Sega System SP
The Sega System SP (also known as “Spider” or “Aurora”) is an arcade board developed by Sega, released in 2004. It is a cost-reduced derivative of the NAOMI hardware, built around the same Dreamcast-based system-on-a-chip (Hitachi SH-4 CPU and PowerVR2 GPU) but with enhanced memory (64 MB RAM vs. NAOMI's 32 MB). Unlike NAOMI, the System SP runs a bespoke version of Linux 2.6 and has all controls wired directly to the main board, eliminating the need for a separate JVS I/O board.
The System SP was primarily used for kid-oriented arcade games, medal/hopper games, and card-based games. Notable titles include Dinosaur King, Love and Berry, Tetris Giant, and Brick People.
Games are stored on CompactFlash cards or the board's built-in flash memory. Some titles like Love and Berry run entirely from internal flash.
For more details on the hardware, see the Sega-Arcade documentation on GitHub.
This system scrapes metadata for the “systemsp” and “arcade” groups and loads the systemsp set from the currently selected theme, if available.
Quick reference
- Accepted ROM formats:
.lst,.bin,.dat,.zip,.7z - Folder:
/userdata/roms/systemsp
| Emulators |
|---|
| libretro: Flycast |
| Flycast |
BIOS
The BIOS is required for System SP emulation.
| MD5 checksum | Share file path | Description |
|---|---|---|
bios/dc/segasp.zip | Sega System SP (Spider) MAME BIOS |
ROMs
Place your System SP ROMs in /userdata/roms/systemsp. Flycast uses the MAME ROMset.
ROMs are stored as ZIP archives (MAME format). Simply place the game's .zip file in the ROM folder:
roms/ └─ systemsp/ ├─ dinoking.zip ├─ lovebery.zip ├─ tetgiant.zip ├─ brickppl.zip └─ kingyo.zip
System SP games in MAME are individual ROM sets (like NAOMI cartridge games). Each game is a standalone ZIP file — no CHD disc images are needed.
Game list
| MAME ID | Game title | Type |
|---|---|---|
dinoking | Dinosaur King (USA) | Card battle |
dinokior | Dinosaur King - Operation: Dinosaur Rescue | Card battle |
dinoki25 | Dinosaur King - D-Team VS. the Alpha Fortress | Card battle |
dinoki4 | Kodai Ouja Kyouryuu King (Japan) | Card battle |
dinokich | Konglongwang (China) | Card battle |
lovebery | Love And Berry - 1st-2nd Collection | Card fashion |
lovebero | Love And Berry - 1st-2nd Collection (older) | Card fashion |
loveber3 | Love And Berry - 3rd-5th Collection | Card fashion |
loveber3cn | Love And Berry - 3rd-5th Collection (China) | Card fashion |
tetgiant | Tetris Giant / Tetris Dekaris (Ver.2.000) | Puzzle |
tetgiano | Tetris Giant / Tetris Dekaris (older) | Puzzle |
brickppl | Brick People / Block PeePoo | Puzzle |
btlracer | Saikyou Saisoku Battle Racer | Racing |
huhimage | Heat Up Hockey Image | Sports |
isshoni | Isshoni Wanwan Waiwai Puppy 2008 | Kids |
kingyo | Yataimura Kingyosukui | Medal / Hopper |
shateki | Yataimura Shateki | Medal / Hopper |
magicpop | Magical Poppins | Medal / Hopper |
manpuku | Manpuku Suizokukan | Medal / Hopper |
unomedal | UNO the Medal | Medal / Hopper |
puyomedal | Puyo Puyo! The Medal Edition | Medal / Hopper |
ochaken | Ocha-Ken Hot Medal | Medal / Hopper |
westdrmg | Western Dream Gold | Medal / Hopper |
monomedal | Monopoly the Medal 2nd Edition | Medal / Hopper |
kazaaan | 100&Medal Kazaaan!! | Medal / Hopper |
kazaaan2 | 100&Medal GekiKazaaan!! | Medal / Hopper |
arajewel | Arabian Jewel | Medal / Hopper |
bingogal | Bingo Galaxy | Medal / Bingo |
bingopar | Bingo Parade | Medal / Bingo |
mirworld | Mirage World | Medal |
aminosan | Aminosan | Medal |
galilfac | Galileo Factory | Medal |
Many System SP games are medal/hopper games designed for Japanese arcade medal gameplay. These games may have limited appeal outside of an arcade setting as they are designed for physical coin/medal dispensing hardware. The card-based games (Dinosaur King, Love and Berry) and standard games (Tetris Giant, Brick People) are generally more suitable for home emulation.
Emulators
System SP support was added to Flycast starting with version 2.2. Not all games are fully compatible.
RetroArch
RetroArch (formerly SSNES), is a ubiquitous frontend that can run multiple “cores”, which are essentially the emulators themselves. The most common cores use the libretro API, so that's why cores run in RetroArch in Batocera are referred to as “libretro: (core name)”. RetroArch aims to unify the feature set of all libretro cores and offer a universal, familiar interface independent of platform.
