Backing up Your Pokemon Games - 2026

It is possible to dump the ROM and saves from your Pokemon games like ripping a CD. This page is about how to do so.

Gameboy, Gameboy Color, Gameboy Advance

Pokemon Red, Blue, Yellow, Pinball, Trading Card Game

Gold, Silver, Crystal

Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, LeafGreen, Pinball R/S, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Red, Pokemon Puzzle Challenge

These are the easiest ones to dump.

Epilogue's GB Operator. $50. Plug in games and you can dump ROM as well as the saves. You can also move saves back to the cartridge, though I haven't tried it out yet.

GBxCart RW. $33.00 – $37.00. Plug in games, dump ROM and saves. I don't love the exposed circuit board, but it seems to come with a plastic cover to store and protect it. A cheaper alternative.

Nintendo 64

Pokemon Stadium, Pokemon Stadium 2, Hey You! Pikachu, Pokemon Snap

Joey N64. $54. US Store, Australia. UK Store appears to be down. Lets you rip your games and saves.

GameCube/Wii

If you are wondering why these are grouped together, it is because you basically need a Wii to dump your games.

We are past the era of "buy a thing and stick your cartridge in". If you're frugal, this may be good for you, but it often means you need a later console (e.g. Wii for GC, 3DS for DS). You will need to mod the console you are using.

Nintendo DS/3DS

Pokemon Pearl, Diamond, Platinum, Black, White, Black 2, White 2, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Rescue Team Blue, Dash, Trozei, Conquest, Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness, Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, Ranger, Ranger: Shadows of Almia, Ranger: Guardian Signs

It is possible to dump using just a DS, depending on what DS you have. Please read this guide. However, I recommend using the 3DS option below.

Start by modding your DS with the 3DS Hack Guide. If you want to dump multiple games at once, you may want a bigger SD Card. I am using a 32 GB one, which is the maximum official supported by the 3DS. You can use a larger one if you format it as FAT32, but it may take longer for apps to load.

Once you have successfully modded the 3DS, do the following.

DS games: Insert your DS cartridge with the 3DS powered off. Hold start and then turn on the console to enter godmod9. Go to 'game cart' and then dump .ds (do not dump trim.ds - apparently there can be issues using these saves). This backs up the game itself. Then dump .sav. This backs up the the save file.

3DS games: If all you want is the save, turn the console on like normal. Within your apps, there will be one titled 'Checkpoint. (It may be in a 'gift box.') Use that to backup the game. It will create a directory "checkpoint" with a "saves" folder that has the name of your game. The save will just be titled 'main'. This save can be opened by PKHex. (You can use godmode9 to dump 3DS saves, but they will be encrypted and not readable by PKHex. As for decrypting your 3DS dumps, that will be for another day.)