carts:nintendo:snes

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carts:nintendo:snes [2021/10/13 01:29] – jonasroslandcarts:nintendo:snes [2023/03/11 23:50] (current) – cartridge_hermit
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 ====== Super Nintendo Entertainment System / Super Famicom ====== ====== Super Nintendo Entertainment System / Super Famicom ======
 +{{wst>see_hardware_page}}
  
 ===== Introduction ===== ===== Introduction =====
- 
 Dumping SNES / SFC cartridges require the use of a specialized dumper hardware that supports the cartridges, not to mention these dumpers may not be able to dump every single kind of cartridges. Dumping SNES / SFC cartridges require the use of a specialized dumper hardware that supports the cartridges, not to mention these dumpers may not be able to dump every single kind of cartridges.
  
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 Some cartridges may also be not supported because of its memory mapping like Sufami Turbo and Satellaview compatible cartridges (like BS-X), or like game prototypes that don't contain proper info about the cartridge itself. Some cartridges may also be not supported because of its memory mapping like Sufami Turbo and Satellaview compatible cartridges (like BS-X), or like game prototypes that don't contain proper info about the cartridge itself.
 +
 +{{wst>vgpc_help}}
 +{{wst>carts_important_notes}}
  
 ===== Methods ===== ===== Methods =====
  
-  - [[#Method 1 - Sanni Cart Reader|Sanni Cart Reader]] +  - [[#Open Source Cartridge Reader]] 
-  - [[#Method 2 - Super NT / CopySNES|Super NT]] +  - [[#RetroBlaster 2.0]] 
-  - [[#Method 3 - Retrode 2|Retrode2 +  - [[#Super NT / CopySNES]] 
-  - [[#Method 4 - RetroFreak|RetroFreak]]+  - [[#Retrode2]] 
 +  - [[#RetroFreak]]
  
-==== Method 1 - Sanni Cart Reader ====+==== Open Source Cartridge Reader ====
  
-The Sanni Cart Reader ([[https://github.com/sanni/cartreader|https://github.com/sanni/cartreader]]) is an open source Arduino based dumper that supports several systems, including SNES. It is portable, can be customized and does not need a computer to work.+The [[https://github.com/sanni/cartreader|Open Source Cartridge Reader]] (OSCR) is an open source Arduino based dumper that supports several systems, including SNES. It is portable, can be customized and does not need a computer to work.
  
-Only a SD card is needed. Follow the instructions [[https://github.com/sanni/cartreader/wiki/How-to-flash-the-Arduino|here]] on how to update the firmware of your Cart Reader.+Only a SD card is needed. Follow the [[https://github.com/sanni/cartreader/wiki/How-to-flash-the-Arduino|flashing instructions]] to update the firmware of your Cart Reader.
  
-If the Sanni Cart Reader is equipped with a snesCIC and Adafruit Clock Generator, it is possible to dump cartridges with embedded SA-1 chip.+If the OSCR is equipped with a snesCIC and Adafruit Clock Generator, it is possible to dump cartridges with embedded SA-1 chip.
  
 === Dumping Regular Cartridges === === Dumping Regular Cartridges ===
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   * If you are done, please unplug the hardware and you can use the SD card to get the ROM image.   * If you are done, please unplug the hardware and you can use the SD card to get the ROM image.
  
-==== Method 2 - Super NT / CopySNES ====+==== 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]]. 
 + 
 +{{:carts:sega:rertoblaster_5v.jpg|}} 
 + 
 +Make sure the 5V setting is selected on the device (not the 3V setting). 
 + 
 +Connect the SNES adapter to the RetroBlaster. To seat the adapter, firmly but gently push the adapter in until the pins are no longer showing. 
 + 
 +{{:carts:nintendo:snes:retroblaster_snes.jpg|}} 
 + 
 +Insert the cartridge or PCB into the adapter, with the label side facing the activity LED. 
 + 
 +Open the RetroBlaster software (click Run if you see a security warning about the publisher not being verified) and navigate to the SNES tab. 
 + 
 +{{:carts:nintendo:snes:retroblaster_snes_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 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. The SNES adapter is the widest RetroBlaster adapter and the pins on the underside extend past the adapter slot, so be extra careful not to bend them when lifting with adapter. 
 + 
 +==== Super NT / CopySNES ====
  
