EZ-Flash IV review now Online!

[Costello]

Official GBAtemp review of the EZ-Flash IV

Dirtie has just posted his official GBAtemp.net review of the EZ-Flash IV.
Click here to read it!
Many thanks to our new recruit, you've done a great job mate!
The kit was supplied by KickTrading.

 

[T-hug]

Nice review, seems to cover everything perfectly. I see on the side of the box the carts would have gone up to 8GB.. wow.
Don't think I'll be buying one anytime soon, still, another alternative for those looking to buy in the future.
I still wish these companys would employ at least 1 perfect ENGLISH speaker to tidy up the Engrish. I know its only small details in most cases, but it helps the overall feel and perception of the product, and if it can be seen the company has invested time in wording the packaging and parts of the software correctly, it feels more of a quality product to the end user.

 

[stingfist]

Nice review! It doesn't cover how homebrews work and if there are compability issues with SD compatible homebrews such as ScummVM or rain.

Still good job on the review, kudos!

 

[kakawerk]

I am wondering if the saves are interchangable with SC SD and will ez4 implement the SC way of saving DS saves directly on miniSD instead of during next bootup

 

[alexp2_ad]

Nice review! It doesn't cover how homebrews work and if there are compability issues with SD compatible homebrews such as ScummVM or rain.

Still good job on the review, kudos!

Yeah it does!

QUOTEAs far as homebrew goes, the news isn’t quite so good. I tested a small selection of homebrew, and applications with the “.ds.gba” extension (formatted for GBA flash carts) work just fine, but I was unable to get any “.nds” homebrew to run – this may because most of these files are designed for hardware similar to the GBAMP, and the EZ4’s doesn’t seem to fall into the category. Of course, this could potentially be rectified with software updates in the future.

 

[Hanafuda]

Actually, while I don't own an EZ4 at this time, I've read that simply renaming some of the more popular homebrew roms to .bin works quite well.

I also believe it is quite possible to play 256mbit GBA games, though like I said I'm not holding an EZ4 in my hand so I can't confirm. (edit: confirmed - it takes almost 5 minutes to transfer a 256mbit game from the miniSD to the NOR flash section of the EZ4, but once that's done it loads instantly and stay there until you want to play a different 256mb game. they're testing and playing with this at sosuke's site now)

 

[OrR]

.nds files can be converted to .ds.gba by dragging them onto dsbuild.exe, a program included with Moonshell in the wintools folder.
It'd be interesting to know if dslinux, Hexen and stuff run fine...

 

[meangreenie]

Got mine today, agree with most of what Dirtie says, though I wasn't at all dissapointed by the lack of a real time clock, just patch it.

my thoughts on the EZIV..

About 3-4 DS games don't work presently, pokemon dash and TH being the best known ones.. TH is the only one care about

There is no compression on GBA games ..supposed to be coming soon

GBA menu sucks big time .. whats with the Darth Vader ?? though this is not really used, gba games will boot fine from the DS menu for DS users.

No long file name.. annoying, but is to be implemented in next beta software apparently, so should only be a couple of days

No 32MB GBA support .. this is also said to be coming, but is no big deal really since it's only really the double games that are this size, so you can just put them on individually.

Build quality is fine and comes in a nice package. Software, feature wise and presentation wise needs improving, but they are already doing this with roughly an update every 2 days.


... overall I'm very pleased, just get Tony Hawks working EZ-Team and I would be extremely pleased ..even with the current software

 

[AshuraZro]

Great review Dirtie. Almost didn't read it though for one HUGE PROBLEM WITH IT....

Your avatar is addictive.

 

[Euronymous]

Anyone got a list of 256Mbit GBA games?

Also what does this mean:

"No 32MB GBA support .. this is also said to be coming, but is no big deal really since it's only really the double games that are this size, so you can just put them on individually."

Huh? Double games? I don't understand.

