From e721064fe9e34cbcd08cc589691591ddd3702d89 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Tim Allen Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2017 21:42:34 +1000 Subject: [PATCH] Document how to use BS-X games. --- README.md | 74 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 74 insertions(+) diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index 6169080fc..99d509c09 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -1542,6 +1542,80 @@ you can play it just like any [regular game](#importing-and-playing-regular-game Importing and playing BS-X games -------------------------------- +The [Bandai Satellaview][wpbsx] +(often abbreviated, +for some reason, +to "BS-X") +was a satellite modem peripheral +released for the Super Famicom in Japan. +As well as the actual modem +(designed to sit underneath the Super Famicom), +it also included a cartridge +with software to control the modem, +browse online services, +and download games and data. +This control cartridge was called +"BS-X Sore wa Namae o Nusumareta Machi no Monogatari", +which translates as +"BS-X The Story of The Town Whose Name Was Stolen". + +[wpbsx]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellaview + +The BS-X control cartridge had a slot that accepted +rewritable "memory paks", +so that people could store the games and data they downloaded. +A small number of games that did not use the Satellaview modem +also had a memory pak slot, +so the game's publishers could +publish extra content for the game +via the Satellaview service +after the game's release. +For the benefit of people who didn't own a Satellaview +some read-only memory paks +were sold in retail stores +containing extra content for specific games. + +Importing a game that has a slot for a BS-X memory pak +is just like [importing a regular game](#importing-and-playing-regular-games). + +Importing a memory pak is like importing a regular game, +but the name of the memory pak file *must* end in `.bs` +(if it's in a `.zip` file, +that's OK, +but the name *inside* the `.zip` file +must end in `.bs`) +in order for it to be successfully imported. +Sometimes memory pak filenames end in `(BSROM).sfc`, +which will make higan try to import them as +regular Super Famicom games, +and fail miserably. +Rename the file and it should work beautifully. + +Playing a game that has a slot for a BS-X memory pak +is just like playing a regular game, +but after you have selected which game you want to play +higan will open another +[filesystem browser](#the-filesystem-browser) +to let you pick which previously-imported memory pak +you want to insert into the game. +If you press "Cancel" at this point, +the game will load without any cartridge in its memory pak slot. + +Note that although you can load +the BS-X control cartridge, +*BS-X Sore wa Namae o Nusumareta Machi no Monogatari* +into higan, +higan does not emulate the Satellaview modem itself, +and even if it did, +the Satellaview online service +went offline years ago, +so there'd be nothing for it to talk to. + +Playing a memory pak on its own doesn't make much sense, +it's not a standalone cartridge. +Play a game with a BS-X memory pak slot, +and choose which memory pak you want when higan asks for it. + Importing and playing Sufami Turbo games ----------------------------------------