(MESS) gameboy, gbcolor: added a configuration setting

(off by default) to skip BIOS checks at boot. This allows the 
recently dumped Rockman World Prototype to be played,
and the Rocket Games pirate GBC carts too. [Fabio Priuli]

(MESS) gba: added a configuration setting (off by default) 
to skip some BIOS checks at boot. This allows Tyrian 2000 
Prototype to be played. [Fabio Priuli]


out of whatsnew: for the Rocket Games pirates it is currently unclear how real carts were bypassing
the BIOS checks on a real unit, and it would be nice to emulate it properly. however, this trick allows 
to go on fixing the rest of mapper emulation until it's fully understood.

hash/gameboy.xml

@@ -17257,12 +17257,12 @@
 		</part>
 	</software>
 
-<!-- does this fails the internal BIOS check? -->
+	<software name="rockmanp" cloneof="megaman">
-	<software name="rockmanp" cloneof="megaman" supported="no">
 		<description>Rockman World (Jpn, Prototype)</description>
 		<year>1991</year>
 		<publisher>Capcom</publisher>
 		<info name="alt_title" value="ロックマンワールド"/>
+		<info name="usage" value="Enable 'Skip BIOS check' configuration setting to boot"/>
 		<part name="cart" interface="gameboy_cart">
 			<feature name="slot" value="rom_mbc1" />
 			<dataarea name="rom" size="262144">

hash/gba.xml

@@ -35036,6 +35036,7 @@ The cart also contained a non-empty SRAM save which we currently include in the
 		<year>2003</year>
 		<publisher>Empire Entertainment</publisher>
 		<part name="cart" interface="gba_cart">
+			<feature name="slot" value="gba_eeprom_4k" />
 			<dataarea name="rom" size="4231928">
 				<rom name="starsky &amp; hutch (usa) (beta).bin" size="4231928" crc="ab142d2e" sha1="861066ddf8b52be194b30cbb70e959989f0a2f76" offset="000000" />
 			</dataarea>
@@ -38439,10 +38440,11 @@ The cart also contained a non-empty SRAM save which we currently include in the
 		</part>
 	</software>
 
-	<software name="tyrian2k" supported="no">
+	<software name="tyrian2k">
 		<description>Tyrian 2000 (USA, Prototype)</description>
 		<year>19??</year>
 		<publisher>Stealth Productions</publisher>
+		<info name="usage" value="Enable 'Skip BIOS check' configuration setting to boot"/>
 		<part name="cart" interface="gba_cart">
 			<dataarea name="rom" size="2681544">
 				<rom name="tyrian 2000 (usa) (proto).bin" size="2681544" crc="e5acba28" sha1="5148f40a58bc3d4512aced0f052f64b8c883ba87" offset="000000" />

hash/gbcolor.xml

@@ -23273,11 +23273,12 @@ Rocket Games
 These were produced between 2000 and 2001 by Rocket Games, run by Datel Design
 -->
 
-	<software name="atvrackj" supported="no">
+	<software name="atvrackj" supported="partial">
 		<!-- Notes: GBC only -->
 		<description>ATV Racing &amp; Karate Joe (Euro)</description>
 		<year>200?</year>
 		<publisher>Rocket Games</publisher>
+		<info name="usage" value="Enable 'Skip BIOS check' configuration setting to boot"/>
 		<part name="cart" interface="gameboy_cart">
 			<feature name="slot" value="rom_atvrac" />
 			<dataarea name="rom" size="524288">
@@ -23288,11 +23289,12 @@ These were produced between 2000 and 2001 by Rocket Games, run by Datel Design
 		</part>
 	</software>
 
-	<software name="atvrackja" cloneof="atvrackj" supported="no">
+	<software name="atvrackja" cloneof="atvrackj" supported="partial">
 		<!-- Notes: GBC only -->
 		<description>ATV Racing &amp; Karate Joe (Euro, Alt)</description>
 		<year>200?</year>
 		<publisher>Rocket Games</publisher>
+		<info name="usage" value="Enable 'Skip BIOS check' configuration setting to boot"/>
 		<part name="cart" interface="gameboy_cart">
 			<feature name="slot" value="rom_atvrac" />
 			<dataarea name="rom" size="524288">
@@ -23303,10 +23305,11 @@ These were produced between 2000 and 2001 by Rocket Games, run by Datel Design
 		</part>
 	</software>
 