 

[Costello]

I think he means that the 256 MBits (=32 MBytes) games are usually the 2-in-1 games...
like Spongebob 2-in-1 games

but I know there are other 256 MBits games

 

[Elrinth]

nice.... now what's really interesting is when ye get the micro sd version of ez4... EZ4 lite that is

It's nice to know Moonshell works!!

 

[Ace Gunman]

Fantastic review. And you know what? The EZ4 has a really pleasing aethstetic quality.

 

[tshu]

It sounds nice. But I really wish it could play 256Mb GBA roms *cough*mother3*cough*.

 

[Ace Gunman]

I for one wouldn't dream of buying a cart without perfect GBA and NDS support (or at the very least, constantly improving NDS support). GBA is a big part of the equation for me.


P.S. - Yaaaaay for Costello's 3000th post~!

 

[Euronymous]

I think he means that the 256 MBits (=32 MBytes) games are usually the 2-in-1 games...
like Spongebob 2-in-1 games

but I know there are other 256 MBits games

Thanks. I think I will just keep my SC SD + EZFA 256 combo, it works just fine.



Also can someone link a list of GBA game sizes so we can see which are 256? Please!

 

[Costello]

QUOTE(GBArms 3.2 - http://gbarts.free.fr)1347 - Minna No Ojisama
1405 - Personal Data Assistant for Gameboy Advance
1426 - Mermaid Melody - Pichi Pichi Picchi Pichi Pichitto Live Start
1473 - The Prince of Tennis 2004 - Stylish Silver
1474 - The Prince of Tennis 2004 - Glorious Gold
1485 - Game Boy Advance Video - SpongeBob Square Pants Volume 1
1486 - Game Boy Advance Video - SpongeBob Square Pants Volume 2
1487 - Game Boy Advance Video - The Fairly Odd Parents! Volume 2
1505 - Game Boy Advance Video - Dora The Explorer Volume 1
1507 - Game Boy Advance Video - Sonic X Volume 1
1515 - Game Boy Advance Video - Strawberry Shortcake Volume 1
1522 - Game Boy Advance Video - The Fairly Odd Parents! Volume 1
1524 - Game Boy Advance Video - All Grown Up Volume 1
1549 - Game Boy Advance Video - Pokémon Volume 2
1550 - Game Boy Advance Video - Pokémon Volume 1
1557 - Game Boy Advance Video - Cartoon Network Collection Volume 1
1558 - Game Boy Advance Video - Codename Kids Next Door Volume 1
1561 - Game Boy Advance Video - Nicktoons Collection Volume 1
1564 - Game Boy Advance Video - The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius Volume 1
1578 - Game Boy Advance Video - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Volume 1
1582 - Game Boy Advance Video - Yu-Gi-Oh! Yugi Vs. Joey Volume 1
1651 - Game Boy Advance Video - Dragon Ball GT Volume 1
1683 - Game Boy Advance Video - Pokémon Volume 3
1684 - Game Boy Advance Video - Pokémon Volume 4
1687 - Game Boy Advance Video - Nicktoons Collection Volume 2
1711 - Game Boy Advance Video - Cartoon Network Collection Volume 2
1733 - Ochainu Kururin
1757 - The Urbz - Sims in the City
1760 - Pferd & Pony - Mein Pferdehof
1764 - Kingdom Hearts - Chain of Memories
1812 - The Urbz - Sims in the City
1814 - Cinnamon - Yume no Daibouken
1828 - Kingdom Hearts - Chain of Memories
1947 - Maya the Bee - Sweet Gold
1964 - Game Boy Advance Video - SpongeBob Square Pants Volume 3
1965 - Game Boy Advance Video - Cartoon Network Collection - Platinium Edition
1966 - Game Boy Advance Video - Disney Channel Collection Volume 1
1968 - Game Boy Advance Video - Super Robot Monkey Team Volume 1
1988 - Game Boy Advance Video - Proud Family Volume 1
1989 - Kingdom Hearts - Chain of Memories
1995 - Game Boy Advance Video - Cartoon Network Collection - Limited Edition
2033 - Konchu Ouja Mushiking
2039 - Riviera - The Promised Land
2060 - Bleach Advance
2080 - Steel Empire
2099 - (2 Games in 1) - Spider-Man + Spider-Man 2
2120 - Wagamama Fairy Mirumo De Pon! - Dokidoki Memorial Panic
2175 - Yu-Gi-Oh! - Duel Monsters GX - Mezase Duel King!
2177 - Horse & Pony - Let`s Ride 2
2182 - Game Boy Advance Video - Cartoon Network Collection - Special Edition
2186 - (2 Games in 1) - Crash & Spyro Super Pack Volume 3
2196 - (2 Games in 1) - Crash Super Pack
2205 - The Sims 2
2215 - Fire Emblem - The Sacred Stones
2223 - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
2227 - (2 Games in 1) - Sonic - Pinball Party + Battle
2228 - (2 Games in 1) - Sonic - Advance + Battle
2239 - Pokémon Fushigi no Dungeon Aka no Kyuujotai
2257 - Shamu's Deep Sea Adventures
2273 - Summon Night Craft Sword Monogatari Hajimari no Ishi
2302 - Yu-Gi-Oh! - GX Duel Acadamy
2311 - (2 Games in 1) - Cartoon Network - Block Party + Speedway
2322 - Yu-Gi-Oh! - Duel Monsters Expert 2006
2325 - (2 Games in 1) - Disney Sports - Football + Skateboarding
2341 - (2 Games in 1) - Yu-Gi-Oh! - The Sacred Cards + Reshef of Destruction
2343 - Yu-Gi-Oh! - Ultimate Masters - World Championship Tournament 2006
2346 - Yu-Gi-Oh! - Ultimate Masters Editon - World Championship Tournament 2006
2348 - Yggdra Union
2367 - Crayon Shin-Chan - Densetsu wo Yobu Omake no Miyako Shockgaan
2377 - Mother 3
2393 - Game Boy Advance Video - Cartoon Network Collection - Edition Premium
2400 - (2 Games in 1) - Sonic - Pinball Party + Battle
2401 - (2 Games in 1) - Sonic - Advance + Battle

