carts:nintendo:gba [dumping.guide]

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====== Game Boy Advance ======

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===== Introduction =====

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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.

===== Methods =====

==== Dedicated dumping hardware ====

  - [[#GBxCart RW]]
  - [[#The Joey Jr]]
  - [[#Sanni Cart Reader]]

=== GBxCart RW ===

GBxCart RW is one of the cheaper dedicated hardware methods for dumping.

Supports: GB/GBC/GBA, Game Boy Camera, and Nintendo Power Carts and Bootleg flashing

Please see the the page for Lesserkuma's open-source software for the GBxCart RW, [[https://github.com/lesserkuma/FlashGBX|FlashGBX]].

=== The Joey Jr ===

The Joey Jr is another inexpensive option for dedicated dumping hardware.

Supports: GB/GBC/GBA, Game Boy Camera, and Nintendo Power Carts and Bootleg flashing

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.
  - 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.

=== GodMode9i ===

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.

== Tools needed ==

  * A Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite with a slot-1 (DS) flashcart
  * [[https://github.com/DS-Homebrew/GodMode9i/releases]]

== Dumping ==

  * 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.
  * Insert the GBA cart into slot 2 and turn on the DS.
{{:carts:nintendo:godmode9i_1.png|}} {{:carts:nintendo:godmode9i_2.png|}}

Use the D-pad to select the GBA game and press A twice to dump it to the flashcart's SD card.

If you have multiple GBA games to dump, you can swap cartidges in slot 2 without rebooting the DS.

=== Duplo ===

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 =====
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