Getting started with ZX Spectrum games

Waylander121

Pi Model : 3b+
Power Supply used: 2.5a
RetroPie Version Used 4.4
Built From: basic 4.4 version with standard Emulation Station and ZX Spectrum roms added
USB Devices connected: 8GB Sandisk Cruzer Blade usb stick (boot). 32GB Sandisk Cruzor Blade storage
Controller used: XBOX 360

Hi guys the retropie 4.4 is up and running on a 8gb usb stick and I'm using 32gb usb stick for storage. I've added xbox 360 controller and that has setup fine. However when running zx spectrum games I cant get the game to play, it loads ok but no matter what button i press I can't get the games to play. It must be a configuration but I'm new to the retropie and am unsure what to change.

Thanks

rbaker

@Waylander121 If you are using the libretro version of Fuse (lr-fuse) then by default,

Buttons A, X and Y are mapped to the joystick's fire button, and button B is mapped to the UP directional button.

Buttons L1 and R1 are mapped to RETURN and SPACE, respectively.

The SELECT button brings up the embedded, on-screen keyboard.

See https://retropie.org.uk/docs/ZX-Spectrum/

Waylander121

@rbaker How can i tell which version i'm using?. I downloaded 4.4 from this website and just installed the image to the 8gb usb stick and turned it on, it all loaded fine and I set up the xbox controller. i haven't adjusted any settings that I know of.

mitu

@Waylander121 Open the RetroPie-Setup script and the version is at the top of the script.
alt text

Waylander121

@mitu It, shows version 4.4

Waylander121

@rbaker I'm guessing I'm using the default settings in retropie but I'm still having no joy in getting the games to play.

BuZz

@Waylander121 if using lr-fuse, you need to do select+X and go to retroarch main menu (back from quick menu) go to settings then input and change user 1 input binds controller to "kempston" or whatever the game supports. Then resume, and use select to operate on screen keyboard to start game etc.

Would be better if the emulator used core options to control this.

I may change some defaults for this so kempston is set without having to change it in the settings as it's a common configuration.

BuZz

You can also try the standalone emulator fuse and use a keyboard (it won't use the automatic joypad configs, but it's got a lot more options and is newer).

Waylander121

@BuZz I can get to retroarch and then got to settings/input, I can change the user 1 device type and can change user 1 device index, from Arduino to microsoft Xbox 360, but it doesn't seem to save the settings when I exit from retroarch.

any advice?

BuZz

@Waylander121 not the index. Change the user 1 device type to kempston. Then return and use select to bring up virtual keyboard to choose kempston in the game.

rbaker

@Waylander121 said in Getting started with ZX Spectrum games:

How can i tell which version i'm using?

You mean which emulator? If so, the box that appears as you launch a game will tell you. See this link:
https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Runcommand/

BuZz

You have to use save config on exit under configuration menu to get it to save. It will however save everything so if you later change the default retroarch config this will override it
It's possible to do a manual config for this but I'm not near a pc to give details.

BuZz

To do it manually you can edit /opt/retropie/configs/zxspectrum/retroarch.cfg and put input_libretro_device_p1 = "513" in it.

Waylander121

@BuZz cool thanks I think I've got it sorted now.

BuZz

@Waylander121 Cool. Based on info above or switched emulator or? Would be useful to know which solution you went with.

Carnivore

It's impossible for lr-fuse to make retropad to work for certain games such us Jumping Jack or Chuckie Egg. In Jumping Jack I can only run to the right regardless of the device type for user 1. If I remember correctly for Chuckie Egg it was only left and right. So both games are unplayable for me.

Waylander121

@BuZz not entirely sure, i played around with the settings as you suggested, then when I reset the pi the on-screen keyboard started working. I know the joystick cant work with every game but I've attached a keyboard as well so it all seems to be working.