VGBA-Android 3.9.9 with improved Cheatopedia

[fms]

The new VGBA-Android 4.5.2 release is now on Google Play:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...d=com.fms.vgba

I have been fixing pending emulation issues lately, so this release makes 10+ previously broken games from my bug list work. I also looked at the problem where some VGBA threads remained running after quitting the app, tying up CPU and memory. This problem should be gone now. Finally, as VGBA-Android now stores in-game saves in plain binary format, I've removed the "Save VBA Save File on Exit" option: you will no longer need it.

ALL CHANGES:
* Removed "Save VBA Save File on Exit" option, as no longer necessary.
* Implemented proper shutdown of DropBox and BoxArt threads at exit.
* Fixed stale timer thread remaining after exiting a game.
* Went through the global bug list fixing various emulation bugs.
* Fixed hangups in E.T., Worms World Party, Black Belt Challenge.
* Fixed playfield in Nicktoons Racing.
* Fixed dialogs in Scooby Doo Mystery Mayhem.
* Fixed sprites in Barbie Horse Adventures.
* Fixed background scroll in Altered Beast.
* Fixed sound in Monster Truck Madness.
* Fixed level finish in Hugo Evil Mirror.
* Fixed a bunch of other, mostly Japanese games.

Enjoy!

[fms]

Hello, All!

In VGBA-Android 4.5.3, released today, I have fixed a nasty bug that left multiple "zombie" processes as you used VGBA and heavily optimized the utility library, for faster startup times:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...d=com.fms.vgba

The new VGBA computes many utility function results just once and does not start Google Analytics until needed. This gives you faster game startup and snappier switching between Settings, Cheatopedia, Netplay, and other activities. I have also removed the AdMob library, as I am not planning to show any ads.

The cheaters among you will be glad to see cheat codes for two more Dragonball games, updated Castlevania: Harmony Of Dissonance codes, new Spyro and James Bond cheats.

ALL CHANGES:
* Eliminated multiple zombie processes created when starting activities.
* Reduced game start times by moving many common values to globals.
* Reduced switch times between activities (Settings, Exchange, etc).
* Only starting Google Analytics tracker when needed.
* Keeping just one instance of Google Analytics tracker.
* Removed AdMob library, as VGBA is not running any ads.
* Added new Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance cheats to the Cheatopedia.
* Added Spyro: Attack of the Rhynocs to the Cheatopedia.
* Added Dragonball GT: Transformation to the Cheatopedia.
* Added Dragonball Z: Taiketsu to the Cheatopedia.
* Added Airforce Delta Storm to the Cheatopedia.
* Added James Bond 007: Nightfire to the Cheatopedia.
* Added James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing to the Cheatopedia.

Happy new school year

[fms]

Hello, All!

Starting today, September 18 2014, I am making VGBA-Windows free for everyone to use and share. As you probably know, VGBA is the oldest GameBoy Advance emulator out there and you can now download it directly from the home page:

http://fms.komkon.org/VGBA/

The new VGBA-Windows 4.5 includes many changes, fixes, and improvements accumulated in VGBA-Android releases over the last few years. I continue developing it though, so if you have complaints or suggestions, report them in this discussion group:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!newtopic/emul8

Following is somewhat complete list of changes between VGBA-Windows 4.5 and the previous paid version 3.6. I will update VGBA-Unix to the latest version shortly.

ALL CHANGES.
* Improved audio quality.
* Now saving VBA-compatible .SAV files by default.
* Added GameShark cheats emulation (both v1 and v3).
* Added backward compatibility with VBA .SAV files.
* Added week day register to the RTC emulation.
* Added light sensor emulation (Boktai and Boktai 2).
* Added gyro sensor emulation (Warioware Twisted).
* Added tilt sensor emulation (Yoshi Topsy Turvy, etc).
* Fixed RumblePak emulation (Warioware Twisted and Drill Dozer).
* Fixed sprite color blending (Boktai 2 and other games).
* Fixed FlashROM saves in Pokemon and other games.
* No longer generating HBlank and VBlank IRQs at the same time (EZ-Talk).
* No longer allowing ICount to fall too far behind after a DMA transfer (Lego Racers 2, etc.).
* Fixed rotation parameters initialization in ResetGBA() (Lego Racers 2, etc.).
* Fixed ResetCPU() to request THUMB-to-ARM switch from the emulation loop.
* Fixed handling of >16MB games by disabling EEPROM at 0x09000000.
* Fixed ArcTan2() BIOS function (Mario and Luigi dyeing minigame).
* Fixed SoftReset() BIOS function, no longer accepting an argument.
* Fixed CPUSet() BIOS function (Galidor and Final Fantasy 6).
* Fixed RegisterRAMReset() BIOS function to unconditionally reset DISPCONT and BLDCONT VDP registers (Spyro+Crash Fusion).
* Fixed tilt sensor emulation to use separate developer supplied Tilt() function rather than FIREL/FIRER button bits.
* Added BIOS read protection to ARMonARM emulation (Tetris Worlds, Onimusha Tactics, Salt Lake City 2002, etc.).
* Fixed ARM V-flag computation after subtraction (Caravan Heart).
* Fixed THUMB PUSH instruction for cases where DMA is initiated with PUSH.
* Fixed MOVLR/BLL instruction sequence in THUMB mode to correctly perform a call (Mario Golf Advance Tour).
* Fixed LDM/STM instructions accessing stack at misaligned addresses (Mario Golf Advance Tour).
* Fixed a typo in the SMLAL instruction (Lego Racers 2, etc.).
* Fixed color #0 transparency in VDP MODE4.
* Fixed -ds command line parameter to take values from 0 ("mute") to 3 ("fast").
* Disabling windows with invalid coordinates (fixed Sword Of Mana).
* Resetting rotation when BG size changes (fixed Rayman 3 Swamp Zone).
* Fixed After Burner in Sega Arcade Gallery (by handling illegal reads).
* Fixed playfield and in-game saves in Crazy Taxi (no longer hangs).
* VGBA-Windows, VGBA-MSDOS, and VGBA-Unix now use mouse buttons to simulate tilt sensor.
* Switched VGBA-Windows to Direct3D in full-screen mode.
* Fixed VGBA-Unix to correctly restore sound when mouse focus returns to the window.
* Reduced audio latency setting in VGBA-Unix to 50ms.

