Best Ways to Backup Console Game Saves
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samsonlonghair
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Re: Best Ways to Backup Console Game Saves
It looks like the Dexdrive was designed for pulling data from memory cards. While this can be particularly useful with the N64, as its memory paks were battery-backed, I'm looking for a solution to back-up saves from cartridges. But thanks for bringing the Dexdrive to my attention; I'll probably get one for the N64.samsonlonghair wrote:Like a Dexdrive?
Last edited by grandta13 on Wed Feb 18, 2015 7:38 am, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Best Ways to Backup Console Game Saves
That sounds like a Retron 5 proprietary game save, I doubt the online game saves for the different retro consoles are compatible. This kills the online completed game save cheat aspect.ExedExes wrote:All you have to do to save on an SD Card is change the Storage location under the settings. The save state I got for this particular example ends in a .snap0 (0 being the slot chosen, 0-9). I wouldn't be sure if this could be renamed for use in an emulator.
I have both the PS1 and N64 versions. You need an older Serial port to hook them up to. The program may not work on newer 64 bit systems, though it does run under Windows XP.grandta13 wrote:It looks like the Dexdrive was designed for pulling data from memory cards. While this can be particularly useful with the N64, as its memory paks were battery-baked, I'm looking for a solution to back-up saves from cartridges. But thanks for bringing the Dexdrive to my attention; I'll probably get one for the N64.samsonlonghair wrote:Like a Dexdrive?
@ Tanooki - I remember you had exchanges on defective Retron 5 consoles. Do you have a unit that has a non death grip Genesis cart slot?
Anybody own a revised Retron 5 that has the supposed fixed Genesis slot?
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Re: Best Ways to Backup Console Game Saves
What you're looking for is the Retrode. It's main purpose is to read ROM data and read/write save data. It interfaces with a computer (PC or MAC) via USB and does not require any drivers. Your PC sees it as if you just plugged in a memory card or USB stick. It has a SNES/SFC and Genesis/Mega Drive cart slot, but adapters have been created for N64, Gameboy, Master System, and others. More recently, I read a post that some one has successfully made a NES adapter (which would mean Famicom as well). The NES adapter wasn't 100% yet, but given time I'm sure it'll get to where it needs to be.
The only problem is that the Retrode isn't being produced currently, which sucks because it was really the only device of its kind. Sure, there's older products like Dex Drive and other cart dumpers. But they're too old. They use serial and parallel interfaces, which modern computers don't have. They require old software that might be hard to find and might not run on modern OSes. Such devices also usually only support ONE type of cart. The Retrode supports many carts and does not require any drivers or software to use it.
Like I said in my last post, there's hope that more will be made in the future. I'm keeping an eye on it because I missed the chance to get one myself.
If the Retron5 supports reading/writing save data to/from carts, then that is also a viable option. I know little about the console (it doesn't interest me much). Does it read and write save data to a memory card? Or can you interface the Retron with a PC over USB? From looking at pictures of it, I know it has an SD card slot and USB port in the back.
The Retron is in the same price range as the Retrode. The Retron is a little more expensive, but considering it supports more cart types without adapters, it's about equal in price.
The only problem is that the Retrode isn't being produced currently, which sucks because it was really the only device of its kind. Sure, there's older products like Dex Drive and other cart dumpers. But they're too old. They use serial and parallel interfaces, which modern computers don't have. They require old software that might be hard to find and might not run on modern OSes. Such devices also usually only support ONE type of cart. The Retrode supports many carts and does not require any drivers or software to use it.
Like I said in my last post, there's hope that more will be made in the future. I'm keeping an eye on it because I missed the chance to get one myself.
If the Retron5 supports reading/writing save data to/from carts, then that is also a viable option. I know little about the console (it doesn't interest me much). Does it read and write save data to a memory card? Or can you interface the Retron with a PC over USB? From looking at pictures of it, I know it has an SD card slot and USB port in the back.
