So, to stop essentially spamming the list ikonsgr made(https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/games/how-about-making-a-'worth-to-play'-collection-of-amstrad-games/ (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/games/how-about-making-a-'worth-to-play'-collection-of-amstrad-games/)) I'm making a new thread for direct-load games that are known to work on the USIfAC ii in USB-DirectLoad form.
My spreadsheet showing 464 compatibility:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dVFDK63R0wTtEo1vFLDO359uj1w7iHIatQ2Xz-6erfM/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dVFDK63R0wTtEo1vFLDO359uj1w7iHIatQ2Xz-6erfM/edit?usp=sharing)
If you want to contribute a new game to the spreadsheet, post here with the following:
Game name (with files attached to your post)
Machines you tested it on (464,664,6128,464+,6128+)
NOTE: this is *NOT* for games loaded as DSK/SNA - just purely extracted files from images for direct-load. Snapshots and DSK images are already well covered (it's pretty safe to assume *most* will work, as the FDC emulation is very good!) and not the focus of this particular thread.
If you have a request for a game that isn't on the compatibility spreadsheet, make a post here with a request and I'll see what I can do.
FULL LIST IS NOW AVAILABLE!!!
GET IT HERE
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oW_-Zmk2Kyx5xqH-Rl7UX_oaCLjWd4yy/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oW_-Zmk2Kyx5xqH-Rl7UX_oaCLjWd4yy/view?usp=sharing)
if anyone has a complete archive of CPC-Power's contents that would be absolutely magical in helping me extract games in future
That's tons of work... thanks!!!
Quote from: Gryzor on 11:43, 10 June 21
That's tons of work... thanks!!!
My motivation is down to largely wanting to *know* which games work with usifac2 on an otherwise stock 464 - I figured that it'd be helpful, so instead of keeping it all to myself I decided to share my results.
Quote from: Devlin on 12:27, 10 June 21
My motivation is down to largely wanting to *know* which games work with usifac2 on an otherwise stock 464 - I figured that it'd be helpful, so instead of keeping it all to myself I decided to share my results.
Oh I completely understand - I had made such a huge file for ST menus/games when I got my MiST FPGA and needed to try all the cores/TOS/game versions to find out which plays with which, and then shared it... :)
Quote from: Gryzor on 12:55, 10 June 21Oh I completely understand - I had made such a huge file for ST menus/games when I got my MiST FPGA and needed to try all the cores/TOS/game versions to find out which plays with which, and then shared it... :)
Yep, I've pruned a few entries from the list as they were literally *only* disk images, which isn't what I'm wanting to deal with here - Most disk images i've tried have failed for reasons mostly down to them being broken(due to what i'm assuming is not-quite-perfect DSK emulation) or needing/assuming 6128/128k specific behaviour.
I'm hoping developments on a simple file manager(as spotted in the breakaway thread) will cut down on typing time - making the progress of loading and testing a lot faster.
Quote from: Devlin on 12:58, 10 June 21
(due to what i'm assuming is not-quite-perfect DSK emulation)
Let me assure you that this is most certainly a wrong assumption!
ALL dsk images in the direct file list, are tested and work on a CPC 6128! So, if you tried a dsk image on a cpc 464 and it doesn't work, then most certainly, this is because ,either game needs 128k or the game was made "exclusively" for "disk equipped" amstrad models (CPC 664/6128). And as we already discussed, this had to do with the minor differences in "internal working" of amstrad 6128 and 464 + the different Basic version (many games used basic loaders and some might not work under cpc464 basic 1.0)
Let me also note that, the "DSK emulation", which is actually a "low level" 765 Floppy Disk Controller emulation, can handle almost any kind of dsk image, except for some copy protected images! And this is validated by thorough testing of 100's of dsk images!
So, although "not quite perfect" , i'm pretty sure that the VAST majority of dsk images can be perfectly used with usifac ii! ;)
p.s. very admirable project with a truly a community spirit! And it will surely help many other CPC464 owners to have a better and easier experience! ;)
Quote from: ikonsgr on 17:12, 10 June 21p.s. very admirable project with a truly a community spirit! And it will surely help many other CPC464 owners to have a better and easier experience! ;)
I appreciate the encouragement! It's a big project, but ultimately will improve the experience for a lot of usifac2 users in the future, I hope.
