How to update the firmware

1. Download the latest firmware file below.
2. Copy it to your SD card's root.
3. Rename the file to NSDLZZZZ.WAD (replace the 4 digits with capital Z's). Make sure there's only a single .WAD file on the card.
4. Insert the SD card in you console and power it up.
   If your loader isn't up to date already, the blue LED will start blinking. This indicates that the update is ongoing.
5. Once the update is done (takes about a minute), the console will start up.
6. You can remove the NSDLZZZZ.WAD file from the SD card.

1. Téléchargez le firmware le plus récent ci-dessous.
2. Copiez le fichier dans la racine de votre carte SD.
3. Renommez le fichier en NSDLZZZZ.WAD (remplacez les 4 chiffres par des Z majuscule). Assurez-vous qu'il n'y a qu'un seul fichier .WAD sur la carte.
4. Insérez la carte SD dans votre console et mettez la sous tension. Si votre loader n'est pas déjà à jour, la LED bleue clignotera. Ceci indique que la mise à jour est en cours.
5. Une fois la mise àjour terminée (environ une minute), la console démarrera.
6. Vous pouvez retirer le fichier NSDLZZZZ.WAD de votre carte SD.

Latest firmware file

Firmware v0.11 (Updated 16th October 2023 - For top and front loaders)
After updating, versions must be: MENU:0.11 MCU:00.11 CPLD:00.03

Changes from v0.10:

• Bugfix: Samurai Spirits RPG is now playable (thanks Justin !)
• Bugfix: In-game menu now works in Nam 1975
• Bugfix: Loader now blinks red properly when firmware is corrupt and no update file is found
• Bugfix: Games that support the Brazil region setting can now start
• Cheats: Kabuki Klash, 3 Count Bout

Known bugs:

• CDDA tracks sometimes start playing a bit too late.

Older versions

Firmware v0.10 (Updated 16th June 2022 - For top and front loaders)
After updating, versions must be: MENU:0.10 MCU:00.10 CPLD:00.03

Changes from v0.9:

• Feature: Soft DIPs settings are now automatically saved to SD card
• Bugfix: No more slowdowns and raster effect glitches on front-loaders
• Bugfix: No more garbage left on screen after closing in-game menu
• Cheats: Neo Turf Masters

Known bugs:

• CDDA tracks sometimes start playing a bit too late.
• Samurai Spirits RPG does not load.
• Occasional minor in-game menu corruption in Ninja Commando.

Firmware v0.9 (Updated 22nd August 2021 - For top and front loaders)
After updating, versions must be: MENU:0.9 MCU:00.09 CPLD:00.03

Changes from v0.8:

• Feature: Front-loading consoles support
• Feature: Loading speed increased by 20%
• Feature: Region setting is now applied to the stock BIOS
• Bugfix: Last Blade 2 and Samurai Shodown 4 in-game loading
• Bugfix: Exit from screen saver with start or select
• Bugfix: IGM can be properly controlled by P2
• Bugfix: Increased timeout value for slow SD cards
• Bugfix: Added retries for SD card initialization
• Cheats: Galaxy Fight, Pulstar
• Candy: Loading animation speed setting
• Candy: Changed highlighted text palette
• Candy: LED changes color when writing saves

Known bugs:

• CDDA tracks sometimes start playing a bit too late.
• Samurai Spirits RPG does not load.
• Rare crashes in Last Blade 2.
• Not a bug: Soft DIPs settings are NOT saved. Feature will be added in next update.

Firmware v0.8 (Updated 1st February 2021 - For top-loaders)
After updating, versions must be: MENU:0.8 MCU:00.08 CPLD:00.02

Changes from v0.7:

• Feature: Soft DIPs settings in in-game menu
• Feature: Increased games limit to 200, added warning message if exceeded
• Feature: Loading speed increased by 9%
• Feature: Save file deletion in save load menu
• Bugfix: Many cheats now work correctly
• Bugfix: Game list is now cached, less waiting for it to load
• Bugfix: Crashes during loading due to timeout with some SD cards
• Bugfix: CDDA 'click' when playing the first track after loading
• Candy: Option to keep the original startup animation
• Candy: Drop shadow on menu font, better readability with custom backgrounds
• Candy: Keep selection cursor on last loaded game when exiting to menu
• Candy: Game name and current region setting shown in in-game menu

Known bugs:

• CDDA tracks sometimes start playing a bit too late.
• Samurai Spirits RPG does not load.
• Last Blade 2 sometimes crashes during loading.

Firmware v0.7 (Updated 8th November 2020 - For top-loaders)
After updating, versions must be: MENU:0.7 MCU:00.07 CPLD:00.02

Changes from v0.6:

• Feature: Cheat engine - See the user manual
• Feature: Loading speed increased by 25%
• Bugfix: Got rid of the CDDA stuttering when exiting a game with A+B+C+Start
• Bugfix: Saves file name issues
• Candy: Custom background - See the user manual

Known bugs:

• Some cheats may not work.
• King of Fighters '97 can have troubles loading.
• CDDA tracks sometimes start playing a bit too late.
• Samurai Spirits RPG does not load.

