romdevtools 0.27.0 → 0.29.0

package/examples/gbc/templates/puzzle.c

@@ -1,248 +1,1202 @@
-/* ── puzzle.c — Game Boy match-3 falling-block scaffold ─────────────
+/* ── puzzle.c — CHROMA WELL: Game Boy Color falling-jewel matcher (complete example game) ──
  *
- * Mirrors the NES/Genesis/SNES puzzle scaffolds. 6-wide × 12-tall
- * grid drawn via BG tilemap (each cell = 1 BG tile). 1×3 vertical
- * active piece; LEFT/RIGHT shifts, A rotates colour order, DOWN
- * soft-drops, START hard-drops. Horizontal triples clear and score.
+ * A COMPLETE, working game — title screen, persistent battery hi-score
+ * (MBC1+RAM+BATTERY SRAM), music + SFX, and the GBC's signature feature:
+ * TRUE per-tile color. Six jewel types are six REAL CGB palettes (15-bit
+ * BGR, loaded through BCPS/BCPD + OCPS/OCPD), selected per BG cell through
+ * the VRAM bank-1 attribute map and per sprite through OAM attribute bits —
+ * not a colorized monochrome game.
  *
- * On the Game Boy we don't have a built-in font, so we render the
- * grid as coloured tile cells using three BG tile shapes (R/G/B
- * stripes). Score is kept in WRAM; rendering a numeric HUD requires
- * a digit-tile blob — left as an extension.
+ * THE GAME: a vertical column of 3 jewels falls into an 8-wide x 15-tall
+ * well. Move it left/right, soft-drop (Down), hard-drop (Start), and CYCLE
+ * the three colors (A/B). Line up 3+ of one color horizontally, vertically,
+ * or diagonally to clear; gravity pulls survivors down, which can chain.
+ * Every 18th piece is a MAGIC jewel that clears every gem of the color it
+ * lands on. SELECT toggles the music.
+ *
+ * THIS FILE IS MEANT TO BE FORKED AND MODIFIED into your own game — even a
+ * very different one. The markers tell you what's what:
+ *   HARDWARE IDIOM (load-bearing) — dodges a documented GB/GBC footgun;
+ *     reshape your gameplay around it (see TROUBLESHOOTING before changing).
+ *   GAME LOGIC (clay) — board rules, scoring, tuning, art: reshape freely.
+ *
+ * SINGLE-PLAYER, honestly: the Game Boy's "player 2" is a LINK CABLE, which
+ * one emulator instance cannot provide — so handheld examples ship a
+ * press-start title and no 2P mode instead of faking one.
+ *
+ * What depends on what:
+ *   gb_runtime.{h,c} — vblank/joypad/OAM-DMA/sound library (shared with GB).
+ *   gb_crt0.s — boot + header window. It DECLARES the cart as
+ *     MBC1+RAM+BATTERY ($0147=$03, $0149=$02): that header is what makes
+ *     the SRAM hi-score persist (the GB equivalent of the NES BATTERY bit).
+ *   font.h — 0-9 A-Z glyphs for all text.
+ *
+ * RENDERING — the hard-won architecture (details at each routine below):
+ *  - The FALLING column and the NEXT preview are OBJ sprites (OAM), not BG
+ *    tiles, so moving them is just an OAM rewrite — no per-frame BG writes.
+ *  - The LOCKED well is BG tiles, updated through a COLLECT/FLUSH queue:
+ *    redraw_collect() decides what to write (RAM only); redraw_flush()
+ *    writes a few cells to VRAM as the very first thing in vblank. The whole
+ *    per-frame job (OAM DMA + flush) MUST finish inside the ~10-line vblank
+ *    window — overrunning into active display silently DROPS writes on this
+ *    core. An idle "scrub" continuously repaints the well from the grid so
+ *    nothing can drift.
+ *  - The HUD (score / hi-score / level) lives on the WINDOW layer — a fixed
+ *    strip at the bottom of the screen, immune to BG scrolling.
+ *  - We NEVER toggle the LCD in-game (this core blanks the whole frame on
+ *    any LCDC bit-7 toggle — a strobe). LCD-off is used only for the
+ *    full-screen title <-> game transitions.
+ *
+ * WRAM NOTE: build with dataLoc:0xC200 so our statics sit ABOVE shadow_oam
+ * ($C100) — else oam_clear() would zero our state (RNG seed / grid). The
+ * project build recipe sets that automatically.
  */
-
 #include "gb_hardware.h"
 #include "gb_runtime.h"
+#include "font.h"
+
+/* The title screen renders this — examples({op:'fork'}) stamps your game's
+ * name here automatically. Keep it ≤16 chars of A-Z 0-9 space dash. */
+#define GAME_TITLE "CHROMA WELL"
+
+/* ── GAME LOGIC (clay — reshape freely) ── board geometry */
+#define COLS      8
+#define ROWS      15         /* rows 0-14; floor at map row 15; window HUD rows 16-17 */
+#define NCELL     (ROWS * COLS)
+#define NCOLORS   6          /* jewel colors 1..6 — one CGB palette each */
+
+/* BG map cell of interior grid cell (0,0) — the well's top-left corner.
+ * Open at the top (row 0); walls one cell outside left/right, floor below. */
+#define WELL_MX   1
+#define WELL_MY   0
+
+/* BG map column where the right-hand panel (NEXT preview) starts. */
+#define HUD_X     12
+
+#define G(r,c)    grid[((r) * COLS) + (c)]
+#define M(r,c)    matched[((r) * COLS) + (c)]
+
+#define T_EMPTY   0
+#define T_GEM     1
+#define T_WALL    2
+#define T_BLANK   3
+#define T_MAGIC   4
+#define T_EXP0    5     /* explosion frames: gem bursting apart (its own color) */
+#define T_EXP1    6
+#define T_EXP2    7
+#define FONT_BASE 16
+
+#define MAGIC     7
 
