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-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Nintendo GameBoy
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Maintained by Marat Fayzullin [FMS]
EMAIL: fms@wam.umd.edu
IRC: RST38h
version 2.0
4/13/1994
I. GameBoy: General Description
II. Cheats, Passwords, Strategies, etc.
III. List of the best games
IV. GameGenie Questions
V. Programming, Hardware, etc.
*** Unanswered Questions
UPDATES: 1. GameBoy mail-server and mailing list! <--*YEAH*
2. Mortal Kombat cheats
3. Yet more cheats, codes and passwords
I finally found some time to update the FAQ. Sorry for the huge
delay, this semester was a busy one for me. Anyway, here is a
new v.2.0 of the FAQ.
People, could somebody subscribing for "Electronic Gaming World"
and other similar magazines go through the "S.W.A.T." sections in
them and write down all GameBoy cheats/passwords/etc. not included
into this file? I would appreciate your help.
As always, FAQ may contain errors. Also, some information is
missing. If you find an error or have a missing piece of information,
email your comments to me. Notice that this file contains some data
on GameBoy's internals. Any additional information in this field
will also be greatly appreciated (read "Unanswered Questions" section).
- *************** I. GameBoy: General Description ******************
CPU: 8-bit Z80 at 2.2 MHz
RAM: 16kB internal
ROM: 512kBit, 1MBit, 2MBit and 4MBit cartridges are known
(64kB, 128kB, 256kB and 512kB). Probably, there are
smaller kinds as well (16kB and 32kB).
Sound: 4 Channels (Stereo: 2L/2R)
Video:
Display: Reflective LCD 160x144 dots
Colors: 4 shades of gray
Sprites: 8 sprites 8x8
Communications: Serial port (?)
Up to 4 Gameboys can be connected together using these ports
Baud rate: ???
Protocol: ???
Power: 6 Volts, 0.7 Watts
4 AA Batteries - 35 hours
OR
Rechargable battery (NAKI) - 12 hours
- What are an advantage of GB in comparison with other portable videogames?
The same reflective LCD screen which is considered to be the weak point
of GameBoy, is its advantage. Other systems, such as Atari Lynx or SEGA
GameGear, use backlighted color screens which consume several times more
power than reflective LCD of GB. Thus, these systems need 6 AA batteries
instead of 4 AAs needed by GB and drain these batteries in about 6 hours.
Also, dots on GB's LCD are much smaller than dots on the color screens of
other portables which [given that you have a good light source nearby]
means that GB's LCD looks crisper. The other advantage of GameBoy is that
it is the only portable videogame you can actually PUT INTO YOUR POCKET.
Both Lynx and GameGear are too big for it.
Speaking about variety of games available for GB, I would *NOT*
consider it an advantage of GB if we are talking solely about its
technical characteristics. Amount of software written for the system has
nothing to do with the system's hardware architecture. It is rather
determined by commercial success of the system and [in fact] by how it
is marketed. There are many technologically superior systems which just
didn't make it because of poor marketing [TurboGrafx is an example].
- *************** II. Cheats, Passwords, Strategies, etc. ****************
1. Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge passwords
H - Heart C - Candle B - Ball . - Space
Central Castle: HBC. Hard Mode (like Castlevania I): .B.B
Belmont's son's realm: HCBB Music Test: HHHH
Count Dracula: BHCH Easy Mode (9 lives): CCHH
2. Nemesis cheats
Pause the game and press these buttons:
To get SPEED and SHIELD: BBBBBAAAAA
To get SHADOWFIGHTERS,SHIELD,LASER,MISSILES: UUDDLRLRBA
( U-[UP] D-[DOWN] L-[LEFT] R-[RIGHT] A-[A] B-[B] )
3. Fortified Zone passwords: 1111,3375,1681,1122
4. Pipe Dream passwords:
5:HAHA 9:GRIN 13:REAP 17:SEED 21:GROW 25:TALL 29:YALI
5. Last password in Dr.Franken: JHT87 [HEART]V7VN VG20Z
6. How to get to Medusa Cave in Final Fantasy Adventure?
Find an oasis with two palm trees and walk in 8-like manner around
them:
+->>-+ <<-+
| PP | PP |
+-<< +->>-+
7. Faceball 2000
Start on level one. Find an exit. Shoot it five times, then explore
the level some more. You will find extra lives and speed-up power-ups.
