2025-01-08 - V1.1 Instructions - Retrobat Retrobat emulation station powered for Windows (64bit-Microsoft Windows 11 Home Single Language - Version 10.0.22631 Build 22631) https://www.retrobat.org/ https://retrobatofficial.itch.io/retrobat > Download > No thanks, just take me to the downloads > Press Download latest setup: RetroBat-v6.4.0-stable-win64-setup.exe If needed, install these System Requirements Dependencies: * Retrobat needs dependencies like DirectX or Visual C++ to function. * https://github.com/RetroBat-Official Install the dependencies if needed. RetroBat requires DirectX and the VC++. * Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Packages (32 bit) Visual C++ 2015, 2017 and 2019 Redistributable Packages (32 bit) Visual C++ 2015, 2017 and 2019 Redistributable Packages (64 bit) * https://www.techpowerup.com/download/visual-c-redistributable-runtime-package-all-in-one/ * DirectX * https://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?id=35 Run the Setup and agree the License to continue. Windows protected your PC click more info then Run anyway (install, press next, etc.) C:\RetroBat (or any other drive D:\ , etc.) More info: * https://wiki.retrobat.org/ * https://wiki.retrobat.org/systems-and-emulators/supported-game-systems/home-computer/ti-99-4a The best is to use X-input controllers (if you have Direct Input controllers then use DS4Windows (for Sony PS4 Controllers) and HidHide (for X360 controller)) The Emulator used for the TI-99/4A is RetroArch/Libretro/MAME (works the best) * Download the .zip and unzip (e.g. using WinRar) https://ftp.whtech.com/Cartridges/Batocera-Retrobat/2025-01-08-TI99-Retrobat-Batocera.zip Copy the folders into RetroBat directory (it merges with the existing files) C:\RetroBat\bios (ti99_4a.zip and ti99_speech.zip) C:\RetroBat\bios\mame\hash (ti99_cart.xml) ** not used, but otherwise "Missing Bios file" warning message will appear C:\RetroBat\roms\ti99 (copy all the .rpk \images \videos) and for DS994A C:\Retrobat\bios C:\Retrobat\roms\nds C:\Retrobat\saves\nds\MelonDS DS (Note: to edit the "SD-card" = dldi_sd_card.bin file use the OFSMount tool https://www.osforensics.com/downloads/osfmount.exe to add more .rpk or .dsk images to the .bin file) See: https://youtu.be/i144kkLgcb8 See the https://ti99.atariage.com/ Retrobat thread * https://forums.atariage.com/topic/352050-retrobat-windows-11-emulationstation-frontend-using-rpk-format-mame64-or-libretromame/ Before starting check the Navigation Keys (I reconfigured them to match Batocera setup) Normal setup: https://wiki.retrobat.org/navigation/navigation-keys Z (go back), X (select), ENTER (menu), arrows C:\RetroBat\retrobat.exe Now the TI-99/4A and NDS/DS994a should be visible Press ENTER (menu) > select (with X) - GAME SETTINGS > select - Per system advanced configuration > select - TI99 > select - EMULATOR - LIBRETRO/MAME (is using RetroArch) (then press Z to back) TODO: check if all below is still valid: 2025-8-1: todo make a video how to customize it Customizations and how to setup Retrobat for the TI-99 and NDS/994A: -------------------------------------------------------------------- Other details: (if MAME as emulator is chosen), then: > select the TI99 game > (first time message) - the emulator mame is not installed, Install now > now the TI99 game will start > to go back to RetroBat view a "hotkey" need to be pressed (https://wiki.retrobat.org/navigation/hotkeys) but there is no hotkey defined on the keyboard by default. Normally done on a game-controller, like "SELECT" + "START") > otherwise press "ALT + TAB" and close the emulator window with the TI99 game (it gives "an error occured the emulator exit unexpectedly") then it goes back to RetroBat (optional, but useful for the Hotkey) Navigation key setup (Batocera mapping and Hot Key mapping) * ENTER - main menu * CONTROLLER mapping * keep pressing the keyboard key and remap keys * SOUTH ENTER (to select items) * EAST ESC (to go back) * NORTH INSert (sometimes need to press FN + INS on my keyboard) * WEST += * START SPACE (for Main Menu) * SELECT BACKSPACE * D-PAD UP arrow