I'm interested in this as well. I think the Gameboy Everdrive has the ability to boot a default ROM, so I imagine the GBA model could probably do the same once it's released.

 

IIRC the ezfa can do it if you turn off the loader (this cart, so there's no confusion http://www.emu-zone.net/gba-sp/ezf-advance.htm). I've not used mine in years, but I'm pretty sure it autoboots if you don't burn the loader to the cart. I think most of the old NOR based gba flashcarts (f2a, ezfa, efa etc) would autoboot straight to the game if you didn't write the loader to the cart.

Unfortunately the old nor based cards are not common and those who have them, are unlikely to part with them.

Other than those, I think the ez 3in1 will autoboot a gba game written to it's NOR section, but you need a ds+slot 1 flash card to even write to it.

 

Have fun finding a GBA sized one -- you are not the only one to want to make a repro or autoboot homebrew.

If you want to get a DS lite sized one though it will work if you mod the case or stick it in another.

 

Ha, Yeah ... I'm learning that very quickly after my searches this morning!

Oh wow! This is a lot more promising though, as those EZ-flash 3in1's are far more common. I think this is route I'll take and just use the DS lite to dump into nor - then get a little creative with a case mod.

Thanks for the info Localhorst.

I really can't thank you guys enough, it's a rather important project of mine.