Sonic 1: The Super Challenges release! (Sonic Hacking Contest 2025 contribution)

Sonic 1: The Super Challenges release!
(Sonic Hacking Contest 2025 contribution)


Release details
 
    A game mod DeltaW, the rest of the development team, and I have been working called Sonic 1: The Super Challenges has been released this week for the Sonic Hacking Contest 2025! The devteam and I have been working on the game mod since 2024 for the Sega Genesis, with support added for Sega CD Mode 1 functionality too!
 
 
S1SC Trailer
 
SHC25 Trailer
 
Tamkis 10:03 AM Leave a Comment Read More

Laboratory DC Power Supply Universal Adapter

Laboratory
DC Power Supply
Universal Adapter

 

Introduction/Why

   As a electronics technician, retro video game console hardware modder, and hobbyist circuit builder, over the years I have acquired a comprehensive electronics and hardware toolbox for the garage. One tool that I've always wanted for my electronics toolbox is a lab bench DC power supply. Often times when I pickup used electronic gadgets from thrift stores, fleatiques, or garage/yard sales the devices have DC power jacks to power them and are supposed to come with a matching power supply. Unfortunately, many times the devices aren't sold with the matching power supplies, and thus I am not able to test or power on the devices. A lab bench DC power supply would also be nice for powering any active circuits I design on breadboard or PCB prototypes.


A DC Barrel Jack and a power supply

   Using a laboratory DC power supply (with variable voltage and variable current), I would be able to dial in the correct, constant voltage and maximum current to power my devices with missing power supplies. I would need to build a universal adapter to power on the DC power jack devices and interchange the DC barrel jack tips. I have a universal DC power supply in my electronics toolbox with interchangeable DC barrel jack tips, but the variable voltage range is small and the maximum current is limited to only a paltry 300mA. This power supply is fine for powering simple electronics devices, but not for more complex devices such as video game consoles (like a Sega Genesis Model 1 or portable DVD player, which can require 1A and 2.2A of current respectively.)

Tamkis 1:20 AM Leave a Comment Read More

EagleSoft Ltd's New GameDev PC! (Part 1)

EagleSoft Ltd's New
Gamedev PC!
(Part 1)






Tamkis 3:52 PM Leave a Comment Read More

Knuckles' Clackers: Sonic Hacking Contest 2023 demo release (v0.2c)!

 Knuckles' Clackers:
Sonic Hacking Contest 2023 demo release (v0.2c)!

    A new build of Knuckles' Clackers has been released (v0.2c demo) and was submitted to this year's Sonic Hacking Contest 2023 and Bitbridge Halloween Showcase 2023! Knuckles' Clackers is an award-winning, major Knuckles' Chaotix ROM hack for the almighty Sega Genesis 32x. The game mod features new zones, new music, new artwork, code edits, engine bugfixes, and restored Knuckles' Chaotix/Sonic Crackers beta content.

    Build v0.2c demo is an accumulative update from the v0.11b Demo. It features new music, more polish, new artwork, a few new custom objects, and other code edits. Most importantly it features a new Techno Tower Zone Classic Act 4 level, which is a 3-boss rush level based on the first half of Egg Gauntlet Zone (Sonic 2 2013)
 
   The new build was submitted to this year's Sonic Hacking Contest 2023 and won a few trophies! The community, judges, and media panel enjoyed the game while playing and streaming the new build. Thank you everybody for judging and voting the game; winning a few trophies this year was both an honor and a surprise!
 
 
Trophies:
  • Hexadecimal Trophy (Community, Honorable Mention)
  • Hexadecimal Trophy (Judged)
  • Spinball Trophy (Judged)
  • Spinball Trophy (Community)
 

SHC23 Entry

   The build was also featured at the annual Bitbridge Halloween Showcase 2023 in Pittsburgh, on real Sega 32x hardware and on my EverDrive MD v3 flash cartridge. The public had fun having Halloween candy, dressing up in costumes, and testing out the local Indie gamedev scene's video games.

   Mega Cat Studios was there and showcased their new Indie game, Wrestle Quest, on Steam Deck. It was nice running into and catching up with my former boss and manager at their booth. Mega Cat Studios is an awesome retro game studio, making new games for retro video game consoles (Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, and others) and new Indie games for modern platforms. I highly recommend checking them out, following them on social media, and supporting them with the new Wrestle Quest game release on Steam/Nintendo Switch!
 