You will also have five exits to choose from, each of which takes you
to a different level (level select).
Contributed by Mark Kaufman.
8. Zen the Intergalactic Ninja passwords:
C - Can B - Bottle T - Tire A - cArdboard box . - Space
Passwords: [.CBB] [T.AT] [CBAB] ...and the final one: [BTCC]
9. Possible cheat in Final Fantasy Legend II:
On some stage of the game double-clicking on the Trashcan [or, maybe,
trying to "move" Trashcan to the different position in the list] will
allow to increase Agility or Strength of the party members. This trick
appeared only once and I couldn't repeat it. I also got responses from
two people who encountered similar effect. Everybody who has more info
on this trick, send email to me.
10. Tecmo Bowl codes [contributed by Kelly Gillilan]:
Invisible Team: 397BFFA5
Mirror Matches:
Washington 5B7FBFA3 Denver CFBFF7A0 Indianapolis 43AFFEAC
Miami 46AFFDAB Cleveland 49AFFBA9 L.A. 969FDFA5
San Francisco 9C3F7FA5 Dallas 63AEFFA5 New York 269DFFA1
Chicago 697BFFA5 Minnesota AC37FFA9
11. Stage select in Penguin Wars:
At the character select screen, pick the character, then press L+B,
then press A and [START].
12. Some interesting passwords for QBillion: WALL,IDEA,NOON
13. Some interesting codes in Shanghai:
MAN - tough level REV - reversed tiles STF - credits
14. Invisible opponents in SoccerMania:
At the title screen, press UUDDLRLRBA, then press [START]
15. Passwords for Korodice:
[4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]
EASY 94347 68890 24486 49320 28076 96545 83193
AVERAGE 22307 64422 43059 46403 50136 17443 99007
16. Selected passwords for Mickey Mouse/Bugs Bunny:
10:WZFS 20:ZTPZ 30:WYCZ 40:TX9W 50:2TWX 60:YTKX 70:SHE2 80:XHO2
17. Snoopy's Magic Show passwords:
1N1B XZ10 V5K2 CA1H 424V VS10 C417 CS1V VUY0 12ET 2UV4 VU12
Z2JH 2207 C21I ZUUV 7UBB BE10 CE1Q HEO4 CEIB VHNX 1H11 B6N0
CD1T CD1D
18. Fish Killer passwords:
21:UIRE 22:CXMT 23:HOBL 31:KAPG 32:SNWD 33:FQJV A1:PAHN A2:ESZC
19. Battle Ping Pong codes:
7822 6524 1604 0781 5802 8731 0511 1199
20. Burai Fighter Deluxe passwords:
HGKM GBAL IDCP CPFJ MHCB LEOJ JJOE ODEN COHL DKLF KDPI AFKP
21. Migrain Acclaim passwords: L2:0742 L3:X480 L4:586Y L5:3081
22. Blodia passwords:
AIJD DIFP DJGN BKQF ANPD CNGL APQD DQMQ BNCE CPHI
23. Solomon's Club passwords: GZ3ZNN 2Z3NND CZ3DND
24. Awesome Klax pattern:
last brick --->4 2 1 1 2
1 4 3 2 1
3 3 4 3 3
1 1 2 1 1
1 2 1 2 1
25. Mega Man games:
Mega Man Mega Man 2 Mega Man 3
1234 1234 1234 1234
A ** A *** A * * A *
B * B * B ** B * *
C ** C *** C ** C **
D D * D ** D
26. Roland's Curse:
QKMTTQHP (fire wand/magic axe) FRTTTGTP (sword/power crystal)
at maximum power, only 25 sword hits to kill Barius.
