ZSNES v1.51 Documentation ================================ N a v i g a t i o n ================================ * Index [Index.txt] * Readme [Readme.txt] * GUI [GUI.txt] * Netplay [Netplay.txt] * Advanced Usage [Advanced.txt] * Games [Games.txt] 1. ROMs 2. Compatibility 3. Special-Chip Games 4. Special Cartridges - BS-X (Satellaview) - Super Gameboy 5. Individual Game Issues 6. Games Supported by ManyMouse 7. Multiplayer List * FAQ [FAQ.txt] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - * Getting Support [Support.txt] * History [History.txt] * About [About.txt] * License [License.txt] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - * NSRT Guide: [http://zsnes-docs.sf.net/nsrt] * ZSNES Home Page: [ZSNES.com] ================================================================================ ~ G a m e s ================================================================================ ............................................................ 1. ROMS ............................................................ ** ROMs are not included with ZSNES!!! ** You must find them on your own. Please read Wikipedia's article on ROM Images for a general overview. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ROM_image] In relation to SNES emulation, a "ROM image" is a computer file which is an exact copy of the data that is contained in a 'R'ead 'O'nly 'M'emory chip inside a game cartridge. This file contains the same data that a real SNES console reads from the game cartridge. An SNES emulator loads this ROM into its own memory, very much like how a real SNES operates. A problem appears when you have a ROM image that is not an exact copy of the data on a real SNES cartridge. Many of the ROMs available for download on the Internet are not in fact exact copies of real SNES games. There are a variety of reasons why a ROM that appears to be a real game is not an exact copy of the cartridge data. For example, the ROM may have been incorrectly "dumped" from the cartridge, which can introduce errors. Certain prolific ROM "releasers" will "hack" a ROM to include an introduction that advertises the releaser. Regardless of the reason for an imperfect ROM image, these "bad" ROMs can display errors when they are played in an emulator. Emulator developers generally try to make their emulators work with "good" ROMs; that is, ROMs that are perfect copies of the data on a real game cartridge. The developers of ZSNES in particular are unable to provide any help to people who are using "bad" ROMs. You must use a good ROM if you want any chance of playing an error-free game. We recommend using NSRT to verify that your ROMs are "good" dumps. In some cases, NSRT can actually modify a "bad" ROM in such a way that it becomes a "good" ROM. Please read the documentation included with NSRT for additional information. [http://nsrt.edgeemu.com] ............................................................ 2. Compatibility ............................................................ There are many reasons why a particular ROM may not work correctly with ZSNES. Here is a list of things you can do to improve your chances of a ROM working with ZSNES: * Make sure your ROM is actually a "good dump." Often a ROM appears to be from a particular game/cartridge, but it *is not* in fact a perfect copy of the data on that cartridge. You can use NSRT to scan your ROM and tell you if it is a good dump. In some cases, NSRT can actually modify a "bad" ROM in such a way that it becomes a "good" ROM. * Your ROM may be a game that uses the SuperFX special chip. It may also be "interleaved." ZSNES cannot detect when a ROM is interleaved with the SuperFX interleave method. There is more information about this below, in the Special-Chip Games section under SuperFX. In cases where ZSNES cannot detect a ROM's interleave method, ZSNES will incorrectly report the ROM as -not- interleaved, and the ROM will fail to load. * If you have turned off sound, you should re-enable it. If you wish to mute the sound output, simply move the volume slider to 0%. Many games require sound emulation to be active in order to work correctly, so disabling sound can "break" a lot of games. * If you have changed the percentage of execution in the ZSNES configuration file, change it back to 100. However, there are a few particular games that may work better if the percentage to execute is set to either 120% or 80%. The developers of ZSNES make no guarantee that any particular game will work. While we wish to play these incompatible games as much as you do, sometimes it is just not possible. Furthermore, ZSNES is in a constant state of development. Compatibility with a particular game may change between releases of ZSNES. In the past, ZSNES developers programmed the emulator to "hack" certain games. These "hacks" would modify in-memory certain incompatible games, to get them to work with ZSNES. Some hacks were also used make certain games run at full speed if they were too slow. Sometimes, however, a particular game hack will break other parts of accurate SNES emulation. As the emulation accuracy of ZSNES has improved, these hacks have become less necessary. In general, game hacks are removed whenever possible. With the current state of emulation in ZSNES, no new game hacks will be added. In conclusion, if you have tried the steps above, and your game still doesn't work, *we're sorry*; however there is nothing we can do. ZSNES is developed for *emulation accuracy*, with game compatibility as a side effect, *not* the other way around. The most you can do is try another emulator or hope that ZSNES will become accurate enough to be able to run your particular game. ............................................................ 