Game backup device

Game backup device - is a device for storing or backuping ROM information to a computer file format or ROM image. This article discusses ROM Dumper for video games. It's also called game copier or ROM dumper. Video game companies considered these devices as a tool for reverse engineering to circumvent copying. Most of the devices are made in China and the most notable manufacturer is Bung Enterprises Ltd. It is widely available in the most part of Asia and Europe since the 1990s. Most of the game
console emulator today emulated the features of game backup devices.

Overview & legality

The general purpose of backup devices is to create digital copies of the game's information. Often referred to as 'ROMs' (referring to the read only memory media they were 'ripped' from), these backups can often be stored on other media and replayed, even if the original is damaged, lost or not present.

Similar to modchips, the legality of these methods is dubious. While they are often advertised for their ability to make legal backups,Fact|date=August 2008 (assuming you own the game you're backing up), to be used for legal 'homebrew' softwarecite web|url=http://r4ds.cn/r4ds.html#a4|title=R4DS homepage FAQ|accessdate=2008-08-28] and are considered a cheap method of development compared to purchasing official dev kits,Fact|date=August 2008 a backup device's potential for software piracy is a major concern to hardware and software manufacturers.

Companies such as Nintendo have fought long legal battles against companies like Bung Enterprisescite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_pwwi/is_199912/ai_mark03991634|title=U.S. Federal Court Awards Judgment To Nintendo(r) Against Hong Kong Manufacturer Of Video Game Copier Devices|accessdate=2008-08-28] and the makers of the R4DScite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5030319/nintendo-and-54-companies-battle-evil-r4-in-court|title=Kotaku.com: Nintendo And 54 Companies Battle Evil R4 In Court|accessdate=2008-08-28] /* Known backup devices */ on the grounds that their products are used primarily for piracy and qualify as theft.

Backup devices for consoles

uper Nes

16 bit game backup devices are using micro floppy disk.Super UFO series- by UFO Enterprise. Available from 16 to 32 Megabits. Compatible with Pro Fighter and Game Doctor file formats. File format extension is 1 to 8GM.

Game Doctor Series - by Bung Enterprise. Available up to 64 Megabits with optional Digital Signal Processor cartridge to run games like Tales of Phantasia, Street Fighter Alpha and Star Fox. File format extension is *.078

Multi Game hunter (MGH) by Venus Corp. a dual solution game copier for both Sega Genesis and SNES.

Nintendo 64

There are two devices for the Nintendo 64 that plug into the Extension port on the bottom of the system, initially intended for the 64DD: the Doctor V64 and the CD64. In addition to playing backups from a CD, they can both be used to create them by copying the information from a cartridge that is plugged into the Nintendo 64. They store the ROM image on internal memory and can be transferred to a computer via a parallel port for distribution elsewhere. The Z64 uses the cartridge slot on the top of the N64 and has a cartridge slot itself for booting backups as well as making backups. It reads from and stores backups on zip diskettes.

Backup devices for handhelds

Game Boy

For the original Game Boy and its coloured successor there are numerous external copiers, such as GB Xchanger, which can backup an inserted Game Boy or Game Boy Color cartridge. The GB Xchanger plugs into a computer in order to copy the games, which can later transfer the game(s) back through the copier to a blank flash cartridge.

Game Boy Advance

Early copiers for the Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Advance SP and Game Boy micro, like the Flash Advance Xtreme are similar to those used for the original Game Boy, as they are external copiers that use parallel ports to communicate with personal computers.cite web|url=http://gameboy-advance.net/flash_set/64M.htm|title=Falsh Advance Xtreme product description at Gameboy-Advance.net|accessdate=2008-08-29]

The copiers eventually made use of USB with products like first generation XG-Flash carts, which also used external copiers, but benefited from faster write speeds than its parallel port predecessors.cite web|url=http://gameboy-advance.net/flash_card/xg2_gba_xg-flash_card.htm|title=XG Flash product description at Gameboy-Advance.net|accessdate=2008-08-29] This technology evolved into onboard external copiers like the EZFlash Advance that used the Game Boy Advance itself as a copier. [cite web|url=http://gameboy-advance.net/flash_linker/ezf_advance_ezfa_realtime_cart.htm|title=EZFlash Advance product description at Gameboy-Advance.net|accessdate=2008-08-29] These USB cables would plug into the GBAs proprietary port used for link cables or accessories like the ereader and when booted while holding Start and Select, would connect to a PC. These version are not compatible with the Game Boy micro because it uses a different port than the GBA and GBA SP.

Nintendo DS

There aren't any commercial backup devices for the Nintendo DS that are widely available, yet there many devices that exist to play backup on a DS (see Nintendo DS storage devices).

Other Handhelds

Bung released a copier for the Neo Geo Pocket and the Neo Geo Pocket Color. It resembled their GB Xchanger and it served the same function.

[http://pokeme.shizzle.it/ Team Pokeme] and [http://darkfader.net/pm/ Dark Fader] both released homemade game backup devices for the Pokémon Mini. Both devices used USB for communicating with a PC.

A copier for the Japan-only handheld, the Wonderswan, as well as the Wonderswan Color and to a lesser extent, the SwanCrystal, was released called the WonderMagic. It uses a parallel port for communication with a PC.

References

External links

* [http://www.robwebb.clara.co.uk/backup/ Game Backup Devices]