JP2002239241A - Game program used in game machine having interchangeability - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game program wherein scenarios of a game can be varied depending on, which game machine a game program is mounted to, a first game machine or a second game machine being interchangeable therewith. SOLUTION: When power is applied to a first game machine mounted with a first cartridge or a second game machine, the first game machine or the second game machine is started. When processing is transferred from the execution of a start program to the execution of a game program, the value of a register A immediately after completion of the start program is saved in a WRAM (S11). Then, the value of the register A is compared with first data to identify the first game machine or second data to identify the second game machine, whereby on which game machine, the first game machine or the second game machine, the game program is being executed is identified (S12-17). Scenarios of the game is varied depending on, which game machine the game program is being executed in.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game program, and more particularly to, for example, a first game machine which has already been sold,
It is stored in a storage medium that can be attached to both a newly released second game machine compatible with the first game machine, and at least a part of a scenario depending on which type of game machine is installed. Relates to a game program for providing a game having different contents.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a storage medium storing a game program (for example, a cartridge having a semiconductor
A portable or stationary game machine for enjoying a game using a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or the like is known. In such a game machine, a new model (or a higher model; a second game machine) that is more functionally superior to an already released old model (or a lower model; the first game machine) due to technological innovation and user needs. Generations are being changed as needed. At the time of the generation change, by making the software assets for the old model available to the new model,
Ensuring compatibility with the old model is convenient for the user and advantageous for the manufacturer.

For example, an old model (lower model) uses a CD-R
Using OM, DVD-ROM for new model (upper model)
A stationary game machine using a CD-ROM is known. In this case, the new model has both a new type of processing unit (CPU) and a processing unit for the old model in order to ensure compatibility with the old model. This new model, by the startup program installed in the main body,
A model-specific code stored in an attached storage medium is read in advance, a processing unit corresponding to the model-specific code is activated, and the processing unit starts executing a game program. That is, when the CD-ROM storing the game program for the old model is mounted, the new model starts executing the game program by the processing unit for the old model, and the DVD-ROM storing the game program for the new model. When the ROM or the CD-ROM is loaded, the execution of the game program is started by the processing unit for the new model.

[0004]

In recent years, even after the above-mentioned new models have been released, each game software maker has
Due to the difficulty in developing game programs for new models and the small size of the new model market, many games based on game programs for old models have been developed and sold. The game program for the old model released after the release of such a new model can be played on either the new model or the old model without any difference from the game program for the old model released before the release of the new model. Even so, the game can be advanced with the same content (for example, scenario, story, event, etc.). Therefore, the user (player) feels that it is not necessary to buy a new model again because the newly sold game for the old model can be played with exactly the same contents in the new model and the old model.

[0005] Such a situation is not preferable for a game machine maker because it does not lead to sales expansion of a new model.
It is also unfavorable for game software manufacturers because they cannot expect further expansion of the market. Therefore, game software that allows the player to change the content of the game between the case where the player plays the single game software for the old model on the new model and the case where the player plays the single game software on the old model is conceivable. With such game software,
The game software may be able to expand sales of the new model itself, while allowing for large sales for older models with a large market.

However, conventionally, in the case of a new model game machine, whether the storage medium is for a new model or an old model is determined by a start program installed in the game machine. Since the game program stored in the storage medium is executed by the processing unit for the model, it is not necessary for the game program itself to determine the model on which the game program is running. Further, even on a new model, since the processing is executed by the processing unit for the old model built in the new model, it is difficult to determine that it is being executed on the new model. Due to these problems, the conventional game program cannot make the player feel that the game content changes depending on whether the game is executed on the new model or the old model, and this may lead to an increase in sales of the new model. Did not.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to identify the type of a game machine when the storage medium for storing the game program is mounted on one of at least two compatible game machines and to determine the type of the game machine. An object of the present invention is to provide a game program capable of changing a scenario in accordance with the game program.

[0008]

A first invention is a first game machine and a second game machine compatible with the first game machine.
Is a game program that can be executed by the game machine and stored in a storage medium attachable to both game machines. In the first aspect, the game program causes the first game machine or the second game machine (the CPUs 15 and 61 of the game machine to show a correspondence relationship with the embodiment) on which the storage medium is mounted to read the identification data reading means and the identification data. It is characterized by functioning as means and game progress means. That is, when the execution of the game program is started, the identification data reading means reads the identification data stored in the game machine in advance. The identification unit identifies whether the game machine on which the storage medium is mounted is the first game machine or the second game machine based on the identification data. The game advancing means progresses the game so that at least a part has different game content depending on when the identification means identifies the first game machine and when identifying the second game machine. In claim 6, the game program includes an identification data reading program, an identification program, and a game progress program. The identification data readout program reads out identification data stored in advance in a game machine when the game machine starts executing itself. The identification program identifies, based on the identification data, whether the game machine on which it is running is the first game machine or the second game machine. The game progress program progresses the game with at least partly different game contents depending on when the game device is identified as the first game device and when the game device is identified as the second game device.