-	<software name="atvracin" supported="no">
+	<software name="atvracin">
 		<description>ATV Racing (Euro)</description>
 		<year>2001</year>
 		<publisher>Rocket Games</publisher>
+		<info name="usage" value="Enable 'Skip BIOS check' configuration setting to boot"/>
 		<part name="cart" interface="gameboy_cart">
 			<feature name="slot" value="rom_atvrac" />
 			<dataarea name="rom" size="262144">
@@ -23317,11 +23320,12 @@ These were produced between 2000 and 2001 by Rocket Games, run by Datel Design
 		</part>
 	</software>
 
-	<software name="fullhang" supported="no">
+	<software name="fullhang" supported="partial">
 		<!-- Notes: GBC only -->
 		<description>Full Time Soccer &amp; Hang Time Basketball (Euro)</description>
 		<year>200?</year>
 		<publisher>Rocket Games</publisher>
+		<info name="usage" value="Enable 'Skip BIOS check' configuration setting to boot"/>
 		<part name="cart" interface="gameboy_cart">
 			<feature name="slot" value="rom_atvrac" />
 			<dataarea name="rom" size="524288">
@@ -23332,10 +23336,11 @@ These were produced between 2000 and 2001 by Rocket Games, run by Datel Design
 		</part>
 	</software>
 
-	<software name="fulltime" supported="no">
+	<software name="fulltime">
 		<description>Full Time Soccer (Euro)</description>
 		<year>2000</year>
 		<publisher>Rocket Games</publisher>
+		<info name="usage" value="Enable 'Skip BIOS check' configuration setting to boot"/>
 		<part name="cart" interface="gameboy_cart">
 			<feature name="slot" value="rom_atvrac" />
 			<dataarea name="rom" size="262144">
@@ -23346,24 +23351,12 @@ These were produced between 2000 and 2001 by Rocket Games, run by Datel Design
 		</part>
 	</software>
 
-<!-- This has been hacked to run on MBC01 mapper -->
+	<software name="hangtime">
-	<software name="fulltimeh" cloneof="fulltime">
-		<description>Full Time Soccer (Euro, Hacked)</description>
-		<year>2000</year>
-		<publisher>Rocket Games</publisher>
-		<part name="cart" interface="gameboy_cart">
-			<feature name="slot" value="rom_mbc1" />
-			<dataarea name="rom" size="262144">
-				<rom name="full time soccer (hacked) (unl).bin" size="262144" crc="655476f9" sha1="0d6c5f931223ea393a3f6bc1ecd1a18c1f889273" offset="000000" />
-			</dataarea>
-		</part>
-	</software>
-
-	<software name="hangtime" supported="no">
 		<!-- Notes: GBC only -->
 		<description>Hang Time Basketball (Euro)</description>
 		<year>200?</year>
 		<publisher>Rocket Games</publisher>
+		<info name="usage" value="Enable 'Skip BIOS check' configuration setting to boot"/>
 		<part name="cart" interface="gameboy_cart">
 			<feature name="slot" value="rom_atvrac" />
 			<dataarea name="rom" size="262144">
@@ -23374,11 +23367,12 @@ These were produced between 2000 and 2001 by Rocket Games, run by Datel Design
 		</part>
 	</software>
 
-	<software name="pocksmrt" supported="no">
+	<software name="pocksmrt" supported="partial">
 		<!-- Notes: GBC only -->
 		<description>Pocket Smash Out &amp; Race Time (Euro)</description>
 		<year>200?</year>
 		<publisher>Rocket Games</publisher>
+		<info name="usage" value="Enable 'Skip BIOS check' configuration setting to boot"/>
 		<part name="cart" interface="gameboy_cart">
 			<feature name="slot" value="rom_atvrac" />
 			<dataarea name="rom" size="524288">
@@ -23392,6 +23386,7 @@ These were produced between 2000 and 2001 by Rocket Games, run by Datel Design
 		<description>Pocket Smash Out (Euro)</description>
 		<year>200?</year>
 		<publisher>Rocket Games</publisher>
+		<info name="usage" value="Enable 'Skip BIOS check' configuration setting to boot"/>
 		<part name="cart" interface="gameboy_cart">
 			<feature name="slot" value="rom_atvrac" />
 			<dataarea name="rom" size="262144">
@@ -23402,11 +23397,12 @@ These were produced between 2000 and 2001 by Rocket Games, run by Datel Design
 		</part>
 	</software>
 
