VGBA-Android 3.9.9 with improved Cheatopedia

[fms]

Hello, All!

I have published VGBA-Android 4.3.10 to the Google Play Store today:

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

This update fixes the ARM V flag computation on x86 Android, adds the often requested slow-motion mode, and extends Cheatopedia with more Pokemon Fire Red cheats, submitted by users.

More importantly, Android Kitkat users should now be able to run games from their SD cards. As you know, Kitkat restricts third-party apps from creating or modifying files on the external SD card. Because of this limitation, if you store your games on an SD card, VGBA will save your gameplay and screenshots to the "VGBA" folder in the internal storage. If this folder does not exist, VGBA will save to the app-specific SD card folder, where it is permitted to write. Please note that all app-specific folders are deleted when you uninstall the app, so you may want to manually create that "VGBA" folder, or simply keep all your GBA games in the internal storage, avoiding Google's draconian restrictions.

ALL CHANGES:
* Fixed ARM V-flag computation after subtraction (Caravan Heart works).
* Added slow-motion mode, combined with fast-forward mode.
* Added more Pokemon Fire Red cheats to the Cheatopedia.
* Made a work-around for external SD card use on KitKat!
* If can't write to external SD card, saving states to /storage/sdcard0/VGBA.
* If VGBA folder doesn't exist, saving states to /storage/sdcard1/Android/data/com.fms.vgba/files.
* Fixed a crash in Cheatopedia, when displaying the list.

Have fun!

[fms]

Hello, All!

Just released VGBA-Android 4.3.12 to the Google Play:

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

Those Kitkat users, who had problems with Cheatopedia in the last release, should find Cheatopedia working now. Same goes for .IPS patches support. People with Moga gamepads and other analog controllers are now able to adjust their analog controllers sensitivity. There have been many fixes to the File Selector and a few UI enhancements. See the complete change list below.

ALL CHANGES:
* Fixed Cheatopedia and IPS patches on Kitkat, when running games from SD card.
* Added "Analog Joystick Blind Radius" setting for Moga and other analog joysticks.
* Added "Show File Selector Toolbar" option to the File Selector.
* Added "Settings" menu option to the File Selector.
* Fixed a File Selector crash, when deleting a file.
* Fixed auxillary files display in the File Selector.
* Fixed sections navigation in the File Selector.
* Fixed scanline effects with OpenGLES enabled.

Enjoy!

[fms]

Hello, All!

I have updated VGBA-Android, my GameBoy Advance emulator, to version 4.3.13 today:

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

The updated version fixes the network play, for people who had connection problems. It also introduces a tilt joystick sensitivity setting and adds cheats for 7 more games to the Cheatopedia, including three Rugrats games.

ALL CHANGES:
* Fixed network play, although it is still slow.
* Added "Tilt Joystick Blind Radius" setting.
* Improved melodic audio quality.
* Added cheats for three Rugrats games to the Cheatopedia.
* Added Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc to the Cheatopedia.
* Added R-Type 3: The Third Lightning to the Cheatopedia.
* Added Prehistorik Man to the Cheatopedia.
* Added Sabre Wulf to the Cheatopedia.

Enjoy!

[fms]

Hello, All!

The new VGBA-Android update, version 4.3.14, is now ready to download from the Google Play:

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

Starting with this version, there is a GBA-like decorative background when running VGBA in portrait mode. I have tried to make the an nice looking, low-key background, to avoid interfering with the controls, but if you have a better idea for a background, send it in. I have also fixed a problem where touching anywhere on the screen, while holding the directional pad, was interpreted as holding that pad with two fingers. Also, lucky Xperia owners should find their circle button working. If it still isn't, let me know. Finally, I have added four more games to the Cheatopedia. Enjoy!

