Yuzo Koshiro is making new MD shmup.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

In regards to the MD/SG cart of Virtua Racing with it's built-in SVP chip, how many low-res polygons is it capable of generating in "real time" (without "slow-down," of course)?

Is it even possible to make a homebrew MD/SG game utilizing the SVP chip so that it'd could run the 60fps framerate benchmark/goal?

Hypothetically, what other low-res arcade title could have Sega pulled off with the SVP chip if they had did a proper second game title using it?

I know the Krikzz Mega Everdrive X7 can play/run the MD/SG Virtua Racing rom without any problems in both 50hz & 60hz at the flick of a switch..

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Sumez]

Is it even possible to make a homebrew MD/SG game utilizing the SVP chip so that it'd could run the 60fps framerate benchmark/goal?

Not sure how fast the MegaDrive can do this (the real blast processing test), but no matter how fast you can generate the polygons, you're gonna be limited by the bandwidth of how long it takes to DMA the new graphics to the video chip.
This wouldn't be a restriction on the NES, which actually maps video data directly to the cartridge chip. So the cartridge itself can swap out all the graphics data used by the game in less than a single CPU cycle.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Is it even possible to make a homebrew MD/SG game utilizing the SVP chip so that it'd could run the 60fps framerate benchmark/goal?

Not sure how fast the MegaDrive can do this (the real blast processing test), but no matter how fast you can generate the polygons, you're gonna be limited by the bandwidth of how long it takes to DMA the new graphics to the video chip.
This wouldn't be a restriction on the NES, which actually maps video data directly to the cartridge chip. So the cartridge itself can swap out all the graphics data used by the game in less than a single CPU cycle.

Thank you for that quick reply back, Sumez.

Wow, so with the FC/NES cart of Estique stg, it's capable of running at 60fps then (with a bit of sprite flickering at times)?

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[MintyTheCat]

The MegaDrive VDP is not unique to the platform either. The system is built almost entirely from off-the-shelf components.

But it is what the MD has as VDP, therefore it is "canon"

I don't think some of the Modes on the MD's VDP are supported but it can handle Mode 4 and 5 from memory.
Mode 4 is the one that the SMS needs.

Did you do anything on the SMS or MD yourself? I remember you telling me that you were dabbling with the SFC and you mentioned trackers and the sound system for the SFC.

Tbh I never found the SFC's audio gear all that interesting.

[Sumez]

If there's anything positive I would say about the SNES's audio hardware, it's that it's definitely interesting, haha. It's a thing alright.
But as far as the sounds they produce, the SNES is ultimately just a worse version of everything that came after, while the MegaDrive's FM synthesis remains a unique sound to this day.

I have never programmed anything SMS or MD myself, though I'm vaguely familiar with the hardware. I find the SNES to be by far the most interesting console from that whole early era as far as hardware and programming goes, due to all the crazy things you can do with it, and the crazy ways you need to do them.

[Enemy]

Ok Guys, not tested on Everdrive M7 but ok on Everdrive Pro, Feedback Welcome.

This a IPS patch and NOT the full rom.

;--------------------------------------------------------
;Earthion V2.01 Highscore SRAM Saver patch
;By TheEnemy of TREX 26-08-25
;--------------------------------------------------------

Use a IPS patcher, I use https://www.marcrobledo.com/RomPatcher.js/

Please use the Earthion v2.01 (World)(En) rom
here is the rom info:
CRC32:47d6ac2c
MD5 :516d0290aa649709d807a2878111ed71
SHA-1:1541946f231f5c47a59c7a06bfd69f9e4ea3bd1d

Tested on Blastem emulator, Mister Fpga and Everdrive Pro
on real Hardware, yet to test on Everdrive x7 so feedback
welcome.

Please support the developer and purchase on Steam or the Megadrive cart when released

https://archive.org/details/earthionv-201-hi-trex

[Enemy]

I have also already added a high save to Shinobi III (only has 1 high score) and Thunderforce IV (full high table) so let me know if interested in these patches as well

[AGermanArtist]

Definitely - thanks Enemy

I did 2 clears of Eathion just now in Ares with a reset after the first, and it worked perfectly!

[Enemy]

Definitely - thanks Enemy

I did 2 clears of Eathion just now in Ares with a reset after the first, and it worked perfectly!

Great news, many thanks for testing!

