DCEmu Homebrew, Hacking, Emulation, Gaming and Theme Park News.

Project Lunar v1.0.5 NOW AVAILABLE!

by

Published on April 1st, 2020 13:11

Categories:
Genesis News

Project Lunar is a fully fledged modification tool for the SEGA Mega Drive / GENESIS Mini. It allows users to add games, mods and ports whilst also including a large array of extra features and quality of life improvements. It consists of an on console payload and bespoke desktop application for the PC and is extremely easy to use.

Project Lunar feature list

Add your own selection of SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis roms to your console with use on the stock UI
Manage your games, mods and configs via purpose built desktop PC application
Full NAND backups before any customisation
RetroArch bundled with Genesis GX Plus & PicoDrive. (MS,GG,MD,32X, MEGA CD support) (Also capable of playing other consoles by adding additional RetroArch cores)
Performance tweaks and boosts (fix lag issues) (1.0ghz > 1.344ghz, ZRAM compression, DRAM SWAP)
NAND (console only) and USB support
OTG support
exFat, NTFS, FAT32 filesystem support
Extended gamepad compatibility
USB2 and USB3 device support
Customisable boot menu with built-in additional option menu & network manager.
Ability to autoboot to selected boot items. (i.e. boot directly to stock UI)
Additional third-party controller support
Automatic Error recovery system (automatically reload to bootmenu if Stock E error occurs)
Launch boot menu or RetroArch from the Stock UI
EmulationStation support (optional mod package, USB only)
‘Fix’ stock scanlines by toggling smoothing off within stock emulator
Bundled Wi-Fi support (Realtek 8188eu + 8187)
RA MD mini cores downablable via RA using network adapter
RA scraper and EmulationStation scrapers work using network adapter
SSH/SFTP via RDNIS support
Boot menu, splashscreen and music are all customisable
Additional mod package support

Project Lunar Desktop App features

Easy to use interface to allow installation/removal of PL on console, and console management.
Bulk addition of ROMS
Zipped ROM support (.zip)
New MegaDrive/Genesis games integration is totally seamless in stock UI, with a scraping function providing description, cover art, spine, release year, developer, players, icons, etc. for (almost) every game.
Automatic IPS patching within desktop app
ScreenScraper, TheGameDB scraper support. (Scrape all the details, cover art, and metadata for your games online when adding them)
Automatic spine art generator. If spine art doesn’t exist, PL will generate it for you
Mod management. List, add and remove consoles mod via the mod management tool
Customise stock UI/Emulator features
Interactive assistant to assist users with the install of Project Lunar
Easy sync to either NAND or USB
Recovery mode (for console repair situations)
Automatic update checks. Every time game manager is opened, it will check for console updates online.

Project Lunar 1.0 caveats

Bluetooth support is 80% done, however we want to improve support with broadcom bluetooth devices to extend compatibility. Due to this we have delayed releasing it until 1.1
Xinput and SONY HID drivers are bugged. This means xbox based input devices are not properly working and PS4 controllers (when connected with usb) produce lag in the default emulator. This is something that is being worked on and an update will be pushed out when it’s available.
Individual game selection for sync within desktop is not supported within 1.0. It will be added ASAP

Features to come in 1.1 (or) future rolling update

Folder support. Technically we can implement folders as of 1.0, however we want to do it right and integrate it as seamless as possible.
Launch different console games from stock UI
Custom command “executors” per game. Again, executors are available within 1.0 meaning that you can run any emulator, app or command from the stock UI. This can be done via scripts on the command line however desktop integration will be available in 1.1
Bluetooth support
Desktop app sync via Wi-Fi/Ethernet. This is also available as of 1.0 but we want to improve it. It is also capable of handling multiple consoles on the same network.

