todo:gba

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todo:gba [2022/09/15 01:45]
cartridge_hermit created 		todo:gba [2022/09/28 22:11]
hiccup merged with main page now
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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. 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.
  
-===== Methods =====+====== Methods ======
  
-  - [[#Method 1 - GBxCart RW|GBxCart RW]] +===== Dedicated dumping hardware =====
-  - [[#Method 2 - The Joey Jr|The Joey Jr]] +
-  - [[#Method 3 - Sanni Cart Reader|Sanni Cart Reader]] +
-  - [[#Method 4 - DS + DS Slot-1 Flashcart (Normal Carts)|DS + DS Slot-1 Flashcart (Normal Carts)]] +
-  - [[#Method 5 - DS + DS Slot-1 Flashcart (GBA Video Movie Carts)|DS + DS Slot-1 Flashcart (GBA Video Movie Carts)]] +
-  - [[#Method 6 - DS + DS Slot-1 Flashcard running GodMode9i|DS Flashcard running GodMode9i]]+
  
 +  - [[#GBxCart RW]]
 +  - [[#The Joey Jr]]
 +  - [[#Sanni Cart Reader]]
  
-==== Method 1 - GBxCart RW ====+==== GBxCart RW ====
  
 GBxCart RW is one of the cheaper dedicated hardware methods for dumping. GBxCart RW is one of the cheaper dedicated hardware methods for dumping.
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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]].
  
-==== Method 2 - The Joey Jr ====+==== The Joey Jr ====
  
-The Joey Jr is another inexpensive option for dedicated dumping hardware. +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 Supports: GB/GBC/GBA, Game Boy Camera, and Nintendo Power Carts and Bootleg flashing
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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]].
  
-==== Method 3 - Sanni Cart Reader ====+==== 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. Sanni Cart Reader is a versatile dumping tool that supports several different consoles/cartridges, but is pricier than the Joey Jr or GBxCart RW.
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 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 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.
  
-==== Method 4 - DS + DS Slot-1 Flashcart (Normal Carts) ====+===== Dumping with DS flashcarts ===== 
 + 
 +  - [[#GodMode9i]] 
 +  - [[#GBA Backup Tool]] 
 +  - [[#Duplo]] 
 + 
 +==== 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 === === Tools needed ===
  
-  - A Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite with a slot-1 (DS) flashcard +  - A Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite with a slot-1 (DS) flashcart 
-  - [[https://gamebrew.org/wiki/GBA_Backup_Tool]]+  - [[https://github.com/DS-Homebrew/GodMode9i/releases]]
  
 === Dumping === === Dumping ===
  
-  - Insert your DS flashcard into slot-1 and run the .nds for GBA Backup Tool +  - Download the .nds file for GodMode9i from project's releases page to your flashcart and put it in the slot-1 (DS) slot of your DS. 
-  - Ensure that your GBA cart is inserted, then press A on the pop-up. +  - Insert the GBA cart into slot 2 and turn on the DS. 
-  - By default, GBA Backup Tool is in Save Backup mode. Press R twice to go to ROM backup mode. +  - Use the D pad to select the GBA game and press A twice to dump it to the flashcart's SD card.
-  - Press B to make a new backup, then hit A to confirm. Your rom will be dumped to your SD card.+
  
-==== Method 5 - DS + DS Slot-1 Flashcart (GBA Video Movie Carts) ====+If you have multiple GBA games to dump, you can swap cartidges in slot 2 without rebooting the DS.
  
-  - Use duplo ([[https://github.com/endrift/duplo]]), here is a prepared build from Whovian: [[https://archive.org/details/duplo]] +==== GBA Backup Tool ====
-  - This is not needed (and won't work for) for TV series carts, which don't use the Matrix memory chips +
- +
-==== Method 6 - DS + DS Slot-1 Flashcard running GodMode9i ====+
  
-If you already have a DS flashcard like R4, dumping GBA games is fairly straight forward with GodMode9i. As DS flashcards 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.+GBA Backup Tool is a commonly used tool, though it hasn't seen any updates since 2008.
  
 === Tools needed === === Tools needed ===
  
-  - A Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite with a slot-1 (DS) flashcard +  - A Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite with a slot-1 (DS) flashcart 
-  - [[https://github.com/DS-Homebrew/GodMode9i/releases]] +  - [[https://gamebrew.org/wiki/GBA_Backup_Tool]] 
-  +
 === Dumping === === Dumping ===
  
-  - Download the .nds file for GodMode9i from project's releases page to your flashcard and put it in the slot-1 (DS) slot of your DS. +  - Insert your DS flashcart into slot-1 and run the .nds for GBA Backup Tool 
-  - Insert the GBA cart into slot 2 and turn on the DS. +  - Ensure that your GBA cart is inserted, then press A on the pop-up. 
-  - Use the D pad to select the GBA game and press A twice to dump it to the flashcard's SD card.+  - 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.
  
-If you have multiple GBA games to dump, you can swap cartidges in slot 2 without rebooting the DS.+==== Duplo ====
  
-===== Documenting physical media =====+Duplo helps dump GBA Video Movie Carts.
  
-PCB photos are an important, but often overlooked aspect of preservation. Along with providing proof of physical ownership, they also help with verifying revisions and documenting chip usage across games.+  - Use duplo ([[https://github.com/endrift/duplo]]), here is a prepared build from Whovian: [[https://archive.org/details/duplo]] 
 +  - This is not needed (and won't work for) for TV series carts, which don't use the Matrix memory chips 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +====== Documenting physical media ======
  
-If you don't have access to a scanner, a well-lit close-up photograph where the text on each chip is legible should be sufficient.+{{wst>carts_photos}}
  
 ==== Opening carts ==== ==== 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. 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.
- 
  
 ==== 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.
- 
-todo: add info on cart/box serials (and non-standard carts if relevant) 
  
 {{:carts:nintendo:gba:gba-identifying_game_versions.png?260}} {{:carts:nintendo:gba:gba-identifying_game_versions.png?260}}
  
-**SSS**-**TGGR**-**V**\\  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)\\+{{: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**. 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 ===== ===== Gathering and Submitting Dump Info =====
  
-The main group cataloging GBA games is no-intro. +The main group cataloging GBA games is no-intro.
  
 See [[submission:general|Gathering and Submitting Dump Info (Basic)]] See [[submission:general|Gathering and Submitting Dump Info (Basic)]]
 +
 +