Hi, new member here. I hope you can help. I'm looking to buy my first SNES copier, and I was really interested in the Game Doctor SF7, the .GD3 file format wasn't bad until uCON64 decided to stop converting files correctly. So right now I'm looking for a good, reliable copier (preferably one that doesn't need its own power supply, but that's the least important thing) that can run .smc and .sfc files. Also, I would like it to have a built in DSP chip, or have an available add on. I plan on using it really only for BS-X games, and maybe some hacks. I always prefer a real cart if I can get one. Anyway, thanks a lot!
Any reason not to get a SNES PowerPak? Copiers are really outdated at this point. http://www.retrousb.com/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=84
The PowerPak is like $140 or so. A regular copier only costs like $50-$80. And if your dead-set on avoiding disks, a parallel cable or CD-ROM would fix that issue up no problem.
If your dead set on avoiding aging and basically dead technology, just spend the extra money. You can use a netbook or cheap knock off Chinese MP5 player to add ROMs to a flash card. You don't want to get stuck with something that's that bulky that you can't even use in a few years without keeping an old PC sitting around. There are other cheaper flash carts that are still better than a copier: http://www.tototek.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_8_11&products_id=39 http://mash-mods.com/products/snes/snescart http://www.neoflash.com/forum/index.php/board,60.0.html
I forgot about the Tototek card, but the other cards are over $100 in the end and seems a little too expensive to me. The only computer I have that has a parallel port on it is a laptop that runs Windows 98, will the programs run on it? Also, it says don't use a USB cable that outputs more than 5V or it will fry the board. I have a USB cable for my printer that is the same shape, but how do I know if it outputs 5V? The Tototek card actually seems the way to go, and I like the fact it can be used to dump carts as well.
ALL usb ports will output 5v, unless they are for SOME smartphones. (These phones charge 12v through their usb ports.) Just use a plain USB cable with your computer and you will be fine.
Thanks for clearing that up. I think I'll ask over at Tototek and see what they say about compatibility. EDIT: Says it will run on 98, but I'm hoping it will run on Vista with a parallel -> USB cable.
Tototek carts don't work with adapters. You must have a PC or laptop with a parallel port. Those adapters are shitty things intended for printer use. I recommend the SNES PowerPAK. If that won't do, The GDSF7 is very good other than Floppy and again Parallel Port issues. Converting roms is easy, you could sort out whatever your issue is I'm sure. If you'd like something USB there is the MashMods cart.
The Mash-Mods is a little more expensive, but it does the same things with non-archaic technology. It does only support up to 4MB, but that's enough for even most hacks. I guess that will be the way to go. Does it support multiple games though, and would I need to solder my own battery on it?
Before you go with MashMods, did you look at the SNES PowerPAK as well? http://www.retrousb.com/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=84 I think there is a battery holder on the opposite side of the PCB (which doesn't seem to be pictured on the site). I would imagine there is already a battery in it when you receive it as I've never heard otherwise. I've heard it only supports 1 game loaded into it at a time. I could be wrong. I've heard it's a wonderful product and it is priced lower than other options while still being very capable and USB. But I do recommend you look at the PowerPAK's features and weigh them along with MashMod's Flash Cartridge as you should probably select between those two as they are the best options for game playing out there atleast in my opinion. One neat thing with MashMods is the cartridge sold seperately is only 60$. So it wouldn't be unreasonable to buy more than one. One advantage the PowerPAK has over it is the potential to store every single SNES game (minus certain special chip games) on a CF memory card in the PowerPAK at once. Also the PowerPAK can play games bigger than 4 Megabytes. I believe it has enough memory for 16 megabytes which the biggers game out there is a hack that is 12 megabytes.
Well, after downloading uCON64 Frontend, I've got the converter working again. Tested the converted ROM in Zsnes and it works. Because of that I might go with the SF7. I could also get the CD add on, if it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. The reason being, while flashcarts are good, I prefer hardware to a simple flashcart (which still is kinda hardware). The reason I'm not going with the Powerpak is because, while this might seem insignificant to some of you, I don't like how it looks with the CF card coming out of the top. I would have preferred if it was flush. Anyway, thanks for the help! I'm looking into translating some BS-X games so this will come in handy.
well this seems like a good thread to ask, i am considering buying retrode, to dump genisis and snes games, umm yea is it good?
MoP, the CDROM addon is expensive. However if you build your own (relatively easy to do I hear) you can save alot of money and have CDROM loading. Alternatively you can use an old PC (like a laptop) to upload ROMs which I found alot cheaper than the CDROM though then you have to bootup a laptop to load a game.
