GameCube News
DevkitPPC (Release 15) (GC misc)

The latest edition of the Gamecube/Wii toolchain now uses NewLIB v1.16.0 with updated patches to allow LIBfat to be ported. As usual, windows users should grab this update through the automated updater.

http://www.devkitpro.org/category/devkitppc/

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HuGo (19-04-2008) (PCE emu for GC)

HuGo is a PC Engine / TG-16 emulator, ported over to the Wii by eke-eke.

Changes:

– added Wii mode support (including front SD rom loading with LFN, TP reload, …)
– added 4.7GB DVD support for chip-modded WII (GC mode only)
– removed MPAL TV mode, added EURGB60 TV mode support: fix display problem for Wii users (GC&Wii mode)
– added original rendering mode support (240i), like on real hardware
– added 480p (progressive) rendering mode support (not supported by the PAL60 version, use the other one !)
– added Console Reboot option in main menu (System Reboot)
– WRAM files can now be saved/loaded to/from SDCARD: located in /hugo/saves from the root of your SDCARD (no Wii front SD support)
– changed initial ROMS directory for SDCARD user: now looking for /hugo/roms from the root of your SDCARD
– fixed broken MCARD support
– modified controls when going into the rom selection menu (DVD or SDCARD), like other current emulators:
. use B button to go up one directory
. use Z button to quit the file selection menu
. use L/R triggers to go down/up one full page
. use Left/Right buttons or Analog stick to scroll the selected entry’s filename when it can’t be full displayed
– various menu rearrangment, minor bugfixes & sourcecode cleanup

Thanks to http://www.nintendomax.com for the news.

http://www.tehskeen.com/forums/showpost.php?p=29685&postcount=27

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SMSPlus GC (19-04-2008) (Master system emu for GC)

This is eke-eke’s port of Charles MacDonald’s SMS Plus emulator, based on Softdev’s last release, with some compatibility fixes and additional features. Download the latest version and execute smplus.dol on your Gamecube or Wii with your prefered method and then load a rom from ISO9660 DVD or from SDCARD. If you use SDCARD, roms must be placed in the previously created directory /smsplus/roms. Savestates need a /smplus/saves/ directory.

Read smsplus.txt for detailled options and full credits.

Features:

* accurate Sega Master System & Game Gear Emulation with sound
* FM unit emulation (Japanese Master System)
* 2 Players Support
* Savestates Support
* Load a game from SDCARD or DVD (4.7GB support for Wii users)
* 3D glasses faking
* Game Database for automatic configuration
* Zipped rom support
* Load/Save FreezeState files (compressed) from/to Memory Card & SDCARD
* Exit to Loader

Changes:

[SMS, GG]
– fixed VDP init when loading savestate: fix graphics in games using TMS9918 mode
– added port $3E emulation and full SMS BIOS support (see user notes)
– implemented SMS1 VDP “tilemap mirroring” bug: fix Y’s (J) status bar when running in SMS1 mode
– updated Z80 core to last version (fix some undocumented behaviour): fix Rambo 3 “Game Over” screen & Robocop 3 “pause” bug
– corrected PAL CPU clock value
– modified FM Unit detection: fix FM music in many japanese games
– added full overscan emulation: when enabled, aspect ratio is exactly like on original hardware, including borders (horizontal borders
are generally completely hidden under TV edges)
– corrected Game Gear VDP handlers in SMS mode: fix colors in GG-MS mode
– improved Codemasters Mapper emulation: fix Excellent Dizzy Collection & Ernie Els Golf
– added Korean Mapper emulation: fix Sangokushi III & Dodgeball King
– adjusted SMS color palette values (compared side by side with a real PAL SMS 2)
– fixed Hcounter table (thanks to FluBBa)

