GENS+ Emulator [Mega Drive]

Well, some time ago I had been programming to put some tutorials about emulation on the blog, so I decided to do first the most famous emulator for the Drive,  Gens.

If more resources or know any information is incorrect or misleading, suggestions will be very welcome, after all, everyone just has to gain from it.

Tutorial GENS+ 00961

Emulator for MEGA DRIVE / Sega CD / 32X

Version used for this tutorial: Gens+ 00961

This version supports easily Sega CD, 32X and online games, so for me, is the definitive version of the Mega Drive emulator.
More modest machines (Pentium 3 and down), I advise using common Gens, which is version 2.14.

It has online mode but lacks some features existing in Gens +.

Opening the emulator: run Gens + 00961 and the first thing you see is like a badly tuned TV screen (which is standard in most emulators).

MENU:

FILE –  starting this, we have the following options:
Open rom – opens a screen in windows where you choose a game (rom), just browse through it and find the folder where you played the roms (games);
Boot cd – only for Sega CD, if you have some of the same CD, use this option to run the game from it;
Netplay – opens Kaillera server, explained later;
Rom History – history of open games recently (only 9 games);
Clear History –  Clear History games;
Open and Record Imput –Gens + exclusive feature,  used to watch or record a video of yourself playing a game;

Quit –  exit the emulator;

GRAPHICS

Device – if you have a powerful PC, test each of the 3 options there (usually I leave in GDI - in some emulator may crash);

Full Screen Resolution – resolution supported by your monitor when in full screen;
Full Screen Mode – changes to full screen, when in full screen, the option returns pro windowed mode; works with ALT + ENTER too;

VSync – regulates the rate of frames per second, thus trampling on the movement of the screen (turn on);
Stretch –stretches the image for  the entire length of the screen; may impair the emulation speed in some cases;
Color Adjust –adjusts the contrast and brightness of the screen;
Render – a unique option and exclusive option of emulators: dramatically improve image quality.

This option are all  image filters possible to be used.

You can choose between NORMAL, or go on 2X (folded size) and see the  available effects, as well as in 3X  and effects available in this screen size.

Some leave the  games to become beatiful, like Super 2xSaI, but add filters will depend greatly on your machine. On some computers the emulation will be slow, depending on the filter.

You can then test each and see which fits best in your computer or turn all on the natural, as the Mega Drive.

Sprite Limit –limits the use of sprites on the screen per second (turn on);
Frame Skip – emulation speed - put in AUTO;

CPU

Country – Leave in auto-detect, it is the country in which particular game was made. Some games run only if the option Europe, Japan or the USA is checked, so leave on auto and only change if necessary (if, after opening a rom screen appears completely red, it sure is problem of area - in this case, test all options);
Hard Reset – resets the emulation;
Perfect Synchro – some Sega CD games only work with this option enabled (Popful Mail is one of them).

SOUND

Enable – on / off the sound of the emulator;

Rate – select middle value, which is the standard;
Volume e Stereo – adjust to your liking;
Reverb e Low Pass Filter – filters that ensure sound special effects, like echo;

Z80, PSG, DAC, PCM, etc – characteristics of the Mega Drive sound chip. Each performs a task, so it is good to let all connected;
YM2612 – choose enable;

OPTIONS

Configure Keys – this option opens the window of buttons settings  of Mega Drive.

Within this window you can configure the control 1 and 2 (or more), assign a key to each button or even define if it is a control set of three or six buttons;

Hot Keys –  I did not mess with it too much, but should be shortcuts to specific commands in some games;
Sega CD Sram Size –to avoid problems with saves on the Sega CD, select NONE;
Hide Menu – hides the menu, to activate the menu again, press the right button of mouse, take the same option and select show menu;
Save Config e Load Config – saves a setup done on the emulator and carries the same;
Configuration –  displays a complex screen of configuration;

In the GENERAL tab, EMULATOR guide, leave like the image below:

The part of  intro effect is kind of personal preference. Fumble there, change the colors and effects of  poorly tuned television screen.

In DIRECTORIES tab, you define the  plugins directory, saves, screenshots, ram cartridges , save states, and so on.

Quite useless to tell the truth. I've always played and never shifted anything here.

In FILES tab, no need to fiddle around, unless you want to run 32X or Sega CD. In this case, attention: download the file on the net with the name SCDBIOS and place each one corresponding to the  described countries therein. Are 3 bios: Usa, Europe and Japan.

In Other Files no need to mess and the Interface also is of personal preference (change the colors and fonts of the emulator).

HELP

This last option is self-explanatory and there in all emulators.
It gives access to ABOUT  (learn urls and names of the creators of the emulator as well as sometimes emails to contact), plus the option of different languages​​. There are several languages ​​that can be attached to the emulator, just search on the net;

SHORTCUTS

Taking Screenshot – SHIFT + BACKSPACE
Save State – F5
Load State – F8
Choose a block of save state – F6 ou F7
Pause emulation - ESC

Obs.:  to SegaCD, unzip all the roms and put ALL in one folder (including MP3 of games), the emulator itself will recognize the games.

Well, here ends the tutorial on the Mega Drive + Gens, now just set the controls, load a rom and have fun.

 Gens official site > click here !