🏀 Run & Gun (MiSTer and Analogue Pocket)
History (Original Game Facts)
- Release: Released by Konami in 1993.
- Genre/Format: A 5-on-5 basketball action game.
- Teams: Features 16 teams in total—8 in the East and 8 in the West.
- Player Selection: The player chooses one team; the CPU selects an opponent from the same league.
- Viewpoint: Uses the perspective of pushing forward into the opponent’s side, rather than the usual side-view.
- Visuals: Player characters are drawn large on screen with detailed muscle animation and powerful motion.
- Audio/FX: Action is supported by impactful sound effects and lively commentary.
- Replays: A dramatic slow-motion replay is shown for dunks or fake-out shots.
- Halftime: There is a halftime show with cheerleaders.
Tech Talk (Core Development Facts)
- Development Start: Core development started four months prior to the current update.
- Development Difficulty: It has been a tough core to develop and was plagued with difficulties.
- Recent Issue: The latest difficulty was the game failing memory checks and refusing to start.
- Required Implementation: A full frame buffer was required, implemented in the same way as the original.
- Clock Speed: The core required a high speed clock (96 MHz) due to the massive amount of sprite data. Previously, only the CPSx cores required a 96 MHz clock.
- Court Projection: The courtfield projection, including rotation and scaling, was challenging and was first implemented on the Golfing Greats core.
- Current Status: Has reached a point where a first decent beta can be made.
Known Issues (Beta Facts)
- Graphical:
- There is garbage around the screen.
- The game does not fill the Analogue Pocket screen, leaving black borders with garbage.
- Shadows are not implemented yet.
- Functional:
- Only 1 player game, played on an independent screen works.
- There are sound problems, similar to those of the JTXMEN core.
- Start-up Instruction: When starting the game, the player must select PLAY INDEPENDENTLY or the game will get stuck.
💥 Surprise Attack (MiSTer, Analogue Pocket & More)
Core and Status Update Facts
- Status Change: The game is promoted from beta to public.
- Core Move: The game has been moved from its own independent core into the JTPARODA core.
- Current Support: JTPARODA now supports Parodius and Surprise Attack.
History (Original Game Facts)
- Release: Released by Konami in 1990.
- Genre: A classic “pattern-based action game.”
- Precedents: Konami had a strong history with this style, citing Gradius (1985) and Contra (1987).
- Gameplay Focus: Progress is made by learning the stage (enemy layouts, timing, and safest route), rather than by reacting faster.
- Enemy Behavior Example: Yellow and green enemies firing rocket launchers won’t shoot if the player is at a different height than them.
- Era: Part of the late 80s / early 90s arcade tradition of learn → memorize → execute gameplay.
Other Updates
- Beta Key: The beta key has changed.
- NeoGeo Pocket Controls: The NeoGeo Pocket shutdown button requires holding for about three seconds to take effect.
- Future Work: Development on CPS3 will start this month.
- Team Focus: The team will continue working on open issues, specifically in closing up cores in beta phase.
- Premier Soccer: Schematic work is still ongoing on Premier Soccer.
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