emulator: Beetle PCE (Mednafen PCE)
type: libretro
core_classification: community_fork
source: "https://github.com/libretro/beetle-pce-libretro"
upstream: "https://mednafen.github.io/"
profiled_date: "2026-03-24"
core_version: "v0.9.38.7"
display_name: "NEC - PC Engine / SuperGrafx / CD (Beetle PCE)"
cores: [mednafen_pce]
systems: [nec-pc-engine]
verification: existence
notes: >
  Libretro port of Mednafen's PCE-Accurate module. BIOS loaded from system
  directory at CD-ROM load time via PCE_LoadCD() in pce.cpp:441-460.
  Core option "pce_cdbios" selects which card image to use (default: System Card 3).
  DetectGECD() auto-detects Games Express discs and switches to gexpress.pce.
  Arcade Card mode (pce_arcadecard option, enabled by default) extends System Card 3
  with extra RAM mapping via SYSCARD_ARCADE enum.
  No hash or size validation on BIOS load: file_open() then HuC_Load() reads data directly.
  DetectSGXCD() reads sector data to decide SGX mode but uses the same BIOS files.

files:
  - name: "syscard3.pce"
    description: "CD-ROM System Card 3.0 (Japan)"
    region: "NTSC-J"
    required: true
    sha1: "79f5ff55dd10187c7fd7b8daab0b3ffbd1f56a2c"
    md5: "38179df8f4ac870017db21ebcbf53114"
    source_ref: "libretro.cpp:1051-1052, settings.cpp:40"
    note: "Default value for pce_cdbios option."

  - name: "syscard3u.pce"
    description: "CD-ROM System Card 3.0 (US / TurboGrafx-CD)"
    region: "NTSC-U"
    required: false
    sha1: "d02611d99921986147c753df14c7349b31d71950"
    md5: "0754f903b52e3b3342202bdafb13efa5"
    source_ref: "libretro.cpp:1059-1060"
    note: "pce_cdbios = 'System Card 3 US'"

  - name: "syscard2.pce"
    description: "CD-ROM System Card 2.0 (Japan)"
    region: "NTSC-J"
    required: false
    sha1: "88da02e2503f7c32810f5d93a34849d470742b6d"
    md5: "3cdd6614a918616bfc41c862e889dd79"
    source_ref: "libretro.cpp:1053-1054"
    note: "pce_cdbios = 'System Card 2'"

  - name: "syscard2u.pce"
    description: "CD-ROM System Card 2.0 (US / TurboGrafx-CD)"
    region: "NTSC-U"
    required: false
    sha1: "2bea3dac98f84b2f2f469fa77ea720b8770d598d"
    md5: "94279f315e8b52904f65ab3108542afe"
    source_ref: "libretro.cpp:1061-1062"
    note: "pce_cdbios = 'System Card 2 US'"

  - name: "syscard1.pce"
    description: "CD-ROM System Card 1.0 (Japan)"
    region: "NTSC-J"
    required: false
    sha1: "a39a66da7de6ba94ab84d04eef7afeec7d4ee66a"
    md5: "2b7ccb3d86baa18f6402c176f3065082"
    source_ref: "libretro.cpp:1055-1056"
    note: "pce_cdbios = 'System Card 1'"

  - name: "gexpress.pce"
    description: "Games Express CD Card"
    region: "NTSC-J"
    required: false
    sha1: "014881a959e045e00f4db8f52955200865d40280"
    md5: "6d2cb14fc3e1f65ceb135633d1694122"
    source_ref: "libretro.cpp:1057-1058, settings.cpp:41, pce.cpp:374-411"
    aliases: ["gecard.pce"]
    note: "pce_cdbios = 'Games Express' or auto-detected via DetectGECD()."