RetroBlaster

The RetroBlaster is a ROM dumper / programmer from RetroStage. It is designed to dump roms from various cartridge console games, and to program ROMs to proprietary re-writable carts known as SNES Blaster, N64 Blaster, etc.

RetroBlaster User Guide

With permission from RetroStage, the RetroBlaster User Guide is reproduced here in wiki format.

Get to Know the Hardware

USB PORT: Plug the USB cable into this port.
VOLTAGE SWITCH: set to 3v for N64 or GBA, 5V for everything else.
ACTIVITY LED: will flash while RetroBlaster is working on something.
DFU BUTTON: Push when you want to do an firmware update.

--see ‘How-To-Update’ section--

ADAPTER SLOTS: Each cartridge adapter goes into these slots.
--Make sure the white indent on the adapter is on the same side as RetroBlaster--

How To Set Up

1) Insert the included USB cable into the USB port on the RetroBlaster.

2) Plug the RetroBlaster into an available USB port on your computer. Try not to run it through a USB hub or splitter, as these may degrade performance or cause the RetroBlaster to behave erratically.

3) There is a voltage switch on the RetroBlaster that needs to be set depending on what type of game cartridge you're using.

**VERY IMPORTANT**

Set to *3V* for N64 or GBA, and *5V* for everything else!

4) To remove/change out a cartridge adapter, the easiest way is to use a pen or Sharpie to gently lift under each side of the adapter until it comes free. Yanking on the adapter on either side can cause the pins on the adapter to bend, which will make it difficult to use for further insertions.

For a good video reference on the best method, check out our YouTube video below!

Load video

YouTube

YouTube might collect personal data. Privacy Policy

ContinueDismiss

5) Download the newest RetroBlaster software, if you haven't already. The newest version is available on the RetroStage GitHub page.

Link: https://github.com/retrostage/RetroBlaster

6) ** VERY IMPORTANT** Games, when inserted into their corresponding adapter, will have their cartridge label facing towards the Activity LED. GB/GBC/GBA, TG-16, and other handheld console games will usually have their label facing towards the ceiling, because of how they sit in their adapters, unless otherwise noted.

If your game’s label is facing the USB port, then you have it in backwards!

7) Once the download is complete, open the RetroBlaster software.

Get to Know The Software

Force COM - this is to manually set the COM port that the RetroBlaster is using. This may be needed for specific cases where another USB device is plugged into the computer that is interfering with the RetroBlaster identification process, or when the computer is in an unsupported language. The COM port can be found be looking in your Device Manager, under Ports.

Exit - exit the program.

NES Adapter Tab Interface

Mapper Type: Here is where you select what mapper your game uses. This part may seem confusing, but there is a very helpful website that makes this easy (more about finding mappers on Page 5).

Write ROM: Once you Click this it will prompt you to select a ROM file, and once selected, it will begin writing. Once the write is complete, your Blaster cartridge should be ready to play in an NES console!
Note - This will write the game to a NES Blaster cartridge (sold separately). This will NOT allow writing new game data to normal NES games.

Dump Cart: This dumps the game data (PRG and CHR data) from the NES cart and puts it into a ROM file that you can play in an emulator or other flash cart device. It asks you the PRG, CHR and WRAM sizes (if applicable). More info on this on Page 5.

Write SRAM: This will write a save game file (SRAM) to a NES cartridge. It will prompt you to select the save file, and then attempt to write it to the cartridge. Ensure you’ve selected the right mapper first.

Dump SRAM: This will dump the save game data. Depending on the mapper you chose, it may ask how much save data to dump. More info for that on Page 5.

NES Mapper Database Info

In order to find out what mapper your game uses, there is a fantastic website resource for that!

Link: https://nescartdb.com

The NES Cart Database has all retail NES and Famicom games, and all the hardware information that you need to properly dump your NES games.

Go to the circled area on that page (shown above), and enter the name of the game, like so:

<-- then click Go.

Then you'll see a large list of titles that are close to what searched for. In our example, we want to click on Super Mario Bros 3. (with the USA flag, as our copy is a USA release of the game).

FAQ

Q: RETROBLASTER SOFTWARE CAN’T FIND THE DEVICE ON WINDOWS 7 (OR XP)

A: You need to run the “serial_install.exe” program found in the “drivers” folder with your RetroBlaster software. Right click the program and select “Run as administrator’, then follow the prompts. This installs the USB COM driver that the RetroBlaster requires. Windows versions newer than that have driver support natively.

Q: HOW DO I USE THIS ON MY MAC / LINUX MACHINE?

A: You can't, currently. At the time of writing this, only Windows is supported. A Python port is planned in the future, but no ETA on that right now.

Q: MY GAME DUMP DOESN’T WORK / IS GLITCHY

A: Make sure you selected the right file size (if applicable), and that you’ve cleaned the cartridge connectors of your game. A great method to clean them is a Q-tip and some isopropyl alcohol. Put some alcohol on the Q-tip, and rub it along both sides of the game’s connector. Let it dry for a minute, and then try again.

Q: MY BLASTER CARTRIDGE GIVES AN ERROR “Flash ROM type not found!”

A: You might have the voltage set wrong (8V for GBA or N64, otherwise 5V), or your Blaster cartridge is inserted backwards! If you're not sure, unplug the USB, take a picture of how you have it set up and email [email protected] - or ask on the RetroStage Discord server.

Q: WHICH WAY DO I INSERT A GAME?

A: lf the game is in a cartridge shell, the label side will ALWAYS face the Activity LED. If it’s a handheld console game like GameBoy or uses HuCards (TG-16), the label will face upward.

Q: WHICH WAY DO | INSERT A SNES or N64 BLASTER CARTRIDGE?

A: If it’s installed in a cartridge, then the label side of the cartridge faces the Activity LED. If it’s not in a cartridge shell, then the components on the Blaster will face towards the USB port. SNES and N64 (and Famicom) are the only cartridges that have the circuit board sit “backwards” when in a console.

Q: MY N64 GAME WROTE FINE, BUT WON’T BOOT

A: Make sure the game you wrote is from the same region as your N64. Writing a PAL game to your Blaster will make it not work in an NTSC machine, and vice versa.

Q: WHY DOES THE USB DISCONNECT AND RECONNECT WHEN A GAME IS INSERTED?

A: If this happens, it’s because the USB port toggled on/off when extra power was requested. This is most common to happen when using a Blaster cartridge, and does not indicate a problem.

Q: ATMEL FLIP SAYS THE FIRMWARE FILE IS CORRUPT

A: You didn’t download the firmware file properly. Go back to the Firmware update pages and follow the file download instructions exactly.

Q: RETROBLASTER SOFTWARE CRASHES

A: You need to install Microsoft .NET 4.0 or higher. .NET 4.0 is included in the “drivers” folder of the RetroBlaster software.

FOR ALL OTHER TECH SUPPORT INQUIRIES, CONTACT [email protected] OR CHECK OUT THE RETROSTAGE DISCORD SERVER (link to join is on our Twitter profile page).