MiSTer FPGA - Skeleton Krew [w/ Namco JogCon] / Genesis (Mega Drive)
28**PLEASE WATCH IN FULLSCREEN @ 1440p!** Back with another JogCon experiment here, this time with Skeleton Krew, a port to the Genesis from Amiga in 1995. The game is played in 6-button mode with a JogCon for control, via Reflex Adapt by MiSTerAddons. With 6-button mode it clears up some quirks with the control if you change the configuration, but you still need to have the fire button held down to rotate with the wheel. Looking to get into MiSTer FPGA? Great quality kits, parts & support at https://www.MiSTerAddons.com
Originally released on Amiga, the game is decent but definitely has it's rough edges. Stage objectives aren't always apparent so there is a trial-and-error process with many stages until you figure it out. The Genesis version here is far better than the Amiga/CD32 releases though, featuring better controls and further gameplay refinements. Sound effects are much better on Amiga, but there is no music while playing. On Genesis the music is unique and pretty good, but the sound effects are terrible and sound out of place often times, like the sound when you shoot the humanoid looking goons. There is also little indication given for when you take damage at times, leading to your health bar being completely drained without you noticing. Players have no invincibility frames so this can happen in a split second in some unlucky scenarios. The respawn mechanic put in place to get around this after dying is passable, but you need to realize that as soon as you spawn you are going to be vulnerable again. Hit detection is seemingly all over the place, requiring you to focus on both where your shot is and the shadow below them, depending on the enemy. Controls feel stiff because of the need to release the fire button to either jump or switch your weapon. Takes some getting used to. Overall it's a decent game if not somewhat monotonous, and something that I tied into my want to experiment more with the JogCon along with a Halloween horror/gore theme to celebrate the season.
The "Reflex Adapt" I used for JogCon compatibility is a USB board by MiSTer Addons that converts classic controllers for use on modern systems/MiSTer. It uses the same HDMI-style controller connectors as the SNAC/SNAX boards that MiSTer Addons provides. JogCon code in the board was originally made by Sorgelig a few years back (the same person who created MiSTer) and improved upon by sonik with additional modes like the "fake spinner" used here. The Reflex Adapt is based on sonik's RetroZord arduino code and provides low latency 1000hz-compatible conversion for most classic controller types. This is an excellent way to breathe new life into a limited-use controller like the JogCon!
Special thanks to nukeykt (https://twitter.com/nukeykt) for bringing us a new cycle-accurate Genesis/Mega Drive core on MiSTer with Nuked-MD, and to Sorg for working tirelessly to port it to the framework so quickly! Great results so far.
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Mega Drive core 2023-09-15 build - Skeleton Krew
Filter Hori: Gaussian Sharp 65 // Filter Vert: Scanlines - Adaptive\40_70
Shadow Mask: PVM Subtle (https://pastebin.com/LmjcmG38) // Gamma: Off
320x224 Aspect: Original // Audio: Model 1 YM2612
Played using a Namco JogCon PS1 controller w/ Reflex Adapt board & 1ms USB polling.
Video: Integer scaled to 1440p // HDMI to Datapath e1s capture card
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|:=-Timestamps-=:|
00:00 - Boot / Settings
00:35 - Title / Character Intros
04:57 - Intro / Level 1
10:07 - Level 2
16:48 - Level 3
24:18 - Level 4
29:09 - Level 5
38:15 - Level 6
42:09 - Boss
46:38 - Ending / Credits
=---------------CONTRIBUTE---------------=
None of this would be possible without the constant hard work of Sorgelig. It cannot be overstated how much he has done and continues to do for this project, since its beginning. You can support him either at his Patreon in the link below, or on Paypal depending on your preference. MiSTer is a paradigm shift in how we can experience these classic games. This is a long-term preservation project that will continue to grow so that gamers today and in the future can experience these excellent systems as accurately and lag-free as possible. Donating what you can will help keep the updates coming. Thank you.
Patreon: https://patreon.com/FPGAMiSTer
PayPal: https://paypal.me/FPGAMiSTer
=-----------------INFORM-----------------=
Github link for this core: https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/MegaDrive_MiSTer
MiSTer Forum: http://MiSTerFPGA.org
MiSTer Documentation: https://mister-devel.github.io/MkDocs_MiSTer
Official MiSTer Discord (live chat/help): https://discord.gg/misterfpga
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Worldwide list of sellers for MiSTer expansion boards: https://misterfpga.org/viewforum.php?f=34&sid=74e1c5e7dae1b99284789d93194cfa0b
I have personally ordered all my parts from https://www.MiSTerAddons.com and have been 100% satisfied with the quality and service there.