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Nemesis 2 Version in "Salamander Portable" on the PSP

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بواسطة deepshell

Resident (57)

صورة deepshell

10-05-2019, 09:50

I've recently spent a lot of time in the Nemesis 2 version that has been published in the package "Salamander Portable" for the PSP. I believe it's a Japan only release. This version is heavily based on the MSX version but with some graphical improvements like smooth scrolling and such. In the menus you can even select which Konami cardridge to put into the secondary slot to get the desired effects.

This version can bee seen here in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebNF9_NZ1PM
And here's the product like: https://www.amazon.co.jp/コナミデジタルエンタテインメント-13305421-沙羅曼蛇-ポータブル-PSP/dp/B000K71XHC/ref=sr_1_1

My question however is this: does anyone now more about that version? Has it been released on any other platform? What's the story behind it?

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بواسطة tfh

Prophet (3430)

صورة tfh

10-05-2019, 16:31

Funny...
Looking at the files inside the game these is a directory called msx1plus which contains the original Nemesis2 .rom file. There is also a modified .ROM of Nemesis 2 there which I can't run on my emulators. Furthermore there are .pgd files for every level & demo part of the game. Maybe these files are used as a sort of overlay on the original/hacked .ROM.
Anyway... If anyone is interested, the files are quite easy to find on the net. If you can't find them, just contact me.

The difference between the "hacked" file and the original .ROM are maybe 100 bytes, all with similar changes like this:

Here you can see the intro of the PSP version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbrEOszx620

بواسطة NYYRIKKI

Enlighted (6093)

صورة NYYRIKKI

10-05-2019, 18:54

Very interesting indeed... This looks like MSX2 version that was newer made Smile

Here is a bit better video

It seems it is still suffering from MSX limitations such as only 2 colors / 8 pixels, flickering start animation etc. so I think it has indeed sprites done with overlay, but backgrounds have only new palette... Maybe we could "loan" the palettes at least back to MSX2 smooth scroll version(?) If the overlays can be extracted then maybe Vampier or someone could make some openMSX script to implement these graphics?

بواسطة deepshell

Resident (57)

صورة deepshell

10-05-2019, 19:03

Thanks for your research. This is indeed fascinating!

First I wonder why they had to include gradius2.rom (the original) when there is also a RC751_HACK.BIN? And how does this game run, I don't see anything that might be some kind of MSX emulator inside the ISO and yet I cannot imagine that the PSP can execute that ROM just like that.

بواسطة tfh

Prophet (3430)

صورة tfh

10-05-2019, 19:06

NYYRIKKI wrote:

Very interesting indeed... This looks like MSX2 version that was newer made Smile

Here is a bit better video

It seems it is still suffering from MSX limitations such as only 2 colors / 8 pixels, flickering start animation etc. so I think it has indeed sprites done with overlay, but backgrounds have only new palette... Maybe we could "loan" the palettes at least back to MSX2 smooth scroll version(?) If the overlays can be extracted then maybe Vampier or someone could make some openMSX script to implement these graphics?

I'm still hoping for the Ultmate Nemesis 2 version:

* All stages, including from ones from the Beta Version
* Smooth Scroll
* Timing Fixes
* The pallet from this version would also be nice
* Voice set

Just imagine....

deepshell wrote:

Thanks for your research. This is indeed fascinating!

First I wonder why they had to include gradius2.rom (the original) when there is also a RC751_HACK.BIN? And how does this game run, I don't see anything that might be some kind of MSX emulator inside the ISO and yet I cannot imagine that the PSP can execute that ROM just like that.

I think, but haven't checked, that the emulator is inside mod_gra2.prx.

بواسطة NYYRIKKI

Enlighted (6093)

صورة NYYRIKKI

10-05-2019, 20:04

It seems that the extra graphics are stored as "SCREEN 5" 8x8 blocks.

بواسطة sdsnatcher73

Enlighted (4304)

صورة sdsnatcher73

10-05-2019, 20:50

deepshell wrote:

Thanks for your research. This is indeed fascinating!

First I wonder why they had to include gradius2.rom (the original) when there is also a RC751_HACK.BIN? And how does this game run, I don't see anything that might be some kind of MSX emulator inside the ISO and yet I cannot imagine that the PSP can execute that ROM just like that.

In the game's settings you can switch between 'original' and 'refine' mode... In original mode the emulator runs the unmodified rom. What you are seeing in the youtube videos is refine mode.

بواسطة sdsnatcher73

Enlighted (4304)

صورة sdsnatcher73

10-05-2019, 21:04

NYYRIKKI wrote:

It seems that the extra graphics are stored as "SCREEN 5" 8x8 blocks.

COOL!

بواسطة NYYRIKKI

Enlighted (6093)

صورة NYYRIKKI

10-05-2019, 21:23

Now, who likes conspiracy theories? Smile

It starts to look like all of the graphic data is stored in these extra files... What if this version was originally meant to be released for MSX3? The pattern data would be kind of perfect fit for V9990 P1-mode. Now that V9978 was newer released they made this PSP version out of the stuff they already had floating around.

بواسطة Latok

msx guru (3960)

صورة Latok

10-05-2019, 23:33

What are you smoking nyyrikki? I want it!!

بواسطة deepshell

Resident (57)

صورة deepshell

11-05-2019, 07:11

Very interesting! And of course you are right about the reason for the inclusion of the original ROM sdsnatcher73. It's such a pity that this version seems to have been exclusively released on the PSP. I'd love to play it on a bigger screen.

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