FMSX3DS

fMSX3DS
General
Author	Tomioka
Type	Computer
Version	1.3.1
License	Mixed
Last Updated	2024/03/27
Links
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Website
Source

fMSX3DS is a port of fMSX for Nintendo 3DS. fMSX is an emulator for MSX/MSX2/MSX2+ by Marat Fayzullin. It runs MSX/MSX2/MSX2+ software with very fast on many different platforms including Windows, MacOS, Unix, MSDOS, AmigaOS, etc.

fMSX3DS is compatible with various models (New 3DS, New 2DS, Old 3DS, Old 2DS). Additionally, it incorporates audio emulation by Mitsutaka Okazaki, including emu2413.c. This version is not a legacy release from over 20 years ago; instead, it is the latest version as of 2022.

The emulator also introduces MSXturboR emulation and includes various improvements based on recent analyses of MSX hardware including analyses from Japan that were previously unknown in world wide.

Installation

How to install

Available in CIA and 3DSX formats:

• CIA version - Install fMSX3DS.cia with your favorite CIA installer (i.e. FBI).
• Homebrew Launcher - Copy fMSX3DS.3dsx to sdmc:/3ds/fMSX3DS/.

Both versions require dsp.firm in the sdmc:/3ds/ folder on your SD card to enable sound. You can install that with Luma3DS:

• Open Rosalina Menu with L+D-Pad Down+Select.
• Select Miscellaneous > Dump DSP Firmware.

BIOS Setup

If you're already using BIOS files for MSXDS, the fMSX core in Retroarch, or the BlueMSX core in Retroarch, fMSX3DS can directly use these BIOS files, so there's no need to set up BIOS separately.

If not, copy following MSX BIOS files to the root of your SD card or FMSX3DS folder:

• MSX.ROM
• MSX2.ROM
• MSX2EXT.ROM
• MSX2P.ROM
• MSX2PEXT.ROM

Additionally it is recommended you to use these files:

• DISK.ROM - To play games with disk image.
• KANJI.ROM - Display Japanese KANJI.
• FMPAC.ROM - To enable FM Music and SRAM save.
• A1WXKDR.ROM - KANJI BASIC. Some MSX2+ games need this. Also needed for Show up MSX2+ bootup screen.

As to "A1WXKDR.ROM", you can replace that with the "MSXKANJI.ROM" or "KNJDRV.ROM".

If you want to play the MSXTurboR you need these files:

• MSXTR.ROM
• MSXTREXT.ROM
• MSXTROPT.ROM
• MSXKANJI.ROM (A1WXKDR.ROM, KNJDRV.ROM)
• MSXDOS23.ROM
• MSXTRMUS.ROM

Notes:

• If you miss BIOS, fMSX3DS use the C-BIOS http://cbios.sourceforge.net/.
• C-BIOS is the open source MSX BIOS by BouKiCHi, and many developers modified that.
• You can play almost ROM games with C-BIOS, but it doesn't support Disk games, nor support Programming with MSX BASIC.
• If you miss KANJI.ROM, fMSX3DS use pseudo KANJI.ROM from A to C.
  • http://www.yo.rim.or.jp/~anaka/AtoC/labo/labo32.htm

Paths

fMSX3DS creates these folders:

• /FMSX3DS/SAVEDISK - Saved Disk.
• /FMSX3DS/SNAP - Screen Shot Image.
• /FMSX3DS/SRAM - S-RAM Save Data.
• /FMSX3DS/STATE - Saved State
• /FMSX3DS/TAPE - Saved Cassette Tape

User guide

ROM selection

When you start fMSX3DS, it show select file dialog.

You can select ROM cartridge, Disk image, Cassette Tape etc.

fMSX3DS supports files with extension ".ROM", ".MX1", ".MX2", ".DSK", ".CAS".

Also, It supports ".ZIP" or ".gz" compressed files.

