Announcing the public release of the N64 Save Support Firmware v0.23. This firmware adds the ability to read and write N64 saves (SRAM, FlashRAM, and EEPROM). In addition, the N64 cart heuristics code was modified and cart size recognition should be improved.
N64 EEPROM save support should work with the production N64 plugin. The prototype N64/GBx plugin needs modification to add 2 connections - CLK and S_DAT. More details here:
http://forum.retrode.org/index.php/topic,154.msg2625.html#msg2625I want to give a HUGE THANKS to the BETA testers. As a group, the testers tested dozens, if not hundreds, of carts during the firmware development. This firmware would not have been possible without their testing and feedback.
A few notes on using the firmware:
1) When reading N64 carts, please set the voltage to 3.3V.
2) Remember the [saveReadonly] setting in the Config file. Set it to 0 if you plan to write to the save file.
3) Writes to FlashRAM and EEPROM16K save files take longer. DO NOT RESET OR UNPLUG THE RETRODE WHILE THE LED IS ON.
4) SRAM (.SRA) and FlashRAM (.FLA) save files need to be saveswapped to be used in Project64 (PJ64) and other emulators.
EEPROM (.EEP) save files do not need to be saveswapped.
5) Save swap programs are available here:
saturnu's ED64-Saveswap:
https://github.com/sanni/cartreader/tree/master/extras/saveswap ssokolow's portable (cross-platform) alternative:
https://github.com/ssokolow/saveswap6) There is NO SUPPORT for Reproduction N64 carts. Most reproduction carts will have problems either with cart recognition or accessing saves. YMMV.
Here's the summary of the firmware changes:
v0.23 (2017-11-03)
- Changes by skaman:
-- N64 Saves!
-- Added N64 SRAM save support.
-- N64 SRAM carts should be identified by Cart ID and
display the .SRA file. The .SRA file can be read
and written.
-- Added proper Dezaemon 3D 768Kbit SRAM support.
-- Added identification of the Hoshi no Kirby 64 (J)
savetype based on the ROM version. v1.0 & v1.1 are
SRAM, 1.2 & v1.3 are EEPROM4K.
-- Added N64 FlashRAM save support.
-- N64 FlashRAM carts should be identified by Cart ID
and display the .FLA file. The .FLA file can be read
and written.
-- WARNING: FlashRAM writes take time to complete as
the chip must first be erased before writing to it.
** WHEN SAVING AN UPDATED .FLA FILE, DO NOT RESET **
**** OR UNPLUG THE RETRODE WHILE THE LED IS ON! ****
-- Added N64 EEPROM save support.
-- N64 EEPROM carts should be identified by Cart ID and
display the .EEP file. The .EEP file can be read
and written.
-- WARNING: EEPROM16K writes take time to complete.
** WHEN SAVING AN UPDATED .EEP FILE, DO NOT RESET **
**** OR UNPLUG THE RETRODE WHILE THE LED IS ON! ****
-- Added reading of the N64 Gameshark. When a working
Gameshark is attached, the Gameshark.z64 ROM will be
displayed.
-- Fixed the N64 heuristics code to recognize 20MB and
40MB games. These were previously overlooked by the
code. Fixes Donald Duck Goin' Quackers, Paper Mario,
and Ogre Battle 64.
-- Fixed the N64 heuristics code for underdumps of Body
Harvest and Paper Mario (E). Modified the addresses
checked to determine the cart size.
-- Modified the Config file to change the save file
write protection setting from "[sramReadonly]" to
"[saveReadonly]". The change was made since the
same setting is applied to all save types including
SRAM, FlashRAM, and Controller Pak save files.
-- Modified the Config file's default N64 ROM extension
to ".z64". This is the correct extension for the
native big endian format output by the Retrode.
-- WARNING: THERE IS NO SUPPORT FOR REPRODUCTION N64
CARTS. MOST REPRODUCTION CARTS WILL HAVE CART
RECOGNITION PROBLEMS AND/OR SAVE PROBLEMS. YMMV.
The v0.23 firmware is available here:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/7gxgtbl0co7m0b8/Retrode-v0.23.zipFIRMWARE UPDATE: I've fixed the handling of a couple carts and updated the firmware to v0.23a.
Here's the summary of the firmware changes:
v0.23a (2018-01-10)
- Changes by skaman:
-- N64 Fixes!
-- Fixed the ROM size for N64 Command & Conquer.
The C&C ROM is padded out with 14MB of 00s at the end
which breaks the cart heuristics.
-- Added Rockman Dash (J) to the N64 FlashRAM list.
The v0.23a firmware is available here:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/1bcmyzocrqxrwww/Retrode-v0.23a.zip