Virtua Cop 2 (Dreamcast)
The Virtua Cop 2 arcade was ported to the Sega Dreamcast in the year 2000.
Playing on Windows
You can run the Dreamcast version of Virtua Cop 2 on Windows using Demul, Flycast, or Redream.
Running the game on Windows does not require a special configuration.
Playing on the Raspberry Pi
If you are using Barebones 9, then Flyinghead Flycast is preinstalled and you need not follow this guide.
This process is nearly identical to setting up other Dreamcast/Naomi/Atomiswave lightgun games as it uses a version of Flycast that is able to run Virtua Cop 2 well. Do not use this version for other games as they will run poorly.
Video Setup Guide
Setting up Flyinghead Flycast
You will need to add the setup file to RetroPie Setup in order to install the emulator. It can be downloaded from here.
Open your favorite SFTP client and copy the file to this directory:
/home/pi/RetroPie-Setup/scriptmodules/libretrocores
On your Raspberry Pi, go to RetroPie and select RetroPie Setup. Alternatively, as it may be better practice to close EmulationStation before making changes, you can press F4 and type the following:
sudo /home/pi/RetroPie-Setup/retropie_setup.sh
This will launch RetroPie Setup. Select the following:
Manage packages
Manage optional packages
lr-flycast-new
Install from source
Once done, select Back and return to the main screen. Select Perform Reboot>Yes.
ROM Setup
Copy your working Virtua Cop 2 ROM into the Dreamcast folder in your roms directory on your Pi. From here, you can copy your configuration from another Dreamcast/Naomi/Atomiswave game that has already been set up, or create a new one. This should not be necessary if you are running Harrydog's BareBones v8.1 or later and will only be needed in order to automatically load a pre-configured save state of the game. Note that the game runs best in a 4:3 aspect ratio. If you do not have a configuration file for the game, here is an example for a single gun running on a mixed setup:
Filename: Virtua Cop 2 v1.011 (2000)(Sega)(NTSC)(JP)(en)[!].chd.cfg
This is placed with the ROM in the same directory. Note the exact ROM name and extension followed by .cfg
savestate_auto_load = "true" input_libretro_device_p1 = "4" input_player1_mouse_index = "0" input_player2_mouse_index = "1" input_player1_gun_trigger_mbtn = "1" input_player1_gun_offscreen_shot_mbtn = "2" input_player1_gun_aux_a = "h" input_player1_gun_aux_b_mbtn = "3" input_player1_gun_start = "f" input_player1_gun_select = "g" input_player1_gun_dpad_up = "w" input_player1_gun_dpad_down = "s" input_player1_gun_dpad_left = "a" input_player1_gun_dpad_right = "d"
Note that this can be replaced by a simpler command calling the lightgun configuration file created during the initial setup for your Sinden Lightgun, as follows:
#include "/opt/retropie/configs/all/retroarch/config/lightgun.cfg"
input_libretro_device_p1 = "4"
input_player1_mouse_index = "0"
input_player2_mouse_index = "1"
savestate_auto_load = "true"
You may also pre-configure your border in the same file as follows:
aspect_ratio_index = "0"
input_overlay = "~/.config/retroarch/overlay/SindenBorderWhiteThin.cfg"
input_overlay_opacity = "1.000000"
video_font_enable = "false"
The last line will disable any notifications that may flood your screen and slow down your system when you start the game.
Please make sure the syntax is correct (i.e.: no smart quotes, case sensitive, etc.)
Game configuration
You can now launch the game in order to set it up. Do not forget to start the gun first!
IMPORTANT: as the game is booting, you need to press a button on your controller to access the runcommand screen. This only needs to be done once.
From here, you need to choose the following options:
Select emulator for ROM ()
lr-flycast-new
Launch
In-game, you will be able to set up your bezel as normal using the RetroArch menu accessed by pressing Hotkey+X on your controller, if this is not already done.
In the main game menu, press the Start button and navigate to Options and press Start again. You may adjust the settings to your liking before selecting Gun Calibration. On the calibration screen, select Calibration and shoot the bullseye as accurately as possible. Test your gun on the same screen to check if it is calibrated. When you are satisfied, select Exit followed by Exit once again. You should be back at the main menu. Here, you will need to create a save state in order to avoid going through this process again.
Creating an auto-loading Save State
Press Hotkey+X on your controller to access the RetroArch menu and scroll down to Save State. This will create a file next to your ROM file labeled with the exact name and ending with .state. Open your SFTP client and find the file. You will need to rename it and add .auto to the end. It should look like this:
Virtua Cop 2 v1.011 (2000)(Sega)(NTSC)(JP)(en)[!].state.auto
As long as you have savestate_auto_load = "true" in your configuration file or enabled in RetroArch, this save state will load automatically.
A few tips
- Dreamcast games run more smoothly on overclocked hardware. If your game is sluggish, it might be worth looking into this. However, overclocking your hardware is ENTIRELY your responsibility and you may not blame anyone else for any damages that can occur.
- The input device ID used here may differ for each emulator as input_libretro_device_p1 = "4" is specific to Flycast and others may use a different ID.
- Configuration files may be placed next to ROMs as shown here. These will override any default RetroArch configuration and can be used for various purposes, especially on mixed setups. This is also true for files placed in the config folder.
- A Raspberry Pi 4 or better is highly recommended for heavier games like this, as the Raspberry Pi 3b+ or lower will not be powerful enough to run them smoothly.
The game should be ready to play.