Did you look <a href="http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=89197&st=600#13" target="_blank">here</a>?
<!--quoteo(post=1763665:date=Feb 9 2009, 01:20 PM:name=The M3 Sakura FAQ)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(The M3 Sakura FAQ @ Feb 9 2009, 01:20 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1763665"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><b>Q: How do I convert GBA saves from GameShark, emulators, etc. to be compatible with M3 Sakura?</b><a name="13"></a> <a href="#contents">(Top)</a>
<b>A:</b> You can import saves or cheat codes into a GBA emulator for PC, save the game and import the save file into M3 Sakura. You can also use <a href="http://www.gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=99334" target="_blank">GBAATM</a> to patch <a href="http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=112939" target="_blank">GBA cheat codes</a> into the ROM so that they're always active, or you can add enablers/disablers to have the option of switching them on in-game (I may write up a n00b-friendly guide on how to do this in the near future if I can find the time to do it).
The following method uses <a href="http://www.emuhq.com/emulators/console/gameboy/visualboy-advance-m/news/2008/10/10/6913" target="_blank">VisualBoy Advance - M</a>, <a href="http://xs.gameshark.com/xploder/xploderui.asp?a=gamesaves&username=gameshark&tab=gs&s=&c=handheld&uid=&fs=" target="_blank">GameShark saves</a> (.sps files), <a href="http://xs.gameshark.com/xploder/xploderui.asp?a=codes&username=gameshark&tab=gc&s=&c=handheld&uid=&fs=" target="_blank">GameShark codes</a> and Action Replay saves (.xps files). The numbers in parentheses in each step are just screenshots for added noob-friendliness.
<!--coloro:#000000--><span style="color:#000000"><!--/coloro--> A: X START: Enter
B: Z SELECT: Backspace
L: A D-PAD: Arrow Keys
R: S Toggle Menu: Esc<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
<!--coloro:#000000--><span style="color:#000000"><!--/coloro--><ol type='1'><li><a href="http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ODUV0B3C" target="_blank">Download</a> VisualBoy Advance - M and extract it to the desktop. (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20SPS%20to%20SAV/01.png" target="_blank">1</a>) (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20SPS%20to%20SAV/02.png" target="_blank">2</a>) (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20SPS%20to%20SAV/03.png" target="_blank">3</a>)</li><li>Copy the GBA ROM from your flashcart to the PC (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20SPS%20to%20SAV/04.png" target="_blank">4</a>). </li><li>Download a GameShark .sps file for the GBA ROM you want to cheat on (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20SPS%20to%20SAV/07.png" target="_blank">5</a>). You can find a lot of .sps files on <a href="http://www.gamefaqs.com/portable/gbadvance/" target="_blank">GameFAQs</a> that aren't available on the official <a href="http://xs.gameshark.com/xploder/xploderui.asp?a=gamesaves&username=gameshark&tab=gs&s=&c=handheld&uid=&fs" target="_blank">GameShark website</a>. </li><li>Copy your .gba ROM and .sps file into the VBA-M folder (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20SPS%20to%20SAV/08.png" target="_blank">6</a>). </li><li>Run VBA-M and load the ROM. At the top menu, click "File-->Open GBA..." (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20SPS%20to%20SAV/09.png" target="_blank">7</a>) and then click "Open" (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20SPS%20to%20SAV/10.png" target="_blank">8</a>). </li><li>To load the .sps file, click "File-->Import-->Gameshark Snapshot..." (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20SPS%20to%20SAV/11.png" target="_blank">9</a>)</li><li>Browse to and open the .sps file (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20SPS%20to%20SAV/12.png" target="_blank">10</a>). You will be asked if you want to continue (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20SPS%20to%20SAV/13.png" target="_blank">11</a>). Click OK. The ROM will restart. </li><li>Save the game and exit VBA-M. (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20SPS%20to%20SAV/14b.png" target="_blank">12</a>) (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20SPS%20to%20SAV/15.png" target="_blank">13</a>)</li><li>Two new files will be created in the VBA-M folder: .sgm and .sav (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20SPS%20to%20SAV/16.png" target="_blank">14</a>). You only need the .sav file. If you don't see a .sav file, try saving in-game instead of saving through the emulator (see Procedure 2, Step 7 below). Go on to Procedure 4 below.</li></ol><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
