I was thinking about picking up the M3 Lite for my NDS Lite, but I can across some interesting details about it that makes me rethink wanting to get one... First off, I was reading the wiki guide on the M3 and is talks about only being able to save one game at a time, and if you wanted to save more you have to go through some weird steps to set up save files individually for each game? Also, the battery life specifically caught my attention as I read it only lasts about 2 years.. and I am no saudering master so what would I do then? I just want an easy piece of hardware that I can swap in and out the games I want to play without any real hassles or worries....
Only being able to save one game at a time is only related to GBA games, and even then it's only if you put them directly on the M3, not using the software. Battery Life of 2 years is very good, after then you can replace the battery, or just manually save the game instaed of relying on the autosave. The battery is purely for keeping the game save of your last played game in memory until you turn it on again where it then copies the save to your storage card - which can be done manually before turning off the console. You will not find an easier to use Slot-2 cartridge, if you want the easiest thing ever I suggest you look into the more expensive Slot-1 cartridges.
Thanks for the reply... so how exactly does the M3 handle gave saves? Does it store the data on the card and do it so that it acts as if it saves the file to the "cartridge" like it normally would with a DS game? I understand the idea of a save state where you could save it anytime, but does the M3 store game file saves to the point where you dont have to manually save it, but instead save it normally within the game?
Yes. You don't have to "manually" save it. As long as you save it within the game, and have the autosave feature turned on in the M3 settings, you won't have to do anything special for NDS ROMs. You even have the option of having multiple saves for one game.
The M3 has a SRAM area where the game is saved, you save the game as you would a normal game. The save then stays in the SRAM until it is backed up onto your SD/CF card, this is done automatically everytime you turn the M3 on, this obviously means the save stays in the SRAM when the console is turned off hence the need for the battery - to keep the SRAM working when the console is off. The manual way of backing up the save involves saving the game normally, then whe you have finished playing the game you quit back to the M3 menu and back it up to the SD/CF card yourself, as the console does not get turned off at any stage during this the SRAM does not need a battery to keep the save in memory, and therefore can be used even when the M3 battery has run out. Basically until the battery dies, your better off using autosave (which is on by default) as then you can just turn the console off as soon as you have finished playing.
Thanks for the good info. Is there a general consensus on battery life ? It seems to vary from site to site.
I've found that the M3 takes about an hour or two off the normal battery time of the DS, obviously it can vary depending how your using it etc.
I believe its a CR2332.. same as the one found in watches. When you open it up you'll see the battery number in there
