| M3 DS Simply Review | ||||
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M3 DS Simply Review
Introduction & Packaging Box Contents:
The M3 DS Simply comes in a package made out of cardboard, it has the symbol of the M3 in it, and shows in transparency the actual M3 DS Simply, and the Micro SD/TF Usb Reader that are inside the box. The back of the box shows all the features that the M3 DS Simply has.
How are M3 DS Simply & R4DS different?In all relativity, they are the same, identical flash card with subtle differences. First, both the M3DSS and R4DS are manufactured at the same lab. The first issue models of each card can be modified with a soldering tool to convert from one brand to the other. A recent redesign upon both brands ensured this would no longer continue. Each team shares all findings and discoveries with one another, although R4DS uploads their updates a few days sooner tham M3DSS does. The updates have been identical in every attribute. The GUI, icon settings, etc. are exactly the same. The only difference, besides the default skin, is the M3DSS logo screen displays, "M3DSS (Region) Version", while R4DS shows, "(Region) Version." Each product can use the same custom skins that you see around here at GBATemp and abroad. At this point at time, they are essentially the same product. Just the label, a small difference of time for updates, board chipset placement and the GUI's logo message are all that seperate the two. Hardware
Software & Menu
The CD comes with both English and Chinese v1.00 of the M3 Simply firmware, Save converter (M3, SC, G6), Trimmer and the Shell Folder for MoonShell. To update the firmware you just need to copy and paste the files that come in the update .rar to the root of your micro SD/TF. Setup could not be any simpler (no pun!). First, go to the website and download the full installation package. Yes, avoid the out of date mini-CD. It's worth mentioning that you don't actually install anything. Next, you drop a pair of files and folders into the root. Then, simply drag and drop your uncompressed ROMs, homebrew, MP3s, text, etc. into the root of the flash memory. Yes, you backup hoarders will have to unzip your ROMs before placing them in. Finally, pop it into your M3DSS, load it within your DS and you're off! It couldn't be any easier. The GUI is quite easy to figure out. Upon booting, you're presented with 3 selections: Game, Multimedia and Boot Slot-2. You'll see the System version and your DS's internal clock at the bottom. Unlike some flash cards, you won't have to worry about setting the memory speed. In addition, you can use custom skins that will enhance each screen per your choice. Skinning is much more simple (there's that word again) to develop than it was on M3 Perfect/Professional. It's quite a cherished attribute to personalize your GUI to however you see fit. The only negative here is that while you can use the touch screen throughout, you'll find that using the control pad and buttons is more suitable. Let's explore each menu option individually. GameGame will obviously take you to the file list. You can see all ROMs and Homebrew by default. You can also sort your file listing with the Select Button to show text (as of System 1.02) as well as to show all files and folders. The bottom screen shows the game's icon and title box, just like it would using the built-in DS Menu. Every file has its own icon, whether it is a ROM, MP3, etc. You can adjust the DS Lite's brightness level by use of the touch screen or the L Button. Soft Reset is another option added recently and can be selected by the touch screen or the R Button. To run anything, highlight the file and press A or the lower touch screen. It will create a 512 kilobyte saver file, if one wasn't already present. Also, the saver type is automatically detected, making it easy for any user rather than some of M3's competitors. For text files, it also can create a saver file in order to remember bookmarks. The only bad mark here is for those who are fans of NDS-GBA Linkage, you better own the original cartridge or an older GBA flash card that provides single-boot functionality. Otherwise, you'll have to use your Slot-2's again for that. Multimedia Multimedia is Moonshell. Unless you've been living under a rock, this is the best homebrew application for viewing movies and listening to music. Unlike the M3 Perfect/Professional models, there are no original movie and music players or picture viewer. If you never owned an older M3, then let me save you the trouble of asking: They sucked! For convenience, the Moonshell package is included in the system download. The best part for those not concerned with Moonshell, is that you don't have to drop the folder onto the memory at all. However, if you want the eBook function, then dig into the default folders for the necessary files. It's all moot to me, as I own an iPod Nano for movies and music. Moonlight still deserves every bit of credit for all flash cards placing "movies and music" on their boxes. Boot Slot-2 It's not rocket science here, kids. If you still have a slot-2 flash card, such as M3 Perfect, Supercard, Ewin2, EZ-Flash IV, etc., then you can boot it just like a Passcard 3. Truthfully, it boots more devices than my own Passcard 3.
The patching utility is as simple as it comes and is only used for trimming the roms to save room. Open your rom with the patcher, choose where you want to output the trimmed rom to and click start. Not much more to say on this, it works well but of course some games do not support trimming. M3DSS could very well be the only flash card capable of running any commercial software at the time of this writting. Now, they can finally call it "perfect" for once.
Due to not having two DS units available to me, I am unable to personally test Download Play. There are reports that Nintendo-published titles are shown to have issues with Download Play, while third party published games seemingly work. Thankfully, all Wi-Fi Connection titles will play online. Since they seem to have single player compatibility on lock, perhaps they will shift their focus towards improving Download Play. It's worth noting that all slot-1 flash cards presently have issues with this function. Battery Life Results: I could not notice any battery hits as significant as they were back on the older slot-2 flash cards and nopass combos. With running a single device, you can be assured of similar battery life as you would real game cards. There aren't any battery hogs these days, so depsite which brand you choose, your play sessions won't be cut prematurly by seeing your battery light turn red much sooner.
Homebrew Compatibility
Bearing in mind that we need to wait for the developers to update thier software with DLDI support, I tried out some of the homebrew available: Additional FeaturesWhile I've pretty much covered every base about the product, there are two additional downloads that you can acquire. First, we have the ROM Trimmer. I think that is self-explanatory. Second, there is the Save Transformer. This handy tool will take your older M3, G6, Ewin2, Supercard, Acekard, DSLink or EZ-Flash IV saves and transform them into M3DSS. There has only been one small issue with the Save Transformer. A friend of mine, Spikey, transfered his Elite Beat Agents save. The game saves "replays" of past games. While the save progress was intact, those replays would not work. So, there might be a few more games out there that won't work with it, but the vast majority will indeed convert. Conclusion - The Menu GUI, and the MoonShell Skins are totally different, it should come with Similar Skins
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 29 November 2008 04:03 ) |
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