I've been digging around online, I already have a DS Lite and I'd like to use the R4 card to play backups of my games. Assuming I have the .nds files, is it as easy as copying them onto my 32GB micro SD card and inserting that into the R4?
How does the R4 work in terms of saving games? Is it still possible to save at the usual save points allowed by the respective games? I'm not too fussed about the ability to save whenever. Furthermore, I've read a little about Auto AP Bypass. Would the lack of this feature on the R4 prevent me from playing new games?
Finally, can anyone recommend somewhere reliable online to buy a flashcard in the UK?
Welcome to the 'temp.
There's a little more to it than throwing the ROM file on the MicroSD, sticking it in the flashcart, and using it, but not that much more. You will have to put a kernel, i.e. operating software, on your MicroSD in order for the flashcart to load your ROMs/Homebrews.
Saving functions in-game is done by the flashcart; the kernel of the flashcart figures out what the right size for ".sav" file data to be. The flashcart duplicates the function of the original game's internal memory, but to a file on your MicroSD.
Auto AP Bypass isn't terribly important
at the moment if you are just looking into using an ordinary R4, but the original 1:1 R4 Revolution for NDS/NDSL flashcart is NOT compatible with SDHC (this limits you to 2GB max MicroSD).
If you want a flashcart that has pretty much the same software support (
Wood R4 kernel) that WILL work with a 32GB MicroSDHC flash memory card, then you will have to consider the
http://www.r4idsn.com "R4i 3D" or the
http://www.r4ids.cn "R4i Gold 3DS" carts. ***
There are LOTS of clones and look-alikes, so be SURE those are the URLs printed on the packaging/flashcart**
The reason I say Auto AP Bypass isn't that terribly important is because YWG's updates are very rapid even though the rate at which Nintendo DS games are being released have slowed down to a trickle. The purpose of Auto AP Bypass is to provide some support for Anti-Piracy enabled games before any loader/kernel updates are released to make them compatible internally (so Clean, unpatched ROMs play even though there's AP built in). But because now, the Nintendo DS is really at the end of it's lifecycle, and games are coming out for it so slowly, pretty much everything out there is already compatible.
I can't personally recommend any UK shops (I'm in the US), but ShopTemp has a directory of UK-based shippers. Though it's not closely monitored for honesty (some of the listings seem pretty broken sometimes), they do have review systems so you can look at higher rated shops, and I do highly recommend you pay close attention to an online retailer's supposed shipping location.
Or if you would recommend that I get another card instead, please feel free to let me know.
Edit: Concerning multiplayer: If a friend and I were to play Mario Kart DS for example off of our R4 cards, would there be any problems connecting?
Thanks
The only time you'd experience broken multiplayer functions is if the game's ROM file is improperly patched. Make sure to get "Clean" versions. The frequent updates to Wood kernel include all patching information necessary, usually all ROM releases up until the date of the Wood release are fully compatible.
Even local Download Play works correctly with R4/flashcarts as long as the ROM's not messed up.
Please refer to the "
Which Flashcart Should I Get?" chart created by Rydian if you're interested in features other than loading Homebrew/Games.
edited for more thorough information.