[0009] A second invention is directed to a first game machine and a first game machine.
It is a game program that can be executed on a second game machine compatible with the other game machines. In the second aspect, the game program is stored in a storage medium that can be mounted on both game machines. The first game machine and the second game machine are:
A processing unit including a plurality of registers and an activation program executed at the time of activation by the processing unit are mounted. In the second aspect, the game program includes a first program.
The processing unit of the game machine including the data and the second data and having the storage medium mounted thereon functions as identification data reading means, identification means, and game proceeding means. Immediately after the execution of the startup program in the processing unit of the first game machine, the first data is stored in a predetermined register of the processing unit (CPU 1
5 and 61), which are data corresponding to known values remaining in at least one of the so-called A register and B register. The second data is data corresponding to a known value remaining in a predetermined register of the processing unit of the second game machine immediately after the execution of the startup program in the processing unit. The identification data reading means reads, as identification data, a value of a predetermined register of the processing unit remaining at the end of execution of the already-started startup program when the processing unit starts its own execution.
The identification means compares the identification data read by the identification data reading means with the first data or the second data, so that the game machine on which the storage medium is mounted can be connected to the first data.
And the second game machine. Then, the game progressing unit progresses the game such that at least a part has different game content depending on when the identification unit identifies the first game machine and when the second game machine is identified. According to a seventh aspect, the game program includes first data, second data, an identification data reading program, an identification program, and a game progress program. When the self-startup is started, the identification data readout program reads the value remaining in a predetermined register of the processing unit immediately after the execution of the start-up program as identification data. The identification program compares the read identification data with the first data or the second data to identify which game machine it is. The game progress program progresses the game with the game content corresponding to the identified game machine.

A third invention includes first character group data and second character group data. In a third aspect, the game progressing means selects the first character group data when the game progressing program identifies the first game machine, and the second character game data when the second game machine identifies the second character. Select character group data. Thereby, the characters appearing in the game are changed between the first game machine and the second game machine. The first character group data is data including a first character group appearing in a game on the first game machine. The second character group data is data including a second character group appearing in a game on the second game machine.

In a fourth aspect, the first scenario data and the second scenario data
Scenario data. In the fourth aspect, the game progressing means, and in the ninth aspect, the game progressing program selects the first scenario data when identifying the first game machine, and selects the second scenario data when identifying the second game machine. Select As a result, at least a part of the game scenario (or story) is changed between the first game machine and the second game machine. In the fifth invention (described in claims 5 and 10), the second scenario includes an extended scenario that extends the first scenario.

[0012]

According to the present invention, the type of the game machine in which the storage medium is mounted can be identified by the game program stored in the storage medium. Accordingly, the content of the game played on the game machine can be changed. As a result, it is possible to provide a game that allows the player to feel the interest of playing on both the first game machine and the second game machine (for example, a new model and an old model). In addition, further sales expansion of the second game machine compatible with the first game machine can be expected.

Further, the type of the game machine in which the storage medium is mounted is identified based on the value of the predetermined register of the processing unit remaining immediately after the execution of the start-up program in the first game machine and the second game machine. It is also possible to easily cope with already sold game machines without modifying the start program of compatible game machines already sold.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a game system to which the game program of the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are external views for explaining one embodiment of a game system including a first game machine and a second game machine. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a usage state of the second game machine, the second cartridge, and the first cartridge.

1 and 3A, the game system includes a first game machine 10, a second game machine 30 compatible with the first game machine 10, and a first game machine 30. A first game machine cartridge (hereinafter simply referred to as a “cartridge” or a “game cartridge”) 2 that is detachable from both the game machine 10 and the second game machine 30
0 and a second cartridge 40 that can be attached and detached only to the second game machine 30. As will become clear later, the game program of the present invention is stored in the first cartridge 20. In the present embodiment, a portable game machine is described as an example of the first game machine and the second game machine, but a stationary game machine may be used, for example.
Also, a cartridge will be described as an example of a storage medium,
For example, a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, and a hard disk may be used.

The first game machine 10 is a processing unit having a relatively low performance (for example, a CPU of about 8 bits, etc .; FIG. 5).
CPU15), and is an old model (or lower model) with low processing capacity. On the other hand, the second game machine 30
Is equipped with a high-performance processing unit (for example, a CPU of 16 bits or more; the second CPU 63 in FIG. 12), and is a new model (or higher model). Further, the second game machine 30 has a processing unit CPU (FIG. 1) equivalent to the processing unit of the first game machine 10 for ensuring compatibility.
2 first CPU 61).

