F-Zero GX: Difference between revisions

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m (The undo went wonky. Sorry.)
(Restored to my previous edits. Fixed is incorrect, repairing other revert damage.)
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If using a bad dump, custom cars show only the pilot floating in mid air and the main body component. Redump the disc to correct the problem. See {{issue|3240}}.
If using a bad dump, custom cars show only the pilot floating in mid air and the main body component. Redump the disc to correct the problem. See {{issue|3240}}.
{{image|F-ZeroGXCustomCars.jpg|How custom cars display with a bad dump|br}}
{{image|F-ZeroGXCustomCars.jpg|How custom cars display with a bad dump|br}}
<!-- This problem is not Dolphin's fault, but people will think it is. So keeping it here even though it is user error. This is a great case where having MD5 information for good dumps on the Wiki pages would be beneficial. -->
<!-- This problem is not Dolphin's fault, but people will think it is. So keeping it here even though it is user error. -->


{{Problems/WidescreenGCN}}
{{Problems/WidescreenGCN}}


== Problems ==
== Problems ==
=== V-Sync Crashes ===
If V-Sync is enabled, F-Zero GX will inevitably crash at some point early in play, to the point where it's difficult to even complete a race. Make sure V-Sync is disabled to avoid this. Alternatively, for NVIDIA GPUs, Adaptive V-Sync can be enabled and not cause F-Zero GX to crash.
*Starting in {{revision|4.0-651}}, V-Sync is forced on in OpenGL and cannot be disabled. Fixed by {{revision|4.0-994}}.
=== Dual Core Resets ===
When Dual Core mode is enabled, the game may reset randomly. It generally only resets on the first run and plays fine after that, but it may reset in game. It has been tested and is pretty reliable, but it may reset anyway. Use at your own risk. For an absolute fix, uncheck "Enable Dual Core", or for a faster performing fix, check "Synchronize GPU thread" as per gameINI advice.
=== Raindrop Mask ===
=== Raindrop Mask ===
The raindrops on the Lightning tracks are improperly rendered. Some areas will be inverted: areas that should have raindrops are empty, and areas that should be blank are filled with raindrops. The result is what appears to be a grid of dots scattered across certain tiles. It appears on all backends until {{revision|4.0-1192}}, where it is fixed in the OpenGL backend. D3D still exhibits the error and there is no solution for it at this time. See {{issue|6041}}.
The raindrops on the Lightning tracks are improperly rendered. Some areas will be inverted: areas that should have raindrops are empty, and areas that should be blank are filled with raindrops. The result is what appears to be a grid of dots scattered across certain tiles. It appears on all backends until {{revision|4.0-1192}}, where it is fixed in the OpenGL backend. D3D still exhibits the error and there is no solution for it at this time. See {{issue|6041}}.
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{{image|F-ZeroGX-Boulders-Direct3D.png|Direct3D}}
{{image|F-ZeroGX-Boulders-Direct3D.png|Direct3D}}
{{image|F-ZeroGX-Boulders-OpenGL.png|OpenGL|br}}
{{image|F-ZeroGX-Boulders-OpenGL.png|OpenGL|br}}
=== V-Sync Crashes ===
If V-Sync is enabled, F-Zero GX will inevitably crash at some point early in play, to the point where it's difficult to even complete a race. Make sure V-Sync is disabled to avoid this. Alternatively, for NVIDIA GPUs, Adaptive V-Sync can be enabled and not cause F-Zero GX to crash.
*Starting in {{revision|4.0-651}}, V-Sync is forced on in OpenGL and cannot be disabled. Fixed by {{revision|4.0-994}}.
=== Dual Core Resets ===
When Dual Core mode is enabled, the game may reset randomly. It generally only resets on the first run and plays fine after that, but it may reset in game. It has been tested and is pretty reliable, but it may reset anyway. Use at your own risk. For an absolute fix, uncheck "Enable Dual Core", or for a faster performing fix, check "Synchronize GPU thread" as per gameINI advice.


