Out of stock

[Discontinued] Gameboy 2MB 32KB FRAM Flash Cart

$0.00 USD

This re-programmable Flash Cartridge allows you to play most Gameboy/Gameboy Colour games including Pokemon (no RTC support), Zelda, Wario Land, LSDJ (only 1 save), etc and allows you to re-flash it with any flash cart programmer like GBxCart RW that supports the AM29F016B chip. It also allows for some MBC1 games (only on firmware R1, R1.1, R2) that don’t work properly on clone carts such as Super Mario Land 2, Donkey Kong Land 3, Megaman 5 to name a few.

LSDJ users should select the MBC5 only firmware option as the stable releases trigger the MBC3/1 detection if you choose other firmware and won’t load past the blue ROM/RAM test screen. Works with GB Studio v1.1.0 with saving if you wish to develop your own game.

This cartridge has been discontinued. We recommend you check out our other Gameboy flash cart offerings.

Questions? Jump on our Discord server where we and other users can help you or contact us via Twitter.

Check out the cart comparison image to see how each cart compares to each other and the clone carts. Check this list of Gameboy games to see the ROM/RAM size and MBC type your game will have.

This cart works on every Gameboy system – GB, MGB, GBC, GBA, GBA SP and the Game Boy Player. Games that require more than 2MB of ROM or use saves more than 32KB won’t work.

Comes in a generic clear or grey Gameboy cartridge with our label. Each unit is assembled in house and is tested on a Gameboy Advance. You can supply the ROM file for us to flash the cart if you like, it will be tested for 20-30 seconds to ensure it works.

We have different Firmware available (read more about the differences in the description):
MBC5/3/1 Hybrid (R1.0a) – Default
MBC5/3/1 Hybrid + MBC1 2MB (R1.1a)
MBC5 only (R1.2a) – Lowest power consumption (best option if you will only ever use this cart for the latest versions of LSDJ which are MBC5)
Multi-Game Cart (R2) – Allows this cart to be a Multi-Game Cart when you run our loader software.

Once the firmware has been written, it can’t be changed unless you have the specific programming equipment (Altera USB Blaster). If you would like to change the firmware version, you can contact us and send the cart back to us for re-programming and $3 for return shipping.

SKU: N/A Categories: ,

Description

Specs
ROM: 2MB Flash (AM29F016B)
FRAM: 32KB (Data retention of 20-50 years)
MBC: MBC5 (with some MBC1/3 support depending on the Firmware) emulated with a Altera CPLD
Note: Having some MBC1/3 detection support may break a few MBC5 games on Firmware R1.x.

To see what games use which MBCs, check this list of games.

MBC5/3/1 Hybrid (R1.0a):
MBC5 – Bank 0 gives bank 1 like in MBC1/3. Hybrid support for MBC1/3 games.
MBC1 support is limited to 512KB ROM / 8 KBytes RAM, it’s locked in “ROM Banking Mode” but without the 2MB ROM support.
Uses 43mA more compared to a regular cart.
R1 – Uses 48-54mA more compared to a regular cart.

MBC5/3/1 Hybrid + MBC1 2MB (R1.1a):
Same as R1 but add the 2MB ROM support to the MBC1 implementation (only tested with 1 game).
Uses 48mA more compared to a regular cart.
R1.1 – Uses 53-58mA more compared to a regular cart.

MBC5/3/1 Hybrid + MBC1 2MB (R1.1b):
Same as R1 but add the 2MB ROM support to the MBC1 implementation and 32KB RAM (only tested with 1 game). The games that need this usually Japanese/Chinese games.
Uses 48mA more compared to a regular cart.

MBC5 only (R1.2a):
Implements MBC5 only.
Uses 37mA more compared to a regular cart.
R1.2 – Uses 42-48mA more compared to a regular cart.

Multi-Game Cart (R2):
MBC5 – Bank 0 gives bank 0.
MBC1/3 – Switches to these MBC types via the loader.
Allows this cart to be a Multi-Game Cart when you run our loader software (check the Downloads tab on the left). It consumes 20mA more than R1. When this firmware is programmed, the cart will behave exactly like an MBC5 cart. For MBC1 or 3 support you need to use the loader. The downside is if there are any MBC3 games that have a 2MB ROM, then there is a chance those games may not work.

The PCB finish is ENIG, Gold fingers (on the edge connector) with a 45 degree bevel to give the maximum life for insertion/removal of the cartridge.

This flash cart will take up additional current compared to a regular cartridge due to the CPLD so you will see a decrease in battery life; this is standard for CPLD based flash carts.

When you place an order, if you would like the flash cart to be programmed with a ROM, you need to supply it to us via email (you can reply to your order notification). It will be tested for 20-30 seconds on a Gameboy Advance to ensure it works, if it doesn’t work, we’ll contact you. If you don’t specify a ROM, it will be loaded with the LSDJ Demo.

Additional information

Weight 25 g
Firmware

MBC5/3/1 Hybrid (R1.0a), MBC5/3/1 Hybrid + MBC1 2MB (R1.1a), MBC5/3/1 Hybrid + MBC1 2MB with 32KB RAM (R1.1b), MBC5 only (R1.2a), Multi-Game Cart (R2)
Cart Colour

Clear, Grey
Cart Label

Yes, Not required
Pre-loaded ROM

I will provide a ROM to flash by email, Not required

How to use

Your Flash cart programmer needs to support the AM29F016B flash chip.

Within GBxCart RW, you select Cart > Specify Cart Info.

Select the Cartridge Type as “Flash Cart”, choose “2MB AM29F016B” from the Flash Chip/Type and press Apply.

You now specify the ROM file to write by going to Cart > Select ROM File to Write.

Lastly press Write ROM and wait a minute or two.

Downloads

Datasheet

Firmware – https://github.com/insidegadgets/Gameboy-MBC5-MBC1-Hybrid

Multi-Game Maker Software
Allows for multiple games on Firmware R2 only using this program: Multi-Game_Maker_v1.4. Simply drag and drop all your ROM files to this executable and it will make an output.gb file for you to write to the cart with.

You should only run 1 game that uses the FRAM for saves at a time, if you boot another game it will likely wipe parts of the FRAM.

License: CC-BY

Shipping rates/Delivery times

We usually ship within 2-3 business days and will let you know when your order has been shipped. We ship overseas all around the world – America, Europe, Asia, etc (except to Brazil or Mexico due to lost packages) and to reduce shipping costs we send via the Airmail letter service for $3. Any item you order will come to you with in a padded envelope due to a restriction that letters can’t be more than 20mm in height.

The usual delivery time is 2 to 4 weeks; we ship via Australia Post. Unfortunately there is no tracking number available for this Airmail letter service.

You are responsible for any import tax/duties or other charges that may apply (so far we have had 1 report of a user having to pay import tax in the UK).

If you are looking for faster delivery times, please contact us for a quote, please note that shipping prices can start from $36 for 2-3 days delivery to the US (via DHL).

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