Review What is a Flashcart?

alex · Oct 15, 2008

<div align="center">What is a Flashcart?</div>
<div align="center">A newbie's guide to the DS scene -by alex; For GBATemp only!</div>

In my spare time I have written a guide to flashcarts for the Nintendo DS(and Lite). It will cover all the basic information about flashcards and what the DS Scene is.

First of all, in the meantime, <strike><a href="http://wtfisaflashcart.tk" target="_blank">http://wtfisaflashcart.tk</a></strike>(link down) should redirect to this topic. If it does not or the link is down please Personal Message(PM) me or e-mail me at the contact link at the bottom of this post. Now let's get started.

Introduction

A flashcart is basically a card like a regular Nintendo DS game, but instead it has either internal storage, MicroSD slot(usually), or both. On this memory card or storage, you can store files on it, and on the many DS Homebrews(see “Homebrew”) or Applications, you could probably read some file types, such as MP3, DPG(see “Media”), image files(bmp, jpeg/jpg, png, and some more), and NDS files(see the next section).

*NOTE: Some(most) flashcarts have what is called “firmware files” that are usually placed at the root of the memory card. The root is when you go to the files in the memory card(you will need a card reader) without any sub-folders. There are some firmwares called “multibooters” because they load can load different firmwares depending on your card(see “Advanced”)

The “.NDS” file

All(current) Slot-1 flashcarts support the .NDS file extension, which is mainly used for Nintendo DS applications, homebrew games(see “Homebrew”), and DS ROMs(read-only memory). Notice: The next part goes in-depth about the NDS file extension, if you don't need this information, please continue on the “Homebrew” section of this guide.

The NDS file is just a container for the files inside of a ROM. For all God knows, we could be using .GM or .ABC or even (thank goodness it isn't) .dik. There could be any file, but since the system is the Nintendo DS(NDS for short) they picked(hackers, not Nintendo) NDS for the file type. It is simple and easy. And all flashcart makers followed it. Some .NDS files contain homebrew or applications, but some may contain DS games(see “The DS and the DS Scene”) and are illegal to distribute. Especially here on GBATemp, they don't take ROM sites nicely(even though part of the staff does pirate <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=" :rolleyes:

" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" />).

Homebrew

I'll give you five seconds to think about this word. HOME + BREW ...1...2...3...4...5

A homebrew is a file that can be emulated on a flashcart, and it acts like loading a game from a cartridge. Some homebrew require you to have extra files in the root of the memory card. I hope you learned that from earlier! Some homebrew are also Applications, and load different files. Moonshell is a good one, and don't ask where to get it, around here you'll be getting a lot people telling you to Google it. So I'll help you in advance, this is where I find all my information, besides news at the forum: <a href="http://google.com" target="_blank">http://google.com</a>

The DS and the DS Scene

This has been the part you've been waiting for huh? Free games, every person's dream, not having to pay for games that you want anymore. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> Good thoughts eh? Well here's something about that.

As you must know, piracy is highly illegal and Chuck Norris could come to your door and roundhouse your ass if you get caught. Well, something like that, the police can't always get Chuck to come. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=" :rolleyes:

" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" /> I am not responsible(nor is anyone else) if you get caught pirating and thrown into jail. Just clearing that up for you.

Now here's where it gets really interesting, with most flashcarts, you can play NDS roms, aka pirated games. Not having to pay, having all of the games in the world. All you have to do is know how to “unzip” with WinRAR, which can be found <a href="http://google.com" target="_blank">here</a>. They may either come in .zip or .rar files when downloaded to save space on the internet. And a good ROM site is here: <a href="http://google.com" target="_blank">AWESOME ROM SITE <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" /></a>

But first you need the flashcart(thank you Captain Obvious).

Now here's a bit of info on this “DS Scene:”

The DS Scene is like the whole listing and ROM contributing, and GBATemp has a Scene Release too! It only tells you the basic info, who dumped it(copying to the computer), filename, and file size. I would tell you to Google that too, but I hope you can help yourself here. Each game gets a number and a region like the following(not an actual release).