-#define COLS 6
-#define ROWS 12
-
-#define T_BLANK 0
-#define T_R     1
-#define T_G     2
-#define T_B     3
-#define T_WALL  4
-
-/* tile_blank is the EMPTY-cell / backdrop tile. It is NOT all-zero: a
- * subtle dither (colour 0 + faint colour 1) so the empty playfield and the
- * area around the well read as a textured surface, never one flat colour
- * (the #1 GB "why is it blank" footgun). Locked blocks / the active piece
- * overdraw it with the R/G/B shape tiles. */
-static const uint8_t tile_blank[16] = {
+#define PAL_WELL  6
+#define PAL_OUT   7
+
+#define ST_TITLE  0
+#define ST_PLAY   1
+#define ST_OVER   2
+
+#define VRAM ((volatile uint8_t *)0x9800)
+/* The window layer fetches from the $9C00 map — offset $400 past $9800 in
+ * the same VRAM pointer (see the WINDOW HUD idiom below). */
+#define WIN_OFF   0x400
+
+/* ── GAME LOGIC (clay — reshape freely) ── tile pixel data (2bpp).
+ * Each 8x8 tile = 16 bytes, 2 bytes per row (plane 0 then plane 1); a pixel's
+ * 2-bit color value indexes into whichever CGB palette the cell's attribute
+ * byte (BG) or the sprite's OAM attr (OBJ) selects. ONE gem tile becomes six
+ * different-colored gems purely through palette selection. */
+static const uint8_t tile_empty[16] = {
     0x00,0x00, 0x22,0x00, 0x00,0x00, 0x88,0x00,
     0x00,0x00, 0x22,0x00, 0x00,0x00, 0x88,0x00,
 };
-/* Well frame: a solid colour-2 border drawn around the play area. */
+static const uint8_t tile_gem[16] = {
+    0x00,0x3C, 0x30,0x4E, 0x60,0x9F, 0x40,0xBF,
+    0x02,0xFF, 0x06,0xFF, 0x1C,0x7E, 0x00,0x3C,
+};
 static const uint8_t tile_wall[16] = {
     0xFF,0xFF, 0xFF,0xFF, 0xFF,0xFF, 0xFF,0xFF,
     0xFF,0xFF, 0xFF,0xFF, 0xFF,0xFF, 0xFF,0xFF,
 };
-/* Three distinct tile shapes (since GB BG is 2bpp, we differentiate
- * by *shape*, not colour-on-CGB). The CGB palette path could give us
- * real colours; for DMG-compatibility we use shape. */
-static const uint8_t tile_r[16] = {
-    0xFF,0x00, 0xFF,0x00, 0xFF,0x00, 0xFF,0x00,
-    0xFF,0x00, 0xFF,0x00, 0xFF,0x00, 0xFF,0x00,
+static const uint8_t tile_blank[16] = { 0 };
+static const uint8_t tile_magic[16] = {
+    0x18,0x18, 0x3C,0x3C, 0x7E,0x7E, 0xFF,0xFF,
+    0x7E,0x7E, 0x3C,0x3C, 0x18,0x18, 0x00,0x00,
+};
+/* explosion frames (value 2, drawn in the gem's own colour so they blend with
+ * the well — value 0 = C_WELL).  The gem bursts into a star, fragments fly
+ * outward, then sparks, then gone.  Shown ONCE, expanding — no blinking. */
+static const uint8_t tile_exp0[16] = {
+    0x00,0x99, 0x00,0x5A, 0x00,0x3C, 0x00,0xFF,
+    0x00,0xFF, 0x00,0x3C, 0x00,0x5A, 0x00,0x99,
+};
+static const uint8_t tile_exp1[16] = {
+    0x00,0x81, 0x00,0x42, 0x00,0x24, 0x00,0x18,
+    0x00,0x18, 0x00,0x24, 0x00,0x42, 0x00,0x81,
 };
-static const uint8_t tile_g[16] = {
-    0xAA,0x55, 0xAA,0x55, 0xAA,0x55, 0xAA,0x55,
-    0xAA,0x55, 0xAA,0x55, 0xAA,0x55, 0xAA,0x55,
+static const uint8_t tile_exp2[16] = {
+    0x00,0x81, 0x00,0x00, 0x00,0x00, 0x00,0x00,
+    0x00,0x00, 0x00,0x00, 0x00,0x00, 0x00,0x81,
 };
-static const uint8_t tile_b[16] = {
-    0x00,0xFF, 0x00,0xFF, 0x00,0xFF, 0x00,0xFF,
-    0x00,0xFF, 0x00,0xFF, 0x00,0xFF, 0x00,0xFF,
+
+/* ── GAME LOGIC (clay — reshape freely) ── the palette TABLE (the colors
+ * themselves are art; the LOADER below is the hardware idiom).
+ * 15-bit BGR: 5 bits each, blue in the high bits — RGB() packs it. */
+#define RGB(r,g,b) ((uint16_t)(((uint16_t)(b)<<10)|((uint16_t)(g)<<5)|(r)))
+#define C_WELL  RGB(4,6,12)
+#define C_OUT   RGB(1,2,4)
+#define C_FAINT RGB(7,9,15)
+#define C_FRAME RGB(16,20,28)
+
+static const uint16_t palettes[8][4] = {
+    /* 0 red    */ { C_WELL, RGB(31,16,16), RGB(31,3,3),   RGB(17,1,1) },
+    /* 1 orange */ { C_WELL, RGB(31,24,12), RGB(31,16,2),  RGB(20,9,0) },
+    /* 2 yellow */ { C_WELL, RGB(31,31,18), RGB(30,28,4),  RGB(22,18,0) },
+    /* 3 green  */ { C_WELL, RGB(16,31,16), RGB(6,26,8),   RGB(1,16,4) },
+    /* 4 blue   */ { C_WELL, RGB(14,22,31), RGB(5,12,31),  RGB(2,5,20) },
+    /* 5 purple */ { C_WELL, RGB(28,16,31), RGB(20,5,30),  RGB(12,1,20) },
+    /* 6 well   */ { C_WELL, C_FAINT,       RGB(8,11,18),  C_FRAME },
+    /* 7 out/txt*/ { C_OUT,  RGB(2,3,7),    C_OUT,         RGB(31,31,31) },
 };
 
-static const uint16_t bg_palette[4]  = { 0x7FFF, 0x5294, 0x294A, 0x0000 };
+/* ── GAME LOGIC (clay — reshape freely) ── game state */
+static uint8_t grid[NCELL];         /* the well: 0 = empty, 1..NCOLORS = a gem */
+static uint8_t matched[NCELL];      /* scratch: cells flagged for clearing */
+static uint8_t shadow[NCELL];       /* color currently on the BG, for diff redraw */
+static uint8_t piece[3];            /* the 3 falling colors, top→bottom */
+static uint8_t nextp[3];            /* the previewed next column */
+static uint8_t piece_x, piece_y;    /* well coords of the falling column's top */
+static uint8_t piece_active;        /* a column is currently falling */
+static uint8_t piece_magic;         /* the falling column is a MAGIC piece */
+static uint8_t next_dirty;          /* NEXT-preview sprites need re-writing */
+static uint8_t piece_counter;       /* pieces since last magic (→ magic every 18) */
+static uint8_t fall_timer;          /* frames since the column last stepped down */
+static uint8_t cur_fall_rate;       /* frames per downward step (lower = faster) */
+static uint16_t total_cleared;      /* gems cleared this game (drives level) */
+static uint8_t level;
+static uint8_t score_d[6];          /* 6-digit BCD score, most significant first */
+static uint8_t hi_d[6];             /* 6-digit BCD hi-score (battery SRAM) */
+static uint8_t state;               /* ST_TITLE / ST_PLAY / ST_OVER */
+static uint8_t chain;               /* cascade depth of the current resolve */
+static uint16_t rng = 0xACE1;       /* xorshift PRNG state */
 
-static uint8_t grid[ROWS][COLS];
-static uint8_t piece[3];
-static int16_t piece_x, piece_y;
-static uint8_t fall_timer;
-static uint16_t score;
-static uint32_t rng = 1;
+/* the 4 line directions we scan for matches: horizontal, vertical, and the
+ * two diagonals (we only walk each line once, from its lowest cell). */
+static const int8_t DIRS[4][2] = { {0,1}, {1,0}, {1,1}, {1,-1} };
 
-static uint32_t xorshift(void) {
-    rng ^= rng << 13;
-    rng ^= rng >> 17;
-    rng ^= rng << 5;
-    return rng;
+/* 16-bit xorshift PRNG — kept 16-bit on purpose (sm83 has no fast 32-bit
+ * shifts; a wider generator there degenerates toward one value). */
+static uint8_t xorshift(void) {
+    rng ^= rng << 7;
+    rng ^= rng >> 9;
+    rng ^= rng << 8;
+    return (uint8_t)(rng >> 8);
 }
 
-static uint8_t random_colour(void) { return 1 + (xorshift() % 3); }
+/* fill a 3-jewel column with random colors 1..NCOLORS */
+static void roll(uint8_t *p) {
+    p[0] = 1 + (uint8_t)(xorshift() % NCOLORS);
+    p[1] = 1 + (uint8_t)(xorshift() % NCOLORS);
+    p[2] = 1 + (uint8_t)(xorshift() % NCOLORS);
+}
 
-static void new_piece(void) {
-    piece[0] = random_colour();
-    piece[1] = random_colour();
-    piece[2] = random_colour();
-    piece_x = COLS / 2 - 1;
-    piece_y = -3;
+/* add to the 6-digit BCD score (score_d[0] = most significant), with carry */
+static void add_score(uint16_t amt) {
+    uint8_t k, idx;
+    uint16_t carry = amt;
+    for (k = 0; k < 6; k++) {
+        if (carry == 0) break;
+        idx = 5 - k;
+        carry += score_d[idx];
+        score_d[idx] = (uint8_t)(carry % 10);
+        carry = carry / 10;
+    }
 }
 
-static uint8_t tile_for(uint8_t c) {
-    switch (c) {
-        case 1: return T_R;
-        case 2: return T_G;
-        case 3: return T_B;
-        default: return T_BLANK;
+/* most-significant-digit-first BCD compare: did this run beat the record? */
+static uint8_t score_beats_hi(void) {
+    uint8_t i;
+    for (i = 0; i < 6; i++) {
+        if (score_d[i] > hi_d[i]) return 1;
+        if (score_d[i] < hi_d[i]) return 0;
     }
+    return 0;
 }
 
