Neo Linkmasta (USB to cart linker)

This unit has been built to interface between Neo Geo Pocket cartridges modern PCs using USB. To do this, first plug in the USB cable to your computer and the Linkmasta. Then, insert the Neo Geo Pocket (or Neo Geo Pocket Color) cartridge into the Linkmasta unit. On your computer, run the software to do thing such as:

• Backup your save-game data
• Restore previously backed-up save-game data (or save-game data from an emulator)
• Write a file to a writable cart (such as a game you are developing or a freeware game from another developer).
  • Use this feature with your Bung, Mr. Flash, UFO, etc. writable flash cartridge or “Flashmasta” cartridge.
• Make a backup copy of a cartridge’s contents (useful when you want to play a game you own on an emulator)
• And more

These units are handmade. The cartridge slot/socket is cut by hand to accommodate the Neo Geo Pocket cartridge. This is not a mass-produced product. It is a rare limited edition item. Only 11 are being made.

The plan is to keep supporting Neo Geo Pocket developers and gamers with new software and hardware.

Blue Version

Neo Linkmasta (front)

This Neo Linkmasta features 3 “socket” connectors. The main one is where the Neo Geo Pocket socket goes for interfacing with NGP/NGPC cartridges. The secondary connector is used for a special PCMCIA-style socket that interfaces with Neo Geo MVS/AES “Savemasta” cards.

The third connector port is there for future expansion and hobbyist tinkering. It is made for those of you that might want to use the Neo Linkmasta to read/write other types of game cartridges or other memory chips. It is a 40-pin ribbon cable (unpopulated) pin header. For example, it is already being used for a Watara Supervision project. Use your imagination.

Expansion Port Pinout

01 - GND
02 - Data3
03 - Data 4
04 - Data 5
05 - Data 6
06 - Data 7
07 - #CS0
08 - Addr 10
09 - #RD (aka #OE)
10 - Addr 11
11 - Addr 9
12 - Addr 8
13 - Addr 13
14 - Addr 14
15 - #WE
16 - N/C (unused)
17 - VCC (+5 or +3.3 depending on the jumper)
18 - VBUS (Voltage from USB, 5V even when jumper is set to 3.3v)
19 - Addr 16
Neo Linkmasta (back)
20 - Addr 15
21 - Addr 12
22 - Addr 7
23 - Addr 6
24 - Addr 5
25 - Addr 4
26 - Addr 3
27 - Addr 2
28 - Addr 1
29 - Addr 0
30 - Data 0
31 - Data 1
32 - Addr 17
33 - Data 2
34 - GND
35 - #CS1
36 - Addr 18
37 - PC2 (direct connect to PC2 on AVR chip to use as an extra GPIO line for future expansion)
38 - Addr 19
39 - #RESET (direct connect to #RESET on AVR chip)
40 - Addr 20

Limited Edition

This is the first “Neo Pocket Linkmasta.” Eleven of these have been made. The one pictured here is unit #7 of 11. Linkmasta units after this are called “Neo Linkmasta” as they can be expanded for use with more than just Neo Geo Pocket carts. The Limited Edition was NGP/NGPC only.