Hacking [3DS] Flashcart/SD memory card recommendation

[alfun]

What are my options for a flashcart that works on the Nintendo 3DS? I have seen people talking about R4i Gold, R4i SDHC, Acekard, SuperCard DSTWO, etc. I'm not interested in the Gateway 3DS.

Which brands, class speeds, and size do you guys recommend for SD memory? About how many DS games can fit onto a 2GB memory card?

What are some sites that you guys recommend I buy from? I live in the US. Which sites are based in the US? How long does it usually take to ship if I buy from other countries?

I have read some postings by members Rydian and stephysanrio and I think they said get the R4i Gold RTS from r4ids.cn, but I found another site called r4idsn.com. Are both of these sites from the same people?

r4ids.cn/news.htm now has a new V6.1 RTS mark on their flashcarts. What are the differences between this one, the R4i Gold RTS version, and other versions? Is all the hardware the same but they just come with updated software and different box and label on the flashcart? Does anyone know when the R4i Gold RTS was released?

Is shoptemp.net just a site to compare prices that is owned by gbatemp.net? Is realhotstuff.tk and realhotstuff.com the same site? nds-card.com, zhuzhuchina.com, hackyourconsole.com, modchipfactory.com, peachds.com, are all of these sites safe to buy from?

How do I make sure that I do not get a clone/fake/copy/etc flashcart? r4gold.cc is this a fake one?

 

[Cartmanuk]

You can fit about 40 ds roms on a 2gb card and most people recommend a class 4 minimum.

 

[DinohScene]

If you want to stay on the safe side, get a DSTwo.
It's far superior then the R4.

 

[Rydian]

Read the stickies.
http://gbatemp.net/t290097-which-flash-cart-should-i-get
http://gbatemp.net/threads/ds-dsi-3ds-hacking-f-a-q.278137/

 

[The Real Jdbye]

What are my options for a flashcart that works on the Nintendo 3DS? I have seen people talking about R4i Gold, R4i SDHC, Acekard, SuperCard DSTWO, etc. I'm not interested in the Gateway 3DS.

Which brands, class speeds, and size do you guys recommend for SD memory? About how many DS games can fit onto a 2GB memory card?

What are some sites that you guys recommend I buy from? I live in the US. Which sites are based in the US? How long does it usually take to ship if I buy from other countries?

I have read some postings by members Rydian and stephysanrio and I think they said get the R4i Gold RTS from r4ids.cn, but I found another site called r4idsn.com. Are both of these sites from the same people?

r4ids.cn/news.htm now has a new V6.1 RTS mark on their flashcarts. What are the differences between this one, the R4i Gold RTS version, and other versions? Is all the hardware the same but they just come with updated software and different box and label on the flashcart? Does anyone know when the R4i Gold RTS was released?

Is shoptemp.net just a site to compare prices that is owned by gbatemp.net? Is realhotstuff.tk and realhotstuff.com the same site? nds-card.com, zhuzhuchina.com, hackyourconsole.com, modchipfactory.com, peachds.com, are all of these sites safe to buy from?

How do I make sure that I do not get a clone/fake/copy/etc flashcart? r4gold.cc is this a fake one?

Basically it comes down to DSTWO vs R4i Gold, take a look at the links Rydian posted and choose the one that suits you the best.

It's worth noting that the DSTWO is blocked by updates less often than other flashcarts, and when it's blocked, there's usually a firmware update available within a day, whereas other flashcarts can take weeks. This for me is a big reason to get a DSTWO (and is in fact one of the main reasons I upgraded to it from the AK2i) and is something the "which flashcart should I get" topic doesn't mention.

As for memory card you don't want to get a class 10 - they often have slower read speeds than lower class cards. A class 4 will do just fine, as it's the read speed that matters - and that's typically much higher than the write speed on class 2-6 cards.

 

[Rydian]

Oh yeah... I keep forgetting to add that.

 

[alfun]

Read the stickies.
http://gbatemp.net/t290097-which-flash-cart-should-i-get
http://gbatemp.net/threads/ds-dsi-3ds-hacking-f-a-q.278137/

I read those before I created this thread. Those 2 threads were created pretty long ago but I noticed that they get updated. Is all the information from both of the threads still correct? After reading those 2 threads, they still don't answer some of my questions.