Knuckles' Clackers booth at the
Bitbridge Halloween Showcase 2023

Sega Genesis homebrew booths of a friend and I.
I'm on the left, in an Eagle costume

Changelog (v0.2c Demo):

  • v0.2c Demo
    • Sonic Hacking Contest 2023 demo update HOTFIX (09/25/2023)
    • Fixed a game breaking bug with TTZ4/Egg Gauntlet zone boss triggers and partner death in 2P mode
      • If in 2P mode, player 1 dies, and the 2nd player reaches a boss trigger in TTZ4/Egg Gauntlet Zone, he will be called towards the dead player 1 (out-of-bounds) from the boss arena.
      • This bug leads to a soft lock
      • This bug also causes a ghostly, transparent second Espio to appear in Isolated Island (Intro) act 0 on a new save game
      • Both bugs fixed!

  • v0.2b
    • Sonic Hacking Contest 2023 build (update week, 09/25/2023)
    • Implemented new Death Egg Zone (Sonic 2 port) song for TTZ Act 4 level
    • Implemented lava palette cycling for TTZ Act 4 level
    • Changed graphics for TTZ4 projector screen blocks/tiles (AAZ mini/boss)
    • Fixed crashes near lava section and from backtracking in TTZ Act 4 (simpler 32x sprite object placement)
    • Added more right one-way doors in TTZ Act 4, modified level layout for doors
    • Improved object positioning for TTZ Act 4 level
    • Improved collision for quarter pipe launch off chunks
    • Replaced a quarter pipe chunk with an alternate chunk to hide Sega 32x sprite loop spritemasker in floor (TTZ Act 3)
    • Fixed bug with Shrink powerup effect instantaneously becoming undone

  • v0.2a
    • Summary
      • Sonic Hacking Contest 2023 demo (09/16/2023)
      • New Egg Gauntlet Zone part 1 level (Techno Tower Zone Classic Act 4, from Sonic 2 2013 mobile)
      • Implemented engine changes to allow for multiple bosses within an act (boss rush mode)
    • New Music
      • Hidden Palace Zone (Sonic 2)
        • For Proto Palace Zone
      • Sonic 2 Club Mix (Sonic 2 beta)
        • For Speed Slider Zone Classic
        • Credits to LordXernon/DJ Error for permission to port these to Chaotix
      • Imported Splash (HyperDimension Neptunia Re;birth 1) song
        • For TTZC/other bosses
IPS download patch available (v0.2c) at the

(Older video of Techno Tower Zone Act 4)
 


Stay tuned for more Chaotix research and Knuckles Clackers' development

- GenesisDoes

Tamkis 6:27 PM Leave a Comment Read More

Farworld Pioneers release!

Farworld Pioneers release!

 


    The Indie video game Farworld Pioneers was released for Steam (PC) and Xbox One/Series X(S) on May 30 2023! A PlayStation 4/5 version should be available soon ™. This release marks my (MrTamkis') fourth professional Indie video game release in the gamedev industry that I have contributed development for. The game was developed by Igloosoft Games and published by tinyBuild.
 
    I worked at Igloosoft Games as a contract Unity/C# developer for the game's development on the devteam from Dec 2021-Dec 2022. This was for the main version of the game (PC/Steam).
 
Duties included:
  • Creating new enemy creature AI
  • Designing a character editor
  • Designing compound setpieces from procedural generation code
  • Polishing up the game, implementing bugfixes and new features
  • Iterating on feedback
  • Participating in private and public playtesting sessions for bug hunting on networked multiplayer games
 
    Farworld Pioneers is an open-world, 2D, sandbox space colony survival game on foreign planets, with Minecraft-like block crafting/world building, PvP colony battles. It has online multiplayer and colonial building for you faction's bases. Similar in design to Starbound but better.
 
Description from the Steam Store page:
 

"



Play with friends co-operatively or form hostile factions:
In this open-world galactic sandbox, how you play is up to you! Bring your friends into the frontier in your own private server, or make new friends (and enemies) in large public multiplayer servers. Play peacefully in co-op, or use the dynamic multiplayer faction system to band together and split apart dynamically as allegiances change.


