Xsd and Xml Validator
Converting a .gme file (the format used by the old DexDrive) to a .mcr or .srm file (the standard formats for modern emulators like RetroArch, DuckStation, and ePSXe) is a common task for retro gamers looking to move their original PlayStation 1 saves to modern hardware. 🛠️ The Most Reliable Tool: MemcardRex
The community favorite for this job is MemcardRex. It is widely considered the "gold standard" for managing and converting virtual memory cards because it handles almost every format. Open the file: Launch MemcardRex and open your .gme file.
Save as MCR: Go to File > Save as... and select ePSXe/PSEmu Pro Memory Card (*.mcr) as the file type.
Convert to SRM (Optional): If you are using RetroArch, simply rename the .mcr extension to .srm after saving.
Match the Game Name: Ensure the save file has the exact same name as your ROM (e.g., Final Fantasy VII.cue must have a save named Final Fantasy VII.srm). 📖 A Helpful Story: Reviving a 20-Year-Old Quest
A user once shared a story on Reddit about finding an old DexDrive in their attic containing a Legend of Legaia save from 1999. They wanted to finish the game on their modern handheld but the .gme files wouldn't load.
By using MemcardRex to export the data to a .mcr format and then renaming it to .srm for RetroArch, they were able to pick up exactly where they left off two decades later. This process effectively "unlocked" thousands of saves available on GameFAQs, which are often stuck in these legacy formats. 💡 Alternative Methods
If you prefer not to download software, there are web-based tools that handle the conversion instantly.
Online Converters: Sites like SaveFileConverter.com allow you to upload a .gme file and download a .mcr or .psv file immediately. gme to mcr converter work
Batch Scripts: For users with hundreds of saves, GitHub projects offer scripts to convert entire directories at once. If you'd like, let me know:
Which emulator or console (e.g., RetroArch, PS Classic, DuckStation) you are trying to move the save to?
Do you have multiple saves on one .gme file that need to be separated?
Are you getting a "corrupted file" error during the process?
I can provide specific naming conventions or directory paths to help you get the game running! How to Import & Export PS1 Saves on a Virtual Memory Card
Understanding How GME to MCR Converters Work For retro gaming enthusiasts, especially those exploring the PlayStation 1 (PS1) library via emulators, file compatibility is a common hurdle. Many classic game saves found on repositories like GameFAQs are in the .GME format, which is native to the old DexDrive hardware. Modern emulators like RetroArch, ePSXe, and DuckStation typically require .MCR (Memory Card) or .SRM files.
Converting a GME to MCR file is the process of stripping proprietary headers to make these save files readable by modern software and hardware. What is a GME to MCR Converter?
A converter is a utility—either a standalone software application or a web-based tool—designed to translate the data structure of a DexDrive save into a raw memory card image. Converting a
.GME (DexDrive): These files contain a 3,904-byte header followed by the raw memory card data.
.MCR (ePSXe/PSEmu Pro): This is a raw image of a 128KB PS1 memory card, containing 15 blocks of save data without additional proprietary headers. Top Tools to Convert GME to MCR
Several tools are widely recognized by the community for their reliability:
MemcardRex: Often cited as the "gold standard," this advanced PS1 memory card editor supports nearly every virtual format. It allows you to open a .gme file and "Save As" a .mcr or .mcd file.
PSXGameEdit: An older but effective tool specifically for viewing and converting PS1 save files.
Online Converters: Sites like Save Editor or GME2SRM offer quick, browser-based conversions for users who don't want to install software. Step-by-Step Conversion Guide (Using MemcardRex)
The most reliable way to ensure your conversion works is using MemcardRex.
Step 1: Open the GME File. Launch MemcardRex and use File > Open to select your downloaded .gme file. Unit tests for mapping rules
Step 2: Verify the Save. You should see the individual game icons and names within the 15 memory card blocks.
Step 3: Save as MCR. Go to File > Save As. In the "Save as type" dropdown, select ePSXe/PSEmu Pro Memory Card (*.mcr). Step 4: Rename for your Emulator.
For RetroArch, you may need to manually change the extension from .mcr to .srm.
Ensure the filename matches your game's ROM file exactly (e.g., Final Fantasy VII.bin would need Final Fantasy VII.srm). Why Isn't My Converted File Working?
If your converted file still doesn't show up in-game, check these common issues:
Region Mismatch: A North American (NTSC-U) save file will not work with a European (PAL) version of the game.
Incorrect File Extension: Some emulators are strict about whether they want .mcr, .mcd, or .srm. Always check your emulator's "saves" folder to see what format it uses by default.
Corrupted Headers: If you try to manually rename a .gme to .mcr without using a converter, the 3,904-byte DexDrive header will remain, causing the emulator to see the card as "unformatted" or corrupted.
If you have ever tinkered with Sega System 16, System 18, or X-Board emulation, you have run into the acronyms GME and MCR. At first glance, they look like just two more obscure file formats in a sea of ROM dumps. But for anyone serious about preservation, reverse engineering, or building custom arcade hardware, the bridge between these two formats is a chasm that needs crossing.
I recently spent several weeks building a GME to MCR converter. This post is the autopsy of that work—the headaches, the byte-order revelations, and the quiet satisfaction of watching a scrambled sound driver snap into place.
Latest version 1.0 SimpleXmlValidator.zip 835K - Portable version, extract to any directory and start via SimpleXmlValidator.exe
Note: requires Microsoft Visual C++ redistributables, usually already installed. If you get startup error, install from this link