Which version of the Thunderforce Iv rom do people use as i have used the Thunder Force IV (J) [f3].bin file as seems the jap version but made region free. They may all have the same hijack points (i will check) so it may not matter.

edit: i have had some friends try this on some emulators and as i released this version that uses $240000 for save to try to be compatible for the everdrive x7 when a rom is over 4mb some dont like it ... i have a version at the normal $200001 which i will create a patch and replace the archive on internet archive.

the version that is there at the moment works fine on Blastem emulation, mister fpga, everdrive pro and now tested on analogue Mega SG

also anyone with a everdrive x7, can you please test this version ... thanks

[Enemy]

Definitely - thanks Enemy

I did 2 clears of Eathion just now in Ares with a reset after the first, and it worked perfectly!

very interesting .... i tried ares on pc tonight and it didnt save the highs. i had to use the $200001 version and then it was fine.

how are you running ares and do i have to edit an option so it can see $240001 onwards?

[AGermanArtist]

Using Ares v145 running the Earthion (world) (En) Aftermarket (uni) (patched) 2.01 md (blue circular enemy bullets)
It has your splash screen on boot.
When I reset after the first clear, my initials were in 2nd place after the second clear.

[AGermanArtist]

Right. Here's a weird one. I just did another clear and it didn't retain yesterday's scores. Today's and yesterday's 2 clears were all on Easy and I definitely quit out of Ares between both of yesterday's clears, and it definitely held the score/initials then.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Definitely - thanks Enemy

I did 2 clears of Eathion just now in Ares with a reset after the first, and it worked perfectly!

Great news, many thanks for testing!

Which version of the Thunderforce Iv rom do people use as i have used the Thunder Force IV (J) [f3].bin file as seems the jap version but made region free. They may all have the same hijack points (i will check) so it may not matter.

edit: i have had some friends try this on some emulators and as i released this version that uses $240000 for save to try to be compatible for the everdrive x7 when a rom is over 4mb some dont like it ... i have a version at the normal $200001 which i will create a patch and replace the archive on internet archive.

the version that is there at the moment works fine on Blastem emulation, mister fpga, everdrive pro and now tested on analogue Mega SG

also anyone with a everdrive x7, can you please test this version ... thanks

For Enemy,

If you can upload the Everdrive X7 patch of Thunderforce IV, I'd like to try it out and see if it does utilize the S-Ram functionality afforded of the Everdrive X7 itself.

----------
And is it possible to have Everdrive X7 S-Ram saving with Thunder Force IV/Lightening Force and Sega's SVP powered "Virtua Racing" as well?
----------

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Enemy]

I will put the lower save version in the archive which will be fine on ares and on everything apart from maybe the everdrive x7 which I haven't had anyone test as yet.

[Enemy]

Definitely - thanks Enemy

I did 2 clears of Eathion just now in Ares with a reset after the first, and it worked perfectly!

Great news, many thanks for testing!

Which version of the Thunderforce Iv rom do people use as i have used the Thunder Force IV (J) [f3].bin file as seems the jap version but made region free. They may all have the same hijack points (i will check) so it may not matter.

edit: i have had some friends try this on some emulators and as i released this version that uses $240000 for save to try to be compatible for the everdrive x7 when a rom is over 4mb some dont like it ... i have a version at the normal $200001 which i will create a patch and replace the archive on internet archive.

the version that is there at the moment works fine on Blastem emulation, mister fpga, everdrive pro and now tested on analogue Mega SG

also anyone with a everdrive x7, can you please test this version ... thanks

For Enemy,

If you can upload the Everdrive X7 patch, I'd like to try it out and see if it does utilize the S-Ram functionality afforded of the Everdrive X7 itself. And is it possible to have Everdrive X7 S-Ram saving with Thunder Force IV/Lightening Force and Sega's SVP powered "Virtua Racing" as well?

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

The patch already there should work on x7 ... I have changed it a bit so it now initialises sram which makes it better anyway but try the original patch anyway

[Enemy]

Anyone interested in my high score patch please pm me as i have setup a WhatsApp group for testing it will make this procedure much easier for test

Many thanks
Alex

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Great news, many thanks for testing!