Build ships from scratch and travel to new planets:
Your first planet is where you’ll learn to survive, but that’s just the start. Build your very own starship and use it to colonise new worlds. It won’t be easy, and only the most successful colonies will be able to pool the resources and knowledge necessary to break orbit. Once you launch, the stars hold brand-new planets, new biomes, bosses and challenges.


Craft, research, loot and exploit your environment:
You’ll need to prepare to take on this hostile part of the galaxy. Get mining, farming, growing, developing, researching, and building hundreds of different items, from winter combat gear to advanced laboratories. Find something you can’t work out for yourself. Strap on your handcrafted laser rifle and venture out into the unknown to explore dungeons, procedural bases, NPC stores and much more.


Defend what you’ve built, or take on the galaxy:
Defend your colony with fast-paced combat that utilizes physics like bullet drop, projectile speed and spread. Thwart enemy raids on your base with your stock of handcrafted grenades. Tired of just defending? Lay waste to enemy bases with destructible terrain as you wield everything from rusty old carbines to nuke launchers and energy weapons that harness the power of lightning!


Develop and construct advanced bases for protection:
Grow from a tiny outpost into an advanced, nuclear-powered fortress. Manage resources carefully and choose research paths based on the items and challenges you encounter on each planet. Watch out, though: the bigger your colony gets, the more of a target it becomes for raiders (and jealous friends).


Automate work and train up a team:
Even out here, you’re not alone. Save AI survivors and build a colony together. A range of unique stats, perks and flaws mean every colonist has something different to contribute. As your AI colonists complete tasks they’ll level up and get smarter, stronger and faster. Best of all, you can assign tasks and orders to NPCs to do the grunt work for you and prioritize their roles based on those skills. Want to take a break from mining to destroy an underground alien nest? Let your colonists handle that for you!

And Remember


Your ship may be in ruins, your ammunition running low, and your teammates scattered across the surface, but remember this:

You’re more than just another adventurous spirit.

You’re a Farworld Pioneer."


 

    You can learn more about the game at Igloosoft Games' official Farworld Pioneers website .

Game store links:

Tamkis 1:26 AM Leave a Comment Read More

Knuckles' Clackers: v0.11b demo release!

 Knuckles' Clackers: v0.11b demo release

    A new build of Knuckles' Clackers has been released (v0.11b demo)! Knuckles' Clackers is a major Knuckles' Chaotix ROM hack for the almighty Sega Genesis 32x. The game mod features new zones, new music, new artwork, code edits, engine bugfixes, and restored Knuckles' Chaotix/Sonic Crackers beta content.

    Build v0.11b demo is an update from the v0.1a Demo. It still features the same 3 acts of Techno Tower zone and the Tutorial Zone, but has more polish, including new music, new SFX and PWM samples, new artwork, and other code edits.


Changelog (v0.11b Demo):
  • Artwork edits
    • Menus
      • New Title Screen road palette/cycle
      • New 8x8 menu font
      • Final Fantasy 6 SNES font
        • Tri-color           

    • New Menu Background artwork
      • Purple background oval
      • Sega Neptune console logo
      • Neptune logo (HyperDimension Neptunia)

    • Sprites
      • New Genesis/32x level icon sprites
        • SSZC (Speed Slider Zone Classic)       
        • TTZC (Techno Tower Zone Classic)       
        • Level icons for Data Load menu (Genesis sprites)
        • Level icons for HUB level status screen (32x sprites)
      • Level edits
        • Final boss edits
          • Blue Metal Sonic Kai Genesis/32x palettes
          • Green boss arena (32x polygon palette)           
        • Techno Tower Zone Classic
          • New tiles, blocks, and chunks for loop sections
          • Better chunk artwork for player 32x sprite prioirty to go "behind" loop sections

  • Audio edits
    • SFX
      • Combine Ring powerup SFX (SFX $3E, Sonic CD port)
      • Shrink powerup SFX edit (SFX $59, Sonic CD port)
      • Grow powerup SFX edit (SFX $5A, Sonic CD port)
      • Dash SFX edit (SFX $5B, Sonic CD port)
      • Jump SFX edit (SFX $5F, port of PSG Jump from S3K)

