Review R6 Gold

JPH · Jan 3, 2009

GBAtemp.net review of the...

R6 Gold <img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6goldtransparent.png" />

aka: Magickey R6 Gold, R6
Manufactured by: <a href="http://www.neoflash.com/">Neoflash</a>
Review sample supplied by: <a href="http://www.ic2005.com">IC2005</a>

By JPH - 2nd January 2008

Review Contents & Index:<ul><li><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#a">Introduction</a>
- <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#a1">Official feature list</a></li><li><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#b">Packaging and Contents</a>
- <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#b1">Box Contents</a></li><li><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#c">Cart Design</a>
- <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#c1">Rumble Pak</a></li><li><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#d">Setting Up & Using</a>
- <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#d1">GUI (OS)</a></li><li><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#e">Performance</a>
- <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#e1">ROM compatibility</a>
- <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#e2">Download Play / Single-Cart Multiplayer</a></li><li><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#f">Homebrew Support</a></li><li><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#x">Rumble Pak</a></li><li><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#g">Additional Features</a>
- <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#g1">auto-DLDI Patching</a>
- <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#g2">Blue LED</a>
- <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#g3">Cheats</a>
- <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#g4">Media</a>
- <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#g5">Motion</a>
- <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#g6">PassMe</a></li><li><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#h">Conclusion</a></li></ul><div class="reviewbreak"><a name="a">Introduction</a></div>
Welcome to yet another GBAtemp.net Slot-1 flashcart review.
I'll be reviewing the R6 Gold, a Slot-1 flashcart developed by the Neoflash team.
Unfortunately, the Neoflash team has been known to make poor quality flashcarts in the past. Hopefully this flashcart doesn't continue to lower the team's reputation!

<a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6IntroductionLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6IntroductionSmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

A thanks to the people at <a href="http://ic2005.com" target="_blank">IC2005</a> for supplying the sample for reviewing.
They're an excellent place to purchase flashcarts, and their shipping is quite fast. Thanks a lot!

The R6 Gold flashcart offers support for Micro SDHC cards, a built-in motion-sensor, built-in LED light, a complimentary Rumble pack, GBA support, and more.
The Neoflash team also developed an R6 Silver, which is identical to the R6 Gold except that it lacks a few features.
Don't be mistaken, though, they are different flashcarts.
What's unique about the R6 Gold flashcart is that it has a built-in motion sensor, allowing you to utilize the motion function of some homebrew games.
It also has a built-in blue-light which makes it stand out from most of the Slot-1 flashcart crowd.
We'll be covering aspect of the R6 Gold flashcart in this review. Get ready to find out how it stands up to the other Slot-1 flashcarts on the market!

Here we've got the official R6 Gold features list, straight from the back of the flashcarts box.
As you will see, the information on the back of the box isn't written in very good English and is hard to understand.

<a name="a1">Official Feature List:</a><ul><li>1:1 original NDS cart size</li><li>Support ALL version of NDS & Lite</li><li>Simple PLUG and PLAY</li><li>Drag and Drop, not need for any extra patch</li><li>Support Auto Sleep Mode</li><li>Support homebrew, like moonshell/Linux</li><li>Suitable for MicroSD & SDHC(TF)</li><li>Build in MagicKey pass2</li><li>Build in 4K/64K/512K REAL EEPROM Save</li><li>Build in 2M/4M/8M REAL EEPROM Save</li><li>Build in the LED indicator</li><li>Build in X, Y, Z 3-axis high speed accelerometer</li><li>Support MOTION MENU function</li></ul><div class="reviewbreak"><a name="b">Packaging and Contents</a></div>
The R6 Gold comes in a black box. It's a flimsy, cardboard box. My R6 Gold box came in rather beat up, as you can see.
It has the R6 Gold logo on the front, and contains a feature list on the back of the box (which you can read about above).
Other than that, there's not much more to say about it.

<a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6FrontBoxLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6FrontBoxSmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6BackBoxLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6BackBoxSmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

Inside, you'll find a plastic try containing the R6 Gold flashcart, a Rumble pak, a Phat DS adapter for the Rumble pak,and a Micro SD/SD reader. The Neoflash team no longer include the Mini-CD ROM with the package, so newer batches won't include one.

<a name="b1">Box Contents</a><ul><li>1x R6 Gold Flashcart</li><li>1x Rumble Pak</li><li>1x Phat DS Rumble Pak adapter</li><li>1x Micro SD/SD reader</li></ul><a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6PlasticTrayLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6PlasticTraySmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

As you can see, the package contains two freebies.

First, let's take a look at the Micro SD/SD reader. The Micro SD/Reader comes in a plastic, white shell. Not only does it read Micro SD(HC) cards, but it also reads regular SD cards!
Most flashcart kits only come with a Micro SD reader, so that's a pretty nice bonus to have two different sized SD readers in one.

