Zombie Revenge, help me understand whats the deal.

[rackoon]

OK I know its not working but I am hoping someone could how this stuff works. Its one of my favorite games and if it did work I would up date from Mame 109.

I don't understand how games get added to MAME, I guess. I always thought that someone downloaded the info from a cab to a computer then copied the info to the MAME archives. So how does just part of a game get on MAME?

[DaveMMR]

It's not so cut and dry really.  Simply put the devs obtain the original boards, bypass any security and dump the read-only memory chips and then add to the mame code to interpret those ROM instructions.  That's easier said than done, I would assume, and there are obstacles, bugs, etc. they have to work through to emulate the game as faithfully as possible (even if it means it won't run satisfactorily on any modern computer). 

On top of that, the MAME devs avoid adding games that still have the potential to make money for the copyright holders (which is why you won't find many games released within the past few years in MAME). 

That's a simple explanation coming from a layman so someone more qualified could possibly correct and/or elaborate my explanation.

[u_rebelscum]

To add to what dave said, there are two very distinct parts in "adding a game to mame".  I use the word "parts" instead of "steps" because there is no set order, and as in the case of Zombie Revenge the two parts can be done partially and at the same time.  But both steps need to be done for the game to run in mame.

The step of dumping the ROMs entails copying the one to many dozen chips (AKA "Read Only Memory chips", aka "ROMs") on the game's board(s).  Some chips might be easier to copy than others; some might need specific hardware to copy the info, others are encrypted or otherwise protected such as suicide if detached from power (battery & wall).  These ROMs are the code that runs the games, holds sound & graphics, and the like; without all the info, the game won't run (<---- generalization).

The step of emulating the hardware also needs to be done.  Mame emulates the main CPU and other processor chips, frequency crystals, memory, and wiring.  Some CPU (such as z80) are used by many games on many different hardware, and are already emulated.  Others are not emulated yet.  If all the parts of the hardware of a game is already completely emulated, adding the game is fairly simple; a couple dozen to a couple hundred lines of code (correct lines of code, of course).  If the hardware is partially or not at all emulated, it takes a lot more work.


I don't know the details on zombie, but looks like only some of the ROMs were dumped.  The secific why?   However, since this game shared the same hardware as other games, adding the emulation of the hardware can still progress.  However, since this is Naomi hardware, with modern and complex CPUs, the emulation is still WIP, and will need strong PC CPUs to run even after the emulation fo the hardware is complete.

[gnateye]

i think this available as a dreamcast game?

its cheaper and easier to build a dc into your cab then to add it to MAME. dreamcasts are like under 20$ with pads, the game cant be much more (prolly much less)

just my 2 cents, all the newer arcade games are ported to DC anyways so you add a large amount of functionality to your cab by adding a DC.

[rackoon]

Thanks for the info guys. I think I get it now. It really makes one appreciate the work that these guys do to perserve gaming history.

I do have a DC and Zombie Revenge but I want to play it on a cab with a joystick. Just like Street Fighter, many (most) games seem to be better on a cab with Joysticks.

[HaRuMaN]

Thanks for the info guys. I think I get it now. It really makes one appreciate the work that these guys do to perserve gaming history.

I do have a DC and Zombie Revenge but I want to play it on a cab with a joystick. Just like Street Fighter, many (most) games seem to be better on a cab with Joysticks.

I still offer Dreamcast controller hacks.  It's an easy way to connect arcade controls to your DC.

[gnateye]

"I do have a DC and Zombie Revenge but I want to play it on a cab with a joystick. Just like Street Fighter, many (most) games seem to be better on a cab with Joysticks. "


thats what i did, i made a dreamcast cabinet so i could play all the good arcade ports like they should be played....

http://cosmicbreaks.com/arcade/dc_cab/index.htm

[rackoon]

Hmmmm. not a bad idea but I got to wonder how much longer my DC will last. The controllers are real close to being shot. If the laser goes dead on my DC then I will be back to square one  

[tommyinajar]

Do or will any of the DC Emulators work ??

[HaRuMaN]

Do or will any of the DC Emulators work ??

Yes.

[gnateye]

ive seen these all over ebay for under 20$ some with games or controllers or even a vga box.

well worth it.