NeoTeam’s MK4-Mini And MK4-Key Reviewed

Jassen Payen has recently reviewed NeoTeam’s MK4-Mini and MK4-Key for the Nintendo DS. NeoTeam are mostly known for their DS/DS Lite and PSP products, which provide all manner of solutions for your gaming and/or developing needs. Examples of products that they have created include the Neo 2-in-1 Converter (including 4gb Microdrive), and the Neo 8-in-1 PSP Pad.

On the DS side, NeoTeam has concentrated on providing solutions for budding developers with their NeoFlash range of products. These products allow users to run insigned code from regular SD/CF based memory cards, inevitably providing a pathway for users/coders to test out their own homebrew games, backups, and applications.

The MK4-Mini and the MK4-Key are nearly identical to each other. Dimensionally, they measure in at the same numbers. The only difference between them is the color, and a slight discrepancy in description. The MK-4 Mini has EEPROM, which allows users to save DS save files directly to the MK4-Mini cart. The MK4-Key, on the other hand, does not have any EEPROM, so users have to rely on saving their DS saves straight to their flashcard/SD/CF. Payen notes that for those who use popular flashcards, such as Supercard and M3, this is not a problem. There have been, however, some known issues with regular GBA Flashcards that require saving to a DS cart. Other than this, both products essentially do the same thing.

Payen cites the ability to boot directly into GBA or DS modes as one of the positive points of the products. Both are small, both do not require original ‘donor’ DS cartridges, and there’s no programming required. The MK4-Mini and the Mk4-Key consume very little power, and can increase battery life when compared to big PassMe/PassKeys. They also work on all NDS and DS Lite variations, have a working sleep mode, are compatible with all kinds of flashcards, and have exceptional build quality and packaging. These babies also come in different colors to match your DS Lite.

Payen didn’t really give out a complete negative in his review, but was still hoping for a possible complete MK4-Mini with an integrated memory slot and loading support like the NinjaDS, but with the same compact size.

Jassen Payen has recently reviewed NeoTeam’s MK4-Mini and MK4-Key for the Nintendo DS. NeoTeam are mostly known for their DS/DS Lite and PSP products, which provide all manner of solutions for your gaming and/or developing needs. Examples of products that they have created include the Neo 2-in-1 Converter (including 4gb Microdrive), and the Neo 8-in-1 PSP Pad.

On the DS side, NeoTeam has concentrated on providing solutions for budding developers with their NeoFlash range of products. These products allow users to run insigned code from regular SD/CF based memory cards, inevitably providing a pathway for users/coders to test out their own homebrew games, backups, and applications.

The MK4-Mini and the MK4-Key are nearly identical to each other. Dimensionally, they measure in at the same numbers. The only difference between them is the color, and a slight discrepancy in description. The MK-4 Mini has EEPROM, which allows users to save DS save files directly to the MK4-Mini cart. The MK4-Key, on the other hand, does not have any EEPROM, so users have to rely on saving their DS saves straight to their flashcard/SD/CF. Payen notes that for those who use popular flashcards, such as Supercard and M3, this is not a problem. There have been, however, some known issues with regular GBA Flashcards that require saving to a DS cart. Other than this, both products essentially do the same thing.

Payen cites the ability to boot directly into GBA or DS modes as one of the positive points of the products. Both are small, both do not require original ‘donor’ DS cartridges, and there’s no programming required. The MK4-Mini and the Mk4-Key consume very little power, and can increase battery life when compared to big PassMe/PassKeys. They also work on all NDS and DS Lite variations, have a working sleep mode, are compatible with all kinds of flashcards, and have exceptional build quality and packaging. These babies also come in different colors to match your DS Lite.

Payen didn’t really give out a complete negative in his review, but was still hoping for a possible complete MK4-Mini with an integrated memory slot and loading support like the NinjaDS, but with the same compact size.