Drop-in ROM socket replacement
Seats directly in the Kickstart socket of the Amiga 500 or 2000. No case modifications, no external boxes, no extra cabling.
AMIGA
Drop-in Kickstart ROM replacement for the Amiga 500 and 2000. Carry multiple Kickstarts, switch them without opening the case again.
What you can do with it ↗
Hot-swap Kickstart ROMs on your Amiga 500 or 2000
The SidecarTridge Kickstart Multi ROM replaces the original Kickstart chip on an Amiga 500 or Amiga 2000 with a programmable board that holds dozens of Kickstart images in onboard flash. From the Amiga’s point of view it looks and behaves like a stock ROM. From your point of view, you pick which Kickstart boots through the SWITCHER tool, copy new images over USB and never have to swap a chip again.
From €45 plus taxes. Ships from Spain. Amiga 500 and 2000.
Key features
16 MB onboard flash
Store up to 31 Kickstart images on the board itself. Switch between them in seconds without rebooting into a separate utility.
SWITCHER from the Amiga
A small Amiga utility lets you pick the active Kickstart right from your machine, with no flashing tools and no extra hardware.
USB mass storage workflow
Plug the board into a host computer over USB and it mounts as a FAT drive. Drag in new Kickstart images, eject, plug it back into the Amiga.
Custom and diagnostic ROMs
Works with official Kickstarts, patched builds, DiagROM and EmuTOS, or any Kickstart-compatible image you can produce.
RP2350 bit-banged emulation
The Raspberry RP2350 and its PIO engines serve ROM cycles with the timing the Amiga expects, on stock or accelerated machines.
What you can do with it
- Boot Kickstart 1.2, 1.3, 2.04 or 3.1 from the same physical board, no chip swaps.
- Keep your original Kickstart chip safe on the shelf. Everything lives in flash on the SidecarTridge Kickstart Multi ROM.
- Drop in DiagROM or EmuTOS to diagnose a sick Amiga or to play with open-source firmware.
- Test patched Kickstart builds before committing them to a real EPROM.
Installation overview
- Open the Amiga and remove the RF shield to expose the Kickstart ROM area.
- Pull the original Kickstart ROM if it is socketed, or fit a socket if it is currently soldered.
- Seat the SidecarTridge Kickstart Multi ROM in the socket, respecting orientation.
- Close the case and power on. The Amiga boots straight into the selected Kickstart.
Step-by-step photos and troubleshooting tips live in the Kickstart Multi ROM documentation and the quickstart guide.
Compatibility
| Amiga model | Status |
|---|---|
| Amiga 500 | Fully supported |
| Amiga 2000 | Fully supported |
| Amiga 500+ | Supported, with limitations (see below) |
| Amiga 600 | Supported, with limitations (see below) |
| Amiga 1200 | Not supported |
About Amiga 500+ and Amiga 600. Those motherboards can address 1 MB Kickstart ROMs, but the Kickstart Multi ROM only supports 512 KB ROM images. The hardware works, the experience is limited. We leave it up to you to decide if that fits your use case.
Frequently asked questions
Hardware & compatibility
What Amiga models are supported?
The SidecarTridge Kickstart Multi ROM is fully supported on Amiga 500 and Amiga 2000. It also works on Amiga 500+ and Amiga 600, but only with 512 KB Kickstart images: 1 MB Kickstart 3.x ROMs are not supported on those machines. Amiga 1200 is not supported.
What Kickstart sizes are supported?
ROM images up to 512 KB, covering Kickstart 1.2 through 3.1 builds that fit in 512 KB plus most custom images. 1 MB Kickstart 3.x ROMs are out of scope.
How many Kickstart images can I store?
Up to 31 images on the 16 MB onboard flash. You can freely delete and replace them through USB mass storage and the SWITCHER tool.
Does it work on modified Amigas?
The Kickstart Multi ROM is designed and supported on Amiga 500 and 2000 in their original stock configuration. Memory expansions, CPU accelerators, custom logic replacements, bodge wires and aftermarket ROM adapters are out of scope and not covered by warranty. If your Amiga is modified, please contact us before ordering.
Can it damage my Amiga?
Installation is safe as long as the board is properly seated and oriented. The hardware has been tested extensively on stock A500 and A2000 units. Treat it like any other Kickstart ROM: pin 1 on the board lines up with pin 1 on the socket.
Installation
Do I need to solder anything?
Only if your original Kickstart ROM is soldered to the motherboard. In that case you need to desolder the ROM and fit a socket once. If your Amiga already has a socketed Kickstart ROM, the install is a chip swap and requires no soldering.
Can I change Kickstarts from the Amiga itself?
Yes. A companion utility (SWITCHER) lets you select and switch between stored ROMs directly from the Amiga, without opening the machine or reflashing anything.
ROMs & firmware
Are any Kickstart ROMs included with the device?
No. Kickstart ROMs are copyrighted material and the device ships without any. You can either dump the ROM from your own Amiga or buy a legal copy of the Kickstart ROMs from an authorised vendor.
Can I use open-source or diagnostic ROMs?
Yes. The device works with DiagROM and EmuTOS, and any Kickstart-compatible patched or custom image.
Do I need to flash it manually?
No. Connect the board to a host computer over USB and it mounts as a standard FAT drive. Copy new Kickstart images, eject, and you are done. Firmware updates are available on the Kickstart Multi ROM download page.
Community & policy
Is this product for me?
Yes, if you enjoy tinkering with your Amiga and you are comfortable opening the case to seat a ROM (or fitting a socket if your machine has its original Kickstart soldered down). The Kickstart Multi ROM is a homebrew product built for hobbyists who want flexibility on real hardware. It is not a sealed appliance and it is not a plug-and-play upgrade for a stock Amiga with soldered ROMs.
Why can’t I access the store even though you ship to my country?
Access to our products and community spaces requires basic respect. We have zero tolerance for harassment, personal attacks, abusive behaviour or defamatory content toward our team or community. The principle is simple: don’t be abusive. If that principle is violated, access is revoked. We build for people who enjoy experimenting, not for people creating hostility.
Certifications & Compliance
This product has been assessed for European (CE) and UK (UKCA) conformity. Official Declarations of Conformity and EMC Assessment reports (KICKSTART-MULTIROM REV1.1.0):