-static void draw_cell(int16_t col, int16_t row, uint8_t cell) {
-    /* Map base $9800, 32 cells wide. Centre the 6-col grid → offset +7. */
-    uint8_t *map = (uint8_t *)0x9800;
-    if (row < 0 || row >= ROWS) return;
-    map[(row + 1) * 32 + (col + 7)] = tile_for(cell);
+/* ── HARDWARE IDIOM (load-bearing — reshape gameplay around this; see TROUBLESHOOTING) ──
+ * BATTERY SRAM hi-score — persistent saves on a Game Boy cart.
+ * requires: gb_crt0.s declaring MBC1+RAM+BATTERY in the cartridge header
+ *   ($0147=$03, $0149=$02 → 8KB at $A000-$BFFF). With a ROM-only header the
+ *   $A000 region is OPEN BUS: writes vanish, reads return garbage, and
+ *   nothing tells you why. The header is the save system.
+ *
+ * The MBC powers up with cart RAM DISABLED (protection against corrupting
+ * the battery RAM with stray bus traffic while power rails settle). The
+ * $0A-enable dance:
+ *   1. write $0A to anywhere in $0000-$1FFF  → RAM enabled
+ *   2. read/write $A000-$BFFF                → real battery RAM
+ *   3. write $00 to $0000-$1FFF              → RAM disabled again
+ * ALWAYS re-disable after access — that's what makes a yanked cartridge /
+ * dying battery corrupt at most the bytes mid-write, not the whole save.
+ *
+ * First boot is GARBAGE, not zeros: battery RAM holds whatever the silicon
+ * woke up with. The magic bytes + XOR checksum below are how the load path
+ * tells "my save" from "factory noise" — without them a fresh cart shows a
+ * junk hi-score like 974382.
+ *
+ * Save block at $A000: 'H' 'S'  d0 d1 d2 d3 d4 d5  ck
+ *   (6 BCD digits, most significant first; ck = d0^..^d5^$A5)
+ * No timing constraints — SRAM is not VRAM; access it any time. */
+#define SRAM_BASE ((volatile uint8_t *)0xA000)
+#define MBC_RAMG  (*(volatile uint8_t *)0x0000)   /* MBC1 RAM-gate register */
+
+static void hiscore_load(void) {
+    uint8_t i, ck;
+    MBC_RAMG = 0x0A;                          /* enable cart RAM */
+    ck = 0xA5;
+    for (i = 0; i < 6; i++) ck ^= SRAM_BASE[2 + i];
+    if (SRAM_BASE[0] == 'H' && SRAM_BASE[1] == 'S' && SRAM_BASE[8] == ck) {
+        for (i = 0; i < 6; i++) {
+            hi_d[i] = SRAM_BASE[2 + i];
+            if (hi_d[i] > 9) hi_d[i] = 9;     /* belt + braces on a bad digit */
+        }
+    } else {
+        for (i = 0; i < 6; i++) hi_d[i] = 0;  /* first boot / corrupt → 0 */
+    }
+    MBC_RAMG = 0x00;                          /* ALWAYS re-disable */
 }
 
-static void draw_grid(void) {
-    int16_t r, c;
-    for (r = 0; r < ROWS; r++)
-        for (c = 0; c < COLS; c++)
-            draw_cell(c, r, grid[r][c]);
+static void hiscore_save(void) {
+    uint8_t i, ck;
+    MBC_RAMG = 0x0A;
+    SRAM_BASE[0] = 'H';
+    SRAM_BASE[1] = 'S';
+    ck = 0xA5;
+    for (i = 0; i < 6; i++) {
+        SRAM_BASE[2 + i] = hi_d[i];
+        ck ^= hi_d[i];
+    }
+    SRAM_BASE[8] = ck;
+    MBC_RAMG = 0x00;
 }
 
-static uint8_t collides(int16_t col, int16_t row) {
-    uint8_t i;
-    int16_t r;
-    if (col < 0 || col >= COLS) return 1;
-    for (i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
-        r = row + i;
-        if (r >= ROWS) return 1;
-        if (r >= 0 && grid[r][col] != 0) return 1;
+/* ── GAME LOGIC (clay — reshape freely) ── sound effects.
+ * A tiny note sequencer driving square channel 2 directly.  Each note has
+ * a real volume-decay envelope (NR22) so it fades instead of clicking off
+ * (a hard NRx2=0 cut every note sounds like static).  sfx_tick() advances
+ * one step per frame; multi-note effects become little arpeggios.
+ * GB period p ⇒ freq = 131072/(2048-p); higher p = higher note. */
+#define P_C4  1548
+#define P_G4  1714
+#define P_A4  1750
+#define P_C5  1797
+#define P_E5  1849
+#define P_G5  1881
+#define P_A5  1899
+#define P_C6  1923
+
+/* NR21 duty: 0x40 = 25% (soft), 0x80 = 50% (full).  NR22 vol/env byte:
+ * (volume<<4)|(0=decay)|envPace — bigger pace = slower fade. */
+#define SFX_STEPS 4
+static uint16_t sfx_p[SFX_STEPS];
+static uint8_t  sfx_v[SFX_STEPS];
+static uint8_t  sfx_d[SFX_STEPS];
+static uint8_t  sfx_f[SFX_STEPS];
+static uint8_t  sfx_n, sfx_i, sfx_t;
+
+static void sfx_tick(void) {
+    if (sfx_i >= sfx_n) return;
+    if (sfx_t != 0) { sfx_t--; return; }
+    NR21 = sfx_d[sfx_i];
+    NR22 = sfx_v[sfx_i];
+    NR23 = (uint8_t)(sfx_p[sfx_i] & 0xFF);
+    NR24 = (uint8_t)(0x80 | (sfx_p[sfx_i] >> 8));   /* trigger (let envelope end it) */
+    sfx_t = sfx_f[sfx_i];
+    sfx_i++;
+}
+
+static void sfx_go(uint8_t n) { sfx_n = n; sfx_i = 0; sfx_t = 0; sfx_tick(); }
+
+static void sfx_move(void) {
+    sfx_p[0] = P_A5; sfx_v[0] = 0x81; sfx_d[0] = 0x40; sfx_f[0] = 4;
+    sfx_go(1);
+}
+static void sfx_rotate(void) {
+    sfx_p[0] = P_C6; sfx_v[0] = 0x81; sfx_d[0] = 0x40; sfx_f[0] = 4;
+    sfx_go(1);
+}
+static void sfx_drop(void) {
+    sfx_p[0] = P_C5; sfx_v[0] = 0xC2; sfx_d[0] = 0x80; sfx_f[0] = 3;
+    sfx_p[1] = P_C4; sfx_v[1] = 0xC3; sfx_d[1] = 0x80; sfx_f[1] = 8;
+    sfx_go(2);
+}
+static void sfx_clear(void) {      /* bright ascending C-E-G */
+    sfx_p[0] = P_C5; sfx_v[0] = 0xD2; sfx_d[0] = 0x80; sfx_f[0] = 4;
+    sfx_p[1] = P_E5; sfx_v[1] = 0xD2; sfx_d[1] = 0x80; sfx_f[1] = 4;
+    sfx_p[2] = P_G5; sfx_v[2] = 0xD3; sfx_d[2] = 0x80; sfx_f[2] = 8;
+    sfx_go(3);
+}
+static void sfx_chain(uint8_t n) { /* arpeggio whose top note rises per chain */
+    uint16_t top = (uint16_t)(P_C6 + (uint16_t)n * 6);
+    if (top > 1980) top = 1980;
+    sfx_p[0] = P_E5; sfx_v[0] = 0xD2; sfx_d[0] = 0x80; sfx_f[0] = 3;
+    sfx_p[1] = P_G5; sfx_v[1] = 0xD2; sfx_d[1] = 0x80; sfx_f[1] = 3;
+    sfx_p[2] = top;  sfx_v[2] = 0xD3; sfx_d[2] = 0x80; sfx_f[2] = 8;
+    sfx_go(3);
+}
+static void sfx_over(void) {       /* slow descending */
+    sfx_p[0] = P_A4; sfx_v[0] = 0xC3; sfx_d[0] = 0x80; sfx_f[0] = 10;
+    sfx_p[1] = P_G4; sfx_v[1] = 0xC3; sfx_d[1] = 0x80; sfx_f[1] = 10;
+    sfx_p[2] = P_C4; sfx_v[2] = 0xC5; sfx_d[2] = 0x80; sfx_f[2] = 24;
+    sfx_go(3);
+}
+
+/* ── GAME LOGIC (clay — reshape freely) ── background music.
+ * A looping square-wave lead on channel 1 (SFX live on channel 2, so they
+ * mix and the effects cut through the music).  music_tick() plays one melody
+ * step every 12 frames, re-triggering ch1 at a steady volume.  Toggle on/off
+ * with SELECT — defaults ON.
+ *
+ * The melody is the GB 11-bit period split into low/high BYTE arrays (NR13 +
+ * NR14 low 3 bits) — period p ⇒ freq 131072/(2048-p).  hi == 0xFF marks a
+ * rest.  Arpeggios over a C - Am - F - G chord loop, 8 steps each. */
+static const uint8_t mel_lo[32] = {
+    0x06,0x39,0x59,0x83, 0x59,0x39,0x06,0x00,   /* C E G C6 G E C  - */
+    0xD6,0x06,0x39,0x6B, 0x39,0x06,0xD6,0x00,   /* A C E A5 E C A  - */
+    0x88,0xD6,0x06,0x44, 0x06,0xD6,0x88,0x00,   /* F A C F5 C A F  - */
+    0xB2,0xF7,0x21,0x59, 0x21,0xF7,0xB2,0x00,   /* G B D G5 D B G  - */
+};
+static const uint8_t mel_hi[32] = {             /* high 3 bits; 0xFF = rest */
+    0x07,0x07,0x07,0x07, 0x07,0x07,0x07,0xFF,
+    0x06,0x07,0x07,0x07, 0x07,0x07,0x06,0xFF,
+    0x06,0x06,0x07,0x07, 0x07,0x06,0x06,0xFF,
+    0x06,0x06,0x07,0x07, 0x07,0x06,0x06,0xFF,
+};
+static uint8_t music_on;
+static uint8_t music_idx;
+static uint8_t music_timer;
+
+static void music_note(uint8_t idx) {
+    uint8_t hi = mel_hi[idx];
+    if (hi == 0xFF) { NR12 = 0x00; NR14 = 0x80; return; }   /* rest: silence ch1 */
+    NR10 = 0x00;                        /* no sweep */
+    NR11 = 0x80;                        /* 50% duty, no length counter */
+    NR12 = 0x90;                        /* volume 9, no envelope (steady lead) */
+    NR13 = mel_lo[idx];
+    NR14 = (uint8_t)(0x80 | hi);        /* trigger + freq high bits */
+}
+
+static void music_tick(void) {
+    if (!music_on) return;
+    if (music_timer == 0) {
+        music_note(music_idx);
+        music_timer = 12;
+        if (++music_idx >= 32) music_idx = 0;
     }
+    music_timer--;
+}
+
+static void music_toggle(void) {
+    music_on = (uint8_t)(!music_on);
+    music_idx = 0;
+    music_timer = 0;
+    if (!music_on) { NR12 = 0x00; NR14 = 0x80; }   /* kill the lead immediately */
+}
+
+/* ── GAME LOGIC (clay — reshape freely) ── board mechanics */
+
+/* is grid cell (r,col) off the bottom or already filled? */
+static uint8_t cell_blocked(uint8_t r, uint8_t col) {
+    if (r >= ROWS) return 1;
+    return grid[(uint8_t)(r * COLS + col)] ? 1 : 0;
+}
+
+/* would the 3-tall falling column collide if its top cell were at (col,topy)?
+ * Checks are unrolled (not a loop) — short indexed-read loops can miscompile on
+ * sm83, and this is the hottest correctness check in the game. */
+static uint8_t collides(uint8_t col, uint8_t topy) {
+    if (col >= COLS) return 1;
+    if (cell_blocked(topy, col)) return 1;
+    if (cell_blocked((uint8_t)(topy + 1), col)) return 1;
+    if (cell_blocked((uint8_t)(topy + 2), col)) return 1;
     return 0;
 }
 
