Difference between pages "Wii emulators" and "Sega Genesis emulators"

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{{Infobox console
 
{{Infobox console
|title = Nintendo Wii
+
|title = Sega Genesis / Mega Drive
|logo = Wii-Console.png
+
|logo = RS39200_Megadrive.png
|developer = [[:Nintendo]]
+
|image = Sega-Genesis-Mk2-6button.jpg
|type = [[:Category:Consoles|Home video game console]]
+
|image2 = Sega-Nomad-Front.jpg
|generation = [[:Category:Seventh-generation video game consoles|Seventh generation]]
+
|imagecaption = '''Top:''' PAL Sega Mega Drive.<br/>'''Middle:''' Sega Genesis Model 2 with 6-button controller.<br/>'''Bottom:''' Sega Genesis Nomad, portable variation.
|release = 2006
+
|developer = [[:Sega]]
|discontinued = 2013
+
|type = [[:Category:Home consoles|Home video game console]]
|predecessor = [[GameCube emulators|GameCube]]
+
|generation = [[:Category:Fourth-generation video game consoles|Fourth generation]]
|successor = [[Wii U emulators|Wii U]]
+
|release = 1988
 +
|discontinued = 1997
 +
|predecessor = [[Master System emulators|Master System]]
 +
|successor = [[Sega Saturn emulators|Saturn]]
 
|emulated = {{✓}}
 
|emulated = {{✓}}
 
}}
 
}}
The '''Wii''' is a 2006 console by Nintendo. Because of similarity between the Wii and the [[GameCube emulators|GameCube]], Wii emulation happened very quickly through GameCube emulation.  
+
The '''[[gametech:Sega_Genesis|Sega Genesis]]''' is a 16-bit, fourth-generation console released by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega Sega] in Japan on October 29, 1988 and in the US on August 14, 1989. It had a Motorola 68000 CPU at 7.6 MHz and a Zilog Z80 at 3.58 MHz. In other regions, it was known as the '''Mega Drive'''. It had several add-ons, including the Sega CD (a CD add-on, called Mega CD outside America) and the 32X (a 32-bit, cartridge-based add-on).
 +
 
 +
The Sega CD was released on October 15, 1992 and retailed for {{Inflation|USD|299.99|1992}} and had a Motorola 68000 CPU at 12.5 MHz and 64 kbit of RAM. The Sega 32X was released on November 21, 1994 for {{Inflation|USD|159.99|1994}}. It had 2 SH-2 RISC CPUs at 23 MHz with 256KB of RAM and 256KB of VRAM.
 +
 
 +
Genesis emulation is very good, with a high degree of game compatibility (many of them claiming nearly 100% compatibility with commercial games, including Virtua Racing). They are available on many platforms. Many Genesis emulators also feature compatibility with the [[Master System emulators|Sega Master System]] (SMS), and the [[Master System emulators|Game Gear]] (GG) as well as earlier Sega consoles. Genesis-based arcade boards and the [[Sega Pico]] are still sketchy, however.
  
 
==Emulators==
 
==Emulators==
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
 
 
! scope="col"|Name
 
! scope="col"|Name
! scope="col"|Operating System(s)
+
! scope="col"|Platform(s)
 
! scope="col"|Latest Version
 
! scope="col"|Latest Version
! scope="col"|NGC
+
! scope="col"|CD
! scope="col"|Wii
+
! scope="col"|32X
! scope="col"|Triforce
+
! scope="col"|[[Sega Pico|Pico]]
! scope="col"|[[libretro|Libretro Core]]
+
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
 +
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
 +
! scope="col"|Active
 
