diff --git a/BizHawk.Emulation/Consoles/Nintendo/Gameboy/Gambatte.cs b/BizHawk.Emulation/Consoles/Nintendo/Gameboy/Gambatte.cs
index e0b894e333..db24d2f677 100644
--- a/BizHawk.Emulation/Consoles/Nintendo/Gameboy/Gambatte.cs
+++ b/BizHawk.Emulation/Consoles/Nintendo/Gameboy/Gambatte.cs
@@ -128,13 +128,39 @@ namespace BizHawk.Emulation.Consoles.GB
 
 		public byte[] ReadSaveRam
 		{
-			get { return new byte[0]; }
+			get
+			{
+				int length = LibGambatte.gambatte_savesavedatalength(GambatteState);
+
+				if (length > 0)
+				{
+					byte[] ret = new byte[length];
+					LibGambatte.gambatte_savesavedata(GambatteState, ret);
+					return ret;
+				}
+				else
+					return new byte[0];
+			}
 		}
 
+		public void StoreSaveRam(byte[] data)
+		{
+			if (data.Length != LibGambatte.gambatte_savesavedatalength(GambatteState))
+				throw new ArgumentException("Size of saveram data does not match expected!");
+			LibGambatte.gambatte_loadsavedata(GambatteState, data);
+		}
+
+
 		public bool SaveRamModified
 		{
-			get;
-			set;
+			get
+			{
+				if (LibGambatte.gambatte_savesavedatalength(GambatteState) == 0)
+					return false;
+				else
+					return true; // need to wire more stuff into the core to actually know this
+			}
+			set { }
 		}
 
 		public void ResetFrameCounter()
diff --git a/BizHawk.Emulation/Consoles/Nintendo/Gameboy/LibGambatte.cs b/BizHawk.Emulation/Consoles/Nintendo/Gameboy/LibGambatte.cs
index 8414b2a9bb..d184ed78f2 100644
--- a/BizHawk.Emulation/Consoles/Nintendo/Gameboy/LibGambatte.cs
+++ b/BizHawk.Emulation/Consoles/Nintendo/Gameboy/LibGambatte.cs
@@ -155,11 +155,28 @@ namespace BizHawk.Emulation.Consoles.GB
 		public static extern bool gambatte_isloaded(IntPtr core);
 
 		/// <summary>
-		/// Writes persistent cartridge data to disk. Done implicitly on ROM close.
+		/// Get persistant cart memory.
 		/// </summary>
 		/// <param name="core">opaque state pointer</param>
+		/// <param name="dest">byte buffer to write into.  gambatte_savesavedatalength() bytes will be written</param>
 		[DllImport("libgambatte.dll", CallingConvention = CallingConvention.Cdecl)]
-		public static extern void gambatte_savesavedata(IntPtr core);
+		public static extern void gambatte_savesavedata(IntPtr core, byte[] dest);
+
+		/// <summary>
+		/// restore persistant cart memory.
+		/// </summary>
+		/// <param name="core">opaque state pointer</param>
+		/// <param name="data">byte buffer to read from.  gambatte_savesavedatalength() bytes will be read</param>
+		[DllImport("libgambatte.dll", CallingConvention = CallingConvention.Cdecl)]
+		public static extern void gambatte_loadsavedata(IntPtr core, byte[] data);
+
+		/// <summary>
+		/// get the size of the persistant cart memory block.  this value DEPENDS ON THE PARTICULAR CART LOADED
+		/// </summary>
+		/// <param name="core">opaque state pointer</param>
+		/// <returns>length in bytes.  0 means no internal persistant cart memory</returns>
+		[DllImport("libgambatte.dll", CallingConvention = CallingConvention.Cdecl)]
+		public static extern int gambatte_savesavedatalength(IntPtr core);
 
