4-e GBA

4-e
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

Build the 4-e.gba ROM or download it from releases.
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.)
Link two Game Boy Advance systems with a link cable. The game must be player 1, and 4-e must be player 2.
On the first system, run Super Mario Advance 4.
On the second system, run your custom 4-e ROM.
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.
On the first system, start the e-Reader communication process. 4-e will connect to the game automatically and try to send your card.
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