27. Selected paswords for Navy Blue:
65:MVCROEOX (CRUISER) 89:YLNFEMHQ (TARTAN) ??:KAFSKYLG (TOMCAT)
73:MBZRLYOC (SEA SPARROW) ??:YLNYDMIS (CARRIER) ??:FLTHVMXP (TRIDENT)
81:MUDLTEOH (TOMAHAWK) ??:FKMWCMHK (FANTOM) ??:FLTCWMHN (FINALE)
28. Final boss in Bionic Commando: S - Square T - Triangle C - Circle
ABCDEF
1 SCSSCC
2 TS TSC
3 TSC TC
4 CT CCT
29. Mortal Kombat:
In order to play as Goro,
1. Beat the game normally.
2. Wait for credits to scroll by.
3. When "The End" appears, hold UP+LEFT+SELECT+A
4. Enter initials and press A
5. Play as Goro!
Playing as Goro, hold A+B and then press DOWN. Goro [you] will
disappear and the time will go much faster. Your opponent will
be constantly repeating same move and won't be able to hit you.
These cheats were contributed by Jim Hsu and Timothy A. Meushaw
30. Bill and Ted's level passwords:
2: 555-4239 3: 555-8942 5: 555-4118 6: 555-8471 7: 555-2989
8: 555-6737 9: 555-6429 10: 555-1881
- ********************** Other cheats, passwords, etc. ********************
Adventure Island : Stage Select : RLRLABAB at the title screen
Adventure Island 2 : Power Up : 0894
Amazing Penguin : Level 37 : 916328
Amazing Tater : Floor 3 : YBTF5ZZFT2
Amida : Passwords : TLKSS, LEIQX, VOTAJ
Atomic Punk : Level 50 : B0MNDPBL3NCB3L2H2DJJ
Avenging Spirit : Expert mode : U+A+B at the title screen
Batman : Sound Test : U+R+START at the title screen
Battle Bull : Level 48 : $F**
BattleToads 2 : 5 toads : Holding D+A+B press [START]
Boomer's Adventure : Level 55 : ANCIENT
Boxxle : Lvl 11, Rm 8 : Q*HT * = Spade
Boxxle 2 : Level 5 : 0K84
Brainbender : Level 5 : 3081
Bubble Bobble : Level 100 : KZ5J
: Stage Select : KGBJ, then use L to select level
Bugs Bunny : Level 79 : XHO2
Bugs Bunny 2 : Level 27 : KING
Burai Fighter Deuxe : Level 5 : DKLF
Catrap : Level 100 : R61H
Chase HQ : Stage Select : Holding D+A+B press [START]
Contra : Extra Lives : UUDDLRLRABAB[SELECT][START]
Cyraid : Last Level : RUGGER
Dead Heat Scramble : Stage Select : BBBBBBBBAAAAAAAA then B one less time
: : than the number of wanted level
Deadalian Opus : Stage Select : ZEAL
Dick Tracy : Level 5 : 56115
Extra Bases : 7W 0L : 2CCZ
Fish Dude : Stage C-3 : SE
Fist Of The North Star: Last Level : XKP72QNVHRJGU5
Flappy Special : ? : AK00
Flash : Level 13 : FUNHOUS
Fortified Zone : Level 4 : 1122
Gargoyle's Quest : Last Level : SWXE-CBFJ
Godzilla : Last Level : JXRB7K&948HPD32#JN
GO! GO! Tank : Cheat Mode : LURULLURULUL[START] at title screen
Hunt for Red October : Stage Select : B[SELECT]LR[START] at title screen
Hyper Loderunner : Level Select : Enter QM-0388 as passcode
Kirby's Dream Land : Cheat Mode : D+[SELECT]+B
Lock & Chase : ? : Press AABBABB at title screen
Mercernary Force : Stage Select : Holding U+[SELECT]+A+B press [START]
Navy Blue : End : FLTCWMHN
Ninja Boy : Stage Select : UUDDABAB, holding A press [START]
: Continue : Holding A press [START]
Operation C : Stage Select : UUDDLRLRBABA[START] at full title screen
Pitman : Stage Select : Q16KXW [Stage 95]
Power Mission : Level 11 : LRDMR1
Prince of Persia : Final Battle : 71196464
Q Billion : Stage Select : TOIL
Raging Fighter : Plr vs. Plr : UUDDLRLRB, then A for dk., B for normal
Roger Rabbit : Level 6 : RTJBWW43
Rolan's Curse : End : PQRJLNPC
Snoopy's Magic Show : Level 58 : V5YO
Snow Bros. Jr. : Stage Select : Holding U+[SELECT]+B press start at
: : the title screen
Solomon's Club : Level 4-10 : QDDHSY8
Spanky's Quest : Stage Select : 0119
Spud's Adventure : Stage Select : BANCHOU
Star Trek : Planet Killer: 3516.7
Super Mario Land 2 : Easy Mode : [SELECT] at the pipe screen
Tail Gator : Last Area : 8093
TMNT : Extra Life : Pause game, then UUDDLRLRBA[START]
: Bonus Games : Holding A+B+[SELECT] press [START] at
: : the config screen (?)
