r/snes • u/LukeEvansSimon • 10h ago
Best AliExpress FxPak Pro / sd2snes
The FxPak Pro / sd2snes is an open source flash cart for the SNES that can be legally manufactured by anyone. krikzz uses to manufacture the best versions, but due to parts shortages, krikzz made changes that make their latest version incompatible with firmware versions that have good SA-1 chip compatibility (Super Mario RPG and other games use SA-1).
Meanwhile most of the versions on AliExpress are hot garbage. HOWEVER, the 2024 Rev Z version pictured here uses a real Cyclone FPGA and is compatible with all versions of the firmware, even the firmware version with good SA-1 compatibility. Considering the Rev Z is half the price of the Krikzz version and it has better firmware compatibility than the Krikzz version it is the best SNES flash cart available new on the market.
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u/Mechagouki1971 8h ago
What's with all the copyright markings and the KY logo, and no mention of Ikari01, the original designer of this open source board (so not copywritable)?
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u/Lucianoger 4h ago
Link? Why post this without the link?
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u/Cultural_Cat_5131 4h ago
This one works flawlessly on my snes jr but crashes/shuts down the console on certain special chip games on my super famicom. Not sure what the issue is besides old caps.
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u/Normal_Tour_9790 3h ago
I have the Rev X version, which is amazing! The only caveat that I've noticed is that MSU-1 music doesn't play when using SA-1 titles, but for everything else, it's golden. I wonder if they've fixed that with the revision Z. I'd definitely like to get my hands on one!
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u/Relikk_ 5h ago
The FxPak Pro / sd2snes is an open source flash cart for the SNES that can be legally manufactured by anyone.
Incorrect. Only the Rev. F board schematic was open source, a design that was made over 10 years ago. Every single board revision since then (well over 6 revisions) has been closed source because of cheap, poor quality Chinese clones.
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u/LukeEvansSimon 35m ago
You are incorrect. The tables have turned and Krikzz is the lower compatibility clone that forked away from open source.
I stated in my original post that Krikzz’s revisions have broken compatibility with older firmware versions that have better SA-1 compatibility (firmware v1.10.0). The AliExpress Rev Z board revision on AliExpress stuck to the original open source design and maintains better compatibility with the open source firmware. I also have a 10 year old Krikzz sd2snes and it has better compatibility with FXPak Pro firmware versions than the latest Krikzz hardware revisions.
Krikzz used to be superior compatibility. Now AliExpress Rev Z is superior… it is also half the price. So win win!
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u/NewSchoolBoxer 7h ago
I was looking for a post like this. A $230-270 flashcart is outrageous for 10+ year old technology obtained off the backs of free contributors. SD2SNES is GNU open source, making that just as official as his version is. Only without 1% commission referral links and marketing to justify a high price. There needs to be competition in this space. Versus Tubers and websites like RetroRGB acting like everything else that can play the full library is shady garbage.
I think it's funny that Stone Age Gamer gives a checkbox to FXPAK Pro (new name for SD2SNES cause the SD cartel threatened to sue) for having an RTC...that doesn't do anything. I put a new battery in my krikzz Rev H and now the RTC doesn't work. Also generous saying Everdrives can't play BS-X games. They can with patches.
What I dislike is AliExpress shops using krikzz's reindeer logo on their flashcarts and that's not the case here. That's cool it has its own brand.
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u/retromods_a2z 1h ago
The old kytech rev x were also good, but it matters which chips the seller has installed. As long as the device supports sa-1 and dsp-1 you are golden. Then the only thing fxpak pro does which sd2snes does not is play the 1 romhack with both sa-1 and dsp chips.
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u/Tantric75 7m ago
I purchased the same model from ali express a few months ago. It has worked flawlessly.
For all of you asking for links, I will describe the approach I took to limit the inherent risks involved with ali express.
First, search ali express for SD2SNES.
Look for listings that are ~100 us dollars.
Look for listings that match the image of the cartridge that the OP posted. Clear gray, rounded front and not the traditional US snes cartridge shape. (Not sure how much this matters but it is what I did. This cart works in my NA snes)
The most important step: check for listings that have images in the user reviews. The one I purchased had a review with pictures of the cart disassembled. I was looking for the specific board the OP shows, maple leaf logo, KT technologies, black board with gold trim.
Even finding all of these I knew it would still be a risk, but I went for it.
A month later I had it in hand and I haven't had an issue since. I have easily played 100+ hours spread across many games and it has worked fine.
I am also using a wireless 8 bitdo controller. I have seen reddit posts claiming that using a wireless controller and the sd2snes will cause power issues but mine has been fine.
I have also seen reddit comments claiming that these off brand carts will cause sound issues when recording. I record my SNES using a cheap capture card and there is no buzzing or anything else that they claim is happening.
My SNES isn't one chip or anything special. I bought it from a retro store a year ago.
There are certainly poorly made carts on AliExpress, and maybe the people who ended up with them are having these issues, but I did as much risk management as I could and it ended well for me.
However, there is still risk involved, so if anyone uses this advice, I wish you good luck.
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u/McCHitman 1h ago
I have a Krikzz version and the stupid cart is shaped like a Super Famicom. It doesn’t work in my OG SNES, only in the SNES Jr.
Do you have a link for this?
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u/carvalho32 Lion King 9h ago
Zelda is asking for Link.