Neo2-TF, special thanks go to me

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Introduction

The Neo2-TF/SD is the latest product for the Nintendo DS by the NeoFlash team. It's the big brother of the Neo3-TF/SD cart, with the "sole" difference being that the Neo2-TF/SD is based on the Neo2 cart giving it the capability to play GBA games (more to follow on this). To make it easier I have put the specs of both the Neo2-TF/SD and Neo3-TF/SD here so you can see the difference according to NeoFlash themselves (I made small changes to get something resembling correct English). Green means a similarity, Red means a difference (and to make it easier for you I have put all similarities in the same order and out the differences together).

Neo2-TF/SD

Neo3-TF/SD

+Runs clean NDS backups from TF/miniSD/SD directly, no need for any patching +Supports multi-clean backups +Build in battery AD monitor +Build in universal IR remote,can support TV/HiFi/PS2/XBOX,and the remote code is upgradable +Build in 16 bit DMA +Build in 8Kb inner high-speed buffer +Build in 2M sram +Build in 16M flash menu +Comes with one driver CD +NEO2-TF support MicroSD(TF)only, up to 1GByte (Neo2-SD supports SD/mini-SD/microSD up to 4Gb) +NEO2-TF support NDS-lite only (Neo2-SD supports both NDS and NDSL) +Menu upgradable,just run the new menu from TF then can upgrade +Needs the MK4-mini to work correctly +NEO2-TF/SD supports NDS games +NEO2-TF/SD supports GBA games +100% GBA hardware save +Build in 3 set separate RTC +Build in 128M Zip RAM,support compressed backup +Build in 256M flash memory

+Runs clean NDS backups from TF/miniSD/SD directly, no need for any patching +Support multi-clean backups +Build in battery AD monitor +Build in universal IR remote,can support TV/HiFi/PS2/XBOX,and the remote code is upgradable +Build in 16 bit DMA +Build in 8Kb inner high-speed buffer +Build in 2M sram +Build in 16M flash menu +Come with one driver CD +NEO3-TF support MicroSD(TF)only, up to 1GByte (Neo3-SD supports SD/mini-SD/microSD up to 4Gb) +NEO3-TF support NDS-lite only (Neo3-SD supports both NDS and NDSL) +Menu upgradable,just run the new menu from TF then can upgrade +Needs the MK4-mini to work correctly +NEO3-TF/SD support NDS games

This pretty much comes down to saying that the Neo3-TF/SD will not be able to play GBA games. You are now probably wondering why I am going through so much trouble telling you that the Neo3-TF/SD does not support GBA games and the Neo2-TF/SD does. Well, that's because currently the Neo2-TF/SD doesn't either! The Neo2-TF/SD has the hardware onboard to flash GBA games to (the 256M flash memory, etc.) which the Neo3-TF/SD does not. But the firmware of the Neo2-TF/SD is not yet capable of flashing a GBA game to that memory. You can if you have an older NeoFlash product flash GBA games to the Neo2-TF/SD via the slimloader, but then you might as well use your older product.

Seeing as currently the developement of the Neo2-TF/SD is still underway, and NeoFlash has clearly released finished hardware with non-finished soft- and firmware, I will not yet "review" it. I will however say as much as I can about the product at this time; Packaging, build quality, ease of use (supporting clean backups), etc.. Sadly this does not yet include the movie player function that NeoFlash has decided to add (their own movie player, not moonshell) and neither the IR remote.

The Review

Looking at the packaging

The packaging of the Neo2-TF is, instead of a now fairly standard cart board box, a plastic packaging. Though this plastic packaging has been made to open easily and to be re-usable (you can close it again), rather then the normal plastic where you need a knife to open it up (rendering it useless). Was this a good choice? Personally I'm more of a box fan but this is a fairly properly made container. When it comes to shipping I am unsure if this plastic will protect the product during a heavy ride, though it will probably survive fine.

When it comes to the looks of the packaging I think it looks quite nice. One of the better points of the plastic packaging is the fact that you can see the product. Something I am very fond of :). Though due to the reflecting surface of the cartboard piece inside it is slightly harder to read about all the features it looks quite nice and is still readable. One thing I did find very funny was that NeoFlash decided to put the old Nintendo DS on the packaging. Now normally this wouldn't be so strange, but the Neo2-TF doesn't work with the old Nintendo DS (simply because the pins don't reach the slot). I tried to get it in my old DS, and although the "wing" on the NDSL dust-cover isn't on the casing of the Neo2-TF it simply doesn't fit (don't try that at home :)).

Inside the packaging one can find the MK4-mini (at least in my package, I would think it comes standard), a "driver" CD and of course the Neo2-TF (or SD).

Build quality
The build quality of the Neo2-TF is quite nice. The PCB and the casing plastic are quite thick and the microSD card is very easy to insert. The finish however could have been nicer. The casing has gaps at a lot of places where the two parts (top and bottom) join. And although this doesn't hinder game play or lower solidity it is rather displeasing. Something I find a bad choice is leaving the PCB exposed at the bottom part of the cart. Although this is not direct problem it requires you to keep that in mind when inserting it into your NDSL. A positive point of the casing is that it is clicked together which means that there is no screw that can harm your DS. Another pro is the microSD slot as it is spring loaded (something I am quite fond of) and of good quality.

Looks
The looks of the Neo2-TF are both positive as negative. Positive is the exposed PCB at the bottom of the cart. I fancy the looks of a PCB and this gives it a very cool look (beauty is in the eye of the beholder ;)). The sticker is also well placed. The general impression of the Neo2-TF is also good though the gaps in between the two parts of casing are quite unsightly. When the Neo2-TF is in your NDSL the fact that there is no "wing" as on the original dustcover really comes out (especially on my black NDSL). It would be so little to add it and the looks improve greatly. Also the microSD slot and IR module stick out (though I find this less of a problem).

Conclusion


As I said before I am unable to write a full review of this product as currently the soft- and firmware simply isn't complete yet. I will write more (on the use of the Neo2-TF) once at least the GBA game function is added. Feel free to notify me if you wish. If you are disappointed by the fact I won't even rate the product yet I suggest you complain at Neo-Flash rather then with me ;).

Now I can only say that this product is currently averidge. Build quality is generally good though with one or two flaws and packaging is also fairly good. Buying this product now will be an investment in the future. Once GBA support is added this can be a really great device, though homebrew should also be picked up. And the fact that this should be compatible with the Neo Sega/SNES/N64 game card, is also something cool though useless until that product is released. What does already work is NDS game support which works fairly nice. Many games already work though there are still bugs (games freezing or not running at all). But which is best is that games do not have to be pre patched to work, you can just put clean backups on your card and boot up your system.

-Simon van de Berg

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