[NGC/Wii]
– added support for original video mode (240p/288p): this makes games looking exactly like on original hardware (including scanlines)
– added “Aspect” option to switch between Original (correct aspect ratio with borders) and Fit Screen (full screen) display modes
– added “Xshift” & “Yshift” settings to let you adjust display area while keeping the original aspect ratio
– added “Border” option to enable/disable borders color emulation
– added “Palette” option to let you choose the Brightness level: RVB (darkest), Normal , Bright
– added Wii mode support (including front SD rom loading with LFN, TP reload, …)
– added EURGB60 & PAL 50hz TV modes support
– added 480p (progressive) rendering mode support in Wii mode (not supported by the PAL60 version, use the other one, even on PAL wii)

Thanks to http://www.nintendomax.com for the news.

http://www.tehskeen.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4209

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Genesis Plus GC (19-04-2008) (Genesis emu for GC)

This is eke-eke’s port of Charles MacDonald’s Genesis Plus emulator, based on Softdev’s last release, with a lof of compatibility fixes and additional features. Download the latest version and execute genplus.dol on your Gamecube or Wii with your prefered method and then load a rom from ISO9660 DVD or from SDCARD. If you use SDCARD, roms must be placed in the previously created directory /genplus/roms. Read included genplus.pdf for detailled options and full credits.

A complete User Guide can also be found here: http://gxdev.wordpress.com/about/user-notes/

Changes:

[Genesis]
– updated SVP core: fix some perspective issues in Virtua Racing (thanks to Notaz)
– added internal SAT update during VRAM Fill: fix unmasked sprites during Battletech’s intro
– fixed m68k core issues with gcc 4.2.3: fix Xperts, Lemmings 2, M1 Abrams Battle Tank
– forced YM2612 Enveloppe update: fix intro music in Batman&Robin (thanks to Aamir)

[NGC/Wii]
– removed not working DVD features (Wii mode only)
– fixed Timers with PAL roms
– added EURGB60 TV mode support: fix “red screen” issue with PAL Wii when using RGB cable
– added PAL50 TV mode support (PAL and NTSC roms), see video options
– added “TP reload” option, use “System Reboot” (Wii mode only)
– added Front SD rom loading support with LFN & subdirectory browsing (Wii mode only)

Thanks to http://www.nintendomax.com for the news.

http://www.tehskeen.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3919

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All-in-1 Emuloader (GC misc)

This is a program that enables you to load emulators on your Nintendo Gamecube/Wii, using a nice graphical interface:

Current supported emulators are:

– Genesis Plus (Sega Megadrive)
– SMS Plus (Sega Master System & Game Gear)
– FCEuGC (Nintendo Entertainment System)
– GnuboyGX (Gameboy & Gameboy Color)
– Snes9xGX (Super Nintendo)
– HugoGC (NEC Pc-Engine)
– NeoPop (SNK NeoGeo Pocket)
– Neo-CD Redux (SNK NeoGeo CD)

The emulators are NOT provided with the loader.

This project is now splitted in two separated applications:

1) emuloader.dol is running in GC mode, it needs to be packed with a 7zip archive containing the emulators you want to use, see the [GAMECUBE Version] section below and follow the installation steps.

2) emuloader_wii.elf, emuloader_wii_pal60.elf are running in Wii mode. You can directly boot the appropriate version with your favorite elf loader. DOLS version are also provided. See the [WII] section below to know how to use the application.

Gamecube Version
This is mostly designed for modchip users to be used as bootloader DOL on a Selbooting DVD but
you can also simply load&run emupack.dol with the method of your choice.
See “Usage” section on how to generate emupack.dol and eventually a selbooting DVD.

Features
——–
* Nice GUI which let you choose the console system to play
* “All-in-1” DOL which directly includes all the supported emulators executables
* LZMA (7Zip) support for emulator package in order to reduce the final dol’s size
* automatic bootable DVD iso generation (batch file and all needed tools included)

Requirements
————
* a chip-modded Gamecube/Wii or a way to boot homebrew
* the main program, emuloader.dol (precompiled and included)
* a 7zip archive containing the emulators dols (not included)
* Modchip and/or SoftMod
* 7zip (http://www.7-zip.org/) to create the emulators package

Usage
—–
You can not directly use the provided emuloader.dol: it need first to be packed with a 7zip archive
containing all the supported emulators (gamecube .dol files only) you want to use.
As a result, you will eventually get a new file, called emupack.dol which contain everything and can
now be used as any other dols !