I would love to see a 464 compatibility list for DSK images though, it would also be a big help for those wanting to use DSK for that sweet sweet accuracy :)
Quote from: Devlin on 17:37, 10 June 21
I would love to see a 464 compatibility list for DSK images though, it would also be a big help for those wanting to use DSK for that sweet sweet accuracy :)
Well, for that,i could be of help, as i already tested some dsk images with cpc464. Ofcourse this is not a preferable way of loading a game in cpc464, as it requires emulation of both AMSDOS/PARADOS ROM and 765 FDC controller, resulting in a rather slow loading speed (~20%-30% slower of an actuald disk drive).
IMHO, the best alternative of loading games on cpc464 would be using snapshots, as they offer the same super fast loading speeds! Also, compatibility should be rather high too (only 128k games should not run). Ofcourse, snapshots have the restriction of not supporting all games that require "in game" file loading. But, the good thing is, that you can always load a game you want on an Amstrad emulator, take a snapshot, and then use the sna file to load it directly on a cpc 464! ;)
I found another version of Elite that works on 464 in usb direct-load...
What's interesting about this though is that LOADING *AND* SAVING work.
Find attached the files and excuse me I have some space trading to do.
Great! I replace previous version with this one!
I've also make a small test of the few games in dsk image form in the list:
Arkanoid 2: ok
Gauntlet 2: ok
Supercars: ok
sorcery plus: ok
Dizzy IV magicland: ok
Orion prime: needs 128k
subhunter :needs 128k
pinball dreams: needs 128k
finally, the 3 multi dsk image games turbo out run, outrun europa and xyphobes obviously need 128k too. So as it seems, all games in dsk form in the direct list (except those needed 128k) are working on a cpc 464 . I suppose you can use the above to update your excel :)
Cool. I'll make a new sheet for DSK images and add those ones.
Quote from: ikonsgr on 17:51, 10 June 21Ofcourse, snapshots have the restriction of not supporting all games that require "in game" file loading.
I don't see why not. The USB direct access should continue to work once the snapshot is loaded? As long as the file is in the same directory as the snapshot and can be loaded through the normal mechanisms it should be fine. If the file needs direct disk sector access, it could be a problem.
Snapshots of multiload tape games could be a problem though.
Quote from: Mark_wllms on 21:14, 10 June 21I don't see why not. The USB direct access should continue to work once the snapshot is loaded? As long as the file is in the same directory as the snapshot and can be loaded through the normal mechanisms it should be fine. If the file needs direct disk sector access, it could be a problem. Snapshots of multiload tape games could be a problem though.
That's the thought I have. I might have to try it with something and see what happens.
Quote from: Mark_wllms on 21:14, 10 June 21
Snapshots of multiload tape games could be a problem though.
Well, that's what i have in mind too :).
Indeed if the only problem of a game is the initial loading to a cpc464, you can "overcome" this, using a snapshot of the game from a dsk image (to avoid "tape problems" :)), and then, place the files of the same game in the same directory with snapshot, for any extra loading needed! :)
PART 1 IS NOW AVAILABLE!!!!!
See the OP of the thread for the DL link - All are known and tested(by me) to work on an unexpanded 464 with only a usifac2 attached.
As always, any requests, don't hesitate to post and I'll see what I can do to make it happen. I can't make 128k only games work, however so be reasonable in your requests <3
I'm way too lazy to copy all those files from a DSK onto the USB stick, but if you need general infos :
BETILED works fine on 464
BOOTY works fine on 464
i'll make a note on the dsk sheet: but the thread is specifically intended for loading off the usb, not using snapshots or disk emulation
What was the DSK image source? If they work in DSK emulation, they're more than likely to work in |usb mode too.
Quote from: Devlin on 15:56, 11 June 21
i'll make a note on the dsk sheet: but the thread is specifically intended for loading off the usb, not using snapshots or disk emulation
I know, I just mentioned them as "running" so others can copy the files of the disk themselves :P
Think got them both from cpc-power.com :)
Quote from: SkulleateR on 15:58, 11 June 21Think got them both from cpc-power.com :)
That's what I needed to know.
And here is an alternative for some games that don't load, using.... the snaphots (https://www.dropbox.com/s/35p7s61gvem1r8b/SNA.zip?dl=0) :D
- 1943
- Cauldron 2
- Exolon
Also switchblade is not loading because it also needs 128k.
Btw, i see that out of 101 games tested, ~8-9 need 128k , and from the ~92-93 games left, ~dozen don't work on cpc 464.
So, ~85% of tested games actually work on cpc464, and if you add the 3 games using snapshot we reach a CPC464 compatibility rate of ~90%!