-	<software name="karatej" supported="no">
+	<software name="karatej" supported="partial">
 		<!-- Notes: GBC only -->
 		<description>Karate Joe (Euro)</description>
 		<year>200?</year>
 		<publisher>Rocket Games</publisher>
+		<info name="usage" value="Enable 'Skip BIOS check' configuration setting to boot"/>
 		<part name="cart" interface="gameboy_cart">
 			<feature name="slot" value="rom_atvrac" />
 			<dataarea name="rom" size="262144">
@@ -23415,10 +23411,11 @@ These were produced between 2000 and 2001 by Rocket Games, run by Datel Design
 		</part>
 	</software>
 
-	<software name="painter" supported="no">
+	<software name="painter">
 		<description>Painter (Euro)</description>
 		<year>200?</year>
 		<publisher>Rocket Games</publisher>
+		<info name="usage" value="Enable 'Skip BIOS check' configuration setting to boot"/>
 		<part name="cart" interface="gameboy_cart">
 			<feature name="slot" value="rom_atvrac" />
 			<dataarea name="rom" size="262144">
@@ -23427,11 +23424,12 @@ These were produced between 2000 and 2001 by Rocket Games, run by Datel Design
 		</part>
 	</software>
 
-	<software name="racetime" supported="no">
+	<software name="racetime">
 		<!-- Notes: GBC only -->
 		<description>Race Time (Euro)</description>
 		<year>200?</year>
 		<publisher>Rocket Games</publisher>
+		<info name="usage" value="Enable 'Skip BIOS check' configuration setting to boot"/>
 		<part name="cart" interface="gameboy_cart">
 			<feature name="slot" value="rom_atvrac" />
 			<dataarea name="rom" size="262144">
@@ -23440,25 +23438,12 @@ These were produced between 2000 and 2001 by Rocket Games, run by Datel Design
 		</part>
 	</software>
 
-<!-- This has been hacked to run on MBC01 mapper -->
+	<software name="sinkj" supported="partial">
-	<software name="racetimeh" cloneof="racetime">
-		<!-- Notes: GBC only -->
-		<description>Race Time (Euro, Hacked)</description>
-		<year>200?</year>
-		<publisher>Rocket Games</publisher>
-		<part name="cart" interface="gameboy_cart">
-			<feature name="slot" value="rom_mbc1" />
-			<dataarea name="rom" size="262144">
-				<rom name="race time (hacked) (unl).bin" size="262144" crc="8a5fa98c" sha1="8d8d6c3f5545edbd50813a22fb666c106ceb140b" offset="000000" />
-			</dataarea>
-		</part>
-	</software>
-
-	<software name="sinkj" supported="no">
 		<!-- Notes: GBC only -->
 		<description>Space Invasion &amp; Karate Joe (Euro)</description>
 		<year>200?</year>
 		<publisher>Rocket Games</publisher>
+		<info name="usage" value="Enable 'Skip BIOS check' configuration setting to boot"/>
 		<part name="cart" interface="gameboy_cart">
 			<feature name="slot" value="rom_atvrac" />
 			<dataarea name="rom" size="524288">
@@ -23469,11 +23454,12 @@ These were produced between 2000 and 2001 by Rocket Games, run by Datel Design
 		</part>
 	</software>
 
-	<software name="sinpntr" supported="no">
+	<software name="sinpntr" supported="partial">
 		<!-- Notes: GBC only -->
 		<description>Space Invasion &amp; Painter (Euro)</description>
 		<year>200?</year>
 		<publisher>Rocket Games</publisher>
+		<info name="usage" value="Enable 'Skip BIOS check' configuration setting to boot"/>
 		<part name="cart" interface="gameboy_cart">
 			<feature name="slot" value="rom_atvrac" />
 			<dataarea name="rom" size="524288">
@@ -23484,11 +23470,12 @@ These were produced between 2000 and 2001 by Rocket Games, run by Datel Design
 		</part>
 	</software>
 