The Real Jdbye mentioned R4i Gold. Is this the one that I should buy? R4i Gold 3DS RTS.
http://nds-card.com/ProShow.asp?ProID=149

On the r4ids.cn website there is a R4i gold 3DS with "V6.1" mark. Is this the same flashcart? All these different names for the same flashcart got me confused.

So r4ids.cn and r4idsn.com is the same team? Is this the same team that made the R4 Original?

Can you still buy the R4 Original? I thought I read something on here about a year ago that they stopped making them? Or are all the R4 flashcarts clones now? I have a R4 Original flashcart but I think it's a 1:1 clone?

After I get the flashcart do I download this kernal? Wood R4 for R4i Gold (R4iDS) 1.60 Download. Is there also some other software or firmware to download? I'm still confused about the differences between a kernal/firmware/OS/menu.
http://filetrip.net/nds-downloads/f...ad-wood-r4-for-r4i-gold-r4ids-160-f32050.html

I saw RetroGameFan Updates/Releases thread. Is this the same thing as the Wood R4 Kernal? Whats the recommended kernal for my R4 Original?
http://gbatemp.net/threads/retrogamefan-updates-releases.267243/

How many firmware updates has the N3DS had since it was released? Did every update block the use of flashcarts? For each of the updates did some flashcarts not work and you had to end up buying a new flashcart or did it just end up being a new kernal update to fix the problem?

I'm leaning towards getting a R4i Gold because it is cheaper and I don't need the emulation feature that the DSTWO has. I've had good experience with my old R4 flashcart and I'm impressed that the Wood R4 kernal works on it and gets updated quit frequently. Does anyone know when the R4i Gold was first released? If it was released a little bit after the N3DS was first released then I'm guessing it's a pretty good/safe flashcart to get since it's still working till this day?

About the memory card, is it just recommended to get any name brand card? Kingston or SanDisk? I think I read somewhere on here that most people on here get ADATA or Transcend brand? And just look for 4 or 8GB with class 4 or 6?

 

[Rydian]

Yes this stuff is still updated. The reason a lot of the info seems old is because the DS is dead and all the "3DS" flash cart are just DS flash carts with new headers (except for the Gateway, but that's not even been reviewed yet).

Yes the sticker designs change all the time, what's most important is the URL, the home page of the team that made it. r4ids.cn and r4dsn.com had some split but both work the same and use Wood, and it's the recommended budget cart (mainly the r4ids.cn).

No, the original R4 team disbanded years ago. But these things come from China, and China doesn't give two fucks about concepts like "trademart" and "copyright". So there's actually far more clones than recommended carts (which is partially why the recommended list is so small).

The original R4 design is in the chart, and as you can see it has no SDHC support (2GB MicroSD max) and no DSi/3DS support (it will NOT boot itself on them). All the ones now are clones, but they're 1:1, they run the same (same software support, but the same limits).

You should get the software from the site printed on it. For example r4ids.cn has it's own build of Wood (done with cooperation from Wood's author).

The FAQ thread covers the whole kernel/firmware difference, along with this thread.
http://gbatemp.net/threads/why-was-my-cart-blocked-how-do-i-unblock-it-firmware-update.315784/

The RGF/YSMenu is only used if there's no official support for the cart you have, ignore it in your case (you have official Wood support).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_3DS_system_software
The 3DS has had a lot of firmare updates, and most of them try to block carts. Generally you just need a firmware update for the cart, but eventually every single cart (except the DSTwo) gets blocked and you need to buy a new one. Except the DSTwo, that's never had it happen because it's a better design and special and shit. If you care about not buying a second one, get the DSTwo.

The Gold was released during the DSi's lifetime, before the 3DS. And no, the first models don't work anymore on the 3DS. In fact the review model they sent me stopped being able to update during 4.x (and the 3DS is on 6.x now). The DSTwo is the only cart ot get if you want to keep your 3DS updated.