    • PWM
      • Bugfixes to removal looping electrical buzz noise from PWM samples
      • New Orch Hit PWM Samples
        • Sample IDs $9F-$A2
  • Code edits
    • Disabled autoDemos
    • Modified Intro cutscene with sound effects
    • Unrestricted Character Select menu (can select duplicate players in 2P menu for Training)
    • Engine bugfixes
      • Removed ring cap from both levels and Bonus Stage (now > 255 rings)
      • Bugfix for 1 second timing for Bonus Stage ring drain countdown
      • Save/Restore the level timer when entering/exiting the Bonus Stage
        • Prevents issues with time up gameover

 




IPS download patch availabe (v0.11b) at the

 
Stay tuned for more Chaotix research and Knuckles Clackers' development

- GenesisDoes

Tamkis 12:04 AM Leave a Comment Read More

XBandPi NOOBS Compatible image released! (v1.23/v1.7 DLE)


XB∀NDPi NOOBS
Compatible image released!
(v1.23/v1.7 DLE)



Tamkis 5:08 AM Leave a Comment Read More

DreamPi DX NOOBS-compatible image updated! (v1.22/v1.7 DLE)

DreamPi DX
NOOBS-compatible
image updated! (v1.22/v1.7 DLE)

      During 2020, I released an update for my DreamPi NOOBS-compatible image (v1.21) for Raspberry Pi for the Sega Dreamcast, built against v1.7 DLE stock image.

      A DreamPi is a customized Linux distro and a set of hardware created by a fellow named "Kazade" which will create a simplified dialup network server in order to get a Sega Dreamcast back online for web surfing and online gaming. The DreamPi is a standardized Raspberry Pi setup with dialup hardware and appropriate software to suit. Online gaming is handled via resurrected, private game servers. The stock DreamPi image is one which must be written to the entire SD card of the Raspberry Pi, and thus doesn't easily allow a multi-boot setup with other Linux distros on the same SD card. This DreamPi NOOBS-compatible image is compatible with NOOBS or PINN bootloaders. NOOBS is a simple bootloader which allows one to install NOOBS-compatible distro images in such a way as to allow for a simple multi-boot configuration, while PINN is an enhanced version of NOOBS. PINN fixes some design flaws and adds new useful, convenient features. PINN is highly recommended over NOOBS.

  The DreamPi NOOBS compatible image works with both NOOBS and PINN, and allows one to install a DreamPi distro with others in a multi-boot configuration. During 2020, the DreamPi NOOBS image was upgraded against v1.7 DLE, a few new online games were added to the supported games list within the installation slideshow, and online repository support was added to allow installing DreamPi NOOBS via the internet (PINN support only).


Since my older v1.7 DLE NOOBS image (v1.21) was released, 1 new game has had their online support resurrected:
Dee Dee Planet gameplay
 
   I have updated the DreamPi NOOBS-compatible image to v1.22 . This and future builds will be called DreamPi DX (Deluxe) going forward henceforth, and will have community made code patches pre-installed. These patches will further enhance DreamPi with newer features and quality-of-life improvements. This latest build adds better functionality for Dreamcast BBA (Broadband) modem support and Sega Saturn Netlink/XBAND modem online gameplay.

Sega Saturn Netlink modem review


Changelog (DreamPi DX NOOBS v1.22/v1.7 DLE):
  • First DreamPi NOOBS DX Image release (addons to stock DreamPi image)
  • Separate image flavors
    • "DreamPi4 DX" for newer Raspberry Pi models (RPi 4 and newer)
    • "DreamPi" for older Raspberry Pi models

  • Patch addons
    • DreamPi Netlink Tunneler for Netlink (Sega Saturn)
    • Dreamcast Now for BBA
      • Allows DreamPi to appear on Dreamcast Now service when using a BBA connection
      • DC Now BBA patch thread
      • Usage
        • Login in to DreamPi, run
          . /home/pi/dreampi/dreampi_now.ksh
        • Select the game ID