The Micro SD/SD reader works absolutely fine. I've yet to have a problem using it, and I've tried both a Micro SD card and a regular SD card.
Also worth mentioning, there is an LED on the reader that lights up blue when it's connected to your computer.

<a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6SDReaderLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6SDReaderSmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6SDReader2Large.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6SDReader2Small.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6SDReader3Small.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6SDReader3Small.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

The R6 package comes with a Rumble Pak.
There's more information and images about the Rumble Pak later on in the review.

<a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPLiteAndPhatLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPLiteAndPhatSmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

<div class="reviewbreak"><a name="c">Cart Design</a></div>
The R6 Gold comes in a white, plastic shell.

On the front of the flashcart, you'll see the holographic sticker.
On the sticker, it has the logo as well as a few colored orbs and a the Micro SD and Micro SDHC logos to show that it supports them.
Feel around on the R6 Gold sticker and you'll find that it has no protruding chips sticking up from the cart. The front of the cart is flat, excluding a dip in the middle, which is nice.

Flip around to the back side of the R6 Gold, and you'll see, well, the back!
Since the R6 Gold comes in a white shell, you can visibly see some of the insides of the cart.

<a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6CartFrontLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6CartFrontSmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6CartBackLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6CartBackSmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

<a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6CartFront2Large.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6CartFront2Small.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6CartBack2Large.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6CartBack2Small.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

The R6 Gold has a spring loaded MicroSD slot.
There's a half-circle curve at the top of the cart, showing where you're to insert the Micro SD or Micro SDHC card.
Gently push the Micro SD or SDHC card until it's completely inside the flashcart. You will hear a satisfying click, signifying that the Micro SD or SDHC card is locked securely in place.
I've not had problems inserting or removing a Micro SD card from the slot, it seems to be built fine.
Even if you have small fingers or large fingers, removing the Micro SD or SDHC card should be no problem.
What's nice about this "feature," is that it allows you to remove your Micro SD or SDHC card from your R6 Gold without actually having to remove the flashcart too.

Despite the flashcart's poor build, the R6 Gold isn't much of a pain to remove and insert into your Nintendo DS.
Although the R6 Gold seems to be very similar to a commercial flashcart, it seems to be a tiny bit larger.

<a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6InsideDSLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6InsideDSSmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6InsideDS2Large.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6InsideDS2Small.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6InsideDS3Large.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6InsideDS3Small.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

The R6 Gold is a cheaply-made, plastic flashcart. There are no screws, so it just has plastic clips holding it together.
To take the back plastic part of the flashcart off, just wedge your fingers between the plastic and gently pull.

To test how flimsy the R6 Gold flashcart was, I dropped it about five feet onto a wooden surface to see whether it would break apart or not.
Not surprisingly, the back of the R6 Gold separated from the top half. I also tried this with several other Slot-1 flashcarts, yet none of them came apart.

I'm not very impressed by the strength of this flashcart's build.

<a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6CartInsides1Large.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6CartInsides1Small.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

The R6 Gold and commercial Nintendo DS carts are basically of the same shape and size. The R6 Gold seems to be a tiny bit wider, however.
The flashcart is flimsier, and it has the half-circle dip at the top of of it (where you insert the Micro SD or SDHC card).
It's worth mentioning that it's much easier to take apart the R6 Gold cart than it is the commercial cart.

<a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6CartComparisonLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6CartComparisonSmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6CartComparison2Large.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6CartComparison2Small.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6CartComparison3Large.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6CartComparison3Small.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

<div class="reviewbreak"><a name="d">Setting Up & Using</a></div>
Setting up and using the R6 Gold isn't very hard, as it's all drag 'n' drop - no software needed.

The R6 Gold supports Micro SD and Micro SDHC memory cards. So, first, connect your Micro SD or Micro SDHC card to your computer (the R6 Gold package includes a Micro SD reader, you can use that if you wish). Now you'll need to format your Micro SD or Micro SDHC to either FAT16 or FAT32.

You need the system files to place on the Micro SD or Micro SDHC card, now that it's been formatted.
So, I've downloaded the necessary files for the R6 from the <a href="http://neoflash.com" target="_blank">Neoflash website</a>. I suggest you download the latest version from the <a href="http://neoflash.com" target="_blank">Neoflash website</a> or the <a href="http://" target="_blank">GBAtemp Download Center</a> as the files in the mini CD-ROM are most likely outdated.
Once you've download the latest R6 Motion Menu, you'll find the files come inside a RAR - so you'll need WinRAR or a similar program to extract the files inside.
Included in the R6 Motion Menu RAR is an instructions text document, which shows you how to quickly set up your R6 and also includes a guide for using different controls in the GUI. But since it really is simple to set up, just continuing reading this section of the review.