-	<software name="sinvasn" supported="no">
+	<software name="sinvasn" supported="partial">
 		<!-- Notes: GBC only -->
 		<description>Space Invasion (Euro)</description>
 		<year>200?</year>
 		<publisher>Rocket Games</publisher>
+		<info name="usage" value="Enable 'Skip BIOS check' configuration setting to boot"/>
 		<part name="cart" interface="gameboy_cart">
 			<feature name="slot" value="rom_atvrac" />
 			<dataarea name="rom" size="131072">
@@ -24058,10 +24045,11 @@ These were produced between 2000 and 2001 by Rocket Games, run by Datel Design
 		</part>
 	</software>
 
-	<software name="iceage2a" cloneof="iceage2" supported="no">
+	<software name="iceage2a" cloneof="iceage2">
 		<description>Ice Age II (Chi)</description>
 		<year>20??</year>
 		<publisher>Sintax</publisher>
+		<info name="usage" value="Enable 'Skip BIOS check' configuration setting to boot"/>
 		<part name="cart" interface="gameboy_cart">
 			<feature name="slot" value="rom_mbc5" />
 			<!-- cartridge ram -->
@@ -25487,36 +25475,19 @@ These were produced between 2000 and 2001 by Rocket Games, run by Datel Design
 		</part>
 	</software>
 
-<!-- works on gbpocket -->
 	<software name="sqsd">
 		<!-- Alt. Title: 石器時代 精靈王誕生 (Stone Age - Birth of the Goblin King) -->
 		<description>Shi Qi Shi Dai - Jing Ling Wang Dan Sheng (Chi)</description>
 		<year>20??</year>
 		<publisher>GOWIN</publisher>
+		<info name="usage" value="Enable 'Skip BIOS check' configuration setting to boot"/>
 		<part name="cart" interface="gameboy_cart">
 			<feature name="slot" value="rom_yong" />
 			<!-- cartridge ram -->
 			<dataarea name="rom" size="4194304">
 				<rom name="stone age (unl).bin" size="4194304" crc="e7d9d377" sha1="f88f605960c1573aa8bc5fafab19014b0d987729" offset="000000" />
 			</dataarea>
-			<dataarea name="nvram" size="8192">
+			<dataarea name="nvram" size="8192"> <!-- or 65536 ? -->
-			</dataarea>
-		</part>
-	</software>
-
-<!-- works on gbpocket -->
-	<software name="sqsdh" cloneof="sqsd">
-		<!-- Alt. Title: 石器時代 精靈王誕生 (Stone Age - Birth of the Goblin King) -->
-		<description>Shi Qi Shi Dai - Jing Ling Wang Dan Sheng (Chi, Hacked?)</description>
-		<year>20??</year>
-		<publisher>GOWIN</publisher>
-		<part name="cart" interface="gameboy_cart">
-			<feature name="slot" value="rom_yong" />
-			<!-- cartridge ram -->
-			<dataarea name="rom" size="4194304">
-				<rom name="stone age (unl)(hacked).bin" size="4194304" crc="2ffe697c" sha1="b992f280b5dd2095c8f430282c5dba69c6a10eb4" offset="000000" />
-			</dataarea>
-			<dataarea name="nvram" size="65536">
 			</dataarea>
 		</part>
 	</software>

src/emu/bus/gameboy/gb_slot.c

@@ -294,13 +294,11 @@ bool base_gb_cart_slot_device::call_load()
 		offset = 0;
 		if (get_mmm01_candidate(ROM, len))
 			offset = len - 0x8000;
-		int type;
 
 		if (software_entry() != NULL)
-			type = gb_get_pcb_id(get_feature("slot") ? get_feature("slot") : "rom");
+			m_type = gb_get_pcb_id(get_feature("slot") ? get_feature("slot") : "rom");
 		else
-			type = get_cart_type(ROM + offset, len - offset);
+			m_type = get_cart_type(ROM + offset, len - offset);
-
 
 		// setup RAM/NVRAM/RTC/RUMBLE
 		if (software_entry() != NULL)
@@ -371,7 +369,7 @@ bool base_gb_cart_slot_device::call_load()
 					break;
 			}
 
