The ZPF demo is on Steam if you want to check it out. It's slated for a Q2 2025 release as mentioned on it's Steam page.
PC Engine Fan X! ^_~
ZPF on megadrive
Re: ZPF on megadrive
For anyone who is considering buying this cart but would prefer to play on other hardware - I was able to dump it just fine using my RetroFreak console and it runs perfectly on the MiSTer and in RetroArch - so if you have access to some kind of dumping hardware you should be good.
We here shall not rest until we have made a drawing-room of your shaft, and if you do not all finally go down to your doom in patent-leather shoes, then you shall not go at all.
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Marc.bret.87
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Thu Dec 19, 2024 2:45 pm
Re: ZPF on megadrive
At some point it was slated to release in May, but Q2 now seems unlikely given the time left?PC Engine Fan X! wrote: ↑Sat Jun 21, 2025 8:53 pm The ZPF demo is on Steam if you want to check it out. It's slated for a Q2 2025 release as mentioned on it's Steam page.
PC Engine Fan X! ^_~
Re: ZPF on megadrive
That's good to know! That means megacat will most likely offer the option to buy the rom when they offer zpf in their store for regular sale so i'll wait for that.it290 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 26, 2025 5:30 pm For anyone who is considering buying this cart but would prefer to play on other hardware - I was able to dump it just fine using my RetroFreak console and it runs perfectly on the MiSTer and in RetroArch - so if you have access to some kind of dumping hardware you should be good.
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SavagePencil
- Posts: 730
- Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2013 4:06 pm
Re: ZPF on megadrive
I was able to confirm my Retrode 2 successfully dumped the cart. Huge convenience to have this on my flashcart and not having to swap things in and out. Will likely get more play this way!
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MommysBestGames
- Posts: 478
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2010 7:46 pm
- Location: Cornfields of Indiana
- Contact:
Re: ZPF on megadrive
So I know Earthion is out and I want to play it, but I'm still playing and enjoying this. I'm playing on my Genesis, feels really good.
Here's what I've figured out so far (it's not much, but I'm proud of the slow progress I've made).
I think it's pretty hard, so I dumb down everything in the difficulty section to get further.
Today I got the furthest, I made it to level 6 (playing them in order 1-6).
I followed the tip in the manual and from the board here to play each of the 3 ships in each area for the best effect.
I'm trying to unlock as many secrets as possible and it's a bit confusing.
I got the white orb in levels 1 and 2 (the fantasy section).
I also got the bonus stage after level 2 and got a lot of medals/points.
I think I only got one blue fairy thing, which gave me a 1UP.
For levels 3 and 4 (future) I weirdly was not able to unlock the white orb, but I did get the secret key (from a blue fairy thing).
I don't get why I didn't get it in 1,2.
In levels 5, 6 I think I got a 1UP, but also had to continue in level 6. I died at the start of level 6 (I've practiced on level 6, but today I was trying to play straight through "the right way").
For stages 2-6, I bought all the tips from the dealers, which was very fun to read. It brings the world to life but in a nice, tight, quick manner.
I thought maybe that would be part of the secrets, but it didn't seem to do anything.
I feel like I only was showing 26% secrets found (if I remember right).
Love to read if others have more confidently determined secrets in the game!
Here's what I've figured out so far (it's not much, but I'm proud of the slow progress I've made).
I think it's pretty hard, so I dumb down everything in the difficulty section to get further.
Today I got the furthest, I made it to level 6 (playing them in order 1-6).
I followed the tip in the manual and from the board here to play each of the 3 ships in each area for the best effect.
I'm trying to unlock as many secrets as possible and it's a bit confusing.
I got the white orb in levels 1 and 2 (the fantasy section).
I also got the bonus stage after level 2 and got a lot of medals/points.
I think I only got one blue fairy thing, which gave me a 1UP.
For levels 3 and 4 (future) I weirdly was not able to unlock the white orb, but I did get the secret key (from a blue fairy thing).
I don't get why I didn't get it in 1,2.
In levels 5, 6 I think I got a 1UP, but also had to continue in level 6. I died at the start of level 6 (I've practiced on level 6, but today I was trying to play straight through "the right way").
For stages 2-6, I bought all the tips from the dealers, which was very fun to read. It brings the world to life but in a nice, tight, quick manner.
I thought maybe that would be part of the secrets, but it didn't seem to do anything.
I feel like I only was showing 26% secrets found (if I remember right).
Love to read if others have more confidently determined secrets in the game!
Making an action platformer with a transforming grappling hook: ChainStaff. Also made a shmup with multi-ships: Shoot 1UP DX, and more .
Re: ZPF on megadrive
I don't know the exact percentages but getting the true ending counts for a big %, like 30% or something.
We here shall not rest until we have made a drawing-room of your shaft, and if you do not all finally go down to your doom in patent-leather shoes, then you shall not go at all.
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PC Engine Fan X!
- Posts: 9246
- Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 10:32 pm
Re: ZPF on megadrive
I gave the MD version of ZPF a spin on a At Games produced Sega Genesis console clone -- it can play both USA Genesis & JPN MD games without the need for a MD to SG game convertor/Game Genie/Pro Action Replay hack as the cart slot is wide enough to accept both type of carts with ease/plenty of room to spare. The only thing is, you can't use a Genesis Game Genie cheat device, 32X add-on or Sega CD add-on with it (as it's basically a "stripped-down/watered-down" SG console to begin with).
