Difference between revisions of "Game Genie (Game Boy)"

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(Some more info. Might start a section for interaction with other cheat devices sometime.)
(Some more information about what was included with the unit. Other fixes.)
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[[Image:Gameboy Game Genie.jpg|thumb|The Game Boy Game Genie cartridge.]]
 
[[Image:Gameboy Game Genie.jpg|thumb|The Game Boy Game Genie cartridge.]]
The '''Game Genie''' is a runtime ROM modification device for the original Game Boy. Much like the the NES Game Genie, it allows up to three bytes to be altered at a time. The format is XXX-YYY-ZZZ, with ZZZ being a compare address to determine which will isolate the new code to the specific ROM bank.
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The '''Game Genie''' is a runtime ROM modification device for the original Game Boy. Much like the the NES Game Genie, it allows up to three bytes to be altered at a time. The format is XXX-YYY-ZZZ, with ZZZ being a compare address to determine which will isolate the new code to the specific ROM bank. A small handbook for codes was included in the back of the unit enclosed by a small door. The books were updated and revised with more codes on a semi-frequent basis by Codemasters. A regular sized paperback was included with the unit as well to provide the user with information on basic operation, maintenance, and how program their own codes.
  
 
==Non-Monochrome Game Compatibility==
 
==Non-Monochrome Game Compatibility==
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File:gbgg1.png|Screen 1
 
File:gbgg1.png|Screen 1
 
File:Game genie v1.17 bios2.png|Screen 2
 
File:Game genie v1.17 bios2.png|Screen 2
File:Game genie v1.17 bios3.png|Code screen
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File:gbgg3.png|Code screen
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
File:GameGenie GameBoy box.jpg|Game Genie box
 
File:GameGenie GameBoy box.jpg|Game Genie box
File:Gameboy Game Genie.jpg|Game Genie Cartridge
 
 
File:GameGenieSNESGameBoy Flyer.jpg|SNES/Game Boy Game Genie flyer
 
File:GameGenieSNESGameBoy Flyer.jpg|SNES/Game Boy Game Genie flyer
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>

Revision as of 21:31, 2 September 2015

The Game Boy Game Genie cartridge.

The Game Genie is a runtime ROM modification device for the original Game Boy. Much like the the NES Game Genie, it allows up to three bytes to be altered at a time. The format is XXX-YYY-ZZZ, with ZZZ being a compare address to determine which will isolate the new code to the specific ROM bank. A small handbook for codes was included in the back of the unit enclosed by a small door. The books were updated and revised with more codes on a semi-frequent basis by Codemasters. A regular sized paperback was included with the unit as well to provide the user with information on basic operation, maintenance, and how program their own codes.

Non-Monochrome Game Compatibility

There is a way to trick the game genie into working with non-monochrome games with GBC hardware, though the game will be in monochrome mode, and it will most likely damage the SRAM and delete all saved data on the cartridge. Tony Hedstrom here discovered a trick that basically will load the game in monochrome by performing a cartridge swap. The game Genie is also compatible with the Game Boy Player and Game Boy Advance, and Game Boy Advance SP though only supporting regular monochrome games.

Compatibility with the Super Game Boy

The Game Genie is compatible with the Super Game Boy but you will need to physically modify the unit so it will fit into the Super Game Boy/2. There was an adapter that was released and sold by Microsystems Development Technologies, Inc. located in San Jose. More info can be found here Genie to Super Game Boy Adapter.

Using the SNES Game Genie to implement codes

Game Boy Game Genie codes can be converted and entered into a SNES Game Genie to achieve in-game effects, as ugetab demonstrated this prowess using Super Mario Land 2 and Castlevania Legends. Using a code provided as example from the former game allows you to play the chance game for free, and a simple code from the latter game allows you to walk right fast.

Secret Developer Messages

To access these, press the specified buttons in order while the code screen is displayed. Two are unused and are not associated with button access, and can only accessed by hacking the Game Genie ROM, though they can still be accessed using hardware via Codebreaker cheat Device.

Up, Down Left Right
Congratulations! You've found the easy secret! Now find the hard ones!

B, A, Left, Right, Select
Help! I'm a prisoner in a Game Genie factory!

Up, Up, A, B, A, Down, Down
Game Genie built by: Richard Aplin code by: Jon the Programmer managed by: Paul Ranson.

Right, Up, Down, Up, Left, Up, Down, Up
Poems have, rhymes, sometimes.

B, A, B, Right, Left, Down, Up
There's rain outside, and that is why a, laundry day, needs a clothes dryer.

A, A, A, A, B, B, B, Start
Washing, washing on the line, who's the fairest of the fine? Bluey Whiteness!

Right, Left, Right, Left, Down, Down, Up, Up
Provocation is not a job for amateurs.

A, B, A, B, B, A, A, Select
'Breezy':- Fresh air from the Alps! Comes in an easy-to-use aerosol can!

A, Left, Left, A, B, Right, Right, B
(This one isn't actually a message. Everything below the words "Code Screen," but above the copyright notice, is flipped upside down. The codes are still in their proper order, but the characters are upside down)

Unused Developer Messages

There are two additional messages that can only be accessed by using a Codebreaker cheat device with the Game Genie plugged in, and the codes entered. As explained earlier, this process is vaguely convoluted but it works once you get the hang of achieving a proper setup. Codes from both Game Genie and Codebreaker unit can be used in conjunction to affected the Game Boy game inserted into the Game Genie giving you room for three additional ROM patch codes.

It is assumed that the first message was not given access via direct button combinations because it might freak out the user into thinking their Game Boy would explode. It is unknown why the second message was not made accessible.

Known Versions

  • v1.17
  • v2.1

Credits

  • Game Genie built by: Richard Aplin
  • Code by: Jon the Programmer
  • Managed by: Paul Ranson

Screenshots

1.17

2.1

Hardware

External Links

Game Genie
Galoob
Game Boy - Game Gear - NES - Genesis - Super Nintendo - Sega CD (Cancelled)
Hyperkin
DS/DSi/3DS - PSP (Cancelled) - Wii (Cancelled) - PlayStation 3