carts:nintendo:gba

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carts:nintendo:gba [2021/10/12 00:32]
jonasrosland 		carts:nintendo:gba [2022/09/28 22:05]
hiccup
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 ====== Game Boy Advance ====== ====== Game Boy Advance ======
-**todo:** 
-  - look into cart-to-PC hardware (e.g. https://www.shop01media.com/en/Nintendo-GBA/GBA-GameBoy-Flash-Carts/XG2-Slim-Loader-III-NeoFlash-SlimLoader-USB) 
-  - list DIY hardware methods 
-  - try out this: https://github.com/RattletraPM/gbaxxdumper 
-  - https://gaming.stackexchange.com/questions/22312/how-to-back-up-and-restore-game-saves-in-cartridges-for-the-original-game-boy-c/ 
-  - Add GodMode9i to the dumping methods. seems like it recently got support for GBA Video movie carts based on duplo code. 
-  - Datel Advance Game Port https://www.gc-forever.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=2655 
  
-===== Introduction ===== +{{wst>see_hardware_page}}
-xxxx+
  
 +{{wst>vgpc_help}}
  
-===== Identifying Game Versions ===== +===== Introduction =====
-todo: add info on cart/box serials (and non-standard carts if relevant)+
  
-{{:carts:nintendo:gba:gba-identifying_game_versions.png?260}}+{{wst>carts_important_notes}}
  
-**SSS**-**TGGR**-**V**\\ +Game Boy Advance games are one of the easier systems to dump and there are numerous tools available, so you should be able to find a great method that works with the hardware you have on hand. The cheapest way to dump a GBA game is probably with a slot-1 DS flashcart, but dedicated dumping hardware tools support a larger variety of consoles vs just a GBA.
-S = System (Always/mostly "AGB")\\ +
-T = Type (N = Normal)\\ +
-G = Game code (e.g. MA = Super Mario Advance)\\ +
-R = Region (J = Japan, E = USA, P = Europe)\\ +
-V = Version (starts at 0)\\+
  
-There is also a shortened version of the code on the left hand side, in the format **TGGR**-**V**. 
 ===== Methods ===== ===== Methods =====
  
-  - DS + DS Slot-1 Flashcart (Normal Carts)+==== Dedicated dumping hardware ====
  
-  - DS + DS Slot-1 Flashcart (GBA Video Movie Carts)+  - [[#GBxCart RW]] 
 +  - [[#The Joey Jr]] 
 +  - [[#Sanni Cart Reader]]
  
-  - GBA + GCN-GBA Link Cable + Homebrew-enabled GCN/Wii+=== GBxCart RW ===
  
-  - Homebrew-enabled GCN + Game Boy Player + SD-GCN Memory Card Adapter+GBxCart RW is one of the cheaper dedicated hardware methods for dumping.
  
-  - BennVenn Joey Joebags+Supports: GB/GBC/GBA, Game Boy Camera, and Nintendo Power Carts and Bootleg flashing
  
-  - BennVenn Joey Jr.+Please see the the page for Lesserkuma's open-source software for the GBxCart RW, [[https://github.com/lesserkuma/FlashGBX|FlashGBX]].
  
-  - GBxCart RW+=== The Joey Jr ===
  
-==== DS + DS Slot-1 Flashcart (Normal Carts) ==== +The Joey Jr is another inexpensive option for dedicated dumping hardware.
-=== Tools === +
-  - A Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite with a flashcart +
-  - [[https://gbatemp.net/download/gba-backup-tool.3228/|GBA Backup Tool]]+
  
-=== Dumping === +Supports: GB/GBC/GBA, Game Boy Camera, and Nintendo Power Carts and Bootleg flashing 
-  - Run the .nds for GBA Backup Tool+ 
 +For latest official instruction on how to use the Joey Jr, please see the [[https://bennvenn.myshopify.com/pages/the-joey-junior-gb-gbc-gba-cart-dumper-and-flasher|official user guide]]. 
 + 
 +=== Sanni Cart Reader === 
 + 
 +Sanni Cart Reader is a versatile dumping tool that supports several different consoles/cartridges, but is pricier than the Joey Jr or GBxCart RW. 
 + 
 +The Sanni Cart Reader comes with Game Boy / Game Boy Color dumping capabilities by default. [[https://github.com/sanni/cartreader/wiki/Reading-a-Game-Boy-rom|Follow the Sanni Cart Reader wiki]] for proper settings, and dumping instructions. 
 + 
 +==== Dumping with DS consoles ==== 
 + 
 +  - [[#GBA Backup Tool]] 
 +  - [[#GodMode9i]] 
 +  - [[#Duplo]] 
 + 
 + 
 +=== GBA Backup Tool === 
 + 
 +GBA Backup Tool is a commonly used tool, though it hasn't seen any updates since 2008. 
 + 
 +== Tools needed == 
 + 
 +  - A Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite with a slot-1 (DS) flashcart 
 +  - [[https://gamebrew.org/wiki/GBA_Backup_Tool]] 
 + 
 +== Dumping == 
 + 
 +  - Insert your DS flashcart into slot-1 and run the .nds for GBA Backup Tool
   - Ensure that your GBA cart is inserted, then press A on the pop-up.   - Ensure that your GBA cart is inserted, then press A on the pop-up.
-  - By default, GBA Backup Tool is in Save Backup mode. Press R twice to go to rom backup mode.+  - By default, GBA Backup Tool is in Save Backup mode. Press R twice to go to ROM backup mode.
   - Press B to make a new backup, then hit A to confirm. Your rom will be dumped to your SD card.   - Press B to make a new backup, then hit A to confirm. Your rom will be dumped to your SD card.
  
