Trade & Battle Pokemon on the Anbernic RG35XXSP & Other Retro Handhelds! GB/GBC/GBA!

Summary

In this video, Joey from Joy's Retro Handhelds demonstrates how to trade and battle in Pokémon across various retro handheld devices, including the RG35, XX, and SP models. The tutorial covers setting up Wi-Fi connections, adjusting core options in RetroArch, and troubleshooting common issues when linking devices for multiplayer gameplay. It includes step-by-step instructions for both Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games, ensuring seamless multiplayer experiences despite occasional technical challenges. The video also provides insights on handling save files and adjusting settings for cross-device play, making it a comprehensive guide for retro gaming enthusiasts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ensure both handheld devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network for Pokémon trading and battling.
• 😀 For Game Boy, use local link mode, but for Game Boy Advance, you can set up separate networks for multiplayer.
• 😀 Always use the same ROMs on both devices for the best compatibility when trading or battling in Pokémon.
• 😀 It's important to replace stock ROMs with known good ROMs to avoid issues like game saving problems and connection failures.
• 😀 On Game Boy devices, configure RetroArch’s core options to link via network server (host) and network client (client) for a successful connection.
• 😀 For Game Boy Advance, use the gpsp core instead of mgba, as mgba doesn’t support trading or battling functionality.
• 😀 Make sure to transfer your save file from the mgba save folder to the gpsp folder when switching cores to avoid losing progress.
• 😀 Troubleshoot connection issues by checking the IP address of the host device and inputting it correctly into the client device's settings.
• 😀 You can still trade or battle Pokémon on separate networks by enabling the relay server in RetroArch’s net play settings.
• 😀 If using save states, ensure they don’t overwrite your in-game save when restarting the game; press 'M' to restart RetroArch and load the correct save.
• 😀 The process may be finicky and not work on all devices. If it fails, the issue may lie with specific hardware or device settings, as noted with the RG35XX.

Q & A

What is required to trade and battle in Pokemon across handheld devices like the RG35XX and SPS?

To trade and battle in Pokemon across devices like the RG35XX and SPS, you need two devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network. The devices should have the same ROMs installed, and the correct core settings must be configured in RetroArch.

Can you connect devices over different Wi-Fi networks for Game Boy games like Pokemon Yellow?

Yes, you can connect devices over different Wi-Fi networks for Game Boy Advance games, but for Game Boy games, it needs to be on the same local network.

Why should you avoid using stock ROMs that come with handheld devices for trading and battling?

Stock ROMs often have issues with in-game saving and trading. It is recommended to replace them with known good ROMs to ensure smoother gameplay and stable saving and trading functionality.

How do you set up the Game Boy device for trading and battling in RetroArch?

On the Game Boy device, after selecting the game, open the RetroArch menu, go to core options, scroll down to 'Game Link', and set the link mode to 'Network Server'. On the second device, set the link mode to 'Network Client' and enter the host device's IP address.

What should you do if the devices are not connecting for Game Boy trading or battling?

If the devices aren't connecting, it may take a few tries to establish a connection. Double-check that the IP addresses are correctly entered and ensure both devices are on the same network and running the correct ROMs.

What is the key difference when setting up Game Boy Advance for trading compared to Game Boy?

For Game Boy Advance, you need to use the gpsp core instead of mgba, as mgba does not support trading and battling. Additionally, you must manually transfer the save data from mgba to gpsp after switching the core.

How can you transfer your save file when changing cores on Game Boy Advance?

To transfer your save, navigate to the 'saves' folder in your device's file manager, locate the mgba save file, and copy it to the gpsp folder. You may need to restart the game after doing this.

What should you do if you are using a handheld that doesn't automatically load the saved game after switching cores?

If the game doesn't load your save automatically, press the 'M' button to open RetroArch, select 'Restart', and then continue with the in-game save.

Can you still connect devices over different Wi-Fi networks for Game Boy Advance multiplayer?

Yes, you can connect devices over different Wi-Fi networks by enabling 'Publicly Announced NetPlay' and 'Use Relay Server' in RetroArch, then setting the same region for both devices in the relay server settings.

Why did the guide work on some devices but not on the RG35XX SP?

The steps in the guide worked on devices like the RG35XX+ and the Ayn Odin 2 mini, but the RG35XX SP had a specific issue preventing it from connecting properly. This suggests that the problem was device-specific rather than an issue with the steps themselves.