Status of Gameboy Color flash cards? Which would you recommend?

[hollo47]

I'm eying an EZ-Flash Jr. but now the first thread I clicked on here (ironically the forum that ezflash links to on its official site) had a reply that the EZ-Flash Jr. "sucks" and one should get an "EDGB" instead.

Now I've done the basic search engine research but it seems like a bit of a rabbit hole. So, to those in here that know, what would you say is the best option as of now (Nov. 2023)?

• What options are there for flash cards that can store a significant amount of ROMs in one cartridge? Do they all use SD-cards? Is there one better than the others?
• Are there different hardware generations for EZ-Flash Jr. and Co.? Can I tell which I'd get when buying online?
• Are there "traps" of getting bad quality clones and ways to avoid that?
• Am I missing a more elegant solution? I know about emulators but want to play on my original Gameboy Color.

Thanks and sorry if I'm asking obvious stuff, this is all a bit new and confusing to me.

EDIT: I ended up buying an Everdrive-GB X7. For details, check out my follow-up post!

 

[Dawn_Chaos]

I have the EZ-Flash Jr. and like it. I had to get the preview firmware for it from a thread here on GBAtemp because it would not work on my Analogue Pocket, and somebody said the preview firmware fixed it. It did fix it, for what it's worth.

However, I am a big fan of cheat codes and that alone means your only viable option is the Everdrive GB X7.

In response to your fears of getting clones, just buy from Stone Age Gamer and/or Retro Game Repair Shop and you won't have any trouble. I risked it and got my EZ-Flash Jr., Omega, and Omega DE from AliExpress, but I made sure to only buy from reputable looking sellers.

 

[hollo47]

Thanks for the quick reply! I decided to do more research into Everdrive and while it is more expensive, I think I'll actually go with the Everdrive GB X7. It's such an obscure gadget to get, I buy stuff like that once every couple of years.

If anyone else is looking into this, my current understanding is that Everdrive is from krikzz, a Ukrainian group/company.

There's also everdrive dot me which is listed on krikzz dot com and I don't quite get why it is a separate site, both seem to be primary sources to buy the product. As I live in Europe, I think it's reasonable to buy from there.

It also has a huge banner saying "Black Friday 20% off 22.11-30.11." which seems like an invitation to wait a week before buying, lol?

 

[RAHelllord]

EverDrive GB X7 and EZ Flash Jr are your only real choices. Both work fine but the ED has a lower power draw. I own both and basically use the ED for my handhelds and the EZ Flash Jr for my stationary consoles (SGB and GB Player). The biggest difference beyond that is that on some Crystal romhacks the Real Time Clock is more reliable on the ED.

And yeah, Krikzz operates both Krikzz.com and everdrive.me, no idea why but they're both legit. He's also a good dude so you can trust that the sale will actually be a sale, feel free to wait or grab the special Christmas version that should go up soon as well (if they haven't already).

If you don't want to wait (delivery to Germany can take up to 6 weeks, for example) there are also other authorized distributors across the globe which you can find at https://krikzz.com/information/distributors.html and which might be closer to you, and thus allow you to have it quicker as a result. Be also aware that you're likely going to have to pay import fees if you're ordering from ukraine.

 

[Dawn_Chaos]

Thanks for the quick reply! I decided to do more research into Everdrive and while it is more expensive, I think I'll actually go with the Everdrive GB X7. It's such an obscure gadget to get, I buy stuff like that once every couple of years.

If anyone else is looking into this, my current understanding is that Everdrive is from krikzz, a Ukrainian group/company.

There's also everdrive dot me which is listed on krikzz dot com and I don't quite get why it is a separate site, both seem to be primary sources to buy the product. As I live in Europe, I think it's reasonable to buy from there.

It also has a huge banner saying "Black Friday 20% off 22.11-30.11." which seems like an invitation to wait a week before buying, lol?

That's interesting if true re: Krikzz being based in Ukraine, it would make me consider buying an X7 finally.

 

[Kwyjor]

I was going to suggest the El Cheapo SD, but it looks like those are all sold out (and it's probably not as good as the Everdrive or EZ-Flash).

Reportedly you can also buy a GBxCart RW and use it to flash individual games to certain cheap AliXpress bootlegs.

 

[RAHelllord]

That's interesting if true re: Krikzz being based in Ukraine, it would make me consider buying an X7 finally.

Krikzz himself had to move out of Ukraine as his hometown (and base of operations) was directly behind the border to Russia. Last I heard the entire manufacturing operation is currently still somewhere in west Ukraine.
But yeah, they ship from and are designed and manufactured in Ukraine.

 

[hippy dave]

If you don't need RTC support, the EDGB clones from AliExpress work great, at least the one I got. Newer versions have a push button to reset to the game selection menu, which is handy.

 

[rantex92]

I'm eying an EZ-Flash Jr. but now the first thread I clicked on here (ironically the forum that ezflash links to on its official site) had a reply that the EZ-Flash Jr. "sucks" and one should get an "EDGB" instead.

Now I've done the basic search engine research but it seems like a bit of a rabbit hole. So, to those in here that know, what would you say is the best option as of now (Nov. 2023)?

