A group that goes by the name of “Save the Hero Project” has completed a Kickstarter for a product called the Cartridge Reader.
The Cartridge Reader is an open source project that has existed for many years before the Kickstarter, and was created by an individual who goes by the name Sanni.
Sanni’s GitHub Page: https://github.com/sanni/cartreader
Sanni designed and developed the Cartridge Reader and the folks over at Save The Hero Project manufactured it for those who want a simple plug-n-play device that can easily back up their retro game collection.
The Cartridge Reader is a very cool device that allows you to dump ROM data as well as back up your save files for a wide array of cartridge based consoles. These include the Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance. While these are the currently supported consoles, it appears there are plans to support even more! Digging into the menu of the Cart Reader you’ll see an option for “Add-Ons” which goes on to show support for the Sega Master System, WonderSwan, Neo Geo Pocket and the original Nintendo Entertainment System (Famicom). These “Add-Ons” will require adaptors to work which have yet to go on sale. So in the future this could be your one stop shop for backing up your entire retro collection.
Additionally, one of the coolest things about the Cart Reader is that it is completely stand alone, meaning you don’t need to connect it to the computer and use specialized software. Instead everything can be done on the device itself, you just need to hook it up to power via the USB micro port on the back.
Overall, this is a a fantastic device that belongs in any retro game collector’s arsenal. If you are interested in pick one of these up pre-made, the Save The Hero one I reviewed in my video is a great option. Alternatively, since this is an open source project, you can even make one yourself. All the information needed can be found in Sanni’s GitHub page which I have linked above.
To learn more about when the Cart Reader will go on sale, you can follow the Save the Here Project on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cartridgereader?lang=en
PLEASE NOTE: In the video linked above, I made the mistake of saying that Sanni was part of the Save The Hero Project and that is was designed Japan. The Cartridge Reader was created by Sanni who is from Germany and is not affiliated with Save the Hero Project.
