Coin-Op Collection Presents: Demon's World (Toaplan V1) / Analogue Pocket Release
The first entry to our reworked Toaplan V1 platform has arrived just in time for the end of the spooky season! Demon's World / Horror Story comes to the Analogue Pocket and includes several improvements and requested updates for the MiSTer version. All outstanding issues that were present in the Toaplan V1 platform have been resolved. I'll cover some of the changes below.
For starters, we've moved to a high-performance architecture. Previously, the platform ran at 70 MHz (cas2) using a modified SDRAM controller by nullobject. Now it runs at 98 MHz (cas2) utilizing xsd64, improving throughput and bandwidth with everything segmented in PSRAM/SDRAM.I've reworked the clocking system so the entire core now runs off the master clock with clock enables (CEN). This creates a single synchronous domain and improves performance for the entire platform. CENs drive the timing for both CPUs (Motorola 68000 / Zilog Z80), the DSP (TMS 32010), audio (YM3812 / OPL2), and video timings (CRTC registers).Program and audio ROMs are segmented into PSRAM, and graphics ROMs are segmented into SDRAM. Both utilize our MRU ROM cache, reducing PSRAM/SDRAM access requirements, with repeated fetches coming from BRAM. The program ROM has a 1 KB cache, the audio ROM has a 512 B cache, and tiles and sprites each have their own 4 KB cache.The YM3812 has been replaced with opl2_fpga written by Greg Taylor. Greg reverse-engineered OPL3, which is backward compatible with the OPL2. His implementation, is based on RE and NukedMD's die-shot based C code for OPL2, is the most accurate module to date.I've tabled x3812, as a complete module is now available, and I have been working with Greg to resolve any remaining issues with his module. Below is a video comparison of jtopl2 (MiSTer) and opl2_fpga (MiSTer / Pocket) for reference.
The MiSTer version still currently runs at 70 MHz, uses the original program CPU cache, and retains the original tile cache, as I have not had time to test the changes due to architectural differences between the Pocket and MiSTer core designs, particularly in ROM segmenting and memory management. My main focus for the initial release was to improve the core as a whole and stand up the platform for the Pocket.However, the clocking fixes, K3 framework, K3 modules, MiSTer sys updates, input fixes that support MiSTercade input mappings, and OPL2 changes are present. I will continue improving the MiSTer version of Demon's World, with additional updates planned over the next month, for other titles on the Toaplan V1 platform.
MiSTer/Pocket Options
I've attached videos that cover features for both devices. For MiSTer, ensure to remap your inputs as the MRA files and input handling has changed. Future MiSTer releases will support high-score saving.
Due to limited menu entries, I'm still working on region support for the pocket. Future releases will support region toggling, high-scores saves, and have an auto-fire option.
For Pocket ROM generation, use mra.exe, the provided .mra files, and your legally acquired ROM files. You can find these tools located here, the source for the mra.exe tool is located here.I've pushed updates for the MiSTer core available update_all and the Pocket core is available pupdate / openfpga library give it time for all of them to refresh. If you prefer to install manually, the necessary files are attached below.Thank you again for your continued support! We hope you have a great Halloween and enjoy Demon's World! Time permitting, we’ll have another release on MiSTer later today for the spooky season.Disclaimer: All product names, trademarks, and registered trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. "Analogue", "Analogue Pocket", "OpenFPGA", "MiSTer", "MiSTerFPGA", "Toaplan", "Cave" and all derivative works are trademarks, registered trademarks, or copyrighted materials of their respective holders. Use of these names does not imply endorsement or association with this post. All rights reserved to their respective owners. This post is for educational and research purposes only.