The housing 21 of the first cartridge 20
Is a rectangular shape (or substantially square) having a vertical length of a1 and a horizontal length of b1, and its thickness is selected as c1. On the left and right sides of the one main surface of the first cartridge 20, inclined surfaces 211 for preventing reverse insertion of the front and back are formed. The first cartridge 20 is configured by incorporating a circuit board (not shown) in which a semiconductor memory such as a ROM 23 storing a game program is mounted in a housing 21. An opening 212 is formed in a lower portion of the first cartridge 20, and a plurality of connection terminals (not shown) formed on one side of the circuit board are exposed from the opening 212. An edge connector (not shown) is constituted by the plurality of connection terminals formed on the circuit board.

The first game machine 10 includes a housing 11, in which a liquid crystal display 12 is formed in an upper region of one main surface (the surface shown in the drawing), and a movement direction instruction switch 13a and an operation instruction switch are provided in a lower region. The switch 13b is mounted. A cartridge insertion recess (hereinafter, abbreviated as “insertion recess”) 14 for mounting the first cartridge 20 is formed in an upper region of the other main surface (the back surface in the drawing) of the first game machine 10. The insertion recess 14 is provided with the outer dimensions (length × width × thickness = a1 × b1 ×) of the first cartridge 20 so that the first cartridge 20 can be housed or mounted.
It has a recess or space substantially equal to c1) (the length in the vertical direction may be shorter than a1). Inside the insertion recess 14,
The first cartridge 20 is stored in the CP in the first game machine 10.
A connector (connector 113 in FIG. 5) for electrically connecting to various electronic components such as U is mounted. Accordingly, when the first cartridge 20 is mounted in the insertion recess 14, the connector of the first game machine 10 and the first
The plurality of connection terminals of the circuit board of the cartridge 20 are electrically connected and used. At this time,
The first game machine 10 has a first drive voltage (for example, 5
V) to the first cartridge 20.

On the other hand, the housing 41 of the second cartridge 40 has a length a2 (a2 <a1) shorter than that of the first cartridge 20 and a horizontal plane b1 having the same width as the first cartridge 20. And the thickness thereof is selected to be c1, which is the same as that of the first cartridge 20. By making the width and thickness of the second cartridge 40 the same as those of the first cartridge 20, both cartridges can be inserted into the cartridge insertion recess of the second game machine 30. It is needless to say that the horizontal length direction and the thickness direction are relative, and the directions are determined according to the gist of the present invention. The first cartridge 20 is provided on the left and right side portions of one main surface of the housing 41.
Similarly, the inclined surface 411 is formed. In addition, the second cartridge 40 has a notch 41 as an example of the detected part, in order to distinguish it from the case where the first cartridge 20 is mounted.
2 is formed at least at the leading end in the insertion direction on one of the left and right sides (for reasons such as design symmetry,
Notches may be provided on both the left and right sides). Further, the second cartridge 40 has a protrusion 413 to be a stopper at the time of insertion on at least one of the left and right sides (upper side) of the upper side (upper side) in the vertical direction.
Therefore, the width b2 of the upper side of the second cartridge 40 is selected to be slightly larger than the width below (b1 = the width of the first cartridge 20). This second cartridge 40
Is built in with a circuit board (not shown) on which various integrated circuits (ICs) such as a ROM 42 storing a game program are mounted. An opening 414 is formed in a lower portion of the second cartridge 40, and a plurality of connection terminals formed on one side of the circuit board are exposed from the opening 414. With a plurality of connection terminals formed on the circuit board,
An edge connector (not shown) is configured.

The second game machine 30 includes a housing 31, in which a liquid crystal display 32 is formed in a central area of one main surface (the surface shown in the drawing), and an empty area outside the liquid crystal display 32. A movement direction instruction switch 33a and an operation instruction switch 33b are respectively mounted on the switch. In the upper region of the other main surface (the back surface shown) of the second game machine 30,
Insertion recess 34 for mounting second cartridge 40
Is formed. The insertion recess 34 is provided in the second cartridge 3.
0 has a recess or space substantially equal to the outer dimensions (length × width × thickness = a2 × b1 × c1) of the second cartridge 30 so that the second cartridge 30 can be accommodated or mounted (the length in the vertical direction is shorter than a2). May be). Inside the insertion recess 34, a connector (FIG. 4) for electrically connecting the second cartridge 40 to various electronic components such as a CPU in the second game machine 30.
6) of FIG. 6 is implemented. Therefore, when the second cartridge 40 is mounted in the insertion recess 34, the second cartridge 40 is used in a state where the second cartridge 40 is completely fitted in the insertion recess 34. At this time, the second game machine 3
0 supplies a second drive voltage (for example, 3.3 V) to the second cartridge 40.