The FAQ has a writeup on memory card. Stay away from Kingston, do not order from any online place other than DIRECT stores (newegg etc, NO AMAZON, NO EBAY, NO CHINESE IMPORT FLASH CART SITES), etc.

 

[alfun]

Yes this stuff is still updated. The reason a lot of the info seems old is because the DS is dead and all the "3DS" flash cart are just DS flash carts with new headers (except for the Gateway, but that's not even been reviewed yet).

What do you mean the DS is dead? Do you mean the flashcart scene for the DS is not as popular as it was before?

The 3DS has had a lot of firmare updates, and most of them try to block carts. Generally you just need a firmware update for the cart, but eventually every single cart (except the DSTwo) gets blocked and you need to buy a new one. Except the DSTwo, that's never had it happen because it's a better design and special and shit. If you care about not buying a second one, get the DSTwo.

What makes the DSTWO special that it can't get blocked? Is it because of how it is made with the hardware inside?

The Gold was released during the DSi's lifetime, before the 3DS. And no, the first models don't work anymore on the 3DS. In fact the review model they sent me stopped being able to update during 4.x (and the 3DS is on 6.x now). The DSTwo is the only cart ot get if you want to keep your 3DS updated.

For each new model do the teams change the hardware that is inside the flashcart and also the label that is on the flashcart? So for the Gold is the "RTS" one model and the newest model now is the one with "V6.1" mark? Do you know when the SuperCard DSTWO was first released, was it also released during the DSi's lifetime before the 3DS?

The FAQ has a writeup on memory card. Stay away from Kingston, do not order from any online place other than DIRECT stores (newegg etc, NO AMAZON, NO EBAY, NO CHINESE IMPORT FLASH CART SITES), etc.

Why stay away from Kingston? I thought I read a post on here that Kingston memory cards were good if they were made in Japan?

So if I go for the R4i Gold, is this the correct one to get?
http://nds-card.com/ProShow.asp?ProID=149

And for the SuperCard DSTWO, is this the correct one to get?
http://nds-card.com/ProShow.asp?ProID=135

 

[Rydian]

What do you mean the DS is dead? Do you mean the flashcart scene for the DS is not as popular as it was before?

No, I mean the DS itself. The Nintendo DS was released in 2004, and everything's going 3DS now (just like the GBA was phased out before when everything went DS).

What makes the DSTWO special that it can't get blocked? Is it because of how it is made with the hardware inside?

It has it's own built-in CPU and RAM and such and can actually run programs without booting, it reads some data from the MicroSD to pass the 3DS's checks instead of storing it internally like other carts, etc.

Other flash cart makers know about these designs and techiques, they just choose not to implement it because it costs more.

For each new model do the teams change the hardware that is inside the flashcart and also the label that is on the flashcart?

For each new model the hardware changes (even if slightly), but they don't always change the sticker... which causes issues here, sometimes people need to take their cart apart and/or read data off the PCB in order to tell which model they got.

So for the Gold is the "RTS" one model and the newest model now is the one with "V6.1" mark?

I'm not sure on that, since the R4i Gold got blocked a few times already (and all four of mine had stopped updating) I just use my DSTwo and don't bother with anything else. If somebody has both and can do comparisons we could see.

Do you know when the SuperCard DSTWO was first released, was it also released during the DSi's lifetime before the 3DS?

Yes, the DSTwo came out before the 3DS, and it's still working through every single update.

Not so for other carts, even the R4i Gold has had to change models multiple times.

Why stay away from Kingston? I thought I read a post on here that Kingston memory cards were good if they were made in Japan?

Kingston does not make cards, they re-sell cards other companies made, so the quality varies highly.

So if I go for the R4i Gold, is this the correct one to get?
http://nds-card.com/ProShow.asp?ProID=149

And for the SuperCard DSTWO, is this the correct one to get?
http://nds-card.com/ProShow.asp?ProID=135

Yes and yes.

 

[Ericthegreat]

What are my options for a flashcart that works on the Nintendo 3DS? I have seen people talking about R4i Gold, R4i SDHC, Acekard, SuperCard DSTWO, etc. I'm not interested in the Gateway 3DS.