 The [[https://www.analogue.co/super-nt|Super NT]] from Analogue doesn't come with dumping capabilities by default, they need to be enabled by [[https://github.com/SmokeMonsterPacks/Super-NT-Jailbreak|installing the jailbreak]]. The [[https://www.analogue.co/super-nt|Super NT]] from Analogue doesn't come with dumping capabilities by default, they need to be enabled by [[https://github.com/SmokeMonsterPacks/Super-NT-Jailbreak|installing the jailbreak]].
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 (note: for SuperFX (GSU), the RAM is always dumped as 64 kilobytes. This is because games such as Yoshi's Island have RAM, but the headers for all the games show 0 kilobyte of RAM. This 'larger' RAM will work with the major emulators, and can be trimmed down later if needed.) (note: for SuperFX (GSU), the RAM is always dumped as 64 kilobytes. This is because games such as Yoshi's Island have RAM, but the headers for all the games show 0 kilobyte of RAM. This 'larger' RAM will work with the major emulators, and can be trimmed down later if needed.)
  
-The information above is retrieved from https://github.com/SmokeMonsterPacks/Super-NT-Jailbreak, please see their GitHub repo for always up-to-date information about the Super NT jailbreak and CopySNES functionality.+//The information above is retrieved from the [[https://github.com/SmokeMonsterPacks/Super-NT-Jailbreak|SuperNT Jailbreak Github repo]], which has the latest information about the Super NT jailbreak and CopySNES functionality.//
  
-==== Method 3 - Retrode2 ====+==== Retrode2 ====
  
 This is a super simple system that works really well, and is affordable and readily available. See our [[tools:hardware|hardware page for shop links]]. This is a super simple system that works really well, and is affordable and readily available. See our [[tools:hardware|hardware page for shop links]].
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   - The Retrode2 should now show up as a regular USB drive, and you can copy the ROM from there for further analysis.   - The Retrode2 should now show up as a regular USB drive, and you can copy the ROM from there for further analysis.
  
-==== Method 4 - RetroFreak ====+==== RetroFreak ====
  
-The RetroFreak is a great little emulation machine that uses physical carts similar to the Retron5.+See [[carts:nintendo:nes|instructions here for NES / Famicom dumping using the RetroFreak]], the same setup applies to dumping Super Nintendo / Super Famicom games.
  
-Under standard conditions it is possible to let the RetroFreak copy the cart contents to an SD card, but they're always encrypted.+==== Opening carts ====
  
-However, by using custom firmware and a few configurations to two files, you can get unencrypted dumps  of your carts onto your SD card.+Firmly unscrew the front of the cartridge with a 3.8mm Gamebit or line head screw driver, and slide the top half of the shell down to expose the PCB.
  
-**WARNING 1**+===== Identifying Game Versions =====
  
-Will this brick your system? Hopefully not. Proceed on your own risk.+Once the cart has been opened, you can decode the letters/numbers stamped on the main chip.
  
-**Get the binaries**+{{:carts:nintendo:snes:snes-identifying_game_versions.png?400}}
  
-Start by downloading the release of [[https://github.com/hissorii/retrofd/releases/tag/v1.0|hissori's retrofd project]].+{{:carts:nintendo:snes:sne_chip_codes.svg?600}}
  
-Make sure you get the release that's _smaller_ than your SD card. If your SD card is 16GB you should get the 8GB release, etc.+**S**ystem/region 
 +  * SHVC = Super Famicom/Japan/World 
 +  * SNS = USA SNES 
 +  * SPAL = Europe SNES 
 +**G**ame code (e.g. MW = Super Mario World)\\ 
 +**V**ersion (starts at 0)\\
  