Special Hardware

+PCM

+PCM is ADPCM Voice Sampling hardware used in some Japanese homebrew/doujin games, notably Pleasure Hearts.

To enable it in fMSX3DS, select the "[Option]" item in the system menu and change the "<Input/Output Hardware Option>/Printer Port" to "PCM+".

VoiceBox

VoiceBox is another type of PCM Voice Sampling hardware. Only one commercial game, Isseki ni Kakeru Seishun by LOG, supports this hardware.

To use VoiceBox in fMSX3DS, select the "[Option]" item in the system menu and change the "<Input/Output Hardware Option>/Printer Port" to "Voice Box".

Stereoscopic 3D Glasses

Some MSX games and test programs support stereoscopic 3D, like Dim X by Kai Magazine.

To enable stereoscopic 3D on Nintendo 3DS with fMSX3DS, move the 3D depth slider up, then select the "[Option]" item in the fMSX3DS system menu.

Change the "<Graphic Setting/Use 3D Stereoscopic>" option to choose from available modes, currently including anaglyph 3D and anaglyph 3D (Color).

MSX0

MSX0 is an official MSX project started in 2023. The device enables connection to various IoT devices for control via MSX. Many people create homebrew or doujin games/apps with this feature. To use MSX0 with fMSX3DS, select the "[Option]" item in the fMSX3DS system menu and enable the "Use MSX0" option.

fMSX3DS uses a fake MSXIOT ROM file for MSX0, so no MSXIOT ROM file is required. However, some MSX0 games/apps need the MSX-BASIC KUN (X-BASIC) ROM.

If you are not using BlueMSX core for Retroarch, you have to rename MSX-BASIC KUN PLUS (X-BASIC2) ROM to "MSX0_XBASIC.ROM" or "XBASIC2.rom" and copy it to the ROOT of your SD card or "FMSX3DS" folder ("root\FMSX3DS"). Then, select the "[Option]" item in the fMSX3DS system menu and enable the "<MSX0 Option>/Load X-BASIC2" option.

For the touch screen of MSX0, you can use it by tapping the mouse icon on the lower right of the bottom screen when the "Use MSX0" option is enabled.

FAQ

Q. I cann't run fMSX3DS!
Try to delete "fMSX3DS.cfg" in the "/FMSX3DS"folder. Replace "CMOS.ROM" with the one in the "fMSX3DS.zip" file.

Q. My 3DS freeze!
Press power button for 10 second.

Q. Does fMSX3DS work on Old3DS?
Yes.fMSX3DS works full speed even on Old3DS, but that has flowing limitations. If you dislike this limitations, use New3DS that has no limitation.

• Old2DS doesn't support Nintendo3DS's 800px wide mode.
• Other hardware (Old3DS, New 3DS and New 2DS) support that.
• When you enable interlace, Screen flicker appears on Old3DS/Old2DS.
• Enabling FM Sound reduce emulation speed on Old3DS/Old2DS.

Q. What's the point of "[Load Screen Shot]" item in the fMSX3DS system menu?
It shows a image that was made with "[Save Screen Shot]" menu. It helps you to manage passwords for games' save data.

Q. What's point of "[Load Screen Shot](Show Keyboard)" item in the fMSX3DS system menu?
It shows a image that was made with "[Save Screen Shot]" menu.

• Additionally, it also shows the keyboard at the same time. So, you can use software keyboard with referencing a image file.
• It helps you to manage passwords for game's save data(with keyboard input).
• (The Maze of Galious (Knightmare II), Dragon Slayer 4, Gekitotsu Pennant Race etc.)
• Also, It helps you to programming with referencing a image of old computer magazine.

Q. What's the point of "[Load Konami SCC+ ROM]" item in the fMSX3DS system menu?
Some disk games requires Konami SCC Plus ROM cartridge in the MSX's slot.(Snatcher, SD Snatcher, Konami Game collections, Many kids of Disk Magazines/Music Disks etc). This menu enable you to play these disks with inserting the virtual SCC Plus cartridge.