Have fun!

[fms]

Hello, All!

Today's VGBA-Android 4.6 release adds the Cheat Hunter feature that lets you hunt for your own cheat codes in games:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...d=com.fms.vgba

Search for cheats in these few simple steps:
1) Start a game and select "Cheats | Cheat Hunter | Add Watch".
2) Enter the value to search for (money amount, ammo count, lives), how it changes, and the replacement value (like 99).
3) Play the game to make the watched value change.
4) Select "Cheats | Cheat Hunter | Scan for Changes" to find changed memory locations.
5) Repeat previous two steps several times, to minimize false positives.
6) Select "Cheats | Cheat Hunter | Create Cheats" to add and enable found cheat codes.
7) To edit newly found cheats, use "Cheats | Edit Cheats".

Enjoy your new cheat codes!

[fms]

Hello, All!

VGBA-Android 4.6.2, released today, fixes a rather serious bug that completely skewed 32bit memory access timings on ARM devices (i.e. 99% of all Android devices):

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...d=com.fms.vgba

As result, the hangups in Metroid Fusion and Wario Land 4, as well as other hangups the users have not yet complained about, are completely gone. In addition, Pokemon players with different Pokemon games (Leaf Green, Fire Red, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald) should now be able to interconnect using network play.

ALL CHANGES:
* Fixed serious bug with 32bit memory access timings (were completely wrong on ARM).
* Fixed Wario Land 4 hangup after jumping onto the blue frog.
* Fixed Metroid Fusion hangup during intro sequence.
* Players with different Pokemon games can connect over NetPlay now.
* MULS/MLAS instructions no longer change C/V flags.

Enjoy!

[fms]

Hello, All!

You can now pick up free VGBA 4.6 for Windows or Ubuntu Linux from the home page:

http://fms.komkon.org/VGBA/

The VGBA-Windows 4.6 has got a built-in utility to search for game cheats. Press F5 and select "Search cheats" to activate. VGBA-Linux 4.6 comes with a long list of additions and fixes, accumulated since 2008, when the last Linux binaries were released. These include better sound, wider compatibility, cheats, instant replay (press F8 to activate), and more.

Enjoy!

[fms]

Hello, All!

I have just released VGBA-Android 4.7 that addresses the remaining complaints about the sound quality:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...d=com.fms.vgba

The VGBA audio has improved a lot over the past few years, but some glitches still remain. Today's release attempts to fix these last glitches. I have corrected an arithmetic error that occurred when mixing direct sound channels and added a buffer to take care of an occasional jitter. Clicks in Castlevania and Metroid title sequences should be gone now, as well as crackling sounds in Golden Sun and many other games.

A few users also wanted to have individual backdrop images for each game. Your wish has been granted, just call your image Game.back.png and place it into the same folder where Game.gba is.

ALL CHANGES:
* Corrected remaining sound problems, fixing audio in many games.
* Added large safety buffer to account for audio jitter.
* Fixed arithmetic bug in the EMULib audio mixing routine.
* Each game can have own backdrop. For Game.gba, place it into Game.gba.back.png.
* Cleaned audio in Metroid Fusion and Metroid Zero Mission.
* Fixed scratching sounds in Castlevania: Circle Of The Moon title.
* Fixed distortions in Golden Sun and Golden Sun 2 intros.
* Aligning backdrop to the bottom on stretched screens.
* Moved GBA timers emulation into a separate function.
* Removed debug messages from the BIOS emulation.
* Added explanation messages to the Cheat Hunter.

