[GAMATE] Dumping and Flash cartridge attempt. Searching for help.

[jfmateos]

I have recently bought a Gamate with a few games.

 

I would like to try to dump its games and make a flash cartridge compatible with this burner/dumper (http://www.vectrex.hackermesh.org/index.php/en/)

 

I have read that Gamate games are difficult to dump because the cartridges use a protection chip.

 

I would like to know whether someone would like to contribute to this effort. Any information is welcome: previous attempt experiences, contacts to person who have already tried it, owners willing to test, ...

[CatPix]

Sadly, I do'nt have any knowledge in programming, dumping, etc.

However if I can help in testing whenever you'll create a flashcart. I can also provide game carts for dumping even if I probably don't own rare carts.

 

I happen to own a Gamate whch display a different "blank screen".

As you may know, Gamate are famous for their poor screen.

Many websites mention two screens, that appears when powereing the system without cartridge :

(bad screen)

(Better screen)

 

Mine is kinda the first one, but with horizontal bars. It seems to be better.

It's a model 9200495, so maybe it's an UMC-era Gamate with a newer screen?

Anyway this Gamate may also behave a bit differently when it come to flashcart.

 

Anyway, if I can help you in any way, I'll be glad to help.

[jfmateos]

Just a quick update: I have contacted several gamate owners around the globe.

 

I have developed a card adapter to sniff the communication between the console and the cards.

 

I have decapped the cube-up ics and am waiting for the arrival of a more powerful microscope to explore the die.

 

Thanks to other owner´s photos we have discovered that there are several variants of the cards pcbs.

 

A hi-res of the 4-in-1 card could help to understand how this console works.