do I fix this? I haven't installed any other games yet so I can try those when I finish them, but as of now, it doesn't work.
ctr should work just fine if a little slow.
if you are using the official psn pbp that can be the problem, since last time I tried an official pbp it just refused to work.
forgot to test now, I'll add a notice in the op.
 
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Zense

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I've been making some forwarders and I gotta say I really dig this program! Right now there are a couple of settings that would be convenient to have in the program like custom_viewport_width and height that let you choose the specific resolution, since some text heavy games are easier to read with the full 400x240 resolution, even if some consider this stretching heresy. For custom resolution aspect_ratio_index would have to be set to 22.

Next option that is useful is audio_resampler because some games can handle the more taxing "sinc" whereas others are better if set to "nearest". Resampler quality would be nice to have too.

Also a lot of PAL games need an extra game specific .sbi file to be in the same folder to avoid anti piracy. An example is Ape Escape.

Btw I was wondering if there's any reason why audio_driver is set to csnd instead of the usual dsp? Does it become more stable this way because I did notice that it is quite a lot more stable. I was able to finish the first level in Hercules several times without it ever crashing on me.

Again thanks and great work! I hope I don't come off as ungrateful since I'm just trying provide what help I can.
 

kkusagami

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Digimon World 2003 running 60 fps with this build ,thank you so much ,but does it have option for fullscreen resolution?
 

Zense

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Digimon World 2003 running 60 fps with this build ,thank you so much ,but does it have option for fullscreen resolution?
That's what I explained above. Right now if you want full screen resolution you gotta:
1. Go into \PS1 Forwarder Creator\tools\assets_ps1\
2. Open retroarch.cfg in notepad or wordpad.
3. CTRL+F to "custom_viewport_width" and set it to "400"
4. Then go to "custom_viewport_height" and set it to "240"
5. CTRL+F to "aspect_ratio_index" and set it to "22". <- This sets resolution to custom.

PS. This is what the different numbers for aspect ratio mean:
aspect_ratio_index = " " where 0: 4:3 1: 16:9 2: 16:10 3: 16:15 4: 1:1 5: 2:1 6: 3:2 7: 3:4 8: 4:1 9: 4:4 10: 5:4 11: 6:5 12: 7:9 13: 8:3 14: 8:7 15: 19:12 16: 19:14 17: 30:17 18: 32:9 19: config (video_aspect_ratio setting) 20: 10:9 (1:1 PAR) 21: Core Provided 22: Custom
 
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kkusagami

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That's what I explained above. Right now if you want full screen resolution you gotta:
1. Go into \PS1 Forwarder Creator\tools\assets_ps1\
2. Open retroarch.cfg in notepad or wordpad.
3. CTRL+F to "custom_viewport_width" and set it to "400"
4. Then go to "custom_viewport_height" and set it to "240"
5. CTRL+F to "aspect_ratio_index" and set it to "22".
thank you but, where does save file located?
 

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I'm having some issues with the PS1 Forwarder since 1.6 and 1.7 as well.
Some Games are stuck on the Memory Card check, some can't save the progress, therefore relying on save states. Some games cannot even start or they just have a black screen, even though I am using PSX2PSP EBOOTs. Many games are also really choppy. I really like this Forwarder and hopefully you can optimize it more.
 

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Hi OP, thanks for your work this is awesome. I just have a question about the options that are available when making an inject.

In the compatibility thread/spreadsheet, lots of games have the same settings suggested:
Compatibility Thread said:
Both video & audio vsync disabled
Dithering disabled
Frameskip 1

Compatibility Spreadsheet said:
Video/ audio V-sync & dithering disabled. Frameskip 1 and low audio quality.

I've found 3 of the options - Vertical Sync (Vsync), Frameskip and Enable Dithering but don't see an option for either Audio Sync or Low Audio Quality? There's the sound interpolation setting but I'm not sure what that does.

Thanks for all your work
 

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Zense

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Hi OP, thanks for your work this is awesome. I just have a question about the options that are available when making an inject.

In the compatibility thread/spreadsheet, lots of games have the same settings suggested:




I've found 3 of the options - Vertical Sync (Vsync), Frameskip and Enable Dithering but don't see an option for either Audio Sync or Low Audio Quality? There's the sound interpolation setting but I'm not sure what that does.

Thanks for all your work
Setting sound interpolation off will give you an fps boost normally. Gaussian is pretty demanding. Using the speakers you probably won't hear a difference anyways.
Audio sync should be easily found in the retroarch config. It's always enabled and should always be unless you can use vsync and prefer that. Some 2d games are runnable with both. Like Bomberman World.

I'm not sure where low audio quality is. Maybe you have to set the frequency manually cuz I've found that option.
 
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purplegreendave

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Setting sound interpolation off will give you an fps boost normally. Gaussian is pretty demanding. Using the speakers you probably won't hear a difference anyways.
Audio sync should be easily found in the retroarch config. It's always enabled and should always be unless you can use vsync and prefer that. Som 2d games are runnable with both. Like Bomberman World.

I'm not sure where low audio quality is. Maybe you have to set the frequency manually cuz I've found that option.
Thanks, I'll try again with the interpolation off when I get home tonight. Crash Warped was already playable but the cutscenes were a little funky.
 

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I've been using the 1.7 build of this and it's been working quite well! The only major issue I've run into is for some reason Final Fantasy VIII (SLUS00892) is not building at all. I've successfully build VII and IX, as well as many other games, but VIII seems to not generate a file. I see that everything can be loaded in, the program goes through the entire process of injecting and building, but upon finishing there is no resulting .cia file.
 