That's quite an achievement, considering that all files are extracted from disk images :)
Of the 19 that didn't initially work so far, i've found 7 alternatives that do - Once the initial list is complete testing-wise, I'll search for alternative dumps that do, where possible.
f.ex: Auf Weidersehen Monty didn't initially work (and demanded 128k) but I found an alternate DSK dump that extracted and worked on 464 just fine.
For any particularly egregiously unhappy games, I'll look into snapshots. But it's very much an absolute "last resort", and not the go-to when something doesn't work quite right - I'm heavily leaning into the idea of loading direct from USB over anything else for now.
Honestly, once I find alternatives for everything I'm expecting a hit rate of about 97% or more of the initial list.
okay, the initial set is now tested!
If you have requests you want adding to the list (and 464 testing) reply here and let me know!
If you've tested a game on the list (or not on the list) on one of the listed machines in the spreadsheet let me know what game, attach the files if applicable (remember, not DSK/SNA, just the extracted files in a zip) and reply here!
GDrive link is in the main post (since it's too big to attach to a post)
I have added some new games in the known list (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/games/how-about-making-a-'worth-to-play'-collection-of-amstrad-games/75/) and some are tested and work with cpc 464 too:
-Prince of Persia.
-Roland in the ropes.
-Manic miner.
-PAC-MAN EMULATOR.
-Scramble (the arcade remake).
-Donkey Kong.
Except from prince of persia which uses DSK image, all others use direct file loading.
Nice ones!! Thanks 😊
thank you!
So i've just had a discovery: The games extracted for the M4-wifi will likely work too - so if there's a repo out there of games that work on the m4 when extracted from their DSKs I might have to find some volunteers to help me trawl that list
(it means we have a version of gryzor that works without dsk on usifac2 and on 464 :D)
I note this in the original list (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/games/how-about-making-a-'worth-to-play'-collection-of-amstrad-games/) initial post, that most games will probably work for M4 board too. :)
Devlin (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=389) ,you can also add these 2 games, tested on CPC 464:
Golden Axe (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRDm_VKqy_o)
Renegade (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9IKBqv3cbk)
Quote from: ikonsgr on 18:26, 03 October 21
Devlin ,you can also add these 2 games, tested on CPC 464:
Golden Axe
Renegade
Golden Axe fails as soon as I select the characters to play (assuming it fails trying to load levels)
Renegade works fine but has utterly nob controls. I don't know if it came that way, though.
Both are loaded using FM
Quote from: ikonsgr on 10:41, 13 August 21
I note this in the original list (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/games/how-about-making-a-'worth-to-play'-collection-of-amstrad-games/) initial post, that most games will probably work for M4 board too. :)
And vice versa. I suspect most of the 1300 games in https://www.spinpoint.org/M4backup.zip will work.
Quote from: Mark_wllms on 17:08, 20 October 21
And vice versa. I suspect most of the 1300 games in https://www.spinpoint.org/M4backup.zip (https://www.spinpoint.org/M4backup.zip) will work.
From a quick scan, around 99% (exactly 16 are "direct-load") of those 1300 games are DSK images, (so yes they'll more than likely work, but that's not the particular focus of this thread)
the others, however i shall give a go and see what works when I next have significant free time.
So sorry, I looked at the Multi-disc games in the Zip and assumed that all the other games were also files in folders - I didn't realise they were all DSK images.
Quote from: Devlin on 14:21, 20 October 21
Golden Axe fails as soon as I select the characters to play (assuming it fails trying to load levels)
Renegade works fine but has utterly nob controls. I don't know if it came that way, though.
Both are loaded using FM
Well, with my Schneider CPC464 golden axe worked fine. Did you try to load it without using filemanager? (although i also used fm for loading...)
Quote from: Mark_wllms on 15:53, 21 October 21
So sorry, I looked at the Multi-disc games in the Zip and assumed that all the other games were also files in folders - I didn't realise they were all DSK images.
Be patient, soon i will have ready a ram expansiom/rom board that will work with USIfAC II, where you will be able to load a real amsdos/parados rom to a cpc464 and use dsk images as easy as with cpc6128 (e.g. with simple |FDC command and in "full speed" without amsdos emulation) ;)
Quote from: ikonsgr on 21:29, 27 October 21Be patient, soon i will have ready a ram expansiom/rom board that will work with USIfAC II, where you will be able to load a real amsdos/parados rom to a cpc464 and use dsk images as easy as with cpc6128
Sounds fantastic. Actually, I have a 6128, and the FDC emulation is notably faster than the real disk drive. I am playing CPM Infocom games at the moment, which access the disk constantly.
I am sure it is slower in 464 or Parados mode, but I rarely use the high capacity disks.