Tetris : Expert Mode : D+[START] at the title screen
Turrican : Stage Select : Holding [SELECT] press [START] at the
: : title screen
- ********************** III. List of the best games ******************
This list is compiled based on the ratings and reviews I got from
various sources. The fact that some game is in the list doesn't
necessarily mean that it is the best game for you; it just means
that this game is worth checking out. I put asterisk (*) next to
my personal favorites. For the current information about the best
games, send mail containing one word, get_gameboy, to
paien00@dmi.usherb.ca to get "Nick's GameBoy Game Ratings List".
1. RPGs:
*Final Fantasy Legend |
*Final Fantasy Adventure (2MBit) +-----> These seem to be everybody's
*Final Fantasy Legend 2 (2MBit) | favorites.
Final Fantasy Legend 3 (4MBit?)|
Zelda: Link's Awakening (4MBit)
2. R-Type-like shoot-em-ups:
Nemesis
*Gradius: Interstellar Assault (2MBit)
3. Platform Games:
*Metroid II
SuperMarioLand II (4MBit)
*Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge
*Batman
*TMNT: Fall of the foot Clan
Operation C
Mega Man 1,2,3
BattleToads
Gargoyle's Quest
4. 3D Games:
*Altered Space (platform game)
Faceball 2000 (shoot-em-up)
5. Sport Games:
Jack Nicklaus Golf
F-1 Race
6. Logic/Strategy Games:
*Shanghai
*Tetris
Chessmaster [watch for revision, there are two of them]
*Spot
4-in-1 packs 1 and 2
Dr. Mario
Ishido
7. StreetFighter clones:
Mortal Kombat
Raging Fighter
8. Classical Arcade games:
Asteroids
Missile Command
Centipede
Pacman
9. Flight Simulators:
Turn and Burn
Top Gun
- **************************** IV. Game Genie ****************************
1. How it works?
GameGenie allows you to substitute some of the codes in the cartridge
ROM with your own codes. For example, you can substitute the default
number of lives with your own number. GameBoy GameGenie allows to
substitute up to three codes.
2. Where to get the codes?
GameBoy GameGenie codes are available through anonymous FTP at
netcom.com directory /pub/vidgames/gamegenie
6828 Jun 14 1993 gbcod1.txt
5798 Jun 14 1993 gbcod2.txt
5256 Jun 14 1993 gbcod3.txt
5606 Jun 14 1993 gbcod4.txt
5668 Jul 24 03:11 gbcod5.txt
2122 Oct 26 23:21 gbcod6.txt
6341 Jun 14 1993 gbin02.txt
11011 Jun 14 1993 gbup01.txt
13427 Jun 14 1993 gbup02.txt
3. What is the meaning of the digits in GameGenie code for GameBoy?
* All digits are in hexadecimal system
GameBoy GameGenie Code: DD2-103-???
DD - Data Byte
0,1,2,3 - Address, reads as 3210
??? - Meaning of these digits is unknown.
It is suspected that they represent the
ROM paging register, but no information
is available.
Example: 3D2-ABF-3BE - Set 3Dh (DEC A command) at address F2ABh
4. Some commonly used Z80 instructions with their codes:
Code(s): Instruction: Common Usage:
3Eh xxh - LD A,xxh Load default number of lives (energy,ammo,etc.)
3Dh - DEC A Decrease number of lives (energy,ammo,etc.)
3Ch - INC A Increase number of lives (energy,ammo,etc.)
00h - NOP DO NOTHING (set this instead of 3Dh)
5. CodeMasters' address and phone number:
Codemasters
Lower Farm House, PHONE: +44 926 814132
Southam,
Warwickshire.