-static void lock_piece(void) {
+static void game_over(void);
+
+/* start a new falling column at the top-center.  Every 18th piece is a MAGIC
+ * column; otherwise take the previewed colors and roll the next preview.  If
+ * it can't even appear, the well is full → game over. */
+static void spawn(void) {
+    rng ^= DIV;
+    if (++piece_counter >= 18) {
+        piece_counter = 0;
+        piece_magic = 1;
+        piece[0] = MAGIC; piece[1] = MAGIC; piece[2] = MAGIC;
+    } else {
+        piece_magic = 0;
+        piece[0] = nextp[0]; piece[1] = nextp[1]; piece[2] = nextp[2];
+        roll(nextp);
+    }
+    piece_x = COLS / 2 - 1;
+    piece_y = 0;
+    piece_active = 1;
+    fall_timer = 0;
+    next_dirty = 1;
+    if (collides(piece_x, piece_y)) game_over();
+}
+
+/* Flag every gem that's part of a run of 3+ same-color cells in any of the 4
+ * directions, into matched[]; return how many cells were flagged.  Each line
+ * is counted from its lowest end only (we skip a cell if its predecessor in
+ * that direction is the same color), so runs aren't double-walked. */
+static uint8_t mark_and_count(void) {
+    uint8_t r, c, d, len, cnt, col, k;
+    int8_t dr, dc;
+    int16_t sr, sc;
+
+    for (r = 0; r < NCELL; r++) matched[r] = 0;
+
+    for (r = 0; r < ROWS; r++) {
+        for (c = 0; c < COLS; c++) {
+            col = G(r, c);
+            if (col == 0) continue;
+            for (d = 0; d < 4; d++) {
+                dr = DIRS[d][0];
+                dc = DIRS[d][1];
+                sr = (int16_t)r - dr;
+                sc = (int16_t)c - dc;
+                if (sr >= 0 && sr < ROWS && sc >= 0 && sc < COLS
+                    && G(sr, sc) == col) continue;
+                len = 1;
+                sr = (int16_t)r + dr;
+                sc = (int16_t)c + dc;
+                while (sr >= 0 && sr < ROWS && sc >= 0 && sc < COLS
+                       && G(sr, sc) == col) {
+                    len++;
+                    sr += dr;
+                    sc += dc;
+                }
+                if (len >= 3) {
+                    sr = (int16_t)r;
+                    sc = (int16_t)c;
+                    for (k = 0; k < len; k++) {
+                        M(sr, sc) = 1;
+                        sr += dr;
+                        sc += dc;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    cnt = 0;
+    for (r = 0; r < NCELL; r++) if (matched[r]) cnt++;
+    return cnt;
+}
+
+/* empty every flagged cell */
+static void clear_marked(void) {
     uint8_t i;
-    int16_t r;
-    int16_t c;
-    uint8_t a, b, d;
-    for (i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
-        r = piece_y + i;
-        if (r >= 0 && r < ROWS) grid[r][piece_x] = piece[i];
+    for (i = 0; i < NCELL; i++) if (matched[i]) grid[i] = 0;
+}
+
+/* collapse each column so all gems rest on the floor with no gaps */
+static void apply_gravity(void) {
+    uint8_t c, r, n, w;
+    uint8_t buf[ROWS];
+    for (c = 0; c < COLS; c++) {
+        n = 0;
+        for (r = 0; r < ROWS; r++)
+            if (G(r, c)) { buf[n] = G(r, c); n++; }
+        for (r = 0; r < (uint8_t)(ROWS - n); r++) G(r, c) = 0;
+        w = 0;
+        for (r = (uint8_t)(ROWS - n); r < ROWS; r++) { G(r, c) = buf[w]; w++; }
     }
-    for (i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
-        r = piece_y + i;
-        if (r < 0 || r >= ROWS) continue;
-        for (c = 0; c <= COLS - 3; c++) {
-            a = grid[r][c]; b = grid[r][c + 1]; d = grid[r][c + 2];
-            if (a != 0 && a == b && b == d) {
-                grid[r][c]     = 0;
-                grid[r][c + 1] = 0;
-                grid[r][c + 2] = 0;
-                if (score < 65500u) score += 30;
+}
+
+/* level rises every 15 cleared gems (capped at 13); each level shortens the
+ * frames-per-row fall interval, so the column drops faster. */
+static void update_level(void) {
+    level = (uint8_t)(total_cleared / 15);
+    if (level > 13) level = 13;
+    cur_fall_rate = 32 - level * 2;
+    if (cur_fall_rate < 4) cur_fall_rate = 4;
+}
+
+/* Matched gems burst apart before they clear — a one-shot expanding star in
+ * each gem's own colour (no blinking, no LCD-off).  Only ever runs on a real
+ * match.  Direct vblank writes (no OAM DMA contends here, so plenty of room);
+ * blocks ~6 frames, which is the satisfying beat. */
+static void explode_matched(void) {
+    uint8_t i, j, n, tile;
+    uint16_t offs[8];
+    uint8_t  cols[8];
+    uint8_t *o = (uint8_t *)0xC100;
+    for (i = 0; i < 12; i++) *o++ = 0;             /* hide the falling-piece sprites */
+    ((void (*)(uint8_t))0xFF80)(0xC1);
+    n = 0;
+    for (i = 0; i < NCELL && n < 8; i++) {
+        if (matched[i]) {
+            offs[n] = (uint16_t)(WELL_MY + (i >> 3)) * 32 + WELL_MX + (i & 7);
+            cols[n] = (uint8_t)(grid[i] - 1);
+            n++;
+        }
+    }
+    for (j = 0; j < 9; j++) {
+        tile = (j < 3) ? T_EXP0 : (j < 6) ? T_EXP1 : T_EXP2;
+        wait_vblank();
+        sfx_tick();
+        music_tick();
+        VBK = 0;
+        for (i = 0; i < n; i++) VRAM[offs[i]] = tile;
+        VBK = 1;
+        for (i = 0; i < n; i++) VRAM[offs[i]] = cols[i];
+        VBK = 0;
+    }
+}
+
+/* Settle the board after a lock: repeatedly find matches, burst+clear them,
+ * score, and apply gravity — looping so cascades chain.  Score per clear scales
+ * with level and (for 2nd+ cascades) the chain depth. */
+static void resolve_board(void) {
+    uint8_t n;
+    uint16_t amt, mult;
+    chain = 0;
+    while (1) {
+        n = mark_and_count();
+        if (n == 0) break;
+        chain++;
+        sfx_chain(chain);
+        explode_matched();
+        clear_marked();
+        mult = (uint16_t)(10 + level * 2);
+        amt = (uint16_t)n * mult;
+        if (chain > 1) amt = amt * chain;
+        if (amt > 60000) amt = 60000;
+        add_score(amt);
+        total_cleared += n;
+        apply_gravity();
+    }
+    update_level();
+}
+
+/* MAGIC column: clears every gem sharing the color of whatever it landed on,
+ * then resolves any resulting cascades. */
+static void magic_clear(void) {
+    uint8_t below = (uint8_t)(piece_y + 3);
+    uint8_t target, i;
+    uint16_t cleared = 0;
+    piece_active = 0;
+    if (below < ROWS) {
+        target = G(below, piece_x);
+        if (target != 0 && target != MAGIC) {
+            for (i = 0; i < NCELL; i++)
+                if (grid[i] == target) { grid[i] = 0; cleared++; }
+            if (cleared) {
+                add_score((uint16_t)cleared * 20u);
+                total_cleared += cleared;
+                sfx_clear();
             }
+            apply_gravity();
         }
     }
-    draw_grid();
+    resolve_board();
+}
+
+/* Stamp the falling column into the grid where it came to rest, then resolve.
+ * A magic column takes its own path. */
+static void lock_and_resolve(void) {
+    uint8_t i, r;
+    if (piece_magic) { magic_clear(); return; }
+    for (i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
+        r = (uint8_t)(piece_y + i);
+        if (r < ROWS) G(r, piece_x) = piece[i];
+    }
+    piece_active = 0;
+    resolve_board();
 }
 
