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

[Ziggy587]

The Super SD System 3 just got a firmware update! It makes the menu easier to navigate, and includes an easier to read font. There are other improvements as well.

[Anapan]

I was upgrading firmwares on my flash carts, and noticed that EZ-Flash have released two competing products the the Everdrive gameboy lineup. There's an EZ-Flash Omega, and an EZ-Flash Junior for the GBA and GBC respectively. Reading reviews, the price is about 1/2 of the Everdrive products, while the build quality and features are comparable. RTC, instant load, Emulators built into the firmware of the GBA cart are all present. The Omega supports save state, and it fits flush. Custom firmware for the Omega allows Pogoshell which unlocks plugins for playing many more emulated rom types, and viewers for common pc file formats. Given those details, it looks like the Everdrive GBA takes second place.
I'm debating buying it because I already have an EZ-Flash IV for GBA as well. That's all I really need for playing link-cable games with two GC GBA Players.

[Ziggy587]

Huh, I didn't realize the EZ Flash was still making products. I'll have to add them to the first post. Thanks for sharing!

[bmoc]

The Satiator got a new firmware update recently. X-Men Children of the Atom and X-Men vs Street Fighter are both working on firmware 153 along with some Sega Ages games that weren't working previously. Marvel Super Heroes vs Street Fighter still crashes but a fix is in the works according to the changelog at https://info.satiator.net/firmware/

[Anapan]

Still debating about getting the EZ Flash Omega, when I read that there's a new version of it: EZ Flash Omega Definitive Edition. It doesn't fit flush, but has a lot more powerful features. They intend for it to sell along with the regular Omega edition, as a higher-tier solution at almost double the price.
Some links with in-depth information on the Definitive Edition:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Gameboy/commen ... ash_omega/
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... edit#gid=0
Also, forgot to mention last time, there's an Everdrive X5 Mini that does fit flush in a GBA slot.

[Jagosaurus]

So... I have a few 2021 projects in mind. One of them is potentially the XStation.

I need to confirm my model numbers also, but to start the discussion... how does the XStation play with existing mod chips & region lock? Are any of the needed pins taken up by chipped mod?

I guess independently outside of mod conflicts, Are US systems still locked to US ISOs without a chip?

I saw on Twitter the Mode is getting PS1 support...
https://mobile.twitter.com/voultar/stat ... 3198561280

[Ziggy587]

Since the XStation replaces the optical drive, I would just remove the mod chip. No sense on keeping it installed and potentially causing conflict issues.

[Jagosaurus]

Since the XStation replaces the optical drive, I would just remove the mod chip. No sense on keeping it installed and potentially causing conflict issues.

Can you change region based on BIOS file? I'm looking to play US & JPN.

[Ziggy587]

Since the XStation replaces the optical drive, I would just remove the mod chip. No sense on keeping it installed and potentially causing conflict issues.

Can you change region based on BIOS file? I'm looking to play US & JPN.

The XStation has automatic region free operation.

[Jagosaurus]

Well that's pretty awesome. Thanks for confirming.

So... bc ISO and bin/cue dumps tend to not be as clean as roms... is anyone with ODEs still collecting games and ripping them? I'm thinking of leaning that way except for the goofy expensive games. Just checking my sanity there compared to others lol...

Several things on my 21 project list... this seems pretty awesome and is probably #2 in that list.