Which version of the Thunderforce Iv rom do people use as i have used the Thunder Force IV (J) [f3].bin file as seems the jap version but made region free. They may all have the same hijack points (i will check) so it may not matter.

edit: i have had some friends try this on some emulators and as i released this version that uses $240000 for save to try to be compatible for the everdrive x7 when a rom is over 4mb some dont like it ... i have a version at the normal $200001 which i will create a patch and replace the archive on internet archive.

the version that is there at the moment works fine on Blastem emulation, mister fpga, everdrive pro and now tested on analogue Mega SG

also anyone with a everdrive x7, can you please test this version ... thanks

For Enemy,

If you can upload the Everdrive X7 patch, I'd like to try it out and see if it does utilize the S-Ram functionality afforded of the Everdrive X7 itself. And is it possible to have Everdrive X7 S-Ram saving with Thunder Force IV/Lightening Force and Sega's SVP powered "Virtua Racing" as well?

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

The patch already there should work on x7 ... I have changed it a bit so it now initialises sram which makes it better anyway but try the original patch anyway

For Enemy,

I tried your patch and it gave me the "Earthionv201HI_TREX.md" rom result. Loaded the newly created Earthion rom with the Mega Everdrive X7 flashcart, played a "Normal" difficulty session and entered my high score initials, waited a few seconds before pressing the "Reset" button on my Sega Genesis 1 console, re-entered the patched Earthion rom again with a reboot and saw that both my high score and high score initials are, indeed, saved for posterity/safekeeping.

Thanks again Enemy, your Earthion S-Ram patch works like a charm with an Everdrive X7 as promised. Color me impressed with your godly MD/SG hacking/wizardily skills, Enemy.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Enemy]

Great news that it works on everdrive x7 ... thanks for testing

I will upload shinobi iii and thunderforce iv patches either today or tomorrow and post links

I will also have a look at virtua racing

[Enemy]

I have updated https://archive.org/details/earthionv-201-hi-trex

;---------------------------------------------
;Earthion V2.01 Highscore SRAM Saver patch
;By TheEnemy of TREX 19-08-25
;updated on 30/08/2025
;---------------------------------------------

Use a IPS patcher, I use https://www.marcrobledo.com/RomPatcher.js/

EarthionV201+HI[TREX].ips is version 1 of my patch that placed save at $240001 to support everdrive x7 as well as pro

Earthionv201+HI[TREX]SRAM24KV2.ips is the same as the original patch but now Initialises/clears sram on first run which seems to help run on some emulators etc.

Earthionv201+HI[TREX]SRAM2K.ips saves at sram position $200001 and again Initialises/clears sram on first run. Try this version if the other 2 fail on you favourite emulator.

Please use the Earthion v2.01 (World)(En) rom
here is the rom info:
CRC32:47d6ac2c
MD5 :516d0290aa649709d807a2878111ed71
SHA-1:1541946f231f5c47a59c7a06bfd69f9e4ea3bd1d

Tested on Blastem, Ires emulators, Mister Fpga/Analogue Mega SG and Everdrive Pro/Everdrive x7 on real Hardware.

Please support the developer and purchase on Steam or the Megadrive cart when released

[AGermanArtist]

I'll test this - Earthionv201+HI[TREX]SRAM2K.ips in Ares ASAP.

[Enemy]

I'll test this - Earthionv201+HI[TREX]SRAM2K.ips in Ares ASAP.

i have just tested the new v2 24k version in ares and that one seems to be fine as well now that i clear/initialise the sram ....

[OmegaFlareX]

Which version of the Thunderforce Iv rom do people use as i have used the Thunder Force IV (J) [f3].bin file as seems the jap version but made region free. They may all have the same hijack points (i will check) so it may not matter.

The standard ROMs these days are the No-Intro sets.

Thunder Force IV (Japan).md
CRC 8D606480

Also please don't put splash screens in your patches. Either put some text on the title screen to denote the hack or nothing at all.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Which version of the Thunderforce Iv rom do people use as i have used the Thunder Force IV (J) [f3].bin file as seems the jap version but made region free. They may all have the same hijack points (i will check) so it may not matter.

The standard ROMs these days are the No-Intro sets.

Thunder Force IV (Japan).md
CRC 8D606480

Also please don't put splash screens in your patches. Either put some text on the title screen to denote the hack or nothing at all.

The "splash screen" only shows up once during the patched Earthion's rom initial boot-up and never again afterwards.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[PC Engine Fan X!]

As it is with both the 1st gen Sega Genesis & Mega Drive consoles, it's well known that the backside A/V port only outputs in "mono-phonic" output -- but if you buy a 3rd-party SG1 stereo A/V cable, it'll output in true stereo utilizing the front-side headphone output jack indeed (akin to those SG1 Euro Scart cables being offered for sale): https://www.ebay.com/itm/297241748781?_ ... miZg&pfm=1

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~