Best way to run homebrew SNES code on real hardware

Hi there,

I just started with SNES homebrew development. Software-wise everything is running fine (assembler, emulator with debugger). Now my question is what is the best way to test my stuff on real hardware? I read about quickdev16 and alike, but I guess since they were built in limited numbers, they are hard to get. Getting a real SNES Emulator SE is near to impossible and expensive =)

Thanks for any hints,
pettersson

 

I have an entry on this subject at the SNES Development Wiki, http://wiki.superfamicom.org/snes/show/Testing+Code

You're best bet is going to be a flash cart, I recommend the PowerPak or mash-mods flash carts. I haven't received my NeoMyth cart yet so I cannot note on it's ease of use.

 

I'd recommend the PowerPAK or MashMods as well. They are the best and easiest to use options. I've never used or heard much about the QuickDev16, it may be excellent. But if you don't need to test on hardware exclusively, instead only testing on hardware for major changes and using emulators (BSNES) for minor changes then either MashMods or PowerPAK will be great.

I would agree with Matthew's article that you should stay away from older Copier units unless you are on a budget. They are certainly cheap but also a hassle. If everything works out then a Game Doctor SF7 with an older PC that has a Parallel Port compatible and your OS agrees with it, then that is very nice. But often that's just not the case.

 

Hi Guys,
thanks for your hints. I'll try and get a PowerPak I guess, at least for now. What I read about QuickDev16 is that it's always connected to your devmachine (I dislike the idea of switching a flash cart back and forth between PC and SNES) and would it make easy to just push a button in your IDE to upload and test on hardware. But it's hard to get, so PowerPak it will be.

regards,
pettersson

 

Well, if you need something extremely accurate, you could try to build bsnes with it's new cycle based PPU, it is insanely accurate =P

 

Is it insanely slow too? =)

 

Hi,

I was lucky and was able to get my hands on a Quickdev16 (thanks again to the guy(s) at optixx.org). Works like a blast =)


/pettersson

 

I got a Quickdev16 that so far sadly has sat untested in it's original box. I intend to rectify that this weekend.

 

I've now tested it, and it's brilliant. I used a Super Flashcart before, and Quickdev16 is magnitudes better for development. The always-plugged-in USB connection makes the turnaround for changes incredibly quick.