The Retron is in the same price range as the Retrode. The Retron is a little more expensive, but considering it supports more cart types without adapters, it's about equal in price.
Re: Best Ways to Backup Console Game Saves
CRT: Maybe? I don't have any Genesis games.
I did go through a few because the US office was full of screwups and it took the HK Office looking to hang someone to sort it out. The last one I did receive was a black system, the new build with the solid top, better ports on the sides with rubber covers, and the revised better pins on the top part too. The grip of the Nintendo based slots (all) is less than what it was so they've been re-sized slightly, and the pins are of a superior metal too, so they stand up better against the old customer complaints of twists and snaps.
One of these days I'll pick up Dune and Star Control for Genesis, it's on my to do list with a select few others, then I'll know.
I did go through a few because the US office was full of screwups and it took the HK Office looking to hang someone to sort it out. The last one I did receive was a black system, the new build with the solid top, better ports on the sides with rubber covers, and the revised better pins on the top part too. The grip of the Nintendo based slots (all) is less than what it was so they've been re-sized slightly, and the pins are of a superior metal too, so they stand up better against the old customer complaints of twists and snaps.
One of these days I'll pick up Dune and Star Control for Genesis, it's on my to do list with a select few others, then I'll know.
Re: Best Ways to Backup Console Game Saves
Just came across this: http://store.krikzz.com/products/flashkit-md-prog
It's a Genesis/Mega Drive cartridge dumper. You can read/write RAM and read ROM data on a legit Genesis cart. You can also use it to flash a Genesis cart that Krikzz made to go along with it. So it works just like the Tototek flash cart / programmer, only it's over USB instead of parallel.
Some one asked on Krikzz's forum if there will be a SNES version, he said possibly. Also, from the pics of the flash cart he made to go along with the programmer, it looks like there's room for RAM and a battery. Some one asked if that'll be an option and Krikzz said it WILL be. So that's pretty neat.
There's a cart dumper you can get from Infinite NES Lives. It has cart slots for NES, FC and SNES. But as far as I can tell, you can only use it to dump (read) ROM data from NES and FC carts (it's main purpose is to flash the carts that they sell). You cannot use it to dump SNES carts. Also, there's no mention of being able to read or write save data. But, it also says it might be possible in the future.
These things are all neat, and I love that we're constantly getting more and more options for retro gaming. But, the Retrode is king in this department IMO. It's and all-in-one solution, and you don't need any software for it. You can use SNES, SFC, Genesis and Mega Drive carts with it right out of the box, and other carts through the use of adapters. It's as simple as plugging in a cart, then plugging the USB cable into your computer. You can read/write carts instantly, just like you would an SD cart. And since it interfaces with a computer this way, without the need of software, you can use the Retrode directly with emulators (which is why the Retrode also has Genesis and SNES controller inputs).
It's a Genesis/Mega Drive cartridge dumper. You can read/write RAM and read ROM data on a legit Genesis cart. You can also use it to flash a Genesis cart that Krikzz made to go along with it. So it works just like the Tototek flash cart / programmer, only it's over USB instead of parallel.
Some one asked on Krikzz's forum if there will be a SNES version, he said possibly. Also, from the pics of the flash cart he made to go along with the programmer, it looks like there's room for RAM and a battery. Some one asked if that'll be an option and Krikzz said it WILL be. So that's pretty neat.
There's a cart dumper you can get from Infinite NES Lives. It has cart slots for NES, FC and SNES. But as far as I can tell, you can only use it to dump (read) ROM data from NES and FC carts (it's main purpose is to flash the carts that they sell). You cannot use it to dump SNES carts. Also, there's no mention of being able to read or write save data. But, it also says it might be possible in the future.
