FB Alpha 0.2.97.05 is released.FB Alpha or FBA as it is commonly known is an emulator of arcade games, that is, it takes the program code, graphics data, etc., from an original arcade game and emulates the hardware to make the game run in it's original form. As far as the game is concerned it is running in it's original cabinet.

FB Alpha is an open-source project and it is programmed by a group of people known as the FBA Team. Over the years this has comprised of myself, Jan_Klaassen, KEV, LoopMaster, Mike Haggar, Hyper Yagami and Ayeye. FB Alpha is based on the original FinalBurn by Dave.

FB Alpha 0.2.97.05 changelog:
- Tidied source to compile cleanly with GCC 3.4.5, GCC 4.3.3 and the latest Microsoft SDKs [Barry]
- Wrote compile guides for the above which are available on my website [Barry]
- Replaced the readme.txt with a detailed Windows help file [Barry]
- Replaced the whatsnew.txt with a HTML document and added a link to it from the help menu [Barry]
- Updated libpng to the current version (1.2.35) [Barry]
- Made a new higher quality icon, with support for the nice big vista icon [Barry]
- Ported MAME's Konami CPU core [iq_132]
- Fixed an issue with the M6809 interface [iq_132]
- Fixed Konami core to compile with VC [Barry]
- Added Signed Write support to the DAC core [Barry]
- Added control over the volume of the DAC core [Barry]
- Added option to control whether the DAC core adds to the current buffer or not [Barry]
- Big update to the Megadrive driver [Barry]
- Greatly improved timing
- Changed the YM2612 to use the 68000 for timing since the Z80 can be disabled
- Properly supported PAL
- Updated the reset routine to support switching between regions
- Changed to MAME's Z80 core - it works much better
- Basic SRAM support
- Added support for most games that require special init functions
- General tidy-up and many small fixes
- Most games now work - testing is under way to enable games that are working (see my site for details on how you can help this effort)
- Updated to the latest driver generated from the database
- Added driver for 1943 [Barry]
- Added driver for F1 Grand Prix [iq_132]
- Added driver for games on Fuuki FG-3 hardware [iq_132]
- Added driver for Gyrus [iq_132]
- Added driver for Haunted Castle [iq_132]
- Added driver for Lethal Crash Race [iq_132]
- Added driver for Vigilante and games on similar hardware [Barry]
- Added clone of Chase HQ to the Taito Z driver [Barry]
- Added clone of Mighty Pang to the CPS-2 driver [Barry]
- Added clone of Night Warriors to the CPS-2 driver [Barry]
- Added clone of Operation Wolf to the Taito Misc driver [Barry]
- Added support for the Neo-Geo Deck BIOS [Barry]
- Made the Neo-Geo BIOS select more intuitive [Barry]
- Improved the PGM driver, see changes.txt in the PGM folder for full details [iq_132]
- Simulated the protection in Oriental Legends Special/Super making it playable [XingXing]
- Fixed background colours and added savestates to 1943 [iq_132]
- Fixed an issue with some sprites in World Cup '90 [Barry]
- Fixed text layer in Metal Slug 4 Plus [kenshiro]
- Added XAudio2 Sound plugin, partially based on FBA Shuffle [Barry]
- Fixed an issue with the Neo-Geo driver flags, fixing Memory Cards and Button Macros [Barry]
- Added the full range of button combinations to the Neo-Geo macros [Barry]
- Added macro support for the PGM driver [Barry]
- Changed the parent filters in the selection dialog to behave in the expected way [Barry]
- Fixed MAWS links [Barry]
- Moved the FPS display in the DirectX 9 blitter to the top right [FBAShuffle]
- Matched all sets to MAME 0.131 [Barry]

Download: FB Alpha 0.2.97.05