Q. What's the point of "Force Japanese BIOS" item in the [Option] menu?
Load Japanese BIOS named "MSXJ.ROM" or "MSX2J.ROM" as match as possible. It's useful for playing a game that works only Japanese MSX(metal gear etc.). Also It's useful for playing games with 60 FPS.

Controls

Default Key Mapping:

A - Fire A

B - Fire B

X - "x" key

Y - "m" key

L - F1 key

R - F2 key

Select - F5

ZL - control key

ZR - graph key

Start - fMSXD3DS Menu

You can change key mapping with [Key Config] menu in the fMSX3DS menu.

Software Keyboard:

Touching the keyboard icon on the lower right of the bottom screen enable you to using Software Keyboard.

Mouse:

Touching the mouse icon on the lower right of the bottom screen enable you to using mouse.

Then, you can move mouse with touch screen, and you can press mouse button with L key or R key.

Arkanoid Paddle:

Arkanoid paddle emulation starts automatically when you load Arkanoid/Arkanoid II.

Then you can move paddle with touch screen, and you can shot fire with L key or R key.

Screenshots

Compatibility

fMSX3DS is compatible with New/Old 3DS and New/Old 2DS.

Changelog

v1.31 2024/03/27

• Immediate update for bug fix.
  • Fixed bug that fMSX3DS can't boot if you setting the emulator to boot at MSXTurboR mode on startup with missing MSXTurboR BIOS files.
  • Fixed bug that fMSX3DS crashes in MSXTurboR mode with you missing "MSXDOS23.ROM" file.
  • Add new option item "Sound Volume".If you feel volume is too low, increase this.
  • Adjust sound blace of Y8950 to get rid of noise in too loud Volume.
  • Improve MSX0 emulation to show hardware info with linked with your 3DS info(Battery level, heap memory, wifi strength etc.)
  • Fixed bug that fMSX3DS can use some MSX0 feature even if "Use MSX0" option is off.

v1.3 2024/03/01

• Add support for MSX0. fMSX3DS is first emulator to emulate this.
  • MSX0 is new offical MSX project start at 2023.
  • MSX0 can connect many kind of IOT devices and control these with MSX,and many people make homebrew or doujin game/app with this feature.
  • To use MSX0 with fMSX3DS, Choose "[Option]" item in the fMSX3DS system menu, and enable the "Use MSX0" option item.
• fMSX3DS use fake MSXIOT ROM file for MSX0 and you need no MSXIOT ROM file.
  • But, some MSX0 games/apps requires MSX-BASIC KUN(X-BASIC) ROM.
  • If you are using BlueMSX core for retroarch, fMSX3DS load it's ROM files directly and no need for setup X-BASIC ROM files.
  • If not, Rename MSX-BASIC KUN PLUS(X-BASIC2) ROM to "MSX0_XBASIC.ROM" or "XBASIC2.rom" and copy that to the ROOT of your SD card or "/FMSX3DS" folder.
  • Then, Choose "[Option]" item in the fMSX3DS system menu, and enable the "<MSX0 Option>/Load X-BASIC2" option item.
• Add support for touch screen of MSX0.
  • You can use it with touching the mouse icon on the lower right of the bottom screen when you enabled the "Use MSX0" option item in the option menu.
  • Then, you find MSX screen at Nintendo 3DS's bottom screen, then 3DS bottom screen works as a touch screen.
• Add support for Accelerometer device for MSX0.
  • You can use it with Nintendo3DS's accelerometer.
• Add support for Encoder anlog input device for MSX0. fMSX3DS emulate this with Nintendo 3DS's 3D Slider.
  • To use this, Choose "[Option]" item in the fMSX3DS system menu, and change option item "<MSX0 Option>/MSX0 Device A(i2c_a)" to "Encoder(3Dslider)".
• Other MSX0 devices such as microphone or LED light or internet connection(wifi etc.) or buzzer etc. doesn't support now.
  • Please wait for sometime.
• Fixed bug that CLOCK-IC get invalid value in some game/apps(chikuwa watch etc).
• Improve PCM voice sampling for MSXTurboR a lot.
• Add support for touchpad device for MSX. fMSX3DS emulate that with nintendo 3DS's touch screen.
  • To use this, Choose "[Option]" item in the fMSX3DS system menu,
  • and change option item "<Input/Output Hardware Option>/JoyPort A" (or "JoyPort B") to "TouchPad".
• Fixed bug that mouse icon and keyboard icon doesn't work if you insert a Mouse to joyport B.
• Add support for ".DSK" file of 5.25inch 1DD floppy disk image(Philips Video Graphics etc).