-**WARNING 2** +The game code is six to nine characters. For example, the code for Super Mario World (USA) ''SNS-MW-0'' and Warlock (PAL) is ''SPAL-AWKP-0''.
- +
-This will overwrite your SD card, so make sure you make backups of anything important before proceeding. +
- +
-Unpack the retrofd zip file, and then use something like [[https://www.balena.io/etcher/|balenaEtcher]] to transfer the contests onto an empty SD card. +
- +
-**Config** +
- +
-There are two small file edits that you need to do. To make it simple, you can replace the existing files on your SD card with the ones attached. +
- +
-Here are the changed files: +
- +
-retrofd.cfg +
- +
-<code -> +
-# clear micro SD partition 2/3 +
-RF_CLR_SDP23=no +
-# FACTORY TEST MODE +
-RF_FTM=no +
-# Log copy daemon +
-RF_LOGCD=yes    +
-</code> +
- +
-rfd_logcd.sh +
- +
-<code -> +
-#!/sbin/busybox sh +
- +
-while ! busybox grep "/mnt/external_sd" /proc/mounts > /dev/null +
-do +
- busybox sleep 1 +
-done +
- +
-# copy log files(/mnt/ram/log/*) to SD(/retrofd/log) if new ones exist +
-srcd=/mnt/ram/ +
-dstd=/mnt/external_sd/retrofd/log +
-while : ; +
-do +
- busybox find $srcd -maxdepth 1 -type f | busybox sed -e 's/.*\///' | while read logfile +
- do +
- [ -f "$dstd/$logfile" ] || busybox sleep 5 && busybox cp "$srcd/$logfile" $dstd/ +
- done +
- busybox sleep 1 +
-done +
-</code> +
- +
-**Usage** +
- +
-Boot up the RetroFreak with the new SD card inserted, you should be able to use and play your carts like normal. Once you insert a cart, let RetroFreak install it to the SD card. Now start the game for a few seconds. +
- +
-After you've started a game, the unencrypted dump will be copied onto your SD card under `/retrofd/log`. You can now exit the game and continue with the next cart. +
- +
-Once you've turned off the RetroFreak, you can take out the SD card and look the contents and verify your unencrypted dumps. +
- +
-They should have names such as `homebrewgame-decrypted.NES` and `awesomehomebrew-decrypted.SFC`. +
- +
-//Needs verification// You might also be able to use the above method to dump an unencrypted BIOS of your Famicom Disk System. Plug in the RAM adapter and follow the instructions above to save the encrypted BIOS on your SD card. Then start an FDS game that you have loaded onto the SD card and the BIOS should be dumped into the same location as mentioned above. +
- +
-===== Identifying Game Versions ===== +
-todo: add info on cart/box serials (and non-standard carts if relevant) +
- +
-{{:carts:nintendo:snes:snes-identifying_game_versions.png?400}} +
- +
-**SSS**(**S**)-**GG**(**GG**)-**V**\\ +
-S = System/Region (SHVC = Super Famicom/Japan/World, SNS = USA SNES, SPAL = Europe SNES)\\ +
-G = Game code (e.g. MW = Super Mario World)\\ +
-V = Version (starts at 0)\\+
  
 ===== Gathering and Submitting Dump Info ===== ===== Gathering and Submitting Dump Info =====
 +{{wst>see_submission_page}}
  
-See [[submission:nintendo-carts|Gathering and Submitting Dump Info for Nintendo carts]] +<sub>Based on [[https://wiki.no-intro.org/index.php?title=Super_Nintendo_Entertainment_System_Dumping_Guide|this No-Intro wiki page]]</sub>
- +
-<sub>Minor contributions (No-Intro Wiki): Dizzzy, Hiccup, Wherewilf. Major contributions - initial //Sanni Cart Reader// instructions (dumping.guide): LuigiBlood. Minor contributions (dumping.guide): Hiccup.</sub> +
  • carts/nintendo/snes.1634088546.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2021/10/13 01:29
  • by jonasrosland