Editing SSF

{{Infobox emulator
|title         = SSF
|logo          = 
|logowidth     = 
|developer     = Shima
|version       = {{Version|SSF}}
|active        = Yes
|platform      = [[Emulators on Windows|Windows]]<br/>[[Emulators on Android|Android]]
|architecture  = 
|target        = [[Sega Saturn emulators|Sega Saturn]]
|compatibility = High
|accuracy      = Mid-high
|website       =[https://twitter.com/FessX Shima's Twitter]
|prog-lang     = 
|support       = 
|license       = Closed-source
|source        = [https://github.com/shimazzz/SEGASaturnEmulator-SSF GitHub]
}}

'''SSF''' is a closed-source [[Sega Saturn emulators|Sega Saturn emulator]] known for being the most compatible for a long time.

==Download==
{| cellpadding="4"
|-
|align=center|{{Icon|Win-big|APK-big}}
|'''[{{SSFDownloadLink}} Latest release]'''
|}

==Review==
'''SSF''' was once renowned as being the best Saturn emulator from its inception in the early 2000s till around mid-2010s when a slate of newer and open-source Saturn emulation software was first launched. These included the [[Mednafen]] versions from the late 2010s and onwards with much improved Saturn compatibility, and two WIP derivatives of the old [[Yabause]] base called Kronos and [[Yaba Sanshiro]]. SSF is superior to [[Yabause]] and was initially superior to [[Mednafen]] with its early Saturn core versions for compatibility, but SSF is closed-source and was made for Windows only until it was [https://github.com/shimazzz/SEGASaturnEmulator-SSF/releases/tag/AndroidVer released] to Android devices in 28 January 2021.

Before the Android release, source code alongside several older builds were uploaded to GitHub in 26 January 2021 and newer builds were uploaded there afterwards, but there were no commits made to the GitHub source code since then. A large number of Saturn games require manual and persnickety editing in the emulator's configuration options to run properly, which makes SSF less easier to use in comparison to other Saturn emulators, and more recently, [https://github.com/shimazzz/SEGASaturnEmulator-SSF/issues/15#issuecomment-1038281021 trojan detections in recent versions] caused this emulator to become a risk for some computers. Despite this, SSF remains largely clean and it is recommended for users with older PCs.

The author Shima was, for a time, probably the longest-time active developer on any emulator from the emulator's public launch (Labelled 'SSF 001') in 1999 till 20 years later in late November 2019. It is unknown when the first ever version was released publicly, however, the next version of 'SSF 002' was released on 5th December 1999.<ref name="20Years_reddit">{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/e3u9wz/ssf_saturn_emulator_has_been_actively_developed/ |title=Thread: 'SSF (Saturn emulator) has been actively developed by the same single author for 20 years now.' |author='ZarkonD' |publisher=Reddit |date=30 November 2019}}</ref>

A major update to 0.12 improved compatibility for certain games and broke others. It added support for some of the games such as Astal (needs "Enable SH2 Cache").  Keep both versions, pre- and post-0.12 just in case. To raise compatibility, you can try with "No Bios" enabled or disabled, and you'll want to start with the MaxCompatibility (slow) option, then try with the faster options (that do not always work).

For some time, SSF requires either an external virtual drive or a specific loader to read disc images. Close and restart the emulator (as it says in the Japanese dialogue popup appearing) whenever you modify the options for them to take effect. Since Preview Version R4, SSF no longer requires mounting ISO files in a virtual drive to run them, though it is largely experimental and may cause crashes. [[SSF#Free Virtual Drive Software|Please see below for recommendations]].

Even though it has a "No Bios" option, you'll sometimes need the BIOS files, of course specifying the correct region in the options.

Some useful commands:
* F7: Pause and Load State (Press 0-9 to choose)
* Shift + F7: Pause and Save State (Press 0-9 to choose)
* Numeral Pad 1-6: Disable 2D layers. Useful for sprite rips. Keep in mind this often causes 3D games to crash, and they already have lower compatibility than 2D one when it comes to general emulations.
* You can change the speed of emulation under options up to 4x.