    • Wi-Fi to Ethernet bridge (BBA)
      • If the DreamPi is using WiFi connection for internet and Dreamcast is using a BBA, allows to repeat/bridge highspeed broadband connection to the Dreamcast
      • WiFi/Ethernet bridge patch thread
      • Usage
        • Login into DreamPi
        • Run
          . /home/pi/wifi-to-eth-route.sh

  • Updated installation slideshow
    • Added new slides detailing information on the DX patch addons
    • Added new slides on information for Xrider's BBA conversion kit
    • Added new slide for information
    • Updated slides with latest game listing support (Dee Dee Planet)



     You can download the latest DreamPi NOOBS compatible image (for offline install) and read the guide at this EagleSoft page. The latest version can also be installed online as usual through the Tamkis NOOBS Repo; just add the line alt_image_source=http://raw.githubusercontent.com/Tamk1s/Tamkis_NOOBS_Repo/main/os_list_v3.json to your recovery.cmdline file at the root of your PINN installation and connect online. The images will be located under "Games" tab.
 
Download support through
Tamkis NOOBS Repo
 
    For those whom want faster internet speeds and bandwidth on their Sega Dreamcast but cannot afford the rare and expensive BBA (Broadband) adapter, you can purchase and build yourself a DIY BBA Adapter using Xrider's Conversion Kit (RetroRGB article, Dreamcast Talk thread). Just salvage a G2 bus connector from an old Dreamcast dial-up modem, purchase Xrider's kit, find an Atomiswave Communication Cartridge, and solder it all together. The Sega Sammy Atomiswave was an awesome arcade version of the Sega Dreamcast with similiar hardware, more RAM, and a Broadband modem variant built-in (the Atomiswave Communication Cartridge). If you are feeling adventurous, you could also hack up both a Dreamcast dial-up modem and the DIY BBA modem together for a combo modem to have the best of both worlds without swapping out modems. (Both the dial-up and BBA modems handle different sets of games.)
 
DIY BBA Kit contents
 
 
 DIY Sega Dreamcast BBA
Converter kit tutorial
 
     Have fun playing online on Sega Saturn (Netlink/XBAND) gaming, and on the Sega Dreamcast with high-speed broadband internet access
 
Welcome to the next level
-Tamkis
Tamkis 9:07 AM Leave a Comment Read More

Knuckles' Clackers: Project and v0.1a demo release

Knuckles' Clackers: Project and v0.1a demo release


    Since Fall of 2019, EagleSoft Ltd has been working on a Knuckles Chaotix ROM hack for the Sega 32x addon privately called Knuckles' Clackers. Other than a few minor ROM hacks and one with a custom engine based on Chaotix (Sonic 4: Cybernetic Outbreak), Knuckles' Chaotix has had very few major hacks made for it. Although disassemblies of the game's code exist (M68k, SH-2, Z80 code), they are IDA Pro databases used for reference, not fully documented, and are not a split disassembly that can be rebuilt. Some research about how this game works has had information spread out throughout the internet, and isn't well documented or had most of its information consolidated into one place.
 
 
    Knuckles' Clackers aims to be one of the 1st fully-fledged Chaotix ROM hacks. During development, I am further documenting, annotating, and simplifying the old IDA disassemblies of the game's code for research. Development is currently being done using SonED2 and extended ROMulan scripts to modify game data and code.
 
    The ROM hack features some ports of Sonic Crackers beta zones (Techno Tower, Speed Slider), new SMPS32x music, new Sega 32x sprite artwork, restored beta content, and many other features.

Summary of features:
  • New levels
    • Ports and edits of beta Techno Tower and Speed Slider Zones layouts and assets from Sonic Crackers
    • New zones
  • New music
  • New artwork
    • Genesis tilemaps, sprites
    • 32x sprite artwork
    • Genesis/32x palettes and palette cycling
    • Genesis animated level art
  • Assembly code edits where possible/necessary
  • Some restored/recreated Chaotix beta content
     
     

    An early v0.1 demo of Knuckles' Clackers has been released for the Sega 32x, as part of 2021's BitBridge Halloween Showcase. Available here as an IPS patch.
     
    It features acts 1-3 of Techno Tower Zone Classic, new SMPS32x music, and art edits.
     

     
    Stay tuned for more Chaotix research and Knuckles Clackers' development

    - GenesisDoes

Tamkis 11:22 AM Leave a Comment Read More
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