3 in 1 Expansion Pack for EZ-Flash V
Manufactured by: EZ-Flash
AKA: 3-in-1, 3 in 1, EZ Expansion Pack, EZ-Flash 3-in-1, EZ-Flash 3 in 1, Expansion Pack
Variants
- 3 in 1 Expansion Pack for EZ-Flash V for DS Lite (White or Black)
- 3 in 1 Expansion Pack for EZ-Flash V for DS (AKA DS "Phat" Version or GBA Size)
General
The 3 in 1 Expansion Pack is a slot-2 device that has integrated three distinct solutions. First, the device is capable of loading GBA games stored in slot-1 devices in a manner similar to previous slot-2 solutions created by the EZ-flash team. Secondly, the 3 in 1 is a memory expansion pack. Finally, the device is a competing rumble pak expansion for games that support official DS rumble pack.
The 3 in 1 Expansion Pack for EZ-Flash V can be officially purchased as a bundle with the EZ-Flash V or separately. The product was specifically designed for EZ-Flash V, but users of other slot-1 cards are able to utilize the Expansion Pack.
Features
1. GBA Loader:
- 256 Mb (32 MB) of NOR Flash memory. This memory will retain the data written to it when the power is turned off, but it takes a few minutes to write a game to it. If you want to use the 3-in-1 in a GBA, this is the memory you will be using. When you start the 3-in-1 like a regular GBA game it always loads the game that's in the NOR memory.
- 16 megabytes of PSRAM. This memory does not retain data when the power is turned off, but it can be written to much faster that the NOR. You can only load a game into PSRAM with a program that runs on the DS.
- 512 kilobytes of battery powered SRAM. This holds the save data.
2. 128 Mb (16 MB) RAM Expansion:
- Extra RAM necessary for the DS Opera Web Browser.
- Accessible by homebrew developers.
3. Rumble function:
- Works with all official rumble enabled games and homebrew.
- Rumble can be set to three levels of intensity.
Compatibility
The EZ-Flash V software was developed in-house and is capable of seamless integration of all the hardware features. The EZ-Flash team does not ensure hardware compatibility with other slot-1 devices, but they have never discouraged access to their hardware. The source code necessary to utilize the key features of the expansion pack is readily available to developers. There have already been many successful solutions for third-party slot-1 carts. Some popular solutions:
- GBALdr by Cory1492 - A homebrew application run from the DS that will load games directly to NOR memory, load/save .sav files, and can auto-backup the save data currently on the cart when loading a new game. Due to the fact that it only loads games into NOR memory, it can be painfully slow, taking up to 5 minutes in some cases.
- 3in1 ExpPack Tool by Rudolph - Another homebrew application that runs from the DS. This is by far one of the best loaders available. Just as with GBALdr, it can load games to the 3 in 1. What makes it different than GBALdr is the fact that it can load all ROMS under 16MB directly to the PSRAM on the 3 in 1, making copy time less than a minute in nearly all cases. Additionally, it can load games to NOR memory if they exceed 16MB. Two other features that I find to be unique to this tool is the ability to turn the Rumble Pack on and off (for supported DS games) and the ability to switch the cart over to an Expansion Pack for use with the Opera Browser.
- NDStation by chuckstudios - A very interesting approach to loading ROMs on the 3 in 1. Rather than having a homebrew running on the DS transfer the ROM to the 3 in 1, chuckstudios developed a Windows program (later ported to Linux by dg10050) that packaged the GBA ROM in an .NDS file. This packaged file, when launched from a Slot 1 card, would backup any existing save on the 3 in 1 and load the ROM onto it. The aim of the project is to give things a more integrated and unified feel with your Slot 1 cart. Additionally, you can customize the icon and test your Slot 1 will display when the ROM is selected. Some users have reported white lines in the GBA frame when the frame picture is not present as well as minor graphical glitches. The author says this is due to his caching method, and should be fixed in version 1.2, which is due to be release around the 20th of August. While the project is still in its early stages, it does show a lot of potential and is one to keep an eye on.
Furthermore, homebrew software can utilize the 3 in 1 to improve immersion and/or increase available RAM.