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
 
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
 
|-
 
|-
!colspan="8"|PC
+
!colspan="10"|PC
 +
|-
 +
|[[BlastEm]]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
 +
|[https://www.retrodev.com/blastem/changes.html {{BlastEmVer}}]
 +
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
 +
|-
 +
|[[Exodus]]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
 +
|[http://www.exodusemulator.com/index.php/downloads/current-release {{ExodusVer}}]
 +
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}}
 +
|-
 +
|[[Genesis Plus GX]]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
 +
|{{GenPlusGXVer}}
 +
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}}* ||{{~}} <ref group=N name=noncomm>This software is open-source, but uses a license that explicitly forbids any commercial usage. [https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html#selling The Free Software Foundation are not fans of this approach.]</ref> ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
 +
|-
 +
|[[BizHawk]]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
 +
|[http://tasvideos.org/BizHawk/ReleaseHistory.html {{BizHawkVer}}]
 +
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||? ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
 +
|-
 +
|[[Kega Fusion]]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
 +
|[http://www.carpeludum.com/kega-fusion 3.64]
 +
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}}
 +
|-
 +
|[[PicoDrive]]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
 +
|[http://notaz.gp2x.de/pico.php {{PicoDriveVer}}]
 +
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}} <ref group=N name=noncomm /> ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}<ref group=N name=PicoDrive>Only recommended for running 32X software as a cross-platform alternative to Kega Fusion.</ref>
 +
|-
 +
|[[FinalBurn Neo]]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
 +
|[https://github.com/finalburnneo/FBNeo/releases/latest Stable] [https://ci.appveyor.com/project/tmaul/fbneo-kbhgd/branch/master WIP builds]
 +
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}} <ref group=N name=noncomm /> ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}
 +
|-
 +
|[[MAME]]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
 +
|[http://www.mamedev.org/release.html {{MAMEVer}}]
 +
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}
 +
|-
 +
|[http://segaretro.org/Gens/GS Gens/GS]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
 +
|[http://www.dusers.drexel.edu/gitweb/gitweb.cgi/~korth/gens.git r7]
 +
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
 +
|-
 +
|[http://dgen.sourceforge.net/ DGen]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
 +
|[http://sourceforge.net/projects/dgen/files/dgen/ 1.33]
 +
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
 +
|-
 +
|[[Genecyst]]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|DOS}}
 +
|[https://web.archive.org/web/20070205202050/http://www.zophar.net/genecyst/gcystxxx.zip x.xx]
 +
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
 +
|-
 +
|[[GENS]]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|BeOS}}
 +
|[http://gens.me/downloads.shtml 2.14]
 +
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
 +
|-
 +
|[[higan]]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
 +
|[https://github.com/higan-emu/higan/releases {{higanVer}}]
 +
|{{~}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}}<small>(bsnes)</small> ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}
 +
|-
 +
|Megado
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
 +
|[https://github.com/merwaaan/megado git]
 +
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
 +
|-
 +
|Regen
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
 +
|[http://aamirm.hacking-cult.org/www/regen.html 0.972]
 +
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
 +
|-
 +
|AloneMD
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
 +
|[https://up1.xwikisas.com/#650YS5cXMSc7sGflY1dqeg 1.0.0]
 +
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||?
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="10"|Mobile / ARM
 +
|-
 +
|[[Genesis Plus GX]]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Android|iOS|Linux|Pandora}}
 +
|{{GenPlusGXVer}}
 +
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}} <ref group=N name=noncomm /> ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
 +
|-
 +
|MD emu
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Android|Pyra}}
 +
|[https://pyra-handheld.com/repo/apps/77 1.5.46.01 Pyra]
 +
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
 +
|-
 +
|[[PicoDrive]]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Android|iOS|Linux|Symbian}}
 +
{{Icon|Pandora|Gizmondo|GP2X|Wiz}}
 +
|[http://notaz.gp2x.de/pico.php {{PicoDriveVer}}]
 +
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}} <ref group=N name=noncomm /> ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}<ref group=N name=PicoDrive />
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="10"|Consoles
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Dolphin]]
+
|NeoGenesis
|Multi-platform
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Xbox}}
|[https://dolphin-emu.org/download/#download-stable {{DolphinVer}}]<br />[https://dolphin-emu.org/download/list/master Git]
+
|[https://digiex.net/threads/neogenesis-v25-download-sega-genesis-megadrive-32x-segacd-megacd-emulator.13698 V25]
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{}}* ||{{}} ||{{✓}}
+
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{}} ||{{✓}}
 
|-
 
|-
|Ishiiruka-Dolphin
+
|[[Genesis Plus GX]]
|Multi-platform
+
|align=left|{{Icon|GCN|Xbox360|Wii|3DS}}
|[https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-unofficial-ishiiruka-dolphin-custom-version 1074]
+
|[https://bitbucket.org/eke/genesis-plus-gx/downloads {{GenPlusGXVer}}]<br/>[https://digiex.net/threads/retroarch-360-0-9-8-3-download-sega-sens-gameboy-finalburn-emulator-for-xbox-360.12395 RetroArch 360 0.9.8.3]
|{{✓}} ||{{}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}} <small>(WIP)</small> ||{{✓}}
+
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}} <ref group=N name=noncomm /> ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
 