here you are!

 

[Hanafuda]

nice.... now what's really interesting is when ye get the micro sd version of ez4... EZ4 lite that is

If EZFlash does release that microSD "Lite" cart, M3 and SC are gonna answer right back with their own microSD versions. Theyre not gonna do anything unless EZflash moves first, cuz the M3miniSD and SCminiSD are selling like hotcakes. But when EZ officially announces that "Lite" model, M3 and SC will turn the lights back on in the R&D department and the consumer wins again. YAY!

 

[meangreenie]

A lot of people seem to be assuming the EZ 4 will never run 256MB GBA games. It will probably be less than a month for 256mb support to be added.

The EZ4 is technically just as capable as the EZ3 when running GBA games, just because the beta software doesn't support it yet means diddly squat.

I'd be more worried about the 4 or 5 DS games that don't run yet ..especially Tony Hawks, I'd love to see that running perfect on the EZ4

 

[FAST6191]

Nice review, a bit harsh on the lack or RTC (I hate pokemon by the way so it's "loss" (it can be patched ) is nothing to worry about).

Edit: 256 GBA games apparently work the same way the EZ3 does: http://www.sosuke.com/ezflash/viewtopic.php?t=883
for those to lazy to follow the link (it is actually the discussion of this very topic):

As for a list of 256mbit GBA titles (Costello's list seems to have included a few overdumps):

A copy and paste from: http://www.retrocovers.com/advanscene/ (click advanced search select gba release list, select search for: size and type 256 in the box on the right hand side, hit search and you are away), or if you use Offline list you should just be able to select it in a box.