Next, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3B,
Each of the first game machine 10 and the second game machine 30 has a separate second cartridge 40 and a different first cartridge 20.
Will be described. As shown in the left side view of FIG. 2, when the second cartridge 40 is mounted on the first game machine 10, the vertical length a2 of the second cartridge 40
Is shorter than the vertical length a1 required to connect to the connector in the first game machine 10, the protrusion 413 is caught on the upper side of the housing 11 next to the insertion recess 14, and the connection terminal of the second cartridge 40 is (46) does not reach the connector and is not properly connected. That is, the connection terminal (46) of the second cartridge 40 is mounted so as to float from the connector in the first game machine 10. Therefore, the first
The power supply voltage of the game machine 10 is the second cartridge 40
The connection terminals are not supplied to various IC parts including the semiconductor memory built in the second cartridge 40, and thus various IC parts such as the semiconductor memory can be effectively prevented from being destroyed by an overvoltage.

Conversely, as shown in the right side of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3B, the first cartridge 4
0, the vertical length a1 of the first cartridge 20 is equal to the vertical length a of the insertion recess 34 of the second game machine 30.
2 (a2 <a1), the connection terminal of the first cartridge 20 is connected to the connector 37 in the second game machine 30.
To reach the electrical connection. At this time, since a2 <a1, a1-a in the longitudinal direction of the first cartridge 20 is set.
With the 2 (difference) portion exposed from the insertion recess 34, the first cartridge 20 is mounted on the second game machine 30 for use. At this time, the second game machine 3
0 supplies the first drive voltage (5 V) to the first cartridge 20 instead of the second drive voltage (for example, 3.3 V).

Therefore, the first cartridge 20 is
It can be used not only for the game machine 10 but also for the second game machine 30, and compatibility with a higher model is ensured. On the other hand, the second
Cartridge 40 can be used in the second game machine 30, but cannot be used in the first game machine 10, and is electrically connected to the first game machine 10 even if the cartridge 40 is mistakenly mounted in the first game machine 10. Therefore, destruction of a semiconductor memory or the like due to overvoltage can be effectively prevented.

The difference between the driving voltages of the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 40 is that the second cartridge 40, which is a cartridge for an upper model, is driven at a low voltage for the purpose of saving power. This is because electronic components such as semiconductors are used. However, if it is not necessary to reduce power consumption, the same power supply voltage may be used in both game machines. In that case, the second game machine 30 does not need to switch the supply voltage to the cartridge depending on whether the first cartridge 20 or the second cartridge 40 is mounted.

Next, a case where the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 40 are separately detected by the cartridge shape detection switch (hereinafter referred to as "detection switch") 35 will be described with reference to FIG.

As the detection switch 35, for example, an alternative selector switch is used, and is provided near the connector 37. The detection switch 35 selectively connects one of the 3.3 V output terminal and the 5 V output terminal of a DC-DC converter (not shown) and selects the power supply terminal of the cartridge connected to the connector 37. The circuit is connected to supply power. In the initial state, the detection switch 35 is configured to select 3.3V.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the second cartridge 40 is mounted, the detection switch 3
5 fits into the notch 412 and remains off, so that it detects that it is the second cartridge 40 and supplies power (3.3 V) for the second cartridge 40. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the first cartridge 20 is mounted, the detection switch 35 is pushed down by the front end portion of the housing 21 because the notch 412 is not formed in the housing 21. To turn on and detect that the cartridge is the first cartridge 20, and supply the power (5 V) for the first cartridge 20. It should be noted that the detected part and the detection switch 35 may be of various types other than the notch 412 and the microswitch.

Next, the first game machine 10 and the first cartridge will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the first game machine 10 and the first cartridge 20 for the model.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a boot program stored in the boot ROM of the first game machine. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a game program stored in the ROM of the first cartridge.

The first game machine 10 is a game machine which has already been released and has low performance (old model or lower model). The first game machine 10 has a CPU as an example of a processing unit.
LCD (liquid crystal display) 12 and operation keys (13a, 1a) connected to the CPU 15 via a bus.
3b) 13, WRAM (work RAM) 18, V
RAM (video RAM) 19 and the like. The CPU 15
As is well known, the A register (accumulator) 15a
And a central processing unit provided with a plurality of internal registers such as a B register 15b. A connector 17 for connecting a first cartridge 20 as an example of a storage medium is connected to the CPU 15 via an I / O buffer controller (not shown).

