EMS 64 MB GAME BOY SMART CARD review

Specifications:

• Cartridge ID: EMS -  GB SMART CARD
• Released: 2009
• Manufacturer: EMS
• Rare feature: This cartridge basically rip off the USB enable Bleep Bloop cart concept. Cartridge capacity= 64 MB divided in two memory slots of 32 MB.

Why do I receive at GAMEBOYcarts.com:
I would never forget how many issues I got in the past with my 32 MB SMART cartridge series from EMS… disgusting battery issues, some stability issues in live mode, etc. My experience with EMS cartridges was terrible UNTIL NOW. When I discovered their USB 64 MB on the kitsch bent store I said ” WTF”… they ripped off the Bleep Bloop cartridge design concept, but you know 64 MB of capacity makes me  smile . I can’t understand why EMS never worked seriously to create a better cartridge system before the USB cartridge success, seems like right now they know how important is the new technology resources like a simple USB port mixed up with old school cartridge concept for LSDJ users or gamers, Do you remember the T-REX 32 MB smart card transfer-er?… WTS!!!

In my personal opinion I believe in the Bleep Bloop efforts creating a great, stable and nice looking modern cartridge. My friend Ralp from: Distortled Box says: “Well the huge difference between Bleep Bloop and EMS cartridge is just the capacity 16 MB vs. 64 MB, think about people like me… I have lot of song data to carry on each gig… I really respect the Bleep Bloop work, but 64 MB it’s so cool man!!!”. The positive feeling in all of this is the fact of how many developers are now working  to offer their cartridges for LSDJ users.

I tested the EMS cart for about 6 hours and is really good & stable. The Software is also pretty easy to use working with Parallels Desktop for Mac users, also bringing support for PC users running  WIN XP, WIN VISTA, or WIN 7. The battery replacement system is the same used on the USB Bleep Bloop carts> without soldering .

EMS 64 MB smart card set - closed

Cartridge Features...

OOOOHHHHH!!!!!

Another... OOOHHHHH!!!!

USB!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a quick tutorial to show you how to fit the USB PCB board from the GAMEBOY color cartridge to one of the vintage and original DMG carts.

Before to do this with your yellow, white, red, blue or any other gamboy cart you will find on internet, just do some training trying with a regular grey DMG carts. So you will get more experience about how to do this and not damage your preferred cartridge. You could do this mod buying the POKEMON special editions carts, or a white cart like this, just try to find the original TAMAGOTCHI JAPAN game, as I know is the only game that was come inside a white DMG game cartridge.

READ THE ENTIRE TUTORIAL WITH PHOTOS AND SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS HERE

LSDJ USB enable cartridge

SMARTBOY 32 MB Flash Cart by SMB team

Specifications:

• Cartridge ID: SMARTBOY cart flash cartridge
• Released: 2009
• Manufacturer: (SMB) TEAM
• Rare feature: Smart Boy cartridge writer quite similar of EZ linker models for NINTENDO POWER cartridge GBx. The SMARTBOY cart capacity is 32 Mbits.

Why do I receive at GAMEBOYcarts.com:
My first intention to get one SMARTBOY cart was to use their FLASH WRITER with my GBx unit without positive success . All set comes as you see in these pictures, the SMARTBOY writer hardware is mostly comfortable to carry on and smallest than the USB programmer created by Bleep Bloop, but the functions and software are quite similar. Another important thing was the fact regarding LSDJ… The unit didn’t come with LSDJ pre-installed, so no worries about piss off the Johan works . It comes with a MANGA style story game inside and that’s all. I installed the software working with WIN XP “Parallels Desktop” (really quick and easy installation by the way,) and my first issue arrive… I erased the original ROM file and set LSDJ v 3.9.9 inside and “SURPRISE”, the LSDJ do not appear inside the cartridge rom + the original ROM file continue alive… at this point i said: “FUCK THIS SHIT”. After some meditations and mantra concentration hehehe,  I sent an email to the SMARTBOY team developers… this is the answer i got:

“Hi,
Please first “ERASE FLASH”, then “write flash” with a GB file.
Please use the computer motherboard itself, built-in USB interface.
If you still have trouble, please contact me again”

I applied the tips and… finally flashed my SMARTBOY cart… yujuuuu!!! . I tested the cartridge for about 2 hours and works pretty fine and stable for me.

There’s a interesting debate right now regarding LSDJ cartridge solutions out there. For my personal experience the USB Bleep Bloop cart is the best in performance (no USB programmer, transferrer needed), but maybe if you need to carry on more song data per each cartridge you will fine purchasing one EMS 64 MB cartridge or one 32 MB SMARTBOY cart. I didn’t tested other solutions like the 64 MB EMS carts, but if you are a 100% LSDJ user one of these three cartridges I mentioned would be great for you. I will post my review regarding the 64 MB EMS cartridge soon!.

SMARTBOY cart complete set

Instructions and some general information behind the package

SMART BOY cart pieces

SMARTBOY cart Flash and Data Writer