Slot 1 cards...end of the GBA era?

zektor · December 13, 2006, 12:35:34 AM

With all of the new slot 1 solutions surfacing, I am wondering how much longer slot 2 devices will even be available. The CF Supercard has already been discontinued, and I can see more of the slot 2 devices quietly dissapearing as '07 rolls on.

I have been around since the Super Magic Drive, Super Wild Card, Z64/CD64 and various GB/GBC backup solutions. Of course no longer available (as the systems are no longer manufactured), and it is damn near impossible to get them nowadays. It is inevitable that the slot 2 devices are traveling this exact road.

While I really like the slot 1 device idea, I am torn with the fact that GBA playback is non-existent. I read many posts on how GBA playback is not important to people. Do they even realize how MANY great games the GBA has to offer? Man, there are so many great titles for this system.

I remember speaking of an idea of a "reverse flashme" a long time ago in these very forums. An idea to allow GBA titles to be booted from a slot 1 device. I wonder if any of the manufacturers have looked into something like this. They probably could care less. But heck, the DS HAS the ability to run GBA titles...why not take advantage of it?

All being said, I am stocking up on slot 2 solutions. I may get a slot 1 solution in the future (who knows, I may win one in the 06 raffle!) but I definitely do not want to do away with all of my favorite GBA titles.

I just wish the manufacturers would come up with a slot 1 NDS/GBA solution. Long shot in asking, but it must be possible somehow.

sonicwind · December 13, 2006, 12:46:21 AM

Thats why i got an ez4 deluxe because of its almost flushness and great gba compatiblity so then when i get a slot 1 I will not be losing that 1/2 ability of the ds. It is true though that everyone is now geared towards slot 1 that a couple months ago people were speculating if it was even possible to fit all that stuff in such a small cartridge but now its all about which is t3h ub3r w1nner.

Hi · December 13, 2006, 12:47:52 AM

You can still buy gba flash cards. In fact, I just bought 512mb magic flash for my sister for x-mas. It was only $30!!! 512mb? Gba flash cards are still being sold, and are extreamly cheap.

Also, I think the sc cf was perticuarly unlicked and therefor got discontinued. It stuck out (Or should I say sticks out since I own a cf) ALOT!!! I think the amount it stuck out was actually giving the supercard a general reputation of being "cluncky." This is just a guess. I don't really know enouph.

But I don't think they'll be discontined because of what you just said, they support gba. And yes, a lot of people, even if not everyone, thinks gba support is important. But even if the slot-2's do get discontinued, as I said, we've still got reallly cheap gba flashcards, so I don't see how it really matters.

PharaohsVizier · December 13, 2006, 12:52:00 AM

I have sold my EZ Flash 3, and I regret it. Supercard simply does not have the GBA playback to support the classics. I'm thinking of buying another EZ Flash product to fill this gap.

zektor · December 13, 2006, 01:00:53 AM

Quote from: "PharaohsVizier"I have sold my EZ Flash 3, and I regret it. Supercard simply does not have the GBA playback to support the classics. I'm thinking of buying another EZ Flash product to fill this gap.

The SC will do well with playing some GBA titles, but I know what you mean. I own the M3 as well, which is a removable media (mine is SD) device that has *incredible* GBA compatibility. I have not found a GBA game that does not run at full speed yet

Hi · December 13, 2006, 01:04:05 AM

Buy the magic flash from sky2k. I don't know If it's the best gba flashcard, (Only one I've ever had, unless you count the supercard which I don't because It uses a cf card so technecly, well let's not get into technecal stuff, you get the Idea.) but it works well and It's SO cheap. just $30 (including shipping) for 512mb flashcard 512MB!!! and you can get a smaller card for even less $$!

bitblt · December 13, 2006, 01:05:57 AM

Quote from: "zektor"I just wish the manufacturers would come up with a slot 1 NDS/GBA solution. Long shot in asking, but it must be possible somehow.

Nope. It's not going to happen. It's physically impossible to run GBA code using a slot 1 device, without using additional slot 2 hardware. None of the slot 1 devices (DSLink, DS-X, AceCard) are going to support GBA. The only way for a slot 1 device to run GBA code is if someone writes a GBA emulator for DS.