 		/// <summary>
 		/// Saves emulator state to the state to a byte array
diff --git a/BizHawk.MultiClient/MainForm.cs b/BizHawk.MultiClient/MainForm.cs
index 4cf252994f..5d437d898e 100644
--- a/BizHawk.MultiClient/MainForm.cs
+++ b/BizHawk.MultiClient/MainForm.cs
@@ -1560,7 +1560,10 @@ namespace BizHawk.MultiClient
 					reader.Read(sram, 0, Global.Emulator.ReadSaveRam.Length);
 				if (Global.Emulator is LibsnesCore)
 					((LibsnesCore)Global.Emulator).StoreSaveRam(sram);
-				else Array.Copy(sram, Global.Emulator.ReadSaveRam, Global.Emulator.ReadSaveRam.Length);
+				else if (Global.Emulator is Gameboy)
+					((Gameboy)Global.Emulator).StoreSaveRam(sram);
+				else
+					Array.Copy(sram, Global.Emulator.ReadSaveRam, Global.Emulator.ReadSaveRam.Length);
 			}
 			catch { }
 		}
diff --git a/BizHawk.MultiClient/output/libgambatte.dll b/BizHawk.MultiClient/output/libgambatte.dll
index ad71e22bad..08d529cca3 100644
Binary files a/BizHawk.MultiClient/output/libgambatte.dll and b/BizHawk.MultiClient/output/libgambatte.dll differ
diff --git a/libgambatte/include/gambatte.h b/libgambatte/include/gambatte.h
index 467b22d094..00028d3afd 100644
--- a/libgambatte/include/gambatte.h
+++ b/libgambatte/include/gambatte.h
@@ -92,8 +92,10 @@ public:
 	/** Returns true if a ROM image is loaded. */
 	bool isLoaded() const;
 
-	/** Writes persistent cartridge data to disk. Done implicitly on ROM close. */
-	void saveSavedata();
+	/** Writes persistent cartridge data to disk. NOT Done implicitly on ROM close. */
+	void loadSavedata(const char *data);
+	int saveSavedataLength();
+	void saveSavedata(char *dest);
 	
 	/** Saves emulator state to the state slot selected with selectState().
 	  * The data will be stored in the directory given by setSaveDir().
diff --git a/libgambatte/src/cinterface.cpp b/libgambatte/src/cinterface.cpp
index 7995e03f0d..f808d35cf9 100644
--- a/libgambatte/src/cinterface.cpp
+++ b/libgambatte/src/cinterface.cpp
@@ -83,11 +83,31 @@ __declspec(dllexport) int gambatte_isloaded(void *core)
 	return g->isLoaded();
 }
 
+/*
 __declspec(dllexport) void gambatte_savesavedata(void *core)
 {
 	GB *g = (GB *) core;
 	g->saveSavedata();
 }
+*/
+
+__declspec(dllexport) void gambatte_savesavedata(void *core, char *dest)
+{
+	GB *g = (GB *) core;
+	g->saveSavedata(dest);
+}
+
+__declspec(dllexport) void gambatte_loadsavedata(void *core, const char *data)
+{
+	GB *g = (GB *) core;
+	g->loadSavedata(data);
+}
+
+__declspec(dllexport) int gambatte_savesavedatalength(void *core)
+{
+	GB *g = (GB *) core;
+	return g->saveSavedataLength();
+}
 
 /*
 __declspec(dllexport) int gambatte_savestate(void *core, const unsigned long *videobuf, int pitch)
diff --git a/libgambatte/src/cinterface.h b/libgambatte/src/cinterface.h
index 4fbbb44b95..ee2a39a301 100644
--- a/libgambatte/src/cinterface.h
+++ b/libgambatte/src/cinterface.h
@@ -24,7 +24,9 @@ extern "C"
 
 	__declspec(dllexport) int gambatte_isloaded(void *core);
 
-	__declspec(dllexport) void gambatte_savesavedata(void *core);
+	__declspec(dllexport) void gambatte_savesavedata(void *core, char *dest);
+	__declspec(dllexport) void gambatte_loadsavedata(void *core, const char *data);
+	__declspec(dllexport) int gambatte_savesavedatalength(void *core);
 
 	//__declspec(dllexport) int gambatte_savestate(void *core, const unsigned long *videobuf, int pitch);
 
diff --git a/libgambatte/src/cpu.h b/libgambatte/src/cpu.h
index 6b3208a209..a84fd723cb 100644
--- a/libgambatte/src/cpu.h
+++ b/libgambatte/src/cpu.h
@@ -51,8 +51,9 @@ public:
 	void saveState(SaveState &state);
 	void loadState(const SaveState &state);
 	
-	void loadSavedata() { memory.loadSavedata(); }
-	void saveSavedata() { memory.saveSavedata(); }
+	void loadSavedata(const char *data) { memory.loadSavedata(data); }
+	int saveSavedataLength() {return memory.saveSavedataLength(); }
+	void saveSavedata(char *dest) { memory.saveSavedata(dest); }
 	
 	void setVideoBuffer(uint_least32_t *const videoBuf, const int pitch) {
 		memory.setVideoBuffer(videoBuf, pitch);
diff --git a/libgambatte/src/gambatte.cpp b/libgambatte/src/gambatte.cpp
index b2fbfd1ae4..a6deec0f80 100644
--- a/libgambatte/src/gambatte.cpp
+++ b/libgambatte/src/gambatte.cpp
@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ struct GB::Priv {
 GB::GB() : p_(new Priv) {}
 