ALL CHANGES:
* Added decorative background that looks like a real GBA SP.
* Fixed directional pad activated by touching outside.
* Hopefully fixed "O" button on Sony Xperia gamepads.
* Fixed cheats not showing up automatically for recently added games.
* Added Gauntlet Dark Legacy to the Cheatopedia.
* Added Galidor to the Cheatopedia.
* Added Monster Force to the Cheatopedia.
* Added Phalanx to the Cheatopedia.

[fms]

Hello, All!

I have released the VGBA-Android 4.4, a new version of my GameBoy Advance emulator:

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

In this release, I am introducing the Box Art Downloader function, that searches and downloads cover art images of your games. You can either enable it permanently via the File Selector menu, or search for an individual game cover by selecting "Download Box Art" from the context menu. Keep in mind that not every cover can be found and sometimes the search may return a wrong image. To save network bandwidth, the Box Art Downloader only works over WiFi.

I have also been trying to make DropBox users' life easier. With the new VGBA, you no longer need to enter the password every time you use DropBox. Also, as you finish playing a DropBox game, your gameplay state will be automatically uploaded back into the DropBox.

There were other changes as well. See below for details.

ALL CHANGES:
* Improved sound chip emulation, adding GBA-specific bits to channel #3.
* Added box art downloader that searches and downloads game box images.
* DropBox no longer requires login every time you open it.
* Gameplay saved back to DropBox after you are done playing.
* Added "Download Box Art" option to the File Selector menus.
* Added Gallery support for SD card folders on Android Kitkat.
* Added DropBox upload from SD card folders on Android Kitkat.
* Gallery now shows box art, as well as screenshots.
* Improved background image in portrait mode.
* Upgraded DropBox SDK to the latest version.

Have fun!

[fms]

Hello, All!

I have updated VGBA-Android, my GameBoy Advance emulator, to version 4.4.1 today:

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

Whoever complained about .ZIP file problems, your pleas have been answered in this release. VGBA is now able to use .ZIP files from SD cards inserted into Kitkat devices. As it cannot unpack these files in-place, the unzipped ROMs are now cached in the application's private directory. Running .ZIP files from Internal storage, on rooted and pre-Kitkat devices works as it did before.

I have also added the ability to assign and use the "O" button on Xperia Play devices and made the backdrop image customizable. Or, you can disable the backdrop completely, via the "General | Show Portrait Backdrop" option.

ALL CHANGES:
* Fixed support for .ZIP files stored on Kitkat SD cards.
* No longer showing box art for .ZIP files, as we cannot identify them.
* Now allowing to remap the "O" button on Xperia Play gamepad.
* Made backdrop optional (see "General | Show Portrait Backdrop").
* You can now supply your own backdrop in /sdcard/VGBA/Backdrop.png.
* Added two Lilo and Stitch games to the Cheatopedia.
* Added two Kim Possible games to the Cheatopedia.
* Added Peter Pan and Catwoman to the Cheatopedia.

Have a nice weekend!

[fms]

Hello, All!

The next VGBA-Android 4.4.2 release has arrived to the Google Play:

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

The hardware media keys will now save, restore, and replay your gameplay. If you do not have media keys, assign these functions to any other key on your gamepad or keyboard via "Input | Assign Keys".

Also, I am no longer prohibiting LuckyPatcher use. Too many users complained about not being able to run my emulators with LuckyPatcher installed, so from now on you will see a warning, but no crash. Please, do not use this as an excuse to pirate my apps: I can't keep developing them if people keep stealing them.

There is now proper, hopefully painless Wiimote support. You won't even need to assign anything, just enable "Input | Wiimote Support" in the Settings. Also, the BACK button found on some gamepads should be fully usable and assignable.

Finally, while testing VGBA on a real x86-based Android tablet, I have found a problem with the scanline effects and fixed it. Glad to say that these x86 Dell Venue tablets run VGBA very smoothly, even with all the special effects enabled.

