4-e GBA

4-e
General
Author	Mattie Behrens
Type	Other Emulators
Version	2.1
License	MIT License
Last Updated	2024/06/10
Links
Download
Website
Source

4-e is a Game Boy Advance homebrew application that can emulate an e-Reader for Super Mario Advance 4.

It allows you to send Super Mario Advance 4 e-Reader cards from one Game Boy Advance running 4-e to another running the game, using homebrew and decoded .bin versions of those cards instead of printed cards on an actual e-Reader.

You can learn more about the project on the author's blog.

User guide

How to use

1. Build the 4-e.gba ROM or download it from releases.
2. Using gbfs-web, attach the e-Card .bin files you wish to use to 4-e.gba, and save a new ROM.
   • You can also use the standard tools from GBFS to create a GBFS file, then concatenate it to 4-e.gba. (These tools are also included in the "gba-tools" package in devkitARM.)
3. Link two Game Boy Advance systems with a link cable. The game must be player 1, and 4-e must be player 2.
4. On the first system, run Super Mario Advance 4.
5. On the second system, run your custom 4-e ROM.
6. Pick the e-Card you wish you send from the list. If your GBFS file only had one e-Card in it, it will be selected automatically. From this point on, you can cancel and reset by pressing B.
7. On the first system, start the e-Reader communication process. 4-e will connect to the game automatically and try to send your card.
8. When the game has finished, press any button on 4-e to reset so you can send another card if you wish.

Troubleshooting

4-e doesn't respond when I start communication

Check that your link cable is connected firmly and correctly.

• If you're using the official Nintendo link cable, it must be connected with the purple end to the game and the gray end to 4-e.
• If you're using the Analogue Pocket link cable, it must be switched to GBA mode, not GB/C mode.

Screenshots

Compatibility

It has been tested to successfully and reliably send demo, power-up, and level cards between mGBA multiplayer windows as well as real Game Boys Advance and Analogue Pockets.

Changelog

v2.1 2024/06/10

• Allow canceling with B.

v2.0 2024/06/09

• implement file picker.
• Refresh and refine UI.
• Start out in waiting mode after reset.
• Add link troubleshooting info to README.

v1.0 2024/06/10

• Initial release.

Credits

4-e wouldn't exist without:

• devkitARM
• gba-makefile-template
• GBATEK (specifically the section on GBA Communication Ports)
• GBFS
• mGBA

External links

• Author's website - https://mattiebee.io/
• gbfs-web - https://mattiebee.app/gbfs-web
• GitHub - https://github.com/mattieb/4-e