Hacking R4i Savedongle Review

[someonewhodied]

R4i Save Dongle Review - Someonewhodied


---Packaging---

Comes in a generic Envelope

Upon opening the envelope, there is the R4i box

Inside the box, there is the savedongle

Flat bottom of the SaveDongle allows for it to be used on a USB port that is right on top of another one, Game fits snugly into the savedongle

Firmware updating is very simple. Directions also provided on-window so that users don't have to search for directions.

Save Extract/Restore program is very easy to use. The only problem I've experienced with this is that it occasionally crashes after extracting a save.


---Save Tool Results---

--Results--
-3ds-

Mario Kart 7:
Backup: Success
Restore: Success
Restore Downloaded Saves: Fail

Blazblue CS2:
Backup: Success
Restore: Success
Restore Downloaded Saves: Success

Super Mario 3D Land
Backup: Success
Restore: Success
Restore Downloaded Saves: Fail

-NDS-
Pokemon Diamond:
Backup: Success
Restore: Success
Restore Downloaded Saves: Success

Mario and Luigi Bowser's Inside Story
Backup: Success
Restore: Success
Restore Downloaded Saves: Success

Super Mario 64 DS:
Backup: Success
Restore: Success
Restore Downloaded Saves: Success

---Conclusion---
Pros:
Backups and Restores your own saves perfectly
Easy to use
Easy to Upgrade

Cons:
Save Backup/Restore Tool Crashes a Lot (for me at least)
Can Not Restore Downloaded 3DS Saves with New Encryption

---My Rating---
8/10
Performs functions as advertised but could be improved.

 

[gorolink]

A question for you or for anyone who has this save dongle: It's known that Resident Evil: The Mercenaries had a saving issue, so once you created a save game, it couldn't be erased (Maybe for making users avoid second-hand buying this game).
Is it possible to create a save of the game before you first use it (or maybe just when you start it) so you can restore the save if you're going to lend it / sell it to a friend?
Sorry for my English

 

[someonewhodied]

Yeah, its easy.

All you have to do is extract the save, take it to a hex editor, and restore it, and then it will be "corrupted" and auto erase. You can also keep another backup on your computer if you ever want to, in a way, "unerase" it or restore it.

 

[mysticwaterfall]

Somebody has also posted a blank save for it over at the save dongle website, so you could also just restore that. Restoring worksfine for pre mario games.

 

[gorolink]

Somebody has also posted a blank save for it over at the save dongle website, so you could also just restore that. Restoring worksfine for pre mario games.

Yeah, its easy.

All you have to do is extract the save, take it to a hex editor, and restore it, and then it will be "corrupted" and auto erase. You can also keep another backup on your computer if you ever want to, in a way, "unerase" it or restore it.

Thank you for your answers. I don't think I buy RE Mercenaries because I have always thought that it's a mini-game from RE 4 with a price tag on it, but this information you provided may be useful if the outcoming RE Revelations has the same issue.

 

[Mgun]

Yeah, its easy.

All you have to do is extract the save, take it to a hex editor, and restore it, and then it will be "corrupted" and auto erase. You can also keep another backup on your computer if you ever want to, in a way, "unerase" it or restore it.

Sorry , can you explain how restore the 3ds save by hex editor???

 

[TyBlood13]

Sorry , can you explain how restore the 3ds save by hex editor???

What he means is, for games that have unerasable saves, like Resident Evil, is too change 1 byte in a hex editor, then restore it onto the cart, so the game will think the save is corrupted, and wipe it so you start a new game.

 

[Mgun]

So i need to delete all the code of the save in hex editor and import the empty save to the game???

 

[Metab.]

So I take it, it can only play DS games correct?
I know it's a stupid question and the answer is most probably going to be a flat out 'yes' but I'm still asking.

 

[Rydian]

So I take it, it can only play DS games correct?
I know it's a stupid question and the answer is most probably going to be a flat out 'yes' but I'm still asking.

It doesn't play ANY games at all. It's a tool used to backup and restore saves on retail game carts to/from the PC.

 

[Metab.]

It doesn't play ANY games at all. It's a tool used to backup and restore saves on retail game carts to/from the PC.

Oh ok that makes sense.
Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Technicmaster0]

So i need to delete all the code of the save in hex editor and import the empty save to the game???

No. You can change one byte. The game will think that the save is corrupted and it will create a new save file.

 

[FrustratedFarmer]

Hi, I'm sorry to resurrect a dead thread but I had some questions. See, I'm trying to copy my Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns file from one cartridge to another cartridge but can't seem to do it. I have a PowerSaves Action replay device and I used that to back-up my save onto my computer but when I tried to transfer that to the new cartridge it didn't work. This save dongle thing seems like it could do the trick but not only do I not understand fully how it works but I am also a bit concerned about this

Can Not Restore Downloaded 3DS Saves with New Encryption

What is New Encryption, how can I tell if my save has it or not and is there anyway to get around this if my save does have it? Thank you in advance.

A very FrustratedFarmer