carts:nintendo:nes

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carts:nintendo:nes [2023/05/29 17:29] – [Opening carts] hiccupcarts:nintendo:nes [2026/01/02 23:13] (current) – {{wst>dumping_important_notes}} hiccup
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 ====== Nintendo Entertainment System / Famicom ====== ====== Nintendo Entertainment System / Famicom ======
 +
 {{wst>see_hardware_page}} {{wst>see_hardware_page}}
- 
-**Warning: The Nt Mini Noir Jailbreak v6.5 (Dec. 15, 2020) [[https://github.com/SmokeMonsterPacks/Nt-Mini-Noir-Jailbreak/issues/85|produced corrupted dumps of some Famicom carts]] and v6.6 (Feb 23, 2021) [and maybe earlier] [[https://github.com/SmokeMonsterPacks/Nt-Mini-Noir-Jailbreak/issues/155|produces corrupted dumps of SXROM and HKROM carts]].** 
  
 {{wst>vgpc_help}} {{wst>vgpc_help}}
 +
 +**Warning:**
 +
 +  * **The Nt Mini Noir Jailbreak v6.5 (Dec. 15, 2020) [[https://github.com/SmokeMonsterPacks/Nt-Mini-Noir-Jailbreak/issues/85|produced corrupted dumps of some Famicom carts]] and v6.6 (Feb 23, 2021) [and maybe earlier] [[https://github.com/SmokeMonsterPacks/Nt-Mini-Noir-Jailbreak/issues/155|produces corrupted dumps of SXROM and HKROM carts]].**
 +
 +{{wst>unlicensed_cart_warning}}
  
 ===== Introduction ===== ===== Introduction =====
 +
 There are many tools available to dump NES / Famicom carts, not all of them are simple to use though. To ensure successful dumps, we won't be listing beta/in progress methods or tools below. There are many tools available to dump NES / Famicom carts, not all of them are simple to use though. To ensure successful dumps, we won't be listing beta/in progress methods or tools below.
  
-{{wst>carts_important_notes}}+{{wst>dumping_important_notes}}
  
 ===== Methods ===== ===== Methods =====
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 ==== Open Source Cartridge Reader ==== ==== Open Source Cartridge Reader ====
  
-To read Nintendo/Famicom cartridges you need the [[https://github.com/sanni/cartreader/tree/master/pcb/adapters|NES(or Famicom) to SNES adapter PCB]] and have the configuration switches set like so:+If you have a V3 version, to read Nintendo/Famicom cartridges you need the [[https://github.com/sanni/cartreader/tree/bd3eaa106b6e4cbdffbfa89a3fb5fedf3e028b17/pcb/adapters|NES(or Famicom) to SNES adapter PCB]] and have the configuration switches set like so:
  
 {{:carts:nintendo:sanni-switches-nes-dumping.jpeg?400}} {{:carts:nintendo:sanni-switches-nes-dumping.jpeg?400}}
 +
 +For V5, you need to have switches set like this:
 +
 +{{.:pasted:20251126-152033.png}}
  
 Then you need to find the mapper and size information of the cartridge you want to dump in one of these databases: Then you need to find the mapper and size information of the cartridge you want to dump in one of these databases:
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 [[https://github.com/dsedivec/inestool]]\\ [[https://greg-kennedy.com/wordpress/2012/05/30/ines-header-fixer/]] [[https://github.com/dsedivec/inestool]]\\ [[https://greg-kennedy.com/wordpress/2012/05/30/ines-header-fixer/]]
  
-A video of how this works can be found here: +A video of how this works can be found here: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PWq-x4hxgM]]
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PWq-x4hxgM+
  
 //Methodology captured from [[https://github.com/sanni/cartreader/wiki/Dumping-NES-Games]]// //Methodology captured from [[https://github.com/sanni/cartreader/wiki/Dumping-NES-Games]]//
  
 ==== RetroBlaster 2.0 ==== ==== RetroBlaster 2.0 ====
 +
 {{wst>community_equipment}} {{wst>community_equipment}}
  
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 The RetroBlaster software currently only supports Windows and is available on the [[https://github.com/retrostage/RetroBlaster|RetroBlaster github]]. The RetroBlaster software currently only supports Windows and is available on the [[https://github.com/retrostage/RetroBlaster|RetroBlaster github]].
  
-{{:carts:sega:rertoblaster_5v.jpg|}}+{{:carts:sega:rertoblaster_5v.jpg}}
  
 Make sure the RetroBlaster voltage switch is set to 5V (not the 3V setting). Make sure the RetroBlaster voltage switch is set to 5V (not the 3V setting).
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 Connect the NES adapter to the RetroBlaster. To seat the adapter, firmly but gently push the adapter in until the pins are no longer showing. Connect the NES adapter to the RetroBlaster. To seat the adapter, firmly but gently push the adapter in until the pins are no longer showing.
  
-{{:carts:nintendo:nes:nes_retroblaster.png|}}+{{:carts:nintendo:nes:nes_retroblaster.png}}
  
 Insert the cartridge or PCB into the adapter, with the cartridge label facing the activity LED. Insert the cartridge or PCB into the adapter, with the cartridge label facing the activity LED.
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 First, you'll need to know which mapper type the game uses. You can consult a NES game database such as [[https://nescartdb.com|nescartdb.com]] or [[http://nes.dnsabr.com|nes.dnsabr.com]] for the mapper info and the size of the PRG and CHR chips. First, you'll need to know which mapper type the game uses. You can consult a NES game database such as [[https://nescartdb.com|nescartdb.com]] or [[http://nes.dnsabr.com|nes.dnsabr.com]] for the mapper info and the size of the PRG and CHR chips.
  