+/* ── rendering ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+/* copy one 16-byte 2bpp tile into VRAM tile slot `slot` ($8000 + slot*16) */
 static void upload_tile(uint8_t slot, const uint8_t *src) {
-    uint8_t *dst = (uint8_t *)(0x8000 + slot * 16);
-    /* memcpy_vram (pointer-walk) — NOT an indexed dst[i]=src[i] loop, which
-     * SDCC sm83 miscompiles when dst points into VRAM ($8000-$9FFF). */
-    memcpy_vram(dst, src, 16);
+    memcpy_vram((uint8_t *)(0x8000 + slot * 16), src, 16);
 }
 
-/* Draw the well frame around the 6×12 play area. Grid cells live at
- * map[(row+1)*32 + (col+7)] (rows 1..12, cols 7..12), so the frame is the
- * column to each side (6 and 13) and the floor row just below (row 13). */
-static void draw_well(void) {
-    uint8_t *map = (uint8_t *)0x9800;
-    uint8_t r;
-    for (r = 1; r <= 12; r++) {
-        map[r * 32 + 6]  = T_WALL;   /* left wall  */
-        map[r * 32 + 13] = T_WALL;   /* right wall */
+/* ── HARDWARE IDIOM (load-bearing — reshape gameplay around this; see TROUBLESHOOTING) ──
+ * CGB palette RAM — the BCPS/BCPD (BG) and OCPS/OCPD (OBJ) port pairs.
+ * requires: a .gbc build (CGB flag $0143 set — the build pipeline does it);
+ *   on a DMG build these registers are dead and you get 4-shade green.
+ *
+ * Palette RAM is NOT memory-mapped: it's 64 bytes (8 palettes × 4 colors ×
+ * 2 bytes, little-endian 15-bit BGR) behind an index/data port pair.
+ *   BCPS = 0x80 | index   — set write index; bit 7 = AUTO-INCREMENT, so a
+ *                           burst of BCPD writes walks the whole 64 bytes.
+ *   BCPD = low byte; BCPD = high byte;  ... 32 times = all 8 palettes.
+ *
+ * TIMING FOOTGUN: palette RAM belongs to the PPU. Writes during active
+ * display (mode 3) are IGNORED on real hardware — same constraint as VRAM.
+ * Load palettes with the LCD OFF (boot / transitions, as here) or inside
+ * vblank. A palette "fade" effect = a few BCPD writes per vblank, never a
+ * mid-frame burst. */
+static void load_palettes(void) {
+    uint8_t p, i;
+    BCPS = 0x80;                       /* index 0, auto-increment on */
+    for (p = 0; p < 8; p++)
+        for (i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
+            BCPD = (uint8_t)(palettes[p][i] & 0xFF);
+            BCPD = (uint8_t)((palettes[p][i] >> 8) & 0xFF);
+        }
+}
+
+/* OBJ palettes 0-5 = the six jewel colors (same table as the BG, so a
+ * falling gem matches its locked twin exactly), 6 = magic white.  Color 0
+ * of every OBJ palette is transparent (the well shows through). */
+static void load_obj_palettes(void) {
+    uint8_t p, i;
+    uint16_t col;
+    OCPS = 0x80;
+    for (p = 0; p < 8; p++)
+        for (i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
+            if (p < 6) col = palettes[p][i];
+            else if (p == 6) col = (i == 3) ? RGB(31,31,31) : C_OUT;
+            else col = 0;
+            OCPD = (uint8_t)(col & 0xFF);
+            OCPD = (uint8_t)((col >> 8) & 0xFF);
+        }
+}
+
+/* The falling column = sprites 0-2; the NEXT preview = sprites 3-5 (sprites
+ * so their transparent corners blend with the panel).  Then flush OAM.
+ * MUST be the first VRAM/OAM work after wait_vblank: the OAM DMA has to
+ * land in vblank, or sprites tear on a fixed scanline near the top.
+ * A sprite's CGB palette = OAM attr bits 0-2 — that's the whole "color this
+ * sprite" story (we write piece[i]-1 straight into the attr byte). */
+static void update_sprites(void) {
+    /* Write shadow_oam ($C100) directly with a walking pointer — calling
+     * oam_set() six times burns ~10 scanlines of vblank (SDCC call overhead),
+     * starving the BG flush.  Inlined it's ~2 lines. */
+    uint8_t *o = (uint8_t *)0xC100;
+    uint8_t i, tile, sx, sy, pal0, pal1, pal2;
+    if (piece_active) {
+        tile = piece_magic ? T_MAGIC : T_GEM;
+        sx = (uint8_t)((WELL_MX + piece_x) * 8 + 8);
+        sy = (uint8_t)((WELL_MY + piece_y) * 8 + 16);
+        if (piece_magic) { pal0 = pal1 = pal2 = 6; }
+        else { pal0 = piece[0] - 1; pal1 = piece[1] - 1; pal2 = piece[2] - 1; }
+        *o++ = sy;          *o++ = sx; *o++ = tile; *o++ = pal0;
+        *o++ = (uint8_t)(sy + 8);  *o++ = sx; *o++ = tile; *o++ = pal1;
+        *o++ = (uint8_t)(sy + 16); *o++ = sx; *o++ = tile; *o++ = pal2;
+    } else {
+        for (i = 0; i < 12; i++) *o++ = 0;
+    }
+    /* NEXT preview (sprites 3-5) only changes on a spawn — skip it most
+     * frames to keep the OAM build short enough to leave the BG flush vblank. */
+    if (next_dirty) {
+        next_dirty = 0;
+        o = (uint8_t *)0xC10C;             /* sprite slot 3 */
+        if (state == ST_TITLE) {
+            for (i = 0; i < 12; i++) *o++ = 0;
+        } else {
+            sx = (uint8_t)((HUD_X + 1) * 8 + 8);
+            for (i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
+                *o++ = (uint8_t)((3 + i) * 8 + 16);
+                *o++ = sx;
+                *o++ = T_GEM;
+                *o++ = (uint8_t)(nextp[i] - 1);
+            }
+        }
     }
-    for (r = 6; r <= 13; r++)
-        map[13 * 32 + r] = T_WALL;   /* floor      */
+    /* Trigger the OAM DMA via the HRAM stub directly (skip the oam_dma_flush
+     * / oam_dma_copy wrappers).  A = high byte of shadow_oam ($C100). */
+    ((void (*)(uint8_t))0xFF80)(0xC1);
 }
 
