Why won't VBA Next play this save file?

Shifted · 15 January 2017 03:29

I created a save in the GBA.emu emulator. Recently, I found out about RetroArch and switched away from the other emulators. I’ve seen it mentioned real saves should work between emulators. However, when I load mother in VBA Next I don’t get the option to continue with my real save that I created in GBA.emu. I am playing on an nVidia Shield using the Android version of RetroArch.

system · 15 January 2017 04:38

Save RAM is fundamentally broken on any VBA derivative (GBA.emu is just VBA-M ported - lazily I might add). This is one of the things we actually ‘fixed’ in VBA Next.

Anyway, maister made a conversion tool for this -

github.com

libretro/vba-next/blob/master/libretro/gbaconv/gbaconv.c

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdint.h>
#ifndef __CELLOS_LV2__
#include <getopt.h>
#endif
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <assert.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <stdbool.h>

enum save_type
{
   EEPROM_512B,
   EEPROM_8K,
   FLASH_64K,
   FLASH_128K,
   SAVE_UNKNOWN
};

static const char *save_type_to_string(enum save_type type)

This file has been truncated. show original

You will need to compile that separately from source though - it’s a CLI app.

Shifted · 15 January 2017 04:38

Thanks for the reply. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t something simple. (Though for some people I am sure the fix is simple :))

I have beaten that game anyway so I think I’ll tuck that save file away in case I get an itch to learn how to compile code.

Shifted · 15 January 2017 04:38

Ok, my curiosity got the better of me.

I used Dev-C++ to compile the code and it actually worked. The c99 mode had me stumped for awhile though.

Anyway, I dropped my .sav file onto the .exe and out popped my .srm file that works in RetroArch.

If anyone else runs into the same problem as me just download this .exe I link to below (windows program) and drop your not working save file onto it. Then a .srm file should pop out which is what VBA Next in RetroArch uses. Stick that file where your other save files go (same directory as the game) and your game should now recognize it. This is not for save states, but for actual in game save files.

Now, I suppose I should get back to work…

hunterk · 15 January 2017 04:38

Nice work, Shifted! Thanks for sharing it!

Vaporeon · 15 January 2017 04:38

What is broken about VBA saves? I have written them back to real carts and they have worked.