GBC GameShark 4.0 software?

[Kizul Emeraldfire]

I apologize in advance if this isn't the right place to post this, but I was wondering if anyone might have a copy of the Windows 95/98 software for adding/removing codes to/from a GBC GameShark (and/or the GameShark CD-ROM itself) — specifically, the version that also contains the 'Snapshot' feature (4.0).

The reason I ask is because I got that particular GameShark as a gift this most recent Christmas, and all it had was a (quite useful) manual — no CD, no cable — and I'm afraid that I might need to re-flash it or something, because some of the graphics on it are beginning to glitch a little. Specifically, the unselected '0' character is missing the top two rows of pixels for some reason. This is a recent thing, and it persists no matter which game I put into it.

I can find the GameSharks themselves, and also cables (I'm thinking that one of these might also work with the GameShark software — assuming I can ever find it), but pretty much every auction I find on ebaY that has the CD-ROM runs between $25 and $40.

Anyway, I just figured I'd inquire on this forum. I thought that if anyone might have it, it'd be someone here.

(NOTE: I'm not asking for a disc image; because, despite how exceptionally handy it would be to have one — I'm not sure how legal it would technically be, despite InterAct filing for bankruptcy in early 2003, and its subsequent buy-out by MadCatz (with MadCatz getting only the 'GameShark' name and website domain, and none of the technical stuff regarding the GameSharks).)

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help! (And again, my apologies if this is the incorrect forum.)

[rimsky82]

This is the correct forum, and it is ok to ask for what you're asking for. I'm not quite clear on what you're looking for, a disc for a Game Boy Color Gameshark?

I myself have a gbc gameshark, but I was unaware of any cables or discs that came with it. Now you have me interested in the same thing.

[rimsky82]

my gameshark is a pro and doesn't have any ports on it, but I don't think any of them do, so I'm assuming it connects through the EXT port. I have a cable for that port I got with my gba flashcart. I'll keep investigating the iso.

[Kizul Emeraldfire]

This is the correct forum, and it is ok to ask for what you're asking for. I'm not quite clear on what you're looking for, a disc for a Game Boy Color Gameshark?

I myself have a gbc gameshark, but I was unaware of any cables or discs that came with it. Now you have me interested in the same thing.

The disc — or, at the very least, a copy of it (yes, I know, "ZOMG ILLEGAL BOOTLEGGING!!1!"). I've already got the GameShark itself.

Complete-in-box (or mostly-complete) copies of it would ordinarily have the GameShark, the manual, the CD-ROM with special software that you can use to add/remove codes with, and (crucially important if you have the software) a Game Boy Pocket-/Color-style link cable that connects to the Printer port on a PC or laptop.

I did find an ebaY auction — a Buy It Now, actually — for just the link cable and the CD-ROM, but it's about 25$ counting shipping. :/ As much as it'd be worth it, I don't really have the money to spare at the moment. And even if I did, I'm not sure I'd wanna spend 25$ on it. xD

If you'd happen to want to buy it (…and perhaps clone the CD into an image..?), I could send the link to you in a PM.

my gameshark is a pro and doesn't have any ports on it, but I don't think any of them do, so I'm assuming it connects through the EXT port. I have a cable for that port I got with my gba flashcart. I'll keep investigating the iso.

Yeah, it does — it connects from the Printer port on a PC/laptop directly into the Link Port on a GBC. The old original Game Boy is incompatible with it, though I suppose you WOULD be able to hook it to a Super Game Boy 2 (since, unlike the original Super Game Boy, it has a Link Port).

[rimsky82]

Complete-in-box (or mostly-complete) copies of it would ordinarily have the GameShark, the manual, the CD-ROM with special software that you can use to add/remove codes with, and (crucially important if you have the software) a Game Boy Pocket-/Color-style link cable that connects to the Printer port on a PC or laptop.

Damn. So my link->usb won't work.

I did find an ebaY auction — a Buy It Now, actually — for just the link cable and the CD-ROM, but it's about 25$ counting shipping. :/ As much as it'd be worth it, I don't really have the money to spare at the moment. And even if I did, I'm not sure I'd wanna spend 25$ on it. xD

If you'd happen to want to buy it (…and perhaps clone the CD into an image..?), I could send the link to you in a PM.


Yeah, it does — it connects from the Printer port on a PC/laptop directly into the Link Port on a GBC. The old original Game Boy is incompatible with it, though I suppose you WOULD be able to hook it to a Super Game Boy 2 (since, unlike the original Super Game Boy, it has a Link Port).

Right. The EXT port I was referring to is the link port. It says "EXT" above the port. The GBA ports look to be identical, except an extra notch at the bottom.

Go ahead and send me the link, I may buy it.

EDIT: You don't need to send me the link, I picked up a CIB. Now to find a box for 98 with a printer port...

[Kizul Emeraldfire]

Damn. So my link->usb won't work.

Yep. Unfortunately. The only GBx-to-USB Link Cables I've seen were for the GBA or something, too.

