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EMULATORS

There are two Sega Genesis emulators, Genecyst and KGen. I recommend KGen because it has better graphics and sound. However, if you have a slow computer, then you should get Genecyst. Genecyst runs much more smoothly, but does not have the graphics and sound that KGen has. Below are the newest versions of both emulators. The files are zipped so make sure you have an unzipping program.

--------------------- What it is ---------------------

Genecyst is a DOS based emulator for the Sega Genesis.

The 68K, Z80, DAC, digital FM emulation and graphics rendering were written from *scratch* in assembly. The rest is in C++.

It is freeware and it is not to be distributed with game ROMs and it is not to be modified or sold.

Loads roms in the BIN, SMD or split (*.1) file formats.

OS/2 users: -disablelfn

--------------------- Revisions ---------------------

Version 0.32:

-Fixed relative path problem on command line
-Autoversion setting
-Fixed FM channel 6 problem
-Improved CPU skipper
-Corrected 68K IRQ levels (stupid typo)
-Fixed a Z80 reset bug
-Fixed some more z80 bugs
-F11/F12 switch resolutions (get SDD!)
-Improved CPU skipper

Version 0.31:

-Fixed a VRAM fill bug
-'-exclusive' command line option
-Corrected 68K IRQ levels (disables windows multitasking)
-Fixed some DAC lag
-Altered the way envelopes are handled
-Dynamic CPU skipper
-Improved H-ints (Gunstar intro, S.Showdown, Chuck Rock, Timekillers, racing games)
-Louder PSG
-LFO amplitude modulation
-PSG noise channel (forgot about that)
-Altered HV counter
-Fixed minor z80 bug
-Fixed minor soundlogging bug

Version 0.30:

-Encapsulated gui.vol
-DMA transfers now eat clock cycles
-Better LFN detection
-Raster based effects
-Sprite masking
-Correct sprite priorities
-Rendering optimizations
-Z80 rewritten
-Speed throttle disabling
-'Force display enable' option added (see below)
-Wave output logging added
-Digital YM2612 FM synthesis
-Most of 68k emulation rewritten
-Cell based V-scrolling
-Split cart format support
-State display
-'DMAfix' prevents vram writes during DMA transfers
-Digital PSG emulation
-Faster DMA transfers
-Accurate HVcounter
-'version' command line option
-Scanlines in mode 256x256
-Correct window placement/priority
-Romdir saved
-CRAM reads
-Changed z80 busreq
-Fixed SSP/USP problem with state restores
-68K: Added BTST Dx,# instruction
-68K: Fixed STOP instruction
-Fixed joystick calibration
-Small font added
-Z80 speedup

Version 0.20:

-Highly accurate profiling with RDTSC (pentium only)
-Faster FPU mem->vid copy (pentium only)
-Automatic 6-button joystick disabling
-68K: LineA/F emulation
-68K: Corrected USP/SSP
-YM2612 FM emulation
-RAM->VRAM DMA transfer bug fixed
-DAC sound output
-Save state file format changed (this was unavoidable)
-Z80 emulation (buggy)

Version 0.14:

-Unchained modeX modes added (320x240 and 320x224) These modes are considerably slower than VESA modes so don't use them
-6 button joystick inputs (almost)
-Stop intruction fixed
-Fixed MOVE->CCR data size
-Sped up 68k branching
-Funky Z-flag implemented
-Improved waitvsync
-Pattern table viewer
-Layer enabling dialog
-Fixed DOS hardware error handler
-Readjusted window priority

Version 0.13:

-PCX palette saving fixed
-Fixed MOVEM wraparound bug
-Fixed 68k flag bugs
-Added primitive Z80 faking
-Altered Window priority
-ROM checksum fixer (fixes games that "red screen")

Version 0.12:

-Initial release

--------------------- What it does ---------------------

What is emulated:

-68000 CPU @ 8Mhz
-Z80 secondary CPU @ 4Mhz
-DAC output
-YM2612 FM synthesis
-TI76489 PSG
-VDP
-DMA
-ScrollA/ScrollB/Sprites/Window
-Some raster effects
-H/V interrupts
-Dual 4-button/7-button joypad emulation
-US/Japan/Europe variants

Other neat features:

-Multiple save states and battery backed ram
-Joystick support
-VESA support
-Save .pcx snapshots
-Game genie codes
-Rom checksum fixer
-Wave output logging

--------------------- What it lacks ---------------------

Digital FM emulation needs much work Stereo FM (probably not worth it) Graphic equalizer

68000 emulation is still buggy Z80 emulation still buggy

H-ints aren't emulated correctly I dont think

Shadow/highlighting effects Interlaced modes Netplay

Many games do not work correctly (or at all). Dont bother me if a ROM doesn't work.

--------------------- What you need ---------------------

A Pentium with at least 8MB of RAM.

Genecyst can take advantage of VESA 2.0 support if it exists. If it does not exist, genecyst will resort to only the video modes 320x200, 256x224, 256x240, 256x256, 320x224, 320x240. The last 2 modes are planar (unchained) ModeX modes, meaning that they are not linear and are very SLOW. Get a VESA extender such as Scitech Display Doctor and use 320x240 instead.

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This is an emulator for the Sega Genesis/MegaDrive, one of my favourite consoles of all time, for a Pentium PC in MSDOS.