-==== DS + DS Slot-1 Flashcart (GBA Video Movie Carts) ==== +=== GodMode9i ===
-use duplo (https://github.com/endrift/duplo)+
  
-here is a build from Whovian: https://archive.org/download/duplo+If you already have a DS flashcart like R4, dumping GBA games is fairly straight forward with GodMode9i. As DS flashcarts were manufactured in large quantities, this is perhaps the cheapest and easiest accessible method for dumping GBA games. GodMode9i is a free/open source preservation tool inspired by GodMode9 for the Nintendo 3DS.
  
-not needed (and won't work for) for TV series carts ,which don't use the Matrix memory chips+== Tools needed ==
  
-==== GBA + GCN-GBA Link Cable + Homebrew-enabled GCN/Wii ==== +  * A Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite with a slot-1 (DS) flashcart 
-=== Tools === +  * [[https://github.com/DS-Homebrew/GodMode9i/releases]]
-  - A Game Boy Advance or Game Boy Advance SP +
-  - A GameCube GBA Link Cable +
-  - A Wii or a GameCube with some way to load .dol files (e.g. the Homebrew Channel for the Wii). +
-  - The [[https://github.com/FIX94/gba-link-cable-dumper/releases|GBA Link Cable Dumper]]+
  
-=== Dumping === +== Dumping ==
-  - Load the .dol with Homebrew Launcher or via Swiss on GameCube. +
-  - Attach your GBA to the system in port 2 **without** a game in, leaving your gamecube controller attached to port 1. +
-  - Turn on your GBA and wait for the dumper to be sent. After a moment, you should see the screen on your GBA change. +
-  - Insert a cartridge into your GBA. Press A on the gamecube controller to continue in the menu, then press A again to dump. +
-  - Remove the SD card and insert into your PC. the gba file will be placed in the dumps folder.+
  
-==== Homebrew-enabled GCN + Game Boy Player + SD-GCN Memory Card Adapter ==== +  * Download the .nds file for GodMode9i from [[https://github.com/DS-Homebrew/GodMode9i/releases|project's releases page]] to your flashcart and put it in the slot-1 (DS) slot of your DS. 
-=== Tools === +  * Insert the GBA cart into slot 2 and turn on the DS. 
-  - A GameCube with some way to load .dol files +{{:carts:nintendo:godmode9i_1.png|}} {{:carts:nintendo:godmode9i_2.png|}}
-  - A GameCube Memory Card to SD Adapter. +
-  - A Game Boy Player. +
-  - The latest [[https://files.extremscorner.org/gamecube/apps/gbi/latest|GBI]] - You only need GBI.DOL, none of the others.+
  
-=== Dumping === +Use the D-pad to select the GBA game and press A twice to dump it to the flashcart's SD card.
-  - Load GBI.DOL with no cartridge in your Game Boy Player. A menu should appear on screen, and some screen options will appear. +
-  - Press B to hide the screen options, then insert your cartridge. Navigate to "Dump ROM" and hit A. +
-  - Text showing progress will appear. Once done, hold reset, eject your cartridge and release. Upon the restart, you can power off. +
-  - Remove your SD Card. the .GBA file will be on the root of your SD, named by serial which you can find on the bottom right of your cartridge's label.+
  
-===== Verification ===== +If you have multiple GBA games to dump, you can swap cartidges in slot 2 without rebooting the DS.
-Description of how to verify that is a dump is correct.+
  
-===== Gathering and Submitting Dump Info =====+=== Duplo ===
  
-See [[submission:nintendo-carts|Gathering and Submitting Dump Info for Nintendo carts]]+Duplo can dump GBA Video Movie Carts. 
 + 
 +  - Use duplo ([[https://github.com/endrift/duplo]]) - download a pre-built copy [[https://archive.org/details/duplo|here]]. 
 +  - This is not needed (and won't work for) for TV series carts, which don't use the Matrix memory chip 
 + 
 +===== Opening carts ===== 
 + 
 +The Y-shaped screw on the back of GBA cartridges can be opened with a size Y1 tri-point (sometimes called tri-wing) screwdriver. Once the screw is removed, gently slide the label side of the cart down to expose the PCB. 
 + 
 +===== For Reference: Identifying Game Versions ===== 
 + 
 +Once the cart has been opened, you can decode the letters/numbers stamped on the main chip. 
 + 
 +{{:carts:nintendo:gba:gba-identifying_game_versions.png?260}} 
 + 
 +{{:todo:gba_cart_code.png?600}} 
 + 
 + S = System (Almost always "AGB")\\  T = Type (N = Normal)\\  G = Game code (e.g. MA = Super Mario Advance)\\  R = Region (J = Japan, E = USA, P = Europe)\\  V = Version (starts at 0)\\ 
 + 
 +There is also a shortened version of the code on the left hand side, in the format **TGGR**-**V**. 
 + 
 +todo: add info on cart/box serials (and non-standard carts if relevant) 
 + 
 +===== Gathering and Submitting Dump Info ===== 
 +{{wst>see_submission_page}}
  
  • carts/nintendo/gba.txt
  • Last modified: 2022/09/28 22:05
  • by hiccup