==Guides and Info==
* [http://www.racketboy.com/retro/sega/saturn/ssf-a-nearly-perfect-sega-saturn-emulator General Guide]

* [https://www.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.geocities.jp%2Fmj3kj8o5%2Fssf%2Fsetting.html&sandbox=1 Shima's FAQ about compatibility issues. Note that this is Japanese-to-English Google Translate, and has a very shoddy syntax as a result.]

* [https://segaretro.org/SSF See the external links in this Sega Retro page for guides and compatibility databases].

* An user called 'FreeckyCake' has produced an useful, detailed overview and guide to setting up SSF and uploaded it to a website in early December 2021. It also contains 15 table of content items and small information on decent alternatives such as Mednafen and [[RetroArch]]'s cores of Beetle Saturn and Kronos, although the user probably didn't try Mednafen with a GUI frontend, which marred his experience somewhat.<ref name="FC-Guide_reddit">{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/EmulationOnPC/comments/r80f95/ssf_emulator_guide_for_beginners_saturn_emulator |title=SSF Emulator Guide For Beginners (Saturn Emulator) |author='FreeckyCake' |publisher=Reddit |date=3 Dec 2021}}</ref><ref name="FC-Guide_AoG">{{cite web|url=https://altarofgaming.com/how-to-play-sega-saturn-games-on-windows-pc/ |title=How to Play Sega Saturn Games on Your Windows PC |author='FreeckyCake' |publisher=Altar of Gaming |date=3 Dec 2021}}</ref>

* The website FantasyAnime, which is well known for hosting fan-translation patches for many SNES RPGs among others has detailed guides for many advanced emulators of old consoles before 2000 and 2010. They have a much more detailed guide than FreeckyCake's guide above to setting up and running SSF, which was last updated on March 2022.<ref name="FA-Tutorial>{{cite web|url=https://fantasyanime.com/emuhelp/ssf |title=SSF Tutorial |publisher=FantasyAnime |date=31 March 2022}}</ref>

===Troubleshooting===
A rough translation of Shima's FAQ about compatibility issues with various games and fixes for them. The original can be found [https://web.archive.org/web/20190331080907/http://www.geocities.jp/mj3kj8o5/ssf/setting.html here].

The configuration closest to accurate hardware emulation would be: Enable "Bus Wait". Set "Bus Wait Clock" to 0. Enable "SH2 DMA Real Transfer". Alternatively, "Setting5" (holding the 5 keyboard button at startup) achieves similar results.

General issues:
* '''Character sprites in SNK games don't appear:''' Change "Cartridge" to "1MBytes RAM Cartridge".
* '''Flickering in FMVs:''' Enable "Check Cycle Pattern".
* '''No sound:''' Enable "Memory Access Wait".
* '''Stuttering sound:''' Enable "Scanline Base Timing".