-			if (type == GB_MBC_MBC2 ||  type == GB_MBC_MBC7)
+			if (m_type == GB_MBC_MBC2 ||  m_type == GB_MBC_MBC7)
 				rambanks = 1;
 		}
 
@@ -384,7 +382,7 @@ bool base_gb_cart_slot_device::call_load()
 		if (m_cart->get_ram_size() && m_cart->get_has_battery())
 			battery_load(m_cart->get_ram_base(), m_cart->get_ram_size(), 0xff);
 
-		//printf("Type: %s\n", gb_get_slot(type));
+		//printf("Type: %s\n", gb_get_slot(m_type));
 
 		internal_header_logging(ROM + offset, len);
 
@@ -566,6 +564,7 @@ int base_gb_cart_slot_device::get_cart_type(UINT8 *ROM, UINT32 len)
 
 	return type;
 }
+
 /*-------------------------------------------------
  get default card software
  -------------------------------------------------*/

src/mess/drivers/gb.c

@@ -436,6 +436,16 @@ READ8_MEMBER(gb_state::gb_cart_r)
 		if (offset < 0x100)
 		{
 			UINT8 *ROM = m_region_maincpu->base();
+			if (m_bios_hack->read())
+			{
+				// patch out logo and checksum checks
+				// (useful to run some pirate carts until we implement
+				// their complete functionalities + to test homebrew)
+				if (offset == 0xe9 || offset == 0xea)
+					return 0x00;
+				if (offset == 0xfa || offset == 0xfb)
+					return 0x00;
+			}
 			return ROM[offset];
 		}
 		else if (m_cartslot)
@@ -456,6 +466,16 @@ READ8_MEMBER(gb_state::gbc_cart_r)
 		if (offset < 0x100)
 		{
 			UINT8 *ROM = m_region_maincpu->base();
+			if (m_bios_hack->read())
+			{
+				// patch out logo and checksum checks
+				// (useful to run some pirate carts until we implement
+				// their complete functionalities + to test homebrew)
+				if (offset == 0xdb || offset == 0xdc)
+					return 0x00;
+				if (offset == 0xed || offset == 0xee)
+					return 0x00;
+			}
 			return ROM[offset];
 		}
 		else if (offset >= 0x200 && offset < 0x900)
@@ -607,6 +627,12 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( gameboy )
 	PORT_BIT( 0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_BUTTON1) PORT_NAME("Button B")
 	PORT_BIT( 0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_START) PORT_NAME("Start")
 	PORT_BIT( 0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_SELECT) PORT_NAME("Select")
+
+	PORT_START("SKIP_CHECK")
+	PORT_CONFNAME( 0x01, 0x00, "[HACK] Skip BIOS Logo check" )
+	PORT_CONFSETTING(    0x00, DEF_STR( Off ) )
+	PORT_CONFSETTING(    0x01, DEF_STR( On ) )
+
 INPUT_PORTS_END
 
 static SLOT_INTERFACE_START(gb_cart)

src/mess/drivers/gba.c

@@ -894,7 +894,7 @@ READ32_MEMBER(gba_state::gba_io_r)
 		case 0x0130/4:
 			if( (mem_mask) & 0x0000ffff )   // KEYINPUT
 			{
-				retval = m_io_in0->read();
+				retval = m_io_inputs->read();
 			}
 			else if( (mem_mask) & 0xffff0000 )
 			{
@@ -1886,11 +1886,18 @@ WRITE32_MEMBER(gba_state::gba_oam_w)
 READ32_MEMBER(gba_state::gba_bios_r)
 {
 	UINT32 *rom = (UINT32 *)(*m_region_maincpu);
-	if (m_bios_protected != 0)
+	if (m_bios_hack->read())
 	{
-		offset = (m_bios_last_address + 8) / 4;
+		// partially patch out logo and checksum checks
+		// (useful to run some protos + to test homebrew)
+		if (ACCESSING_BITS_0_15 && (offset == 0x6fc/4))
+			return 0;
 	}
-	return rom[offset&0x3fff];
+
+	if (m_bios_protected != 0)
+		offset = (m_bios_last_address + 8) / 4;
+	
+	return rom[offset & 0x3fff];
 }
 