#0666 – Awesome Game 2000(U)

Here, the number in front is the release number, and is usually to the thousands place(I picked that number on purpose). Then comes the name, and the region code, (U) for USA, (E) for Europe, and (J) for Japan. Some others are used like (S) for Spain/Spanish. Or some people just use USA, Europe, Japan, Italian, etc. The Wii and GBA have a list too, and so do some others. But the main talk is the DS and the Wii(WiiWare+Virtual Console). I hope that is enough to satisfy you, if you have some questions or need some clearing up, please e-mail(you don't need to Google this one, it will be at the bottom of the post).

Media

With a flashcart you can run Apps such as Moonshell, that can listen to music in MP3 format. And DPG videos which are converted with BatchDPG to play on Moonshell. The Games 'n' Music by Datel plays another type that converts fast and pretty okay. But it does not play ROMs as Datel stays on Nintendo's good side(except for the Freeloader and Action Replay).

Sounds simple enough eh? That should be all you need! Next is the Advanced section and FAQs, and of course a list of Flashcarts, and who sells them.

Advanced

Multibooters- they allow you to load multiple firmware in one flashcart, one at a time, and choose which one to load. This is good for cards that may not play x homebrew game, but the other cart does.

Real Time X- This is a term used for something such as: Real Time Save, Real Time Cheats, Real Time Guide, and etc. They usually have a button combination that activates it, bringing you to a menu(usually).

--Real Time Save: This feature included in more and more flashcarts now, allows you to save in the game, without having to go to "Save Points" that are in certain games. This saves a lot of time so you can leave off whenever.

--Real Time Cheats: Allows you to activate a "Cheat Menu" while in-game to turn on and activate cheats, while in game, lots of simplicity there. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

--Real Time Guide: Opens up a guide while in the game. Simple enough? So if you don't have access to the computer, and you are stuck, take a FAQ from IGN or GameFAQs in .txt format, which is what you save as in Notepad(in Windows).

Soft Reset- The ability to reset IN-GAME so you don't have to use one more muscle and be lazier than ever not to hit that power switch/button, and hit another button combination. It takes you to menu and you can go to another file.

SDHC-Secure Device High Capcity(almost any SD card 4GB and higher) Not all flashcarts support them.

That should be all you need to know, but here's some extra information for you.

List of Current Slot-1 Flashcarts

EZ-Flash V Plus

Supercard DS-One v3 SDHC <-Willing to pay more, but great!

iTouch DS <-Good budget card

N5 -Clone of R4, maybe dead.

EDGE <-Great cart still!

Acekard 2 <-$14 at DealExtreme! That's a record low!

M3 DS Real -Dead(I guess?)

DS TopToy (DSTT) <- Claimed cheapest cart(price-wise) but chances of getting a fake is high

Acekard R.P.G. <-Whopping $75(about) but Internal Storage(mostly for developers)

Cyclo DS Evolution <- Claimed best cart, but $50

G6 DS Real

DS Linker 16Gbit

Ultra Flashpass 8Gbit

M3 DS Simply

Supercard DS-One(original)

EZ Flash V

Ninja Pass X9

R4(ugh)- Dead

Acekard v1

DS-Xtreme <-No team support(no firmware updates)

DSLink

Ninja DS

NeoMax

NeoFlash Magic Key 2

FAQs

Q. Why didn't you list the Rfo-
A. May God forgive you.

Q. Why does you-know-what say -Dead?
A. Nintendo pressed a lawsuit against them only, and they have no team support now. No updates. Dead.

Q. What are “clones?”
A. Clones are cards usually cards with firmwares and build structures the same to another cart.

Q. What are “fakes?”
A. Fakes are cards that are supposed to be like the cart, but not exactly, usually though they don't work that same/break down.