Quote from: Mark_wllms on 11:57, 28 October 21
I am sure it is slower in 464 or Parados mode, but I rarely use the high capacity disks.
It is slower indeed, because with CPC 464, you need to emulate
both 765 Floppy controller and Amsdos/parados Rom at the same time!
On a cpc 6128 only 765 FDC is emulated (unless you want to access parados dsk image),thus access speed is quite faster (usually faster than a real disk drive as you already noted).
But using a rom board you can have a proper ROM loaded without emulation e.g. no speed penalty with all Amstrad models and dsk images! ;)
I just tried Xybots with my CPC464 and my (yet in development) 512k Ram expansion, and works fine. Without extra ram, it loads boot screen, plays music but it stuck there. So it seems that this game also needs 128k... ::)
Also, most of the games that needs 128k also load fine with extra 512k ram like star sabre, target renegade, shinobi and operation wolf. Finally some games, seem to need a cpc 6128 explicitly (like RTYPE 128 or ORION), as they initially load ok, but then they either stuck or have playbility problems.
Quote from: ikonsgr on 16:32, 19 January 22
I just tried Xybots with my CPC464 and my (yet in development) 512k Ram expansion, and works fine. Without extra ram, it loads boot screen, plays music but it stuck there. So it seems that this game also needs 128k... ::)
Also, most of the games that needs 128k also load fine with extra 512k ram like star sabre, target renegade, shinobi and operation wolf. Finally some games, seem to need a cpc 6128 explicitly (like RTYPE 128 or ORION), as they initially load ok, but then they either stuck or have playbility problems.
That's odd. I know it's a multi-loader but i've not had any trouble with it.
It should be 64k compatible - I have it on tape, and that loads/plays just fine.
Will look into it when I have some free time.
Hi
You can have a launcher menu for the games. Take a look to github.com/gallegux/menusi
Quote from: ikonsgr on 16:32, 19 January 22
I just tried Xybots with my CPC464 and my (yet in development) 512k Ram expansion, and works fine. Without extra ram, it loads boot screen, plays music but it stuck there. So it seems that this game also needs 128k... ::)
Also, most of the games that needs 128k also load fine with extra 512k ram like star sabre, target renegade, shinobi and operation wolf. Finally some games, seem to need a cpc 6128 explicitly (like RTYPE 128 or ORION), as they initially load ok, but then they either stuck or have playbility problems.
That's not true. Xybots definitely works on 64K machines. I had it twice, one Hit Squad version and one on the TNT compilation, both on tape.
However depending on how it was cracked (it used a Gremlin loader, and even the Bonzo utils when transferring them stated they required 128k eventhough the game ran fine on 64k, multiload or not), the crack itself may need 128k to run.
Quote from: Shaun M. Neary on 17:17, 31 January 22
That's not true. Xybots definitely works on 64K machines. I had it twice, one Hit Squad version and one on the TNT compilation, both on tape.
However depending on how it was cracked (it used a Gremlin loader, and even the Bonzo utils when transferring them stated they required 128k eventhough the game ran fine on 64k, multiload or not), the crack itself may need 128k to run.
Can confirm that the Hit Squad version works on 64k (i own an original) - and I know it works on my tallkey 464(by tape *and* by way of usifac2) but that's as far as I can test, I don't have any other machines
Quote from: Devlin on 17:32, 31 January 22
Can confirm that the Hit Squad version works on 64k (i own an original) - and I know it works on my tallkey 464(by tape *and* by way of usifac2) but that's as far as I can test, I don't have any other machines
And if I recall correctly, it wasn't a multi load game either. I think there is additional tape at the end but it's for 128k sound. Standard deal for some Domark games, Return Of The Jedi did it too.
Quote from: ikonsgr on 21:29, 27 October 21
Be patient, soon i will have ready a ram expansiom/rom board that will work with USIfAC II, where you will be able to load a real amsdos/parados rom to a cpc464 and use dsk images as easy as with cpc6128 (e.g. with simple |FDC command and in "full speed" without amsdos emulation) ;)
How much will it cost?
Quote from: Fran123 on 09:29, 01 February 22
How much will it cost?
