Hacking Newb debating on which flashcart to buy

SgtShaeffer

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Hello all, I recently decided after much internal debate to try out a flashcart for my nintendo (3)DS, and frankly, i've been reading around the site doing some research and i'm simply lost.
I'm technologically inclined so beginner friendly setup isn't an absolute must (built my own PC ground up and use ubunutu, so i figure being armed with a few guides and general computer knowledge from that should be enough to get me through)

Now, to make things simple i'll start out by listing what i'm looking for, and what I have on hand.

Preferences:

-Must be able to play my GBA games (Especially my beloved Harvest Moon: FoMT XD)

-Be reliable enough to last extended periods of time (Talking shelf-life and regular-short-term-use: probably won't even bother pulling it out of the handheld unless necessary, and i only play my DS while on the go, not typically 8hr sessions, just 30min-1hr here or there.)

-Be SDHC (I have a large collection of games and don't like my pants feeling like a packmule)

Also, here is what I currently have on hand pertaining to things either required for basic use or recommended by guides/reviews posted on GBATemp

-3DS (With several month old firmware patch, iirc)

-2 DS Lites (1 metallic 1 Gloss, if that helps any.)

-1 8GB micro SDHC (nothing special, came with an old phone but i figure it's workable 'til i can get better)

-Several 2GB micro SDs from old cell phones (My sister goes through them like water---Sometimes because of water =P)

-Micro SD USB adapter



Finally, my actual dilemma in words, for those who may or may not be interested:


So, as mentioned i've been reading around the site, and I've heard recommendations of the Acekard 2i, the Supercard DStwo and the R4i Gold 3DS. However, I've also noticed each one had it's fair share of issues, from the Acekard steadily losing update support, to the Supercard DStwo (to my understanding) being structurally weak and having general buggyness (though I've also heard the exact opposite, in that it is solidly built and provides the best GBA experience of any, and above average DS gaming quality), while the R4i IIRC is kind of buggy and, according to price, i'd assume it to be of pretty low quality----I'm a believer in the phrase "You get what you pay for" but I also have heard it's a budget model (?? Could be confusing the card with something else)


So to wrap it all up, according to you, the people with more experience than I,


Which card should I get if I am looking for decent GBA emulation (I'm not too irked as long as it's not outright detestable---nothing's perfect, eh?) reliability in the face of general wear and tear, and SDHC compatibility for those pesky 600MB RPGs? Also retaining a fair amount of these features between 3DS and DS lite (just in case of unexpected temporary incompatibility with the newer system)


And one last thing, I live in the US---What would be a reliable site to buy this off of, and how long could I expect delivery to take? (not looking for 100% accuracy, just relative length. I'm not a fan of buying things up-front without having something solid and tangible in my hands ASAP)


Much thanks in advance!
 

Rydian

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http://gbatemp.net/t290097-which-flash-cart-should-i-get

1 - You can't naturally run GBA games from the DS-card slot, which is why you're not finding much info on it. Seeing as the DSi and 3DS have no GBA-card slot, though, other methods had to be found. Unfortunately emulation is the only viable option, and the only cart that does it well is the DSTwo, and then it's not perfect. Not all games run, some have minor issues, etc. The only reason the DSTwo can do it is because it has it's own onboard processor that's faster than the DS's (remember that the DS is cheap handheld hardware from 2004), so it's not like you can drop the DSTwo's emulator on an R4 and run it. That said, many people use the DSTwo's GBA emulator just fine daily. Might want to look up videos and reviews and such, or consider purchasing something else for GBA, such as a PSP (much more powerful than the DS).

2 - The DSTwo is fine. The R4i Gold is fine (despite the price). The Ak2i, however, has build quality issues.

3 - The only cart still in use without SDHC support is the original R4. All the other recommended ones support SDHC.

4 - Having a DS Lite is good, in case you update and block your cart, you can use the Lite to update the cart.
http://gbatemp.net/topic/315784-flash-carts-and-dsi3ds-updates/

5 - Don't use cheap MicroSDs, that's where a lot of problems with. MicroSDs that come with phones are usually the cheapest bottom-of-the-barrel stuff made. They're the Celeron D of the MicroSD world.

6 - People recommend http://www.zhuzhuchina.com/store/ or http://www.realhotstuff.com/ nowadays, as most other shops stopped carrying flash carts and such. Paypal's started closing the accounts of shops that sell flash carts...

As far as price goes, remember that you're dealing with mass-cloned chinese hardware for a device with specs layed out in 2004. DS carts are nowhere near high-end technology and are relatively cheap and easy to manufacture. I agree with your statement that you get what you pay for, for ~$20 or so is average for these carts nowadays (except for the DSTwo since it has a lot more inside it).
 
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Another World

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If you want GBA, the DSTWO is the only card that does it.

the iplayer (by supercard, no longer supported), ismart mm (iplayer OEM by ismartds), and 1 other clone support gba emulation as well.

of those 4 the scds2 is the one to get for gba emulation.

-another world
 
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EyeZ

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After reading your post my recommendation for cart and a site to purchase from http://www.zhuzhuchina.com/store/supercard_dstwo_slot_1_multilanguage_1_4_4_compatible_gba_iplayer_mediaplayer_3ds_preflashed.html

I'm in the UK and my orders have taken a little over a week from the site i linked to.
 
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Go with the Supercard DSTwo, it's the only 3DS compatible flashcart that can play GBA games to a reasonable level. For requiring GBA games on 3DS you really don't have any choice.

Although if you decide playing GBA isn't that important, go with an R4i Gold 3DS, it's cheap and very, very good for the price.
 

SgtShaeffer

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If you want GBA, the DSTWO is the only card that does it. But it's not perfect. I also would recommend a PSP or an Android phone for GBA emulation.
Actually, the R4i Gold 3DS is a great card. WOOD supported, quick updates every new firmware, and all for $10-12. I would recommend it over the AceKard 2i (slow 3ds updates, contact issues, held together by clips)


Yeah, my buddy has a PSP phat he effed up trying to flash so he could use it for that so i'm a little iffy on that. Also it's kind of an entirely new system to carry around, though i guess that's kind of moot considering i've carried my DS Lite AND my 3DS alongside 5+ GBA cartridges and 10 or so DS/3DS games.


Really the whole reason i was looking into this was in order to cut down on bloat, though now that i think about it, i might as well just walk two blocks down the street and buy a PSP from gamestop and order an R4i Gold to plug into my 3DS. Looking at that setup i'd only be carrying around 2 fairly light systems and 3 or 4 3DS games.

Still a lot better than what i'd carry before, and i'd even be able to play a few games i've been wanting to play since the PSP.



Thanks again all!


Edit: On second thought, looking at how PSP prices have skyrocketed, maybe i'll just forget the whole PSP thing too. Still will probably get an R4i though. It'll cut down tremendously still.
 

jimmyemunoz

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Why is this not the top line of page 1 (homepage) of gbatemp? I think it needs to be more accessible to people, because they're not finding it. This forum is getting ridiculous with the amount of threads saying "Which card is the best" "Which card should I buy," and my favorite "How do I tie my shoes." Where is the moderation team on this issue that pops up everyday, if not more.
 

Another World

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that thread is already stickied in its appropriate section. i would counter and say this forum is getting ridiculous with people who can't take a few hours to poke around before posting. that thread is easy to find if they only looked around a bit.

Yeah, my buddy has a PSP phat he effed up trying to flash so he could use it for that so i'm a little iffy on that.

hacking the new psp 3000 is easy as cutting pie. with the temp hack there is little to no risk. the very first time you run it and boot up any number of emulated systems the hack starts to pay for the system.

-another world
 

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