1.0.5 Project Lunar feature list

Overhauled Stock Savestates (fixed some flaws with the stock M2 code in terms of save states. This is important as it allows for proper folder integration moving forward. We have also laid the foundation work so we can manipulate the SRAMs in the future)
Added Desktop UI executor support. This allows you to run any console emulator from the stock UI. When adding a game, you can select what RA core you wish to use to run it. We also extended the scraper support to allow for all consoles. This means you can now add problematic Mega Drive games to run via RA like Hyperstone Heist or add 32x and Mega CD iso games to the stock UI.
If scraped box art is horizontal (i.e. SNES EU/US box art) rotate it automatically so it fits better on the stock UI
Added .7z compressed rom support. (You can add .7z roms)
Added compress rom addition support. When adding

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BlastEm v0.6.3 pre (2020/03/29)

by

wraggster

Published on March 30th, 2020 14:04

Categories:
Genesis News

BlastEm v0.6.3 pre (2020/03/29) is released. BlastEm has the goal of being an extremely accurate Genesis emulator while still running on relatively modest hardware by using advanced techniques. Currently it meets neither my accuracy nor performance goals, but those goals are pretty high. Speed and accuracy should be sufficient for most purposes. It runs at full speed on an old first generation Intel Atom and can run Sonic 2 at around 600 fps on a Haswell desktop using a single core. To my knowledge, it is the only emulator besides Genesis Plus GX that can properly display the "TITAN 512C FOREVER" portion of Titan's Overdrive demo, and the only emulator besides Exodus that passes all 122 of the tests in Nemesis' VDP FIFO Testing ROM and can properly display "Direct Color DMA" demos.

BlastEm Features:
* savestates
* integrated debugger
* GDB remote debugging
* joystick/gamepad support
* Mega/Sega Mouse support
* save RAM and EEPROM support
* Sonic & Knuckles lock-on
* turbo and slow modes
* configurable low pass filter
* single pass GLSL shaders (though there are no interesting ones presently)

https://www.retrodev.com/blastem/

http://www.emucr.com/2020/03/blastem...-20200329.html ...

Arkagis Revolution (Commercial) (Genesis Game)

by

wraggster

Published on March 18th, 2020 22:03

Categories:
Genesis News

Arkagis Revolution is a new action game for Sega Genesis/Mega Drive with mode-7 like rotation. You play as Lyn, a pilot from the rebels in the Martian nation of Arkagis, in an attempt to free Arkagis from the control of the United Space Colonies. The game is now ready for pre-order by Broke Studios for 45$, excluding shipping. Shipping will happen sometime in May.

Unique features:

* Mode-7 style rotation at full framerate
* Cutscenes featuring voice acting
* Supports 3-button pad, 6-button pad, mouse and/or keyboard
* Available in English, French and Spanish
* Saves progress through 6-digit passwords

https://pdroms.de/sega-genesis-megad...l-genesis-game

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BlastEm v0.6.3 pre (2020/02/03)

by

wraggster

Published on February 9th, 2020 11:36

Categories:
Genesis News

BlastEm v0.6.3 pre (2019/10/10) is released. BlastEm has the goal of being an extremely accurate Genesis emulator while still running on relatively modest hardware by using advanced techniques. Currently it meets neither my accuracy nor performance goals, but those goals are pretty high. Speed and accuracy should be sufficient for most purposes. It runs at full speed on an old first generation Intel Atom and can run Sonic 2 at around 600 fps on a Haswell desktop using a single core. To my knowledge, it is the only emulator besides Genesis Plus GX that can properly display the "TITAN 512C FOREVER" portion of Titan's Overdrive demo, and the only emulator besides Exodus that passes all 122 of the tests in Nemesis' VDP FIFO Testing ROM and can properly display "Direct Color DMA" demos.

BlastEm Features:
* savestates
* integrated debugger
* GDB remote debugging
* joystick/gamepad support
* Mega/Sega Mouse support
* save RAM and EEPROM support
* Sonic & Knuckles lock-on
* turbo and slow modes
* configurable low pass filter
* single pass GLSL shaders (though there are no interesting ones presently)

https://www.retrodev.com/blastem/

http://www.emucr.com/2020/02/blastem...-20200203.html ...