-{{:carts:nintendo:nes:retroblaster_nes_mapper.png|}}+{{:carts:nintendo:nes:retroblaster_nes_mapper.png}}
  
 After selecting the mapper type from the drop-down menu, enter the PRG size. After selecting the mapper type from the drop-down menu, enter the PRG size.
  
-{{:carts:nintendo:nes:retroblaster_nes_chr.png|}}+{{:carts:nintendo:nes:retroblaster_nes_chr.png}}
  
 Next, enter the CHR chip size. Next, enter the CHR chip size.
  
-{{:carts:nintendo:nes:retroblaster_nes_sram.png|}}+{{:carts:nintendo:nes:retroblaster_nes_sram.png}}
  
 Finally, select whether the game uses SRAM for save data. Finally, select whether the game uses SRAM for save data.
  
-{{:carts:nintendo:nes:retroblaster_nes_software.png|}}+{{:carts:nintendo:nes:retroblaster_nes_software.png}}
  
 Click "Dump ROM." Choose the location and filename for your ROM. Click "Dump ROM." Choose the location and filename for your ROM.
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 ==== INLretro ==== ==== INLretro ====
 +
 todo: look at [[https://arekuse.net/blog/tech-guides/rom-dumping-and-hacking/rom-dumping-nes/|this guide]] and [[https://gitlab.com/InfiniteNesLives/INL-retro-progdump/-/blob/master/docs/EasyRippingGuide.md|this guide]] todo: look at [[https://arekuse.net/blog/tech-guides/rom-dumping-and-hacking/rom-dumping-nes/|this guide]] and [[https://gitlab.com/InfiniteNesLives/INL-retro-progdump/-/blob/master/docs/EasyRippingGuide.md|this guide]]
  
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 ==== Opening carts ==== ==== Opening carts ====
 +
 +=== NES ===
  
 NES games produced after 1987 use 3.8mm Gamebit screws, but earlier cartridges use common slotted screws. After removing the screws, lift the back off and remove the PCB. NES games produced after 1987 use 3.8mm Gamebit screws, but earlier cartridges use common slotted screws. After removing the screws, lift the back off and remove the PCB.
  
-Famicom carts don't use screws and require squeezing one half of the shell so the plastic flexes and unclips itself.+=== Famicom === 
 + 
 +todo: other methods (1) [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHyE7VMM58Y]], (2) [[https://imgur.com/a/how-to-open-fc-cart-like-boss-dont-break-clips-8LbzkWi]], [[https://api.imgur.com/post/v1/albums/8LbzkWi?client_id=546c25a59c58ad7&include=media%2Cadconfig%2Caccount%2Ctags]] 
 + 
 +Famicom carts don't use screws and require carefully squeezing one half of the shell so the plastic flexes and unclips itself. 
 + 
 +Gently apply pressure until you hear a pop or if the cartridge is bent a little, try pulling on one half of it to open it. If you don't hear a pop or see it bend after applying a generous amount of pressure untighten and check the cartridge positioning. 
 + 
 +If you are using a vice, double check that the line separating both halves of the cartridge is not covered by the clamps, this will ensure that only one half of the cartridge is tightened and that the plastic tabs can be correctly released. 
 + 
 +So you can get an idea of how much pressure should be applied, you may want to try it out with an inexpensive game. 
 ===== For Reference: Identifying Game Versions ===== ===== For Reference: Identifying Game Versions =====
 +
 todo: add info on cart/box serials (and non-standard carts if relevant) todo: add info on cart/box serials (and non-standard carts if relevant)
  
 {{:carts:nintendo:nes:identifying_game_versions.png?500}} {{:carts:nintendo:nes:identifying_game_versions.png?500}}
  
-SSS-GG-V CCC\\ +SSS-GG-V CCC\\  S = System/Region (HVC = Famicom/World, NES = USA NES, PAL = Europe NES)\\  G = Game code (e.g. SM = Super Mario Bros.)\\  V = Version (starts at 0)\\  C = Chip (PRG = Program, CHR = Character i.e. Graphics)
-S = System/Region (HVC = Famicom/World, NES = USA NES, PAL = Europe NES)\\ +
-G = Game code (e.g. SM = Super Mario Bros.)\\ +
-V = Version (starts at 0)\\ +
-C = Chip (PRG = Program, CHR = Character i.e. Graphics)+
  
 Most of the time, only one of the chips will have an incremented version number. There's not necessarily a direct link between the version number on the chips and the "cannonical" revision of the combined (PRG+CHR) ROM, but it can generally be worked out by looking at other information. And sometimes the chipped are bonded/globbed, so you can't see what is written on them (if anything). Some carts only have a PRG chip. Most of the time, only one of the chips will have an incremented version number. There's not necessarily a direct link between the version number on the chips and the "cannonical" revision of the combined (PRG+CHR) ROM, but it can generally be worked out by looking at other information. And sometimes the chipped are bonded/globbed, so you can't see what is written on them (if anything). Some carts only have a PRG chip.
  
 ===== Gathering and Submitting Dump Info ===== ===== Gathering and Submitting Dump Info =====
 +
 {{wst>see_submission_page}} {{wst>see_submission_page}}
 +
 +
  • carts/nintendo/nes.1685374165.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2023/05/29 17:29
  • by hiccup