up * D-PAD DOWN arrow down * D-PAD LEFT arrow left * D-PAD RIGHT arrow right * rest do not configure * HOT KEY ALT RIGHT (but it does not work) Libretro/Mame * Press ESC to escape (if Game Focus is on, try pressing ~ (tilde first) or F2) (temporary solution) Now to exit the (MESS / MAME) emulator you can press (right) ALT + ENTER (it toggles between Full screen and Windows, then close the window with the top right X) and ALT TAB to change windows Note in TI-99 the keys work (e.g. ALT = = FCTN QUIT, E,S,D,X , CAPSLK = ALPHA LOCK, sometimes you need to switch to get the game to work, "ALPHA LOCK UP") Configuring a Arcade Joystick 1 (I am using a USB to 2x DB9 converter and a normal DB9 Joystick "Suzo The Arcade" single button Navigation key setup (Batocera mapping and Hot Key mapping) * ENTER - main manu * CONTROLLER mapping * keep pressing the Joystick button or any movement to remap keys * SOUTH (fire) BUTTON (so far I tested both work) * EAST (fire) BUTTON (so far I tested both work) (then use a mouse or touchpad to skip to:) * D-PAD UP Joystick up * D-PAD DOWN Joystick down * D-PAD LEFT Joystick left * D-PAD RIGHT Joystick right (then use a mouse or touchpad to press OK) at the pop-up prompt DO NOT ASSIGN HOT KEY Configuring Joystick 2 (follow the same procedure) Configuring a (wireless) Sony PS4 Controller (controller is paired and connected via BlueTooth) (to reconnect press "PS" button and "SHARE" button to search for BlueTooth, white light is fast blinking once paired and connected the white light remains solid) * ENTER - main manu * CONTROLLER mapping * keep pressing a button on the controller and remap keys * SOUTH X Button (to select items) * EAST O Button (to go back) * NORTH TRIANGLE Button * WEST SQUARE Button * START OPTIONS Button (on top right - small button) (for Main Menu) * SELECT SHARE Button (on top left - small button) * D-PAD UP D-PAD UP * D-PAD DOWN D-PAD DOWN * D-PAD LEFT D-PAD LEFT * D-PAD RIGHT D-PAD RIGHT * LEFT SHOULDER at the back Button top left side * RIGHT SHOULDER at the back Button top right side * LEFT ANALOG UP Left Joystick UP * LEFT ANALOG LEFT Left Joystick LEFT * RIGHT ANALOG UP Right Joystick UP * RIGHT ANALOG LEFT Right Joystick LEFT * LEFT TRIGGER at the back Button bottom left side * RIGHT TRIGGER at the back Button bottom right side * LEFT STICK PRESS Press Left Joystick * RIGHT STICK PRESS Press Right Joystick * HOTKEY PS KEY (in LIBRETRO:MAME then press "SHARE" and "OPTIONS" at the same time to exit back to the Main menu) Toggle Game Focus (RetroArch) (note with the LIBRETO/MAME emulator it selects "GAMES FOCUS" ON (then the Hotkey is disabled) on the keyboard press SCROLL-LOCK (or FN + K) to toggle game focus (or ~ (tilde) or F2) Or Press ENTER (menu) > select (with X) - GAME SETTINGS > select - Per system advanced configuration > select - TI/99 (or LIBRETO/MAME) > CONTROLS > KEYBOARD FOCUS > OFF MAME configurations (UI Controls Enabled) (if SCROLL LOCK is off or press FN + K) then press TAB to see MAME configurations) * Configure Machine Settings * Alpha Lock (= CapsLk) blocks joystick up (this is how the TI-99/4A works, but turn it OFF) Set MESS system "TI-99" as default on Startup * Game Collection Setttins * START ON SYSTEM, select MESS Set the MESS (TI-99/4A) console picture as background * C:\RetroBat\emulationstation\.emulationstation\themes\es-theme-carbon\art\background\mess.jpg (mess.jpg is the TI-99/4A) * User Interface settings * THEME CONFIGURATION * SYSTEM BACKGROUND * CONSOLES (Seems to be working only with the "LIBRETO:MAME" Emulator) Set the "Bezel" background MESS (TI-99/4A) when playing games C:\RetroBat\system\decorations\default_unglazed\systems mess.png mess.info (for screen size) ti99.png ti99.info Change the MESS logo to a TI-99/4A logo C:\RetroBat\emulationstation\.emulationstation\themes\es-theme-carbon\art\logos (mess.svg is the TI-99/4A logo) Music C:\RetroBat\emulationstation\.emulationstation\music Place your .ogg files here (Use an Audio Converter - https://onlineaudioconverter.com/#) Customization * Navigation Keys * Music * Console background * Logos / Decoration