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blog:pc98_launcher_b [2020/09/06 17:49] – john | blog:pc98_launcher_b [2021/02/24 14:31] (current) – [PC-98 Game Launcher - Information & Downloads] john |
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====== PC-98 Game Launcher - Appendix B: Application & Game metadata files ====== | ====== PC-98 Game Launcher - Information & Downloads ====== |
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| My //PC98Launcher// application is written in C, using the custom DJGPP implementation for PC-98 hardware, [[blog:pc98_devtools|as detailed on my site]]. |
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| //What is it, and what does it do?// |
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| //PC98Launcher// is graphical game browser and launcher for the PC-98 range of personal computers from NEC. |
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| It runs on the PC-98 hardware itself, either emulated or real physical system; it is __not__ a Window/Mac/Linux application like [launchbox](https://www.launchbox-app.com/) or [RetroArch](https://github.com/libretro/RetroArch). |
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| Specifically, it is written to use the 256 colour graphics hardware found on late PC-9801 and early to late PC-9821 machines. |
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| * It creates a browseable list of all the game directories on your drive(s) |
| * It can load and display additional metadata per game (i.e developer, genre, release date etc) |
| * It can load and display screenshots or artwork per game (i.e box art, screenshots, etc) |
| * It can export an audit file of all the found games |
| * It can launch any game for which a start file is either found (e.g. start.bat), or which has been defined in metadata (e.g. run.com, go.exe, etc) |
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You can find versions of the PC98Launcher application ready to download on this page, as well as packaged up versions of games and their metadata ready to go. | You can find versions of the PC98Launcher application ready to download on this page, as well as packaged up versions of games and their metadata ready to go. |
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^ Date ^ Notes ^ Download Links ^ | ^ Date ^ Notes ^ Download Links ^ |
| | 2020-09-07 | First version which can launch games! Run //l.bat// and it will start up everything you need, as well as run the selected game on exit. Still need to implement game filtering, as well as re-launch the application after you exit the game. | {{ :blog:pc98launcher_2020_09_07.zip |486}}| |
| 2020-09-04 | Fixed some memory leaks when loading/unloading metadata file and image lists. Enabled pageup/pagedown navigation. Initial implementation of //Confirm you want to start this game// popup dialogue. | {{ :blog:pc98launcher_2020_09_04.zip|486}} | | | 2020-09-04 | Fixed some memory leaks when loading/unloading metadata file and image lists. Enabled pageup/pagedown navigation. Initial implementation of //Confirm you want to start this game// popup dialogue. | {{ :blog:pc98launcher_2020_09_04.zip|486}} | |
| 2020-09-02 | Added ability to preload full game name from metadata at scrape time. Can be enabled/disabled by //preload_names// in launcher.ini | {{ :blog:pc98launcher_2020_09_02.zip|486}} | | | 2020-09-02 | Added ability to preload full game name from metadata at scrape time. Can be enabled/disabled by //preload_names// in launcher.ini | {{ :blog:pc98launcher_2020_09_02.zip|486}} | |
| [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/amaranth-iii|*]] | {{ :blog:amaranth_iii.zip|Amaranth III}} | Fuga System | Yes | Yes | No | FM, MIDI (MPU) | | | | [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/amaranth-iii|*]] | {{ :blog:amaranth_iii.zip|Amaranth III}} | Fuga System | Yes | Yes | No | FM, MIDI (MPU) | | |
| [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/amaranth-iv|*]] | {{ :blog:amaranth_iv.zip|Amaranth IV}} | Fuga System | Yes | Yes | No | FM, MIDI (MPU) | Start file assumes game is unpacked to \Games. Edit //start.bat// if this is not the case. | | | [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/amaranth-iv|*]] | {{ :blog:amaranth_iv.zip|Amaranth IV}} | Fuga System | Yes | Yes | No | FM, MIDI (MPU) | Start file assumes game is unpacked to \Games. Edit //start.bat// if this is not the case. | |
| [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/amaranth-kh-stellar-koku-kenkokutan|*]] | {{ :blog:amaranth_kh.zip |Amaranth KH}} | Fuga System | Yes | Yes | No | MIDI (MPU) | | | | [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/amaranth-kh-stellar-koku-kenkokutan|*]] | {{ :blog:amaranth_kh.zip |Amaranth KH}} | Fuga System | Yes | Yes | No | FM, MIDI (MPU) | | |
| [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/pc98/bible-master-2-the-chaos-of-aglia|*]] | {{ :blog:bible_master_2.zip|Bible Master 2}} | Glodia | Yes | Yes | Front/Rear | FM, MIDI (MPU+Serial) | | | | [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/pc98/bible-master-2-the-chaos-of-aglia|*]] | {{ :blog:bible_master_2.zip|Bible Master 2}} | Glodia | Yes | Yes | Front/Rear | FM, MIDI (MPU+Serial) | | |
| | [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/branmarker-2|*]] | {{ :blog:branmarker_2.zip|Branmarker 2}} | D.O. Corp. | Yes | Yes | Front | FM, MIDI (MPU) | Can be started in PC-98 notebook-compatible mode by adding 'note' after //BR2_98.EXE// in !START.BAT; this sets a high-contrast palette mode. | |
| | [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/briganty-the-roots-of-darkness|*]] | {{ :blog:briganty.zip |Briganty}} | GIGA | Yes | Yes | Front | FM, MIDI | Action, Beat-em-up, RPG, Platform hybrid. Really needs a joypad to be enjoyed fully. | |
| | [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/pc98/case-of-dungeons|*]] | {{ :blog:case_of_dungeons.zip|Case of Dungeons}} | Studio K2 | Yes | Yes | No | FM | Single screen dungeon crawler. A sort of strategy/tactics "beat the boss" type of game. | |
| [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/pc98/crw-metal-jacket|*]] | {{ :blog:crw_metal_jacket_english_.zip|CRW: Metal Jacket}} | WiZ | Yes | Yes | Front/Rear | FM | This is a pre-patched [[https://www.romhacking.net/translations/3105/|English]] version. | | | [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/pc98/crw-metal-jacket|*]] | {{ :blog:crw_metal_jacket_english_.zip|CRW: Metal Jacket}} | WiZ | Yes | Yes | Front/Rear | FM | This is a pre-patched [[https://www.romhacking.net/translations/3105/|English]] version. | |
| | [[https://refuge.tokyo/pc9801/pc98/01027.html|*]] | {{ :blog:crw2.zip|CRW 2}} | WiZ | Yes | Yes | No | FM, MIDI | Untranslated sequel to CRW. | |
| | [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/pc98/cyber-illusion|*]] | {{ :blog:cyber_illusion.zip|Cyber Illusion}} | Pearl Soft | Yes | Yes | Front | FM, MIDI (MPU+Serial) | MIDI mode seem to be tailored for a GM compatible module. | |
| [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/pc98/nightmare-collection-dead-of-the-brain-shiry-no-sakebi|*]] | {{ :blog:dead_of_the_brain_english_.zip |Dead of the Brain}} | FairyTale | Yes | Yes | Front | FM | This is a pre-patched English version (all links to original patch are broken as of 2020). Although DOTB doesn't have a hard-drive install, it seems to work fine if you copy all four floppy disks to the same directory. | | | [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/pc98/nightmare-collection-dead-of-the-brain-shiry-no-sakebi|*]] | {{ :blog:dead_of_the_brain_english_.zip |Dead of the Brain}} | FairyTale | Yes | Yes | Front | FM | This is a pre-patched English version (all links to original patch are broken as of 2020). Although DOTB doesn't have a hard-drive install, it seems to work fine if you copy all four floppy disks to the same directory. | |
