Homebrew A5200DS - Improved

[djleviticus]

Im also a fan of the Commodore 64 computer, such a shame you can't properly run that ona DSi

 

[wavemotion]

Im also a fan of the Commodore 64 computer, such a shame you can't properly run that ona DSi

Anything is possible

It's just time and effort really... is there a semi-functional C64 emulator for the DS that I could start with as a base? I'm less keen on starting from scratch, but I'd be somewhat interested if there was a half-functional emulator that I could use as a baseline and improve.

 

[banjo2]

is there a semi-functional C64 emulator for the DS that I could start with as a base?

https://www.gamebrew.org/wiki/FrodoDS

 

[wavemotion]

https://www.gamebrew.org/wiki/FrodoDS

Ah! Right... I forgot about FrodoDS... I actually did get the source code loaded on my development system but it wouldn't compile - I think it's expecting some ancient version of LIBNDS... I left it to work on 'someday'... maybe I'll dust it off. If I could get it to build with latest LIBNDS and tools and run on the DS, I can definitely improve it.

 

[djleviticus]

oooo you would make my year if you could improve that

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there was an updated version done, ill see if i can find a link

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https://gbatemp.net/download/frodods-spinal-build.11713/

I think this is it

 

[wavemotion]

That's definitely a newer build! It still doesn't run right on my DSi but perhaps the code is closer to the more modern libnds toolset. Do you know if the sources were ever released for this "Spinal" build?

 

[banjo2]

That's definitely a newer build! It still doesn't run right on my DSi but perhaps the code is closer to the more modern libnds toolset. Do you know if the sources were ever released for this "Spinal" build?

You could maybe ask spinal_cord, looks like he was online a couple of hours ago

 

[djleviticus]

That's definitely a newer build! It still doesn't run right on my DSi but perhaps the code is closer to the more modern libnds toolset. Do you know if the sources were ever released for this "Spinal" build?

I really don't know sorry

 

[wavemotion]

Version 3.0 is released: https://github.com/wavemotion-dave/A5200DS

V3.0 : 04-Nov-2021
* New sound core to eliminate zingers.
* 5200.rom bios can be in /roms/bios or /data/bios

Mostly I'm on a cleanup pass of the older emulators I've worked on... I've ported over the Nintellivision sound handling code to eliminate the Zingers in the Atari 5200/800 core. I'll get out a new XEGS-DS build soon but for now, the A5200DS is zinger-free.

I also took this opportunity to allow the bios files to reside in alternate directories... with all these emulators, there are a growing number of BIOS files and the OCD in me wants them all in one clean directory

 

[wavemotion]

Version 3.1 is released: https://github.com/wavemotion-dave/A5200DS

V3.1 : 30-Nov-2021

• Switched to maxmod audio library for improved sound.
• Try to start in /roms or /roms/a5200 if possible

To mirror the release of XEGS-DS 2.8 - the new maxmod streaming audio library is in for the red-headed stepchild of the 8-bit consoles!

 

[ber71]

Lol you uploaded the new binaries to the A7800DS repository hehe

 

[wavemotion]

Ha! Lack of sleep will do that do ya

I removed the erroneous upload and added 3.1 to the proper repository...

 

[wavemotion]

Version 3.3 is released: https://github.com/wavemotion-dave/A5200DS

It's been a year and a half

V3.3 : 30-Apr-2023

• Improved screen blend so it leaves less visible artifacts.
• Improved sound mute so it eliminates most of the little pops.
• Built with latest libnds to keep things fresh.

Edit: had to put out quick 3.3a with a fix for the sound because... derp.

 

[wavemotion]

Version 3.4 is released: https://github.com/wavemotion-dave/A5200DS

V3.4 : 01-May-2023

• Another frame or two of performance from memory optmizations.
• Removed lots of obsoleted code to streamline the build.
• Added a new DSi special build that will finally run Bosconian at full speed with speech as long as you are in DSi (2x CPU) mode.
• Added tweaks and support for latest homebrew carts like Rob-N-Banks.