To do this, after extracting the content of the archive somewhere on your hard disc, simply follow the steps below:

1) Using 7zip, create a “emupack.7z” archive with all the needed emulators dols (be careful not to use compressed/dollzed)
and place this file in the same directory as “emuloader.dol”
You have to use LZMA method for compressing, as well as the best compression level (ULTRA)

Important: Don’t modify the original emulator filename, the loader is looking for specific strings
inside filenames in order to detect which emulator is present or not:

– Genesis Plus —> genplus
– SMS Plus —> smsplus
– FCEuGC —> fceugc
– GnuboyGX —> gnuboy
– Snes9xGX —> snes9x
– HugoGC —> hugo
– NeoPop —> neopop
– Neo-CD Redux —> redux

2) Double-click on emupack.bat: this will create the file “emupack.dol”

You can now directly load/run emupack.dol with the method of your choice (SDLoad,…) if you want but the best way
is to create a GC-Linux bootable DVD with all your roms and use emupack.dol as the bootdol.

For more infos about how to create a GC-Linux bootable DVD, you may want to read this:
http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/Building_a_Bootable_Disc

Actually, the /pcutils folder contains everything you need to create the bootable DVD image, including automatic
batch files to generate your bootable DVD ISO file in a simple&quick way

3) First, put all the roms you want for each systems in their respective /bootdisc subfolders
You may want to create more subdirectories as the limit is 1000 files max. per directory
Be aware that the total size for the /bootdisc directory should not exceeded ~1.35GB if you are using Gamecube
and 4.7GB if you planned to use it on the Wii (still in GC mode).

Be aware that the minimal size should be at least ~500MB or the DVD won’t boot !
Please refer to the related emulator’s documentation for other specific requirements.

4) Double-click on BuildISO.bat (or BuildISO_PAL.bat in you have a PAL Wii, BuildISO_JAP.bat for japanese Wii)
and wait for the .iso file to be generated.

5) Burn the emudisc.iso image file with any DVD software & launch the DVD in your console (a modchip is required)
In the menu, use D-Pad to navigate & Button-A or START to choose a console system

Once you’ve started running one emulator, there is no way to come back to the menu, you have to reboot your console

Source Contents
—————
The sourcecode is full part of the release so that you can easily recompile emuloader.dol yourself.
If you have no idea on how to compile DOLs , please refer to this thread:
http://www.tehskeen.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2968.

*emuloader.c : main program (Video Init, Menu Display & Dol’s extracting)
*emuloader.h : compressed (using zlib 2.3) BMP pictures for Menu Display
*/ngc/memfile.*, lzmasupp.*: Softdev’s sourcecode for LZMA support.
*/ngc/sidestep.*, ssaram.* : Softdev’s sourcecode for DOL’s loading
*/ngc/lzma/ : Standard LZMA SDK 4.43 for ansi C, linked as library

PCUtils Contents
—————-
*lzmaadd & lzmaex: Softdev’s utilities to add/extract 7zip file to/from a dol (sourcecode included)
*mkisofs & cygwin.dll: needed to generate a ISO file
*gbi.hdr: Generic Boot Image from Cubeboot-Tools 0.3

Credits
——–
LZMA support & DOL loading code – softdev
LZMA PC utilities – softdev
DevkitPPC / LibOGC – Wntrmute & Shagkur
gbi.hdr by GCLinux Team

http://tehskeen.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=4738

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SNES9X v1.43 v0.1.0 (SNES emu for GC)

Askot and dsbomb updated the GameCube’s SNES9x port, for your emulated Super Nintendo Entertainment gaming pleasure.

Changes:

+[Askot]
– Fixed/changed SDCARD slot selection for searching roms, at
start you will be prompted for this option.
– Code cleanup.