CV33 0DL
UK
* I didn't try calling them. If you get any additional information from
CodeMasters, please, email it to me
- ******************** V. Programming, Hardware, etc. *******************
1. Are there any GameBoy emulators for the personal computers?
YES, there is a GameBoy emulator for the Commodore Amiga called ToyBoy.
This emulator can be obtained by FTP from AmiNet sites:
ftp.luth.se: /pub/aminet/misc/emu/Gameboy68000.lha
ftp.etsu.edu: /aminet/misc/emu/GameBoy68000.lha
wuarchive.wustl.edu: /systems/amiga/aminet/misc/emu/Gameboy68000.lha
Unfortunately, this package is incomplete. It doesn't have documentation
and a Z80 assembler. The author of ToyBoy is unknown. According to some
sources, ToyBoy was stolen from a company called Argonaut developing
Amiga->GameBoy cross-development system for Nintendo. Other rumors say
that there is a demo console based on this emulator. The ToyBoy package
found on Aminet includes:
a) GameBoy emulator
b) Binary file for Tetris which can be run by emulator
c) Source code of Tetris in Z80 assembler
Following information was mainly obtained by exploring the Tetris source
code which came with ToyBoy. Information about GameBoy's hardware is
extremely hard to find. Most of it is incomplete, uncertain and vague.
If you have any information [especially about things listed in
"Unanswered Questions" section], PLEASE, email it to fms@wam.umd.edu.
2. Addresses of GameBoy I/O ports:
GameBoy seems to access I/O ports as memory cells rather than as real Z80
I/O ports i.e. instead of IN A,(Port#) we have LD A,(Port Addr). Here are
several port addresses and their usage:
EA64h: Joystick (INPUT)
Bits: Meaning: When buttons are pressed, appropriate
0 [LEFT] bits go to "1"s
1 [RIGHT]
2 [UP]
3 [DOWN]
4 [A]
5 ?
6 ?
7 ?
EA62h/EA63h: Low/High bytes of the Character Set address (OUTPUT)
Using these two ports you can set an address of the Character Set
table for GameBoy's video controller. This address should be EVEN(?).
There may be up to 256 (?) characters 8x8 dots each. Character's
pattern takes 16 bytes. Each dot has two bits in two consequent bytes:
Addr: db 00010000b
| |
+------------> Dot with color 2 (10b)
| +----------> Dot with color 1 (01b)
| |
Addr+1: db 00001100b
Here is an example of the character using colors 0 and 2 only:
db 00000000b,0
db 01111100b,0
db 11001110b,0
db 11011110b,0
db 11110110b,0
db 11100110b,0
db 11000110b,0
db 01111100b,0
Let C be a code of the character. Then the pattern of this character
in the table will be located at
PattAddr(C)=CharSetAddr+16*C
|
+---> This is the address in EA62h/EA63h
EA60h/EA61h: Low/High bytes of the Character Map address (OUTPUT)
These ports define the address of the table video controller uses as
a Character Map. This 20x18 table contains codes of the characters
being displayed on the screen. Let X,Y be coordinates of the character
(starting at the left-upper corner). Then the address of this character
in the table will be
CharAddr(X,Y)=CharMapAddr+20*Y+X
|
+---> This is the address in EA60h/EA61h
3. Is it possible to build a backlight into GameBoy?
NO, it is impossible to make a backlight for the reflective LCD.
Nevertheless, it is possible to put a light source inside GameBoy so
that it will be above the screen. Don't forget that opening GameBoy will
void the warranty though.
4. Are there any game copiers for GameBoy?
No stand-alone game copiers are known. Nevertheless, there seem to be
GameBoy adaptors for MultiGameDoctorII, MultiGameHunter, SuperWildCard
and SuperComPro. Also, there is a device allowing to play games stored
on credit card-like magnetic cards which is produced in Japan and isn't
sold in U.S.
5. MultiGame cartridges for GameBoy:
Yes, these cartridges are at least half-illegal because their producers
violate copyright law.