Once you've download the RAR and have extracted the files, you simply just copy all of the files except 'HOW TO USE.txt,' 'instructions.txt,' and 'r6boot-2.0070-selfburn_for R6.nds' files (they're pretty much useless on your memory card and not needed for setting up) to your Micro SD or Micro SDHC. You can also now add your NDS backup ROMs, homebrew ROMs, and any other media you wish to have on your memory card.

It's really simple to set up, and if you didn't understand the paragraphs above, then I'll break it down easier for you:

1. Connect your Micro SD or Micro SDHC card to your computer (you can use the included Micro SD reader if you want)
2. Format your Micro SD or Micro SDHC card to either FAT16 or FAT32
3. Download the latest R6 Motion Menu files from either the <a href="http://neoflash.com" target="_blank">Neoflash website</a> or the <a href="http://" target="_blank">GBAtemp Download Center</a>
4. Extract the files from the R6 Motion Menu RAR file
5. Drag and drop all files (except the 'HOW TO USE.txt,' 'instructions.txt,' and 'r6boot-2.0070-selfburn_for R6.nds' files) to the root of the Micro SD or Micro SDHC card
6. Drag and drop all NDS ROMs and media files to the Micro SD or Micro SDHC card
7. Place the Micro SD or Micro SDHC card inside the R6 Gold, place the R6 Gold inside the Nintendo DS

That pretty much wraps it up.
It's really just a task of copying files from your computer to your Micro SD or Micro SDHC card.

<a name="d1">GUI (OS)</a>

When you boot up your Nintendo DS with the R6 Gold inside the Slot-1 cartridge, you'll come to the main DS menu.
You'll see the R6 Gold logo and information displayed on the menu (like a normal, commercial Nintendo DS Slot-1 game), so select the icon to boot up the R6 Gold.

<a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6DSMainMenuLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6DSMainMenuSmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

When you boot up the R6, you'll see a temporary white screen.

If there is no Micro SD or SDHC card present inside the R6 Gold flashcart, you'll be presented with this on the touchscreen:

<a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6GUIWithoutSDLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6GUIWithoutSDSmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

On the left side of the screen, you'll see four tabs.
The tabs are there to show you what save hardware is inside the R6 Gold.
The point of this menu is that older Neoflash carts (like the Neo3) can use this hardware from the R6. For example, if you'd want to play homebrew using the motion sensor, you'd press the B button and it would boot the Neo3 while activating the motion sensor. If you would want to play a commercial rom on your Neo3, you'd press the Y, X or A button to select the correct save type and boot the Neo3.
This is because Neoflash carts can't save directly to the MicroSD card; they need to save to Slot-1.

From the right side of the screen you're able to boot your Slot-2 flashcart (yes, the R6 Gold has a built-in PassMe - which is quite common among Slot-1 cards, I might add).
You will also be able to boot up the main R6 Gold menu (the Micro SD or SDHC must be in the R6 flashcart, though), by selecting the Slot-1 selection.

When the Micro SD or SDHC card is present inside, you will boot up into the R6 Gold's main menu.

On the bottom screen you'll find the file browser. Displayed here are all the folders and ROMs you have on your Micro SD or SDHC card.
The bottom screen is displayed in a blue theme (with the Neoflash logo in the background), and you can scroll up and down the list using the d-pad.

To select a game, simply press A.
You will be presenting with a quick flashing screen that writes the save, then you'll be presented with a white screen. It can take up to 45 seconds for a ROM to load up.
The reason behind the slow loading is because the R6 has to prepare the save file.
Regardless, it's still a let-down that it has such great ROM compatibility (see Performance section below for more information) yet the ROMs load so slowly.

It's strange that you can't browse and select in the menu using touchscreen controls.
What's the point of putting the menu on the bottom screen if you're just going to be allowed to use the D-pad to control it?
That's a let-down and con, in my opinion.

On the menu, when selected, ROM files have their icons and save sizes next to their filename.

Displayed on the top screen is the Neoflash logo and a "bubble."
This bubble moves around the screen when you move the DS (they don't call it "Motion Menu" for nothing!).
It's neat that the Neoflash team integrated the motion feature into the R6 Gold GUI.

There's more to the motion-GUI integration - if you turn the Nintendo DS to the side (so that the screens are facing vertically up), the menu will turn to it's side too!

You can hold the screen vertically left or right - it will follow you!

<a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6GUITopScreenLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6GUITopScreenSmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6GUIBottomScreenLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6GUIBottomScreenSmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

<a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6GUITiltScreenLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6GUITiltScreenSmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

Overall, the R6 Gold has a decent GUI.
It's disappointing that there is no touch-control (unless the Micro SD or SDHC card is not present inside the flashcart) and you're unable to skin the menu.
Worth mentioning is that there is no soft-reset function, which is a let-down. Also, I will stress that the time for loading ROMs takes a rather long time.
The motion-integration is a nice, neat touch, though.

