Bubble Bobble

[CrackTiger]

Wow, that is amazing and I am so thankful that a project like this is being done for PCE instead of more popular consoles.

[shubibiman]

I hope this will be released as a CD or even better : a hucard port !!!

[esteban]

The arcade is the only source, I have reverse engineered the coin-op and deeply studied the code.
The Z80 code is translated in the HuC6280 code but not in a mechanical way otherwise is too slow and big.
Every piece of code is redesigned to behave exactly as the original but with the speed and compactness of a code written with the HuC6280 in mind.
So the enemies behavior is perfectly reproduced, even the bugs!
In the future I will release the source code so everyone can mod it.

I can speak for all PCE fans in the cosmos: we are hugging and kissing you right now

 

[Psycho Punch]

The arcade is the only source, I have reverse engineered the coin-op and deeply studied the code.
The Z80 code is translated in the HuC6280 code but not in a mechanical way otherwise is too slow and big.
Every piece of code is redesigned to behave exactly as the original but with the speed and compactness of a code written with the HuC6280 in mind.
So the enemies behavior is perfectly reproduced, even the bugs!
In the future I will release the source code so everyone can mod it.

You're my hero.

[seieienbu]

The arcade is the only source, I have reverse engineered the coin-op and deeply studied the code.
The Z80 code is translated in the HuC6280 code but not in a mechanical way otherwise is too slow and big.
Every piece of code is redesigned to behave exactly as the original but with the speed and compactness of a code written with the HuC6280 in mind.
So the enemies behavior is perfectly reproduced, even the bugs!
In the future I will release the source code so everyone can mod it.

I'm super grateful for the effort you've gone through.  I can't wait to play the finished port.

[SmokeMonster]

The arcade is the only source, I have reverse engineered the coin-op and deeply studied the code.
The Z80 code is translated in the HuC6280 code but not in a mechanical way otherwise is too slow and big.
Every piece of code is redesigned to behave exactly as the original but with the speed and compactness of a code written with the HuC6280 in mind.
So the enemies behavior is perfectly reproduced, even the bugs!
In the future I will release the source code so everyone can mod it.

You have a rare combination of great taste and immense skill. This is a really impressive undertaking.

[Digi.k]

O_o I think I need to keep an eye out for this

[elmer]

The arcade is the only source, I have reverse engineered the coin-op and deeply studied the code.
The Z80 code is translated in the HuC6280 code but not in a mechanical way otherwise is too slow and big.
Every piece of code is redesigned to behave exactly as the original but with the speed and compactness of a code written with the HuC6280 in mind.
So the enemies behavior is perfectly reproduced, even the bugs!
In the future I will release the source code so everyone can mod it.

Excellent work! I look forward to seeing the finished game. 

You're a better man than I ... I got bored and gave up part way through when I started to disassemble Atari's Tempest.

I got further with SNK's Alpha Mission (many years ago) and have a working emulation (that's nowhere near as good as today's Mame) ... but for a programmer, doing this sort of thing has to be a real labor-of-love for a particular game.

Thanks for bringing Bubble Bobble to the PCE!

[Aladar]

WIP 20150610

Added:
- EXTEND screen.
- Fire bubbles effect.
- Potions.

TODO:
- Level 100.
- Ending(s).
- Music and sound FX.
- Various little things.

[Mzo]

Looks great! :3

[esteban]

Amazing.

[MotherGunner]

So many colors. Beautiful work!

[spenoza]

How does the PC Engines palette and color capabilities compare to the arcade? Are there any problems with graphics conversions?

[CrackTiger]

How does the PC Engines palette and color capabilities compare to the arcade? Are there any problems with graphics conversions?

The color number limits are well within the PCE's capabilities and the colors in emulated screen shots are 9-bit, even if the shade values might be slightly different, they are staggered the same.

ARCADE <---------------------------------------------------------------> PC ENGINE COLOR

[SmokeMonster]

Wow, that is incredible beyond words. Cheers Black Tiger

[CrackTiger]

Wow, that is incredible beyond words. Cheers Black Tiger

I just did an automated color conversion of that screenshot. This project (as far as I know) is all Aladar.

[soop]

Wow, I can't believe it!  I can't wait for this.
I'll finally have the trilogy, arcade perfect on original 8 bit hardware.

Well, as long as it gets produced!

[esteban]

Wow, I can't believe it!  I can't wait for this.
I'll finally have the trilogy, arcade perfect on original 8 bit hardware.

Well, as long as it gets produced!

SOOOOOP!!!!

Welcome back, comrade

[soop]

Wow, I can't believe it!  I can't wait for this.
I'll finally have the trilogy, arcade perfect on original 8 bit hardware.

Well, as long as it gets produced!

SOOOOOP!!!!

Welcome back, comrade

Hey Esteban

I'm not sticking around though; I can't remember why this place popped into my head, but I was surprised to see one of my threads up so high, and then even more surprised by the excellent news!

I won't derail the thread further, but I'll add that it's nice to see the people I remember fondly still doing some good work, and hopefully you're all healthy and happy.

[esteban]

Wow, I can't believe it!  I can't wait for this.
I'll finally have the trilogy, arcade perfect on original 8 bit hardware.

Well, as long as it gets produced!

SOOOOOP!!!!

Welcome back, comrade

Hey Esteban

I'm not sticking around though; I can't remember why this place popped into my head, but I was surprised to see one of my threads up so high, and then even more surprised by the excellent news!

