MiSTer FPGA Forum

Is there a list of cores that have save states?

As of today, the following cores support savestates:
AtariLynx
GBA
GameBoy
NES
PSX
WonderSwan

It would certainly be nice if save states were implemented in more cores, particularly Genesis, SNES, TG-16, and some of the arcade cores. But it's understandable if no one wants to spend the time implementing them, as it looks pretty difficult.

Thank you. It's a little weird that psx has save states but not the mega drive. I think it's more a matter of space on the fpga.

Save states require that you can list the state of every chip in the system. It also requires that you be able to pause them. If its not written in from the start its hard to retrofit.

Anyone has played 1941 knows why you need save states

Jae099 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 06, 2023 5:44 pm

Thank you. It's a little weird that psx has save states but not the mega drive. I think it's more a matter of space on the fpga.

It’s because FPGAzumspass wrote that core and he started writing that core with save states in mind from the beginning, as he does with all of his cores. It’s much easier to add save states to a core if you write the core with them in mind. The devs that did Genesis, SNES and other cores did not do this. The only cores he added save states to after the fact were the NES and Game Boy cores.

I do think at some point, someone will go back and do it. However, in the meantime, there's a bunch of SRAM mods for Genesis and SNES. So, that's a solid work around.

Stage select cheats would also be a nice alternative to save states for some games. I wish more shmups had them.

Is there a tutorial out there for the SRAM mods. Stage select is the very reason I want save states. 1942 def needs it.

Jae099 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 08, 2023 1:35 am

Is there a tutorial out there for the SRAM mods. Stage select is the very reason I want save states. 1942 def needs it.

ROMHACKING.NET

The site has an online patcher too. So, you don't need to know too much other than the directions in each readme file. Most require the USA REDUMP Romset.

Please forgive me, I'm new to MISTer. Could you expand on this or post a tutorial.

Thanks.

twonunpackmule wrote: ↑Mon Aug 07, 2023 1:37 pm

I do think at some point, someone will go back and do it. However, in the meantime, there's a bunch of SRAM mods for Genesis and SNES. So, that's a solid work around.

So far I believe that FPGAzumspass is the only one that seem to care about adding the save states to cores, mostly because it helps him during the development of the cores when he is working on them.
I am hoping that he will one day free up some time and add save states to some of the other cores like the Genesis and the SMS cores.

Jae099 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 08, 2023 3:29 am

Please forgive me, I'm new to MISTer. Could you expand on this or post a tutorial.

Thanks.

It isn't just for MiSTer, it's for OG hardware too. So, just treat the rom patching like you would be using it for OG hardware. For tutorials, you will have to follow each set of directions per title. They are typically included on the rom hacks page.

Now, the one direction you can typically ignore is when it asks you to get a separate program. You don't typically need them anymore outside of a few Saturn hacks. The main site of Romhacking.net has an online patcher tool. So, you'll only need to provide the correct rom that the hack demands, and the IPS/Romhack file from the site. If it's SNES, you might need to add/remove the Header for the patching. The online tool allows you do that with a click of a button. Trial and error in some cases.

https://www.romhacking.net/patch/

Below is an example:

"This patch is designed to add a simple saving mechanism to Shinobi III.

Details and patching instructions can be found in the readme.

https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/5739/

On the site, there's a link to the Readme.

"Shinobi III SRAM
Feb. 13th, 2021

BillyTime! Games

This patch is designed to add a simple saving mechanism to Shinobi III.

Update: (9/22/2021)
Controller settings defaulted to Setting 1 instead of Setting 4 when playing on real hardware.

How to use:

Saving:
Game saves after every level past the first round.

Loading:
On Stage 1, Pause your game and press C, a number will pop up indicating what round you left off at. Unpause to load your game.

NOTE:
Game will produce a black screen if no prior save is detected.

How to Patch:

1.Grab a copy of Shinobi III - Return of the Ninja Master (USA).md
2.Grab Floating IPS (https://www.romhacking.net/utilities/1040/)
3.Patch your rom with the corresponding BPS file"

So if I add to this to the rom, and then I put the rom on my MiSTer it will now have level select, save states, etc. depending on the hack. Now that is awesome. Are there arcade hacks like this?

Thank you.

Jae099 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 08, 2023 7:21 pm

So if I add to this to the rom, and then I put the rom on my MiSTer it will now have level select, save states, etc. depending on the hack. Now that is awesome. Are there arcade hacks like this?

Thank you.

It won't have level select or "save states" per say. It will simply save after each level completed for you to resume later. It's just a save feature. Some hacks are more in depth or do more with the actual rom. I'm just highlighting the SRAM hacks.

I'm not super aware of Arcade Rom Hacks. There are some that have been done, like the 3P version of Final Fight. I'm usually just happy with being able to pop up the service menu.

Thanks for the info. That's awesome. Is there a site with arcade hacks?

That would have to be answered by someone else.