ALL CHANGES:
* Added "Input | Wiimote Support" option for easy and painless Wiimote support.
* LuckyPatcher use now accepted, by public demand, but you will see a warning.
* Gamepad BACK button fully usable and assignable.
* Fixed scanline effects on x86-based Android devices.
* Added custom key assignments for freezing, restoring, and replaying gameplay.
* Added "General | Confirm Freezing State" option for people who tend hitting "Freeze" by mistake.
* Tested VGBA on real a x86-based Android device (Dell Venue 8).
* Fixed crashes when downloading DropBox files.
* The "REWIND" hardware key now replays recent gameplay.
* The "RECORD" hardware key now freezes gameplay state.
* The "PLAY" hardware key now restores gameplay state.
* No longer showing box art for .ZIP files, as we cannot identify them.
* Moved "Screen Orientation" and "Keep Screen On" to the "Video" tab.
* Reordered items in the "Video" tab.

Have fun!

[fms]

Hello, All!

I have just released VGBA-Android 4.4.3, a new version of my GameBoy Advance emulator:

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

Starting with this release, I am switching to the new Layout Editor that lets you control individual joystick button sizes, shape and opacity. It also shows button labels (something it has been missing for a while) and the screen edges buttons stick to. If the new Layout Editor is not working for you, or you have a suggestion about it, please, email me.

Also, the "Assign Keys" screen will now show current key assignments for each button. It is another obvious feature that should have been there from the start.

ALL CHANGES:
* Now showing current key assignments in "Assign Keys".
* Replaced "Edit Layout" option with "Edit Virtual Joystick".
* Buttons can be individually resized in Joystick Editor.
* Added scale, shape, and transparency options to Joystick Editor.
* Added gravity indication with dotted lines to Joystick Editor.
* Added button labels to Joystick Editor.
* Removed separate joystick size, shape, and opacity settings.
* Reordered items in the "Input" tab.

Enjoy!

[fms]

Hello, All!

Today, I am rolling out VGBA-Android 4.4.6, a new version of my GameBoy Advance emulator:

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

The new version lets you move and resize the game screen. Simply go to "Input | Edit Virtual Joystick" and drag or resize the blue screen rectangle with your fingers. Landscape and portrait screens have separate settings. This feature has been requested by many users, so here it is.

I have also fixed a bunch of issues in the Joystick Editor and added a hack to make some previously broken hardware keyboards work. If you can't use your Bluetooth keyboard, enable "Input | Ignore Fake KeyUp Events" and see if it helps.

ALL CHANGES:
* Added screen resizing/positioning to the Joystick Editor.
* Added "Input | Ignore Fake KeyUp Events" option to make misbehaving keyboards work.
* Added backdrop image to the Joystick Editor.
* Fixed joystick shape changes in the Joystick Editor.
* Fixed joystick resizing/positioning in the Joystick Editor.
* Fixed backdrop image shifting down after rotation.
* Removed some outdated code that is no longer relevant.

Have fun!

[fms]

Hello, All!

I have been busy fixing GBA emulation bugs this week. As result, Sword of Mana, Rayman 3, and a few other popular games work flawlessly in the new VGBA-Android 4.5:

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

As users keep asking me for compatibility with other GBA emulators, I am now now storing in-game saves in VBA-compatible .SAV files, by default. You no longer need to enable this feature in the Settings and manually rename files. Finally, I have fixed a few native code crashes that appeared after introducing the custom screen feature. If you experienced crashes recently, they should be gone now.

ALL CHANGES:
* Now saving VBA-compatible .SAV files by default.
* Disabling windows with invalid coordinates (fixed black screen in Sword Of Mana).
* Resetting rotation when BG size changes (fixed Rayman 3 Swamp Zone).
* If Duel Masters doesn't work for you, truncate it to 4MB, 8MB file is wrong.
* Fixed After Burner in Sega Arcade Gallery (by handling illegal reads).
* Fixed playfield and in-game saves in Crazy Taxi (no longer hangs).
* Fixed screenshots when using custom-positioned screen.
* Fixed crash when drawing custom-positioned screen.
* Fixed accidental crash when drawing overlay.

Have fun!