Right. The EXT port I was referring to is the link port. It says "EXT" above the port. The GBA ports look to be identical, except an extra notch at the bottom.

I chalk that up to the whole 'poh-TAY-toh, poh-TAH-toh' thing.

You don't need to send me the link, I picked up a CIB. Now to find a box for 98 with a printer port...

Oh! Okay, sweet! I hope it works! I'm going to have to run Windows 98 in a virtual machine, myself — the only computer I own that has a Printer port on it is currently running 64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate, so… xD

Oh, um — one more thing: I dunno if you'll be able to get any new 'skins' for the GameShark, but be careful about switching them. I was reading a lot of old reviews for the GameShark (from roughly 2000, 2001) where people tried downloading new skins, and their GameSharks kept getting bricked.

[rimsky82]

Since it's assumed that this is no longer under copyright, here's your image. I haven't figured out yet which version it is yet.

GbShark.rar

[Kizul Emeraldfire]

Excellent! Thank you very much!

I just installed it and I've been poking around in it. Apparently, the software is Version 4.00 (that's what it says when I click the ? button on the code browser window), and it comes pre-loaded with six skins — including the one that my GameShark's using — and 445 games-worth of codes (counting the Pokémon games)!

I'd ask for a scan of the 'GameShark™ Pokémon™ Code Book'* (since there are some Pokémon codes that are contained only in it), but that might be asking too much of you. xD Especially since you've already supplied me with the software itself, which was the thing I was wanting in the first place!

Once again, thank you very much! Now I just need to buy myself one of those GBC-to-Printer Port cables, or figure out a way to cobble one together myself… ò.o

*ReplacementDocs.com might enjoy the contribution, too!

[rimsky82]

Here you go. Quick & dirty, but readable.

If you submit it somewhere, make sure to give credit where it's due.

[Kizul Emeraldfire]

AWESOME! Thank you!

You are officially my favorite person of the day. Many, many thanks, man. I'll probably clean it up a bit (and by that, I mean open up all the pages in Photoshop and make the text less blurry) and repost it here when I'm done.

NOW: if only I could somehow find someone who still has a copy of the GBC GameShark 4.0 reflash ROM. ò.O I've found a GBC GameShark ROM on various ROM sites, but I have no way to test it to see if it'd actually work for reflashing the GS (nor do I have any idea what version it is), and I don't want to risk bricking my GameShark to find out. xD; (Plus, due to the way the GameShark works, the ROM I keep finding won't actually work in emulators — it crashes on boot, just like a real GameShark does when you put one into a GBP/SGB/GBC/GBA without another GB/GBC cartridge attached. I need to find an emulator that'll emulate 'lock-on' cartridges like the Game Genie and GameShark with games as well. :/)

Still, even if I can't reflash my GameShark, I have the software and the Ultimate Unofficial Pokémon Guide Book! Major props to you, my good man! I shall definitely credit you whenever I upload the U.U.P.G.B. to various manual places.

[rimsky82]

I could rescan at a higher resolution, if you want.

[Kizul Emeraldfire]

Eh, doesn't matter — do it if you want; I'm just glad to have a copy of it (even if it's just a digital one). It's perfectly readable — all I have to do is zoom in a little. ^^

[rimsky82]

I'm going to do a high-res scan and up it to underground gamer. You can grab it from there later.

[Kizul Emeraldfire]

All right.

Thanks again for doing all of this, rimsky — and I hope I've not been too much of a bother. xD

[Kizul Emeraldfire]

Many apologies for this (probably quite unsightly) necro-bump, but I am unfortunately feeling somewhat desperate. (And I feel that this post is related to this thread, since what I'm asking for is technically GameShark software as well — though this time, its legality is NOT questionable. (It is legal.))

My GBC GameShark is no longer working correctly: id est, I can get to its menu; I can browse, add, and delete games/codes from its lists — but when I go to actually start a game, all I get is a blank screen.

Basically, I'm pretty much begging to know here if anyone might perhaps have a copy of the version 4.0 re-flashing ROM file for use in conjunction with the GameShark software and cable. It's been far too long to be able to get it from the GameShark website (by about ten years, give or take a few months), and I honestly have no idea where else to go to find it. Search engines fail me, and I don't have access to a time machine.

I'd attempt to just use a GBC ROM that someone ripped of the GameShark, but I'm quite afraid that (legality of the procedure aside) it would 'brick' my GameShark. I'm figuring that Interact had their own special upgrade files (they were .ROM files, specifically), so I probably wouldn't be able to use an emulator-compatible ROM image for it anyway…

Anyway, yeah — I'm not sure what's wrong with my GameShark, but I'm almost certain that it could be fixed via re-flashing it. I'm not (intentionally) asking for something that can be used in an emulator; I just want to fix my actual, real, physical device.

Additionally, as I think I may have gotten a warning or something due to this thread in the first place, I read the forum rules and noticed rule #1 — and I would like to just point out that the upgrade files were freely available from the GameShark website (and/or via the software), and thus were more than likely legal stuff.

Once again, apologies for the necro-bump.