The first thing you need to understand is that when the DS switches to GBA mode the system disables DS specific features like, ARM9 processor, RTC, 4MB RAM, WIFI, touch interface, second LCD, DS specific 2D/3D graphics, DS sound DACs, microphone, buttons XY, and slot1 access. These features can’t be used in GBA mode because the DS hardware is physically hardwired to behave like a real GBA system. This is why you don't find GBA homebrew that can take advantage of DS specific features, like a GBA game that uses the touch screen, or a GBA utility that can dump a DS game inserted in slot1. It's also impossible to switch from GBA mode to DS mode without a power cycle.

The second thing you need to understand is that DS games execute different from the way GBA games execute. Nintendo designed DS game data to be streamed from slot1 (as needed) into the 4MB of DS RAM. All DS games are executed out of this 4MB of ram. DS games that are bigger than 4MB must be loaded and executed in smaller parts.

(Note when the DS is operating in DS mode slot2 remains available for DS option packs. DarkFader discovered that the ARM9 processor could be redirected to execute unsigned DS code from slot2 using a homemade pass thorough device.)

On the other hand, GBA games are not streamed into RAM and executed the way DS games are. GBA game ROMs are mapped directly into GBA address space and executed in place. This means GBA games must execute from slot2. When the DS is running in GBA mode it's hardwired to behave like a real GBA system and therefore can only execute GBA code in GBA mode from slot2.

(Note slot 2 GBA flash cards work by loading game code into internal flash card RAM that is mapped into the same address space as a real game ROM.)

Now it is possible to use additional hardware that sits in slot2 and interfaces with the slot1 card to run GBA games. (The DSLink team already offers something like this) It’s also possible for someone to develop a GBA software emulator for DS, but that's unlikely.

iignotus · December 13, 2006, 01:07:30 AM

I'm of the impression that Nintendo, at least two years from now, will release a DS re-redesign that has only a Slot-1, so this all follows my plan

Yes, I pulled it out of my backside, but I still think it will happen.

zektor · December 13, 2006, 01:17:17 AM

Quote from: "iignotus"I'm of the impression that Nintendo, at least two years from now, will release a DS re-redesign that has only a Slot-1, so this all follows my plan Yes, I pulled it out of my backside, but I still think it will happen.

You are not the only one who has had this thought. I not only think that this is a theory, but something that WILL happen. Imagine how slimline and compact they would be able to make a DS had it only have a slot 1? It will happen eventually...

bitblt, thanks for the technical info. This explains alot as to why slot 1 GBA playback is not possible.

DeVS · December 13, 2006, 01:31:03 AM

Nintendo has stated that this will be the last holiday season for the GBA. It's dead.

sonicwind · December 13, 2006, 02:00:49 AM

atleast gba outlasted the xbox

uzumakishade · December 13, 2006, 02:26:55 AM

ive heard alot of good things about ezflash 4 for gba so im might buy one of those, give my supercard sd to my cousin and get myself a supercard slot-1 for my ds emulation

zektor · December 13, 2006, 08:21:49 AM

Quote from: "DeVS"Nintendo has stated that this will be the last holiday season for the GBA. It's dead.

But, didn't they also say that the NDS was not the next generation GBA? Hmm...new GBA coming next year maybe?

Hanafuda · December 13, 2006, 10:02:02 AM

Quote from: "zektor"

But, didn't they also say that the NDS was not the next generation GBA? Hmm...new GBA coming next year maybe?

Nintendo kinda stopped singing that tune after the DS started trouncing the PSP. A new GB might still happen, but not until the DS starts dying. Given the success the DS has been enjoying, it seems MUCH more likely we'll see a DS-2 come along, with analog control. I wouldn't expect it until late 2008 though, at the earliest. In the meantime, I'm waiting for a DS-Lite with an aluminum shell like the GBmicro's. (I know, I'm dreamin' ... but wouldn't that be sweet!?)

popinadam · December 13, 2006, 01:07:31 PM

I'll take a slot-1 for ds emulation for sure but would also like a ds dust cover size gba only solution to match ... iv'e been waiting for that one.