DS hacking

[Niode]

The DSTT is probably the best card available and it's also the cheapest. It's a very good card and accepts Micro SDHC (I'm using an 8GB micro SDHC with mine and have room for plenty of roms both GBA and NDS).

I have an EZFlash 3-in-1 expansion slot. Unfortunately it doesn't work with Ysmenu's GBA loading capability and I have to use the latest version GBA EXPLoader to load my roms onto the expansion pack. It's not that big a deal really. It's no more inconvenient than loading a rom in an emulator.

I think the EZflash V is the only one that supports the current version of the EZflash 3-in-1 expansion pack natively.

[Hatta]

I have an EZFlash 3-in-1 expansion slot. Unfortunately it doesn't work with Ysmenu's GBA loading capability and I have to use the latest version GBA EXPLoader to load my roms onto the expansion pack.

Crap, I just ordered the 3-in-1 expecting it would work with YSMenu. A little googling tells me that older 3-in-1 carts worked with YSMenu, but the new 3-in-1+ doesn't yet. Maybe it will just be a while before a new firmware is published that works with this configuration.

Edit: Oh here's a question. Does the speed of the micro SDHC card have any effect on gameplay? Is the difference between a Class 2 and Class 6 card noticable? I'm guessing that 2MB/s (Class 2) is sufficient to load a NDS rom(max 128mb?) without any waiting. Of course, filling up an 8 gig card at 2 meg/sec would take over an hour, if you do it all at once.

[MrPopo]

I don't believe the transfer rate of the SD card should matter much, since there's also the issue of the transfer rate between the flash card and the DS, which is likely more of the limiting factor.

I myself use an EZ-Flash Vi, since it works on my DSi.

[Mozgus]

I have an EZFlash 3-in-1 expansion slot. Unfortunately it doesn't work with Ysmenu's GBA loading capability and I have to use the latest version GBA EXPLoader to load my roms onto the expansion pack.

Crap, I just ordered the 3-in-1 expecting it would work with YSMenu. A little googling tells me that older 3-in-1 carts worked with YSMenu, but the new 3-in-1+ doesn't yet. Maybe it will just be a while before a new firmware is published that works with this configuration.

Edit: Oh here's a question. Does the speed of the micro SDHC card have any effect on gameplay? Is the difference between a Class 2 and Class 6 card noticable? I'm guessing that 2MB/s (Class 2) is sufficient to load a NDS rom(max 128mb?) without any waiting. Of course, filling up an 8 gig card at 2 meg/sec would take over an hour, if you do it all at once.

I just wanna throw my word in that my 3-in-1 works fine with YSMenu and GBA EXPLoader.

[RCBH928]

well I am looking for advice and you are using a lot of terminology that is confusing me.
What ever is reliable and easy to work I will buy as long as it is reasonable in price(<$100).

Now should I get the Flash V or DSTT or R4
am really confused , and I have been thinking of a DS for such a long time and I am not sure if I should get one specially that I already 360, 64, Wii/GC , Dreamcast not to mention PC emulation for PSX and DOS games that I have enough time for so much gaming even for some one that does not work or study like me(I am sure a lot of you are envying me right now).

[Hatta]

Ok here's the deal:

R4 - not recommended as they're all knockoffs these days

DSTT - cheap, functional, and still being developed

EZflash V - only slightly more expensive than the DSTT. This should work with the EZFlash 3-in-1 (for GBA games) out of the box. So it should be a little easier to use than the DSTT.

CycloDS - top of the line, look to spend ~$50. Has advanced features like in game saves (like save state on an emulator). Not sure it's worth the premium, but some swear by it.

So that's the run down. I haven't used the EZFlash V, but if you want to play GBA games too, you'll need an EZFlash 3-in-1 card too, and it should work best with the EZFlash V.

Seek out a DS Lite. It's the best. Smaller console and better screens than the first DS, and the DSi doesn't do GBA. So IMO the DS Lite is the sweet spot.

I know how you feel being overwhelmed with games, but I still recommend getting a DS. I have a huge backlog as well, but I've been playing the DS non stop since I got it. The portability is really convenient, and the battery life is awesome. There's a whole bunch of neo-retro games for the DS that anyone on this site would like. Sonic Rush, Castlevania, Space Invaders Extreme (Best space invaders title in 30 years!), Mario Kart DS, it goes on and on. Get a DS, you won't regret it.

[RCBH928]

Thanx a lot Hatta for clearing things up...

what is save state? Does that means I can't save using DTTS?

[MrPopo]

Thanx a lot Hatta for clearing things up...

what is save state? Does that means I can't save using DTTS?

No no, every flash card lets you save through the game's standard interface. However, some flash cards let you save the current state of the game (like how emulators offer) giving you effectively a save anywhere feature.

[Niode]

From researching my incompatibility issues with the 3-in-1 I've found that the new 3-in-1+ doesn't work natively with the EZFlash V either. You still have to use GBA EXPLoader for it to work, which is kinda odd considering it's made by the same company. Unless they have recently released an update that fixes the issue recently I don't think it works.

[eSPy]

i got an Edge myself and ive found it to be pretty great. never had any real issues with it and it runs everything without the need to patch. ive also got a supercard SD but just use that for GBA at the moment.

as for emulators NES and GB work great and NeoGeo is surprisingly good considering.