Hacking Which gba flashcart should I buy

[4ur0r]

Hi, I'd like to buy a gba flashcard but I'm almost total noob about those flashcards. I've seen many of you recommend the ez-flash iv, but I've also heard that they an't play some games (like fire emblem, which I would like to play). Why? And which one is better? Where can I buy on of them? Personally I would play it mainly on my NDS Lite (and maybe on my purple gba)

 

[Monty Kensicle]

Right now EZFlash IV is the only one still in production, Kirkzz, creator of the fabulous Everdrive line of flash carts is making one for GBA but it's unknown when that'll be ready.

Outside some quirks in the main series Pokemon games, no RTC, having to save after a link trade because the SRAM patching doesn't work for the quick saving in the union room and lack of ability to link up to the Gamecube Pokemon game for the same reason. It's worked with every game I've thrown at it.

 

[migles]

Right now EZFlash IV is the only one still in production, Kirkzz, creator of the fabulous Everdrive line of flash carts is making one for GBA but it's unknown when that'll be ready.

only info we heard about that was 8 months ago... which i think that project is kinda dead.. or at least very slow...

anyway @4ur0r are you talking about the normal fire emblem? (the one which the name is just "fire emblem") i can play it just fine (saving is also working) with the ez iv... or does it have a problem at a specific part?

 

[DinohScene]

I'd say EZ4
Best one out there.

 

[Lemmy Koopa]

Virtually, your only choice is an EZ4, but there are Supercards still being sold. I don't know if they're by the same company or if they're reproduction/copies.

 

[Localhorst86]

Yeah, ez4 is really the only choice. Supercards are still being sold but they simply have performance issues (check some youtube videos) but are quite a bit cheaper than the ez4.

 

[SeongGino]

Yeah... Jumping on the same horse here, but if you want a flash cart to actually PLAY games, then EZ-Flash IV is the way to go. Since it recently was refreshed with a microSD line, it is easy to get nowadays.

The device really doesn't have any issues aside from Real Time Clock support (Games that use this can be patched) and specialty carts (Again, are patchable, but mileage may vary here). And apart from the slightly frustrating save-patching client the EZ4 uses to transfer games with proper save functionality, it's easy to use. Any other cart is either absurdly rare (M3 Perfect is the main culprit, as it had an RTC built in but a terrible interface) or not worth it (Supercards are common, but rely on emulation-based hardware. Useless, really for authenticity).

Soo... Yeah. EZ4.

 

[Lemmy Koopa]

Yeah... Jumping on the same horse here, but if you want a flash cart to actually PLAY games, then EZ-Flash IV is the way to go. Since it recently was refreshed with a microSD line, it is easy to get nowadays.

The device really doesn't have any issues aside from Real Time Clock support (Games that use this can be patched) and specialty carts (Again, are patchable, but mileage may vary here). And apart from the slightly frustrating save-patching client the EZ4 uses to transfer games with proper save functionality, it's easy to use. Any other cart is either absurdly rare (M3 Perfect is the main culprit, as it had an RTC built in but a terrible interface) or not worth it (Supercards are common, but rely on emulation-based hardware. Useless, really for authenticity).

Soo... Yeah. EZ4.

I like my M3 more than my EZ4, honestly. Full GBA compatibility, loads games really fast (under a minute, possibly even 30 seconds, for a full 32MB game), customizable skin, NDS support, and really nice features I used to use before I got a smartphone.

EZ4 is definitely the next best though. One thing that's good about not having a RTC is that you don't have to worry about your SRAM battery dying in a year or two.

 

[SeongGino]

I like my M3 more than my EZ4, honestly. Full GBA compatibility, loads games really fast (under a minute, possibly even 30 seconds, for a full 32MB game), customizable skin, NDS support, and really nice features I used to use before I got a smartphone.

EZ4 is definitely the next best though. One thing that's good about not having a RTC is that you don't have to worry about your SRAM battery dying in a year or two.

