carts:nintendo:gba

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carts:nintendo:gba [2022/11/18 00:52] – [Dumping with DS consoles] hiccupcarts:nintendo:gba [2023/03/13 18:09] (current) – [Identifying Game Versions] cartridge_hermit
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 ===== Introduction ===== ===== Introduction =====
  
-{{wst>carts_important_notes}}+Game Boy Advance games are one of the easier systems to dump and there are numerous tools available. If you already have a Nintendo DS, 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 rather than just a GBA.
  
-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.+{{wst>carts_important_notes}}
  
 ===== Methods ===== ===== Methods =====
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   - [[#GBxCart RW]]   - [[#GBxCart RW]]
-  - [[#The Joey Jr]] +  - [[#Joey Jr]] 
-  - [[#Sanni Cart Reader]]+  - [[#Open Source Cartridge Reader]] 
 +  - [[#RetroBlaster 2.0]]
  
 === GBxCart RW === === GBxCart RW ===
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 Please see the the page for Lesserkuma's open-source software for the GBxCart RW, [[https://github.com/lesserkuma/FlashGBX|FlashGBX]]. Please see the the page for Lesserkuma's open-source software for the GBxCart RW, [[https://github.com/lesserkuma/FlashGBX|FlashGBX]].
  
-=== The Joey Jr ===+=== Joey Jr ===
  
 The Joey Jr is another inexpensive option for dedicated dumping hardware. The Joey Jr is another inexpensive option for dedicated dumping hardware.
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 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]]. 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 ===+=== Open Source Cartridge 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.+Open Source Cartridge Reader (OSCR) 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.+The OSCR comes with Game Boy / Game Boy Color dumping capabilities by default. [[https://github.com/sanni/cartreader/wiki/Reading-a-Game-Boy-rom|Follow the OSCR wiki]] for proper settings, and dumping instructions. 
 + 
 +==== RetroBlaster 2.0 ==== 
 +{{wst>community_equipment}} 
 + 
 +The RetroBlaster software currently only supports Windows and is available on the [[https://github.com/retrostage/RetroBlaster|RetroBlaster github]]. 
 + 
 +Make sure the RetroBlaster voltage switch is set to 3V (not the 5V setting). 
 + 
 +Connect the Game Boy adapter to the RetroBlaster. To seat the adapter, firmly but gently push the adapter in until the pins are no longer showing. 
 + 
 +{{:carts:nintendo:gba:retroblaster_gba.png|}} 
 + 
 +Insert the cartridge or PCB into the adapter, with the label side facing up. 
 + 
 +Open the RetroBlaster software (click Run if you see a security warning about the publisher not being verified) and navigate to the GBA tab. 
 + 
 +{{:carts:nintendo:gba:retroblaster_gba_software.png|}} 
 + 
 +Click "Dump ROM." Choose the location and filename for your ROM. 
 + 
 +The activity LED will turn on on the RetroBlaster board. A progress bar will indicate the status of the dump, and information will be displayed on the 'status' log when the dump is complete. 
 + 
 +You can also dump the SRAM or EEPROM save data from this same tab, by clicking the appropriate button. 
 + 
 +When swapping adapters, the official recommendation from RetroBlaster is to use the non-writing end of a pen or marker to slowly push the adapter out from either side, using the board for leverage, in order to avoid bending the pins.
  
 ==== Dumping with DS consoles ==== ==== Dumping with DS consoles ====
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 === GBA Backup Tool === === GBA Backup Tool ===
  
-GBA Backup Tool is a commonly used tool, though it hasn't seen any updates since 2008.+GBA Backup Tool is a commonly used and well-tested tool, though its closed-sourced and hasn't seen any updates since 2008.
  
 == Tools needed == == Tools needed ==
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 === GodMode9i === === GodMode9i ===
- +GodMode9 is open source, but is less well-tested at dumping GBA carts as GBA Backup Tool.
-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 == == Tools needed ==
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 === Duplo === === Duplo ===
-Duplo can dump GBA Video Movie Carts (which use Matrix Memory chips) unlike other dumping tools, but it cannot dump normal carts (which include the GBA TV show carts).+Duplo is an open source tool to dump GBA Video Movie Carts (which use Matrix Memory chips) unlike other dumping tools. It cannot dump normal game carts, including GBA TV show carts.
  
 == Tools needed == == Tools needed ==
   * A Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite with a slot-1 (DS) flashcart   * A Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite with a slot-1 (DS) flashcart
-  * [[https://github.com/DS-Homebrew/GodMode9i/releases]]+  * [[https://github.com/endrift/duplo/releases]]
  
 == Dumping == == Dumping ==
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   * Insert the GBA cart, turn the DS on and boot up the flashcart   * Insert the GBA cart, turn the DS on and boot up the flashcart
   * Run the .nds file - it will start dumping the ROM to a file on the root of the SD card automatically.   * Run the .nds file - it will start dumping the ROM to a file on the root of the SD card automatically.
 +{{:carts:nintendo:duplo.png|}}
  
 ===== Opening carts ===== ===== Opening carts =====
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 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. 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 =====+===== Identifying Game Versions =====
  
 Once the cart has been opened, you can decode the letters/numbers stamped on the main chip. Once the cart has been opened, you can decode the letters/numbers stamped on the main chip.
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 {{:carts:nintendo:gba:gba-identifying_game_versions.png?260}} {{:carts:nintendo:gba:gba-identifying_game_versions.png?260}}
  
-{{:todo:gba_cart_code.png?600}}+{{:carts:nintendo:sss-tggr-v.svg?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)\\
  
- 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)\\+For example, ''AGB-AMAE-0'' is Super Mario Advance (USA).
  
 There is also a shortened version of the code on the left hand side, in the format **TGGR**-**V**. There is also a shortened version of the code on the left hand side, in the format **TGGR**-**V**.
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