| [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/pc98/farland-story|*]] | {{ :blog:farland_saga_1_english_.zip|Farland Story 1}} | Technical Group Laboratory, Inc. | Yes | Yes | Front | FM, MIDI (MPU) | This is the pre-patched [[https://www.romhacking.net/translations/646/|English]] version. Music supports the NEC -26k and -86k FM cards, LA MIDI synths (e.g Roland MT32/CM32) and GS MIDI synths (e.g Roland Sound Canvas). Opening cinematic can be viewed seperately via the secondary start file in the metadata. GDC clock slowed to 2.5MHz via the included //gdc.exe//. | | | [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/pc98/farland-story|*]] | {{ :blog:farland_saga_1_english_.zip|Farland Story 1}} | Technical Group Laboratory, Inc. | Yes | Yes | Front | FM, MIDI (MPU) | This is the pre-patched [[https://www.romhacking.net/translations/646/|English]] version. Music supports the NEC -26k and -86k FM cards, LA MIDI synths (e.g Roland MT32/CM32) and GS MIDI synths (e.g Roland Sound Canvas). Opening cinematic can be viewed seperately via the secondary start file in the metadata. GDC clock slowed to 2.5MHz via the included //gdc.exe//. | |
| [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/pc98/farland-story-daichi-no-kizuna|*]] | {{ :blog:farland_story_5_english_.zip|Farland Story 5}} | Technical Group Laboratory, Inc. | Yes | Yes | Front | FM, MIDI (MPU) | This is the pre-patched [[https://www.romhacking.net/translations/743/|English]] version. Music supports -26k and -86k FM cards and and GS MIDI synths (e.g Roland Sound Canvas). GDC clock slowed to 2.5MHz via the included //gdc.exe//. | | | [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/pc98/farland-story-daichi-no-kizuna|*]] | {{ :blog:farland_story_5_english_.zip|Farland Story 5}} | Technical Group Laboratory, Inc. | Yes | Yes | Front | FM, MIDI (MPU) | This is the pre-patched [[https://www.romhacking.net/translations/743/|English]] version. Music supports -26k and -86k FM cards and and GS MIDI synths (e.g Roland Sound Canvas). GDC clock slowed to 2.5MHz via the included //gdc.exe//. | |
| [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/pc98/farland-story-kamigami-no-isen|*]] | {{ :blog:farland_story_6_english_.zip |Farland Story 6}} | Technical Group Laboratory, Inc. | Yes | Yes | Front | FM, MIDI (MPU) | This is the pre-patched [[https://www.romhacking.net/translations/745/|English]] version. Music supports -26k and -86k FM cards and and GS MIDI synths (e.g Roland Sound Canvas). | | | [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/pc98/farland-story-kamigami-no-isen|*]] | {{ :blog:farland_story_6_english_.zip |Farland Story 6}} | Technical Group Laboratory, Inc. | Yes | Yes | Front | FM, MIDI (MPU) | This is the pre-patched [[https://www.romhacking.net/translations/745/|English]] version. Music supports -26k and -86k FM cards and and GS MIDI synths (e.g Roland Sound Canvas). | |
| | [[https://refuge.tokyo/pc9801/pc98/00933.html|*]] | {{ :blog:graystone_saga.zip|Graystone Saga}} | Pegasus Japan | Yes | Yes | Front | FM, MIDI (MPU+Serial) | MIDI output supports both LA and GM type modules. | |
| | [[https://refuge.tokyo/pc9801/pc98/02170.html|*]] | {{ :blog:graystone_saga_gaiden.zip|Graystone Saga Gaiden}} | Pegasus Japan | Yes | Yes | Front | FM, MIDI (MPU+Serial) | MIDI output supports both LA and GM type modules. | |
