Differences

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--- wswan:tutorial:testing_hardware [2025/12/31 09:30] – asie
+++ wswan:tutorial:testing_hardware [2026/01/31 06:19] (current) – asie
@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
     * The power button pad has a tendency to wear out, which may give the impression of a non-functional system. This is a fairly inexpensive fix - see [[https://consolemods.org/wiki/WonderSwan:Button_Repair_Pad|the ConsoleMods wiki]] for more information.
     * The display technology is CSTN, as opposed to the GBC/GBA, SwanCrystal, and NGPC's much better TFT panels. This causes noticeable blurriness in use and can be fixed with an IPS mod, though that has its own caveats in the context of homebrew development.
-  * **WonderSwan Color + IPS mod** - this setup costs about as much or less than a SwanCrystal while providing the best display quality.
+  * **WonderSwan Color + IPS mod** - this setup costs about as much or less than a SwanCrystal while providing the best display quality. The IPS modification kit alone costs about $50 as of writing.
     * The IPS mod significantly (~5-6x!) increases battery draw.
     * The IPS mod does not correct for the console's color gamut, so you may need to use an emulator separately for validating that colors still look fine on an unmodified system.
@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
   * **WonderSwan** (mono) - it cannot run WSC-exclusive software, but it is the cheapest of the models.
     * 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.
+  * **Pocket Challenge V2** - it's a mono WonderSwan from Benesse!
+    * Downside: It doesn't actually run WS software, because they expect input buttons to be in different places.
+    * Upside: That's the only incompatibility, and it's //cheap//.
-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.
 ==== 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 developer-specific functionality, such as loading software from USB or the ability to use it as a debug serial port.
+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 ===
@@ Line 32: / Line 43: @@
 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.
-=== 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 80 EUR (~$100) new when in stock.
-Official programming documentation exists [[https://49bitcat.com/docs/nileswan/|here]].
 === AliExpress "Youth Edition" cartridge ===
@@ Line 66: / Line 69: @@
 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.
+=== WonderDog ===
+The WonderDog is a reprogrammable cartridge which was sold in Japan; you may still run into it, especially if you're in that region. It was available in 64 megabit (8MB), 32 megabit (4MB) and 4 megabit (512KB) variants.
+=== Second-hand/legacy options ===
+These options are no longer available for sale, but are nonetheless listed in case you run into them:
+  * **RetroOnyx's Wonderswan eInk Flash Cart** - it has been in a state of "collecting interest" for years; to my knowledge, there are no plans for any release at this time.
+  * **WonderMagic Color** - the only unofficial flash cartridge for the system contemporary to its lifespan; very dated by today's standards. Typically seen in a 32 megabit (4MB) variant. 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 flashing an [[wonderwitch|mkrom image]] to any cartridge with at least 256 (sub-optimally, at least 128) kilobytes of SRAM. However, for verifying full compatibility, a real WonderWitch environment is required. To do so legally, it is currently required to purchase a 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: