Preserving Arcade Core High Scores

[jimmystones]

I've started on Pengo...it is proving annoyingly resistant so far!

In the meantime Burger Time is done - with the caveat that scores only load on core start, not on a reset (can't quite fathom why so I'm moving on for now)

[Alkadian]

I've started on Pengo...it is proving annoyingly resistant so far!

In the meantime Burger Time is done - with the caveat that scores only load on core start, not on a reset (can't quite fathom why so I'm moving on for now)

Execellent, thanks for Burger Time! Regarding Pengo, I am sure you will get there at the end, you are unstoppable

[Zeosstud]

Pengo, so cute looking and so tricky to play, really cool game. I made my own Pengo game on my VIC-20 as a kid.

I bet that would have been something to see on the vic-20!! I like Pengo, like, probably way more than I should, hahahaha.. I sure was happy when I finally got past level 16 and it started over, broke 220,000 that game, have not come close to that score since, but I try!!

[LamerDeluxe]

Pengo, so cute looking and so tricky to play, really cool game. I made my own Pengo game on my VIC-20 as a kid.

I bet that would have been something to see on the vic-20!! I like Pengo, like, probably way more than I should, hahahaha.. I sure was happy when I finally got past level 16 and it started over, broke 220,000 that game, have not come close to that score since, but I try!!

I was fascinated with being able to push and break the blocks of ice. I always had fun designing the game graphics on the VIC. I might even still have it somewhere, I discovered some tapes a long time ago that had a few of the games on it that I programmed as a kid and copied them to disk. Don't know if either still work or if Pengo was one of them.

There was a fast food restaurant nearby in the eighties that had a Pengo cabinet and I even enjoyed just watching the attract screen.

Wow, you are really good at it, that is impressive. I've gotten slightly better at it since getting my MiSTer. I like how the more limited selection and gradual release of cores on MiSTer has you paying more attention to them.

[pgimeno]

I've started on Pengo...it is proving annoyingly resistant so far!

Isn't it the area between 8840h and 885Dh inclusive? Or is the problem something else?

[jimmystones]

Isn't it the area between 8840h and 885Dh inclusive? Or is the problem something else?

That is the chunk, but that part of the RAM is already dual-ported and used by the video system - had similar problems in the past, but the usual techniques have so far only achieved great highscore support but horrific video corruption!

[Zeosstud]

All the best @jimmystones, please do not lose any sleep over it, but know, many others appreciate your efforts!!

Zeosstud

[jimmystones]

Highscores and pause just added to Xevious, finally a game I can consistently beat the default high score on

Still on the production line are Time Pilot, Galaga and of course Pengo... All proving troublesome in their own special ways!

[Zeosstud]

Steller work @jimmystones

I just set my personal high score on Pengo, 264,250 Looking forward to the day when all the scores will save, your efforts are appreciated!!

[Alkadian]

Highscores and pause just added to Xevious, finally a game I can consistently beat the default high score on

Still on the production line are Time Pilot, Galaga and of course Pengo... All proving troublesome in their own special ways!

That' s great! Fantastic work, many thanks! Is it asking too much to add Gemini Wing to your list? Thanks a lot

[jimmystones]

I already had a request for the Tecmo core, but I couldn't build it successfully (even straight out of the repo with no changes) for some as yet unknown reason.. I've reached out to nullobject to see if he can shed light on it but he is a busy man...

Once I get some of these other cores out the way I will circle back to it anyway. I'll have to dig into SignalTap and see what's happening in it's head - it's in the most demoralizing state a core can be, just boots to a black screen and nothing more!

[Alkadian]

I already had a request for the Tecmo core, but I couldn't build it successfully (even straight out of the repo with no changes) for some as yet unknown reason.. I've reached out to nullobject to see if he can shed light on it but he is a busy man...

Once I get some of these other cores out the way I will circle back to it anyway. I'll have to dig into SignalTap and see what's happening in it's head - it's in the most demoralizing state a core can be, just boots to a black screen and nothing more!

I see, many thanks for the heads up. Really, your hard work is very much appreciated. I have no doubts you will find a solution

I have asked about Gemini Wing in particular as I have been playing it a lot recently along with Youjyuden, 1942 and Commando. My skills are really improving..cough..cough...almost as good as back in the day

Thanks again and good luck with SignalTap II. Please keep us updated!

[jimmystones]

Highscore and pause support is in for Time Pilot - pause is a bit ugly as the cloud layers don't stay in line, but functionally it works so I'll have to come back later and work that one out.

Oh and Pengo is done too

[Alkadian]

Highscore and pause support is in for Time Pilot - pause is a bit ugly as the cloud layers don't stay in line, but functionally it works so I'll have to come back later and work that one out.