Yes, these things exist for GameBoy. At present time, there are four
kinds of them: 48in1, 64in1, 86in1 and 105in1 (although there were rumors
about 200in1 cartridge also). They all seem to contain the same basic set
of games most of which are either old Nintendo products (like Alleyway or
Tennis) or low-quality games from other companies with a couple of good
games added. Number of games in such a cartridge is actually SMALLER than
it is written on the box because some games are present in two or three
copies (with a number of lives and other things changed). For example,
64in1 cartridge contains only about 48 DISTINCT games. At least 27 of
them can be classified as "logic" or "strategy" games. There were many
requests to list games multigame cartridges contain. So, here is a list
of games how it appears in a menu of a 105in1 cartridge. Other multigame
cartridges contain subset of games listed below. Notice large number of
japanese titles and repetitions. There are also some titles which actually
respond to the same game.
turtle ninja bouken jima super mario land motocross
penguin land kid kiki mickey mouse crocodile
dr. mario solomons club head on dr mario
ishido battle city bouken tennis
volley fire boxing trump boy klax
bubble ghost master karateka othello puzzle boy
hong kong tetris minisweeper heiankyo alien
bouken 3 flipull hyper loderunner amida
yakuman match mania pala medes world bowling
loopz bouken 4 alleyway koro dice
puzzle road spot castelian dragon slayer 1
space invader snake war bouken 5 flappy special
pipe dream koi wa kakehiki bouken 6 pitman
tasmania story soukoban 2 shanghai kinkong escape
arkanoil ls caste star gate bouken 7
super kid super turtle super mario go tank
bouken 8 spec mouse big ghost excite bike
penguin egg spec turtle adventure 2 tank
kiki mouse small ghost motor bike adventure
big penguin speed runner bom bom alley 1992 castelian
thunder force luck boy adventure 4 sp turtle
mario boy adventure 5 loder runner sp alley
sp motocross adventure 6 sp invader sp kid kiki
easy tasmania adventure 7 turtle ii sp mario
gogo tank adventure 8 sp mouse adventure island
sp penguin happy boy happy ghost bouken boy
sp tasmania
6. Using GameGenie with multigame cartridges:
No, GameGenie DOES NOT WORK with multigame cartridges.
7. Japanese cartridges:
These are cartridges which are not available in U.S., although you can
find them if you are lucky. Following descriptions of japanese cartridges
were prepared by Mark Kaufman.
- Name: Parodius Type: Shooter Producer: Konami
Graphics: 10 Sound: 10 Playability: 10 Overall: 10
This is the legendary Japanese shooter to which all others are compared.
It is awesome, huge, creative, challenging and fun, fun, fun.
- Name: Twinbee Type: Shooter Producer: Konami
Graphics: 9 Sound: 9 Playability: 9 Overall: 9
Another Japanese cart that should be sold over here. It's better than
90% of all GB games.
8. Why some GameGenie codes don't work?
Some games exist in several different versions. Although these versions
look exactly the same, the actual program codes differ. Therefore, while
some GameGenie codes work with one version of the cartridge, they aren't
guaranteed to work with other versions.
9. Where is GB Zelda FAQ?
The GameBoy Zelda FAQ list is supported by Michael Evans
[evansmj@NeXTwork.Rose-Hulman.Edu]. Another strategy guide for GB Zelda
is written by Christer Ericson [Christer.Ericson@cs.umu.se].
10. Where to get parts to repair GameBoy?
Mark Kaufman found address of the company selling replacement parts for
GameBoy [as well as Sega AC adapters and Atari parts]. Here is their
phone number and a list of GameBoy parts they carry:
MCM Electronics TOLL-FREE: 1-800-543-4330
FAX: 1-513-434-6959
VOICE: 1-513-434-0031
M-F: 7AM-8PM EST Sat: 9AM-6PM EST
#83-2285 $3.50 Gameboy Type 32 Pin Connector
(replace worn or corroded cartridge jack inside GB)
#83-1570 $1.49 Controller Replacement Pads
(set of three)
#81-1605 $7.95 Schematic Diagrams
(THIS should be interesting! =))
Game Bit Drivers (fit tamper resistant star screws):
#22-1145 $9.95 Small bit for GB cartridge
#22-1150 $9.95 Large bit for GB battery packs
11. GameBoy cartridge pinouts [not complete]:
Pin Function
----------------------------------------------------------
1 Vcc
2 ? Connected on Gameboy, but not used on GamePaks.