Early Sonic 3 prototype found, features major differences to the final game

by

wraggster

Published on November 17th, 2019 21:59

Categories:
Genesis News

Previously, Hidden Palace and The Cutting Room Floor announced their "Sonic Month" event, where documentation on never before seen Sonic the Hedgehog prototypes would be unveiled, courtesy of drx. The first handful of prototypes to be shown were of Sonic CD, followed by some early versions of Sonic Chaos and Sonic 2. Today, yet another prototype has been revealed, and this could be the most important one yet. An early build of Sonic 3, dated November 3, 1993, has been dumped, with lots of content to discover within its code.
- Booting the ROM brings up a WIP version of the title screen, featuring a completely different looking sprite of Sonic from the final build. Sonic also features his older sprite set from Sonic 2, surfboarding onto Angel Island instead of hopping off the Tornado and going Super Sonic as he does in the completed version. There is also no insta-shield, however, there is something entirely unexpected: a move that is almost identical to Sonic Mania's Drop Dash. By jumping in the air, and holding up+jump, Sonic will spindash the moment he lands. It also appears that Sonic would have other unique moves, as there is unused code present for an "air dash" attack, and a ring throw ability, where he could attack badniks with them.
  
  https://gbatemp.net/threads/early-so...l-game.552377/

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BlastEm v0.6.3 pre (2019/10/10)

by

wraggster

Published on October 22nd, 2019 20:44

Categories:
Genesis News

BlastEm v0.6.3 pre (2019/10/10) is released. BlastEm has the goal of being an extremely accurate Genesis emulator while still running on relatively modest hardware by using advanced techniques. Currently it meets neither my accuracy nor performance goals, but those goals are pretty high. Speed and accuracy should be sufficient for most purposes. It runs at full speed on an old first generation Intel Atom and can run Sonic 2 at around 600 fps on a Haswell desktop using a single core. To my knowledge, it is the only emulator besides Genesis Plus GX that can properly display the "TITAN 512C FOREVER" portion of Titan's Overdrive demo, and the only emulator besides Exodus that passes all 122 of the tests in Nemesis' VDP FIFO Testing ROM and can properly display "Direct Color DMA" demos.

BlastEm Features:
* savestates
* integrated debugger
* GDB remote debugging
* joystick/gamepad support
* Mega/Sega Mouse support
* save RAM and EEPROM support
* Sonic & Knuckles lock-on
* turbo and slow modes
* configurable low pass filter
* single pass GLSL shaders (though there are no interesting ones presently)

https://www.retrodev.com/blastem/
https://www.emucr.com/2019/10/blaste...-20191010.html ...

Retail Clerk ’89 (August 2019) (Genesis Game)

by

wraggster

Published on September 12th, 2019 20:16

Categories:
Genesis News

Hugues Johnson got in touch with us again to point at his final version of his Sega Genesis game Retail Clerk ’89.
Retail Clerk ’89 started as a personal exercise to learn Sega Genesis programming. It’s now a complete, albeit short, game demo. Although originally inspired by Phantasy Star II and III it morphed into more of an interactive fiction / casual adventure game.
Unless you find bugs and let Hugues know, this might be the final release.+

https://pdroms.de/sega-genesis-megad...9-genesis-game ...

