GBA Model ripping?

[Quirby64]

I've wanted to have a go at model ripping for a while, and the main handheld I've been looking to start on in particular is the GBA. Is there a way to do it?

[Radzdahound]

I'm no expert, so I may be wrong, but from my quick Google research it seems the GBA doesn't use 3D models. Instead, games with 3-Dimensional graphics just use 2D sprite renders of models.

Here's my source if you're interested: http://www.zapotlanejo.info/Nintendopape...=19&t=1424

Sooo.... sorry? *Tries to gracefully end awkward post*

EDIT: Although, you could still just rip the sprites if that's all you want.

[TheNathanNS]

Not possible I'm afraid.

IIRC, The GBA doesn't use any 3D models in any game, only sprites.

[Quirby64]

Wait, really? I mean, somewhere I saw that the GBA had some sort of 3D model engine. Maybe it was something put into the carts, but I found some games that have 3D models...

NFS Games :
Driver 2 & 3 :
Super Monkey Ball Jr. :

Again, maybe the developers put in some software in so the GBA could handle polygons, or the GBA, being a mini SNES as it was called, could render them too?

[Radzdahound]

From what I'm aware, the developers were just really amazing at making their games look 3D. Take a look at this sprite sheet from Super Monkey Ball Jr. It has 3D renders of Aiai facing all directions. It appears to be 3D, but it's not. It's just a 2D sprite. So what appears to be a model of Aiai in-game is just a llooottt of pre-rendered sprites!

Not sure about the actual level, though. That looks pretty 3-Dimensional. But it's probably just a fancy 3D effect like the one used in the original Super Mario Kart. Again, I'm not sure. I'm new to the whole GBA-ripping thing. It just appears it's all a very well done illusion. :/

[Quirby64]

Welp, I think you guys are right. Quoted from Wikipedia, the GBA has a "Graphics Custom 2D core". I think that it must be some pretty good illusions the developers did.

[Deathbringer]

It might be that trick they used in Sonic Battle.

[Quirby64]

WAIT!

According to a quote from a site called Thunderbolt Games :
"The GBA was similar to the SNES technologically, so for certain genres representing 3D was a bit tricky. However, unlike the SNES (at least without any added chips), it is capable of rendering texture-mapped, polygonal 3D graphics. It was a 32-bit console after all; and produced far better looking 3D graphics than the supposedly 64-bit Atari Jaguar or the Sega 32X, both intended to introduce 3D gaming on home consoles."

I think I may have found an answer.

[Dazz]

Agreed, I'm sure I've seen 3D models be used in places. Certain games definitely use 3D models, like:
Doom


Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam


Kill.Switch


Otherwise they just simply wouldn't work as games.

You'll be hard pressed to find a means of ripping these though, due to obscurity.

[Quirby64]

I have come back to this subject a bit ago, but still no luck.

However, what if I tried looking at the source code for the games, if there is actually a tool for that?

[Rystar]

However, what if I tried looking at the source code for the games, if there is actually a tool for that?

There's a reason it's called source code, Quirby...

[BlastoiseTheVGRipper]

Sorry for the late 8-9 year bump, but there is a another game I am aware that uses 3D models.
SSX 3 for the GBA.

Ripping these models will be hard unless you have a GBA ripping tool that lets you do that stuff.