Firmware v0.6 (Updated 14th July 2020 - For top-loaders)
After updating, versions must be: MENU:0.6 MCU:00.06 CPLD:00.02

Changes from v0.5:

• Feature: Save file list. Save files can now be named
• Feature: Long game names are now visible (scrolling)
• Feature: Simplified updating process
• Bugfix: Game directories starting with lower case letters now show up in the list
• Bugfix: First letter list glitch when hot-swapping SD cards
• Bugfix: Corrupt save files could be loaded even after warning message
• Candy: Sound effects

Known bugs:

• CDDA tracks sometimes start playing a bit too late.
• Samurai Spirits RPG does not load.

The update procedure for the following older versions (v0.5 and below) is different:

1. Download a firmware file below.
2. Copy it to your SD card's root.
3. Rename the file to NSDLZZZZ.WAD (replace the 4 digits with capital Z's). Make sure there's only a single .WAD file on the card.
4. Insert the SD card in you console and power it up.
   The blue LED must light up briefly before blinking green. This means the MCU was updated. The console then starts up.
5. In the loader's main screen, press C to reach the settings menu.
6. Select "Update firmware" and press A. The console will stop and the blue LED will blink during several seconds. If not, see LED error codes.
7. Once the process is done, the console will restart on its own.
   Check the version screen. The firmware should now be updated.
8. Remove the NSDLZZZZ.WAD file from the SD card.

Firmware v0.5 (for top-loaders)
After updating, versions must be: MENU:0.5 MCU:00.05 CPLD:00.02

Changes from v0.4:

• Bugfix: CDDA tracks now loop correctly
• Bugfix: Loading screens now match the region setting
• Bugfix: No more crashes with short folder names
• Bugfix: I2S switch fix (SD/CD drive audio)
• Feature: LED color settings
• Feature: Support for max. 256-characters file names
• Reduced bragging, removed FE logo from main screen

Known bugs:

• CDDA tracks start playing a bit too late.
• Samurai Spirits RPG does not load.
• Loading speed reduced while investigation on stability issues is ongoing. Will be restored to full speed once solved.
• Game names starting with lower case letters aren't listed.
• Corrupt save files can be loaded.
• Directories with long names can cause loading problems.

Firmware v0.4 (for top-loaders)
After updating, versions must be: MENU:0.4 MCU:00.04 CPLD:00.02

Changes from v0.3:

• Bugfix: Heavy changes to how the SD cards are handled. Samsung EVO, Sandisk Ultra and Lexar 1000 microSDXC cards, as well as older full-size SDHC cards were tested ok.
• Bugfix: Complete change of how data transfers are done, improves stability on some systems.
• Feature: Support for games rips using a single BIN file.

Known bugs:

• CDDA tracks start playing a bit too late.
• Loading speed reduced while investigation on stability issues is ongoing. Will be restored to full speed once solved.
• Music sometimes doesn't loop as it should.
• Directory names shorter than 4 characters cause problems.
• Samurai Spirits RPG does not load.

Firmware v0.3 (for top-loaders)

Changes from v0.2:

• Bugfix: Consoles using the TOP-SP1-3 BIOS are able to load games again
• Bugfix: SD card types and brands compatibility improved (again)
• Bugfix: Random crashes and glitches in many games, including Metal Slug 1, Galaxy Fight, Twinkle Star Sprites, Gowcaizer...
• Feature: Screen saver, activates after 30s without activity in menu
• Feature: Country and screen saver settings are now saved
• Feature: P2 can now also control the menu

Known bugs:

• Even more SD card problems. SD cards are the devil's incarnate. When some work, others don't. We need an old priest and a young priest !

Firmware v0.2 (for top-loaders)

Changes from v0.1:

• Bugfix: SD card types and brands compatibility improved
• Bugfix: CDDA corruption (noise instead of music)
• Bugfix: Data loading errors (random crashes in games with some systems)
• Feature: Added BIN + CUE format support
• CUE files are now required for each game !
• UI: Only the used letters are now shown in the game list

Known bugs:

• Galaxy Fight: Sometimes crashes after loading.
• Neo Turf Masters: Wrong grass tiles in a few zones.

Firmware v0.1 (for top-loaders)

Wiper firmware

Something went wrong ? Can't get the loader to update again ?
Use this wiper firmware to reset it.

Use it like a normal update as explained above.
On power up the yellow LED will blink several times, indicating that your loader was reset.
You will then be able to perform a normal update using one of the firmware files above.

Wiper v0.1 (for top-loaders)