Unfortunately the endeavor of making a RAM expansion work with CPC 464 prooved to be much harder that expected. I've designed 5-6 prototype boards with various different approaches of resolving the issues. You see, "officially" CPC 464 doesn't support extra RAM on expansion port, 464 is not equipped with the HAL/PAL 16L18 chip that manages the extra RAM like on a CPC 6128, although there is a "Ram disable" signal on CPC 464 it works only for RAM reads, when you write to external ram, internal ram is also written at the same address (even if you have the "ram disable" signal activated)! The only way to avoid this, is to suppress MREQ signal from CPU but ONLY when external RAM WRITE occurs (i've tried to disable MREQ for both ext. ram read and write, but somehow this messed up ram reads... ::) ), but, by doing this, getting the correct timings for making ram write work properly, becomes rather difficult, as you need to "indirectly" find out when you need to activate the extra ram by using ROMEN and IORQ signals.
Anyway, recently i finally manage to make it work right (playing target renegade,shinobi,op. wolf or star sabre on a cpc464 is pretty cool :D ), and now i need to redesign and test the rom board part of the board. If all goes well, maybe i will have a few working boards in 1-2 months from now. As for price i would estimate ~30euros with current chip/board prices.
@ikonsgr (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=541)
Where can I find Update 6a Please
Thanks. Keep Safe. Ray
Quote from: Audronic on 22:26, 01 February 22
@ikonsgr (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=541)
Where can I find Update 6a Please
Thanks. Keep Safe. Ray
Where all avaialble fimware updates are :): https://www.dropbox.com/sh/p9eo65nzyq59u8c/AABt_lRn2b2XEJYH-gh7Xb4Ua?dl=0
@ikonsgr (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=541)
Ok Thanks
That was quick
Keep Safe. Ray
@Devlin , i think it's time to "Reopen" the case:
https://www.spinpoint.org/CPC_games_reviewedAA.zip
More details in this (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/technical-support/the-compatibility-of-the-m4-card/) thread
There are ~1400 games, ALL IN DIRECT FILE FORM! This means that most of them will likely work on CPC 464 so there is a good chance many of the current non-working games to work on CPC 464, not to mention the chance to update the list with new titles! ;)
Quote from: ikonsgr on 23:36, 31 March 22@Devlin , i think it's time to "Reopen" the case:
https://www.spinpoint.org/CPC_games_reviewedAA.zip
More details in this (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/technical-support/the-compatibility-of-the-m4-card/) thread
There are ~1400 games, ALL IN DIRECT FILE FORM! This means that most of them will likely work on CPC 464 so there is a good chance many of the current non-working games to work on CPC 464, not to mention the chance to update the list with new titles! ;)
Are they tested?
I tried some of them and some didn't word
They work on an M4 with a CPC6128, I tested them all before adding them to the pack.
Which games didn't work for you?
I've made a small test for non working games on CPC 464 from devlin's list:
Xybots: loads initial screen, but can't proceed (no reaction from keyboard/joy)
Who dares wins: loads & play ok
Silkworm: loads & play ok
Saboteur 2: loads & play ok (it needs some seconds to load, obviously this is a compressed cracked version)
Light Force: still crashes after intial load
Gauntlet: loads & play ok, BUT,it needs 128k (it runs perfect using my 512k RAM/ROM board ;D )
Forgotten Worlds: This has loading problems with all Amstrad CPC (it works ok on CPC 6128 using version from CLASSIC" & "WORTH TO PLAY (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/games/how-about-making-a-'worth-to-play'-collection-of-amstrad-games/) list)
Lotus Esprit: loads & play ok, BUT,it also needs 128k
Mach 3: Same problem with Xybots
X-out: This wasn't in "CLASSIC" & "WORTH TO PLAY" list, but it doesn't load on any CPC.... ::)
Mickey mouse: loads & play ok, BUT,it also needs 128k
Sly Spy: loads & play ok
Buggy Boy: loads & play ok
Cauldron 2: loads & play ok
1943: loads & play ok
Quote from: ikonsgr on 23:36, 31 March 22@Devlin , i think it's time to "Reopen" the case:
https://www.spinpoint.org/CPC_games_reviewedAA.zip
More details in this (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/technical-support/the-compatibility-of-the-m4-card/) thread
There are ~1400 games, ALL IN DIRECT FILE FORM! This means that most of them will likely work on CPC 464 so there is a good chance many of the current non-working games to work on CPC 464, not to mention the chance to update the list with new titles! ;)
I did download this pack, but haven't gotten started on working through it.
Presently my "pack" available here is ones I've confirmed on my UK CPC464 (stock 464 and *only* usifac2) which is the aim - to have a list of games that'll play nice with only 64k/basic1.0 and a usifac2
My 464 is a stock Schneider CPC with grey keys :)
I thought that your goal is to make a working list for stock CPC 464 and usifac II only, but it's good to know which of the non-working games, are due to need of extra ram and not other incompatibilities ;)