|-
 
|-
!colspan="8"|Mobile
+
|[[PicoDrive]]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|PS2|PSP|3DS}}
 +
|[http://notaz.gp2x.de/pico.php {{PicoDriveVer}}]<br/>[https://www.ps2-home.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=99&t=1710 PicoDrive 1.51b]
 +
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}} <ref group=N name=noncomm /> ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Dolphin]]
+
|[[Virtual Console]]
|[[Android emulators|Android]]
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Wii}}
|[https://dolphin-emu.org/download/list/master Git]
+
|N/A
|{{}} ||{{}} ||{{}} ||? ||{{}}
+
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
 +
|-
 +
|Sega Genesis Plus
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Xbox360}}
 +
|[https://digiex.net/threads/sega-genesis-plus-libexnon-genesis-megadrive-emulator-for-xbox-360-download.9936 Libxenon]
 +
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{}} ||{{}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
 
|}
 
|}
<small><nowiki>*</nowiki>Requires the [https://dolphin-emu.org/download/list/Triforce/1/ Triforce branch] to work. It is very old and unsupported.</small>
+
<references group=N />
 
 
[[Dolphin]] is the first and only option for Wii emulation. This is probably due to the project going open source, allowing more developers to pursue it early in the lifespan of the console. It's updated on a near daily basis and is very good, barring some noticeable issues with GameCube games. System requirements are high. In addition, it is recommended to sync a Wii remote to play games for two reasons, mainly that it can be difficult mapping the motion controls to a controller, and MotionPlus has not been emulated at this time.
 
 
 
==Wii System Menu Emulation==
 
Dolphin is capable of running the system menu. To get the system menu, one needs to use [http://www.wiibrew.org/wiki/BootMii BootMii] to dump the NAND of the Wii and import it. Refer to the [https://wiki.dolphin-emu.org/index.php?title=NAND_Usage_Guide NAND usage guide on the Dolphin wiki] for more details.
 
 
 
As of 5.0-4588, it is possible to get the System Menu along with all other system software automatically by performing an online update (in the Tools menu).
 
  
==Connectivity==
+
<nowiki>* Available exclusively as a libretro core</nowiki>
===Wi-Fi Connection===
 
{{main|Dolphin Online}}
 
This was the first Nintendo console to make online a standard feature. The service was discontinued on May 20, 2014, for most games.<ref>http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/vyWpoM6CBIe6FjW8NIY7bvzOrgBURhzw</ref> Dragon Quest X continued to support the service until November 2017, and support for the Wii Shop Channel will end in 2019. Online emulation improved enough to cover these while they were still functional. A Wii NAND is required and there are some restrictions on what controllers are allowed.
 
  
Custom servers for some of the more popular games exist thanks to the [https://wiimmfi.de Wiimmfi] project. However, some popular servers ban emulator users who drop frames since it can give some unfair competitive advantages. There are various No-Intro sets that include DLC data for the games that used to have it that can be installed.
+
===Comparisons===
 +
;[[Genesis Plus GX]]:A solid emulator for the Sega Genesis / Sega Master System / Sega CD / Game Gear. The only things it lacks are 32X and Pico support, and a native desktop port. The only way to get this emulator on the desktop is to use the libretro core, which allows for all the benefits of RetroArch like shaders, dynamic sync, and other enhancements. The version used in [[BizHawk]] adds features for speedrunners.
 +
:;[https://github.com/libretro/Genesis-Plus-GX-Wide Genesis Plus GX Wide]: Custom fork of Genesis Plus GX available as a libretro core, it includes experimental widescreen options. Sega CD/Mega CD games are currently unsupported.
 +
;[[Kega Fusion]]:The project of an employee with previous experience at Sega. Kega Fusion has high compatibility, is easy to use and has plugin-based filter support but it has some issues on newer versions of Windows which can be solved with compatibility settings.
 +
;[[PicoDrive]]:Strongly prioritizes performance over accuracy. Compatibility and accuracy isn't as good as Genesis Plus GX but it's useful on very underpowered systems like the Raspberry Pi Zero. Currently the first and only cross-platform option for 32X and Pico games.
 +
;[[Exodus]]:Think [[bsnes]], but for the Genesis. Even though higan is also getting into the Genesis game, Exodus has already achieved cycle-accuracy at the familiar cost of high system requirements. It is the newest Genesis emulator and is far from complete.
 +
;[http://aamirm.hacking-cult.org/www/regen.html Regen]:A focus on accuracy has earned it high compatibility with games, but it does not emulate the Sega CD and 32X. It also allows [[overclocking]].
 +
;[[BlastEm]]:Aims for cycle-accuracy but unlike Exodus, aims for lower system requirements. It has substantially higher compatibility than Exodus, but it should be noted that the last and current official release has inaccurate color emulation.
 +
;[[GENS]]:Close to Kega Fusion in features and compatibility, but has largely been surpassed by better emulators. There are many different forks and iterations of Gens, so your experience will differ quite a lot depending on which version you use.
 +
;[[higan]]:Also developing cycle-accurate Genesis emulation, akin to its very own [[Super Nintendo emulators|SNES emulator]] bsnes. It's promising but incomplete. However, it can be used in the latest builds.
 +
;[[MAME]]:Has the parent drivers <code style="color:green">genesis</code>, <code style="color:green">sms</code>, <code style="color:green">gamegear</code>, <code style="color:darkred">segacd</code>, and <code style="color:darkred">32x</code>. Green drivers are reported as OK, where red ones are reported as not working as of version 0.200.
  
