Most retro handhelds imported from overseas ship with cheap, unbranded “stock” MicroSD cards. These are notorious for failing within weeks, resulting in lost save data and corrupted firmware.
I do things differently.
I discard those stock cards and replace them with premium, branded media (such as SanDisk, Samsung, or Kioxia) that I have personally stress-tested. Because I trust the quality of the components I use to configure your device, I am able to offer a comprehensive Lifetime Guarantee on the storage media.
The Guarantee
If the MicroSD card supplied with your device fails during the lifetime of the console, I will replace it or restore it for free.
This covers two distinct scenarios:
1. Hardware Failure (Replacement)
If the card ceases to function electronically (for instance, it cannot be read or written to), I will replace it with a brand-new card of equal or greater quality, pre-loaded with the firmware and my configuration compatible with your device.
2. Data Corruption (Restoration)
If the card is physically healthy but the data has become corrupted—for instance, due to an unsafe shutdown—I will re-flash the card for you. I will wipe the card and reinstall the specific firmware and my configuration currently used on the device you purchased.
The Terms & Conditions (The “Fine Print”)
While I want to keep this simple, there are a few necessary definitions to ensure we are on the same page.
1. “Lifetime of the Device”
This guarantee is valid for the functional lifespan of the retro handheld device purchased from K-TEC Systems Ltd.
- If the handheld device itself reaches the end of its useful life (e.g., the screen fails, the motherboard dies, or it is damaged beyond repair), this guarantee on the MicroSD card ends.
- The guarantee is linked to the original device and is non-transferable if you sell the device to a third party.
2. “In Service of the Device”
This guarantee covers the MicroSD card while it is being used specifically with the handheld purchased from K-TEC.
- Covered: Using the card in the handheld; connecting the card to a PC/Mac for the specific purpose of backing up saves or updating that specific handheld’s ROM library.
- Not Covered: Using the card in cameras, phones, or other gaming devices; formatting the card for use with different firmware not supported by K-TEC Systems Ltd.
3. Data Liability & Game Saves
Please note that I cannot recover data from a dead or corrupted card.
- The replacement or restored card will be shipped with the clean, optimized configuration I provide to new customers.
- Any game saves, save states, or ROMs you have added since purchase will be lost.
- I strongly recommend you follow the guide in my Knowledge Base to back up your SD to your computer on a regular basis.
4. Exclusions
This guarantee does not cover:
- Physical damage to the card caused by mishandling (e.g., snapped, cracked, or bent cards).
- Loss or theft of the card.
- Cards that have been formatted by the user in a way that renders them permanently unusable (though this is rare).
How to Claim
If you encounter issues, please contact me via the contact page with your original Order Number.
- I will provide instructions to troubleshoot the issue.
- If the issue persists, you will need to post the original MicroSD card back to K-TEC Systems Ltd.
- Upon receipt and verification of the fault, I will dispatch your replacement or restored card.