Further, a boot ROM 16 for starting the main body is connected to the CPU 15. The boot ROM 16 stores a startup program 160 (see FIG. 6) which is executed first by the CPU 15 when the main body power is turned on. The startup program 160 includes an initialization program 161 for initializing peripheral circuits such as the WRAM 18 and the VRAM 19,
Includes a confirmation logo data 162 for authenticating whether or not the cartridge 20 is a genuine product, an authentication program 163, and the like.

On the other hand, as described above, the first cartridge 20 is configured to be detachable from the second game machine 30, and includes a RAM 22, a ROM 23, and the like. RAM 22
It is used as a memory for storing backup data. The ROM 23 is a non-volatile memory that stores a game program 220 according to an example of the invention. The game program 220 includes an evacuation program 221, an identification program 222, a game progress program 223, authentication logo data 224, first data 225, and second data 22.
6. Basic scenario data 2 as an example of the first scenario data
27, and extended scenario data 228 as an example of the second scenario data.

Next, referring to the flowcharts shown in FIG. 8 to FIG.
The operation of the game machine will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first game machine based on the startup program. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the operation of the first game machine based on the game program.

First, prior to the game play, the player inserts the first cartridge 20 into the insertion recess 14 of the first game machine 10, mounts the first cartridge 20 on the first game machine, and connects the connector 17 to the connector 17. . Step (“S” in the figure)
In (1), the player turns on (ON) the power of the game machine main body. When the power is turned on, the CPU 15 performs the following processing by sequentially reading and executing each instruction constituting the boot program 160 from the boot ROM 16.

That is, in step 2, by executing the initialization program 161, the WRAM 1
For example, "0" is written to a storage area such as 8 or VRAM 19,
Initialize them. Subsequently, in Step 3, the authentication logo data 224 is read from the first cartridge 20 by executing the authentication program 162. Then, in step 4, the read authentication logo data 224 and the confirmation logo data 1
By discriminating whether 63 is the same or not, it is authenticated whether or not the cartridge is a regular cartridge. In step 5,
If the two logo data do not match, the aforementioned step S3
S4 is repeated indefinitely, and execution of an unauthorized game program becomes impossible.

On the other hand, if the two logo data match in step 5, the process proceeds to step 6. In step 6, the processing target of the CPU 15 shifts from execution of the startup program 160 to execution of the game program 220 of the first cartridge 20. At the start of this step 6, that is, immediately after the start of the start-up program 160, the same known value (for example, "01h (h indicates a hexadecimal number)" remains in the A register 15a in each register of the CPU 15 every time. As is well known, the principle that the known value remains is the same as the principle that the same value remains in the internal register every time when the same program is executed by the CPU under the same conditions each time. In addition, as will become clear later, in the case of the first CPU 61 of the second game machine 30 (see FIG. 12), a value different from the value of the A register 15a of the CPU 15 remains in the A register 61a of the first CPU 61.

Next, the CPU 15 starts executing the game program 220 of the first cartridge 20. That is, in step 11, first, the save program 221 is executed, and the value (identification data) of the A register as an example of the predetermined register of the CPU 15 immediately after the execution of the start program 160 is saved to the work RAM 18 (for example, A). It is sufficient to simply load the register value into the WRAM 18). Specifically, W in FIG.
As shown in the diagram, the RAM is, for example, the A of the WRAM 18.
A register value save area 18a is provided, and the value "01h" of the A register is stored in the area 18a. The evacuation of this value
Because the value of the A register is rewritten by the execution of the program, the value of the A register is secured before the rewriting.

In the following step 12, by executing the identification program 222, the game program 2
20 first data 225 and second data 22 included in advance
Read 6. Then, in step 13, the WRA
The value “01h” of the A register saved in M18 is compared with the first data or the second data to determine which one matches. In step 14, it is determined that the data matches the first data, and the process proceeds to step 15. In step 15, the flag data is written to the first game machine flag area 18b of the WRAM 18. That is, in steps 11 to 15, it is identified that the first cartridge 20 is mounted on the first game machine 10.

Then, in step 17, by executing steps 21 to 24 or steps 21, 25 to 27 shown in FIG. 10 based on the game progress program 223, a game process in which the player can play the game is started. Is done. In step 21, the WRAM 18
The first game machine flag area 18b and the second game machine flag area 18c are read, and it is grasped in which flag area flag data is written. Here, the flag area 18b is determined by the above-described step S15.
Since the flag data is written in
And the subsequent steps are executed. That is,
Whenever the first cartridge 20 is mounted on the first game machine 10, steps 22 to 24 are executed.