===DS Connectivity===
+
==Lock-On Emulation==
An unadvertised feature of the Wii is being able to connect to the [[Nintendo DS emulators|Nintendo DS]] (and by extension, the DSi and the 3DS through their respective retro-compatibility features). A few DS titles<ref>[[Wikipedia:Mii#Nintendo DS]]</ref> can do it, including but not limited to:
+
Lock-On Technology is a unique feature found on Sonic & Knuckles cartridges for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis that allowed a player to connect an older game to the cartridge's pass-through port for extended or altered gameplay.
* ''Mii Channel'' (a hidden feature that can be used in conjunction with a 3DS's Mii Maker application or some DS games)
 
* ''Pokémon Battle Revolution''
 
* ''Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Fate''
 
* ''Nintendo Channel''
 
  
Unlike with GameCube/GBA connectivity, this feature is still not yet emulated. So far, neither [[Dolphin]] nor any [[Nintendo DS emulators|Nintendo DS emulator]] so far supports this feature.
+
* With Sonic 3: Unlocks an alternate version of Sonic 3 with more levels.
 +
* With Sonic 2: Unlocks an alternate version of Sonic 2 with playable Knuckles.
 +
* With Sonic 1: Unlocks the Blue Sphere minigame with a level select to all possible levels.
  
==Controllers==
+
The Sonic & Knuckles cartridge can lock on to other cartridges:
===Wiimote===
 
The main selling point of the Wii - motion control devices relying on gyroscopic sensors to detect motion, and an IR sensor plus a "Wii Sensor Bar" on the top or bottom of the TV screen (which is just 2 red LEDs, and you can easily use two candles on each side of the screen to get the exact same effect) to detect the screen and simulate pointers. Optionally, a nunchuck with an analog pad can be plugged to the Wiimote, and it also has its own gyroscopic controls. Some other, yet less common add-ons may be plugged in too.
 
  
You can simulate these controls with one of these modes:
+
* Smaller than 2MB: Will play a single random level from the Blue Sphere minigame generated from data in the header.
* '''Bluetooth Passthrough''' (since 5.0-910). This allows exposing a Bluetooth adapter to the emulated software directly, bypassing all host stack limitations. Given a good enough adapter, this mode guarantees identical connectivity and behavior to the Wii.
+
* Bigger than 2MB: Will boot to Sonic & Knuckles.
* '''Real Wiimote:''' Controlled only with an actual, physical Wiimote, connected to the PC with Bluetooth. You may need to hold 1+2 on the Wiimote before clicking "Pair" in Dolphin.
+
* Has Battery Pack: All save data will be wiped out.
* '''Emulated Wiimote:''' Controlled only with a keyboard or gamepad controls you set up in the configuration. Considering the motion controls were basic enough for the first Wiimote, there are just options to set the directions for "Tilt", "Swing" and "Shake". The IR sensor is mapped to the mouse by default, though the option to go towards the screen is empty by default but available for remapping. The Nunchuck has its own motion controls. Depending on the game, you can just set up a few of these (typically, a button dedicated for shaking) and leave the rest empty. With presets, you can have each game use its own configuration. There are settings for sideways and vertical Wiimote positions.
 