Shadowrun 2058

by

wraggster

Published on August 19th, 2019 22:31

Categories:
Genesis News

Shadowrun by Sega Genesis, is an action and RPG game based on the popular PnP role-playing game Shadowrun. This series combines the classic fantastic elements of role-playing games with cyberpunk element, mixing magic with the matrix, achieving a unique gameplay.
There are two versions of Shadowrun in the 16 bit generation, which as it is easy to deduce, are the 1993 Nintendo version and the 1994 SEGA version. The main difference between both productions, is that the SEGA version delves more into the Shadowrun universe, allowing a nonlinear free-style gameplay with a narrative more typical of a role-playing game. Also, it offers the opportunity to test some the characteristics features of the franchise such as forming a team with different archetypes, buying and accessorize firearms, make a powerful spell book, installing cybernetic improvements called cyberwear on your characters, hacking the matrix with a fully upgrade cyberdeck, and above all, the great opportunity to realize a Shadowrun!
There is nothing wrong with the Nintendo version, but if you are a fan of RPGs you probably want to try the SEGA version.
Some flaws that some people mention in the original version of Sega are that some missions can be somewhat repetitive, and the punishing difficulty for the reason that it is not easy to progress in the game, since the money and experience points rewards are low; also the combat can be sometimes difficult since, although there is a very decent arsenal, in practice it is reduced to one or two useful weapons.
The main objective of this new hack, Shadowrun 2058, is to eliminate these drawbacks and at the same time get closer to the original rules of Shadowrun second edition, which is the generation on which this game is based. Some of the improvements offered by this new installment are: better rewards for fulfilled missions, total review of weapons and armor allowing more fluid and less frustrating combats, cheaper and more accessible objects and improvements, and many other improvements detailed in the project page.
If you ever played Shadowrun and you didn’t like it because of the aforementioned flaws, or maybe you really liked but you expected some things to improve, the hack developer hope you give it a second chance and now you enjoy a more complete experience this time you run in the shadows!

https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/4116/ ...

The Sega Mega Drive Mini has been delayed slightly for Europe

by

wraggster

Published on July 30th, 2019 21:24

Categories:
Genesis News

If you're in Europe, you're going to have to wait just a little while longer for the Sega Mega Drive Mini. Sega has delayed the release of their classic mini console by two weeks, citing "unavoidable logistical challenges". Now, the system will launch on October 4th, while North America will receive the Genesis Mini on September 19th. Also included in the delay are any Middle Eastern territories. When the Mega Drive Mini does release, it'll come with 42 different games, such as Sonic 1 and 2, Shining Force, Road Rash 2, Castle of Illusion, a never before released port of Darius, Comix Zone, and more, along with two controllers.

Full list of Genesis Mini games
Sonic The Hedgehog
Ecco The Dolphin
Castlevania: The New Generation
Space Harrier 2
Shining Force
Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
ToeJam & Earl
Comix Zone
Altered Beast
Gunstar Heroes
Castle Of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
World Of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse And Donald Duck
Thunder Force III
Super Fantasy Zone
Shinobi III
Streets Of Rage II
Earthworm Jim
Sonic The Hedgehog 2
Probotector Landstalker
Mega Man: The Wily Wars
Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition
Ghouls ‘n Ghosts Alex Kidd In The Enchanted Castle
Story Of Thor
Golden Axe
Phantasy Star IV: The End Of The Millennium
Sonic The Hedgehog Spinball
Vectorman
Wonder Boy In Monster World
Tetris
Darius
Road Rash II
Strider
Virtua Fighter 2
Alisia Dragoon
Kid Chameleon
Monster World IV
Eternal Champions
Columns
Dynamite Headdy
Light Crusader

Source

https://gbatemp.net/threads/the-sega...europe.544743/

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Sega Mega Drive Mini will launch September 19

by

wraggster

Published on April 1st, 2019 17:36

Categories:
Genesis News

The Sega Mega Drive Mini will launch on September 19 this year, in both North America and European territories.
The self-contained console will be known as Sega Genesis Mini in North America, and it will ship with 40 games in total.
Sega has confirmed ten of those titles: Ecco the Dolphin, Sonic the Hedgehog, Castlevania: Bloodlines, Space Harrier 2, Shining Force, Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, ToeJam & Earl, Comix Zone, Altered Beast and Gunstar Heroes.
The hardware will ship with two wired, USB controllers, and it will be priced at $79.99 in the US, £69.99 in the UK, and €79.99 in Europe.
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articl...h-september-19 ...