I won't derail the thread further, but I'll add that it's nice to see the people I remember fondly still doing some good work, and hopefully you're all healthy and happy.

SOOOOP!!

Well, if you can't stay for now, good luck with everything.

But you have to promise to stop by every now and then.



But you should stay.

[Opethian]

OMG SOOP! did Donna lock you in a dungeon again?

wb

[Harry Potthead]

Yeah, this looks fantastic 

[esteban]

Wow, I can't believe it!  I can't wait for this.
I'll finally have the trilogy, arcade perfect on original 8 bit hardware.

Well, as long as it gets produced!

SOOOOOOOOP!

(Just hoping you will stop by again)

Yeah, this looks fantastic 

Indeed it does.

[Dicer]

Updates?

I'm chompin at the bit to check this one out...

[Aladar]

PC Engine - Bubble Bobble WIP 20150829

[Psycho Punch]

Aladar for president.

[esteban]

Fantastique.

[wildfruit]

Fantastique magnifique

[Dicer]

Pixel perfect it seems, impressive stuff, can not wait

[NecroPhile]

That's looking awesome!

[ultrageranium]

It's super nice.

[esteban]

UPDATE: Aladar sent me a brief text message and said that the sfx/soundtrack for Bubble Bobble will be ripped from Rastan Saga II.  He knows purists might be upset, but the sound effects and chip tunes result in a very creative, fun mashup.

[VenomMacbeth]

Ewww, he couldn't have picked a better game to rip the sound from?

Still, looks amazing!

[esteban]

Ewww, he couldn't have picked a better game to rip the sound from?

Still, looks amazing!

He has the sound engine from Rastan Saga II working and implemented, so it is a matter of convenience/time/etc.

[elmer]

Way, way cool ... he's done a great job on this! 

[Dicer]

UPDATE: Aladar sent me a brief text message and said that the sfx/soundtrack for Bubble Bobble will be ripped from Rastan Saga II.  He knows purists might be upset, but the sound effects and chip tunes result in a very creative, fun mashup.

[Dicer]

An update on this would be amazing...

[spenoza]

Thing is, pestering him about it every couple of months isn't going to speed things up.

[sirhcman]

Thing is, pestering him about it every couple of months isn't going to speed things up.

Is it really pestering? I don't think a few months in between asking would constitute, after all the guy doing the port made the thread to begin with so it kind of has to be expected

[Dicer]

Thing is, pestering him about it every couple of months isn't going to speed things up.

Showing my love for the project by not letting is fester in page 2 of the forum, that's all...too many projects get forgotten and lost, I'd like to see this one finished.

[spenoza]

I take the position that if the creator has something to share, he/she will share it. We have all thus far been pretty clear on our desires to see this project see completion. I doubt that's going to change.

[Dicer]

I take the position that if the creator has something to share, he/she will share it. We have all thus far been pretty clear on our desires to see this project see completion. I doubt that's going to change.

I'm Sorry, I'll stop trying to have a discussion on a discussion forum, my bad...

 

[spenoza]

I take the position that if the creator has something to share, he/she will share it. We have all thus far been pretty clear on our desires to see this project see completion. I doubt that's going to change.

I'm Sorry, I'll stop trying to have a discussion on a discussion forum, my bad...

 

Ah yes, the old reductio ad absurdum. Putting aside for a moment that I'm not a mod and have no policing powers whatsoever, I never indicated nobody should discuss stuff. "An update on this would be amazing..." is not discussion. It's poking someone to see if they'll respond, which could be perceived as annoying. And I'm not trying to pick on just you. I think it's an annoying habit in general. We're basically the one group who is probably more excited about Aladar's project than any other. Do you think he's just gonna forget about us and never let us know it's done and playable or something?

[Aladar]

WIP 20151217

Added:
- Level 100.
- Ending(s).

TODO:
- Music and sound FX.
- "WELCOME TO SECRET ROUND" text in the secret rooms.
- Japanese text in the demo level.
- Options screen.
- Pause button.

[CrackTiger]

So basically, the game is complete other than a few superfluous features and sound.

[hoobs88]

WIP 20151217

Added:
- Level 100.
- Ending(s).

TODO:
- Music and sound FX.
- "WELCOME TO SECRET ROUND" text in the secret rooms.
- Japanese text in the demo level.
- Options screen.
- Pause button.

First Episode VII and now this...Best Christmas Ever!

[TurboXray]

Are you writing a music engine or using something already out there? Just curious, since this kinda came up in a recent thread. And are you going to convert the music yourself or have someone redo them for you?

 Btw - this looks awesome. What assembler or compiler did you end up using?

[Dicer]

Amazing stuff, can't wait to see the final product...

[Aladar]

So basically, the game is complete other than a few superfluous features and sound.

Don't be fooled by the TODO list, in fact it is what is missing and not what to do.
There is still a lot to do: clean and optimize the code, reorganize the data, fix various things, etc.

Are you writing a music engine or using something already out there? Just curious, since this kinda came up in a recent thread. And are you going to convert the music yourself or have someone redo them for you?

 Btw - this looks awesome. What assembler or compiler did you end up using?

I will convert the music myself, for the engine I have not decided yet.

PCEAS v3.22 by Tomaitheous ;)
It is simple and I like the @ operator and the use of square brackets for the indirection.
I hate the use of + and - for the local labels... and breaks the consistency!

[esteban]

PCE BUBBLE BOBBLE is looking even better.

Awesome.