* '''Hybrid Wiimote:''' Allows for using both emulated controls and real Wiimote controls. Can be useful to control the IR pointer with a mouse in case there's no sensor bar.
 
  
Up to 4 Wiimotes can be added. If they desynch and disconnect, they can be reconnected by pressing Alt+F5~8.
+
Most emulators don't support Lock-On save for Genesis Plus GX, but there are pre-combined ROMs for the Sonic trilogy available online that can be played as a regular Megadrive ROM on any emulator and still work. The Sonic 3 Complete romhack also achieves the same purpose.
  
===Wiimote+===
+
Genesis Plus GX's [[RetroArch]] core includes true Lock-On emulation. From the Core Options menu, you can enable the Lock-On feature for either Sonic & Knuckles, Game Genie, or the Action Replay (Pro) -- the latter two using a different technology but with similar effects. Setting this option to anything other than "Off" will enable Lock-on to the cartridge you're currently playing as. After resetting, the game will boot in Lock-On mode.
The enhanced incarnation of the Wiimote with better motion detection. It was used to great effect for improved swordplay in Wii Sports Resort and The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword. However, with this improvement comes additional complexity for setting up the gyroscopic controls.
 
  
As of now, the official Dolphin builds only allow for using a '''real''' Wiimotion Plus controller to control these games, with no option for an emulated Wiimote+ with a keyboard or gamepad controls. "Emulated Wiimote" only covers gyroscopic controls for the regular Wiimote model. It's also very low on the list of priorities for the developers right now; they won't do it, but at least will consider if someone else did it in a way "good enough" for them.
+
The following files need to be under the directory for BIOS files (usually "system"):
 +
* sk.bin (Sonic & Knuckles (2 MiB) ROM)
 +
* sk2chip.bin (Sonic & Knuckles UPMEM (256 KiB) ROM): If you can't find it online, extract it with a hex editor from a pre-combined Sonic 2 & Knuckles ROM from offset 00300000 to the end of the ROM.
  
However, one old unofficial branch from 2011 by jpeterson offered emulated Wiimotion+ with a somewhat intimidating setup menu for all the bindings, which is why it's best used with the real thing under the "Hybrid Wiimote" setting. Links for it and its source are dead, sadly enough. It was recently ported by a kind soul to the latest versions of Dolphin and may be downloaded from these links along with a [[Xbox 360 emulators|Xbox 360]] controller preset optimized for Skyward Sword.
+
For GG/AR, the files needed are areplay.bin and ggenie.bin, but most emulators support cheat codes from these natively.
  
* [http://github.com/john-peterson/dolphin-emu/tree/input Reupload of the source, based on 2011 master]
+
==Mega Drive Plus / Genesis Plus==
* [http://mega.nz/#!wEMGRRSQ!vv8EDy7EGISBk0GBHjTfiexQ4rBevEJS-BPYlZwBT8E Based on May 2017 master (git#54dcd3a)]
 
* [https://github.com/SonofUgly/dolphin/releases Based on December 2017 master]
 
  
==Resources==
+
The Mega Drive Plus / Genesis Plus (sometimes abbreviated as MD+) is a special mode for certain Genesis games that use enhanced CDDA tracks with a Sega CD. This was not used in any official games, however, the mode itself was first used in the first batch of Pier Solar releases. This feature was been [https://downloads.terraonion.com/public/MegaSD_DEV_Manual.pdf documented] to be used on Terraonion's Mega SD flash cartridge, to give similar effects for Genesis games in a way how MSU-1 does in patched SNES games.
* [https://wiki.dolphin-emu.org/index.php?title=Main_Page Dolphin Wiki] - For checking if your games work and any fixes/tweaks/settings you should know beforehand.
 
  
==References==
+
Currently, no Genesis + Sega CD emulators feature this function, although there is [https://github.com/ekeeke/Genesis-Plus-GX/issues/297 plans to be added] in Genesis Plus GX.
<references/>
 
  
 +
==External links==
 +
* [http://wiki.megadrive.org/index.php?title=Main_Page MegaDrive Development Wiki] - A Wiki about every technical aspect of the SEGA MegaDrive hardware and software. Its aim is to provide the most detailed, accurate and up to date information, to help homebrew development and repairs.
 +
* [http://segaretro.org/Category:Mega_Drive_emulators Mega Drive emulators] on Sega Retro
 +
* [https://archive.org/details/sega_genesis_library ARCHIVE.ORG Console Library: Sega Genesis]
  
