PPU Viewer

PPU Viewer

Introduction

The NES architecture includes a 6502 CPU as well as a custom video controller known as a PPU (Picture Processing Unit).  The PPU's video memory is separated from the main CPU memory and can be read/written via special ports (see PPU Memory).

The PPU viewer will display the contents of the current PPU memory.  (It does not alter game data in anyway).  

Using PPU Viewer

Show on Scanline

This options makes it show what the PPU looks like when the screen is drawing that scanline.  It is useful for games like SMB, that swap pattern

tables mid-frame (status bar stuff).

Right clicking on one of the PPU panels cycles the palettes it is shown with, though pattern palettes and then sprite ones

Putting the mouse cursor over a tile will display the tile address.  Moving cursor over palette color will give palette address.

Created with the Personal Edition of HelpNDoc: Produce electronic books easily