Initial Downloads
HyperSpin 0.8.0.0
- Download the latest version of HyperSpin from the Downloads section of this site. The installer contains the HyperSpin program and the Main Menu themes. Run the installer and select a path to install.
- At this point you should be able to run HyperSpin.exe and you will see the main menu complete with 'wheel images' for the default emulators and previews of each one. Use the up and down arrow keys to scroll through the various systems. Press return to select a system and view its game list/database. Note that most system's game list only contains one game; this game is listed as an example for users to build their own game databases. HyperSpin comes with a full Neo Geo Pocket Color database.
Setting Up A MAME Database
Hyperspin uses databases to store information about ROMS including the filename, description, publisher and so on. Without a database HyperSpin will not have a list of games. HyperSpin's Database files are in XML format and are found in the "C:\HyperSpin\Databases" folder. The MAME database can be found at "C:\HyperSpin\Databases\MAME\MAME.xml". You can open an XML file with a text editor such as notepad to be edited manually, though most people prefer to use a database generator to create their game list for them. More information about XML files can be found on the Databases and Lists page.
Generating a database can be achieved in several ways.
Using the old version of HyperHQ
HyperHQ v.0.1.0.3 is an older version from SpiderStyle, we are moving over to a new HQ, but this one is still useful for mame list generation and other features while the new HQ is being worked on. Eventually the new version of HyperHQ will have the database generation functionality of the old version.
- Download the latest MAME binary from http://www.mamedev.org and extract it to your C:\HyperSpin\Emulators\MAME folder.
- Download the HyperHQ v.0.1.0.3 zip and extract it to C:\HyperSpin\HyperHQ 0.1.0.3. HyperHQ can be used to build your own game databases and adjust settings without having to edit the database xml's or settings ini's manually.
- Download the latest catver.ini from here and extract the zip to your MAME folder. Catver.ini is a text file that holds genre information for every game in MAME and is used by HyperHQ to put that information into your MAME database.
- Run HyperHQ and go to its Game Lists tab. In the Emulators drop-down, select MAME; you should see that a game list already exists for MAME with one game in it (Burger Time). Click the green + icon to create a new list. It will ask if the list will be for MAME, click Yes and enter a name for your list (something like 'My MAME Games').
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- In the MAME Game List Generator screen, point it towards your MAME.exe and catver.ini files.
- HyperHQ gives you many options for optimizing the game list so it won't contain non-working or certain types of games if you don't want to. To keep things simple, I like to uncheck Clones, Adult and Non-Working in the Various filter and all ????, Bios, Quiz and Tabletop games in the Genre filter. After making your selections click the Generate button and give it a couple of minutes to do the hard work for you. A message saying 'Your game list has been created.' will pop up once it's done.
- You can now use this list in HyperSpin, or edit it further in HyperHQ's Game Lists tab.
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Installing Game Themes
So far we've got HyperSpin running and made a big list of MAME games. Run HyperSpin and select MAME from the systems menu. You should see the old default MAME.xml list, which only contains Burger Time. Press G on your keyboard to bring up the gamelist selection screen, choose the list you created in HyperHQ and press Return. It might not be too pretty, but you should see your games listed on the wheel. Now we need to install some Game Themes to make things easier on the eyes...
- Download the Burger Time theme zipfile from the Downloads > HS Team Game Themes > MAME section of this website. Extract this zip to a temporary folder.
- The theme's zipfile contains folders called Images, Themes and Video. Drag these folders into your C:\HyperSpin\Media\MAME\ folder.
- Now run HyperSpin again and you should see that the initial MAME menu displays the Burger Time theme.
