Slot-2 GBA flashcarts

Slot-2 GBA flashcarts

While slot-1 cards handle DS software, the bottom slot-2 port on the DS and DS Lite opens a second door: Game Boy Advance flashcarts. These play GBA backups and homebrew on the console's genuine GBA hardware.

Why use one

The DS contains real GBA circuitry, so a slot-2 GBA flashcart plays GBA games at full accuracy and speed, sound included. This is a cleaner experience than emulating GBA through a slot-1 card, which only the powerful SuperCard DSTwo can do well.

How it works

• A GBA flashcart is shaped like a GBA cartridge and slides into slot-2.
• Some use built-in storage; others read a microSD, much like slot-1 cards.
• You copy GBA backups of games you own onto the cart, then launch it from the system menu.

Fit notes

On the original DS, the cart sits flush. On the DS Lite it protrudes slightly because the shell is shorter than a GBA cartridge. Both work fine; the Phat just looks neater.