2375 Double Pack - Sonic Battle + Sonic Advance Plus Japan Flash v133 - 512 kbit 256 Mbit
2374 Double Pack - Sonic Pinball Party + Sonic Battle Japan Flash v133 - 512 kbit 256 Mbit
2367 GBA Video - Cartoon Network Collection - Edition Premium France None 256 Mbit
2351 Mother 3 Japan Flash v131 - 512 kbit 256 Mbit
2341 Crayon Shin chan - Densetsu wo Yobu Omake no Miyako Shockgaan Japan Eeprom v126 - 64 kbit 256 Mbit
2322 Yggdra Union Japan Eeprom v126 - 64 kbit 256 Mbit
2320 Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters 2006 Europe Sram v103 - 256 kbit 256 Mbit
2317 Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters 2006 USA Sram v103 - 256 kbit 256 Mbit
2315 Yu-Gi-Oh! Double Pack Europe Sram v102 - 256 kbit 256 Mbit
2299 2 Disney Games - Disney Sports Skateboarding + Football Europe Sram v113 - 256 kbit 256 Mbit
2296 Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Expert 2006 Japan Sram v103 - 256 kbit 256 Mbit
2286 Double Game - Cartoon Network Block Party + Speedway Europe None 256 Mbit
2277 Yu-Gi-Oh! GX - Duel Academy USA Sram v113 - 256 kbit 256 Mbit
2249 Summon Night Craft Sword Monogatari - Hajimari no Ishi Japan Eeprom v126 - 64 kbit 256 Mbit
2233 Shamu's Deep Sea Adventures USA Eeprom v126 - 4 kbit 256 Mbit
2215 Pokemon Fushigi no Dungeon - Aka no Kyuujotai Japan Flash v131 - 512kbit 256 Mbit
2205 2 Games in 1 - Sonic Advance + Sonic Battle Europe Flash v133 - 512kbit 256 Mbit
2204 2 Games in 1 - Sonic Pinpall + Sonic Battle Europe Flash v133 - 512kbit 256 Mbit
2200 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire USA Eeprom v126 - 4 kbit 256 Mbit
2193 Fire Emblem - The Sacred Stones Europe Sram v103 - 256 kbit 256 Mbit
2183 The Sims 2 USA Flash v131 - 512kbit 256 Mbit
2174 Crash Superpack - N-Tranced + Nitro Kart USA Eeprom v122 - 64 kbit 256 Mbit
2164 Crash & Spyro - Super Pack Volume 3 Europe Eeprom v126 - 64 kbit 256 Mbit
2160 GBA Video - Cartoon Network Collection - Special Edition USA None 256 Mbit
2155 Horse & Pony - Let`s Ride 2 Europe Eeprom v124 - 64 kbit 256 Mbit
2153 Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Gx - Mezase Duel King! Japan Sram v113 - 256 kbit 256 Mbit
2099 Wagamama - Fairy Milmo de Pon! DokiDoki Memorial Japan Sram v113 - 256 kbit 256 Mbit
2078 2 Games in 1 - Spider-Man + Spider-Man 2 Europe Eeprom v125 - 4 kbit 256 Mbit
2059 Steel Empire Europe Eeprom v124 - 4 kbit 256 Mbit
2042 Bleach Advance Japan Flash v131 - 512kbit 256 Mbit
2018 Riviera - The Promised Land USA Sram v103 - 256 kbit 256 Mbit
2012 Kouchu Ouja - Mushi King Japan Sram v113 - 256 kbit 256 Mbit
1974 GBA Video - Cartoon Network Collection - Limited Edition USA None 256 Mbit
1968 Kingdom Hearts - Chain of Memories Europe Sram v103 - 256 kbit 256 Mbit
1967 GBA Video - The Proud Family - Volume 1 USA None 256 Mbit
