ROM Hack GhostPatcher - Easily patch GBA VC .cias to remove ghosting and restore original colors

[Substance12]

This thread explains a method to fix ghosting and dark colours in GBA VC games:

https://gbatemp.net/threads/restoring-original-colors-to-gba-vc.427642/

Before vs After:

The process is a bit lengthy though and requires hex editing, or generating a footer for GBA games. I made a script that should make the process a ton faster and easier, only requiring you to provide an unencrypted CIA.

Requirements:

• A Windows, Linux or OS X 64-bit installation. I might provide 32-bit support in the future.
• A Python version 3 installation.
• A decrypted CIA of the game you want to patch. If it's encrypted, you'll get an "Unknown file" error.

To apply the patch, simply open a command prompt, cd to the folder where you put the script, and run it like this:

patch.py /path/to/your/game.cia

Make sure you have the "bin" folder in the same folder than patch.py!

You'll find the patched .cia in the output folder. Make sure to back up your GBA saves before installing the .cia, because if an unpatched version of the game was previously installed, it's saves will be lost.

WARNING:

• This was not tested on OS X! It should probably work without issues, though.
• This patch may cause issues in some specific games. Make sure you always keep the original CIA just in case.

Download!

Credits:

• profi2000 for ctrtool and makerom
• dnasdw for 3dstool
• SuperrSonic for the hex patch
  
• AnalogMan for the Python script that patched code.bin

 

[Darukeru]

Umm... how do I know if it worked? Do I need the bin folder too? I run it but all I see is this message and it moves the CIA to a new 'tmp' folder .-.

Spoiler: Image

Edit: Forget it, the bin folder is necessary, it worked!

 

[Eastonator12]

Umm... how do I know if it worked? Do I need the bin folder too? I run it but all I see is this message and it moves the CIA to a new 'tmp' folder .-.

Spoiler: Image

View attachment 74540

Edit: Forget it, the bin folder is needed, it worked!

What version on Linux is that? I want to try it lmao

 

[Substance12]

Umm... how do I know if it worked? Do I need the bin folder too? I run it but all I see is this message and it moves the CIA to a new 'tmp' folder .-.

Spoiler: Image

View attachment 74540

Edit: Forget it, the bin folder is needed, it worked!

Great to hear! Maybe I should have mentioned that the bin folder is needed

 

[Eastonator12]

Umm... how do I know if it worked? Do I need the bin folder too? I run it but all I see is this message and it moves the CIA to a new 'tmp' folder .-.

Spoiler: Image

View attachment 74540

Edit: Forget it, the bin folder is necessary, it worked!

If you don't mind me asking, what version of Linux is that you're using? I'm interested in using it

 

[Substance12]

If you don't mind me asking, what version of Linux is that you're using? I'm interested in using it

That seems to be Linux Mint.

 

[Eastonator12]

That seems to be Linux Mint.

Ah, ok. Thanks!

 

[KiiWii]

Can this sort of thing be done on Wii U for N64 injects etc?

I wonder if Ninty nerfed the same things on all consoles to make them dark and drab?

@the_randomizer ?

 

[Substance12]

Can this sort of thing be done on Wii U for N64 injects etc?

I wonder if Ninty nerfed the same things on all consoles to make them dark and drab?

@the_randomizer ?

This uses 3DS-specific tools to edit CIAs, so you can't use this tool on these, but I'm sure something like that for Wii U could be done.

 

[KiiWii]

This uses 3DS-specific tools to edit CIAs, so you can't use this tool on these, but I'm sure something like that for Wii U could be done.

Yeah cool that's what I means I mean just the thought process behind this could be applied and figured out for Wii U.

 

[Darukeru]

What version on Linux is that? I want to try it lmao

That seems to be Linux Mint.

No no, is Ubuntu 16 LTS, and this awesome theme https://itsfoss.com/install-numix-ubuntu/

 

[ShadowOne333]

Pretty neat patcher!
I hope something like this gets made for the N64 VC for the Wii U

 

[KyleWest]

Anyone willing to help a newbie who doesn't know how to use python

 

[The Real Jdbye]

Anyone willing to help a newbie who doesn't know how to use python

If you're on Windows the easiest way is by putting the script in the Python directory where python.exe is located and opening a command prompt, using cd "C:\path\to\python" to get to the Python directory, then use the command described in the first post but add python.exe followed by a space in front of it so it becomes python.exe patch.py "c:\path\to\game.cia"
Instead of typing the cia path manually you can drag and drop the file onto the command prompt window to autofill the path. This probably also works for the cd command by drag&dropping the Python directory.
Make sure you use Python 3.x and not 2.x since this particular script needs it.

 

[KyleWest]

If you're on Windows the easiest way is by putting the script in the Python directory where python.exe is located and opening a command prompt, using cd "C:\path\to\python" to get to the Python directory, then use the command described in the first post but add python.exe followed by a space in front of it so it becomes python.exe patch.py "c:\path\to\game.cia"
Instead of typing the cia path manually you can drag and drop the file onto the command prompt window to autofill the path. This probably also works for the cd command by drag&dropping the Python directory.
Make sure you use Python 3.x and not 2.x since this particular script needs it.

Once I run the command, where do I find the new .cia file? Or is my current one supposed to be overwritten

 

[The Real Jdbye]

Once I run the command, where do I find the new .cia file? Or is my current one supposed to be overwritten

Read the first post again

 

[KyleWest]

Read the first post again

I did but I couldn't find a folder named output anywhere, not in the python folder or the folder containing the .cia or anywhere else

 

[The Real Jdbye]

I did but I couldn't find a folder named output anywhere, not in the python folder or the folder containing the .cia or anywhere else

Then maybe the script failed, what does the output say?