<!--coloro:#000000--><span style="color:#000000"><!--/coloro--><ol type='1'><li>Get some <a href="http://xs.gameshark.com/xploder/xploderui.asp?a=codes&username=gameshark&tab=gc&s=&c=handheld&uid=&fs=" target="_blank">GameShark codes</a> for your GBA game (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20GS%20to%20SAV/01.png" target="_blank">1</a>). </li><li>Load the GBA ROM in VBA-M (see Step 5 in Procedure 1 outlined above). On the top menu, click "Cheats-->Cheat List..." (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20GS%20to%20SAV/02.png" target="_blank">2</a>) then click the "Gameshark..." button (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20GS%20to%20SAV/03.png" target="_blank">3</a>). </li><li>In the "Description" field, enter the name of the cheat (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20GS%20to%20SAV/04.png" target="_blank">4</a>). If the game has a Master code (M Must Be On), input that first before entering any other codes (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20GS%20to%20SAV/05.png" target="_blank">5</a>). </li><li>In the "Code" field, paste the Gameshark code. Click "OK" when done (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20GS%20to%20SAV/06.png" target="_blank">6</a>). </li><li>Repeat Steps 3 & 4 for each code that you want to use (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20GS%20to%20SAV/07.png" target="_blank">7</a>). If you want, you can save the cheat file in case you want to use them again later (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20GS%20to%20SAV/16.png" target="_blank">8</a>) (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20GS%20to%20SAV/17.png" target="_blank">9</a>). </li><li>Check to make sure that all codes are "enabled" (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20GS%20to%20SAV/08.png" target="_blank">10</a>), then click "OK." Also, make sure that the "Disable cheats" option is UNchecked or the cheats won't be activated (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20GS%20to%20SAV/19.png" target="_blank">11</a>) (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20GS%20to%20SAV/20.png" target="_blank">12</a>). </li><li>Once you've verified that the cheats are working and you're satisfied with the results (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20GS%20to%20SAV/10.png" target="_blank">13</a>), save the game (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20GS%20to%20SAV/12.png" target="_blank">14</a>), then exit VBA-M. A .sav file will be generated in the VBA-M folder (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20GS%20to%20SAV/13.png" target="_blank">15</a>). If it's not there, save in-game (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20GS%20to%20SAV/18a.png" target="_blank">16</a>) instead of through VBA-M. Go on to Procedure 4 below.</li></ol><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
<!--coloro:#000000--><span style="color:#000000"><!--/coloro--><ol type='1'><li>Download <a href="http://www.geocities.com/xps2sav/index.htm" target="_blank">XPS2SAV</a>. </li><li>Get an .xps file. For this guide I used an .xps file from GameFAQs for <i>Final Fantasy Tactics Advance</i>. I chose the "Ultimate FFTA" file by JoKyR (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20XPS%20to%20SAV/01.png" target="_blank">1</a>). Now that you've got XPS2SAV and your .xps file (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20XPS%20to%20SAV/02.png" target="_blank">2</a>), you're ready to convert it! </li><li>Move the .xps file to the root of the C:\ drive (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20XPS%20to%20SAV/03.png" target="_blank">3</a>). This will make Step 5 easier. </li><li>Rename the .xps file to something shorter (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20XPS%20to%20SAV/04.png" target="_blank">4</a>) (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20XPS%20to%20SAV/05.png" target="_blank">5</a>). This will also make Step 5 easier. </li><li>Now run XPS2SAV. You'll get this screen (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20XPS%20to%20SAV/06.png" target="_blank">6</a>). Input the path to the .xps file and press Enter (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20XPS%20to%20SAV/07.png" target="_blank">7</a>). Steps 3 and 4 aren't mandatory, but you can see why it would be a little faster to do it this way. </li><li>Input the path where you'd like the .sav file to be created (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20XPS%20to%20SAV/08.png" target="_blank">8</a>) (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20XPS%20to%20SAV/09.png" target="_blank">9</a>), then press Enter. XPS2SAV will close automatically and you'll have your .sav file (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20XPS%20to%20SAV/10.png" target="_blank">10</a>). You can transfer this .sav file directly to your flashcart (see Procedure 4 below), or you can import it into VBA-M to check it out. </li><li>If you want to open the .sav in VBA-M, move the file to the VBA-M folder (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20XPS%20to%20SAV/11.png" target="_blank">11</a>). </li><li>Load the ROM (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20XPS%20to%20SAV/12.png" target="_blank">12</a>) (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20XPS%20to%20SAV/13.png" target="_blank">13</a>), then import the .sav file (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20XPS%20to%20SAV/14.png" target="_blank">14</a>) (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20XPS%20to%20SAV/15.png" target="_blank">15</a>) (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20XPS%20to%20SAV/16.png" target="_blank">16</a>). Click "OK." </li><li>Load the save to see that it works properly (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20XPS%20to%20SAV/17.png" target="_blank">17</a>) (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20XPS%20to%20SAV/18.png" target="_blank">18</a>) (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20XPS%20to%20SAV/19.png" target="_blank">19</a>) (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20XPS%20to%20SAV/20.png" target="_blank">20</a>). Transfer the .sav file to your flashcart and make sure that it has the same name as your ROM (e.g., <i>ROM title.gba</i> and <i>ROM title.sav</i>).</li></ol><div align="center"><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wNN4RVHn_aI&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wNN4RVHn_aI&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
It works! Save immediately to pad the .sav file from 64KB to 128KB.</div><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
<!--coloro:#000000--><span style="color:#000000"><!--/coloro--><ol type='1'><li>Browse to the GBA ROM on your flashcart. If you have any other files in this folder associated with the ROM (.is0, .cht, .opt, etc.), delete them all. If you already have an old .sav file for the ROM and you want to keep it, back it up and remove it from the folder. </li><li>Locate the newly-generated .sav file in the folder that you got from Procedure 1 or 2 above. Copy this .sav file to your flashcart. Make sure the GBA ROM and the .sav file are together in the same folder and have the same exact name (e.g., <i>ROM title.gba</i> and <i>ROM title.sav</i>). </li><li>Load the ROM and check the save file. If it doesn't work, go into the ROM's config menu (slide the GBA ROM to the left) and set the <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/thfire_fire.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /> [Loading Mode] to "Patch Load," save your settings, then reload the ROM and load the save again. </li><li>Once you've gotten the save to succesfully load, immediately save one more time in-game. This will automatically pad the 64KB VBA-M .sav file into a 128KB M3 Sakura-compatible .sav file. So there's really no need to convert the .sav file yourself; Sakura does it for you. </li><li>After saving in-game, turn off the DS, then reboot it one more time so the .sav can transfer from RAM to your flashcart. </li><li>If you had to enable patch-loading in Step 3, you can set it back to "Fast Load" once you have completed Step 4.</li><li>You can transfer your Sakura .sav file back to VBA-M as well if you ever need to enable more cheats (e.g., if you want to boost the stats of new characters that weren't available at the beginning of the game). Just copy the .sav file from your flashcart to the VBA-M folder, load the ROM in VBA-M, and click "File-->Import-->Battery file..." then open your .sav (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20GS%20to%20SAV/14.png" target="_blank">1</a>) (<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/densetsu3000/GBA%20GS%20to%20SAV/15.png" target="_blank">2</a>). Repeat the procedures above to enable more cheats and transfer the save back to your flashcart.</li></ol><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
These methods have been tested on M3 Sakura using a <a href="http://www.m3adapter.com/images/GBA_Expansion_Pack_reveal.jpg" target="_blank">GBA Expansion Pack</a> and they work. It probably works with other flashcarts, but I wouldn't know because I don't own any others on which to test the cheats. After I wrote this little guide, I did more searching and found that someone else had <a href="http://www.teamcyclops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4447" target="_blank">already written one</a>. It's very similar to mine, except that it uses the EZFlash V 3-in-1.
