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--- wswan:tutorial:testing_hardware [2025/12/31 08:56] – created asie
+++ wswan:tutorial:testing_hardware [2025/12/31 11:51] (current) – asie
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 ====== Testing homebrew using physical hardware ======
-===== Requirements =====
+===== Required hardware =====
 ==== Game console =====
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     * Notably, the original Swan's FSTN display has a different gamma compared to the color-capable models, including in compatibility mode! If you don't own this model, you can use an emulator to compare the reproduction of grey shades.
-In addition, for capturing footage from real hardware, you may be interested in a consolizer mod, which turns an existing WonderSwan Color system into a headless device with HDMI output. The [[https://github.com/zwenergy/swancolorHD|swancolorHD]] is open source design for DIY builders; [[https://shop.retro-protect.com/|RETRO PROTECT]] sells finished builds in Japan under the WSCHD brand.
+In addition, for capturing footage from real hardware, you may be interested in a consolizer mod, which turns an existing WonderSwan Color system into a headless device with HDMI output. The [[https://github.com/zwenergy/swancolorHD|swancolorHD]] is open source design for DIY builders; [[https://shop.retro-protect.com/|RETRO PROTECT]] sells prebuilt units in Japan under the WSCHD brand.
-TODO
+==== Flash cartridge ====
+There are a few market options available.
+=== nileswan ===
+The [[https://49bitcat.com/products/nileswan/|nileswan]] is a flash cartridge created by 49bitcat, providing 128 megabits (16 megabytes) of ROM space and 512 kilobytes of save RAM. It also includes extensive functionality
+This cartridge is available for 85 EUR (~$100) new when in stock.
+Official programming documentation exists [[https://49bitcat.com/docs/nileswan/|here]].
+=== WS Flash Masta ===
+The [[https://www.flashmasta.com/product/ws-flash-masta-usb-cartridge-for-wonderswan/|WS Flash Masta]] is a flash cartridge created by Flavor, providing fifteen ROM slots of 64 megabits (8 megabytes) each for flashing your own code, as well as 512 kilobytes of save RAM.
+This cartridge is available for $120-$130 new when in stock, which is not very often.
+Unofficial programming documentation exists [[https://wiki.asie.pl/doku.php?id=notes:flashcart:ws_flash_masta|here]]. The USB port cannot be used by user programs.
+=== AliExpress "Youth Edition" cartridge ===
+<WRAP center round info 80%>
+I have not evaluated this cartridge personally. As such, its hardware specifications are unknown, and I cannot make a clear recommendation or disavowal.
+</WRAP>
+The [[https://aliexpress.com/item/1005010178973931.html|Youth Edition]] flash cartridge supports up to eight ROM slots. Little is known about this cartridge - however, it is known to provide fewer than 256 kilobytes of SRAM.
+This cartridge is available for ~$75 new when in stock, but it requires the additional purchase of a ~$45 external cartridge reader.
+Points deducted for riding off another vendor's brand name while offering an entirely different product. That's not cool.
+=== AliExpress bootleg cartridges ===
+<WRAP center round info 80%>
+I have not evaluated any of these cartridges personally, however many WonderSwan community members have used these with success. Unfortunately, I cannot point you to any specific sellers. Caveat emptor.
+</WRAP>
+There are a number of cartridges with bootleg copies of licensed games available, some of which may be reflashable using a ~$45 external cartridge reader. They tend to have 64 megabits (8 megabytes) of NOR flash and 256 kilobytes of SRAM.
+=== InsideGadgets cartridge ===
+InsideGadgets sells [[https://shop.insidegadgets.com/product/wonderswan-4mb-8mb-32kb-fram-flash-cart/|a compatible flash cartridge]]. These provide 64 megabits (8 megabytes) for code, and 32 kilobytes of SRAM.
+Available for $61 when in stock, though a new customer has to spend an additional $11 for the edge adapter and $33 for the USB flasher device, for a total of $105. If you happen to also be interested in GB/GBC/GBA development, said flasher might be a good longer-term investment.