Q. What's the difference[between a clone and a fake]?
A. Clones are usually better than fakes, since fakes try to sell exactly like the others and make profit, even if they “brick” your DS.

Q. What's a “brick” got to do anything with a DS?
A. A brick is what you think, it makes your system as useful as a brick.

If you have any questions, PM me or e-mail me with the contact information below.

Contact

PM me by clicking the link under this post that says PM.

My e-mail is: [email protected]

Sites that are safe and trusted to buy from:

<a href="http://dealextreme.com" target="_blank">http://dealextreme.com</a> -Really cheap prices! Free(and slow) shipping!
<a href="http://realhotstuff.com" target="_blank">http://realhotstuff.com</a> -Sells the CycloDS Evolution while Deal Extreme does not[anymore].
<a href="http://dealwoot.com/" target="_blank">http://dealwoot.com/</a> -GBATemp Recommended Site
<a href="http://ishopvideogame.com/" target="_blank">http://ishopvideogame.com/</a> -GBATemp Recommended Site
<a href="http://kickgaming.com/" target="_blank">http://kickgaming.com/</a> -GBATemp Recommended Site
<a href="http://consolesource.com/" target="_blank">http://consolesource.com/</a> -GBATemp Recommended Site

Thank you for reading!

<div align="right">-End</div>

Closing Comments/Ending Notes

EDIT Numbah 1: Added R4 to the list, changed the FAQ a bit, added -Dead to certain cards, and went into a bit more depth about Real Time stuff.

Comment 1: I used the review section on GBATemp's Portal, so thanks for the list of flashcarts I have. And also the affiliates/trusted shops listed.

Dwight · Oct 15, 2008

Great guide for anybody who isn't a regular on this site.
I've had alot of friends ask about my Cyclo, and what it does, and I think that I'll start to refer them to this thread.
8/10

JPH · Oct 15, 2008

Nice guide, thank you.

Twiffles · Oct 15, 2008

Oh, so R4 is dead to everyone now? lol

Raestloz · Oct 15, 2008

QUOTE said:
A flashcart is basically a cart(ridge)

fixed, a cartridge, or cart, just like the term flashcart

And:

QUOTE said:

Real Time X- This is a term used for something such as: Real Time Save, Real Time Cheats, Real Time Guide, and etc. They usually have a button combination that activates it, bringing you to a menu(usually).

I think we need additional information regarding this, some people (well, children, usually, but hey, NDS is mostly for children! 10+ that is...)

Real Time Save: if you can't make something out of these words, then I'll make it simple: You can save anytime, anywhere, at any moment, so basically you can Real Time Save a game just before you attack and if it misses you can Real Time Load it again and repeat the process over and over

Real Time Cheats: Basically you can enable and disable the chsen cheats in-game, for example, you can disable Infinite Hp, and enable it only for boss fights, and disable it again, or vice versa

Real Time Guide: Basically, you can read a guide while playing the game, not the guide in the topscreen and the game in touchscreen, no. You can swicth between the game and the guide. Pretty much like you're playing a PC game, and you swicth between the windows to see a guide from the internet to see what should you do, and swtich back to the game to play it again

QUOTE said:

#0666 – Awesome Game 2000-XXX(U)

Here, the number in front is the release number, and is usually to the thousands place(I picked that number on purpose). Then comes the name, the release group's name, and the region code, (U) for USA, (E) for Europe, and (J) for Japan. Some others are used like (S) for Spain/Spanish. Or some people just use USA, Europe, Japan, Italian, etc. The Wii and GBA have a list too, and so do some others. But the main talk is the DS and the Wii(WiiWare+Virtual Console). I hope that is enough to satisfy you, if you have some questions or need some clearing up, please e-mail(you don't need to Google this one, it will be at the bottom of the post).

Click to expand...

You forgot the release group.

And another one:
QUOTE

Click to expand...

Q. Why isn't you-know-what up there?
A. Nintendo pressed a lawsuit against them only, and they have no team support now. No updates. Dead.