3 /RESET
4 /WR
5 ? Used by paging PAL on high capacity GamePaks.
6-21 A0-A15
22-29 D0-D7
30 /RD
31 ? Connected on Gameboy, but not used on Game-Paks.
32 GND
-----------------------------------------------------------
12. GameBoy memory map [speculation]:
FFFFh ----------------------
Gameboy peripherals
Cartridge address frame is filled
C000h ---------------------- by 32kB of ROM in small cartridges.
In large [>32kB] cartridges it has
16K of internal RAM following structure:
READ WRITE
8000h ---------------------- -------------------+-------------------
|
Paged ROM bank | 8kB battery-backed
| RAM (if paged in)
Cartridge address -------------------+-------------------
frame |
Bottom 16kB of ROM +-------------------
| Paging Register
0000h ---------------------- -------------------+-------------------
Paging Register has 5 bits - D0-D4 which represent 32 16kB banks of
memory. Bank 0 is a battery-backed RAM.
13. Which games are best to buy?
You can use a list of best games included into this FAQ-file. It is
incomplete and quite biased though. To get most recent information,
send email containing a single word get_gameboy to
paien00@dmi.usherb.ca to get "Nick's GameBoy Game Ratings" list. It
also seems to be biased, but let's hope that it will look better
when more people contribute to it.
14. Mail-server and mailing list for GameBoy:
They are maintained by M. S. Manley. The address for both is
gameboy@mentor.cc.purdue.edu
Try fingering this address to get more info.
In order to access mail-server, send email with subject "archive"
and body containing a list of commands. At the beginning, you can
send a letter containing only one word: "help" and the server
will send you a help-file with the list of all available commands.
In order so subscribe for the mailing list, send email with subject
"subscribe". You can include your email address in the letter body,
otherwise it will be taken from the header. All other mail sent
to the above-described address and not containing keywords
"subscribe", "unsubscribe", "help" or "archive" will be forwarded to
the mailing list.
My personal thanks to M.S.Manley. =:)
- ******************************** Credits: *******************************
Thanks to all people who sent their comments and
contributed to this document! (list follows)
Mark Kaufman - Cheats for Faceball 2000 and passwords Pipe Dream.
Descriptions and ratings of some games. MCM
Electrionics' phone numbers.
Yi-Min Wei - Comments about software sections of the FAQ.
Kelly Gillilan - Excellent list of cheats and passwords.
Tecmo Bowl codes. CodeMasters' phone number.
Peter Knight - Cartridge pinouts and a memory map. Codemasters'
address.
Jim Hsu - List of passwords and codes and MK cheat.
Timothy A. Meushaw - Mortal Kombat cheat.
Robert Newman - Various cheats and codes.
M. S. Manley - Maintaining GB mailing list and mail-server
- *************************** UNANSWERED QUESTIONS ************************
If you have any information about GameBoy, feel free to send email to
Marat Fayzullin (FMS)
fms@wam.umd.edu
1. Meaning of the last three digits of GameGenie code?
2. Memory Map of GameBoy?
3. Author of ToyBoy emulator?
4. Pinouts of the GameBoy cartridges?
5. Programming sprites, sound, screen scrolling, serial port?
6. Connecting GameBoy to TV?
7. GameGenie codes not listed in the official updates?
8. Game cheats and passwords?
9. Complete version of GameBoy emulator?
10. Classified listings of the games with ratings from 0 to 9?
11. Game Copiers for GameBoy?
12. "Generic" cartridges allowing to use reprogrammable ROM plugged
into the socket or static RAM?
13. Pinouts of GameBoy's serial port?
14. Ports' addresses and their usage?
15. Where to get triple-blade screwdriver to open GameBoy? ;)
16. etc. etc. etc.
- Reviews: Please, send your reviews of GB games. Rate four categories:
Graphics Sound Playability Overall
Give ratings from 0 to 9 for each of these categories. Also, classify
the game [RPG, shoot-em-up, classic, etc.] and give information about
the cartridge size and manufacturer. Games which get more than 2 ratings
from different people, will be mentioned in the FAQ. I still couldn't
collect enough of these raitings to come to any conclusions.