Bounty - Add cheat support to Beetle PCE Fast core in RetroArch

[Gazdaman]

Description:
I have created a bounty for adding cheat support to Beetle PCE Fast core as below:
Add functional cheat support into Beetle PCE Fast core.
Cheats must be usable on Android and RPi3 platforms.

Bounty Link below:
https://www.bountysource.com/issues/58270012-bounty-add-cheat-support-to-beetle-pce-fast-core-in-retroarch

Related Post (possible duplicate):
#86

[joshsmithtogo]

Just upped the bounty on this one.

[eadmaster]

i second the request, some RAW codes are here.

[barbudreadmon]

Nowaday, cheat support "only" needs main ram pointer to be returned by the retro_get_memory_data libretro api call, it should be fairly easy to implement for anyone familiar with this core's codebase (i'm not, sorry), and will have the side-effect to add support for RetroAchievements (unlike the old method).
FWIW, FBNeo has this stuff implemented for PCE subsystem (PCE emulation in FBNeo requires romsets though)

[eadmaster]

I can confirm native cheats are now working with this core!

[BooBerry]

I can confirm native cheats are now working with this core!

Really? Can you give an example of a .cht file for any game that works?

EDIT: I just tested this with codes for Bonk's Adventure located here and none of the codes work with either the Beetle PCE or Beetle PCE Fast cores in RA 1.8.0 (also updated the cores before testing). Tried a couple things like using the codes as F82XXX and 1F0XXX and no go. Some guidance on how you got it working would be most appreciated.

[eadmaster]

here it is the procedure i am using:

1. take the 3 least significant digits from the code address (e.g. F82DB4 -> DB4)
2. convert them to decimal base (e.g. DB4 -> 3508)
3. paste the converted address as the cheat0_address
4. convert the value to decimal base (e.g. 0F -> 15)
5. paste the converted value as the cheat0_value
6. change the cheat0_desc text

resulting cht file:

cheat0_address = "3508"
cheat0_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat0_big_endian = "false"
cheat0_cheat_type = "1"
cheat0_code = ""
cheat0_desc = "Infinite Energy"
cheat0_enable = "false"
cheat0_handler = "1"
cheat0_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat0_rumble_port = "0"
cheat0_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat0_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat0_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat0_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat0_rumble_type = "0"
cheat0_rumble_value = "0"
cheat0_value = "15"
cheats = "1"

[BooBerry]

Okay, that worked, thanks a lot! I've ported a lot of PC Engine cheats over using your mini tutorial.

But, I ran into a problem. While it works for PC Engine CD games too like Castlevania: Rondo of Blood I've found two codes that don't seem to work...

F83460:1 which is used for invincibility and F812B8:1 which is a 1-hit kill for bosses. I've noticed both are different than 'normal' PC Engine cheats that start with F82. I don't suppose there's an easy way to get both of these working, is there?

[eadmaster]

To have Unlimited Health in Castlevania: Rondo of Blood there is this code that works fine: F82098:92 (Disable at end of stage for score).

P.S.: You can share the cht you've made here.

[BooBerry]

That works for infinite health, but the invincibility and 1-hit kill codes (which are not listed on gamehacking.org's page for the game but were posted in their forums) are at RAM addresses outside of the "normal" F82 address that I typically see for PC Engine RAM cheats.

See if you can get F83460:1 which is invincibility and F812B8:1 which is 1-hit kill for bosses working.

Otherwise, here's what I got so far for Akumajou Dracula X - Chi no Rondo (Japan) AKA Castlevania: Rondo of Blood:

cheat0_address = "152"
cheat0_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat0_big_endian = "false"
cheat0_cheat_type = "1"
cheat0_code = ""
cheat0_desc = "Infinite Health (Turn Off At End Of Stage)"
cheat0_enable = "false"
cheat0_handler = "1"
cheat0_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat0_rumble_port = "0"
cheat0_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat0_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat0_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat0_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat0_rumble_type = "0"
cheat0_rumble_value = "0"
cheat0_value = "92"
cheat1_address = "148"
cheat1_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat1_big_endian = "false"
cheat1_cheat_type = "1"
cheat1_code = ""
cheat1_desc = "Infinite Hearts (Turn Off At End Of Stage)"
cheat1_enable = "false"
cheat1_handler = "1"
cheat1_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat1_rumble_port = "0"
cheat1_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat1_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat1_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat1_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat1_rumble_type = "0"
cheat1_rumble_value = "0"
cheat1_value = "153"
cheat2_address = "147"
cheat2_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat2_big_endian = "false"
cheat2_cheat_type = "1"
cheat2_code = ""
cheat2_desc = "Always Have Axe"
cheat2_enable = "false"
cheat2_handler = "1"
cheat2_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat2_rumble_port = "0"
cheat2_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat2_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat2_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat2_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat2_rumble_type = "0"
cheat2_rumble_value = "0"
cheat2_value = "2"
cheat3_address = "147"
cheat3_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat3_big_endian = "false"
cheat3_cheat_type = "1"
cheat3_code = ""
cheat3_desc = "Always Have Cross"
cheat3_enable = "false"
cheat3_handler = "1"
cheat3_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat3_rumble_port = "0"
cheat3_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat3_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat3_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat3_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat3_rumble_type = "0"
cheat3_rumble_value = "0"
cheat3_value = "3"
cheat4_address = "147"
cheat4_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat4_big_endian = "false"
cheat4_cheat_type = "1"
cheat4_code = ""
cheat4_desc = "Always Have Holy Water"
cheat4_enable = "false"
cheat4_handler = "1"
cheat4_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat4_rumble_port = "0"
cheat4_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat4_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat4_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat4_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat4_rumble_type = "0"
cheat4_rumble_value = "0"
cheat4_value = "4"
cheat5_address = "147"
cheat5_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat5_big_endian = "false"
cheat5_cheat_type = "1"
cheat5_code = ""
cheat5_desc = "Always Have Knife"
cheat5_enable = "false"
cheat5_handler = "1"
cheat5_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat5_rumble_port = "0"
cheat5_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat5_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat5_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat5_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat5_rumble_type = "0"
cheat5_rumble_value = "0"
cheat5_value = "5"
cheat6_address = "147"
cheat6_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat6_big_endian = "false"
cheat6_cheat_type = "1"
cheat6_code = ""
cheat6_desc = "Always Have Slow Time"
cheat6_enable = "false"
cheat6_handler = "1"
cheat6_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat6_rumble_port = "0"
cheat6_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat6_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat6_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat6_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat6_rumble_type = "0"
cheat6_rumble_value = "0"
cheat6_value = "6"
cheats = "7"

Works for both characters in the game (Richter and Maria) and works with the English translation of the game too.

P.S. Is there any documentation on how RA's native cheats work? Mainly I'm curious about cheat_address_bit_position and how that works.

[BooBerry]

Also here's some more cheats for normal PC Engine games...

Bonk's Adventure (USA):

cheat0_address = "3075"
cheat0_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat0_big_endian = "false"
cheat0_cheat_type = "1"
cheat0_code = ""
cheat0_desc = "Invincibility"
cheat0_enable = "false"
cheat0_handler = "1"
cheat0_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat0_rumble_port = "0"
cheat0_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat0_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat0_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat0_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat0_rumble_type = "0"
cheat0_rumble_value = "0"
cheat0_value = "15"
cheat1_address = "3508"
cheat1_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat1_big_endian = "false"
cheat1_cheat_type = "1"
cheat1_code = ""
cheat1_desc = "Infinite Health"
cheat1_enable = "false"
cheat1_handler = "1"
cheat1_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat1_rumble_port = "0"
cheat1_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat1_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat1_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat1_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat1_rumble_type = "0"
cheat1_rumble_value = "0"
cheat1_value = "1"
cheat2_address = "3505"
cheat2_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat2_big_endian = "false"
cheat2_cheat_type = "1"
cheat2_code = ""
cheat2_desc = "Infinite Lives"
cheat2_enable = "false"
cheat2_handler = "1"
cheat2_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat2_rumble_port = "0"
cheat2_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat2_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat2_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat2_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat2_rumble_type = "0"
cheat2_rumble_value = "0"
cheat2_value = "2"
cheat3_address = "3514"
cheat3_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat3_big_endian = "false"
cheat3_cheat_type = "1"
cheat3_code = ""
cheat3_desc = "Big Meat Bonk"
cheat3_enable = "false"
cheat3_handler = "1"
cheat3_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat3_rumble_port = "0"
cheat3_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat3_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat3_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat3_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat3_rumble_type = "0"
cheat3_rumble_value = "0"
cheat3_value = "2"
cheats = "4"