+[dsbomb]
– Added Wii mode support.
– Joystick fixes due to libogc r14’s changed stick values
– Rearranged menu to make more sense, and consistent with FCEU
– Add “Reboot” menu option
– Removed “.” directory from SD card listing, it’s pointless
– Expand DVD reading to DVD9 size (one DVDs are working again)
– Added option to go back a menu by pressing B.

http://www.tehskeen.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6159

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SNES9X v1.43 v0.0.9 (SNES emu for GC)

Askot updated the SNES9X port for GameCube.

Changes:

– Added SDCARD slot selection for searching roms, meaning, you can search rom files from SDCARD SLOT A or SLOT B (Beta, meaning, buggy, but works).
– For standarization, you must create folders root:snes9xroms to read SNES
roms files from SDCARD.
– Added combo L+R+X+Y to call menu.

http://www.tehskeen.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6159

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FCE Ultra GameCube Edition (26-03-2008) (NES emu for GC)

FCE Ultra is a NES emulator for the Nintendo Gamecube. Due to Nintendo’s Wii backwards compatibilty with the Gamecube, this can also be used on a Wii. Responsible for the changes in this version are asako and _svpe_.

Changes:

– Added saving state in SD Card (State files will be saved in root of SDCARD). *Note: I can’t make it work to save in root:fceusaves, so help needed.
– Added SDCARD slot selection for searching roms, meaning, you can search roms from SDCARD SLOT A & SLOT B (Beta, meaning, buggy, but works).
– For standarization, you must create folders root:fceuroms to read NES roms files from SDCARD.
– Added C-Left to call Menu.
– Reading files from SD Card it’s faster, now they’re called from cache after first reading.
– Menu in saving STATE file changed to choose SLOT, DEVICE, Save STATE, Load STATE, Return to previous.
– Added option PSO/SD Reload to menu, still works (START+B+X)
– Modified controls when going into the rom selection menu (DVD or SDCARD):
+ Use B to quit selection list.
+ Use L/R triggrers or Pad Left/Right to go down/up one full page.
– Some menu rearrangment and a little of sourcecode cleanup:
+ Everytime you pressed B button on any option, playgame started, not anymore until you select Play Game option.

http://www.tehskeen.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6749

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Genesis Plus (01-03-2008) (Genesis emu for GC)

Eke-eke released a new version of Genesis Plus a Sega Genesis/Megadrive emulator for the Gamecube.

Changes:

[Genesis]
– added SVP emulation: Virtua Racing is now emulated (big thanks to Notaz and TascoDeluxe)
– fixed VDP registers behaviour when VDP Mode 4 is enabled: fix Bass Masters Classic Pro, Captain Planet & The Planeeters
– corrected a bug in DMA Fill operation: fix James Pond 3, Rockman World/Megaman Willy Wars (corrupted VRAM)
– corrected typo errors in CPU cycle counters update: fix optiom screen music in “College Slam” and probably others games.
– added preliminary support of undocumented YM2612 bug: fixes soundtracks of Shaq Fu, Spiderman, Comix Zone, Ariel and some others
– added support for mappers & copy protection devices used in many unlicensed/pirate cartridges (see cart_hw.c for details)
– rewrote memory handlers for better modularity and some (little) speedup
– reduced Savestate size

[NGC]
– compiled with last LibOGC (20080228): fix issues when unplugging controller, support for Wii mode (see release.txt)
– added “hard-coded” IPL font (no more direct access to BOOTROM): fix font problem for Qoob users
– added SDCARD Slot B support for loading Roms
– removed unused MAME PSG Core
– added ‘Force DTACK’ option for prototype games usually hanging on real hardware (example: Sonic Crackers)
– added an option to underclock SVP core (with default cycle count, Virtua Racing actually does not run fullspeed in GC mode)

Thanks to http://www.tehskeen.com for the news.

http://www.tehskeen.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3919

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DevkitPPC (Release 14) (GC misc)

The 14th release of the Gamecube toolchain is now final and available for download. This version brings Wii support now that we have the ability to run code on Wii thanks to the efforts of Team Twiizers and their Twilight Hack.

http://www.devkitpro.org/devkitpro/devkitppc-release-14-is-final/

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