=== Master Difficulty End Credits ===
=== Master Difficulty End Credits ===
Line 62: Line 63:
=== {{s}}Story Mode Cutscenes Blackscreen{{/s}} ===
=== {{s}}Story Mode Cutscenes Blackscreen{{/s}} ===
As of {{revision|4.0-564}} the cutscenes in F-Zero GX no longer render in the OpenGL backend. D3D will still render them fine. See {{issue|6914}}. Fixed by {{revision|4.0-4451}}.
As of {{revision|4.0-564}} the cutscenes in F-Zero GX no longer render in the OpenGL backend. D3D will still render them fine. See {{issue|6914}}. Fixed by {{revision|4.0-4451}}.
=== {{s}}Race Camera and Models Messed Up{{/s}} ===
Make sure "Enable FPRF" (i.e. Floating Point Result Flag) is checked in the game settings. Without it, no races will be playable and the game will have very odd behavior throughout.
{{image|F-ZeroGX-FPRF-Off.png|FPRF off}}
{{image|F-ZeroGX-FPRF-On.png|FPRF on|br}}


=== {{s}}MMU Speed Hack{{/s}} ===
=== {{s}}MMU Speed Hack{{/s}} ===

Revision as of 06:31, 23 November 2015

F-Zero GX
FZeroGxGC.jpg
Developer(s) Sega, Amusement Vision
Publisher(s) Nintendo
Series F-Zero
Platform(s) GameCube
Release date(s) JP July 25, 2003
NA August 25, 2003
EU October 31, 2003
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single-player, Multiplayer (4)
Input methods GameCube Controller
Compatibility 4Stars4.pngEdit rating: F-Zero GX
Playable
GameIDs
See also...

Dolphin Forum thread
Open Issues
Search Google
Search Wikipedia

F-Zero GX is a futuristic racing video game for the Nintendo GameCube console. Developed by Sega's Amusement Vision department and published by Nintendo, it was released in Japan, Europe and North America in 2003. F-Zero AX, the arcade counterpart of GX, uses hardware conceived from a business alliance between Nintendo, Namco and Sega. F-Zero GX runs on an enhanced version of the engine that powered Super Monkey Ball. F-Zero GX/AX was the first video game collaboration between Nintendo and Sega. The game received critical acclaim as one of the best racers of its time and the greatest racer on the GameCube platform.

Emulation Information

Powersliding Glitch

When near the start/finish line while racing on a Lightning themed track, the powerslide effect is glitched out, stretching out like a laser beam toward the finish line. This is a glitch with the game and not Dolphin; this occurs even on a real GameCube. See issue 6042.

Custom Cars

If using a bad dump, custom cars show only the pilot floating in mid air and the main body component. Redump the disc to correct the problem. See issue 3240.

Template:Problems/WidescreenGCN

Problems

V-Sync Crashes

If V-Sync is enabled, F-Zero GX will inevitably crash at some point early in play, to the point where it's difficult to even complete a race. Make sure V-Sync is disabled to avoid this. Alternatively, for NVIDIA GPUs, Adaptive V-Sync can be enabled and not cause F-Zero GX to crash.

  • Starting in 4.0-651, V-Sync is forced on in OpenGL and cannot be disabled. Fixed by 4.0-994.

Dual Core Resets

When Dual Core mode is enabled, the game may reset randomly. It generally only resets on the first run and plays fine after that, but it may reset in game. It has been tested and is pretty reliable, but it may reset anyway. Use at your own risk. For an absolute fix, uncheck "Enable Dual Core", or for a faster performing fix, check "Synchronize GPU thread" as per gameINI advice.

Raindrop Mask

The raindrops on the Lightning tracks are improperly rendered. Some areas will be inverted: areas that should have raindrops are empty, and areas that should be blank are filled with raindrops. The result is what appears to be a grid of dots scattered across certain tiles. It appears on all backends until 4.0-1192, where it is fixed in the OpenGL backend. D3D still exhibits the error and there is no solution for it at this time. See issue 6041.

Missing Boulder Shadows

In Chapter 2 of F-Zero GX, the boulders that roll across the track will have no shadows in the D3D backend. To see their shadows properly, use the OpenGL backend. See issue 7183.