Bonk's Revenge (USA):

cheat0_address = "3738"
cheat0_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat0_big_endian = "false"
cheat0_cheat_type = "1"
cheat0_code = ""
cheat0_desc = "Invincibility"
cheat0_enable = "false"
cheat0_handler = "1"
cheat0_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat0_rumble_port = "0"
cheat0_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat0_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat0_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat0_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat0_rumble_type = "0"
cheat0_rumble_value = "0"
cheat0_value = "1"
cheat1_address = "3719"
cheat1_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat1_big_endian = "false"
cheat1_cheat_type = "1"
cheat1_code = ""
cheat1_desc = "Infinite Health"
cheat1_enable = "false"
cheat1_handler = "1"
cheat1_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat1_rumble_port = "0"
cheat1_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat1_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat1_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat1_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat1_rumble_type = "0"
cheat1_rumble_value = "0"
cheat1_value = "15"
cheat2_address = "2586"
cheat2_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat2_big_endian = "false"
cheat2_cheat_type = "1"
cheat2_code = ""
cheat2_desc = "Infinite Lives"
cheat2_enable = "false"
cheat2_handler = "1"
cheat2_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat2_rumble_port = "0"
cheat2_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat2_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat2_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat2_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat2_rumble_type = "0"
cheat2_rumble_value = "0"
cheat2_value = "2"
cheats = "3"

Bonk 3 - Bonk's Big Adventure (USA):

cheat0_address = "2486"
cheat0_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat0_big_endian = "false"
cheat0_cheat_type = "1"
cheat0_code = ""
cheat0_desc = "Invincibility"
cheat0_enable = "false"
cheat0_handler = "1"
cheat0_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat0_rumble_port = "0"
cheat0_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat0_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat0_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat0_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat0_rumble_type = "0"
cheat0_rumble_value = "0"
cheat0_value = "1"
cheat1_address = "2959"
cheat1_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat1_big_endian = "false"
cheat1_cheat_type = "1"
cheat1_code = ""
cheat1_desc = "Infinite Health"
cheat1_enable = "false"
cheat1_handler = "1"
cheat1_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat1_rumble_port = "0"
cheat1_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat1_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat1_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat1_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat1_rumble_type = "0"
cheat1_rumble_value = "0"
cheat1_value = "15"
cheat2_address = "2957"
cheat2_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat2_big_endian = "false"
cheat2_cheat_type = "1"
cheat2_code = ""
cheat2_desc = "Infinite Lives"
cheat2_enable = "false"
cheat2_handler = "1"
cheat2_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat2_rumble_port = "0"
cheat2_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat2_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat2_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat2_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat2_rumble_type = "0"
cheat2_rumble_value = "0"
cheat2_value = "2"
cheats = "3"

Finally, here's cheats for two more PC Engine CD games...

Gate of Thunder (Japan):

cheat0_address = "1665"
cheat0_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat0_big_endian = "false"
cheat0_cheat_type = "1"
cheat0_code = ""
cheat0_desc = "Infinite Lives"
cheat0_enable = "false"
cheat0_handler = "1"
cheat0_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat0_rumble_port = "0"
cheat0_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat0_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat0_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat0_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat0_rumble_type = "0"
cheat0_rumble_value = "0"
cheat0_value = "4"
cheat1_address = "1670"
cheat1_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat1_big_endian = "false"
cheat1_cheat_type = "1"
cheat1_code = ""
cheat1_desc = "Have S Green Shot"
cheat1_enable = "false"
cheat1_handler = "1"
cheat1_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat1_rumble_port = "0"
cheat1_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat1_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat1_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat1_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat1_rumble_type = "0"
cheat1_rumble_value = "0"
cheat1_value = "1"
cheat2_address = "1671"
cheat2_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat2_big_endian = "false"
cheat2_cheat_type = "1"
cheat2_code = ""
cheat2_desc = "Have E Red Shot"
cheat2_enable = "false"
cheat2_handler = "1"
cheat2_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat2_rumble_port = "0"
cheat2_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat2_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat2_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat2_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat2_rumble_type = "0"
cheat2_rumble_value = "0"
cheat2_value = "1"
cheats = "3"

Lords of Thunder (USA):