 GB::~GB() {
-	if (p_->cpu.loaded())
-		p_->cpu.saveSavedata();
+	//if (p_->cpu.loaded())
+	//	p_->cpu.saveSavedata();
 	
 	delete p_;
 }
@@ -70,13 +70,24 @@ long GB::runFor(gambatte::uint_least32_t *const videoBuf, const int pitch,
 
 void GB::reset() {
 	if (p_->cpu.loaded()) {
-		p_->cpu.saveSavedata();
+		
+		int length = p_->cpu.saveSavedataLength();
+		char *s;
+		if (length > 0)
+		{
+			s = (char *) std::malloc(length);
+			p_->cpu.saveSavedata(s);
+		}
 		
 		SaveState state;
 		p_->cpu.setStatePtrs(state);
 		setInitState(state, p_->cpu.isCgb(), p_->gbaCgbMode);
 		p_->cpu.loadState(state);
-		p_->cpu.loadSavedata();
+		if (length > 0)
+		{
+			p_->cpu.loadSavedata(s);
+			std::free(s);
+		}
 	}
 }
 
@@ -89,8 +100,8 @@ void GB::setSaveDir(const std::string &sdir) {
 }
 
 int GB::load(const char *romfiledata, unsigned romfilelength, const unsigned flags) {
-	if (p_->cpu.loaded())
-		p_->cpu.saveSavedata();
+	//if (p_->cpu.loaded())
+	//	p_->cpu.saveSavedata();
 	
 	const int failed = p_->cpu.load(romfiledata, romfilelength, flags & FORCE_DMG, flags & MULTICART_COMPAT);
 	
@@ -99,7 +110,7 @@ int GB::load(const char *romfiledata, unsigned romfilelength, const unsigned fla
 		p_->cpu.setStatePtrs(state);
 		setInitState(state, p_->cpu.isCgb(), p_->gbaCgbMode = flags & GBA_CGB);
 		p_->cpu.loadState(state);
-		p_->cpu.loadSavedata();
+		//p_->cpu.loadSavedata();
 		
 		p_->stateNo = 1;
 		p_->cpu.setOsdElement(std::auto_ptr<OsdElement>());
@@ -116,9 +127,19 @@ bool GB::isLoaded() const {
 	return p_->cpu.loaded();
 }
 
-void GB::saveSavedata() {
+void GB::saveSavedata(char *dest) {
 	if (p_->cpu.loaded())
-		p_->cpu.saveSavedata();
+		p_->cpu.saveSavedata(dest);
+}
+void GB::loadSavedata(const char *data) {
+	if (p_->cpu.loaded())
+		p_->cpu.loadSavedata(data);
+}
+int GB::saveSavedataLength() {
+	if (p_->cpu.loaded())
+		return p_->cpu.saveSavedataLength();
+	else
+		return -1;
 }
 
 void GB::setDmgPaletteColor(unsigned palNum, unsigned colorNum, unsigned rgb32) {
@@ -127,7 +148,7 @@ void GB::setDmgPaletteColor(unsigned palNum, unsigned colorNum, unsigned rgb32)
 
 bool GB::loadState(std::istream &file) {
 	if (p_->cpu.loaded()) {
-		p_->cpu.saveSavedata();
+	//	p_->cpu.saveSavedata();
 		
 		SaveState state;
 		p_->cpu.setStatePtrs(state);
diff --git a/libgambatte/src/mem/cartridge.cpp b/libgambatte/src/mem/cartridge.cpp
index 05252e28d2..0c4bf5c972 100644
--- a/libgambatte/src/mem/cartridge.cpp
+++ b/libgambatte/src/mem/cartridge.cpp
@@ -655,49 +655,42 @@ static bool hasBattery(const unsigned char headerByte0x147) {
 	}
 }
 
