Help with *maybe* buying a MK1

[Scor]

I'm thinking about a MK1 (I believe it's a MK1, not sure) via the internet secondhand, but I'm wondering about the pro's and contra's of the MK1, since I don't want to buy something I'll regret lateron and spent a lot of money on .

So here's the add I found with picture links:

"Neoflash 1Gg kit for the nintendo DS (but also for the GBA (sp) and Micro)

Get the most out of your DS


PAckage including:
1Gb cartridge
magic key 1
usb slimloader
usb extention cable
cd-rom with software (regular updates online)

-Suitable for: GBA/GBA SP/NDS consoles;
-Direct support for GB, GBA and NDS roms;
-Direct support domcument *.txt/*.html/*htm files;
-Direct support for foto display of *jpeg/*.gif/*.bmp/*.png files;
-On-bpard emulator directly supporting NES/Sega gameGear/PC-engine games;"

http://www.simonvandeberg.be/pictures-t/neoflash/39388832.jpg
http://www.simonvandeberg.be/pictures-t/neoflash/39388836.jpg
http://www.simonvandeberg.be/pictures-t/neoflash/39388839.jpg

So please tell me the pro's and con's of this kit Thanks!

btw, will it play f.e. ScummVM with saving?

[sven]

i don't know about the mk1 but i should buy a mk3 if i where you, i dont know how much this thing cost
but i can say that it overwrite's your savegames on the ds cart you have to insert on top and i thought you couldn't use a sd cart and only a limited amount of old games

nut i am not sure though

i would buy a mk3 2006 kit unless you want to play gba games

[bruceg]

Yeah, if you have decided to purchase a neoflash product, go with mk2 or mk3 (mk3 is better since it has the internal flash to run roms at full speed w/ higher compatibility levels).  With mk2, you are stuck running roms from the SD card, where compatibility is much lower, and there are excessive loading times currently (unless you have a neo/xg flashcart to flash the roms to....)

BruceG

[d-loader]

However, Ive been using the MK2 for a good long while now, and the compatability is IMO all fine  .. popular games, such as Mario Kart DS, and Phoenix Wright loads and plays all fine 

If you're going for the MK1, you're stuck with the old GST patcher.. and it isn't updated anymore 

[cory1492]

Scor: MK1 is essentially a passme that will allow you to run homebrew from the GBA cart. You can install a DS firmware update with passme that eliminates the need for it, but without a passme type device you will not be able to run homebrew. Also, just so you know, most of the new DS's do not work with passme/MK1/2/3.

To test your DS to see if you need a passme2 instead see here:
http://www.neoflash.com/forum/index.php/topic,1565.msg8411.html#msg8411

Note that there is curerntly speculation about a V6 firmware that may require passme2, that turns the pictochat test dark blue wrather than sort of blue.

[q_armando]

If the menu gets better, and loading speed increases then MK2 would be almost as good as an MK3, because by then, most games will run at full speed from the SD card.
Honestly, the feature of the internal memory of the MK3 is over estimated IMHO, in fact I never use it.
With 256 Mb(my version at least) it's not enough to run some games(64MB and over) and even if I flash something smaller into it, it takes a long time to burn.
Certanly compatibility is improved a lot then, bu then again I'd rather see faster reading times from the SD card to run games directly.

[bruceg]

However, Ive been using the MK2 for a good long while now, and the compatability is IMO all fine  .. popular games, such as Mario Kart DS, and Phoenix Wright loads and plays all fine 

If you're going for the MK1, you're stuck with the old GST patcher.. and it isn't updated anymore 

The last time we tested (350 commercial roms), around 50% of them would not boot, or would boot and then crash.  But the other half seemed to be generally working ok (some with really long load times, though)

My point is that many individuals are impatient and want to play all the commercial roms out there, right at this moment.  So for THOSE people, mk3 (512 Mb) or 1024 Mb whenever that comes out, is the preferred option (since roms run at full speed with higher compatibility levels), or even supercard or M3, since they run almost everything out there....

If you don't mind waiting for the SD card issues to be resolved, then that would be the optimal solution (I just don't think it's going to be happening in the immediate future).  And there is always the possibilty that the situation may never be resolved 100% (depending on the constraints imposed by the hardware)

BruceG

[Scor]

Wel, I have decided not to buy the bit of kit, Thanks for all your replys .
I'm doubting buying this MK3:
http://www.mrmodchips.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?ref=20&products_id=376&affiliate_banner_id=1
But thats more or less in the long run...

I also noticed this bit of kit:
http://www.ninjads.com/
But it feels so.......Scammy .

Also, since I've got a GBAMP, I've been looking into getting that thing to run Roms, but I have to little experiance in the DS hardware, that I'm finding it very hard.
I do know how Chism did it (making the firmware patching the roms to redirect all DS-slot reads to the CF), but since I have no idea (yet) how an official game works I have no way of writing a patch myself . Maybe anyone can help?

*btw, I can run homebrew and etc. (I've got firmware version V2, so I'm wifimeing via the Nintendo USB stick ).

[d-loader]

I'd say, get either an MK3 2006, or wait for the MK4 .. you might want to keep sniffing around here, to check what the latest menu upgrade features 

As for NinjaDS.. to me, it looks more or less like a hoax 

[Scor]

What's the MK4 gonna be like?
I also have no idea where to get it (I live in Holland) :s.

slightly different note,
I was wondering, what the M3 software does to a ROM (clean dump) to make it work from the M3.
Does it only patches it so that all DScard reads will be redirected to the CF (and perhaps let it save to sram of the GBA-card)?

[boblen]

yer the M3 saves tio the GBA. They made there own so all games work.
Shipping shouldent be a problam most shops can ship worldwide.