v1.2 2023/12/21

• Add support for MSXTurboR!
  • Good news for New3DS user. I tested many MSXTurboR games/ apps and all of them works full speed at 60fps on New3DS.
  • And bad news for Old3DS user. Most of MSXTurboR games/apps runs slowly on Old3DS.
  • It can't be helped because MSXTurboR has over x8 faster CPU than MSX2+.
  • But, silver lining is that many enhanced patched game work better with MSXTurboR and most of these games works full speed even on Old3DS.
  • You need MSXTurboR BIOS files to run MSXTurboR.
  • If you are using BlueMSX core for retroarch, fMSX3DS load it's BIOS files directly and no need for setup BIOS files.
  • If not, Copy following MSXTurboR BIOS files to the ROOT of your SD card or "/FMSX3DS" folder.
  • MSXTR.ROM
  • MSXTREXT.ROM
  • MSXTROPT.ROM
  • MSXKANJI.ROM (A1WXKDR.ROM, KNJDRV.ROM)
  • MSXDOS23.ROM
  • MSXTRMUS.ROM
• Add support for PCM voice sampling of MSXTurboR
• Add support for MSX-View font and pseudo MSX-View font from A to C for MSXTurboR.
• Add support for MSX-View for MSXTurboR.
• Other MSXTurboR additional feature(MSX-MIDI and PCM microphone)doesn't support now. Please wait for sometime.
• Removed unsafe option item "Load MSXDOS2" that makes many MSX-DOS1 disk games to go wrong (Snatcher etc).
  • If you want to use MSX-DOS2, Use MSXTurboR that can use MSX-DOS2 with more safely.
  • Or, simply opening MSX-DOS2 rom file with "[File Open]" menu enable you to use MSX-DOS2.
• Fixed bug that sram crahes infrequently in some KOEI games(Nobunaga no Yabou Sengoku Gunyuu Den etc).
• Fixed bug some game doesn't work due to sprite collision error(The Goblin(MSXdev23) etc).
• Fixed bug that ESE-SCC doesn't save S-RAM when you reset MSX.
• Fixed bug that fMSX3DS has same titleID as other 3DS app.
• Fixed Z80 CPU flags for block transfer opcode().
• Add support for horizontal hardware scroll emulation in Screen Mode3 in MSX2+, MSXTurboR. (F-nano2 etc).
• Fixed bug that horizontal hardware scroll emulation in Screen Mode4 in MSX2+, MSXTurboR go wrong in some case.
• Improve GUI menu for reset MSX to move cursor to currently selected MSX machine setting automatelly.