Which brands, class speeds, and size do you guys recommend for SD memory? About how many DS games can fit onto a 2GB memory card?

What are some sites that you guys recommend I buy from? I live in the US. Which sites are based in the US? How long does it usually take to ship if I buy from other countries?

I have read some postings by members Rydian and stephysanrio and I think they said get the R4i Gold RTS from r4ids.cn, but I found another site called r4idsn.com. Are both of these sites from the same people?

r4ids.cn/news.htm now has a new V6.1 RTS mark on their flashcarts. What are the differences between this one, the R4i Gold RTS version, and other versions? Is all the hardware the same but they just come with updated software and different box and label on the flashcart? Does anyone know when the R4i Gold RTS was released?

Is shoptemp.net just a site to compare prices that is owned by gbatemp.net? Is realhotstuff.tk and realhotstuff.com the same site? nds-card.com, zhuzhuchina.com, hackyourconsole.com, modchipfactory.com, peachds.com, are all of these sites safe to buy from?

How do I make sure that I do not get a clone/fake/copy/etc flashcart? r4gold.cc is this a fake one?

Seems Gateway3ds is real, if your interested in that.

 

[alfun]

Seems Gateway3ds is real, if your interested in that.

Lol. Third sentence says I'm NOT interested in the Gateway 3DS.

After I get the SD memory card is it recommended to format it right away? If so, which formatter is recommended? I've always used the built-in Windows formatter and that's always worked fine for me. I read somewhere that the Panasonic Formatter was better than the built-in Windows one and was wondering why is that? I also read that someone had trouble with a rom and it wouldn't work until he formatted with the built-in Windows formatter and none of the other formatters worked for him.

I found SDFormatter posted by retrogamefan:
http://gbatemp.net/threads/retrogamefan-updates-releases.267243/

And Panasonic Formatter posted by Rydian:
http://gbatemp.net/threads/having-trouble-getting-a-game-to-run-read-this.277771/

 

[Rydian]

The panasonic formatter is better for reasons that I CBA to type out because it'd be a paragraph and wouldn't change the answer from "yes, use it". It's all techy shit, cluster size and partition offset, etc.

Basically most formatters are meant to format harddrives, not flash storage, and are not using settings for the lowest read latency.

 

[alfun]

For the flashcart, I went with the SuperCard DSTWO. Bought it from realhotstuff.com $40 they are located in New Jersey, USA. Ordered it on a Friday, arrived on Wednesday. I recommend Standard Domestic Shipping $2.50 and Insurance for $1.60.
http://www.realhotstuff.com/Supercard-DSTWO_p_25.html

realhotstuff.com, realhotstuff2.com, realhotstuff.hk, 0shippingzone.com are all the same company. Order from realhotstuff.hk or 0shippingzone.com to save some money, also there are some other items listed. Might take longer ordering from out of country though.

I wanted to order from nds-card.com as I read that it was the official sponsor of GBAtemp but they're located in China and most of the China/Hong Kong websites say that it could take from 7-30 days for an item to arrive. I read that some people got their items in as little as 7 days but I didn't want to take the chance. Probably a good idea to spend the $2 to get registered air mail for tracking.

For the SD memory card, I went with the Transcend 8GB Micro SDHC Flash Card Model TS8GUSDHC6 $9.99, it got 6x Winner for Flash Memory Customer Choice Award.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208453

Format SD memory card with the Panasonic SD Formatter v4.0. First link is for Windows, second link is for Mac.
https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_4/eula_windows/SDFormatterv4exe.zip
https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_4/eula_mac/SDFormatter_4.00B.pkg

Use Terminator02 guide for setting up the SuperCard DSTWO.
http://gbatemp.net/threads/the-supercard-dstwo-beginners-guide-how-to-setup-the-dstwo.290190/

If you have a DS Phat(Original DS) or DS Lite look into the R4 Original flashcart.
If you have a DSi or 3DS look into the R4i Gold flashcart if you just want to play DS games, otherwise look into the SuperCard DSTWO flashcart.

 

[Rydian]

Even if you just want to play DS games, go with the DSTwo for the 3DS. Even the R4i Gold has gotten blocked multiple times and people needed to buy new ones.