Oh and Pengo is done too

Awesome news, thanks a lot jimmystones!! I knew you would succeed at the end

[Zeosstud]

Do we need to just do an update_all to get these magical fixes?

[jimmystones]

Yep, update all should do the trick

[Zeosstud]

I went and grabbed the .rbf from github and installed it.. I know I am using the correct one as the game now has pause that you can map and works!! But it did not save my high score even though I made sure after my game was over I went into the menu and hit Save Settings ( a few times ) before I booted another game, then went back into Pengo..

Kindly tell me what I am doing wrong and the next beer is on me!!

[alanswx]

I went and grabbed the .rbf from github and installed it.. I know I am using the correct one as the game now has pause that you can map and works!! But it did not save my high score even though I made sure after my game was over I went into the menu and hit Save Settings ( a few times ) before I booted another game, then went back into Pengo..

Kindly tell me what I am doing wrong and the next beer is on me!!

Did you update the MRA? the MRA has the information on which parts of memory to save and restore.

[jimmystones]

alanswx speaks the truth - without the updated MRA the core won't know where to read/write the scores in game RAM

[Zeosstud]

so I did a full update.. but even that did not get the correct .mra..

so I went to the github and got the latest .mra for 100% sure this time..

IT FREAKING WORKED..

That is right, Pengo now has pause and high score saving, so cool!!

@JimmyStones is killing it!!

[mhartman]

Highscore and pause support is in for Time Pilot - pause is a bit ugly as the cloud layers don't stay in line, but functionally it works so I'll have to come back later and work that one out.

Oh and Pengo is done too

You rock. Thank you!! BTW, I would love to see Donkey Kong high score support if you ever find the time.

[jca]

so I did a full update.. but even that did not get the correct .mra..

so I went to the github and got the latest .mra for 100% sure this time..

IT FREAKING WORKED..

That is right, Pengo now has pause and high score saving, so cool!!

@JimmyStones is killing it!!

If the update script did not update the mra what other mras are not updated? What is the solution? Delete every single mra and rerun the update script?

[jimmystones]

I've logged an issue on the updater repo, hopefully one of the maintainers will pick it up and fix the issue soon enough.

I'm not sure if deleting the MRAs would do the trick or not, but you could try deleting one and see what happens?

[Alkadian]

I've logged an issue on the updater repo, hopefully one of the maintainers will pick it up and fix the issue soon enough.

I'm not sure if deleting the MRAs would do the trick or not, but you could try deleting one and see what happens?

I can confirm the same behaviour here. In my case even deleting the MRA's doesn't help. I have to manually download the MRA'S every time. I am sure it will get fixed.

So far now more than happy to download the latest updates as they become available

[Zeosstud]

Worked on making sure that my "Favorite" arcade games that support high score saving all have the right .mra and updated .rbfs today.. By my count over 70% of the games I care about all have High Score saving working, right now.. That is crazy..

Thanks to everyone that is working on this stuff.. Makes this old man happy and is a great 54th Birthday present ( Sunday )..

Donkey Kong
Galaga
Dig Dug

From my list the 3 that I bet a lot of people will be super happy with when they are finished, I know DK and Galaga are already being looked at, just wanted to send a late night shout out, I do not know how you guys do it, but I sure do appreciate it..

-Zeosstud
Rodney Butler

[alanswx]

Worked on making sure that my "Favorite" arcade games that support high score saving all have the right .mra and updated .rbfs today.. By my count over 70% of the games I care about all have High Score saving working, right now.. That is crazy..

Thanks to everyone that is working on this stuff.. Makes this old man happy and is a great 54th Birthday present ( Sunday )..

Donkey Kong
Galaga
Dig Dug

From my list the 3 that I bet a lot of people will be super happy with when they are finished, I know DK and Galaga are already being looked at, just wanted to send a late night shout out, I do not know how you guys do it, but I sure do appreciate it..

-Zeosstud
Rodney Butler

I am glad you like this feature.. we were tackling the systems that support more than one game first. Excited that JimmyStones and now BlackWine are helping (doing most of the work)! Super excited that Pacman has flip now.

[jimmystones]

I concur, good to know people appreciate it

I've set up a project on GitHub to show what's in progress (and to keep track of things in my head!)

https://github.com/JimmyStones/Hiscores ... projects/1

Nearly there with DK!

[Alkadian]

@alanswx, @jimmystones, @blackwine

Thank you so much for your hard work which is very much appreciated from my side as well!!

[retrodroid]

I'd like to throw Moon Patrol onto the list for Pause and High Score retention.

[jimmystones]

Request accepted