Master Difficulty End Credits

Credits sequence after Master difficulty completion isn't 100% accurate on default settings. The sepia tone images are supposed to appear to the right after the special character movie plays. The specifics have been untested but if the problem is similar to the Super Smash Bros. Brawl snapshot feature problem, a snapshot is generated either during a race or after crossing the finish line. Storing EFB Copies to RAM can be taxing, so the best solution would probably be to disable Storing EFB Copies to Texture Only before crossing the finish line on the third lap and then enabling Storing EFB Copies to Texture Only after the announcer announces the rank you earned. See issue 9065.

Heat Effect/Blur

Sand Ocean's heat effect cuts speed on even the most powerful computers. The effect can be disabled by turning on "Skip EFB Access from CPU."

Template:SShadow DistortionTemplate:/s

With EFB Copies to Texture Only, shadows may distort if you open the graphics window or go in and out of fullscreen during a race. Just avoid those things and the shadows will be fine, or disable EFB Copies to Texture Only. If the shadow does glitch out, it will fix itself in the next race. All issues resolved starting with 4.0-7664.

Template:SAuto-Aborting ReplaysTemplate:/s

If one were to race on real hardware, save the replay, export the replay file (GCMM), and then import the replay file for Dolphin to use, the replay will auto-abort as soon as the race announcer says Go. This has been fixed in 4.0-2729.

Template:SStory Mode Cutscenes BlackscreenTemplate:/s

As of 4.0-564 the cutscenes in F-Zero GX no longer render in the OpenGL backend. D3D will still render them fine. See issue 6914. Fixed by 4.0-4451.

Template:SMMU Speed HackTemplate:/s

The NTSC-J version does not boot. Activate "Enable MMU" or "MMU speed hack" to fix this. See issue 7581. Option defaulted in 4.0-3631.

Template:SRain on Lightning TrackTemplate:/s

Rain on the Lightning tracks appears incorrectly on the D3D9 backend. It is present, but more difficult to see compared to the other backends, to the point where it is nearly invisible for most of the race. OpenGL and D3D11 display the effect correctly, so use one of them if you wish to see it better. Fixed with the removal of D3D9 in 4.0-155.

Configuration

Only configuration options for the best compatibility where they deviate from defaults are listed.

General

Config Setting Notes
Enable Dual Core Off Can cause the game to reset randomly

Graphics

Config Setting Notes
Video Backend OpenGL Needed to properly render rain/shadows
V-Sync Off Causes inevitable crashes on dualcore
Store EFB Copies to Texture Only Off Corrects Master end credits sequence inaccuracies

Game Properties

Config Setting Notes
Enable FPRF On Enable In-game Camera and Models

Version Compatibility

The graph below charts the compatibility with F-Zero GX since Dolphin's 2.0 release, listing revisions only where a compatibility change occurred.

Δ
5.0-21270 (current)
Δ
Δ
Δ
Δ
Δ
2.0 (r5384)
Compatibility can be assumed to align with the indicated revisions. However, compatibility may extend to prior revisions or compatibility gaps may exist within ranges indicated as compatible due to limited testing. Please update as appropriate.

Testing

This title has been tested on the environments listed below:

Test Entries
Revision OS CPU GPU Result Tester
r4865 Windows 7 Intel Core 2 Quad Q9505 @ 2.83GHz NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT With recent fixes, game is now playable at good speed with perfect graphics (except bug with shadows, you can fix by switching EFB Copy to system RAM). Speed varies from 40 to 60FPS (out of max 60). It's highly recommended to use or IL version, because usual doesn't work yet. Sound and controls work perfectly fine. F-Zero GX (GC) on Dolphin Wii/GC Emulator 720p HD nosound98
r7035 Windows 7 Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 @ 3.16GHz ATI Radeon HD 5850 Slows down to 20FPS at the start of a race sometimes, but runs at a solid min. 35FPS during the race
r7612 Windows 7 Intel Quad Core @ 3.33GHz NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT Between 40-60FPS depending the race track, big slow down in sand ocean. Crash when using recording device (Fraps & Xfire) Sonic1993
3.0 Windows 7 Intel Pentium E5400 @ 2.7GHz NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 Barely playable, 20-30FPS parasite64
3.0 Windows 7 Intel Pentium E5400 @ 2.7GHz AMD Radeon HD 3850 Barely playable on DX9 plugin, native resolution, AA 9x , MMU speed hack, Dual Core On (It's work normal now) 30-45FPS Dark Bard
r7670 Windows 7 Intel Core i5-2500K @ 4.1GHz AMD Radeon HD 6850 Works totally fine. Only slowdown is on Sand Ocean, FPS drops to 42 max. MegaJump
3.0-177 Windows 7 Intel Core i5-2500K @ 3.3GHz NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 60FPS when "Skip EFB Access from CPUs" is off. Shadows are broken. DX9 supports Dual Core. M
3.0-228 Windows 7 AMD Phenom 2 X4 @ 3.2GHz NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT Runs between 50-60 Fps. NO Slowdown at Sand Ocean, NO Shadow Error. Skip EFB Access from CPU ON( Hook in there) / EFB Copies RAM / Direct3D9 Back-end / Disable per pixel depth OFF / It works on 1600x900 Fullscreen 2x Native and Widescreen Hack Shyvo
3.0-267 Linux Mint 11 Intel Core i5-2500K AMD Radeon HD 6670 In 50Hz game mode, runs between 48-50 Fps. Some slowdowns and some shadow errors. Dual Core ON / Accelerate disc transfer rate ON / Skip EFB Access from CPU ON / EFB Copies Texture / It works on 1280x800 Fullscreen Auto Native yg2f
3.0-684 Windows 7 AMD FX-4100 @ 4.5GHz NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 (tested with DX9). In the demo video is initially loaded much. In the selection of the starships of the screen is very slow when being dumped in this screen, the graphic shall have no end that Dump!. After a few crashes of the Dolphin emulator works then most of the "Dual Core" option. Best emulation speed, the "external frame buffer" would be (REAL), but very unstable. (sic, Google Translate) Serverbot777
3.0-697 Windows 7 AMD FX-4100 @ 4.5GHz NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 (tested with DX9). Fixed a bug with the speed-problem-in vehicle selection. In the game, when the shadow vehicle will not be correctly displayed (Faulty shadow). And in the game during the procedure, the FPS quite sharply between 30FPS and 50FPS.(only in the dolphin-hashless version). Serverbot777
3.0-763 Windows 7 Intel Core i5-760 @ 2.8GHz NVIDIA GeForce 560 Ti DirectX 9, dual core, locked threads to cores, 1080p. 33% speed decrease when all vehicles are on screen, or when large portions of the track are visible. Dolphin just can't crunch this many vertices, as determined by the same speeds being reached using the original EFB size. In all other circumstances, game runs at a full 60FPS. Dual core causes occasional soft locks, but locking threads to cores seems to dissuade this from happening as often. Dual core is required to reach 60FPS on this rig. CptnOblivious
3.0-787 Windows 7 Intel Core i5-760 @ 2.8GHz NVIDIA GeForce 560 Ti DirectX 9, dual core, locked threads to cores, 1080p. UPDATE: This revision sees an increase in speed between 6-10FPS under full loads in the same scenarios as the previous entry. Everything else remains unchanged. CptnOblivious
4.0 Windows 7 AMD FX-4100 @ 3.6GHz AMD Radeon HD 6770 DirectX 11, everything at default except "Skip EFB Access from CPU". 4xAA, 16xAF, 720p+, 60Hz/FPS PAL. Usualy runs at 60FPS, with drops in intros and selection screen for drivers, even with 58FPS emulation of sound start to break with pauses. Playable with slowdowns on start of the race with lots of opponents. leipero
