[GUIDE/INFO] Flash Carts, ODE, and more!

[nightrnr]

Edited a portion of the PSIO info (it's not an ODE by strictest definitions).

Interested in the Jaguar cart. I have most of what I want on that system, but Jagosaurus has a point about the homebrew. Towers II, I've settled on the Windows port. Atari Karts, I've decided I'm not missing much (still curious, I suppose).

[Anapan]

For my friend's Rhea, we had a great time of watching original commercials on youtube while burning and then dumping various random disc image backup formats to fully compatible CDI format for dump to his Micro-SD, then taking turns trying to shatter the CDs on the floor. His Rhea is approaching full with games neither of us has had much experience with but want to try, and we had a good time playing some great obscure games the last time I was at his apartment. I'm looking forward to the VCD card mod - I still regularly play discs with the mod chip - my Saturn's hardware is tenacious, but I'd like to give it a break.

[Sarge]

I thought about snagging a Phoebe when my modchip died, but he didn't have them for sale at the time, so I re-chipped instead. I'm thinking about that other Saturn ISO loader when it hits the market, hopefully it'll be pretty reasonable on price.

[Ziggy]

^ The one that plugs into the expansion slot? That thing should be pretty cheap. It's a small PCB with minimal components. I'm hoping he'll offer it with and without a plastic case, since you wont require one if you leave it permanently installed, and it'll be cheaper without.

[Sarge]

Yep, that's the one. I was impressed by the video posted elsewhere here.

[jmbarnes101]

The ED-GBA arrived in my mailbox today but I won't have time to play with it until after I move. Happy dance!!!

[CRTGAMER]

The Atari 5200 Ultimate SD (from Atarimax)

http://atarimax.com/5200sd/documentation/index.html

Price: $129.95

Pros:
• Games are stored on removable storage (SD)
• OS/firmware can be updated via SD card
• Includes ready to use SD card
• Well made menu system
• Games load fast (near instant)
• Lifetime warranty

Cons:
• ???

Just like the Harmony cart above, as far as I can tell, the 5200 Ultimate SD has no competition. When looking for 5200 flash carts, I became aware of a few others but it is unclear to me if they're still available for purchase. And even if they were, they would be completely out shined by the Ultimate SD.

The 5200 Ultimate SD seems to work like any recent flash cart. Put some ROMs on an SD card, put the SD cart in the flash cart and play. OS and firmware can be updated from the SD card.

The menus look fantastic. Seriously, check out the video in the link. I think other flash cart developers should take a note from this guy. There's an options page that looks like it has some useful things. There's an options screen where you can customize the look of the menu some (like sounds and color) and turn on/of several of the flash cart's features. Files will be auto sorted alphabetically. A lot of flash carts for older consoles are designed in a way that makes auto sorting not feasible. It's much appreciated that this cart was designed in a way that allows for a nice menu system with auto file sorting.

The price tag might be toward the higher end of what we're use to paying for flash carts these days, but considering the features of this cart, it looks like it would be money well spent. It's definitely well designed. And while I haven't ever examined one in person, I would assume that it's well made since it boasts a life time replacement warranty. If the cart ever stops working (with the exception of misuse) you can have it repaired or replaced at no cost.

As an owner of a 4 port 5200 since bought brand new, I had watched the Atari Flash Cart 128 USB and SD over the years. Held off due to the cost and already owning most of the 5200 titles. Finally made the plunge today to try all the Atari 400/800 8 bit computer and Atari XL conversions as well as so many prototype games. Shamus, Beef Drop, Necromancer and many others!

I actually visited the First Star software office and bought the red cart version of Miner 2049er back in the 80s. I was offered a first purchase of the yet to be titled sequel prototype, but passed up on it back then. Might have met Bill Hogue in person and not even know it! Oh so foolish, the game today rare and very pricey, but now can be played with the SD version of Atarimax on the real 5200 console.

[IrishNinja]

^ that's actually really cool! been meaning to see if the 400 had one of those

[ApolloBoy]

^ that's actually really cool! been meaning to see if the 400 had one of those

That's only for the 5200, not the Atari 8-bit line. There's one for the XL/XE computers called the MyIDE II and there are a couple of SD-based carts for the A8s as well.

[jmbarnes101]

Hmm... I just picked up an Atari 5200. I should look into this.