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The best Saturn emulator right now. SSF is superior to [[Yabause]] and to [[Mednafen]] for due to higher accuracy and higher game compatibility, but is Windows only, closed source and also drastically lower CPU requirements compared to Mednafen. It also has features other Saturn emulators lack such as support for true 3d transparencies (instead of checkboard mesh) and a proper de-interlacer for reducing flicker in 480i games. It no longer requires mounting ISO files in a virtual drive to run them. The source code was uploaded to GitHub just once in late January 2021.
A recent major update to 0.12 improved compatibility The author Shima was, for certain games and broke others. It added support for some of a time, probably the longest-time active developer on any emulator from the games such as Astal emulator's public launch (needs "Enable SH2 Cache"Labelled 'SSF 001')in 1999 till 20 years later in late November 2019. Keep both versionsIt is unknown when the first ever version was released publicly, however, the next version of 'SSF 002' was released on 5th December, pre- and post-01999.12 just in case. To raise compatibility, you can try with <ref name="No Bios20Years_reddit" enabled or disabled, and you>{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/e3u9wz/ssf_saturn_emulator_has_been_actively_developed/ |title=Thread: 'll want to start with the MaxCompatibility SSF (slowSaturn emulator) option, then try with has been actively developed by the faster options (that do not always work)same single author for 20 years now.' |author='ZarkonD' |publisher=Reddit |date=30 November 2019}}</ref>
SSF requires either an external virtual drive or a specific loader A recent major update to read disc images0. Close 12 improved compatibility for certain games and restart broke others. It added support for some of the emulator games such as Astal (as it says 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 Japanese dialogue popup appearingMaxCompatibility (slow) whenever you modify option, then try with the faster options for them to take effect(that do not always work).
[* 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://segaretrofantasyanime.orgcom/emuhelp/ssf |title=SSF See the external links in this Sega Retro page for guides and compatibility databases].Tutorial |publisher=FantasyAnime |date=31 March 2022}}</ref>
* '''Taito Chase HQ Plus SC'''I: Enable "CD Track/Index".
SSF
,→Review
{{Outdated}}
{{Infobox emulator
|title = SSF
|logowidth =
|developer = Shima
|version = {{SSFVerVersion|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://web.archive.org/web/20190331134556/http://www.geocities.jp/mj3kj8o5/ssf/ Shima's Site (Defunct)]<br/>[https://twitter.com/FessX Shima's Twitter]<br/>[https://ssftribute.csdprojects.co.uk/ English Tribute Site]
|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}}|'''[http://aaaaaaaa.g2.xrea.com/ssf/ Latest release]'''<br/><small>The first link</small>|-|align=center|{{Icon|APK-bigSSFDownloadLink}}|'''[http://aaaaaaaa.g2.xrea.com/ssf/files/SSF_AndroidVer.zip Latest Releaserelease]'''|-|colspan="3"|<hr/>|-|align=center|{{Icon|Win-big}}|[http://aaaaaaaa.g2.xrea.com/ssf/files/ Older builds]
|}
==Review==
Even though it has a "No Bios" option, you'll sometimes need the BIOS files, of course specifying the correct region in the options.
==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.googlereddit.com/translate?hlr/EmulationOnPC/comments/r80f95/ssf_emulator_guide_for_beginners_saturn_emulator |title=SSF Emulator Guide For Beginners (Saturn Emulator) |author=en&sl'FreeckyCake' |publisher=ja&tlReddit |date=en&u3 Dec 2021}}</ref><ref name=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.geocities.jp%2Fmj3kj8o5%2Fssf%2Fsetting.html&sandbox"FC-Guide_AoG">{{cite web|url=1 Shima's FAQ about compatibility issueshttps://altarofgaming. Note that this is Japanesecom/how-to-English Google Translate, and has a very shoddy syntax as a result.]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>
===Troubleshooting===
Game-specific issues:
* '''Marvel Super Heroes Vs. Street FighterAstal''' (fix for sound noise): Disable "Sound Thread".* , '''Idol Janshi Suchie-Pai IIDenpa Shounenteki Game''' (fix for cutscenes): Enable "Check Cycle Pattern" and "VDP2 RAM Revision AccessSH2 Cache".* '''The Tower:Baroque''' (FMV issues): Enable "VDP2 RAM Write TimingCheck Sprite Priority".* '''Quovadis 2Castlevania Symphony of the Night''' (fix for FMVsdata select screen), '''Macross Do You Remember Love''', '''World Heroes Perfect''': Set Enable "Dot Clock" to 3.0 or above, and "EZ Setting" to "HighVDP2 RAM Revision Access".* '''GaljanChaos Seed''': Enable "SH2 DMA Real TransferCheck Cycle Pattern". Enable "VDP2 RAM Revision Access".* '''WhizzDaina ☆ Airan, Thunder Hawk IIDeep Fear, Mr. Bones, X-Men Vs. Street Fighter''': Enable "Bus 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".
