Ymir Software Release (April 1, 2026)

Ymir Git (2026/04/01) is a work-in-progress Sega Saturn emulator that supports various game formats (BIN+CUE, IMG+CCD, MDF+MDS, ISO) and includes features like automatic BIOS detection, region switching, and customizable keybindings. It allows up to two players and supports save states, rewind functionality, and turbo speed. The latest update includes numerous fixes and enhancements, particularly for the VDP (Video Display Processor) and performance improvements. Additional features include an integrated memory manager for save transfers, a debugger, and new rendering methods for hardware acceleration. Download the emulator to experience these advancements.

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Ymir Git (2026/04/01) has been released. It’s a developing Sega Saturn emulator.

Features:
Load games from BIN+CUE, IMG+CCD, MDF+MDS, or ISO files
Automatic detection of IPL (BIOS) ROM
Automatic region detection
Supports up to two players using standard Control Pads across both ports (with more features on the way)
Fully configurable keybindings
Backup RAM and DRAM cartridges (more enhancements coming soon)
Integrated memory manager for importing/exporting saves and transferring between internal and cartridge RAM
Save states
Rewind function (up to one minute at 60 fps), turbo speed, and frame stepping (both forwards and backwards)
A feature-rich debugger that is still being developed

Ymir Changelog:
* chore: Correct a typo
* chore: Eliminate an unused header
* chore(savestate): Change `state` to `savestate` to prevent conflicts/confusion with other state types
* chore(VDP2): Refine character data retrieval for scroll and bitmap backgrounds
* fix(VDP2): Sprite special pattern detection was missing one bit
* chore: Add a missing entry to CHANGELOG
* fix(VDP2): Correct and enhance per-dot coefficient access checks
* perf(swrenderer): Utilize SIMD to replace layer 1 pixels with line color
* chore(VDP2): Document bit widths for rotation parameters
* fix(VDP1): Manage degenerate quad optimization special cases
* fix(VDP1): Adjust register latching versus swap timings
* chore(VDP): Elevate several common state objects to the base renderer or VDP state
* chore(VDP): Remove the unnecessary `scrollAmountV` latch
* feat(VDP): Align VDP1 FBRAM reads
* fix: Additional renaming
* chore(swrenderer): Eliminate an unused argument
* chore(VDP): Transfer memory and internal VDP1 state to the VDP state object
* chore(VDP): Maintain a local copy of enhancements in the base renderer class
* chore(VDP): Rename `NormBGLayerState` to `NBGLayerState`
* chore(VDP): Rename `bitmapData` to `charData`
* chore(VDP): Add a callback for resolution changes
* fix(VDP): Verify the validity of the renderer before use
* fix(app): Reset to null renderer upon shutdown
* chore(app): Rename the software framebuffer texture variable
* chore: Standardize vertical cell scroll variable names
* feat(VDP): Introduce new constants for resolutions and VDP1 framebuffer sizes
* feat(about): Show the name of the current VDP renderer
* chore(VDP): Initialize VDP with the null renderer
* chore(VDP): Extract devlog definitions into a header
* chore(VDP): Relocate vdp1_steppers.hpp to a shared directory for the hardware renderer
* docs: Correct various typos and clarify several items
* feat(sandbox): Implement an alternative VDP1 rendering method suited for hardware acceleration
* chore(settings): Group enhancements and software renderer settings separately
* chore: Reorganize STB implementation defines/includes
* chore: Refine hashing procedure for input elements
* docs: Clarify a CHANGELOG entry
* build: Resolve x86 architecture flags across all targets
* docs: Correct Doxygen issues
* fix(VDP2): Handle illegal CP accesses in low-resolution modes distinctly for T0-T3 and T4-T7
* feat(debug): Fade out unpartitioned VRAM banks for rotation data bank assignments
* feat(debug): Apply color to CP < PN access in high-resolution modes
* feat(debug): Color-code VRAM access timing slots in the delay viewer