 READ32_MEMBER(gba_state::gba_10000000_r)
@@ -1925,7 +1932,7 @@ static ADDRESS_MAP_START( gba_map, AS_PROGRAM, 32, gba_state )
 ADDRESS_MAP_END
 
 static INPUT_PORTS_START( gbadv )
-	PORT_START("IN0")
+	PORT_START("INPUTS")
 	PORT_BIT( 0xfc00, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_BUTTON5) PORT_UNUSED
 	PORT_BIT( 0x0200, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_BUTTON3 ) PORT_NAME("P1 L") PORT_PLAYER(1) // L
 	PORT_BIT( 0x0100, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_BUTTON4 ) PORT_NAME("P1 R") PORT_PLAYER(1) // R
@@ -1937,6 +1944,11 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( gbadv )
 	PORT_BIT( 0x0004, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_SELECT ) PORT_PLAYER(1)    // SELECT
 	PORT_BIT( 0x0002, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_BUTTON1 ) PORT_NAME("B") PORT_PLAYER(1)    // B
 	PORT_BIT( 0x0001, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_BUTTON2 ) PORT_NAME("A") PORT_PLAYER(1)    // A
+
+	PORT_START("SKIP_CHECK")
+	PORT_CONFNAME( 0x01, 0x00, "[HACK] Skip BIOS Logo check" )
+	PORT_CONFSETTING(    0x00, DEF_STR( Off ) )
+	PORT_CONFSETTING(    0x01, DEF_STR( On ) )
 INPUT_PORTS_END
 
 
@@ -2121,10 +2133,9 @@ void gba_state::machine_start()
 	// install the cart ROM & SRAM into the address map, if present
 	if (m_cart->exists())
 	{
-		address_space &space = machine().device<cpu_device>("maincpu")->space(AS_PROGRAM);
+		m_maincpu->space(AS_PROGRAM).install_read_bank(0x08000000, 0x09ffffff, 0, 0, "rom1");
-		space.install_read_bank(0x08000000, 0x09ffffff, 0, 0, "rom1");
+		m_maincpu->space(AS_PROGRAM).install_read_bank(0x0a000000, 0x0bffffff, 0, 0, "rom2");
-		space.install_read_bank(0x0a000000, 0x0bffffff, 0, 0, "rom2");
+		m_maincpu->space(AS_PROGRAM).install_read_bank(0x0c000000, 0x0cffffff, 0, 0, "rom3");
-		space.install_read_bank(0x0c000000, 0x0cffffff, 0, 0, "rom3");
 
 		astring region_tag;
 		memory_region *cart_rom = memregion(region_tag.cpy(m_cart->tag()).cat(GBASLOT_ROM_REGION_TAG));

src/mess/includes/gb.h

@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ public:
 		m_region_maincpu(*this, "maincpu"),
 		m_rambank(*this, "cgb_ram"),
 		m_inputs(*this, "INPUTS"),
+		m_bios_hack(*this, "SKIP_CHECK"),
 		m_ram(*this, RAM_TAG),
 		m_lcd(*this, "lcd") { }
 
@@ -119,6 +120,7 @@ protected:
 	required_memory_region m_region_maincpu;
 	optional_memory_bank m_rambank;   // cgb
 	required_ioport m_inputs;
+	required_ioport m_bios_hack;
 	optional_device<ram_device> m_ram;
 	required_device<gb_lcd_device> m_lcd;
 

src/mess/includes/gba.h

@@ -140,7 +140,8 @@ public:
 		m_gbsound(*this, "custom"),
 		m_cart(*this, "cartslot"),
 		m_region_maincpu(*this, "maincpu"),
-		m_io_in0(*this, "IN0")
+		m_io_inputs(*this, "INPUTS"),
+		m_bios_hack(*this, "SKIP_CHECK")
 	{ }
 
 	required_device<cpu_device> m_maincpu;
@@ -268,7 +269,8 @@ public:
 
 protected:
 	required_memory_region m_region_maincpu;
-	required_ioport m_io_in0;
+	required_ioport m_io_inputs;
+	required_ioport m_bios_hack;
 };