At step 22, the basic scenario data 227 included in the game program 220 is selected and the scenario data is read. In step 23, the game proceeds with a scenario according to the basic scenario data 227. For example, when the basic scenario data 227 is a role-playing game, a process of generating various events in the game world is performed in order to cause the player to operate the hero character appearing in the game world and clear the game. In step 24, the above-mentioned step 23 is repeatedly performed until the power is turned off (OFF) or the end of the game is instructed by operating a predetermined button according to the player's intention.

As described above, the first cartridge 20
Is attached to the first game machine 10, the activation program 160 recognizes the value remaining in the A register of the CPU 15 as identification data, and according to the identification data,
It identifies that the first cartridge 20 in which it is stored is mounted on the first game machine 10. Then, the game proceeds with the game content (for example, scenario, story, character, etc.) for the first game machine 10.

Next, a case where the first cartridge 20 is mounted on the second game machine 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the second game machine 30, the first cartridge 20, and the second cartridge 40. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing start-up programs respectively stored in two boot ROMs mounted on the second game machine 30.

The second game machine 30 is a newly released and high-performance (new model or higher model) game machine.
New processing unit with high processing capacity (second CPU 63)
In addition, a processing unit (first CPU 61) corresponding to the CPU 15 of the first game machine 10 for ensuring compatibility with the first game machine 10 is provided. Specifically, the second game machine 10 includes a first CPU 61 and a second CP
The LCD 32, the operation keys 66, and the WRAM 6 are connected to the CPUs 61 and 63 via a bus.
7, VRAM 68 and the like. The first CPU 61 includes a plurality of registers such as an A register 61a and a B register 61b, which are examples of predetermined registers configured similarly to the CPU 15 of the first game 10. The second CPU 63 also has a plurality of registers such as A registers 63a and 63b. However, since the second CPU 63 has, for example, 32 bits, the number of registers and the configuration thereof are different from those of, for example, the 8-bit first CPU 61. WRAM67, VRAM
68, etc., differ only in the storage capacity from that of the first game machine 10 already described, and their description is omitted.

The first CPU 61 and the second CPU 63
Is connected to a connector 37 for connecting the first cartridge 20 or the second cartridge 40 via an I / O buffer controller (not shown), and further switches the CPU according to the type of the cartridge. Switching circuit 65 is connected.

The connector 37 is provided with a detection switch 35 such as a selector type micro switch that operates in association with the detection switch 35. The detection switch 35 detects which of the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 40 has been inserted into the insertion recess 34 (that is, whether the first cartridge 20 or the second cartridge 40 has been mounted on the second game machine 30), as described with reference to FIG. Is what you do. For example, the detection switch 35 determines that the second cartridge 40 is mounted by detecting the presence of the notch 412 when the second cartridge 40 is inserted. On the other hand, the first cartridge 2
According to the absence of the notch 412 when 0 is inserted,
It is determined that the first cartridge 20 has been mounted.
When the detection switch 35 detects the second cartridge 40, the power supply voltage of 3.3 V is selected and supplied to the second cartridge 40. On the other hand, when the detection switch 35 detects the first cartridge 20, the power supply voltage of 5 V is selected and supplied to the first cartridge 20. At this time, the switching circuit 65 activates one of the first CPU 61 and the second CPU 63 in response to the output of the detection switch 35.

Further, the first CPU 61 has a switching circuit 6
Boot ROM 6 for activating the second game machine 30 as the first game machine 10 when activated by the
2 are connected. Similarly, when the second CPU 63 is activated by the switching circuit 65, the second game machine 30
A boot ROM 64 for starting up is connected.
The boot ROM 62 stores a startup program 620, and the boot ROM 64 stores a startup program 640.

The activation program 620 includes an initialization program 621, an authentication program 622, and logo data 1 for confirmation.
63. The activation program 640 includes an initialization program 641, an authentication program 622, and authentication logo data 16
3 inclusive. Here, the start program 160, the start program 620, and the start program 640 of the first game machine 10 already described have the same functions. However, due to version upgrades and bug fixes, and differences in the configuration of the peripheral circuits of the first game machine 10 and the second game machine 30, the order of the instructions constituting the programs and the start programs 160, 620, and 640 are different. Types may be slightly different. In other words, A
The value remaining in the register or the like differs depending on the type of the startup program. By identifying the difference in the value by the game program, it is possible to change the game content depending on the type of the game machine in which the cartridge is mounted.

Referring to FIG. 14 and FIGS. 8 to 10 already described, the first cartridge 20 is connected to the second game machine 3.
The operation when the camera is mounted on 0 will be described. FIG.
6 is a flowchart until the second game machine 30 executes a startup program.

