Flash card for Gameboy Macro (NDS Lite)

[duffman2k]

I have a broken NDS Lite and want to make a Gameboy Macro, and the post I find are quite old and I wonder what flashcard to get.
I see Everdrive have a flashcard that will flush with Ds lite in the hva slot, but I don't see the advantage over getting a flashcard that fits in the cheaper flashcard that fit in slot 1.

 

[ryba]

so,what's the point?
if you're using GBA slot + GBA flashcart, your DS will run only in GBA mode, so same as stock GBA. So, You'lll be able to play GBA, GBC, GB and NES games (if your flashcart supports it through emulation)
I think this way you'll get more GBA games compatibility, also this depends on your flashcart.
if you're using DS slot + DS flashcart, you'd be better to install Twilightmenu++ cause you can enable Macro mode here and run NDS, DSiWare, GBA, GBC, GB, NES, SNES (well, not all of them), PCE, NeoGeo, ScummVM, (well.. few other system) games. IF dedicated emulator have Macro mode support.
I'm not familiar with Macro mode, so, dunno about NDS/DSiWare games that uses mostly only one screen, so... hard to judge.
other systems use it's own emulators (e.g. GBArunner2 for GBA games - there is games compatibility list so,check that)

 

[duffman2k]

Thanks that clears up some. Are there any recommendations on what flashcard that supports Twilightmenu++ to get. I see r4 is mentioned online on old post, but I believe they are discontinued and only fakes are left?
Have anyone tried the Everdrive for NDS Lite and can tell if it is worth it?

 

[ryba]

I have only R4 clones ad it works OK. the're rather cheap. Also I have Everdrive GBAX5, but I think I didn't tried it on DS, cause I didn't bother. Using it only on GBA SP. I just use R4s od DSs... So..
I don't see any NDS dedicated cart on Krikzz's web, so as I said, DS with GBA cart works just as regular GBA (without serial port for multiplayer...)

 

[duffman2k]

Found this video that is pretty up to date. Ez flash have a card that fit NDS Lite, not Everdrive as I incorrectly remember.
Apparently the DS is not good at emulating GBA, so using GBA flash allows to make use of the GBA hardware.
How is your experience with GBA emulating via r4?

 

[ryba]

Yes, EZ flash Omega.
So about GBA emulation, there's whole long thread about GBARunner2, so check that out.
I'm not a big GBA player, so.. It really depends on games you'd like to play.
What do you want to play?
And def. Check the compatibility list..
https://wiki.gbatemp.net/wiki/GBARunner2
anyone else want to share their experience?

 

[duffman2k]

I would like to play Metroid, Mario kart and Zelda. #basicbeach
Guess I can try a cheap r4 and just use it for my DS/DS lite if I'm not happy.

 

[ryba]

Yeah. Try that. In lots of GBA games I came across US version doesn't run, but EU version works. This is the case of Metroids too. I didn't play Zelda, Also not a big Metroid player, but I tried it now and EU version works (there are probably some glitches mentioned in compatibily list...). It seem OK and playable. For a MarioKart, I played DS version more. GBA has some graphical glitches in background, But It's OK for me and playable.

 

[duffman2k]

Thanks a lot will update when I get to try it.

 

[duffman2k]

Kind of forgot about updating. Got a cheap r4 clone and it works quite good in the Micro. Running Twilight menu++ and gb, gba and Nes are working allright. A bit annoying to get everything running on the button screen, have to use my ds lite to change all settings to bottom screen then plug it into the Macro.
Kind of hoped there was a version of that could fix this, but again its a super niche product and changing all the emulators and menus would be a big ask.
Pics of end result.
Purple front fra Boxy Pixel, grey front and r/l bottons and white back

 

[Jayro]

I can't really explain it, but GBC seems to feel "better" when run from Slot 1 (GameYob) versus Slot 2 (GoombaColor). Maybe the emulator is better optimized, maybe it's the beefier hardware, I dunno. It doesn't feel as sluggish with the "heavy" GBC games for me, like Shantae. Neither emulator can get the sampling sounds right though, Pikachu's cries in Yellow and Pinball both come out sounding horrific.

Post automatically merged: Feb 19, 2024

Kind of forgot about updating. Got a cheap r4 clone and it works quite good in the Micro. Running Twilight menu++ and gb, gba and Nes are working allright. A bit annoying to get everything running on the button screen, have to use my ds lite to change all settings to bottom screen then plug it into the Macro.
Kind of hoped there was a version of that could fix this, but again its a super niche product and changing all the emulators and menus would be a big ask.
Pics of end result.
Purple front fra Boxy Pixel, grey front and r/l bottons and white back

One more thing you may want to attempt is installing FlashME v8 on it, but it requires the use of the X button that you no longer have. so taking the system apart is going to be essential for getting that done. I've avoided doing it myself on mine because of what a chore it will be.

 

[SylverReZ]

One more thing you may want to attempt is installing FlashME v8 on it, but it requires the use of the X button that you no longer have. so taking the system apart is going to be essential for getting that done. I've avoided doing it myself on mine because of what a chore it will be.

I recommend getting the stealth version if you want to retain the H&S and menu screens, always be sure to backup your stock firmware in case you want to restore it. If you want to get into PassMe, then you need to hold down a button combo when powering on the system.

Instructions: http://web.archive.org/web/20071027234341/http://home.comcast.net/~olimar/flashme/
Download: https://www.gamebrew.org/wiki/FlashMe

 

[duffman2k]

Just to make sure. The benefit of FlashMe is to automatically boot to gba if a cartridge is detected?

 

[Jayro]

I recommend getting the stealth version if you want to retain the H&S and menu screens, always be sure to backup your stock firmware in case you want to restore it. If you want to get into PassMe, then you need to hold down a button combo when powering on the system.

Instructions: http://web.archive.org/web/20071027234341/http://home.comcast.net/~olimar/flashme/
Download: https://www.gamebrew.org/wiki/FlashMe

Getting rid of the annoying H&S screen is the main selling point and benefit of FlashMe for me, but the autoboot is nice too.

 

[duffman2k]

Getting rid of the annoying H&S screen is the main selling point and benefit of FlashMe for me, but the autoboot is nice too.

I autoboot to twilight menu. But will definitely look into

 

[SylverReZ]

Just to make sure. The benefit of FlashMe is to automatically boot to gba if a cartridge is detected?

Main goal of FlashMe is to boot GBA flashcarts into DS-mode to enable you to play DS ROMs from slot-2.

 

[duffman2k]

Have anyone made a custom startup gif in twilight menu for Gameboy Macro? Would be awesome to get a gba like intro saying Gameboy Macro

 

[JuanMena]

Kind of forgot about updating. Got a cheap r4 clone and it works quite good in the Micro. Running Twilight menu++ and gb, gba and Nes are working allright. A bit annoying to get everything running on the button screen, have to use my ds lite to change all settings to bottom screen then plug it into the Macro.
Kind of hoped there was a version of that could fix this, but again its a super niche product and changing all the emulators and menus would be a big ask.
Pics of end result.
Purple front fra Boxy Pixel, grey front and r/l bottons and white back

No 4-button gang?

 

[Jayro]

No 4-button gang?

Sadly, Boxy Pixel omits X and Y, so you can't even install FlashMe after it's built.

 

[duffman2k]

Also found a cool little feature with twilight menu. If you have ds Rumble Pack it will rumble when moving in the menu