Bios DB Release & Taito Spinner Test
Added 2022-06-24 16:15:11 +0000 UTCBios Database Release
After 6 months of experimental usage, the Bios DB is finally ready for prime time. This Database will offer a more reliable user experience than the old BIOS Getter because it executes under Downloader.
The repository for this project is: https://github.com/theypsilon/BiosDB_MiSTer
But you can use it through Update All, as usual. Now Update All will just activate the Bios DB instead of calling the BIOS Getter. This means, nothing practically changes for current Update All users. You'll get the same files but by other means, without having to touch anything at all.
Taito EGRET II Mini Spinner Firmware Test
A while ago I've found an announcement about this device while surfing Twitter, and I think I haven't purchased anything faster in my entire life. Six months later, I finally had it at home, and of course, I had to test it on MiSTer with Arkanoid, right? Well, it didn't work.
After checking the firmware for a few hours, I managed to introduce a tweak that made it compatible, and then I expended the rest of the weekend playing Arkanoid. Finally, I could dare to play it without picking the cheaters MRA with unlimited lives.
Today I'm sharing that firmware tweak as I developed it initially. With time I hope to finish a proper PR to give it first-class support on the MiSTer firmware (it's in the works). But in the meantime, I'll share this already so that people can experience Arkanoid in the way that it was intended to be played originally. It makes a world of difference.
But first a disclaimer:
This is a POC test, and other unrelated firmware functionality could be compromised, so please after testing this with Arkanoid, revert the firmware to keep using MiSTer normally.
There is a chance this also works with other games other than Arkanoid if they also support mouse control, but I can't promise it.
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You have three ways to get it.
- 1. Through the Patrons Menu* from Update All: This is the easier way to do it. There is an option on that menu that will take care of enabling the firmware test and also reverting it when you are done with it.
*NOTE: You may get your Patron key here: https://www.patreon.com/file?h=59752585&i=9562943
- 2. Through the #test-builds channel from the official MiSTer Discord.
- 3. You also may go to my GitHub user to compile it yourself from the sources.
And that's all for now. See you soon!
Comments
It's okay, i solved it - needed setting up in the main menu - works a treat, thank you for the effort in getting this supported
Michael Johnson
2022-11-23 17:10:23 +0000 UTCquick question - i have tried this out but the buttons on the Taito Spinner USB device don't seem to work although are registered in the assignment on the arkanoid core menu - do you need to do anything to allow these to work - also how do you increase the sensitivity of the spinner is through the mouse sensitivity in the ini settings?
Michael Johnson
2022-11-22 14:57:12 +0000 UTCAll right, you sold me. The egret test binary is so cool. All we need is left/right mouse click, some magical way to get the mister menu loaded with the top buttons, and this could be the defacto way to play spinner games on MiSTer.
Ketafuki
2022-06-25 09:18:32 +0000 UTC