| | [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/pc98/kuro-no-ken|*]] | {{ :blog:kuro_no_ken_blade_of_darkness_.zip |Kuro no Ken (aka Blade of Darkness}} | Forest | Yes | Yes | Front/Rear | FM | Game is sourced from the Neo Kobe collection and runs from a single __.com__ file and 5 disk images. | |
| [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/pc98/romance-wa-tsurugi-no-kagayaki-last-crusader|*]] | {{ :blog:last_crusader.zip|Last Crusader}} | FairyTale | Yes | Yes | No | FM | Note that this archive contains a LZH archive which must be uncompressed on the PC-98 itself using //lha.exe// - there are long Kanji filenames that do not transfer well on Windows/Linux systems. | | | [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/pc98/romance-wa-tsurugi-no-kagayaki-last-crusader|*]] | {{ :blog:last_crusader.zip|Last Crusader}} | FairyTale | Yes | Yes | No | FM | Note that this archive contains a LZH archive which must be uncompressed on the PC-98 itself using //lha.exe// - there are long Kanji filenames that do not transfer well on Windows/Linux systems. | |
| | [[https://refuge.tokyo/pc9801/pc98/00573.html|*]] | {{ :blog:legam.zip |Legam}} | U-Office | Yes | Yes | Front | FM, MIDI (MPU) | | |
| | [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/legend-of-heroes-iv-akai-shizuku|*]] | Legend of Heroes IV | Falcom | Yes | Yes | No | FM, MIDI (MPU+Serial), Soundblaster 16 | FM mode supports 3-operator and 6-operator FM hardware. | |
| [[https://macross.fandom.com/wiki/The_Super_Dimension_Fortress_Macross:_Skull_Leader_Complete_Pack|*]] | {{ :blog:macross_skull_leader_complete_english_.zip|Macross: Skull Leader Complete}} | Family Soft | Yes | Yes | Front | FM | This is a pre-patched [[https://www.romhacking.net/translations/3159/|English]] version. Translated PDF manual available [[https://nebulous.group/index.php/projects/translations/macross-skull-leader-complete-pack/#cmtoc_anchor_id_8|here]]. | | | [[https://macross.fandom.com/wiki/The_Super_Dimension_Fortress_Macross:_Skull_Leader_Complete_Pack|*]] | {{ :blog:macross_skull_leader_complete_english_.zip|Macross: Skull Leader Complete}} | Family Soft | Yes | Yes | Front | FM | This is a pre-patched [[https://www.romhacking.net/translations/3159/|English]] version. Translated PDF manual available [[https://nebulous.group/index.php/projects/translations/macross-skull-leader-complete-pack/#cmtoc_anchor_id_8|here]]. | |
| | [[https://www.romhacking.net/translations/3622/|*]] | {{ :blog:melpool_land_english_.zip |Melpool Land}} | Compile | Yes | Yes | No | FM | This is a pre-patched [[https://www.romhacking.net/translations/3622/|English]] translation. | |
| | [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/pc98/metajo-furitsu-metatopology-daigaku-fuzoku-joshi-kk-sp|*]] | {{ :blog:metajo.zip|Metajo}} | R-Force Software | Yes | Yes | No | FM | Supports 3-operator and 6-operator FM (-26 and -86 sound devices). | |
| | [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/zai-metajo|*]] | {{ :blog:metajo_2_zai_metajo_.zip|Metajo 2 (Zai Metajo)}} | R-Force Software | Yes | Yes | Front | FM | Supports 3-operator and 6-operator FM (-26 and -86 sound devices). | |
| [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/metal-eye|*]] | {{ :blog:metal_eye.zip |Metal Eye}} | Elf Co., Ltd. | Yes | Yes | Front | FM | | | | [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/metal-eye|*]] | {{ :blog:metal_eye.zip |Metal Eye}} | Elf Co., Ltd. | Yes | Yes | Front | FM | | |
| [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/metal-eye-2|*]] | {{ :blog:metal_eye_2.zip |Metal Eye 2}} | Elf Co., Ltd. | Yes | Yes | Front/Rear | FM | | | | [[https://www.mobygames.com/game/metal-eye-2|*]] | {{ :blog:metal_eye_2.zip |Metal Eye 2}} | Elf Co., Ltd. | Yes | Yes | Front/Rear | FM | | |