v1.1

• Add support for stereoscopic 3D.Some MSX games and test programs use stereoscopic 3D.
  • For example, Dim X(Kai Magazine) support this.
  • https://www.msxgamesworld.com/software.php?id=4752
  • fMSX3DS emulate this with Nintendo3DS's stereoscopic 3D.
  • To use this, First, Move 3D depth slider up to enable Nintendo 3DS's stereoscopic 3D, then, choose "[Option]" item in the fMSX3DS system menu, and change option item "<Graphic Setting/Use 3D Stereoscopic> to select stereoscopic 3D mode.
  • Currently, you can select only anaglyph 3D and anaglyph 3D(Color) for now.
• Add support for ESE-SCC.ESE-SCC is the special cartridge by ESE-Artists' Factory
  • That has 512kB S-RAM and SCC sound chip.
  • Especially noteworthy, Dragon Quest 3 Simulator use this!
  • https://q3lemon.web.fc2.com/
  • To play Dragon Quest 3 Simulator,download "msxdq3plus.zip" and extract "MSXDQ3.exe" file.
  • and rename Dragon Quest 3 NES ROM to "DQ3.nes" and drag and drop that files to "MSXDQ3.exe".
  • Then you can find "esescc512A.sram" file. place this to "/FMSX3DS/SRAM" folder of SD card.
  • Then you can play Dragon Quest 3 Simulator with selecting menu item "[Load Ese SCC 512k ROM]" in the fMSX3DS's system menu.
• Add SIMPL/Covox hardware.
  • That is voice sampling hardware that use printer port.
  • To use this, Choose "[Option]" item in the fMSX3DS system menu, and change option item "<Input/Output Hardware Option>/Printer Port" to "COVOX".
• Add support for Konami's Synthesizer.
• Improve voice sampling emulation of Hai no Majutsushi.
• Add new option item "Menu select speed".If you feel menu is sesitive to D-Pad, you can adjast that with this.
• Add new menu item "[frequetly used folder]".It remember recently used directory, and you can quickly access that.
• Improve menu GUI of change option to move cursor to currently selected setting automatelly.