Game-specific issues:
* '''Astal''', Denpa Shounenteki Game''' : Enable "SH2 Cache".
* '''Baroque''' (FMV issues): Enable "Check Sprite Priority".
* '''Castlevania Symphony of the Night''' (fix for data select screen), '''Macross Do You Remember Love''',World Heroes Perfect: Enable "VDP2 RAM Revision Access".
* '''Chaos Seed''': Enable "Check Cycle Pattern". Enable "VDP2 RAM Revision Access".
* '''Daina ☆ Airan, Deep Fear Mr. Bones, X-Men Vs. Street Fighter''': Enable "Memory Access Wait".
* '''Dark Savior''': Enable "Bus Wait" (fix for logo). Enable "VDP2 RAM Revision Access" (fix for save data screen).
* '''Daytona USA Circuit Edition''': Enable "VDP2 RAM Revision Access".
* '''Galjan''': Enable "SH2 DMA Real Transfer".
* '''Gokujou Parodius Da! Deluxe Pack (aka Fantastic Journey)''': Enable "Bus Wait", Set "Bus Wait Clock" to 0.
* '''Grandia''' (FMV issues): Set "Dot Clock" on 3.7 or above. Set "SlaveSH2 Speed" to 90%, Set "EZ Setting" to Highest.
* '''Idol Janshi Suchie-Pai II''' (fix for cutscenes): Enable "Check Cycle Pattern" and "VDP2 RAM Revision Access".
* '''Lunar Silver Star Story''' (FMV issues): Enable "SCU DMA Delay Interrupt".
* '''Marvel Super Heroes Vs. Street Fighter''' (fix for sound noise): Disable "Sound Thread".
* '''Pro Mahjong Kiwame S, Megaman X3''': Set "Dot Clock" to 3.7 or above. Set "1Block Clock" to a value as low as possible.
* '''Quovadis 2''' (fix for FMVs): Set "Dot Clock" to 3.0 or above, and "EZ Setting" to "High".
* '''Riglord Saga 2''': Set "Dot Clock" to 3 or above.
* '''Ruri Iro no Yuki''' (fix for company logo among other stuff): Enable "Check Cycle Pattern".
* '''Sol Divide''': Set "Dot Clock" to 3.4 or above.
* '''Sonic Jam''': Set "Dot Clock" to 2.7 or above. Enable "Check Cycle Pattern" (fix for 2P Mode in Sonic 2). 
* '''Taito Chase HQ Plus SC'''I: Enable "CD Track/Index".
* '''Toshinden URA''' (if FMVs skip): Set "1Block Clock" to 50. Disable "Check SlaveSH2 Idle Loop". Enable "Bus Wait". Set "Bus Wait Clock" to 1. Enable "Enable Instruction Cache".
* '''The Tower:''' Enable "VDP2 RAM Write Timing".
* '''Thunder Hawk II, Whizz''': Enable "Bus Wait".
* '''Virtua Fighter 2''': Enable "VDP2 RAM Revision Access" (fix for key config screen). Enable "Memory Access Wait".

===SSF Drag and Drop Loader===
[https://mega.nz/file/QhNEhDZD#76O76LscytcGil4T20O04x1jXYsNEsb0xTSefugOQck The best option] for SSF. Put it in your SSF directory. It works with normal Saturn filenames. Just drag and drop the game file, like Mednafen.
[https://www.mediafire.com/file/lat61ymnzz4oyf9/SSF-RS.7z/file (Alt. link from Nevermindxx's original post.)]

===CHDSSF===
[https://github.com/batteryshark/CHDSSF This loader] allows you to use disc image without having to mount them at all with the only major caveat being that it requires you to convert your rips to .CHD beforehand using [http://forums.bannister.org//ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=68262#Post68262 chdman] or one of it's forks.


===Cheating with CEP===

# [https://gamehacking.org/downloads/cep022.zip download CEP] and prepare your CODELIST.TXT file. You can find an [https://eadmaster.altervista.org/pub/index.php?page=cheatpacks#ssf example with some codes and an handy converter here].
# start SSF.exe and wait for the game to load, then click About->cep, and leave the dialog with the base address opened.
# start cep.exe
# click "Process" tab, and select the correct emulator version and code type (usually "60codes")
# make sure the address in the field in the 2nd line matches the one in SSF (NO NEED TO CLICK "Search"). Usually it won't match and you will have to change a few digits.
# click "Codes" tab, select the current game and the cheat codes you want to enable
# click the "On" button to activate codes

===Free Virtual Drive Software===
As said above one of the ways to get SSF to use disc images is using a virtual disc drive. Sadly, most of the good free ones don't work with SSF for one reason or another. They either have a bunch of adware or they don't support some formats. The ones that do work (along with some that don't) will be listed below.