• What options are there for flash cards that can store a significant amount of ROMs in one cartridge? Do they all use SD-cards? Is there one better than the others?
• Are there different hardware generations for EZ-Flash Jr. and Co.? Can I tell which I'd get when buying online?
• Are there "traps" of getting bad quality clones and ways to avoid that?
• Am I missing a more elegant solution? I know about emulators but want to play on my original Gameboy Color.

Thanks and sorry if I'm asking obvious stuff, this is all a bit new and confusing to me.

if you cant find a legit seller and your homecountry is rly austria

i could recommend a shop from germany where i got all my everdrives and those are legit krikkz ones

 

[Jayro]

I'm eying an EZ-Flash Jr. but now the first thread I clicked on here (ironically the forum that ezflash links to on its official site) had a reply that the EZ-Flash Jr. "sucks" and one should get an "EDGB" instead.

It was me, and I still stand behind what I said initially. The Jr not only costs more, but the menu system is sluggish, it draws significantly more power, and because of the power draw, it sometimes can't init the SD card on boot for systems that have an IPS screen installed. It's also got RTC problems.

So I recommend getting two flash carts instead: An EDGB for regular games, and an MBC3000 v4 by BennVenn for games that need RTC. Both carts together are STILL significantly cheaper than buying an Everdrive X7. The MBC3000 can also have two separate ROMs installed at the same time, switching between them using dip switches. (The guy really is a genius)

 

[Scarlet]

If you do decide to go with the EverDrive, just be aware there have been revisions of the X7, and that older ones won’t work with the Analogue Pocket. Don’t think it matters if you’re only planning on using it on real hardware though.

 

[RAHelllord]

If you do decide to go with the EverDrive, just be aware there have been revisions of the X7, and that older ones won’t work with the Analogue Pocket. Don’t think it matters if you’re only planning on using it on real hardware though.

For what it's worth most official distributors shouldn't have had those older revisions in stock for over a year now, that's mostly just a concern for used ones.

 

[Deleted member 194275]

The Everdrive X7 and the Ez Flash Jr are the top picks. Both will do what most gamers need.

Now if you want something compatible with pokemon stadium 1 and 2, you will need a writable flashcard like this one https://shop.insidegadgets.com/prod...ibute_flash-size-pcb-colour=2MB+(Matte+Black)

You will also need something to record roms into it, like a gb RW.

 

[hollo47]

Thanks for all the detailed replies!

• Is there a Germany-based distributor you would recommend (I'm from Austria)
• I did some digging and the difference in battery draw seem even more significant than what I expected. EZFlash Jr. +75% vs Everdrive X5 (didn't find numbers for X7) +25% compared to genuine cartridges.
• @Jayro: What is an "EDGB"? I thought the "ED" is short for "Everdrive". Do you have a link or something specific to search for?

 

[Jayro]

Thanks for all the detailed replies!

• Is there a Germany-based distributor you would recommend (I'm from Austria)
• I did some digging and the difference in battery draw seem even more significant than what I expected. EZFlash Jr. +75% vs Everdrive X5 (didn't find numbers for X7) +25% compared to genuine cartridges.
• @Jayro: What is an "EDGB"? I thought the "ED" is short for "Everdrive". Do you have a link or something specific to search for?

If you go on AliExpress you'll find it, it's about $25 USD and it's an EverDrive X3 clone.

 

[ghjfdtg]

They are not clones of the X3. They are clones of the Everdrive GB before the X3. Hence why there are 2 different firmwares here and the clones will use the old one:
https://krikzz.com/pub/support/everdrive-gb/

 

[rantex92]

Thanks for all the detailed replies!

• Is there a Germany-based distributor you would recommend (I'm from Austria)
• I did some digging and the difference in battery draw seem even more significant than what I expected. EZFlash Jr. +75% vs Everdrive X5 (didn't find numbers for X7) +25% compared to genuine cartridges.
• @Jayro: What is an "EDGB"? I thought the "ED" is short for "Everdrive". Do you have a link or something specific to search for?

here they would sent to austria too

dragonbox.de

and gbx7 rev C are in stock

 

[NoRezervationz]

I quite enjoy and recommend the EZ-Flash Jr. It works very well with the Analogue Pocket, but without the extra large price tag. I'm quite impressed.

 

[hollo47]

here they would sent to austria too

dragonbox.de

and gbx7 rev C are in stock

Thanks for the link! Price seems to be significantly higher, though. Not sure what import fees would be but if the official site really does a black friday deal it should still be like 40% cheaper and I can wait 5 weeks for shipping, that's alright.

 

[lostupi]

I have the EZ-Flash Jr. and like it. I had to get the preview firmware for it from a thread here on GBAtemp because it would not work on my Analogue Pocket, and somebody said the preview firmware fixed it. It did fix it, for what it's worth.

However, I am a big fan of cheat codes and that alone means your only viable option is the Everdrive GB X7.

In response to your fears of getting clones, just buy from Stone Age Gamer and/or Retro Game Repair Shop and you won't have any trouble. I risked it and got my EZ-Flash Jr., Omega, and Omega DE from AliExpress, but I made sure to only buy from reputable looking sellers.

Do you know where I can find the preview version that you are mention? So far I had no luck