These things are all neat, and I love that we're constantly getting more and more options for retro gaming. But, the Retrode is king in this department IMO. It's and all-in-one solution, and you don't need any software for it. You can use SNES, SFC, Genesis and Mega Drive carts with it right out of the box, and other carts through the use of adapters. It's as simple as plugging in a cart, then plugging the USB cable into your computer. You can read/write carts instantly, just like you would an SD cart. And since it interfaces with a computer this way, without the need of software, you can use the Retrode directly with emulators (which is why the Retrode also has Genesis and SNES controller inputs).
Re: Best Ways to Backup Console Game Saves
If that device can at some point support reading and writing saves, that would be the perfect device for me at its price point.Ziggy587 wrote:There's a cart dumper you can get from Infinite NES Lives. It has cart slots for NES, FC and SNES. But as far as I can tell, you can only use it to dump (read) ROM data from NES and FC carts (it's main purpose is to flash the carts that they sell). You cannot use it to dump SNES carts. Also, there's no mention of being able to read or write save data. But, it also says it might be possible in the future.
The Retrode seems to be the best option, but I haven't come across any for sale. If I can find one for a decent price, I'll definitely get one, but barring that, I'll have to look into alternatives.Ziggy587 wrote:These things are all neat, and I love that we're constantly getting more and more options for retro gaming. But, the Retrode is king in this department IMO. It's and all-in-one solution, and you don't need any software for it. You can use SNES, SFC, Genesis and Mega Drive carts with it right out of the box, and other carts through the use of adapters. It's as simple as plugging in a cart, then plugging the USB cable into your computer. You can read/write carts instantly, just like you would an SD cart. And since it interfaces with a computer this way, without the need of software, you can use the Retrode directly with emulators (which is why the Retrode also has Genesis and SNES controller inputs).
Re: Best Ways to Backup Console Game Saves
If you find one for sale, you'll have to fight me for it!grandta13 wrote:The Retrode seems to be the best option, but I haven't come across any for sale. If I can find one for a decent price, I'll definitely get one, but barring that, I'll have to look into alternatives.
Yeah, they're out of production. But I'm hoping more will be made eventually because I never got the chance to buy one. I'll be sure to let the forum know if more are made.
Re: Best Ways to Backup Console Game Saves
So for some reason, I never realized how EASY it is to back up PS1 and PS2 memory cards. All you need is a PS2 with FMCB installed on a MC and a USB stick (or whatever kind of USB storage device). Use the FMCB file browser to copy and paste save files from a MC to a USB stick, and vise versa. You'll need a program on the PC to convert the save files if you wanna use them in emulators (or convert save files that you got from an emulator or the internet before transferring them to a MC) but that doesn't matter if you wanna just back them up for safe keeping.
Re: Best Ways to Backup Console Game Saves
I'll go ahead and confirm that Kazzo dumper mentioned further up will dump saves. Of course, it's not always smooth, depending on what you've got. I nuked my Zoda's Revenge save, because the MMC6 is weird with how it handles WRAM. I did finally manage to get my Zelda cart to give it up.
If you're just interested in NES, and want to actually dump your own carts, too, this is a nice solution. I plan on slowly chipping away at dumping my collection (oh, man, 250 carts is going to take a while).
What has me ecstatic, though, is that I got my old Zelda II and Dragon Warrior IV data off. I lost part of my DWIII data a while back. I also managed to get my Dragon Warrior II data off, and that's end-game stuff as well.
I really do hope there's an attempt on the SNES side. I'd love to get some data off there as well. I think Dragon Box is producing Retrodes under license now, by the way.
If you're just interested in NES, and want to actually dump your own carts, too, this is a nice solution. I plan on slowly chipping away at dumping my collection (oh, man, 250 carts is going to take a while).
What has me ecstatic, though, is that I got my old Zelda II and Dragon Warrior IV data off. I lost part of my DWIII data a while back. I also managed to get my Dragon Warrior II data off, and that's end-game stuff as well.
I really do hope there's an attempt on the SNES side. I'd love to get some data off there as well. I think Dragon Box is producing Retrodes under license now, by the way.