[REVIEW] DS-TT Opzioni

[JohnVS]

DSTT
[ English Version | Versione Italiana ]

Quick Links
Homepage: www.ndstt.com

Our heartfelt thanks to Ultragames for providing the sample.

The Nintendo DS flashcard's scene is undeniable mature: all the big players gave their best, creating extremely refined solutions with ever more "collateral" features, thanks to the almost complete knowledge of Nintendo's gaming hardware. Neverthless, a new brand would occasionally join the match: this is how Team TT introduces itself, releasing its very first product, a simple and low-cost Slot 1 flashcard aptly named DSTT.

Here we are again at our workbench, ready to squeeze 'till the end this new flash kit, unveiling its secrets, strong and weak points; in our review every curiosity you have will be fulfilled.

Introduction & Features

Before starting, it's best to clarify that, no matter the now widespread rumors, this flashcard isn't absolutely related to the -deservingly- famous R4 Revolution, already reviewed on this site and currently powering many of your DS'es. It's indeed assembled in the same factory that gave birth to the aforementioned flash kit, yet the DSTT is a completely different product, to the point that it's also marketed, along with a few accessories, as the Top Toy DS, a Neoflash product. However, the software that powers the card is, partially or completely, derivated from the R4 OS: the Action Replay cheats database, for instance, is fully compatible as long as you don't use an encrypted one.
Having debunked this myth, we can now begin our review by placing the TT in the same vein as the R4 and M3 DS Simply, a Slot 1 unit marked by ease of use and mainteinance, identical to a standard issue Nintendo cartridge and with virtually enormous storage capabilities granted by high-capacity microSD's.

The similarities with said brands are absolutely obvious: this is positive though, considering this design's prerogatives. Furthermore, the operating system is easy to use and completely customizable, by now a fairly standard feature.

But let's now take a look at the features breakdown, as declared by the manufacturer:

• DS original cartridge size, Slot1 interface
• Plug 'n Play, easy to use, just Drag 'n Drop file from PC to flash memory card
• No FlashMe, built-in NoPass, and the GBA cards in slot2 can be started directly
• Supports CleanROM, No covert
• 100% SDHC TF and standard TF compatibility up to 4TB(4096GB) flash memory card
• High speed SDHC. Supports any TF card speed with no lag in game
• Save directly to TF card, not to onboard chip, Never lose your saves
• Automatically detect and generate save type
• Supports Moonshell and homebrew. DLDI auto-patching
• Supports FAT/FAT32, works on any OS.
• Supports Action Replay cheat and edit the code base.
• Built-in energy-saving design.
• User friendly skinnable interface. Touchscreen or button operation. Supports Skin DIY.
• Supports the “Hot-Key” SOFT RESET.
• Supports the WiFi game, DS Rumble Pak, DS Browser.
• Supports Download play.
• Supports 4-scale-lightness adjustment (DS Lite only ).
• Free SDHC high-speed reader, Ultimate copy documents.

Notice how the microSD reader was mentioned as a feature: we guess a freebie is always something to be proud of. Nothing particularly remarkable on this list: except for a few notable cases, the TT features are the de facto standard of actual flashcarts. Support for high capacity memory cards, full compatibility with Action Replay cheat codes to obtain the best from your games and the indeed useful soft reset button combo, which makes getting back to the cart system menu without rebooting your system a breeze; this neat load of features comes for about 30€.

Whether this is truly a candidate for the R4 throne or a passenger on the train for oblivion, we'll find out in our review.

[Evrain]

Final Thoughts

It's time to write down our final notes on this DSTT flashcard. Even though its low price tag and full compatibility can be alluring, what you get is exactly what you pay for it: this is not just an attempt at emulating an R4, the TT is a plain clone of said flashcart. The circuit board's quality is questionable, quite different from its solid plastic shell and precise microSD slot; same goes for its OS, who has won our praise for keeping up with that tradition of ease-of-use the R4 heralded, yet flawed by an unrefined design and that unnerving habit of locking up whenever the microSD suffers from even slight data fragmentation.
Another thing we didn't like a single bit was the reliability (or lack thereof) of the manufacturer: whenever we review a flashcard, we always work in close contact with the developer in order to obtain as much technical data as possible on the sample we're testing; the TT team instead systematically ignored our e-mails, leaving us dubious on the kind of future support they might offer on their product. Actually, this is the first time such a thing occured.
In short, this is the best options for those in search for an inexpensive, basic flash kit, but if you also demand reliability, special functions and smooth operation, you'd better look elsewhere.

Let's take a look at the card's pro's and con's:

Pro's
+ Excellent shell durability
+ 100% compatible with both single play and Download Play
+ Integrated PassMe function
+ Easily skinnable
+ A microSDHC reader bundled in for free
+ Capable of taking advantage from R4's support programs and cheat database


Con's
- Inner hardware manufactured hastily and with mediocre components
- Simplistic system software
- Lack of an integrated media player, although Moonshell runs flawlessly
- Lack of a driver disc, included only in the card's (hypothetical) more expensive packs
- Manufacturer's reliability is highly debatable
- Unstable performance
- Quite sensitive to fragmented data

Packaging
Build and Materials
Compatibility
Special Functions


Review written by Evrain for GBARL.it. Thanks to nexus81 and skysurf for assisting with the compatibility and performance tests.
Unauthorized copying and editing is forbidden outside of Network RL.