RetroArch configuration
RetroArch offers a Quick Menu accessed by pressing [HOTKEY] + 
which can be used to alter various things like RetroArch and core options, and controller mapping. Most RetroArch related settings can be altered from Batocera's EmulationStation.
Standardized features available to all libretro cores: systemsp.videomode, systemsp.ratio, systemsp.shaderset, systemsp.smooth, systemsp.integerscale, systemsp.bezel, systemsp.bezel_stretch, systemsp.hud, systemsp.bezel.tattoo, systemsp.bezel.tattoo_corner, systemsp.bezel.tattoo_file, systemsp.bezel.resize_tattoo
ES setting name batocera.conf_key | Description ⇒ ES option key_value |
|---|---|
| Settings that apply to all cores of this emulator | |
GRAPHICS BACKEND systemsp.gfxbackend | Choose your graphics rendering ⇒ OpenGL opengl, Vulkan vulkan. |
AUDIO LATENCY systemsp.audio_latency | Audio latency in milliseconds, turn it up if you hear crackles ⇒ 256 256, 192 192, 128 128, 64 64, 32 32, 16 16, 8 8. |
ALLOW ROTATION systemsp.video_allow_rotate | Allow cores to set rotation. ⇒ On true, Off false. |
libretro: Flycast
A fork of a fork of a fork… this is an identical version of standalone Flycast but inside of a libretro core. Makes use of RetroArch's features.
libretro: Flycast configuration
ES setting name batocera.conf_key | Description ⇒ ES option key_value |
|---|---|
| Settings that apply to all systems this core supports | |
SYNCHRONOUS RENDERING global.reicast_synchronous_rendering | When threaded rendering is on (on by default), waits for the GPU to finish rendering the frame before dropping the current one. This can avoid certain emulation issues (flashing screens, glitchy video). Significant performance cost. ⇒ Off disabled, On enabled. |
RENDERING RESOLUTION global.reicast_internal_resolution | Enhancement. Increases the rendering resolution. Makes 3D objects clearer. Significant performance cost. Use 640×480 for native. ⇒ 640×480 640×480, 960×720 960×720, 1280×960 1280×960, 1920×1440 1920×1440, 2560×1920 2560×1920, 3840×2880 3840×2880. |
TEXTURE MIP-MAPPING (BLUR) global.reicast_mipmapping | Enables mip-mapping to smooth out textures on distant 3D objects. ⇒ Off disabled, On enabled. |
ANISOTROPIC FILTERING global.reicast_anisotropic_filtering | Enables anisotropic filtering to enhance perspective textures. ⇒ Off False, 2x 2, 4x 4, 8x 8, 16x 16. |
FRAMESKIP global.reicast_frame_skipping | Skip frames to improve performance, at the cost of choppy motion. ⇒ Off disabled, 1 1, 2 2, 3 3, 4 4, 5 5, 6 6. |
All other settings can be configured from RetroArch's Quick Menu → Options ([HOTKEY] + ).
Flycast
Flycast is a fork of Reicast (which itself is a fork of nullDC). A highly compatible and accurate standalone Dreamcast, NAOMI, and System SP emulator.
System SP support was added in Flycast v2.2, with RFID chip emulation for Dinosaur King and Love & Berry added in v2.3.
Flycast configuration
ES setting name batocera.conf_key | Description ⇒ ES option key_value |
|---|---|
| Settings that apply to all cores of this emulator | |
SCREEN RATIO systemsp.flycast_ratio | Choose which screen ratio you want to use. ⇒ Default False, Widescreen True. |
RENDER RESOLUTION systemsp.flycast_render_resolution | Choose which internal rendering resolution you want to use. ⇒ 320×240 (Half) 240, 640×480 (Native) 480, 960×720 (x1.5) 720, 1280×960 (x2) 960, 1920×1440 (x3) 1440. |
GRAPHICS API systemsp.flycast_renderer | Choose your graphics renderer. ⇒ OpenGL (Default) 0, Vulkan 4. |
All other configuration must be done via the flycast-config in the Applications folder ([F1] on the systems screen).
Controls
System SP games use a variety of input methods depending on the game type:
- Card-based games (Dinosaur King, Love & Berry): Primarily use buttons for card scanning and simple inputs.
- Standard games (Tetris Giant, Brick People): Standard arcade joystick and button controls.
- Medal/hopper games: Simplified button controls designed for medal gameplay.
Troubleshooting
Game fails to boot or shows black screen
- Ensure you have
segasp.zipBIOS inbios/dc/. - Verify the game ROM ZIP is a valid MAME ROMset (0.258 or newer recommended).
- Try switching between libretro: Flycast and standalone Flycast.
Medal/hopper games don't work properly
Medal games are designed for arcade medal dispensing hardware. In emulation, hopper functionality is simulated but may not behave identically to real hardware. Some medal games may be difficult to play without the original arcade cabinet.
RFID card games (Dinosaur King, Love & Berry)
RFID chip emulation was added in Flycast v2.3. Ensure you are running a recent enough version of Flycast. These games may require specific button mappings to simulate card scanning functionality.
Further troubleshooting
For further troubleshooting, refer to the generic support pages.
- systems/systemsp.txt
- Last modified: 2 months ago
- by wizzard