3. Special-Chip Games ............................................................ The approximate percentage of emulation progress for these special chips is listed under Current Progress [Readme.txt]. The NSRT SNES Add-on Chip information article was frequently referenced for the information assembled on this page. [http://nsrt.edgeemu.com/INFO/chipinfo.htm] You may find that the section on Enhancement chips in the Super Nintendo article at Wikipedia contains some interesting historical information, not covered in this FAQ. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Nintendo_Entertainment_System] A number of games developed for the Super Nintendo included additional special-purpose processors on the game cartridge. A game would use this special processor to accomplish something that wasn't possible using just the standard SNES hardware. It is impossible to represent these processors with ROM data; in order for these games to work, ZSNES must emulate these special processors, in addition to all the standard SNES hardware (which ZSNES already emulates). Below is a list of all known special processors, followed by a list of the games known to use each processor. - - - - C4 - - - - The C4 chip is a math co-processor with limited graphical processing capabilities. * Megaman X 2 (USA) / Rockman X 2 (Japan) * Megaman X 3 (USA, Europe) / Rockman X 3 (Japan) - - - - - - - - Nintendo DSP - - - - - - - - Each of the Nintendo DSP chips have identical hardware, but different software (firmware). + DSP-1 (supported) * Ace wo Nerae! * Armored Trooper Votoms * Ballz 3D / 3 Jigen Kakutou Ballz * Battle Racers * Drift King Shutokou Battle '94 * Drift King Shutokou Battle 2 * Final Stretch * Hashiriya Kon * Korean League * Lock On * Michael Andretti's Indy Car Challenge * Pilotwings * Super 3D Baseball * Super Air Diver * Super Air Diver 2 * Super Bases Loaded II * Super F1 Circus Gaiden * Super Mario Kart * Suzuka 8 Hours + DSP-2 (supported) * Dungeon Master + DSP-3 (partially supported) * SD Gundam GX + DSP-4 (supported) * Top Gear 3000 (USA) / Planets Champ TG 3000 (Japan) - - - - OBC1 - - - - * Metal Combat - - - - SA-1 - - - - The SA-1 is a 65816 chip, although at a higher clock then the SNES's internal one. [Quoted from http://nsrt.edgeemu.com/INFO/chipinfo.htm] * Asahi Shinbun Rensai - Katou Ichi-Ni-San Kudan Shougi Shingiru * Daisenryaku Expert WWII * Derby Jockey 2 * Dragon Ball Z - Hyper Dimension * Hanyuu Meijin no Omoshiro Shougi * Harukanaru Augusta 3 - Masters New * Hayashi Kaihou Kudan no Igo Taidou * Itoi Shigesato no Bass Tsuri No.1 * J. League '96 Dream Stadium * Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius * Jumpin' Derby * Kakinoki Shougi * Kirby Super Star (USA) / Hoshi no Kirby - Super Deluxe (Japan) / Kirby's Fun Pak (Europe) * Kirby's Dream Land 3 (USA) / Hoshi no Kirby 3 (Japan) * Marvelous * Mini Yonku Shining Scorpion - Let's & Go!! * Pebble Beach no Hatou New - Tournament Edition * PGA European Tour * PGA Tour 96 * Power Rangers Zeo - Battle Racers * Saikousoku Shikou Shougi Mahjong * SD F-1 Grand Prix * SD Gundam G-NEXT cartridge ROM (G-NEXT.SFC) * Shin Shougi Club * Shougi no Hanamichi * Shougi Saikyou * Shougi Saikyou II * Super Bomberman - Panic Bomber W * Super Mario RPG * Super Robot Wars Gaiden * Super Shougi 3 - Kitaihei * Taikyoku Igo - Idaten * Takemiya Masaki Kudan no Igo Daishou - - - - S-DD1 - - - - * Star Ocean * Street Fighter Alpha 2 (USA/Europe) / Street Fighter Zero 2 (Japan) - - - - - - Seta DSP - - - - - - Seta's DSP has 2 major firmwares. + Seta 10 / ST010 (supported) * F1 ROC II (USA) / Exhaust Heat II (Japan) + Seta 11 / ST011 (partially supported) * Hayazashi Nidan Morita Shougi - - - - - - Seta RISC - - - - - - The Seta RISC chip is not emulated. + Seta 18 / ST018 * Hayazashi Nidan Morita Shougi 2 - - - - - SPC7110 - - - - - * Far East of Eden Zero * Far East of Eden Zero - Shounen Jump no Shou * Momotarou Dentetsu Happy * Super Power League 4 ZSNES does not fully support the SPC7110 chip yet. However, you may use some third party graphics decompression packs to get the four above games to work. The SPC7110 graphic packs are mirrored on a number of sites on the Internet. Here are a few: * ipher's WIP Pages [http://other.ipherswipsite.com/gpacks/] * NSRT Official Site [http://nsrt.edgeemu.com] * Caitsith2's Personal Web Page [http://www.caitsith2.com] After you have downloaded all of the parts, extract them all into a new directory on your disk. Then go to the Config-->Paths menu in the GUI and enter in the location of the folder in the appropriate field.