+=== Second-hand/legacy options ===
+These options are no longer available for sale, but are nonetheless listed in case you run into them:
+  * **WonderDog** - available in 64 megabit (8MB), 32 megabit (4MB) and 4 megabit (512KB) variants.
+  * **WonderMagic Color** - the only unofficial flash cartridge for the system contemporary to its lifespan; very dated by today's standards. In case you run into one, a copy of the PC flashing software is archived [[https://mega.nz/file/yw1lgTCJ#2-kOdqdZkmo-V1nBU9U_rx7iefz1nmJqj5t-IbJVExI|here]].
+===== Optional hardware =====
+==== RS-232 cable ====
+A serial port adapter allows the user to communicate with the console using a PC. Unless you're working with the WonderWitch OS, this is not necessary. However, it can make debugging and data transfer more convenient.
+An official cable was bundled with the WonderWitch; however, a list of available DIY projects and products is available on [[https://consolemods.org/wiki/WonderSwan:RS-232_Serial_Cable|the ConsoleMods wiki]].
+Of those, I have personally developed the ExtFriend; unlike the official cable, in addition to supporting 9600/38400 baud UART transfer, it also supports the undocumented 192000 baud speed and headphone audio capture.
+===== WonderWitch =====
+Testing WonderWitch games can be achieved on emulators and real hardware alike by flashing an [[wonderwitch|mkrom image]] to any cartridge with at least 256((128 kilobytes is supported with hacks, but it's best to buy a cartridge with at least 256.)) kilobytes of SRAM.
+However, for verifying full compatibility, a real WonderWitch environment is optimal. To do so without resorting to copyright infringement, it is currently required to purchase a second-hand WonderWitch.
+The full WonderWitch box set consists of a few key elements:
+  * the WonderWitch flash cartridge. This is absolutely required.
+  * the RS-232 adapter cable. This is required, but there is nothing special about the one packaged with the cartridge; you can build your own or buy a replacement.
+  * the development CD-ROM. This is not required if you intend on only developing using Wonderful.
+  * the printed development manual. This is not required, as a digital copy of the manual is provided on the CD-ROM.
+Note that the WonderWitch was sold in a few variants, but all of them feature the same flash cartridge:
+  * The WonderWitch itself had a few production runs, of which only the later ones came with official color development libraries and samples pre-bundled. These are, of course, not required for developing using Wonderful.
+  * The WonderWitch Player is a variant of the cartridge without official development tools on the CD-ROM.
+  * There were also cartridge-only packages sold, intended for owners of a WonderWitch kit who needed more program space or wanted to share cartridges with friends.
+As the box set is highly desirable among collectors - usually selling for 50,000 yen or more - one may wish to consider buying a loose cartridge and acquiring an RS-232 cable separately.
+==== Updating FreyaOS ====
+Once you acquire a cartridge, you should update FreyaOS. Older versions of the system featured a variety of bugs, including file system management bugs.
+If you own a licensed WonderWitch cartridge, you may download the FreyaOS 1.2.0 update package on [[http://wonderwitch.qute.co.jp/index_wwp.html|Qute's WonderWitch Player website]]. While the site is intended for WonderWitch Player owners only, this file also was available for registered WonderWitch owners via an FTP server; however, that server is no longer online. The licensing situation of flashing a FreyaOS update on a loose cartridge without ownership a full box is left as an exercise to the reader; I'm not a lawyer.
+To install it without TransMagic, turn on the WonderSwan with a WonderWitch cartridge inserted while holding **B**. If done correctly, you should enter Freya Monitor instead of the default user interface:
+{{ :wswan:tutorial:freya_monitor.png?nolink |}}
+From here, connect the RS-232 cable, prepare an XMODEM transfer of the FreyaOS update package file from the PC to the console, and select **Recv System** on the console side.