-void Cartridge::loadSavedata() {
-	const std::string &sbp = saveBasePath();
-
+void Cartridge::loadSavedata(const char *data) {
 	if (hasBattery(memptrs.romdata()[0x147])) {
-		std::ifstream file((sbp + ".sav").c_str(), std::ios::binary | std::ios::in);
-
-		if (file.is_open()) {
-			file.read(reinterpret_cast<char*>(memptrs.rambankdata()), memptrs.rambankdataend() - memptrs.rambankdata());
-			enforce8bit(memptrs.rambankdata(), memptrs.rambankdataend() - memptrs.rambankdata());
-		}
+		int length = memptrs.rambankdataend() - memptrs.rambankdata();
+		std::memcpy(memptrs.rambankdata(), data, length);
+		data += length;
+		enforce8bit(memptrs.rambankdata(), length);
 	}
 
 	if (hasRtc(memptrs.romdata()[0x147])) {
-		std::ifstream file((sbp + ".rtc").c_str(), std::ios::binary | std::ios::in);
-
-		if (file.is_open()) {
-			unsigned long basetime = file.get() & 0xFF;
-
-			basetime = basetime << 8 | (file.get() & 0xFF);
-			basetime = basetime << 8 | (file.get() & 0xFF);
-			basetime = basetime << 8 | (file.get() & 0xFF);
-
-			rtc.setBaseTime(basetime);
-		}
+		unsigned long basetime;
+		std::memcpy(&basetime, data, 4);
+		rtc.setBaseTime(basetime);
 	}
 }
 
-void Cartridge::saveSavedata() {
-	const std::string &sbp = saveBasePath();
-
+int Cartridge::saveSavedataLength() {
+	int ret = 0;
 	if (hasBattery(memptrs.romdata()[0x147])) {
-		std::ofstream file((sbp + ".sav").c_str(), std::ios::binary | std::ios::out);
-		file.write(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(memptrs.rambankdata()), memptrs.rambankdataend() - memptrs.rambankdata());
+		ret = memptrs.rambankdataend() - memptrs.rambankdata();
+	}
+	if (hasRtc(memptrs.romdata()[0x147])) {
+		ret += 4;
+	}
+	return ret;
+}
+
+void Cartridge::saveSavedata(char *dest) {
+	if (hasBattery(memptrs.romdata()[0x147])) {
+		int length = memptrs.rambankdataend() - memptrs.rambankdata();
+		std::memcpy(dest, memptrs.rambankdata(), length);
+		dest += length;
 	}
 
 	if (hasRtc(memptrs.romdata()[0x147])) {
-		std::ofstream file((sbp + ".rtc").c_str(), std::ios::binary | std::ios::out);
 		const unsigned long basetime = rtc.getBaseTime();
-
-		file.put(basetime >> 24 & 0xFF);
-		file.put(basetime >> 16 & 0xFF);
-		file.put(basetime >>  8 & 0xFF);
-		file.put(basetime       & 0xFF);
+		std::memcpy(dest, &basetime, 4);
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/libgambatte/src/mem/cartridge.h b/libgambatte/src/mem/cartridge.h
index b7a8a41b37..ee036f6077 100644
--- a/libgambatte/src/mem/cartridge.h
+++ b/libgambatte/src/mem/cartridge.h
@@ -82,8 +82,9 @@ public:
 	void rtcWrite(unsigned data) { rtc.write(data); }
 	unsigned char rtcRead() const { return *rtc.getActive(); }
 	
-	void loadSavedata();
-	void saveSavedata();
+	void loadSavedata(const char *data);
+	int saveSavedataLength();
+	void saveSavedata(char *dest);
 	const std::string saveBasePath() const;
 	void setSaveDir(const std::string &dir);
 	int loadROM(const char *romfiledata, unsigned romfilelength, bool forceDmg, bool multicartCompat);
diff --git a/libgambatte/src/memory.h b/libgambatte/src/memory.h
index 00bcfdbc14..70d9fd6308 100644
--- a/libgambatte/src/memory.h
+++ b/libgambatte/src/memory.h
@@ -78,8 +78,9 @@ public:
 	void setStatePtrs(SaveState &state);
 	unsigned long saveState(SaveState &state, unsigned long cc);
 	void loadState(const SaveState &state/*, unsigned long oldCc*/);
-	void loadSavedata() { cart.loadSavedata(); }
-	void saveSavedata() { cart.saveSavedata(); }
+	void loadSavedata(const char *data) { cart.loadSavedata(data); }
+	int saveSavedataLength() {return cart.saveSavedataLength(); }
+	void saveSavedata(char *dest) { cart.saveSavedata(dest); }
 	const std::string saveBasePath() const { return cart.saveBasePath(); }
 	
 	void setOsdElement(std::auto_ptr<OsdElement> osdElement) {