I only really recommend the EZ4 mostly because it's what I have. While I've heard the M3 is fantastic, it's basically extinct. Though really, both are great in their own ways, honestly. EZ4 definitely has the more usable UI with little bloat, but the M3 has some extra features built in, which aren't particularly useful now but are still there. It all comes down to availability though; EZ-Flash 4 is available pretty much anywhere for a great price, but the M3 is, as said, non-existent essentially. But if someone can find one of those cards, by all means try and grab it, but with the EZ4 out, it's not worth the hassle trying to find an M3.
Just my opinion though.

(Also, the EZ4 DOES still use a battery to store the temporary saves before transferring to the cart itself, but it's not as big an issue as a consistently used RTC, at least I think)

 

[migles]

The device really doesn't have any issues aside from Real Time Clock support (Games that use this can be patched) and specialty carts (Again, are patchable, but mileage may vary here).

the only rtc games are pokemon and boktai right?
tryed to search about which games use rtc, but so far only theese

 

[pdensco]

is there any gba flashcart that can support 16gb or 32gb memcard? i just found my gameboy sp from my old stuff i thought i should ask from a thread like this

 

[SeongGino]

the only rtc games are pokemon and boktai right?
tryed to search about which games use rtc, but so far only theese

Basically, yeah! Pokemon's was simply for the Gen 3 games for berry growth, but patches exist to "convert" steps in game into RTC time.
Boktai also uses RTC, but the patch that adds in solar level functionality also adds in a quick way to force fast passage of time in-game.
Otherwise, that's it really.

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is there any gba flashcart that can support 16gb or 32gb memcard? i just found my gameboy sp from my old stuff i thought i should ask from a thread like this

The newer EZ-Flash IV models on the market now recently gained support for micro SDHC cards, so anything up to 32gb cards will work fine on those!

 

[4ur0r]

Thanks for all the replies, guess I'll get the ez iv then.

 

[migles]

Thanks for all the replies, guess I'll get the ez iv then.

anyway, you didn't read my post? that game you mentioned, it works really great on my ez iv...
if you have questions about compatibility about games i can try them if you ask...

 

[pdensco]

hey guys i was just searching and i found this gameboyadvance sp with 10000 games replica just for 40$ you can aslo add more games.

 

[SeongGino]

hey guys i was just searching and i found this gameboyadvance sp with 10000 games replica and just for 40$

You mean a clone system, correct?
Yeaaaaah, no. Clone systems are pretty terrible when you're going for authenticity, and in most cases, can be unreliable, mainly because they commonly have lower screen resolutions, sound issues, save errors, and slowdown problems. This is why flashcarts exist, as all they do is emulate the ROM itself as the system plays it as a real cartridge.

Speaking of unreliable, I'd recommend also staying away from "Supercards". They are known to be the cheapest option, but also are just as unreliable as clone systems since they tend to induce slowdown and flickering issues where they shouldn't be. An EZ4 would never exhibit any of these issues.

 

[pdensco]

You mean a clone system, correct?
Yeaaaaah, no. Clone systems are pretty terrible when you're going for authenticity, and in most cases, can be unreliable, mainly because they commonly have lower screen resolutions, sound issues, save errors, and slowdown problems. This is why flashcarts exist, as all they do is emulate the ROM itself as the system plays it as a real cartridge.

Speaking of unreliable, I'd recommend also staying away from "Supercards". They are known to be the cheapest option, but also are just as unreliable as clone systems since they tend to induce slowdown and flickering issues where they shouldn't be. An EZ4 would never exhibit any of these issues.

it says 10000 games replica not gameboy sp replica

 

[migles]

hey guys i was just searching and i found this gameboyadvance sp with 10000 games replica just for 40$ you can aslo add more games.

i rather get a psp or an android phone and emulate lots of consoles. than use a terrible clone of a console that basically uses emulation...

 

[SeongGino]

it says 10000 games replica not gameboy sp replica

I still wouldn't trust it. Those carts are especially known for poor save management and are generally frauds. Either do it right with real hardware, or get a PSP/Android device if you're going impure.
Personally, I'd take the former.

 

[pdensco]

I still wouldn't trust it. Those carts are especially known for poor save management and are generally frauds. Either do it right with real hardware, or get a PSP/Android device if you're going impure.
Personally, I'd take the former.

.k then im going to buy ez iv.