The Xploder is one of the more prolific devices for the PS2. Fire has made its software available under several different names throughout the world. All encryptions for the Xploder may be accessed by choosing the Xploder item on the Input and Output menus.
Xploder Versions 1-3 are analogous to CodeBreaker Versions 1-6 in North America. CodeBreaker at that time was a rebranded Xploder distributed by Pelican. After that deal was ended, the Xploder came to be marketed as the GameShark in North America (distributed by MadCatz), replacing Interact's rebranded version of Datel's Action Replay software. In Japan, the Xploder is sold as the Xterminator. Information about this device is a little difficult to come by, so I have no idea what Xterminator versions equate to the various Xploder versions.
All versions of the Xploder support unencrypted codes. It is not necessary for you to encrypt codes for use with.
The Xploder submenu
These early versions of the device use a very simple encryption. Merely select the Version 1 - 3 option from the appropriate menu to encrypt or decrypt your output. These versions have encryption in common with versions 1 - 6 of the CodeBreaker, so you can also select the Version 1+ item from its submenu, if you wish.
The Xploder Version 4 uses a slightly more complicated encryption. There are actually eight "keys" available, which are encoded into the cheats themselves. Additionally, there are two "X" keys which encrypt the second line of two-line code types. Keys 1 and 2 use X1 as a second line encryption, and Keys 3 and 4 use X2.
Select the Version 4 option from the appropriate menu to encrypt or decrypt your output. On decryption, it will automatically establish the key from your input. When encrypting, the key is set by choosing one from the GS3 / XP4 Key submenu under Options. By default, the output is set to Key 4, and there is not a lot of reason to change it.
I am not certain of my assumptions regarding key 5 and 6. One of the GameShark hackers did attempt to use Key 6 several years ago, after MAXConvert was updated to include all the encryptions and decryptions that were available.
The Xploder Version 5 uses encryption identical to Version 4. The only difference is that is also includes a verifier line that contains a checksum of the entire code. On all tested versions, this verifier is optional. You can either not encrypt your codes, or follow the instructions for Version 4. However, if you wish to have the verifier generated, select Version 5 from the Xploder submenu, and the verifier will automatically be created and inserted.
Another feature of version 5 is an auto-detection of games, however this feature was hit-or-miss in tests using official codes, and because of that Omniconvert does nothing with it. If Fire can't get it to work, I can only assume it's a bit flaky to begin with. Auto-detection codes begin with 77.