1948 GBA Video - Super Robot Monkey Team - Volume 1 USA None 256 Mbit
1946 GBA Video - Disney Channel Collection - Volume 1 USA None 256 Mbit
1945 GBA Video - Cartoon Network Collection - Platinum Edition USA None 256 Mbit
1944 GBA Video - Spongebob Squarepants - Volume 3 USA None 256 Mbit
1926 Maya The Bee - Sweet Gold Europe Eeprom v124 - 4 kbit 256 Mbit
1806 Kingdom Hearts - Chain of Memories USA Sram v103 - 256 kbit 256 Mbit
1792 Cinnamon - Yume no Daibouken Japan Eeprom v124 - 4 kbit 256 Mbit
1790 The Urbz - Sims in the City Japan Flash v131 - 512kbit 256 Mbit
1743 Kingdom Hearts - Chain of Memories Japan Sram v103 - 256 kbit 256 Mbit
1738 Pferd & Pony - Mein Pferdehof Europe Eeprom v124 - 64 kbit 256 Mbit
1735 The Urbz - Sims in the City USA Flash v131 - 512kbit 256 Mbit
1711 Ochainuken Kururin Japan Eeprom v124 - 64 kbit 256 Mbit
1690 GBA Video - Cartoon Network Collection - Volume 2 USA None 256 Mbit
1668 GBA Video - Nicktoons Collection - Volume 2 USA None 256 Mbit
1665 GBA Video - Pokemon - Volume 4 USA None 256 Mbit
1664 GBA Video - Pokemon - Volume 3 USA None 256 Mbit
1632 GBA Video - Dragon Ball GT - Volume 1 USA None 256 Mbit
1564 GBA Video - Yu-Gi-Oh! - Yugi vs. Joey - Volume 1 USA None 256 Mbit
1560 GBA Video - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Volume 1 USA None 256 Mbit
1546 GBA Video - The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius - Volume 1 USA None 256 Mbit
1543 GBA Video - Nicktoon's Collection - Volume 1 USA None 256 Mbit
1540 GBA Video - Codename Kids Next Door - Volume 1 USA None 256 Mbit
1539 GBA Video - Cartoon Network Collection - Volume 1 USA None 256 Mbit
1532 GBA Video - Pokemon - Volume 1 USA None 256 Mbit
1531 GBA Video - Pokemon - Volume 2 USA None 256 Mbit
1506 GBA Video - All Grown Up - Volume 1 USA None 256 Mbit
1504 GBA Video - The Fairly OddParents - Volume 1 USA None 256 Mbit
1497 GBA Video - Strawberry Shortcake - Volume 1 USA None 256 Mbit
1489 GBA Video - Sonic X - Volume 1 USA None 256 Mbit
1487 GBA Video - Dora the Explorer - Volume 1 USA None 256 Mbit
1469 GBA Video - The Fairly OddParents - Volume 2 USA None 256 Mbit
1468 GBA Video - Spongebob Squarepants - Volume 2 USA None 256 Mbit
1467 GBA Video - Spongebob Squarepants - Volume 1 USA None 256 Mbit
1467 GBA Video - Spongebob Squarepants - Volume 1 USA None 256 Mbit
1456 Tennis no Oji-Sama 2004 - Glorious Gold Japan Sram v103 - 256 kbit 256 Mbit
1456 Tennis no Ouji-Sama 2004 - Glorious Gold Japan Sram v103 - 256 kbit 256 Mbit
1455 Tennis no Oji-Sama 2004 - Stylish Silver Japan Sram v103 - 256 kbit 256 Mbit
1455 Tennis no Ouji-Sama 2004 - Stylish Silver Japan Sram v103 - 256 kbit 256 Mbit
1408 Mermaid Melody - Pichi Pichi Picchi Pichi Pichitto Live Start Japan Sram v112 - 256 kbit 256 Mbit
1330 Minna no Ojisama Japan Sram v103 - 256 kbit 256 Mbit