cheat0_address = "1669"
cheat0_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat0_big_endian = "false"
cheat0_cheat_type = "1"
cheat0_code = ""
cheat0_desc = "Max Life"
cheat0_enable = "false"
cheat0_handler = "1"
cheat0_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat0_rumble_port = "0"
cheat0_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat0_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat0_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat0_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat0_rumble_type = "0"
cheat0_rumble_value = "0"
cheat0_value = "20"
cheat1_address = "1671"
cheat1_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat1_big_endian = "false"
cheat1_cheat_type = "1"
cheat1_code = ""
cheat1_desc = "Max Power"
cheat1_enable = "false"
cheat1_handler = "1"
cheat1_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat1_rumble_port = "0"
cheat1_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat1_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat1_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat1_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat1_rumble_type = "0"
cheat1_rumble_value = "0"
cheat1_value = "20"
cheat2_address = "1672"
cheat2_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat2_big_endian = "false"
cheat2_cheat_type = "1"
cheat2_code = ""
cheat2_desc = "Max Shield"
cheat2_enable = "false"
cheat2_handler = "1"
cheat2_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat2_rumble_port = "0"
cheat2_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat2_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat2_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat2_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat2_rumble_type = "0"
cheat2_rumble_value = "0"
cheat2_value = "3"
cheat3_address = "1673"
cheat3_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat3_big_endian = "false"
cheat3_cheat_type = "1"
cheat3_code = ""
cheat3_desc = "Max Bombs"
cheat3_enable = "false"
cheat3_handler = "1"
cheat3_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat3_rumble_port = "0"
cheat3_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat3_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat3_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat3_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat3_rumble_type = "0"
cheat3_rumble_value = "0"
cheat3_value = "3"
cheat4_address = "181"
cheat4_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat4_big_endian = "false"
cheat4_cheat_type = "1"
cheat4_code = ""
cheat4_desc = "Max Gold (1 of 2)"
cheat4_enable = "false"
cheat4_handler = "1"
cheat4_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat4_rumble_port = "0"
cheat4_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat4_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat4_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat4_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat4_rumble_type = "0"
cheat4_rumble_value = "0"
cheat4_value = "597"
cheat5_address = "182"
cheat5_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat5_big_endian = "false"
cheat5_cheat_type = "1"
cheat5_code = ""
cheat5_desc = "Max Gold (2 of 2)"
cheat5_enable = "false"
cheat5_handler = "1"
cheat5_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat5_rumble_port = "0"
cheat5_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat5_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat5_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat5_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat5_rumble_type = "0"
cheat5_rumble_value = "0"
cheat5_value = "597"
cheat6_address = "1668"
cheat6_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat6_big_endian = "false"
cheat6_cheat_type = "1"
cheat6_code = ""
cheat6_desc = "Have Elixir"
cheat6_enable = "false"
cheat6_handler = "1"
cheat6_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat6_rumble_port = "0"
cheat6_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat6_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat6_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat6_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat6_rumble_type = "0"
cheat6_rumble_value = "0"
cheat6_value = "1"
cheats = "7"

Hopefully that helps some would-be cheaters. ;)

[Semper5]

I have been struggling with this to work for Rondo of Blood (Fully Translated) for the past week or so with no success :/

@BooBerry
I copied and pasted your CHT table above but it just won't work. I just finished reinstalling beetle and it made no difference. Am I missing something?

[BooBerry]

I just checked the English translation of Rondo of Blood with the Beetle PCE core with cheats and it works fine here.

[Semper5]

I just checked the English translation of Rondo of Blood with the Beetle PCE core with cheats and it works fine here.

I've tried Chi no Rinne, Chi no Rondo (with and without translations) with the proper bios syscard3.pce. I can get it running fine and access the cheats but not a single one of these cheats work for it :(

What else could I be missing? usually im really good with figuring these things out but I'm totally stumped.

[negativeExponent]

That works for infinite health, but the invincibility and 1-hit kill codes (which are not listed on gamehacking.org's page for the game but were posted in their forums) are at RAM addresses outside of the "normal" F82 address that I typically see for PC Engine RAM cheats.

See if you can get F83460:1 which is invincibility and F812B8:1 which is 1-hit kill for bosses working.

F82xxx mean base address of 0+xxx when translated to Retroarch cheat format. This is the main RAM which is 8192 bytes or 32768 bytes in supergrafx. So, a F83xxx means base address 0 + xxx+ 1000...

there is also a format like this:
Y Position Modifier by iddqd Raw 1F0202:??

which just means similar to above but this time, 1Fxxxx means base address of main RAM, so code address is 0 + xxxx

i have not figured out what F81xxx is. probably save ram based on pattern.

cheat0_address = "5216"
cheat0_address_bit_position = "0"
cheat0_big_endian = "false"
cheat0_cheat_type = "1"
cheat0_code = ""
cheat0_desc = "Invincibility"
cheat0_enable = "false"
cheat0_handler = "1"
cheat0_memory_search_size = "3"
cheat0_repeat_add_to_address = "1"
cheat0_repeat_add_to_value = "0"
cheat0_repeat_count = "1"
cheat0_rumble_port = "0"
cheat0_rumble_primary_duration = "0"
cheat0_rumble_primary_strength = "0"
cheat0_rumble_secondary_duration = "0"
cheat0_rumble_secondary_strength = "0"
cheat0_rumble_type = "0"
cheat0_rumble_value = "0"
cheat0_value = "1"
cheats = "1"

multiline cheats + native physical address cheat format

[inactive123]

Moving this over to let @negativeExponent fetch the bounty that was associated to this.

[eadmaster]

update: i've made a python script to automate the conversion process:
https://github.com/eadmaster/dotfiles/blob/main/bin/chtnative2retroarch.py