Changes

|version = {{SSFVerVersion|SSF}}

|platform = [[Emulators on Windows|Windows]]<br/>[[Emulators on Android|Android]]

|compatibility = High|accuracy = Mid-high

|source = [https://github.com/shimazzz/SEGASaturnEmulator-SSF GitHub]

The '''SSF''' was once renowned as being the best Saturn emulator right nowfrom 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 closed newer builds were uploaded there afterwards, but there were no commits made to the GitHub sourcecode since then. It no longer requires mounting ISO files A large number of Saturn games require manual and persnickety editing in a virtual drive the emulator's configuration options to run them 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 (see belowLabelled '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 recent 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]].

* [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>

[* 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>

* '''Megaman X3''', '''Pro Mahjong Kiwame S''': Set "Dot Clock" to 3.7 or above. Set "1Block Clock" to a value as low as possible.

[https://wwwmega.reddit.comnz/r/emulation/comments/e9cqrd/drag_drop_rom_loader_for_ssf_emulator_sega_saturnfile/ 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.   

[[Category:Consoles' Console emulators]][[Category:Home consoles' console emulators]][[Category:Sega Saturn emulators]]

[[Category:Sega Saturn emulatorsAndroid emulation software]]