One more thing to note is that for some reason I can't get this to work with <i>Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls</i>. It works with every other <i>Final Fantasy</i> title ever ported to GBA (<i>FFIV</i>, <i>FFV</i>, <i>FFVI</i> and <i>Tactics Advance</i>) except for <i>DoS</i>. It also works with <i>Mother 3</i>, <i>Advance Wars</i>, <i>Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising</i>, <i>Golden Sun</i> and <i>Golden Sun: The Lost Age</i>. I have not tried this method on any other ROMs besides those listed here. Still, 9 ROMs out of 10 isn't a bad success rate at all. But if someone can figure out how to get this to work on <i>DoS</i> (or at least why it doesn't work) and let me know, I would appreciate it.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It's the first Nintendo Switch firmware update of 2024. Made available as of today is system software version 18.0.0, marking a new milestone. According to the patch...
Emulator takedowns continue. Not long after its first release, Suyu emulator has been removed from GitLab via a DMCA takedown. Suyu was a Nintendo Switch emulator...
After a couple days of Nintendo releasing their 18.0.0 firmware update, @SciresM releases a brand new update to his Atmosphere NX custom firmware for the Nintendo...
Today, April 8th, 2024, at 4PM PT, marks the day in which Nintendo permanently ends support for both the 3DS and the Wii U online services, which include co-op play...
Denuvo by Irdeto has unveiled at GDC (Game Developers Conference) this past March 18th their brand new anti-piracy technology named "TraceMark", specifically tailored...
Hello, GBAtemp members! After a prolonged absence, I am delighted to announce my return and upgraded form to you today...
Introducing tempBOT AI 🤖
As the embodiment...
Yet another casualty goes down in the never-ending battle of copyright enforcement, and this time, it hit a big website which was the host for many fangames based and...
The highly popular and accurate FPGA hardware, MisterFGPA, has received today a brand new update with a long-awaited feature, or rather, a new core for hardcore...
The 2nd biggest technology company in the world, Apple, is being sued by none other than the Department of Justice of the United States, filed for antitrust...
With Apple having recently updated their guidelines for the App Store, iOS users have been left to speculate on specific wording and whether retro emulators as we...
It's the first Nintendo Switch firmware update of 2024. Made available as of today is system software version 18.0.0, marking a new milestone. According to the patch...
Today, April 8th, 2024, at 4PM PT, marks the day in which Nintendo permanently ends support for both the 3DS and the Wii U online services, which include co-op play...
Hello, GBAtemp members! After a prolonged absence, I am delighted to announce my return and upgraded form to you today...
Introducing tempBOT AI 🤖
As the embodiment...
Emulator takedowns continue. Not long after its first release, Suyu emulator has been removed from GitLab via a DMCA takedown. Suyu was a Nintendo Switch emulator...
Denuvo by Irdeto has unveiled at GDC (Game Developers Conference) this past March 18th their brand new anti-piracy technology named "TraceMark", specifically tailored...
With Apple having recently updated their guidelines for the App Store, iOS users have been left to speculate on specific wording and whether retro emulators as we...
After a couple days of Nintendo releasing their 18.0.0 firmware update, @SciresM releases a brand new update to his Atmosphere NX custom firmware for the Nintendo...
The 2nd biggest technology company in the world, Apple, is being sued by none other than the Department of Justice of the United States, filed for antitrust...
The time has finally come, and after many, many years (if not decades) of Apple users having to side load emulator apps into their iOS devices through unofficial...
Yet another casualty goes down in the never-ending battle of copyright enforcement, and this time, it hit a big website which was the host for many fangames based and...
