Product Review

EZ5i Review–Unstable RTS

Introduction

At a new age of i generation, the well-known EZ Team release its own flashcart EZ5i compatible with NDSi. Perhaps most of users have high expectation to the cart. Why? We know that the functionalities of the previously released flashcarts—-AK2i and DSTTi are almost the same. The new EZ5i is distinguished as that supports Real Time Save. How it works? Please read the review. Here we use NDSi firmware 1.2j version, Ak2i and DSTTi both work fine on it.

Official features list:

1. Use for NDSI,DSL
2. 1:1 original card size, side loading.
3. Use MicroSD(Trans Flash) as external storage, cheap and various usage.
4. Direct boot, no need another boot card or flash your DS. EZ5 also can be used as bootcard.
5. Moonshell integrated bootloader, direct watch DPG movie, listen to MP3, read TXT book in loader.
6. Bootloader can be full customized, included skin and function, bootloader sourcecode almost full opened.
7. Dual read mode: CLEAN and HYBRID. CLEAN means just drag the rom to card and play. HYBRID means EZ5 supporting the modified rom for further function, include soft reset and cheat. It also provides improved compatiblity, such as boost the read speed.
8. Perfect FAT system support, automatic generate saver file. multi saver function available.
9. Use hardware flashchip saver, never lose your save.
10. Loader upgradable.
11. Homebrew support, IO lib will release on launch.
12. Support SDHC memeory card.

Package:
What we got is simple edition and the deluxe package with a stretchable metal stylus, a thumb finger pen and a mini MicroSDHC reader with USB port.The whole impression of EZ5i is close to EZ5, also the letter “i” means that the cart is compatible with NDSi and NDS/NDSL.

The considerate design of TF slot is on the left. So t the TF card will be protected well as inserted into NDSi, in case that TF card slides unconsciously. But extracting EZ5i is a little hard, the design is mechanical, no spring loaded brake inside.

For the chip issue, EZ5i also has bump on the surface. However, it has no real impact in practical use, can be inserted and removed easily.

The kernel it used, like other flashcarts, is the same as EZ5. Once boot it up, the interface will show you the official website address.

Hit its icon, you will see the flashcart main menu. EZ users must be very familiar with the interface, but this time the option of “Rumble off” on the bottom screen is useless, for we know that NDSi has no Slot-2. And the brightness adjustment also cannot be used.

The function options on the left of bottom screen relate to brightness adjustment, patcher, Data information,settings and shutdown. Except the brightness adjustment, other options all work fine.

RTS Performance

The selling point of EZ5i—-Real Time Save attracts most users. At the very beginning, we tried to use the function on NDSi. USER SETTING interface comes up after opening the Patcher. Only open Soft reset, can other functions be used. Then open up RTS and save, you can jump to games.

But something unexpected happened. After pressing A to start games, NDSi turned to freeze. Turned it off and booted it again, it was in the same condition. Then we had to change for another card, it was still like this.

We doubted that might result from opening up too many functions. We reset Patcher and started soft reset only. Then it worked fine, adding RTS, it was also in good condition.

During gameplay, pressing L+R+A+B is the function menu of EZ5i. The interface shows as follows:

We tried to use RTS , but the screen became like this. We tried again and again, it would work fine sometimes.

Everything came once again. Quitting soft reset, the interface became terrible and all folders couldn’t be identified. After several attempts, soft reset would return to normal. It seemed that the RTS of EZ5i is not stable.

Errors were found again as we put Sakura system in it. It would work properly as we format the TF card or delete the automatic generated folder from running of RTS.

Conclusion

Summing up the above experiences, we know that directly play games without opening Pacher, it works fine; or trying to use soft reset, it is OK; or opening up RTS, the screen becomes terrible, although sometimes it’s fine; if we open Patcher, then NDSi must be freeze. The RTS feature is not stable.

So users had better not use the additional featurs of EZ5i so much if you want to enjoy gameplay. For theunstableness of its RTS function, EZ5i has not many advantages in the market. Although the present condition is not so good, we believe EZ Team will make RTS better as soon as possible.