Saving games on PCE systems

[Duo_R]

Iis the bram tool the memory manager that a flash card is needed? Now that i have a flash card would like to try one of those out. Which is the best?

[grahf]

The bram tool is the one that lets you backup save files, and/or edit the data they contain. It could be useful for cheating, or potentially producing other effects. I think there should be a thread about that.

I have it burnt to a CD, but there might be a hucard version on Chris' site as well. You'll have to take a look.

[Bonknuts]

It would be awesome if someone would create a utility program to copy save files back and forth between the system save and Memory Base. That way it could be left plugged in and used as a sort of "Super Tennokoe Bank".  128k could back up a whole lot of files.  What do you say, Chris Covell? Care to update your bram tool? 

 I made a tool, that while not as intricate as CCovell's BRAM tool, could write BRAM from a file on the CD-R as well as dump the existing BRAM 2k through the audio cables and you record using a PC/computer. Chris has done similar with his Famicom cart dumper. Maybe he could update the BRAM tool with the sound dump option.

[grahf]

The sound dump is a genious way of doing things! 

Bonknuts, do you know if the workings of the Memorybase are known and documented anywhere? I'd be curious to read up on it, since the controller port seems an interesting way to interface with a memory unit. I can imagine how it's done, but would be interested in how it's actually done.

[rag-time4]

Very nice post, City41. It makes me a little nostalgic because one of my first posts in 2005 was a write-up about the MB128 (list of games here, details here.)

That youtube video you linked is pretty good, except the reviewer is wrong about one thing: the MB128 is not a rare, valuable, collector's item! MB128's have been readily available on ebay for a consistent $10-25 for years and years. The only thing rare about it is that it's not available on ebay 100% of the time (only, like, 50% of the time). Unfortunately, if guys these days go a couple of months without being able to immediately gratify their collecting urges, they freak out.

While the NEC Memory Base 128 is indeed fairly common (i got one free from an ebay seller) KOEI's save-kun is indeed quite rare. Hit Japan has one or recently had one for about US$20, which is the best ive seen on ebay in the past 5 or so years. Ive seen neither a complete boxed nor sealed SAVE-KUN on ebay since I've been collecting PCE

[Duo_R]

I noticed the bram tool download included a .PCE file so I think it does work with flash card.

The bram tool is the one that lets you backup save files, and/or edit the data they contain. It could be useful for cheating, or potentially producing other effects. I think there should be a thread about that.

I have it burnt to a CD, but there might be a hucard version on Chris' site as well. You'll have to take a look.

[esteban]

Slow loading times: anyone who played computer games in the 80's and 90's has experience with slow loading. Be it a floppy disk (or several). I didn't use many cassettes, thankfully, but those were slow, too (Commodore PET and VIC-20).

[Keith Courage]

Hah, I remember those tapes. My friend had a radio shack tandy color computer that used one. We would have to wait like 4-5 minutes for a tape to load in order to play Zaxxon

[rag-time4]

It would be awesome if someone would create a utility program to copy save files back and forth between the system save and Memory Base. That way it could be left plugged in and used as a sort of "Super Tennokoe Bank".  128k could back up a whole lot of files.  What do you say, Chris Covell? Care to update your bram tool? 

I would also love to see a memory base 128K utility, especially if it could be made available to license and add to home brew projects as a menu option.

[ccovell]

Well, the source code is included in my BRAM tool, so go wild, you guys!

Me, I'm too busy with my hatched chikkun to start up any programming projects...

[grahf]

Are the workings of the memorybase known?

[Duo_R]

Any more information on the shuttle memory? What is unique on the PC Engine Shuttle that makes this work with it or is it just the system shape / design that this is needed for?

Shuttle Memory Backup Unit
Similar to the Ten no Koe 2, but only works on a PCE Shuttle
-- uses a rechargeable lithium battery to store its saves
-- Still available brand new from NCSX for about $38

[Necromancer]

I think the only difference is for the different bus connector on Shuttles.

[Duo_R]

Does shuttle have the same pinout on the expansion port?

[Necromancer]

Nope, it's smaller and missing the some pins required for the CD add ons.