NeoFlash MK6 & Neo3 TF Review

Written by Brakken
January 2008

Introduction

 

One would think the MK6 would be the successor to the MK5 in terms of functionality and use age, but this isn't the case. The MK6 is essentially a Slot 1 PassMe device which is capable of storing your save game data in it's internal RAM. Yeah, pretty basic. Luckily NeoFlash has included their Neo3 SD/TF Slot 2 solution with the MK6 allowing you to make and play backups of your games for archival and protective purposes.

Features

1:1 Original small size
Support all NDS & NDS-L
Don't need battery,game save data can keep over 50 years
Support neo2/3 full serial, for run the NEO MENU 2.x
Build in passme function,can boot almost slot-2 cart
Come with 4K/64K/256K/512K/2M/4M EEPROM hardware save, use command to select the save mode,the perfect game save cart for NDS

Contents

MK6 SAVE CART
NEO3 SD/TF
Resourse Disc (Mini CD)

Installation

 

To use the MK6 all you need to do is insert it into your Nintendo DS and you're good to go. Once your console boots up select the cart and you'll be presented with a menu where you can select from three different save types. This is a bit cumbersome as you're going to need to know what save size you'll be using before you even boot a game. It really should skip this and auto-detect the save size of the game when you load it from the Neo3.

To prepare the Neo3 all you need to do is to copy over the latest version of _boot_ds.nds to the root of your MicroSD card. The "_boot_ds.nds" file is the Menu Software for the MK6. Once you have it copied over along with any homebrew you wish to use boot the MK6 with the Neo3 in the GBA Slot and you'll be presented with a very basic menu. You should check NeoFlash's website for the most recent Menu Software as the one that came on the Resource Disc was already outdated. I'm using v2.0 for this review.

Usage

Using the Neo3 to run backups is not a very good option. It lacks compatibility and for the most part is terrible. Homebrew on the other-hand works, but you're going to have to put a little bit of effort into it. Using NeoFlash's Tool you can patch the homebrew you wish to use. Using the "MK6 Burner Maker v3" you select the homebrew file you wish to patch and then the program will output a file named "MK6_BURN.NDS".

Next, in theory you're supposed to launch the MK6_BURN.NDS file and it should load. Well, it didn't. It brought me to a menu saying "MK6 card error - Press Start to Reflash Again". So forget homebrew as I tested over 20 titles - none worked. Heck, even the MoonShell v1.71 MK6 edition didn't work!

Another massive problem I ran into was the "File Fragmentation" error. If the file you're trying to boot has been fragmented it won't load. So you'll have to format your MicroSD card and copy everything over again. Talk about a pain in the ass.

 

So far it sounds like it should win the piece of shit award, but there's one last option that makes up for the rest of the MK6's and Neo3 TF's flaws - it can backup games! Currently, backing up your games is limited to a handful of flash carts on the market most of which are older and hard to find.

The Neo3 TF can backup you original games in no time. Just hit "X" from the main menu and swap out the MK6 with your original game and let her go. Once completed you'll have a clean rom dump without the filler (garbage) data at your disposal. I tested it with over ten games and each and everyone worked just fine on "other" flashcarts.

Conclusion

 

With the MK6's and Neo3 TF's poor menu system, crap for game support, barely no homebrew support and bugs like the fragmentation I wouldn't even consider this as a development or entertainment solution. Although these flaws are present it can however backup your original games with ease. This feature and this feature alone makes it a worthy investment if you don't already have one of the few and older solutions that can backup games.

Negatives

Horrible Game Support
Even Worse Homebrew Support
The Menu System Sucks
Fragmentation Errors
Sticks out of Slot 2
Lack of Extra's
Should I go on???

Positives

Can Backup Your Original Games

Links

NeoFlash's Website

-=[ MK6 & Neo3 TF Review Discussion Thread ]=-

Nintendo DS Flash Carts also known as "Development and/or Backup" units are intended for expansion of the Nintendo DS's abilities including running "homebrew" software which is created by amateur unlicensed developers. Homebrew is totally free and legal to use as long as you follow the licensing agreement that comes with each title. Homebrew comes in many forms, but most "Flash Carts" come with homebrew that allows you to listen to music, watch movies, read books and look at pictures. These flash carts also let you run other homebrew titles. The use of homebrew does not infringe on Nintendo's or any of it's related companies rights. Flash Carts also allow you to make and playback backups of original and third party games for safe keeping purposes. Making backups of your data is also a non-infringing action. However, it is illegal to download and play ROM images of games you do not personally own. ISO-420 Reviews and TehSkeen.com do not encourage using Flash Carts in any illegal manner and do not endorse or condone users to "pirate" ROM files. Please support game companies and their developers by purchasing your games.