Hacking Flashcart for NDS games on N3DSXL

[dan0f3]

EDIT: Added the answers in red.

First post since 2007 so I will do my best to be concise:

Looking for a flashcart to play all my NDS games on my new 3DSXL (currently 9.9 with no CFW). Till now I have used DS Lite and my trusty AceKard 2i with the 1.90 AKAIO (God, those were the days).

Dug this updated GBATEMP chart up and settled on the "R4i Gold" with Wood R4 firmware. Went to order and found many 'gold' cards.

After reading forums and other research, I am looking at the following 3:
(Included a link to all 3 on http://nds-card.com/ so you can see each also included is the link to the hardware homepage)

R4i-SDHC 3DS RTS (homepage)
R4i GOLD 3DS RTS (homepage)
R4isdhc GOLD Pro 2016 (homepage)


Question #1: Does it matter / is there a best? Looks like they have the same abilities and I am looking for one that gets firmware updates (or is compatible with another firmware that receives updates)
Edit: It does matter. Ordered R4i GOLD 3DS RTS (homepage)
(the r4ids.cn/ version officially supported by Wood firmware)
-Works great on all DS roms in my N3DS Sys version 9.9 (and is fine for the latest version (currently 10.6.0-31 U) too.
-Ordered from dsflashcart.com and got the tracking/package in a few days (I'm in the US these days)
-The other 2 cart options? Cannot tell if they support Wood, I would guess not.

Question #2: My google-foo must be crap because I cannot find the Wood R4 firmware team's site. Any leads?
EDIT: Never found their official site like AKAIO had but the official manufacturer site has 1.64 (newest) and I got it from there.

Question #3: Will my old .sav files work on the new firmware?
EDIT: YES! Both AKAIO and WOOD are based off the official OSMenu. As such all themes and saves work natively.

Question #4: Does the wifi work?
Yes. I have tested by trading Pokemon between my DS lite (using Acerkard) and my New 3DS using the R4i Gold. Perfection. **Note** Nintendo has discontinued their internet services so no more competive Mario Kart DS, trading Pokemon over the internet, etc. Direct connect still works like a charm.


Thank god GBATEMP is still kick'n ass

 

[Gcentrex]

Any reason for not installing CFW?

If you do you can install TWL_FIRM to emuNAND, as long as you have installed a newer firmware onto your Acekard 2i then it will fine

 

[dan0f3]

Busy. May get around to downgrading, choosing a CFW, etc. Its a chore I'm still researching.

 

[Gcentrex]

Busy. May get around to downgrading, choosing a CFW, etc. Its a chore I'm still researching.

Go with ReiNand, no needing to look for files to make it work

Just setup emuNAND with emunand9 or gateway, then setup cooldbooting

 

[dan0f3]

I'm really not looking to downgrade and go CFW for a while.

Anyone have ideas on the op?

 

[Gcentrex]

I'm really not looking to downgrade and go CFW for a while.

Anyone have ideas on the op?

Well the R4isdhc GOLD Pro 2016, is listed as working on 10.5 all the R4i cards that are dated recently should work fine on current firmware Nintendo has not updated their list of blocked NDS titles in a while

 

[wurstpistole]

I'd also recommend the r4i gold, it's cheap and runs wood kernel which is one of the best.

 

[dan0f3]

I'd also recommend the r4i gold, it's cheap and runs wood kernel which is one of the best.

Which one did you mean? They are both R4i Gold .

R4i GOLD 3DS RTS (homepage) I think you meant this one with the gold plastic packaging
R4isdhc GOLD Pro 2016 (homepage)

Also, do you know what Wood's web page is? Some claim official support from Wood and I bet they show the hardware on their site!


For anyone: Is the old AKAIO save system is in place for wood firmware? It would be great to use the save games that I've had since 2007. I expect they are because AKAIO and wood look similar (maybe from the same base app?)

Let me know!

 

[andre104623]

Which one did you mean? They are both R4i Gold .


Also, do you know what Wood's web page is? Some claim official support from Wood and I bet they show the hardware on their site!


For anyone: Is the old AKAIO save system is in place for wood firmware? It would be great to use the save games that I've had since 2007. I expect they are because AKAIO and wood look similar (maybe from the same base app?)

Let me know!

its the 2nd one down on the list. Thats the real one it runs official wood firmware. Its one of the best ds cards if ever used

 

[wurstpistole]

Which one did you mean? They are both R4i Gold .


Also, do you know what Wood's web page is? Some claim official support from Wood and I bet they show the hardware on their site!


For anyone: Is the old AKAIO save system is in place for wood firmware? It would be great to use the save games that I've had since 2007. I expect they are because AKAIO and wood look similar (maybe from the same base app?)

Let me know!

Not SDHC, the one that's only named R4i Gold is the one you want. Probably called R4i Gold 3DS RTS or something like that. Avoid the SDHC ones, they are cheap clones of the, well, already cloned R4i that don't support Wood.

 

[dan0f3]

Thanks everyone I was moving in that direction, but you guys helped steer me right. Looking at the wood firmware, I am betting my acekard .sav files will work normally too.

Ordered this R4i Gold 3DS (the http://www.r4ids.cn/ version officially supported by Wood firmware). Got it from dsflashcart.com (modchipsdirect.com was out of stock)
I was not able to choose shipping. Anyone familiar with how long this supplier takes? I have doubts that dsflashcart.com is really in the US , but meh I could not find one that 100% was US and on the manufacturers retailer list.

Have a good one, I can edit my original post with details after (shipping time, authenticity, compatibility, etc)

 

[dan0f3]

Updated OP with my experience and choices. Should be useful for anyone else asking the question.

Thanks guys!