4.0.2 Arch Linux Intel Core i7-2600 @ 3.4GHz NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 Playable. Occasional slowdowns, usually when starting a race. Rare shadow distortion. 10n45
4.0-918 Arch Linux Intel Core i5-4670 @ 3.4GHz NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti Everything at default except "Skip EFB Access from CPU". 2xAA, 16xAF, 720p+, 60Hz/FPS PAL. Will always run at 60FPS, even with video recording software running. Game will sometimes crash with V-Sync enabled. breed808
4.0-3669 Windows 7 Intel Core i5-2500K @ 4.5GHz NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 OpenGL, 1080p, IR:Windows Size, AA 4x, AF 4x: 50-60FPS. (Solid 60FPS if 'Skip EFB Access to CPU' checked with AA:none, AF:1x). I had to turn Vsync on from NVIDIA control panel. lelobeach
4.0-4647 Windows 8 Intel Core i5-4200u Intel HD Graphics 4400 OpenGL , Skip EFB , 50Hz / FPS European Version , No V-Sync , Hangs on intro if Directx with 60/50FPS or OpenGL 60FPS Zcair
4.0-5962 Windows 7 Intel Core i5-4460 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti Settings differed from default: Direct3D, 2.5x Native, 4x AA, 16x AF, "Dual Core" unchecked, "Skip EFB Access from CPU" checked, "Framelimit" off, "VSync" unchecked (Adaptive VSync enabled in NCP). Tested two entire Grand Prix cups. Not a single crash! Full speed 98% of the time. Loss of speed is due to a handful of stutters usually during the first 3-8 seconds of a race (not in every race though) and about 1-2 stutters during the rest of a race. Once you play through a race, replaying it lowers the chances of stuttering, possibly to none. There are some audio bugs - mostly the music in the menu when selecting stuff, and sometimes the "3, 2, 1, GO" doesn't play all the way. Other NCP settings used: Max Pre-Rendered Frames set to "1". It helps reduce input lag with VSync, which is important for this game. Overall, satisfying results! Jodeth
4.0-6080 Windows 8.1 Intel Core i5-3210M @ 2.5GHz NVIDIA GeForce 610M Enable FPRF = On
V-Sync = On
Enable Dual Core = On
Synchronize GPU thread = On
Skip EFB Access from CPU = On
OpenGL is best for graphical accuracy while Direct3D is best for graphical performance. V-Sync is not causing crashes for me. I'm not sure if my GPU is NVIDIA Adaptive V-Sync compatible. I enabled Skip EFB Access from CPU just so I can play Sand Ocean without slowdowns. Mostly 60FPS/60VPS but my GPU sometimes struggles rendering 29 other racers reducing VPS. Tested fmadd and fmul by recording my own time trial ghost and replay data in Dolphin and replaying the ghost and replay on real hardware and vise-versa. No issues.
Wildgoosespeeder
5.0-rc-34 Windows 10 Intel Core i5-6600K @ 4.5GHz NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 Final Verdict: F-Zero GX mostly hits a consistent 60FPS, only suffering minor framerate drops, stutters, and the rare slowdown. Otherwise, this game looks fantastic at a native 16:9 aspect ratio in 1080p. Very little screen tearing with V-Sync disabled (I've had mixed results with it enabled - mostly positive, but occasional random crash has led me to disabling V-Sync for now). Used Gamecube Controller, with Mayflash Adapter, and installed the Gamecube drivers via the Dolphin wiki itself. I was able to complete every Cup on Master difficulty with no issues whatsoever, other than the mentioned slowdown issues, and oddly missing Credit stills - the Pilot homages from Master Class working fine otherwise.

Settings: Backend OpenGL (Direct3D seems to deliver similar performance), Force 16:9, V-Sync (False), 3x Native (1920x1584), 4xAA (4x SSAA is possible, but tends to cause more stuttering? it's difficult to say), Per-Pixel Lighting (true), Skip EFB Access from CPU (DISABLED - this will reduce or remove blur effects from boosting and Sand Ocean/Fire Field(?), but the slowdowns on mentioned tracks makes the game essentially unplayable). All other settings left to default. On a side note, Dolphin VR 4.0-9170-dirty with Oculus Rift DK2 and SDK 0.7 works well, drawback being choppy headtracking and broken menus.

PyroPaperPlanes
4.0-8044 Windows 10 Intel Core i5-4690K @ 4.20GHz NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Runs at a solid 60 VPS in the Ruby Cup, but I had to enable Skip EFB Access from CPU for Sand Ocean. Tested on the OpenGL Backend. Aplayer12345

Gameplay Videos