{{Nintendo}}
+
{{Sega}}
  
 
[[Category:Consoles]]
 
[[Category:Consoles]]
[[Category:Seventh-generation video game consoles]]
+
[[Category:Home consoles]]
[[Category:Nintendo consoles]]
+
[[Category:Sega consoles]]
 +
[[Category:Sega Genesis emulators|*]]
 +
[[Category:Fourth-generation video game consoles]]

Revision as of 12:59, 2 September 2021

Sega Genesis / Mega Drive
RS39200 Megadrive.png
Sega-Genesis-Mk2-6button.jpg
Sega-Nomad-Front.jpg
Top: PAL Sega Mega Drive.
Middle: Sega Genesis Model 2 with 6-button controller.
Bottom: Sega Genesis Nomad, portable variation.
Developer Sega
Type Home video game console
Generation Fourth generation
Release date 1988
Discontinued 1997
Predecessor Master System
Successor Saturn
Emulated

The Sega Genesis is a 16-bit, fourth-generation console released by Sega in Japan on October 29, 1988 and in the US on August 14, 1989. It had a Motorola 68000 CPU at 7.6 MHz and a Zilog Z80 at 3.58 MHz. In other regions, it was known as the Mega Drive. It had several add-ons, including the Sega CD (a CD add-on, called Mega CD outside America) and the 32X (a 32-bit, cartridge-based add-on).

The Sega CD was released on October 15, 1992 and retailed for $299.99 and had a Motorola 68000 CPU at 12.5 MHz and 64 kbit of RAM. The Sega 32X was released on November 21, 1994 for $159.99. It had 2 SH-2 RISC CPUs at 23 MHz with 256KB of RAM and 256KB of VRAM.

Genesis emulation is very good, with a high degree of game compatibility (many of them claiming nearly 100% compatibility with commercial games, including Virtua Racing). They are available on many platforms. Many Genesis emulators also feature compatibility with the Sega Master System (SMS), and the Game Gear (GG) as well as earlier Sega consoles. Genesis-based arcade boards and the Sega Pico are still sketchy, however.

Emulators

Name Platform(s) Latest Version CD 32X Pico Libretro Core FLOSS Active Recommended
PC
BlastEm Windows Linux macOS 0.6.2
Exodus Windows 2.1
Genesis Plus GX Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD 1.7.5 RC1 ✓* ~ [N 1]
BizHawk Windows 2.9.1 ?
Kega Fusion Windows Linux macOS 3.64
PicoDrive Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD 1.93 ~ [N 1] [N 2]
FinalBurn Neo Windows Linux macOS Stable WIP builds ~ [N 1]
MAME Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD 0.264
Gens/GS Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD r7
DGen Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD 1.33
Genecyst MS-DOS x.xx
GENS Windows Linux BeOS 2.14
higan Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD v110 ~ (bsnes)
Megado Windows Linux git ?
Regen Windows Linux 0.972 ?
AloneMD Windows 1.0.0 ?
Mobile / ARM
Genesis Plus GX Android iOS Linux Pandora 1.7.5 RC1 ~ [N 1]
MD emu Android Dragonbox Pyra 1.5.46.01 Pyra
PicoDrive Android iOS Linux Symbian

Pandora Gizmondo GP2X GP2X Wiz

1.93 ~ [N 1] [N 2]
Consoles
NeoGenesis Xbox V25 ?
Genesis Plus GX GameCube Xbox 360 Wii Nintendo 3DS 1.7.5 RC1
RetroArch 360 0.9.8.3
~ [N 1]
PicoDrive PlayStation 2 PSP Nintendo 3DS 1.93
PicoDrive 1.51b
~ [N 1]
Virtual Console Wii N/A
Sega Genesis Plus Xbox 360 Libxenon ?
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 This software is open-source, but uses a license that explicitly forbids any commercial usage. The Free Software Foundation are not fans of this approach.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Only recommended for running 32X software as a cross-platform alternative to Kega Fusion.

