The World's "1st" USB 16-bit Retro Dumper

[Another World]

The World's "1st" USB 16-bit Retro Dumper
Retrode.org

As of mid June, users can now dump most retro system carts using a custom built USB adapter. Retrode.org is constructing and selling this adapter specifically for SNES and GENS with plans for possible N64, GBA, GBx inclusion. For more information on this device please check the links below.

• USB adapter for *SNES and *SEGA *Genesis game cartridges
• Custom-made cartridge connectors of video game quality
• USB 2.0 Full-Speed composite device (Mass Storage + HID)
• SRAM feature: Reading/writing of *SNES savegames
• Driverless operation under all halfway modern operating systems
• Extension pins for up to four *SNES/*NES gamepads. [1]
• retrode.cfg file for easy customization.
• Updateable firmware.
• Aluminum enclosure with logo print.
• Made in Germany. (As if anyone cares ;-))
• Dimensions (approx.): 148mm x 65mm x 25.5mm (5.8? x 2.6? x 1.0?)
• The first batch of Retrodes (”Golden Edition”) is available now! Order yours in my online store or through our friends at Stone Age Gamer.

 About

 Development History

Plug-in Expansion Information (Atari, N64, etc)

 F.A.Q.

 Purchase

 

[omgpwn666]

That's cool, even though I don't see why I would need it but someone can find a good use for it.

 

[gameboy13]

It's easier and less expensive to pirate them if you ask me. Cool product nonetheless.

 

[SylvWolf]

Cool little product, can't say I'd have much of a use for it but it might be nice to have one.

Also, it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff.

 

[ShadowSoldier]

I suppose if people don't want to pirate the games and just have legit backups.....

 

[Another World]

i see a use for prototype, beta carts, and multi-carts which have not yet been dumped.

-another world

 

[Rydian]

Mmm, save file writing.

 

[raulpica]

Nice little thing, probably useful for people who have rare carts in their hands but don't trust anyone enough to send it to them to dump.

 

[geoflcl]

Awesomeness! This is something I want immensely.

...So you can all add that to your list of things that I want. I know you all keep track and all.

 

[liquidnumb]

I wonder who their target market is. $100 and compatibility is not yet 100%.


edit:
Found this and lol'd at the last one:
* you like playing legacy video games on your PC, and doing so legally
* you want to preserve your investment in these games, even after all hardware has expired
* you want to back up your game progress, e.g. before replacing the cartridge battery
* you like emulator cheats, but prefer to finish the boss on the real console
* you simply think it’s cool to plug huge game cartridges into a PDA or cell phone

edit2:

This made me laugh too
Extension pins for up to four SNES/NES gamepads. [1]
[1] To use this feature, you have to get an old multitap adapter, take the connectors, and connect each of them to the Retrode using five wires.

 

[perkele]

This device is shipping since Feb 11th, not mid June.

The timing of this article (or is it an ad) is terrible, the Anniversary Bundle offer ended July 18th and they're not shipping between July 21st and August 10th.

 

[perkele]

I suppose if people don't want to pirate the games and just have legit backups.....

What's the legal difference between downloading a rom of a cartridge you own using the internet or dumping the cartridge to a rom using this device?

 

[liquidnumb]

I suppose if people don't want to pirate the games and just have legit backups.....

What's the legal difference between downloading a rom of a cartridge you own using the internet or dumping the cartridge to a rom using this device?

Had this discussion many times and the only answer I ever end up getting boils down to 'principle'. Go figure.

 

[Another World]

This device is shipping since Feb 11th, not mid June.

The timing of this article (or is it an ad) is terrible, the Anniversary Bundle offer ended July 18th and they're not shipping between July 21st and August 10th.

thanks for all of your bitching, so helpful. i'm doing my best to bring information to gbatemp. i post it when i find it. i guess you can't understand that and you assume i should be all places at once? if you have nothing productive to "ad", try not posting at all. it works.

-another world

 

[evandixon]

What's the legal difference between downloading a rom of a cartridge you own using the internet or dumping the cartridge to a rom using this device?

It's technically illegal by US law (so don't do it), but there's nothing really wrong with it.

 

[Rydian]

AFAIK there's no DRM of encryption done for SNES/Genesis carts so dumping them is fine (it's modern ones that use DRM), but downloading is always illegal.

 

[Hop2089]

Gamester81 has a review of this on youtube.

 

[OrGoN3]

What's the legal difference between downloading a rom of a cartridge you own using the internet or dumping the cartridge to a rom using this device?

Simple: Obtaining a rom by any method other than dumping your own purchased copy is illegal, in the eyes of US law. It is also illegal to bypass any DRM or encryption. (as was already said in this thread, there is no encryption or DRM on SNES/GNES carts...kind of before DRM).

In both cases (downloading vs dumping) the ROMs are IDENTICAL, and it can very easily be made impossible to figure out how you obtained it. As long as you aren't caught sharing the rom with anyone, and you own the physical game, US law doesn't care (it really doesn't care if you download, it just cares if you upload. While that isn't the actual law, companies/corporations/entities/groups are only going after people that upload/share, and not people who strictly download/leech. Go figure.

 

[Rydian]

It's illegal to download, they just go after uploaders because then they can levy really, really big-ass fines on them. Since they're doing it to scare people, the more amazing the amount of money, the more scared people should get in their mind.

 

[George Dawes]

Since when has downloading been illegal? I was under the impression (and all the law documents I can find online back it up) that the situation in the USA is the same as the UK - uploading is a Criminal Offence (illegal) yet downloading is a Civil Tort (or Civil Wrong). You cannot be prosecuted for the latter, only sued. Which is what has happened so far, people taken to county court (or US equivalent) and sued.

Also, who'd pay so much for a simple cart copier? I'd rather buy a full copybox (GD, SWC, PF etc) for around the same price that will let you copy a cart or download roms from the net and then play them on original hardware.