-void main(void) {
-    uint8_t pad, prev = 0, fall_rate, t;
-    int16_t r, c;
+/* ── HARDWARE IDIOM (load-bearing — reshape gameplay around this; see TROUBLESHOOTING) ──
+ * Per-tile color — the VRAM bank-1 attribute map (VBK register).
+ * requires: CGB mode (see the palette idiom above); writes in a VRAM-safe
+ *   window (LCD off, or a bounded vblank batch like redraw_flush).
+ *
+ * VRAM is TWO 8KB banks behind the same $8000-$9FFF window; VBK ($FF4F)
+ * selects which one the CPU sees. Bank 0 holds what the DMG had: tile
+ * pixels + the tile-index maps. Bank 1 at the SAME map address holds one
+ * ATTRIBUTE byte per cell:
+ *   bits 0-2  palette 0-7   ← this game's whole color system
+ *   bit 3     tile VRAM bank
+ *   bit 5/6   H/V flip
+ *   bit 7     BG-over-OBJ priority
+ * So coloring a cell is a write PAIR: tile index with VBK=0, attribute with
+ * VBK=1, at the SAME offset.
+ *
+ * FOOTGUN: VBK is global state. Forget to restore VBK=0 and every later
+ * "tile" write lands in the attribute map — the screen turns into garbage
+ * colors while the tile data you wrote is simply gone. Always end VBK=0
+ * (every routine here does).
+ * (Direct, unbounded — only safe with the LCD off or in a bounded vblank
+ * batch; the in-game path queues instead — see redraw_collect/flush.) */
+static void set_cell(uint8_t mx, uint8_t my, uint8_t tile, uint8_t pal) {
+    uint16_t off = (uint16_t)my * 32 + mx;
+    VBK = 0;
+    VRAM[off] = tile;
+    VBK = 1;
+    VRAM[off] = pal;
+    VBK = 0;
+}
+
+/* same write-pair, into the WINDOW's map at $9C00 (see the window idiom) */
+static void set_wcell(uint8_t wx, uint8_t wy, uint8_t tile, uint8_t pal) {
+    uint16_t off = WIN_OFF + (uint16_t)wy * 32 + wx;
+    VBK = 0;
+    VRAM[off] = tile;
+    VBK = 1;
+    VRAM[off] = pal;
+    VBK = 0;
+}
+
+/* map an ASCII char to its font tile slot (digits, then A-Z); blank otherwise */
+static uint8_t font_slot(char ch) {
+    if (ch >= '0' && ch <= '9') return FONT_BASE + (uint8_t)(ch - '0');
+    if (ch >= 'A' && ch <= 'Z') return FONT_BASE + 10 + (uint8_t)(ch - 'A');
+    return T_BLANK;
+}
+
+/* draw a NUL-terminated string into the BG map starting at (col,row) */
+static void draw_text(uint8_t col, uint8_t row, const char *s) {
     uint8_t i;
-    uint8_t *map;
-    int16_t pr;
+    for (i = 0; s[i] != 0; i++)
+        set_cell((uint8_t)(col + i), row, font_slot(s[i]), PAL_OUT);
+}
 
-    lcd_init_default();
-    LCDC = 0;
+/* draw a NUL-terminated string into the WINDOW map starting at (col,row) */
+static void draw_wtext(uint8_t col, uint8_t row, const char *s) {
+    uint8_t i;
+    for (i = 0; s[i] != 0; i++)
+        set_wcell((uint8_t)(col + i), row, font_slot(s[i]), PAL_OUT);
+}
 
-    upload_tile(T_BLANK, tile_blank);
-    upload_tile(T_R,     tile_r);
-    upload_tile(T_G,     tile_g);
-    upload_tile(T_B,     tile_b);
-    upload_tile(T_WALL,  tile_wall);
+/* ── HARDWARE IDIOM (load-bearing — reshape gameplay around this; see TROUBLESHOOTING) ──
+ * WINDOW-layer HUD — a fixed strip the BG scroll can never move.
+ * requires: LCDC bits 5 (window on) + 6 (window map = $9C00), WX/WY set,
+ *   and HUD text written to the $9C00 map (set_wcell), not the $9800 one.
+ *
+ * The window is the GB's second BG plane: same tile data, its OWN 32x32
+ * map, drawn OVER the BG starting at screen position (WX-7, WY) and
+ * extending to the bottom-right. It ignores SCX/SCY completely — that's
+ * the point: scroll the playfield all you want, the HUD strip stays put.
+ * Classic placements: a bottom status bar (this game: WY=128 → the last
+ * 16 pixel rows) or a full-width top bar. It CANNOT be a floating box —
+ * the window always runs to the screen's bottom-right corner.
+ *
+ * Gotchas:
+ *  - WX is offset by 7: WX=7 is the left edge. WX<7 glitches on hardware.
+ *  - The window has its OWN line counter: it renders ITS map from window
+ *    row 0 downward, regardless of WY — our HUD lives at $9C00 rows 0-1.
+ *  - On CGB the window cells take bank-1 attributes exactly like the BG
+ *    (set_wcell writes both banks).
+ *  - This block is DMG-era hardware — it transplants to plain GB examples
+ *    unchanged; only the bank-1 attribute half is CGB-specific.
+ *
+ * Window HUD layout (window map rows 0-1):
+ *   row 0:  SC dddddd  HI dddddd      row 1:  LV dd
+ * Static labels drawn once at transitions; the digits go through the
+ * vblank queue (see redraw_collect) so in-game updates never tear. */
+#define WINY      128                  /* screen y where the strip starts */
+#define HUD_SC_X  3                    /* score digits, window row 0 */
+#define HUD_HI_X  13                   /* hi-score digits, window row 0 */
+#define HUD_LV_X  3                    /* level digits, window row 1 */
+
+/* paint the whole window strip: dark backdrop + labels (LCD off only) */
+static void draw_window_static(void) {
+    uint8_t x, y;
+    for (y = 0; y < 2; y++)
+        for (x = 0; x < 20; x++) set_wcell(x, y, T_BLANK, PAL_OUT);
+    draw_wtext(0, 0, "SC");
+    draw_wtext(10, 0, "HI");
+    draw_wtext(0, 1, "LV");
+}
+
+/* draw every dynamic HUD value directly (LCD off / transitions only —
+ * in-game updates go through the queue, 4 cells per vblank) */
+static void draw_hud_now(void) {
+    uint8_t i;
+    for (i = 0; i < 6; i++) {
+        set_wcell((uint8_t)(HUD_SC_X + i), 0, FONT_BASE + score_d[i], PAL_OUT);
+        set_wcell((uint8_t)(HUD_HI_X + i), 0, FONT_BASE + hi_d[i], PAL_OUT);
+    }
+    set_wcell(HUD_LV_X, 1, FONT_BASE + (uint8_t)(level / 10), PAL_OUT);
+    set_wcell((uint8_t)(HUD_LV_X + 1), 1, FONT_BASE + (uint8_t)(level % 10), PAL_OUT);
+}
+
+/* Lay down the unchanging screen: clear the whole BG map, draw the well's
+ * walls + floor, the right panel, and the window HUD.  Only called with the
+ * LCD off (it writes entire maps at once). */
+static void draw_static(void) {
+    uint8_t x, y;
+    uint16_t off;
+    VBK = 0;
+    for (y = 0; y < 18; y++)
+        for (x = 0; x < 20; x++) { off = (uint16_t)y * 32 + x; VRAM[off] = T_EMPTY; }
+    VBK = 1;
+    for (y = 0; y < 18; y++)
+        for (x = 0; x < 20; x++) { off = (uint16_t)y * 32 + x; VRAM[off] = PAL_OUT; }
+    VBK = 0;
+    for (y = WELL_MY; y < (uint8_t)(WELL_MY + ROWS); y++) {
+        set_cell((uint8_t)(WELL_MX - 1), y, T_WALL, PAL_WELL);
+        set_cell((uint8_t)(WELL_MX + COLS), y, T_WALL, PAL_WELL);
+    }
+    for (x = (uint8_t)(WELL_MX - 1); x <= (uint8_t)(WELL_MX + COLS); x++)
+        set_cell(x, (uint8_t)(WELL_MY + ROWS), T_WALL, PAL_WELL);
+    draw_window_static();
+}
+
+/* Full LOCKED-well repaint from the grid (no piece — that's a sprite).  Used
+ * only with the LCD OFF (boot / title↔game transitions), where writing all
+ * changed cells at once is safe. */
+static void redraw_all(void) {
+    uint8_t r, c, col;
+    uint8_t i = 0;
+    uint16_t rowoff, off;
+    for (r = 0; r < ROWS; r++) {
+        rowoff = (uint16_t)(WELL_MY + r) * 32 + WELL_MX;
+        for (c = 0; c < COLS; c++) {
+            col = grid[i];
+            if (col != shadow[i]) {
+                shadow[i] = col;
+                off = rowoff + c;
+                VBK = 0; VRAM[off] = col ? T_GEM : T_EMPTY;
+                VBK = 1; VRAM[off] = col ? (uint8_t)(col - 1) : PAL_WELL;
+                VBK = 0;
+            }
+            i++;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/* ── HARDWARE IDIOM (load-bearing — reshape gameplay around this; see TROUBLESHOOTING) ──
+ * Deferred well/HUD rendering — the vblank COLLECT/FLUSH queue.
+ * requires: update_sprites + redraw_flush as the FIRST two things after
+ *   wait_vblank (in that order), batches capped at REDRAW_BUDGET, and no
+ *   LCDC bit-7 toggling in-game.
+ *
+ * This core blanks the whole frame on ANY LCDC bit-7 toggle (a strobe we
+ * must never do), AND it occasionally drops a VRAM write even at the start
+ * of vblank.  So in-game we never touch the LCD; instead:
+ *   COLLECT — queue work (RAM only): changed cells after a lock, the HUD
+ *             digits, and — when idle — a rolling SCRUB of the whole well.
+ *   FLUSH   — write the queue to VRAM as the FIRST thing after wait_vblank.
+ * The scrub re-writes every well cell from the grid every ~0.2s, so any
+ * dropped write self-corrects instead of becoming a permanent wrong color
+ * (the "3 oranges that won't clear" bug).  Idempotent ⇒ invisible.
+ * Batches are kept small so the whole flush fits in vblank AFTER the OAM
+ * DMA — overrunning into active display drops writes (a garbage "burst" on
+ * lock frames before the scrub heals them).
+ * Queue offsets are plain offsets from $9800, so the same queue serves the
+ * BG map (well) and the window map at $9800+$400 (HUD digits). */
+#define REDRAW_BUDGET 4             /* changed well cells per frame (responsive) */
+#define SCRUB_N       4             /* idle cells re-written per frame (self-heal) */
+#define WQ_MAX        6             /* queue capacity (≤4 pushed per frame) */
+static uint8_t scanning, hud_pending, over_pending;
+static uint8_t hud_phase, over_phase;   /* split big HUD/text writes across frames */
+static uint8_t scan_i, scan_c, scrub_i;
+static uint16_t scan_rowoff;
+
+static uint8_t  wq_n;
+static uint16_t wq_off[WQ_MAX];
+static uint8_t  wq_tile[WQ_MAX];
+static uint8_t  wq_attr[WQ_MAX];
+
+static void start_redraw(void) {
+    scanning = 1;
+    scan_i = 0; scan_c = 0;
+    scan_rowoff = (uint16_t)WELL_MY * 32 + WELL_MX;
+}
 