* Available exclusively as a libretro core

Comparisons

Genesis Plus GX
A solid emulator for the Sega Genesis / Sega Master System / Sega CD / Game Gear. The only things it lacks are 32X and Pico support, and a native desktop port. The only way to get this emulator on the desktop is to use the libretro core, which allows for all the benefits of RetroArch like shaders, dynamic sync, and other enhancements. The version used in BizHawk adds features for speedrunners.
Genesis Plus GX Wide
Custom fork of Genesis Plus GX available as a libretro core, it includes experimental widescreen options. Sega CD/Mega CD games are currently unsupported.
Kega Fusion
The project of an employee with previous experience at Sega. Kega Fusion has high compatibility, is easy to use and has plugin-based filter support but it has some issues on newer versions of Windows which can be solved with compatibility settings.
PicoDrive
Strongly prioritizes performance over accuracy. Compatibility and accuracy isn't as good as Genesis Plus GX but it's useful on very underpowered systems like the Raspberry Pi Zero. Currently the first and only cross-platform option for 32X and Pico games.
Exodus
Think bsnes, but for the Genesis. Even though higan is also getting into the Genesis game, Exodus has already achieved cycle-accuracy at the familiar cost of high system requirements. It is the newest Genesis emulator and is far from complete.
Regen
A focus on accuracy has earned it high compatibility with games, but it does not emulate the Sega CD and 32X. It also allows overclocking.
BlastEm
Aims for cycle-accuracy but unlike Exodus, aims for lower system requirements. It has substantially higher compatibility than Exodus, but it should be noted that the last and current official release has inaccurate color emulation.
GENS
Close to Kega Fusion in features and compatibility, but has largely been surpassed by better emulators. There are many different forks and iterations of Gens, so your experience will differ quite a lot depending on which version you use.
higan
Also developing cycle-accurate Genesis emulation, akin to its very own SNES emulator bsnes. It's promising but incomplete. However, it can be used in the latest builds.
MAME
Has the parent drivers genesis, sms, gamegear, segacd, and 32x. Green drivers are reported as OK, where red ones are reported as not working as of version 0.200.

Lock-On Emulation

Lock-On Technology is a unique feature found on Sonic & Knuckles cartridges for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis that allowed a player to connect an older game to the cartridge's pass-through port for extended or altered gameplay.

  • With Sonic 3: Unlocks an alternate version of Sonic 3 with more levels.
  • With Sonic 2: Unlocks an alternate version of Sonic 2 with playable Knuckles.
  • With Sonic 1: Unlocks the Blue Sphere minigame with a level select to all possible levels.

The Sonic & Knuckles cartridge can lock on to other cartridges:

  • Smaller than 2MB: Will play a single random level from the Blue Sphere minigame generated from data in the header.
  • Bigger than 2MB: Will boot to Sonic & Knuckles.
  • Has Battery Pack: All save data will be wiped out.

Most emulators don't support Lock-On save for Genesis Plus GX, but there are pre-combined ROMs for the Sonic trilogy available online that can be played as a regular Megadrive ROM on any emulator and still work. The Sonic 3 Complete romhack also achieves the same purpose.

Genesis Plus GX's RetroArch core includes true Lock-On emulation. From the Core Options menu, you can enable the Lock-On feature for either Sonic & Knuckles, Game Genie, or the Action Replay (Pro) -- the latter two using a different technology but with similar effects. Setting this option to anything other than "Off" will enable Lock-on to the cartridge you're currently playing as. After resetting, the game will boot in Lock-On mode.

The following files need to be under the directory for BIOS files (usually "system"):

  • sk.bin (Sonic & Knuckles (2 MiB) ROM)
  • sk2chip.bin (Sonic & Knuckles UPMEM (256 KiB) ROM): If you can't find it online, extract it with a hex editor from a pre-combined Sonic 2 & Knuckles ROM from offset 00300000 to the end of the ROM.

For GG/AR, the files needed are areplay.bin and ggenie.bin, but most emulators support cheat codes from these natively.

Mega Drive Plus / Genesis Plus

The Mega Drive Plus / Genesis Plus (sometimes abbreviated as MD+) is a special mode for certain Genesis games that use enhanced CDDA tracks with a Sega CD. This was not used in any official games, however, the mode itself was first used in the first batch of Pier Solar releases. This feature was been documented to be used on Terraonion's Mega SD flash cartridge, to give similar effects for Genesis games in a way how MSU-1 does in patched SNES games.

Currently, no Genesis + Sega CD emulators feature this function, although there is plans to be added in Genesis Plus GX.

External links

Dreamcast logo.png
Consoles: SG-1000Master SystemGenesis / Mega DriveCD32XPicoSaturnDreamcast
Handhelds: Game GearVMU / VMS
Arcade: System seriesModel 1Model 2Model 3NAOMI