Informations about hacking Game Boy Advance games

[luc-ita]

Hello to all!
I need help on understanding a few things about the gba games and cheat devices for this console.

First of all I've created a moonjump code for a game. I've made with no$gba and it's a ROM code.
Then I've tested it in RAW format with VisualBoyAdvance-M and it works.

But when I try to test it in RAW, or Encrypted, format in Action Replay no emulator are capable to recognize my code.
I've tried it with no$gba, m-gba, vba-m, bizhawk.

I hope that someone could help me.

The codes are these below:

RAW format that works
0803851C 46C0

Action Replay, RAW format, that doesn't work
6803851C 100046C0

Action Replay, Encrypted format, that doesn't work
BCDC8272 84C9D376


Am I missing something? Or the codes are correct but there isn't an emulator that recognize that format?

[Demonic722]

Patch your code with type z0C-z0F if you're using AR Crypt. I think each ROM code requires a different patch type for it to work properly on hardware, but don't quote me on that. I don't have the hardware to test it on.

# Patched 0803851C 46C0 with z0C
BEB90710 4FC75B54
65DA389A 09D8882C

[luc-ita]

Many thanks!
But now I've another question:
What's the "patch type" and how I could find them for each code, if I need these?
I wouldn't ask every time for help

[Demonic722]

Use AR Crypt. By default, I use z0C if I'm patching one ROM code.



If I have more than one, I use the next patch type from the previous. In this case, that would be z0D. Some emulators will let you use the same patch type for all of your codes, but again, I'm not sure if hardware will allow it.

[luc-ita]

While you answered me I've searched what are these z0C and z0F and found some useful information that I didn't know!
For example the address that I wrote in the first post is incorrect. Because I need to shift right by 1 the address that I've found, and then make the code.
Then I've found why you have used three lines instead of one.

I thank you so much because you gave me a starting point from where to look for informations about the ROM patching and how to convert from RAW ASM codes to Action Replay V3 codes!
So thanks again for your help!

Your code works! As well as my just created code -> BEB90710 4FC75B54, A7B664AC E4A79AAC
using first the shifting method (address divided by 2)

[luc-ita]

About real hardware compatibility I've found these lines:

Important points to remember
On actual hardware (HARDWARE, not upgraded software on old hardware):
V.1/2 can handle a maximum of 1 patch code, depending on master code.
V.3 can handle a maximum of 4 patch codes, depending on master code. Each code must be a different patch type - either z0C, z0D, z0E or z0F. What this means, is that you can only have one patch code encrypted using the z0C type - if you want to have two ROM patch codes, you need to use one of the other types (they're all equivalent in terms of what actually happens).

So my code and yours in this thread works without problems. Using AR V3.

I do not have a game boy advance so I can not test my code on hardware but only on emulator. I wonder if I can still share them and put them in the database.

[Demonic722]

That's actually the documentation I remember reading. By the way, if you're using AR Crypt, you don't have to manually shift by 1. You just have to input your RAW code, select your patch type, and click the Create button.

[luc-ita]

Your informations helps me alot! I'll keep in mind your teaches!
Last question. I've noticed that there isn't a game in the database. Could you, please, add this?
The game is:
Disney GLI INCREDIBILI
Serials: AGB-BICI-78, AGB-BICI-ITA

[lee4]

that game already in database
http://gamehacking.org/game/4900

[luc-ita]

Many thanks! I didn't find it, and I don't know why. Sorry for that.

[Helder]

You need to check off games with zero codes in the search.

[luc-ita]

Thanks Helder. I always forget to check the box. I'm sorry!
Unfortunately I also forget that there aren't so many italian hackers, nor codes for italian games.
About that...I'll try to do my best. In my own little way.

[luc-ita]

Demonic722 or Helder, do you know an emulator for GBA that supports the AR V3 universal joker command?
Or another way to use joker command in an compatible emulator?

[Dybbles]

Demonic722 or Helder, do you know an emulator for GBA that supports the AR V3 universal joker command?
Or another way to use joker command in an compatible emulator?

Apologies for butting in, but you could use an older version of, Visual Boy Advance. It has better support for ASM codes and many other Action Replay V3 functions.
I'd recommend, Visual Boy Advance 1.6.

[luc-ita]

Your advice is much appreciated! Many thanks for your answer! I'll try and report back if it resolves my problem with joker commands!

EDIT:
Unfortunately even visual boy advance 1.6 doesn't support joker commands AR V3.
There's an emulator that does?

The code that I'm trying to test is this below:
0A400130 000001FF
00000000 1801FE63
1000E017 00000000
0A400130 000002FF
00000000 1A01FE63
1000D117 00000000

Another question: I have a Nintendo DSi. Could I test my gba codes with a NDS?