Okay... I hit this emulator hard yesterday. I gutted almost 20K of unused code and optimized what was left to gain a bit more speed. I've added a new DSi build that uses a different way of fetching memory that causes a 10% performance hit on non-bankswitching carts (but the DSi had that to spare) but gives a huge speed increase to bankswitching carts such that the Mighty Bosconian will play full speed with speech. You will want to search atariage for the 1.5f version of Bosconian for the 5200 and grab the 128K (AtariMax SD) version.

I'm planning on a rebrand of XEGS-DS to A8DS. I'm trying to get my ds994a keyboard designer to work on a nice Atari 800 keyboard layout for that.

 

[CrashMidnick]

Thanks Dave !

 

[wavemotion]

Version 3.5 is released! https://github.com/wavemotion-dave/A5200DS

V3.5 : 05-Jan-2024

• Major cleanup across the board - a few more frames of performance and many games on the older DS-Lite will now run full speed without frameskip.
• Touch of paint on the main emulation screen to make the console buttons a bit more prominent.
• New X button handling on the games that utilize more than 192 vertical pixels to smooth scroll upper/lower areas of the screen (usually just status/score in those areas so pressing the X button to bring them momentarily into view works fine).
• About 50 new homebrews and hacks added to the internal database (up to 240 games now).

 

[Indy13]

Hi Dave, thx for the V3.6, just tested yesterday, it works fine

 

[wavemotion]

Hi Dave, thx for the V3.6, just tested yesterday, it works fine

Thanks Indy! Yeah, I had a few more tweaks I wanted to release right after 3.5 ... didn't feel like spamming the group especially as posts tend to get auto-merged (grr!).

I'm enjoying playing some of the classics on the 5200...

 

[wavemotion]

Version 3.7 has been released: https://github.com/wavemotion-dave/A5200DS

V3.7 : 30-Jan-2025 by wavemotion-dave

• New banking handling so we only move pointers - not blocks of memory. Renders all 5200 Super Banked games playable.
• New NTSC palette from Trebor's Pro Palette (NTSC_LUM1_HOT 5200) for more accurate color rendering.
• Added 5200 512K Super Cart banking (we already had 64K and 128K).
• Improved Pokey emulation (around the random scanline start value - fixes one Acid800 test).
• Improved keypad debounce for Star Raiders.
• Improved sound handling to reduce pops/clicks. Increased the sample rate on the DSi for improved fidelity.

Fairly massive reworking of the memory handler to allow banked memory to no longer have to move around large blocks of cartridge space. This allows games like Bounty Bob Strikes Back to be playable at full speed even on the older DS units.

I've done this without sacrificing speed on the older handhelds by creating two memory cores that can be swapped out - one for when the entire cart space and memory is kept within the 64K and the other for carts that require banking (40K and up). I also added the biggest 512K Super Cart banking.

For the DSi users - the sound is improved across the board. Generally things are running quite well - not perfect, but it was time for a fresh coat of paint.

 

[wavemotion]

V3.8 : 02-Feb-2025 by wavemotion-dave

• Fixed banking so games like Dropzone properly render lower screen graphics (moonscape).
• Improved 64K banking for games that only sparingly swap banks - these can now use the faster CPU core driver (renders Dropzone and Laser Hawk full speed on older DS-Lite hardware)
• More CPU optimizations to improve speed slightly.
• More games are now running full speed on the DS-Lite - Vanguard is now playable!
• Latest hacks from the A5200 forums on Atariage have been added to the internal database.

As is traditional... I put out a big release, and people find bugs within 24 hours

So a cleanup release! And found a bit of extra speed to help DS-Phat/Lit users. Many games are no longer using any frameskip - should be really clean rendering. And those that were using frameskip - many are now using a lighter version of frameskip (showing 7 out of 8 frames). All steps in the right direction.

Sorry about the quick turnaround. I guess it's better than going dormant for another year on this one