* '''Virtua Fighter 2Galjan''': Enable "VDP2 RAM Revision Access" (fix for key config screen). Enable "Memory Access WaitSH2 DMA Real Transfer".* '''BaroqueGokujou Parodius Da! Deluxe Pack (aka Fantastic Journey)''' (FMV issues): Enable "Check Sprite PriorityBus Wait", Set "Bus Wait Clock"to 0.* '''Sonic JamGrandia'''(FMV issues): Set "Dot Clock" to 2on 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" (fix for 2P Mode in Sonic 2)and "VDP2 RAM Revision Access".
* '''Lunar Silver Star Story''' (FMV issues): Enable "SCU DMA Delay Interrupt".
* '''GrandiaMarvel Super Heroes Vs. Street Fighter''' (FMV issuesfix for sound noise): Disable "Sound Thread".* '''Megaman X3''', '''Pro Mahjong Kiwame S''': Set "Dot Clock" on to 3.7 or above. Set "SlaveSH2 Speed" to 90%, Set "EZ Setting1Block Clock" to Highesta value as low as possible.* '''Deep Fear, Daina ☆ Airan, Mr. Bones, X-Men Vs. Street FighterQuovadis 2'''(fix for FMVs): Enable Set "Dot Clock" to 3.0 or above, and "EZ Setting" to "Memory Access WaitHigh".
* '''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.
* '''Pro Mahjong Kiwame S, Megaman X3Sonic Jam''': Set "Dot Clock" to 32.7 or above. Set "1Block Clock" to a value as low as possible.* '''World Heroes Perfect, Castlevania Symphony of the Night''' (fix for data select screen), '''Macross Do You Remember Love''': Enable "VDP2 RAM Revision Access".* '''Chaos Seed''': Enable "Check Cycle Pattern". Enable "VDP2 RAM Revision Access".* '''Denpa Shounenteki Game, Astal''': Enable "SH2 Cache".* '''Gokujou Parodius Da! Deluxe Pack (aka Fantastic Journeyfix for 2P Mode in Sonic 2)''': Enable "Bus Wait", Set "Bus Wait Clock" to 0.* '''Ruri Iro no YukiTaito Chase HQ Plus SC''' (fix for company logo among other stuff)I: Enable "Check Cycle PatternCD 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://www.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/e9cqrd/drag_drop_rom_loader_for_ssf_emulator_sega_saturn/ 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.
'''Note:''' Unfortunately, the web-link shown in the 2019 Reddit post linked above is since erased. Other sources will need to be found. It is probably found in [https://playnite.link/forum/thread-62.html this thread] at [[Playnite]] Forums. Be sure to grab the file quickly as it is on an unstable host at MediaFire.<ref name="PF_ROMLoader">{{cite web|url=https://playnite.link/forum/thread-62.html |title=Romloader app for SSF Emu (sega saturn) |author='cos37' |publisher=Playnite Forums |date=11 December 2019}}</ref>
===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===
* 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==
[[Category:Emulators]]
[[Category:Console emulators]]
[[Category:Home console emulators]]
[[Category:Sega Saturn emulators]]
[[Category:Windows emulation software]]
[[Category:Sega Saturn emulatorsAndroid emulation software]]
[[Category:Closed-source emulators]]