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even if some consider this stretching heresy.
It is heresy and I will not enable it.

Next option that is useful is audio_resampler because some games can handle the more taxing "sinc" whereas others are better if set to "nearest". Resampler quality would be nice to have too.
Based on my tests that option has negligible performance gains (if any).

Also a lot of PAL games need an extra game specific .sbi file to be in the same folder to avoid anti piracy. An example is Ape Escape.
That's a good call, I'll look into it.
For the time being I believe that there are patches for libcrypt games.

Btw I was wondering if there's any reason why audio_driver is set to csnd instead of the usual dsp? Does it become more stable this way because I did notice that it is quite a lot more stable. I was able to finish the first level in Hercules several times without it ever crashing on me.
There isn't a main reason other than I've always used that, but I observed that dsp requires the 3ds dsp firmware file (that dspfirm.cdc file in the 3ds folder of the sdcard) while csnd does not.

I'm having some issues with the PS1 Forwarder since 1.6 and 1.7 as well.
Some Games are stuck on the Memory Card check, some can't save the progress, therefore relying on save states. Some games cannot even start or they just have a black screen, even though I am using PSX2PSP EBOOTs. Many games are also really choppy. I really like this Forwarder and hopefully you can optimize it more.
Are you perhaps using the disable smc cheks speed hack?
that speed hack is known to break memory card access.
I'll add a notice with the known effect of every speed hack in the next version.

Setting sound interpolation off will give you an fps boost normally. Gaussian is pretty demanding. Using the speakers you probably won't hear a difference anyways.
The difference is night and day that you can easily hear it.
The speed difference between simple, gaussian and cubic is minimal. disabling interpolation yields a small increase in performance, but it so minimal (1 extra fps maximum) compared to the loss in audio quality that you want to leave that option alone unless you desperately need that extra fps and don't mind ruining your ears.

I'm not sure where low audio quality is. Maybe you have to set the frequency manually cuz I've found that option.
Audio resampler quality doesn't exist, I'm using an old version of retroarch from before that option. I'm assuming it's set to "don't care", but I would need to analyze and compare the code with current retroarch.
Audio frequency is set to match the 3ds audio capabilities, I recommend leaving that option alone.

Also, audio sync isn't exposed because you need vsync or audio sync in order for the game to not run past its normal speed and audio sync is the less demanding of the two, so I leave it always on. perhaps I could do it such as if you select to have vsync on, audio sync is set to off and vice versa.
 
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Zense

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It is heresy and I will not enable it.
But have you tried it? :evil: Manually changing the res in the config is simple enough that I don't really care if it gets added, though.


Based on my tests that option has negligible performance gains (if any).

The difference is night and day that you can easily hear it.
The speed difference between simple, gaussian and cubic is minimal. disabling interpolation yields a small increase in performance, but it so minimal (1 extra fps maximum) compared to the loss in audio quality that you want to leave that option alone unless you desperately need that extra fps and don't mind ruining your ears.
Also, audio sync isn't exposed because you need vsync or audio sync in order for the game to not run past its normal speed and audio sync is the less demanding of the two, so I leave it always on. perhaps I could do it such as if you select to have vsync on, audio sync is set to off and vice versa.
I agree about the keeping interpolation on, though, combined with disabling other options it might make the difference between smooth and occasional stutter, since many games do actually play near the edge of 60fps. The sound quality difference is like night and day, I do agree on that. I usually play with proper headphones, so I can very easily tell the difference. Especially if you choose to boot with the bios intro, I'd recommend having some interpolation on, and I especially recommend using sinc and not nearest resampler.

About Vsync and audio sync, I agree. If you can have vsync on then audio sync has no use, as far as I've experienced.

That's a good call, I'll look into it.
For the time being I believe that there are patches for libcrypt games.
Thanks! Yeah I know that pathcing is an option too, though, some of the patches can be hard to find. I was so relieved when I found out you can just have the .sbi files in the same folder and you'd be good to go in retroarch.

Another request, which is a bit more substantial, is to have the possibility to disable lighting. For many games it helps a lot and doesn't come with much noticable problems. For example I just tried Suikoden II and without lighting it ran really smoothly and you would have to know the difference to notice it. The same really goes for in-game in Castlevania SOTN too. The major difference I noticed is that Alucard's shadow goes from blue to just transparent gray and the performance gain is worthwhile. There might have been some difference in the mainmenu that I'm forgetting, but I remember it being playable.

I believe having only lighting as an option should be enough since the fast lighting option probably doesn't change anything when lighting is switched off, and having fast lighting on when using lighting is a must.
 
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JaNDeRPeiCH

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Thank you so much for creating this software.I dont know if the op accepts request but can you please make a linux version of your app?it will be great to have a native app linux of this software.
 

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Thank you so much for this software, it is incredible how well it works but i have a question...i heard that saving from the memory is card is not working very well, how can i fix this and make it work? as some games require loading files from the memory (saving states would not be useful on theses cases)
 

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Are you perhaps using the disable smc cheks speed hack?
that speed hack is known to break memory card access.
I'll add a notice with the known effect of every speed hack in the next version.
I'm not using any hacks whatsoever. It just doesn't save any saves and on Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, the save was said to be used by another game so I think the save is being saved wrong? Also can you fix the choppy performance?
 

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