Nintendo pressed lawsuit against "You-Know-What" like devices, which means flashcarts, which means, all slot-1 flashcarts listed up there is in danger of extinction

That's all, Real Time terms are obvious, but some info won't hurt, doesn't it?

gizmo_gal · Oct 15, 2008

This is great, very dandy for newbies I'm sure. Thanks for taking the time to do it.

Law · Oct 15, 2008

QUOTE said:
Q. Why didn't you list the Rfo-
A. May God forgive you.

Q. Why isn't you-know-what up there?
A. Nintendo pressed a lawsuit against them only, and they have no team support now. No updates. Dead.

QUOTEM3 DS Simply
DS-X

Yeah, you should fix that (or perhaps be less biased).

Also

A miserable little pile of piracy

Wabsta · Oct 15, 2008

Nice guide!
Now I can give a link to this one to all my friends/parents(yes, even parent of my friends ask me about it).
So I won't have to explain everything a thousand times!

alex · Oct 15, 2008

Thanks people.

I've updated it with some of your suggestions.

I wrote this up for my friends too who want to know about that strange "white game" I have in my DS.

Dark · Oct 25, 2008

The M3 real isn't dead they release an update this month.

Diablo1123 · Oct 25, 2008

Best rom site ever there !
=D

Slot-2s (Supercard lite, etc) are considered flashcarts aren't they?
mention those are outdated too. =D

haringtonl · Oct 25, 2008

I wouldn't call m3 ds real dead if they just got RTS like a week or so ago.

Minox · Oct 25, 2008

Diablo1123 said:
Best rom site ever there !
=D

Slot-2s (Supercard lite, etc) are considered flashcarts aren't they?
mention those are outdated too. =D

Some slot 2 flashcarts are still updated, and they can't be considered outdated if they receive updates, right?

Another World · Oct 26, 2008

as long as i pre-patch my roms for save type when required, my flash2advance from 7yrs ago will play any gba i throw at it. it is no longer update, produced or sold and i do not consider it outdated. the m3 lite no longer has firmware releases, the team's official stance is that they will release one when needed. a large number of roms do not work on it without hacks or patches, and still no updates have been released. however, even though they do not release firmware for it i do not consider it to be outdated. my r4 is lacking many features of the current flash linkers, the company has stopped producing the kits, and it will never be updated again. compared to other kits in its class i do consider it to be outdate.

my point being that my views are from my perspective. a guide like this one should be for everyone and not contain biased opinions be there fact to back them up or not. unless we can all agree on what outdated means it remains a matter of opinion and should not be used in the review of flash kits.

specifics instead like r4 - no longer produced, m3 lite - no updates for the past year, etc would be better suited here.

-another world

themuddaload · Oct 26, 2008

m3 real is definately not dead, sakura and the normal m3 firmware got big updates like a week ago.

tiger1807 · Nov 19, 2008

YAY!!!

My friends will enjoy (forget enjoy, they MUST) reading this article. thanks for this good "what's a flascard" forum, which i have no use of

----------------------------

got 8 pc gamepads and ongoing heheheheh...

Exbaddude · Jun 11, 2009

Sweet Guide.

Now I know What REAL TIME IS! Ooooo

PettingZoo · Jun 11, 2009

What is a flashcart? Why a flashcart is most certainly an R4. FFFFFFFUUU, seriously at school and stuff if some people seeing me playing on my M3 they say "OH IS DAT AN R4?!?!". Good thread anyway, keep up the good work

DeltaBurnt · Jun 11, 2009

Uhh thanks for the like 7 month bump guys...

Anyways why the heck did you say the M3 DS Real was dead!? It's one of the top carts thanks to M3 Sakura...but this guide was made in October...before the official English release...

triassic911 · Jun 13, 2009

You should add what carts have what loader(s) and alternate firmware for those dead carts, like how the R4 has to use YSMenu to get anywhere now.

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