The "old-school" stylized RF-based wireless Genesis gamepad that comes with the At Games Genny console clone is cool in that it's powered by two "AAA" batteries but requires that it be pointed within direct sight on the on-board built-in RF receiver port to work/register D-pad & button presses properly. Of course, there are two dedicated DB-9 based controller ports on-board to use both 1st-party and 3rd-party MD/SG gamepads and arcade sticks if so desired -- how cool is that?
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Finally got to try out ZPF on a Sega Genesis Model 1 setup with an Euro Scart cable piped into a Retrotink 5X -- it's so much more detailed + with scanlines added in, it sure makes all the difference with the right A/V gear & correct 1st-gen console as it was originally intended/meant to played on. It's quite nice to try out the 8bitdo M30 wireless Genesis controller with it's tiny 2.4gHz wireless receiver dongle on a real Genny gaming console -- look Ma, no wires to deal with/trip over with either!
Plus having access to a Brook MD/Gen/PCE controller adapter with dedicated PS3 and PS4 gamepads + arcade stick support is truly worth it's weight in gold indeed.
You can ever use Xbox controllers on a MD/SG setup -- here's how:
1.) Connect a Brook MD/Gen/PCE controller adapter to either Port #1 or Port #2.
2.) Second, hook up a Brook PS3/PS4 Wingman XE 2 controller adapter into the USB port of the Brook MD/PCE adapter.
3.) Hook up an 8bitdo Xbox 2.4gHz wireless receiver dongle into the USB port of the Brook PS3/PS4 Wingman XE 2.
4.) Turn on the 8bitdo Xbox Series S/X wireless arcade stick and pair it up to the daisy-chained adapters. Success and easy as pie!
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Wow, ZPF is quite impressive with it's vivid and colorful pallet usage on display! Were some dithering tricks used to increase the overall color pallet being displayed on-screen (like with Success' MD Panorama Cotton stg release)?
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If you're visiting the shop and you don't have enough money to buy anything, you'll see the phrase mentioned by the shopkeeper, "Better buy something, pal. My kitty here doesn't settle for the cheap stuff" -- a bit of biting "smart-ass" sarcasm at it's best here found only within ZPF (that's right up my alley -- something you wouldn't find or even see in one of those "old-school" classic MD/SG stg titles from the early-to-mid 1990s for sure with a typical standardized 8 megabit Rom sized cart anyways when space, code-wise, was at an absolute premium).
Makes me wonder if there will be a proper ZPF II sequel (if it does well, sales-wise)?
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Just how many megabits in capacity, size-wise, is this particular peculiar Mega Cat Studios produced MD/SG ZPF cart anyways? It certainly piques my interest in it.
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PC Engine Fan X! ^_~
The "old-school" stylized RF-based wireless Genesis gamepad that comes with the At Games Genny console clone is cool in that it's powered by two "AAA" batteries but requires that it be pointed within direct sight on the on-board built-in RF receiver port to work/register D-pad & button presses properly. Of course, there are two dedicated DB-9 based controller ports on-board to use both 1st-party and 3rd-party MD/SG gamepads and arcade sticks if so desired -- how cool is that?
----------
Finally got to try out ZPF on a Sega Genesis Model 1 setup with an Euro Scart cable piped into a Retrotink 5X -- it's so much more detailed + with scanlines added in, it sure makes all the difference with the right A/V gear & correct 1st-gen console as it was originally intended/meant to played on. It's quite nice to try out the 8bitdo M30 wireless Genesis controller with it's tiny 2.4gHz wireless receiver dongle on a real Genny gaming console -- look Ma, no wires to deal with/trip over with either!
Plus having access to a Brook MD/Gen/PCE controller adapter with dedicated PS3 and PS4 gamepads + arcade stick support is truly worth it's weight in gold indeed.
You can ever use Xbox controllers on a MD/SG setup -- here's how:
1.) Connect a Brook MD/Gen/PCE controller adapter to either Port #1 or Port #2.
2.) Second, hook up a Brook PS3/PS4 Wingman XE 2 controller adapter into the USB port of the Brook MD/PCE adapter.
3.) Hook up an 8bitdo Xbox 2.4gHz wireless receiver dongle into the USB port of the Brook PS3/PS4 Wingman XE 2.
4.) Turn on the 8bitdo Xbox Series S/X wireless arcade stick and pair it up to the daisy-chained adapters. Success and easy as pie!
----------
----------
Wow, ZPF is quite impressive with it's vivid and colorful pallet usage on display! Were some dithering tricks used to increase the overall color pallet being displayed on-screen (like with Success' MD Panorama Cotton stg release)?
----------
If you're visiting the shop and you don't have enough money to buy anything, you'll see the phrase mentioned by the shopkeeper, "Better buy something, pal. My kitty here doesn't settle for the cheap stuff" -- a bit of biting "smart-ass" sarcasm at it's best here found only within ZPF (that's right up my alley -- something you wouldn't find or even see in one of those "old-school" classic MD/SG stg titles from the early-to-mid 1990s for sure with a typical standardized 8 megabit Rom sized cart anyways when space, code-wise, was at an absolute premium).
Makes me wonder if there will be a proper ZPF II sequel (if it does well, sales-wise)?
----------
Just how many megabits in capacity, size-wise, is this particular peculiar Mega Cat Studios produced MD/SG ZPF cart anyways? It certainly piques my interest in it.
----------
PC Engine Fan X! ^_~