Nindows Games! [Ninja Debug Environment]

[VincentNL]

After casually looking into Debug menus, found out something which you may appreciate

What is Nindows?

Nindows is a Dreamcast "Windows-like" debugging GUI system used by developers using Ninja Library.
It comes with a number of functions and built-in features such as system metrics, Texture viewer, devices info, Ninja models memory usage, which could be operated with a keyboard and a controller.
F1-12 keys also brings up a console which if programmed can also provide additional features.

But there's more to it!

Devs had the possibility to add their own "User" defined tab, and that's where the real gold is.
Several prototypes/commercially released games still have Nindows debugging environment hidden or disabled. For those attempting to play with those features, reverse engineer or modify said games, Re-enabling Nindows can be a game changer!









I don't have a complete GDI collection, so I've tested those I had.
If anyone wants to help out with the research, please contact me privately.

Code: Select all

Dreamcast's Nindows Debug - Supported Games  / 02-AUG-2022 Update

-Crimison OX
-Grandia II
-Vermillion Desert
-Scud Race Dreamcast SET 2 tech demo
-Sonic Shuffle Jan 11 2001 -Prototype
-Space Channel 5 prototype v0.900
-Space Channel 5
-Skies ofArcadia V0.830 - Prototype
-Maken X Feb 9 2000 - Prototype
-Maken X (USA)
-Tower of Babel Tech Demo
-Dream passport 3  [ MD Emu ]
-Dream passport Premier  [ MD Emu ]

* Special thanks to Derek for convincing me to publish it and Laurent for his awesome prototype releases!

[sonik]

I remember something like it on the Rez debug version. Probably it's the same thing.
Cool to see debug options in other games too!

[Wombat]

Loving this! There is something magical of having acces to a debug menu!

@Sonik, the awesome beta build which bears the VIBES name indeed has this extensive Nindows debug menu.

[VincentNL]

I remember something like it on the Rez debug version. Probably it's the same thing.
Cool to see debug options in other games too!

Rez does not use Nindows even if they look quite similar.

Regarding Nindows implementation, don't get fooled by Library strings alone, only if a specific bytes array is present in the executable, you have a chance of an hidden (yet functional) Nindows:

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00 F0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 F0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 F0 00 F0 00 F0

Otherwise it might just be a leftover from early builds.

There isn't a common activation code for these titles, so the only way is to RE related Nindows library calls and track down what and how to execute them.

If anyone is interested in trying out Nindows games, let me know and I can take care of activation patches for you

[cloofoofoo]

I remember something like it on the Rez debug version. Probably it's the same thing.
Cool to see debug options in other games too!

Rez does not use Nindows even if they look quite similar.

Regarding Nindows implementation, don't get fooled by Library strings alone, only if a specific bytes array is present in the executable, you have a chance of an hidden (yet functional) Nindows:

Code: Select all

00 F0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 F0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 F0 00 F0 00 F0

Otherwise it might just be a leftover from early builds.

There isn't a common activation code for these titles, so the only way is to RE related Nindows library calls and track down what and how to execute them.

If anyone is interested in trying out Nindows games, let me know and I can take care of activation patches for you

Heh i wouldnt mind if you made patches for sc5 abd vermillion desert.

Grandia 2 you can actually active debug mode from a config file on disc with a simple text editor. Its surprising they left it in there on retail like that

[foxx]

You can insert Ninja Debug into the working version of the game Maken X (USA).

[VincentNL]

You can insert Ninja Debug into the working version of the game Maken X (USA).

Nindows activation flag should still be present in the final game, the only challenge here is to eventually restore instructions / library functions from prototype to final.

For the moment just plan to release Maken X prototype Nindows patch, but we'll see.

@mods

I do apologize for this thread location, seem to belong more on "modification" than "new releases".
Please feel free to move it if you prefer so

[TapamN]

On the retail US version of Maken X, if you turn on, IIRC, the debug display Codebreaker code, you can get to the Nindows options by pressing B on the pause screen. That was the first place I ran into Nindows, back in 2004 or 2005ish.

[foxx]

Exactly, in the retail version of Maken X (USA), using the CB code 0110B6D8 00000001, the menu opens as in the GIF image of VincentNL.

[VincentNL]

Thanks for reporting @TapamN, I've updated the list with Maken X (USA)!