emulator: Zelda Classic 2.55 Prototype
type: libretro
core_classification: game_engine
source: "https://www.retrobat.ovh/repo/win64/stable/emulators/cores/zc255_libretro.dll.zip"
upstream: closed-source
profiled_date: "2026-10-20"
core_version: "2.55.16"
display_name: "Zelda Classic 2.55 (ZC255)"
cores: [zc255]
systems: [zeldaclassic]

notes: |
  Libretro core that hosts the ZQuest Classic 2.55 player engine, offered by
  RetroBat for its zeldaclassic system next to the ZQuest Classic standalone
  (es_systems.cfg, emulatorLauncher LibRetro.CoreOptions.cs:303 names it
  "Zelda Classic 2.55 Prototype"). It loads .qst quest files only
  (emulatorLauncher Common/Generator.cs:350, 390-392). No source is
  published: the profile reads zc255_libretro.dll as RetroBat serves it
  (coreversions.xml version 2.55.16.0, DLL 45709824 bytes, sha1
  d8b049ca8d196069609fd1cf67abd6346304f7a0). The binary identifies itself
  as "2.55.16-core-prototype" and "0.14 embedded gameplay core".

  Every engine file the standalone reads from disk is compiled into the DLL
  as an RCDATA resource: allegro5.cfg, base_config/zc.cfg and zscript.cfg,
  modules/classic.zmod, the packed classic_fonts.dat and the encoded engine
  datafile it names, the default quest, zelda.nsf, the seven title, dungeon,
  overworld, level 9, triforce, game over and ending MIDIs, the default.sf2
  SoundFont (32319396 bytes) and an SDL gamecontrollerdb.txt. At start the
  core writes them into a zc255-assets cache and verifies the copy, failing
  with "Cannot locate embedded core resources" or "Embedded asset cache
  verification failed" otherwise. RetroBat's ConfigureZc255
  (emulatorLauncher LibRetro.CoreOptions.cs:6372-6377) states the same:
  "Engine data, soundfont and sound effects are embedded in the DLL: nothing
  is needed in the bios folder".

  Nothing is read from the system directory. Quests and their saves are the
  only files on disk.

files: []