Pokemon Emerald Sav File Issue - Can't Open on PKHeX

[DiamondEspe49]

Hey all.

I'm new here, so I hope I'm doing this process correctly.

I have dumped my physical GBA cartridge file a few weeks ago in hopes of opening it on PKHeX. However, when I try to open the .sav file, PKHeX gives me an error saying "Attempted to load an unsupported file type/size. This could mean PKHeX doesn't support your save file or your save file is corrupt." Then it displays where in my folder it is, and then it says "File Size: 131072 bytes 131072 bytes (0x20000)"

Does anyone know how to recover this? This error is a bit weird because I opened my Fire Red file with the same file type and it functioned properly. And the possible corruption part is weird too because shortly after dumping the info, I played the game on my physical cartridge and the save file was still there and still openable. (I dumped the Emerald .sav file weeks ago and played it physically on my cartridge shortly afterwards. But just a few moments ago I opened it up and played on it for a while and now the save file is erased and corrupted, which is its own separate heartbreak but alas). I just really wanna see my Pokemon that I've journeyed with and hopefully inject them to gen 4 via PKHeX. I don't do online stuff. This is all for the comfort of being reunited with my buds lol.

I hear that the common issue is that the physical cartridge may not be legit which causes problems. But my Fire Red is also not legit, yet it still was able to back up and be read properly.

I used my R4 card's godmode9i for one attempt, and GBA back up tool for another attempt, all using my DS. Attached are both files. I have forgotten which is which.

Is there any way to open this file on PKHeX, or should I just throw in the towel and say bye to my buddies? [bonus points if i can get redirected or any other assistance for saving my physical cartridge too lol]

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

POKEMON EMER_BPEE01_00.sav POKEMON_EMER_BPEE_00.sav

Edited September 7 by DiamondEspe49

[Kaphotics]

Open it in a hex editor and compare it to any other valid save file from the same version.

You'll notice that it is entirely different, random junk.

The files you uploaded are a bad dump, either it's dirty contacts, or it's a fake cartridge that your dumper isn't dumping the savedata correctly for.

[Hyakuya Dazai]

its maybe that the saves u uploaded are empty. i test both on 2 diffrent emulators, and and both saves was embty. 
After test to save in the truck when u start a new save, it work on pkhex.Pokemon - Emerald Version (USA, Europe).srmPokemon - Emerald Version (USA, Europe).srmPokemon - Emerald Version (USA, Europe).srm

this one is my "test save" on the base of u upload

POKEMON EMER_BPEE01_00.sav

this is the one i use for the emulator (u upload) and it was empty. u can try the first one, that u can open on pkhex

[Kaphotics]

Again, YOU open it in a hex editor yourself. You're just uploading the same kind of junk file.

I'm not going to look at any more of your files. Do what I said in my first reply.

[DiamondEspe49]

Bad empty dump, I see. Thank you both for your help! This is a weird spot for me because my physical cartridge is now corrupted and erased, so I can't attempt another back up unfortunately. And yeah, I've tried multiple dumps with godmode9i before, and I think once or twice with GBA back up tool, all leading to the same result. I don't know if there is a way to even salvage that cartridge, or if I should just start a new file. Probably not even worth it to get physical hardware to dump it either, I suppose.

If I may ask for a second opinion on this. Do you think if I start a new save file it would generate the same result of an empty dump? Empty dumps seem to be a commonality with all my previous attempts, and I'm not sure if I should take that as a sign that it would simply be a constant no matter which way I would attempt it.

Thanks again!

[Hyakuya Dazai]

when u not also a lot use cheats and co, it should be fine!
and, use u a modded dsi or a real gba? maybe its the fault of the gba slot from u dsi

[DiamondEspe49]

On 9/8/2025 at 1:19 AM, Hyakuya Dazai said:

when u not also a lot use cheats and co, it should be fine!
and, use u a modded dsi or a real gba? maybe its the fault of the gba slot from u dsi

Yeah, I haven't used any kinds of cheats at all on this previous save file. I use a DS Lite to play GBA games and also to dump the info. The GBA slot runs the games well, and it managed to dump my Fire Red save. I suppose I could still give Emerald a go on a new file one day.