8 votes

gb-recompiled - Translates Z80 assembly directly into modern C code

8 comments

  1. [6]
    moocow1452
    Link
    Writeup on Retrohandhelds.gg https://retrohandhelds.gg/game-boy-roms-go-native-with-new-static-recompiler/
    3 votes
    1. [5]
      knocklessmonster
      Link Parent
      I didn't even know we were doing PS2 recomps to any extent, I have some games I need to try it on that are notoriously difficult to emulate, but don't, to my knowledge, use extended hardware.

      I didn't even know we were doing PS2 recomps to any extent, I have some games I need to try it on that are notoriously difficult to emulate, but don't, to my knowledge, use extended hardware.

      1 vote
      1. [3]
        pseudolobster
        Link Parent
        Wait... what? I didn't know we were talking about the PS2. The Z80 was a processor used in things like the original GameBoy or the TI-83 calculator we all used in highschool, and people continue...

        Wait... what? I didn't know we were talking about the PS2.

        The Z80 was a processor used in things like the original GameBoy or the TI-83 calculator we all used in highschool, and people continue to use to this day because Texas Instruments has government contracts that mean they never have to upgrade their shit, which means you can still find a Z80 processor being made today for about four bucks, despite it being a 45+ year old part.

        2 votes
        1. knocklessmonster
          Link Parent
          There's a mention in the article that calls out N64 (Harbour Masters, and others) and PS2 (PS2Recomp) de/recompilation projects.

          There's a mention in the article that calls out N64 (Harbour Masters, and others) and PS2 (PS2Recomp) de/recompilation projects.

          1 vote
        2. Akir
          Link Parent
          Zilog actually recently discontinued the Z80. They recommend the Z800 for new designs. Even if they hadn’t it would be doubtful that any single product line could keep an IC in perpetual production.

          Zilog actually recently discontinued the Z80. They recommend the Z800 for new designs.

          Even if they hadn’t it would be doubtful that any single product line could keep an IC in perpetual production.

          1 vote
  2. [2]
    knocklessmonster
    Link
    I'm excited by the possibility of being able to run classic games as native apps. Portable FPGAs are great (shoutouts to Analogue and FunnyPlaying), but if one created a buildchain where you...

    I'm excited by the possibility of being able to run classic games as native apps. Portable FPGAs are great (shoutouts to Analogue and FunnyPlaying), but if one created a buildchain where you could, say, take a Gameboy game and recompile it on your Steam Deck as easily as loading a ROM, that would be phenomenal. We aren't even at the compilable games being confirmably fully functioning, but this is still amazing, and the current state is a huge step towards game preservation and playability.

    Emulation is in a great state, too, but I just find the idea of running games natively to be cool.

    2 votes
    1. Akir
      Link Parent
      Recomps still require you to provide a ROM because all of the assets in the games are still subject to copyright. If anything they are less convenient than emulators. That is assuming you are not...

      Recomps still require you to provide a ROM because all of the assets in the games are still subject to copyright. If anything they are less convenient than emulators.

      That is assuming you are not talking about companies producing these and selling them as new games.