-    BCPS = 0x80;
-    for (i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
-        BCPD = (uint8_t)(bg_palette[i] & 0xFF);
-        BCPD = (uint8_t)((bg_palette[i] >> 8) & 0xFF);
+static void wq_push(uint16_t off, uint8_t tile, uint8_t attr) {
+    if (wq_n < WQ_MAX) {
+        wq_off[wq_n] = off; wq_tile[wq_n] = tile; wq_attr[wq_n] = attr; wq_n++;
     }
+}
+
+static void wq_text(uint8_t col, uint8_t row, const char *s) {
+    uint8_t i;
+    for (i = 0; s[i] != 0; i++)
+        wq_push((uint16_t)row * 32 + col + i, font_slot(s[i]), PAL_OUT);
+}
+
+/* queue one window-HUD digit cell (window map = offset $400) */
+static void wq_wdigit(uint8_t col, uint8_t row, uint8_t digit) {
+    wq_push(WIN_OFF + (uint16_t)row * 32 + col, FONT_BASE + digit, PAL_OUT);
+}
+
+/* Fill the queue with the next batch of pending changes (RAM only).
+ * Each branch pushes at most REDRAW_BUDGET cells, so the flush always fits
+ * in vblank; the HUD digits and game-over text are split across frames. */
+static void redraw_collect(void) {
+    uint8_t col, k, r, c, i;
+    wq_n = 0;
+    if (scanning) {
+        while (scan_i < NCELL && wq_n < REDRAW_BUDGET) {
+            col = grid[scan_i];
+            if (col != shadow[scan_i]) {
+                shadow[scan_i] = col;
+                wq_off[wq_n]  = scan_rowoff + scan_c;
+                wq_tile[wq_n] = col ? T_GEM : T_EMPTY;
+                wq_attr[wq_n] = col ? (uint8_t)(col - 1) : PAL_WELL;
+                wq_n++;
+            }
+            scan_i++; scan_c++;
+            if (scan_c >= COLS) { scan_c = 0; scan_rowoff += 32; }
+        }
+        if (scan_i >= NCELL) { scanning = 0; hud_pending = 1; hud_phase = 0; }
+    } else if (hud_pending) {
+        if (hud_phase == 0) {                       /* score digits 0-3 */
+            for (i = 0; i < 4; i++) wq_wdigit((uint8_t)(HUD_SC_X + i), 0, score_d[i]);
+            hud_phase = 1;
+        } else if (hud_phase == 1) {                /* score 4-5 + level */
+            wq_wdigit(HUD_SC_X + 4, 0, score_d[4]);
+            wq_wdigit(HUD_SC_X + 5, 0, score_d[5]);
+            wq_wdigit(HUD_LV_X, 1, (uint8_t)(level / 10));
+            wq_wdigit(HUD_LV_X + 1, 1, (uint8_t)(level % 10));
+            hud_phase = 2;
+        } else if (hud_phase == 2) {                /* hi-score digits 0-3 */
+            for (i = 0; i < 4; i++) wq_wdigit((uint8_t)(HUD_HI_X + i), 0, hi_d[i]);
+            hud_phase = 3;
+        } else {                                    /* hi-score digits 4-5 */
+            wq_wdigit(HUD_HI_X + 4, 0, hi_d[4]);
+            wq_wdigit(HUD_HI_X + 5, 0, hi_d[5]);
+            hud_pending = 0;
+            if (state == ST_OVER) { over_pending = 1; over_phase = 0; }
+        }
+    } else if (over_pending) {
+        if (over_phase == 0) { wq_text(3, 6, "GAME"); over_phase = 1; }
+        else { wq_text(3, 7, "OVER"); over_pending = 0; }
+    } else if (state == ST_PLAY) {
+        /* idle: rolling scrub of the well so any dropped write heals itself.
+         * (COLS is a power of two, so >>3 / &7 split index → row,col cheaply.)
+         * Only during play — would erase the title gems / game-over text. */
+        for (k = 0; k < SCRUB_N; k++) {
+            r = scrub_i >> 3; c = scrub_i & 7;
+            col = grid[scrub_i];
+            wq_push((uint16_t)(WELL_MY + r) * 32 + WELL_MX + c,
+                    col ? T_GEM : T_EMPTY, col ? (uint8_t)(col - 1) : PAL_WELL);
+            scrub_i++;
+            if (scrub_i >= NCELL) scrub_i = 0;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/* Write the queued cells to VRAM.  MUST run first after wait_vblank (right
+ * after the OAM DMA), and MUST finish inside the ~10-line vblank window or
+ * writes drop.  Pointer-walk (not array indexing) — SDCC sm83 generates far
+ * tighter code for *p++.  Each cell is the bank pair: tile (VBK=0) then
+ * attribute (VBK=1) at the same offset — see the per-tile color idiom. */
+static void redraw_flush(void) {
+    uint8_t k = wq_n;
+    uint16_t *op;
+    uint8_t *tp, *ap;
+    uint16_t off;
+    if (k == 0) return;
+    op = wq_off; tp = wq_tile; ap = wq_attr;
+    while (k != 0) {
+        off = *op++;
+        VBK = 0; VRAM[off] = *tp++;
+        VBK = 1; VRAM[off] = *ap++;
+        k--;
+    }
+    VBK = 0;
+    wq_n = 0;
+}
+
+/* ── GAME LOGIC (clay — reshape freely) ── title screen.
+ * A jagged pile of all six gem colors dresses the well — it doubles as the
+ * "this cart is COLOR" proof the moment the title appears. */
+static const uint8_t title_heights[COLS] = { 4, 6, 3, 7, 5, 6, 4, 5 };
 
-    map = (uint8_t *)0x9800;
-    for (i = 0; i < 32; i++) {
-        c = 0;
-        while (c < 32) { map[i * 32 + c] = T_BLANK; c++; }
+static void draw_title(void) {
+    uint8_t x, y, c, k, color;
+    /* clear the right panel (NEXT label from a previous game) */
+    for (y = 0; y <= 15; y++)
+        for (x = 10; x <= 19; x++) set_cell(x, y, T_EMPTY, PAL_OUT);
+    /* decorative gems piled at the bottom of the well, cycling palettes */
+    color = 1;
+    for (c = 0; c < COLS; c++) {
+        for (k = 0; k < title_heights[c]; k++) {
+            y = (uint8_t)(ROWS - 1 - k);
+            set_cell((uint8_t)(WELL_MX + c), (uint8_t)(WELL_MY + y),
+                     T_GEM, (uint8_t)(color - 1));
+            color++; if (color > NCOLORS) color = 1;
+        }
     }
+    /* game name + prompt, centered across the full 20-column screen */
+    draw_text((uint8_t)((20 - (sizeof(GAME_TITLE) - 1)) / 2), 2, GAME_TITLE);
+    draw_text(4, 4, "PRESS START");
+}
 
-    for (r = 0; r < ROWS; r++)
-        for (c = 0; c < COLS; c++)
-            grid[r][c] = 0;
+/* LCD off / on — only used to bracket the full-screen rebuilds at the title
+ * and game-start transitions.  NEVER call these from the in-game loop (the
+ * off-frame blanks the whole screen — a flash/strobe).  blit_on enables BG +
+ * OBJ + the WINDOW (map $9C00) — see the window idiom for the LCDC bits. */
+static void blit_off(void) { wait_vblank(); LCDC = 0; }
+static void blit_on(void)  {
+    LCDC = LCDC_LCD_ON | LCDC_BG_ON | LCDC_OBJ_ON | LCDC_TILE_DATA_LO
+         | LCDC_WINDOW_ON | LCDC_WINDOW_MAP_HI;
+}
 