v1.0

• First Release.
• Add support for +PCM (ADPCM Voice Sampling hardware).fMSX3DS is the first emulator to support this. No commercial game support this hardware. but, some Japanese homebrew/doujin game support this. Especially noteworthy, Pleasure Hearts (the legendary homebrew made by author of Judgement Silversword, ESCHATOS) support this! http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA011751/MSXSR8-2.HTM
  • To use this, Choose "[Option]" item in the fMSX3DS system menu, and change option item "<Input/Output Hardware Option>/Printer Port" to "PCM+".
• Add support for the Voice Box (PCM Voice Sampling hardware).fMSX3DS is the first emulator to support this.
  • As to commercial games, Only one game (Isseki ni kakeru Seishun by LOG) support this hardware.
  • http://hirosedou.sblo.jp/article/93257998.html
  • To use this, Choose "[Option]" item in the fMSX3DS system menu, and change option item "<Input/Output Hardware Option>/Printer Port" to "Voice Box".
• Add support for Nintendo3DS's 800px wide mode. In Addition, add support for interlace mode.
  • So, fMSX3DS can emulate games pixel perfect that use 512x424 resolution mode.
• Implement audio emulation by Mitsutaka Okazaki(emu2413.c etc.) with latest version.
  • It's not the legacy version of over 20 year ago that many emulator uses, but latest(2022) one.
  • In Addition, import some features from LibKSS such as Audio filtering, Konami SCC detect.
  • https://github.com/digital-sound-antiques
• Added horizontal hardware scroll emulation for MSX2+
• Improve YJK 19268 color mode for MSX2+.
• Add ability to show MSX2+ boot screen.(Need Kanji Basic ROM(MSXKANJI.rom or KNJDRV.ROM or A1WXKDR.ROM).)
• Add support for VDP command ops in Screen 0-4 for MSX2+.
• Improve Konami SCC and SCC-I detection and add ability to load virtual SCC-I ROM cartridge.
  • Support SD Snatcher, Snatcher, Konami Game Collection, many kids of SCC hacked ROMs etc.
  • Also support SCC and SCC-I for many kinds of music driver used for many Disk magazine or Music Disks(NV magazine, Disk Mail Magazine, etc.).
• Improve Disk Read. This brings many disks to work.
  • (Ys 1: Ancient Ys Vanished, Konami Game Collection Disk Station's Art Gallary, many sumps made by Yoshida Kensetsu(Twinkle Star, Sea Sardine etc.) Anma's Relax, etc.)
• Improve VDP timing, This fixes many graphic glitch and adjust speed for many games.
  • AshGuine2, Undeadline, The Fantasm Soldier Valis II(Intro timming), MegaDoom, etc.
  • And this brings many games to work(Rune Master II etc.).
• Add support for voice sampling in many games such as Madou Monogatari 1-2-3, Aleste2, Princess maker, Laydock, Super Laydock, Laydock 2, Ninja Kage, Bosconian etc.
• Improve Save State.
  • (Now you can State save in Space Manbow intro, YS II intro etc.)
• Improve Sprite collision(Manbow2, 10lines hero, Pooyan New、Litter Box(MSXdev'20), URDIUM(MSXdev2014), Waves demo (by Dvik & Joyrex) and many kinds of games especially made by BASIC works correctly now).
• Improve cycles of z80 CPU instructions(Seleniak(MSXdev'04), Retaliot(MSXdev'09) become working.
  • The title screen of Bosconian shows correct image).
• Improve Z80 CPU emulation.(Sweet Acorn, MSX-FAN Appendix Disk etc.) (taken from FreeMSX/FreeM) https://web.archive.org/web/20030702070532/http://nemoto.tri6.net/download/freemsx.html
  • Now ZEXALL test all OK.
• Improve transparent color of sprites(Shin Maou Golvellius(Golvellius 2) etc).
• Improve VDP emulation with 128KB VRAM to manage as 2 x 64KB not one block of 128KB.
  • This fixes graphic glitches of many games.(F-1 Spirits 3D Special, Laydock2(intro), Breakers, Feedback(intro) etc.)
• Improve Screen 8 sprite colors(Ikari Warrior, Rick & Mick's Adventure etc)
• Support many MegaROM Mapper such as R-Type, many kinds of KOEI games (Sangokushi(Romance of the Three Kingdoms) series, Nobunaga no yabou(Nobunaga's Ambition) series, Genghis Khan series etc), Wizardry, Manbow2, Super Lode Runner, Wing Warriors(2021 version) etc.
• Improve MegaROM Mapper such as Hole In One Special(ASCII16) etc.
• Improve MegaROM detection and add ability to load ROM database "CARTS32.CSV" of msxDS.
  • http://msxds.msxblue.com/
• Improve Japanese keyboard input. fMSX3DS supports every Keys of Japanese keyboard.
• Add support for 2nd level kanji in Kanji ROM.
• Support zip compressed files with multiple disk/ROM in the one zip file. and support 2byte character filename like Japanese.
• Support mouse emulation and Arkanoid Paddle/ Paddle device emulation with touch screen for 3DS.
• Added the Software Keyboard with the touch screen for 3DS.
• Show graph characters in the Software Keyboard when you press graph key.
• Add ability to show the reference image in the bottom screen of 3DS.
• Support homebrew ROM cartridges that has too small or uncommon ROM size.
• Add ability to insert FM-PAC ROM cartridge in SLOT-2 automatedly when you play R-Type.
• Add ability to change memory Slot automatedly when you play YAKSA to get rid of bugs.

Credits

fMSX : MSX computer emulator http://fms.komkon.org/fMSX/

• Original fMSX by Marat Fayzullin (1994-2021).
• fMSX-SDL port by Vincent van Dam (2001).
• YM2413/PSG/SCC/Y8950 emulation by Mitsutaka Okazaki (2001-2022).
• 3DS port by h.tomioka(2023).
• C-BIOS by BouKiCHi and many people(2002-2018).
• Pseudo Kanji ROM by Ａ ｔｏ Ｃ(1997).

External links

• GBAtemp - https://gbatemp.net/threads/release-fmsx3ds-msx-msx2-msx2-emulator-with-new-feature-for-3ds.637072/
• GBAtemp - https://gbatemp.net/threads/release-fmsx3ds-msx-msx2-msx2-emulator-with-new-feature-for-3ds.637072/post-10316054