As of [https://twitter.com/FessX/status/1151502018185293824 Preview Version R4], you can mount CD images that use .cue and .bin files by going to Options > Peripherals, then in the ''CD Image'' section, select '''Enable''', then select the .cue file of your choosing, and restart the emulator. Mind you that this feature is still experimental, ergo the game will likely crash at certain points, so it's best to use the software below.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of Free Virtual Drive Software
|-
! scope="col"|Program Name
! scope="col"|Pros
! scope="col"|Cons
|-
|[https://www.elby.ch/en/download.html Virtual CloneDrive]
|
* Isn't a cut-down version of a paid software.
* Very lightweight. 
* Doesn't try to install unwanted software.
|
* Doesn't support .mdf/.mds files. This is kind of a big deal, since quite a few of the Saturn's popular titles are only available as mdf/mds.
* Can't mount .cue files. DON'T mount the .bin instead, as SSF will boot you back to the bios whenever it feels like it if you do. Instead, make a .ccd/.img copy with CloneCD and another virtual drive program.
|-
|[http://yubsoft.com/imgdrive/ ImgDrive]
|
* Very lightweight. 
* Doesn't try to install unwanted software.
* Can be used from the command line.
|
* Doesn't seem to work with .cue/.bin or .cue/.iso files (disc gets mounted, but without audio tracks).
.mds/.mdf & .ccd/.img/.sub files are fine, though.
|-
|[http://www.softpedia.com/get/CD-DVD-Tools/CD-DVD-Rip-Other-Tools/Alcohol-52.shtml Alcohol 52% Free Edition]
|
* Supports every Saturn image extension.
* Very reliable.
|
* Installer contains optional adware.
* Mounting the images causes the sound files to autoplay.
* The installer forces you to install crapware called Smart File Advisor, which you can't uninstall without uninstalling Alcohol.
(You can mostly ignore the program by stopping it from running on startup, or you can install the program while completely offline using an [http://www.free-codecs.com/download/alcohol_52.htm offline installer] and the crapware will fail to install itself and won't cause any further issues at any point)
|-
|[http://www.daemon-tools.cc/products/dtLite Daemon Tools LITE]
|
* Nice UI.
* Supports every Saturn image extension.
|
* Installer tries to fill your computer up with adware, and newer versions force you to install adware (Version 4.30.4 does not force it).
* Sends data on every image you mount to an outside location. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neowin.net/news/daemon-tools-knows-what-you-mounted-last-summer|title=Daemon tools spying}}</ref> (mostly applies to versions 4.4x and on, [https://mega.nz/#!ZLwFXJYL!CYc0yn38agyZcfcJm487Id2XoJZ9JrzfyGpZ-nGY9AQ version 4.3x] seems unaffected and still works with modern systems but might be buggier)
* No longer run by the original team. Possibly Chinese spyware at this point.
|-
|[http://wincdemu.sysprogs.org/ WinCDEmu]
|
* Isn't a cut-down version of a paid software.
* Open-source.
* Very lightweight.
* Doesn't try to install unwanted software.
* Supports every Saturn image extension.
|
* SSF isn't compatible with it.
|-
|[http://www.magiciso.com/tutorials/miso-magicdisc-overview.htm MagicDisc]
|
* Lightweight.
* Doesn't try to install unwanted software.
* Supports every Saturn image extension.
|
* SSF isn't compatible with it.
|}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20200417060901/http://aaaaaaaa.g2.xrea.com/ssf/ Shima's Site (archived from xrea.com)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190331134556/http://www.geocities.jp/mj3kj8o5/ssf/ Shima's Site (archived from geocities.jp)]
* [https://ssftribute.csdprojects.co.uk/ English Tribute Site]
* [http://segasaturn.org/ Updated Compatibility List Based On Game Region]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Emulators]]
[[Category:Consoles' emulators]]
[[Category:Home consoles' emulators]]
[[Category:Windows emulation software]]
[[Category:Sega Saturn emulators]]
[[Category:Closed-source emulators]]