First, prior to the game play, the player mounts the first cartridge 20 on the second game machine 30. In step 31, the player turns on the power of the game machine main body. In step 32,
When the output of the detection switch 35 is input to the switching circuit 65, the type of the cartridge is determined. In step 33, the switching circuit 65 sets the first cartridge 2
It is determined whether the cartridge is 0 or the second cartridge 40, and the step corresponding to the type of the cartridge is executed.
In this case, the switching circuit 65 identifies the first cartridge 20. That is, step 34,
35 is executed. Although detailed description is omitted, when the second cartridge 40 is mounted, steps 36 and 37 are executed.

In step 34, the switching circuit 65
The first CPU 61 for the first game machine 10 is activated.
In the following step 35, the first CPU 61 executes the boot program 620 stored in the first boot ROM 62.
Start running. That is, in step 35,
8 are executed by the initialization program 621 and the authentication program 622.
Here, immediately before the processing of step 6 is started, that is, immediately after the execution of the startup program 620, the first C
In the A register 61a, the B register 61b, and the like of the PU 61, a value (for example, “11h”) that is different from that of the first game machine 10 remains for the reason already described.

Then, the execution of the game program 220 (see FIG. 7) of the first cartridge 20 is started. As described with reference to FIG. 9, in step 11, the value “11h” of the A register 61a is saved in the register save area 67a of the WRAM 67. Then, the operations of steps 12 to 14 are executed, and in step 14, the A register 6
By comparing the value “11h” of 1a with the first data 225 or the second data 226, it is determined that they match the second data 226, and the process proceeds to step S16. Thus, in the following step 16, the flag data is written in the second game machine flag area 67c of the WRAM 67. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 17, where the processing of FIG. 10 is executed.

In step 17, ie, step 21 shown in FIG. 10, flag data indicating the second game machine 30 is detected, and the flow branches to step 25. In step 25, the game progress program 22
3 selects the extended scenario data 228. In the following step 26, the game is advanced in a scenario according to the extended scenario data 228. In step 27, until there is an end operation or instruction from the player,
Step 26 is repeated. This extended scenario is different from the basic scenario that generates a new event such as entering a cave or a castle that could not be entered in the scenario of the basic scenario data 227, or causing a new town that has never existed before. Scenario or a different branch processing program.

As described above, the content of the game is changed depending on whether the first cartridge 20, which is the storage medium of the game program 220, is mounted on the first game machine 10 or the second game machine 30. For example, a single game software can be enjoyed on both an old model and a new model. As a result, it is possible to provide the player with game software that is hard to get tired of. It will also enable sales expansion of new models.

In the above description, the first game machine 1
0 and the second game machine 30 have been described in the case where the scenario is changed. For example, in step 22, the first game device for displaying a character appearing in the game world is displayed.
In the case of the first game machine 10 or the second game machine 30, the character may be changed by selecting the data of the second character group in step 25 by selecting the data of the second character group. it can.

Further, in this embodiment, the value of the A register is saved at the start of the execution of the game program, but the model may be immediately identified based on the value of the A register without saving.

Also, in order to ensure compatibility, the start program 160 executed by the CPU 16 of the first game machine 10 and the start program 620 executed by the first CPU 61 of the second game machine 30 are exactly the same. When it is necessary to configure the instruction, for example, an instruction to increment the value of the A register 61a is added to the instruction immediately before the end of the startup program 620. By doing so, the value of the A register 61a can be made different from the value of the A register 15a of the first game machine 10 with almost no change in the program. An identification code for specifying the model may be stored in the boot ROM, and the identification code may be loaded into the A register or the like when the execution of the boot program ends.

In the above-described embodiment, the first game machine 10 or the second game machine 30 is identified only by the difference in the value of the A register. May be used. Instead of the A register, the value of another register may be used.

Further, when the game program 220 is being executed, by detecting a hardware configuration (such as the capacity of a RAM) due to a difference in the type of the game machine, the detection result is used as identification data to execute the game program itself. It is also possible to identify the model that is present.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the principle of a game system.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the principle of the game system.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a second cartridge and a first cartridge are used in a second game machine.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a cartridge identification mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a first game machine and a first cartridge.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a boot program stored in a boot ROM.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a game program stored in a first cartridge.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart based on a start-up program of the first cartridge.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart based on a game program of a first cartridge.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of a game process.

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing data stored in a WRAM.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a second game machine.

FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing startup programs stored respectively in two boot ROMs of a second game machine.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of the second game machine up to execution of each activation program.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10; a first game machine 15; a CPU 16; a boot ROM 160; a boot program 20; a first cartridge 220; a game program 30; a second game machine 40; a second cartridge 61; a first CPU 62; ROM 620; boot program for first CPU 63; second CPU 64; second boot ROM 640; boot program for second CPU

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A game program executable on a first game machine and a second game machine compatible with the first game machine, and stored in a storage medium mountable on both game machines. When the first game machine or the second game machine on which the storage medium is mounted is started to be executed by the one of the game machines, an identification stored in advance in the game machine Identification data reading means for reading data; a game machine on which the storage medium is mounted is connected to the first game machine and the second game machine based on the read identification data.
Identification means for identifying one of the game machines, and at least partly different game contents depending on when the identification means identifies the first game machine and when the second game machine is identified. A game program characterized by functioning as: game progress means for progressing a game such that: 2. A first game machine having a processing unit including a plurality of registers and an activation program executed at the time of activation by the processing unit, and a second game machine compatible with the first game machine. And
And a game program stored in a storage medium attachable to both game machines, the known first data remaining in a predetermined register of the processing unit of the first game machine immediately after the execution of the start-up program in the processing unit. And second known data remaining in a predetermined register of the processing unit immediately after the execution of the start-up program in the processing unit of the second game machine. When the processing unit of the game machine starts its own execution by one of the processing units, the identification data readout reads the value of a predetermined register of the processing unit remaining immediately after the end of the execution of the start-up program as identification data. Means, the identification data read by the identification data reading means, and the first data or the second data. Identification means for identifying whether the game machine on which the storage medium is mounted is the first game machine or the second game machine, and the first identification means by the identification means. A game progressing unit that progresses the game so that at least a part thereof has different game content depending on when the game machine is identified as the game machine and when the game machine is identified as the second game machine. program. 3. The game proceeding means further comprises: first character group data including a first character group for appearing in the game; and second character group data including a second character group. When the first character group is identified, the first character group data is selected to cause the first character group to appear in a game, and when the second character group is identified, the second character group is selected. The game program according to claim 1, wherein the second character group is caused to appear in a game by selecting data. 4. The game proceeding means further comprises: first scenario data including a first scenario for determining the content of the game; and second scenario data including a second scenario. By selecting the first scenario data when identified as the first game machine, the game is advanced based on the first scenario, and when identified as the second game machine, the second scenario data is The game program according to claim 1, wherein a game is advanced based on the second scenario by selecting the game. 5. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 4, wherein the second scenario includes an extended scenario that extends the first scenario determined by the first scenario data. 6. A game program executable on a first game machine and a second game machine compatible with the first game machine, and stored in a storage medium mountable on both game machines. An identification data reading program for reading identification data stored in advance in the game machine when the execution of the game machine is started by one of the game machines; and storing the identification data based on the read identification data. The game machine on which the medium is mounted is the first game machine and the second game machine.
An identification program for identifying one of the game machines, and a game content at least partially different depending on when the identification game identifies the first game machine and the second game machine. A game progress program for causing a game to progress such that 7. A first game machine having a processing unit including a plurality of registers and a start-up program executed at the time of start-up by the processing unit, and executable on a second game machine compatible with the game machine. And
And a game program stored in a storage medium attachable to both game machines, the known first data remaining in a predetermined register of the processing unit of the first game machine immediately after the execution of the start-up program in the processing unit. A known second data remaining in a predetermined register of the processing unit immediately after the execution of the start-up program in the processing unit of the second game machine, when the execution of the processing unit by one of the processing units is started, An identification data reading program for reading, as identification data, a value of a predetermined register of the processing unit remaining immediately after execution of the start-up program, identification data read by the identification data reading program, and the first data or the second data; By comparison, the game machine on which the storage medium is mounted is An identification program for identifying whether the game device is the first game device or the second game device; and when the identification program identifies the first game device and the second game device. A game progress program for causing a game to progress so that at least a part thereof has different game content. 8. The game progress program further includes: first character group data including a first character group for appearing in the game; and second character group data including a second character group. When the first character group is identified, the first character group data is selected to cause the first character group to appear in a game, and when the second character group is identified, the second character group is selected. 8. The game program according to claim 6, further comprising a program for causing the second character group to appear in a game by selecting data. 9. 9. The game progress program further includes: first scenario data including a first scenario for determining the game content; and second scenario data including a second scenario. By selecting the first scenario data when identified as the first game machine, the game is advanced based on the first scenario, and when identified as the second game machine, the second scenario data is The game program according to claim 6, further comprising a program that, when selected, advances a game based on the second scenario. 10. The game program according to claim 9, wherein the second scenario includes an extended scenario that further extends the first scenario determined by the first scenario data.