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HISTORY:
--------------

Version 0.2b : 2nd June 1998.

Fixed problem with KGen 98 locking with 8-bit soundcards. Turned out to be a line that I forgot to delete :-)

Fixed VDP Status register - I don't know why I forgot this, since I had the same problem way back in KGen 0.32b !

Fixed problem with Joypad modes - again, something that should have been deleted.

Added Long File Name Support. I had actually written this before, but it got lost with the changes I made to the GUI / hard drive problem. Completely forgot to put it back in ! But it's there now.

Also added -L command line option to disable Long Filename Support, incase it causes problems.... DOS 6.22, for example, reports no error..... I got around that problem, but other versions of DOS, or other OSses, may still die.

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Version 0.1b: 1st June 1998.

This is the first release of KGen 98.

KGen 98 is practically an entirely new Emulator. Around 90% of the code was rewritten for this release. It is for this reason that I decided to change the name - since there is every chance that things that worked before now do not, and vice versa. Also, since more and more people have PCs that are faster than mine :-( the focus of this project has now changed from speed to accuracy.

I also recommend that you keep KGen 0.34b - hence the renaming of the files.

Most of what you see here was written and ready for release before the end of February 1998. The release was delayed due to interrest from Sega. Since I have not been able to get a reply from them for a long time, I decided to tidy it up and release it. If there are any objections from Sega, please contact me and it will be removed.

WELL, WHAT'S THE STORY, THEN ?
---------------------------------------------------

Changes from KGen 0.34b -> KGen 98 0.1b are as follows:

Command line options have changed - see below for more information.

Complete re-write of the VDP emulation.

All Raster Effects are now implemented. Shadow / Hilight mode is now 100% accurate. Most games that had severe graphics problems are now fixed. (See below for more information on this.)

Complete re-write of the YM2612 FM Sound Emulation.

Waves calculated with a much higher degree of accuracy. Support for 44.1Khz 16-bit Stereo Sound. (SB16 and above only.) Mixer values now restored on exit.

Complete re-write of the PSG Sound Emulation.

Any previous problems should no longer occur. Support for the undocumented features also.

Complete re-write of the Control System.

Better support for Sega "Fighting Pad" 6 Button Controller. New Joypad modes : Fast, Medium and Slow for both 4 and 6 button pads. Support for one or two Microsoft SideWinder pads.

Major changes to the 68000 and Z80 emulation.

Near-Instant start-up time.

Complete re-write of the SnapShot system.

Load SnapShot still included for old SnapShot / Genecyst saves. Save SnapShot removed. SnapShot Slot system added. Saves / Loads are now done from within the game using F5 / F8.

Added ScanLines video mode (VESA 2.0 Only)

Added Game Genie Support.

Parts of the GUI rewritten / improved.

Loads more parts re-written to get all the new systems working together.

Many, Many, Many bugs removed (most of it rewritten !)

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TECHNICAL INFO
-------------------------

This version currently emulates:

* Motorola 68000 CPU * ZiLog Z80A CPU * Scroll Screens A,B and Sprites all fully prioritised and masked * Fully Working Window. * All Scrolling modes (H-Screen, H-Cell, H-Line, V-Screen, V-Cell) * DMA * V Interrupts * H Interrupts * All standard Raster Effects * Palette Raster Effects (VESA 2.0 ONLY) * Shadow / Hilight mode * Complete YM2612 FM Emulation + DAC * Stereo Sound. * Joypad (both ports, keyboard, joypad, or Microsoft SideWinder Joypad) * Battery Backup Save / Load support * PSG Emulation (all documented and undocumented features) * Sega 6 button Joypads * Game Genie Cheat Cartridge

Future versions (if, indeed, there ARE any future versions) will emulate:

* Interlace Mode

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OTHER NOTES:
----------------------

KGen will probably run on a 486 with 8Mb of RAM, but as a Pentium is the only PC that could emulate a Genesis PROPERLY, it has been *highly* optimised for a pentium.

KGen uses VESA 2.0 support (320x240x8bit) if it is available. THIS IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - if you don't have a VESA 2.0 extender, visit http://www.scitechsoft.com and download UNIVBE (Scitech Display Doctor).

Without the VESA 2.0 mode, KGen resorts to a custom video mode, which can be MUCH slower, depending on your PC / Graphics card. Also, several features are unavailable.

Other than that, KGen runs on any Pentium PC with 8Mb of RAM or greater. P166 or above is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! With a decent graphics card, UNIVBE, and the -F4 option, it will run reasonably on a P75.

For Sound Emulation, KGen requires a SoundBlaster Pro (or higher) or 100% HARDWARE compatible (no software driven!) sound card. If your sound card is only SoundBlaster compatible (and not PRO) it won't work, so don't ask me why!

You can buy a SoundBlaster 16 compatible for around 10 UK Pounds now, so stop moaning!

It currently looks for the BLASTER environment. If you don't have one set up, then you'll have to do so. Later versions will auto-detect.

KGen uses the PMODE/W DOS extender by Charles Scheffold and Thomas Pytel.

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PROBLEMS:
-----------------

There are probably a few bugs in my 68000 and Z80A emulators. The 68000 code was written in about 36 hours, and the Z80A in only three hours, so you'd expect there to be something wrong somewhere! I do not know of any specific bugs at the moment.

The YM2612 emulation is still not perfect, but is as close as you'll get for a while.