Help with picking an MSX Flashcart

Por Unregistered user

Ambassador (0)

04-12-2019, 07:48

Hey, guys

I recently picked up a Panasonic MSX FS-A1.

I'm at my wit's end trying to figure out what flashcart to buy for this thing. I'm not familiar with the MSX terminology. I don't know what half of the stuff they mention as features actually means.

I'm a retro gamer. I just want to play the games. I'm not interested in tinkering, or programming, or making programs. I just want to load up a flashcart with roms and be able to play them with high compatibility and a minimum of fuss.

Please help me determine which flashcart I should get.

So far, I know about these:

Carnivore 2 (everyone says it has the best compatibility because it has the FM chip and some roms crash if you don't have it)

SD-512 (I saw a video that said it only has like 50% compatibility and no Konami games work)

Fractal 2000 (SD-512 Clone)

MegaFlashRom

I'm so confused. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Por hamlet

Scribe (4096)

04-12-2019, 13:53

Welcome to the MSX world and this forum!
Four things will happen next:
Someone will recommend the MFRSCCSD512 to you, then someone else will promote the Carnivore2 as the ultimate weapon until one of the Enlightened Beings' Club demands the GR8Net as a minimum. Oh yes, a lucky guy with personal relationships will brag with his FlashJacks.
We have a wonderful thread that should answer the first questions, certainly availability is also a factor.
A tip: In our Christmas quiz this year there will be a Carnivore under the prices! And it's fun!
And now, let me be the first:
The Megaflashrom MFRSCCsd512 will be the ultimate choice. It's available, not too expensive, includes an SCC and a second PSG and is easy to use.
Who wants to be next?

Por ray2day

Paladin (685)

04-12-2019, 09:57

Megaflash ROM SCC SD 512 (Manuel Pazos)
www.msxcartridgeshop.com

Is all you need to my opinion...

Por Manuel

Ascended (18695)

04-12-2019, 11:59

And to lighten things up:
- without FM no game will crash. It may just fall back to PSG sound (simpler) or no sound at all.
- all flash carts mentioned run all Konami ROM games, but see next point
- the SD-512 is not a flash cart. I think it's less suitable for beginners. It doesn't have the SCC chip that many great Konami games use to produce better sound.

So yeah, Carnivore 2, MegaFlashROM SCC+ SD and GR8NET are your best bets.

Por Pencioner

Scribe (1518)

04-12-2019, 12:10

GR8NET might be not an easy start for beginner (needs some knowledge about system architecture to read the manual)

Por meits

Scribe (6491)

04-12-2019, 12:29

I go with ray2day on this one.
Out of the box you'll end up in a file manager (called multi mente) which is totally configured to handle the files you want to work with (DSK and ROM). Just copy a folder of games to an SD card and off you go. If you happen to become a power user, this cartridge will give you a lot of options as well. But for beginners just some basic file handling skills are required.

Por

Ambassador (0)

09-12-2019, 00:27

Jonesmartinze wrote:

Hey, guys

I recently picked up a Panasonic MSX FS-A1.

I'm at my wit's end trying to figure out what flashcart to buy for this thing. I'm not familiar with the MSX terminology. I don't know what half of the stuff they mention as features actually means.

Please help me determine which flashcart I should get.

So far, I know about these:

Carnivore 2 (everyone says it has the best compatibility because it has the FM chip and some roms crash if you don't have it)

SD-512 (I saw a video that said it only has like 50% compatibility and no Konami games work)

Fractal 2000 (SD-512 Clone) {mod: removed suspicious url}

I'm so confused. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

issue solved!!!

Por OeiOeiVogeltje

Paragon (1405)

08-12-2019, 22:26

or a Sharksym V4 Drive

Por Pencioner

Scribe (1518)

08-12-2019, 22:47

Jonesmartinze wrote:

issue solved!!!

Looking closely to your message (where you quoted yourself), it looks like you have another issue. Some malware seems to add links to your message... after the text 'Fractal 2000 (SD-512 Clone)'
I think you have to check all your browser addons or so...

Por Hydragon

Paladin (718)

09-12-2019, 06:21

ray2day wrote:

Megaflash ROM SCC SD 512 (Manuel Pazos)
www.msxcartridgeshop.com

Is all you need to my opinion...

Agreed! Got one as well, great product!

Por hamlet

Scribe (4096)

09-12-2019, 06:41

WhiteleeMartinze and Jonesmartinze seem to be the same person who posted only to places their links in the text. I have banned both of them from the forum. So from now on this thread is for our entertainment only.