R3Ddragon 3DS

From GameBrew
r3Ddragon
R3ddragon2.png
General
Authormrdanielps
TypeHandheld
Version0.87
LicenseMixed
Last Updated2017/02/03
Links
Download
Website
Source

r3Ddragon is a WIP Virtual Boy emulator for the N3DS based on Reality Boy/Red Dragon. There's an experimental dynarec implemented but it still needs optimizing.

You can see the current progress here.

Installation

Available in 3DSX and CIA formats.

  • CIA - Install the .cia with the CIA manager of your choice.
  • 3DSX - Use the .3dsx provided with the Homebrew Launcher.

You can place the ROMs in /vb/.

User guide

You can download VB homebrew games from Planet Virtual Boy.

ROM compatibility list can be found here (outdated).

Configuration

If it doesn't exist, rd_config.ini will be created. Some relevant options you can change are:

  • maxcycles - A lower value will improve compatibility, but it will run slower.
  • frmskip - Number of frames to skip before drawing.
  • debug - If set to 1, prints debug info.
  • sound - Enables sound.
  • dynarec - If set to 0, tries to load the dynarec cache from a file instead of recompiling.

FAQ

Q. Why would you make a Virtual Boy emulator? Nobody asked for it.

The 3DS is the perfect system to faithfully emulate the Virtual Boy.

They have similar screen resolutions, the 3D effect is better and it's actually portable.

Q. OK, but wasn't the Virtual Boy, like, the worst console ever?

There were many reasons why it was commercial failure. That doesn't mean the console is bad, or the games aren't worth playing.

It's definitely received way more hate than it deserved.

Plus, it has a nice homebrew scene with gems such as Hyper Fighting, Snatcher and many more.

Q. Do I need a new 3DS to run this?

Unfortunately, yes. The old 3DS is too slow to run it at a playable speed.

That might change in the future, but it's unlikely.

Screenshots

r3ddragon3.pngr3ddragon4.png

r3ddragon5.pngr3ddragon6.png

r3ddragon7.pngr3ddragon8.png

Media

r3Ddragon - new 3DS improvements (Virtual Boy emulator) (danielps)

Known issues

  • Low compatibility.
  • Glitchy graphics on some commercial games.
  • Frame limiting is broken when frameskip is enabled.
  • Some menu options aren't implemented.
  • To change ROMs you have to exit first (touchscreen->File->Exit).

Changelog

v0.87

  • Removed libhax. Homebrew launcher users will have to run a kernel exploit (like fasthax) first.
  • Added settings for frameskip, maxcycles, sound and debug output.
  • Implemented floating point instructions.

Credits

Acknowledgments:

  • Frostgiant, Parasyte, and DogP (and the rest of people that have contributed to the VB sceen in the last five years) - Their work on Red_Dragon has been a real inspiration. Its amazing how far they have gone with so little to start with.
  • Bob VanderClay - most of the original code is based off of his VB disassembler.
  • Ben Haynor - Provided a much better understanding of the VB internals.
  • Joseph LoCicero, Dave Shadoff - Stole the jump table ideas from their tg16 disassembler, thanks guys.
  • Neill Corlett - took many ideas (and some code) from his Starscream CPU core.
  • Kevin Banks - For donating a very nice pair of Frenzle 3D viewers, and being an all around great guy.
  • Megan Tucker - For putting up with my tinkering all night, and resisting the urge to toss all my video games out the window.
  • v810 is a trademark of NEC co. Virtual Boy is a trade mark of Nintendo. Reality Boy is in no way affiliated with either of these parties.

Thanks to:

  • Everyone mentioned in the license. Without Reality Boy and Red Dragon it wouldn't have been possible.
  • smealum and contributors - ctrulib.
  • Vappy, Team Fail, HtheB, hippy dave and kane159 on GBAtemp - early testing.
  • benhoyt - inih.
  • Myria - libkhax
  • thunderstruck - CIA banner sound (taken from Fishbone).
  • nop90 - Reality Boy backports and fixes.
  • danielps - 3DS port and V810 dynarec.

External links

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