Have fun!

[fms]

Hello, All!

This week's VGBA-Android 4.7.1 release fixes several emulation bugs and improves emulation of the legacy sound chip that GBA has inherited from the original GameBoy:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...d=com.fms.vgba

I have fixed the corrupted background in Golden Sun, reported by some users, by correctly resetting the background rotation parameters when its priority is changed. Similar problem affected Rayman, but was fixed a while ago. The invalid memory read that made Zelda hang at the top of a castle tower has been fixed as well.

For Android KitKat+ users, I've also added the "immersive mode" that completely removes all system controls when you are playing a game. You can temporarily restore the controls by pulling down from the top of the screen. Please note that even if you are using an older Android, you will still need to fling your finger from the top in order to show the title bar. This is done to avoid erroneous flings. Also, with the auto-hide option enabled, the title bar will disappear after 5 seconds.

ALL CHANGES:
* Fixed resetting rotation when background priority changes.
* Fixed corrupted background in Golden Sun battles.
* Fixed hangup in Legend Of Zelda: The Minish Cap.
* Fixed GB noise channel emulation.
* Fixed restoring GB sound chip state.
* Added immersive mode support for KitKat and newer.
* Autohiding title bar when "Hide Title Bar" enabled.
* You must start or finish your fling at the top to toggle title bar.
* No longer muffling legacy noise channel (no more need).
* Added configurable random noise generator to EMULib.

Enjoy!

[fms]

Hello, All!

In advance of the holidays, I have updated VGBA-Android to version 4.7.4 and released the new VGBA-Windows 4.7 for free:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...d=com.fms.vgba (Android)
http://fms.komkon.org/VGBA/ (Windows)

The Android version has got translucent navigation bars and separate settings for hardware media keys (PLAY, RECORD, FFWD, REWIND). If you like playing while listening to the music player, these settings will come handy. Also, VGBA-Android now speaks French!

The Windows version fixes several emulation bugs and greatly improves the audio. The sound glitches should now be gone from most games.

CHANGES IN VGBA-Android 4.7.4:
* Made system UI translucent when immersive mode is on.
* Added "Use PLAY/RECORD Media Keys" option.
* When enabled, RECORD saves, PLAY restores gameplay.
* Added "Use FFWD/REWIND Media Keys" option.
* When enabled, FFWD fast-forwards, REWIND replays.
* Added French translation, thanks to Sylvain St-Amand.

CHANGES IN VGBA-Windows 4.7:
* Fixed corrupted background in Golden Sun battles.
* Fixed hangup and walk-then-roll in Legend Of Zelda: The Minish Cap.
* Greatly improved sound quality, fixing audio in many games.
* Resetting rotation when background priority changes, not size.
* Added large ring buffer to account for audio jitter.
* Added correct legacy noise channel emulation.
* Added configurable random noise generator to EMULib.
* Fixed restoring legacy sound chip state.
* Fixed arithmetic bug in the EMULib audio mixing routine.
* Moved GBA timers emulation into a separate function.
* No longer muffling legacy noise channel (no more need).
* Cleaned audio in Metroid Fusion and Metroid Zero Mission.
* Fixed scratching sounds in Castlevania: Circle Of The Moon title.
* Fixed distortions in Golden Sun and Golden Sun 2 intros.
* Removed debug messages from the BIOS emulation, making things faster.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[fms]

Hello, All!

I recently got a new Android phone and started improving VGBA for bigger screens and modern Android features. The VGBA-Android 4.8 adds multi-window and mini-window support on Samsung Galaxy devices, so that you can run VGBA side by side with other apps:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...d=com.fms.vgba

I have also added assembly-optimized routines for scaling GBA display to 1280x800+ Android screens, so it now looks bigger and better on high resolution devices. If it is still too small for you, enable "Hardware Accelerated Video" to make it fill the whole screen, at the cost of slight fuzziness.

Many people asked for a way to search for a game by name. The new File Selector Search now lets you enter a keyword when starting search, or leave it empty to find ALL your GBA games.

Finally, I have fixed a bunch of nasty Android-related bugs. The automatic frame skip and hardware accelerated audio are once again enabled by default when you install VGBA. The screen no longer shakes when you enable both auto frame skip and OpenGLES, and the problem pulling the title bar on some phones has been fixed.

ALL CHANGES:
* Added multi-window and mini-window support on Samsung devices.
* Added searching by name to the File Selector Search.
* Added assembler routines for scaling GBA screen to 1280+ pixels.
* Fixed auto frame skip when accelerated video enabled.
* Fixed reenabling UI with a fling on Kitkat+ phones.
* Reenabled automatic frame skip by default.
* Reenabled accelerated audio by default.
* You can now fling from the top or the bottom to toggle UI.
* Removed deprecated code, settings, and resources.

Enjoy!