-    score = 0;
+/* zero the board and all run stats for a fresh game (shadow set to 0xFF so the
+ * first redraw repaints every cell).  Does not touch music_on or hi_d. */
+static void reset_state(void) {
+    uint8_t i;
+    for (i = 0; i < NCELL; i++) grid[i] = 0;
+    for (i = 0; i < NCELL; i++) shadow[i] = 0xFF;
+    for (i = 0; i < 6; i++) score_d[i] = 0;
+    total_cleared = 0;
+    level = 0;
+    cur_fall_rate = 32;
     fall_timer = 0;
-    new_piece();
-    draw_well();
-    draw_grid();
+    piece_counter = 0;
+    piece_magic = 0;
+}
+
+/* leave the title and begin play: reset, seed the first piece + preview, and
+ * rebuild the screen with the LCD off. */
+static void start_game(void) {
+    reset_state();
+    state = ST_PLAY;
+    roll(nextp);
+    spawn();
+    blit_off();
+    draw_static();
+    redraw_all();
+    draw_text(HUD_X, 1, "NEXT");
+    draw_hud_now();
+    blit_on();
+    update_sprites();
+    scanning = 0; hud_pending = 0; over_pending = 0; wq_n = 0;
+}
 
-    LCDC = LCDC_LCD_ON | LCDC_BG_ON | LCDC_TILE_DATA_LO;
+/* show the title screen (gem pile + name + PRESS START + persisted HI) */
+static void go_title(void) {
+    reset_state();
+    piece_active = 0;
+    state = ST_TITLE;
+    blit_off();
+    draw_static();
+    redraw_all();
+    draw_title();
+    draw_hud_now();
+    next_dirty = 1;
+    blit_on();
+    update_sprites();
+    scanning = 0; hud_pending = 0; over_pending = 0; wq_n = 0;
+}
+
+/* the run is over: persist a new record, then let the queue paint GAME OVER
+ * + the updated HI digits (hud_pending → over_pending chain). */
+static void game_over(void) {
+    piece_active = 0;
+    state = ST_OVER;
+    sfx_over();
+    if (score_beats_hi()) {
+        uint8_t i;
+        for (i = 0; i < 6; i++) hi_d[i] = score_d[i];
+        hiscore_save();          /* battery SRAM — survives power-off */
+    }
+}
+
+void main(void) {
+    uint8_t pad, prev = 0, t, rate, g;
+
+    /* ── HARDWARE IDIOM (load-bearing — reshape gameplay around this; see TROUBLESHOOTING) ──
+     * Boot order: LCD defaults (installs the OAM-DMA HRAM stub) → vblank IRQ
+     * (so wait_vblank HALTs instead of busy-polling LY — the poll runs at
+     * ~1/30 speed on this core) → APU on → LCD OFF → then all the bulk VRAM
+     * work (tiles, palettes, maps).  Tile/palette/map uploads REQUIRE a
+     * VRAM-safe window and boot does them all at once, so LCD-off is the
+     * only sane choice here.  The window position registers are plain I/O —
+     * set once, they hold. */
+    lcd_init_default();
+    enable_vblank_irq();
+    sound_init();
+    music_on = 1;          /* background music on by default (SELECT toggles) */
+    LCDC = 0;
+    WY = WINY;             /* window HUD strip: bottom 16 pixel rows */
+    WX = 7;                /* WX is offset by 7 — this is the left edge */
+
+    upload_tile(T_EMPTY, tile_empty);
+    upload_tile(T_GEM,   tile_gem);
+    upload_tile(T_WALL,  tile_wall);
+    upload_tile(T_BLANK, tile_blank);
+    upload_tile(T_MAGIC, tile_magic);
+    upload_tile(T_EXP0,  tile_exp0);
+    upload_tile(T_EXP1,  tile_exp1);
+    upload_tile(T_EXP2,  tile_exp2);
+    for (g = 0; g < FONT_GLYPHS; g++)
+        memcpy_vram((uint8_t *)(0x8000 + (FONT_BASE + g) * 16), &font_data[g * 16], 16);
+    load_palettes();
+    load_obj_palettes();
+    oam_clear();
 
+    hiscore_load();        /* battery SRAM — 0 on a fresh cart */
+    go_title();
+
+    /* Main loop, one pass per frame.  The order is deliberate: the two VRAM/OAM
+     * writers (sprites, then the bounded BG flush) run FIRST so they land inside
+     * vblank; audio and game logic follow; the next frame's BG writes are queued
+     * last (RAM only) for the following frame's flush. */
     while (1) {
         wait_vblank();
-
-        /* Erase current piece visual (overwrite with what's underneath). */
-        for (i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
-            pr = piece_y + i;
-            if (pr >= 0 && pr < ROWS)
-                draw_cell(piece_x, pr, grid[pr][piece_x]);
-        }
+        update_sprites();  /* OAM DMA FIRST — must land in vblank (no tear) */
+        redraw_flush();    /* then drain queued BG writes (≤4, fits vblank) */
+        sfx_tick();
+        music_tick();
 
         pad = joypad_read();
 
-        if ((pad & PAD_LEFT)  && !(prev & PAD_LEFT)
-            && !collides(piece_x - 1, piece_y)) piece_x--;
-        if ((pad & PAD_RIGHT) && !(prev & PAD_RIGHT)
-            && !collides(piece_x + 1, piece_y)) piece_x++;
-        if ((pad & PAD_A) && !(prev & PAD_A)) {
-            t = piece[0]; piece[0] = piece[1]; piece[1] = piece[2]; piece[2] = t;
-        }
-        if ((pad & PAD_START) && !(prev & PAD_START)) {
-            while (!collides(piece_x, piece_y + 1)) piece_y++;
-            lock_piece();
-            new_piece();
-            prev = pad;
-            continue;
-        }
-        prev = pad;
+        /* SELECT toggles the background music, in any state */
+        if ((pad & PAD_SELECT) && !(prev & PAD_SELECT)) music_toggle();
 
-        fall_rate = (pad & PAD_DOWN) ? 4 : 30;
-        if (++fall_timer >= fall_rate) {
-            fall_timer = 0;
-            if (collides(piece_x, piece_y + 1)) {
-                lock_piece();
-                new_piece();
-            } else {
-                piece_y++;
+        if (state == ST_TITLE) {
+            /* ── GAME LOGIC (clay — reshape freely) ── press-start title
+             * (handheld: no 2P mode select — see the header note) */
+            if ((pad & PAD_START) && !(prev & PAD_START)) start_game();
+        } else if (state == ST_PLAY) {
+            /* ── GAME LOGIC (clay — reshape freely) ── one frame of play */
+            if ((pad & PAD_LEFT) && !(prev & PAD_LEFT)
+                && !collides((uint8_t)(piece_x - 1), piece_y)) { piece_x--; sfx_move(); }
+            if ((pad & PAD_RIGHT) && !(prev & PAD_RIGHT)
+                && !collides((uint8_t)(piece_x + 1), piece_y)) { piece_x++; sfx_move(); }
+            if ((pad & PAD_A) && !(prev & PAD_A) && !piece_magic) {
+                t = piece[0]; piece[0] = piece[1]; piece[1] = piece[2]; piece[2] = t;
+                sfx_rotate();
+            }
+            if ((pad & PAD_B) && !(prev & PAD_B) && !piece_magic) {
+                t = piece[2]; piece[2] = piece[1]; piece[1] = piece[0]; piece[0] = t;
+                sfx_rotate();
+            }
+            if ((pad & PAD_START) && !(prev & PAD_START)) {
+                while (!collides(piece_x, (uint8_t)(piece_y + 1))) piece_y++;
+                sfx_drop();
+                lock_and_resolve();
+                spawn();
+                start_redraw();
             }
-        }
 
-        /* Re-draw piece in new position. */
-        for (i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
-            pr = piece_y + i;
-            if (pr >= 0 && pr < ROWS) draw_cell(piece_x, pr, piece[i]);
+            rate = (pad & PAD_DOWN) ? 3 : cur_fall_rate;
+            if (state == ST_PLAY && ++fall_timer >= rate) {
+                fall_timer = 0;
+                if (collides(piece_x, (uint8_t)(piece_y + 1))) {
+                    sfx_drop();
+                    lock_and_resolve();
+                    spawn();
+                    start_redraw();
+                } else {
+                    piece_y++;
+                }
+            }
+        } else { /* ST_OVER — START returns to the title (shows the new HI) */
+            if ((pad & PAD_START) && !(prev & PAD_START)) go_title();
         }
+
+        redraw_collect();   /* queue next frame's VRAM writes (RAM only) */
+        prev = pad;
     }
 }