<div class="reviewbreak"><a name="e">Performance</a></div>
Below you'll see exactly how well the R6 Gold performs.

The Neoflash team claim that the R6 Gold can run many problematic ROMs without having to apply any sort of special patch to them.
That seems to be the case, as the ROM compatability so far has been absolutely perfect.

All tests were done with a Japanese 4gb Kingston Micro SDHC card and R6 Motion Menu v3.1.1958.

<a name="e1">ROM Compatibility</a>

PASS: Game plays just as it should on a real game card.
FAIL: Game doesn't even load or freezes before game play.
PROBLEMS: Game works but with issues.<ul><li>Call of Duty: World at War
- PASS: Plays and saves fine. </li><li>Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrows
- PASS: Plays and saves fine. </li><li>Club House Games
- PROBLEMS: Plays and saves fine. Download play doesn't work.</li><li>Commando Steel Disaster
- PASS: Plays and saves fine. </li><li>Elite Beat Agents
- FAIL: ROM fails to load.</li><li>Kirby Super Star Ultra
- PASS: Plays and saves fine. Download play works fine.</li><li>Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
- PASS: Plays and saves fine.</li><li>Mario Kart DS
- PROBLEMS: Plays and saves fine. Download play doesn't work.</li><li>Metal Slug 7
- PASS: Plays and saves fine.</li><li>Namco Museum DS
- PASS: Plays and saves fine.</li><li>Nervous Brickdown
- PASS: Plays and saves fine.</li><li>New Super Mario Bros
- PASS: Plays and saves fine.</li><li>Sonic Rush
- PASS: Plays and saves fine.</li><li>Soul Bubbles
- PASS: Plays and saves fine.</li><li>Space Invaders Extreme
- PASS: Plays and saves fine.</li><li>Tetris DS
- PASS: Plays and saves fine. Download play works fine.</li><li>N+
- PASS: Plays and saves fine.</li><li>Namco Museum DS
- PASS: Plays and saves fine.</li><li>Nervous Brickdown
- FAIL: ROM Fails to load.</li><li>WarioWare: Touched!
- PASS: Plays and saves fine.</li><li>Worms 2: Open Warfare
- PASS: Plays and saves fine. Download play works fine.</li><li>Yoshi's Island DS
- PASS: Plays and saves fine. </li><li>Yoshi Touch & Go
- PROBLEMS: Plays and saves fine. Download play doesn't work.</li></ul>The R6 Gold originally did not have commercial ROM support and until it was added a while after, so the results above are surprising.
As you can see, the R6 has almost perfect, if not perfect, ROM compatibility.

<a name="e2">Download Play / Single-cart Multiplayer</a>

I added the Download Play compatibility list to the ROM compatibility list above.
As you can see, the Download Play support for the R6 Gold is decent.

<div class="reviewbreak"><a name="f">Homebrew Support</a></div>
All homebrew was unpatched, so we can see how well the auto-DLDI patch function works as well as the generally compatibility with homebrew ROMs.<ul><li>Alien DS- PASS</li><li>AmplituDS (v4)- PASS</li><li>Anguna- PASS</li><li>A Touch of War - PASS</li><li>Centipong- PASS</li><li>Colors- PASS</li><li>Crocodingus in Cube Island- PASS</li><li>DS Organize- PASS</li><li>First Strike- PASS</li><li>Jezzball DS- PASS</li><li>Mario Paint Composer- PASS</li><li>Marble- PASS (Motion feature works well)</li><li>nesDS- PASS </li><li>Shooting Watch DS- PASS</li><li>Take the Eggs! Ornithorhynchus Anatinus Go Go Go! DS- PASS</li><li>Pocket Physics- PASS</li><li>POWDER 107 PASS</li><li>Video Games Hero- FAIL (Menu loads, but game freezes after choosing song)</li></ul>

<div class="reviewbreak"><a name="x">Rumble Pak</a></div>
Now, let's have a look at the Rumble Pak.

The Rumble Pak is nothing special; the Pak does what it's suppose to do - rumble (the rumble works fine; not too loud and not too shaky).

The Rumble Pak comes inside a white, Lite shell (designed for the Nintendo DS Lite Slot-2 cartridge, of course) by default and it also includes a Phat shell (with a mini-screwdriver holder and mini-screwdriver built in), which is convienent.

<a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPLiteLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPLiteSmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPLite2Large.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPLite2Small.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPLite3Large.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPLite3Small.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

The Rumble Pak (Lite shell) slides right in with no trouble. It fits absolutely flush in the Nintendo DS Lite.

<a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPLiteInsideDSLiteLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPLiteInsideDSLiteSmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPLiteInsideDSLite2Large.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPLiteInsideDSLite2Small.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

When changing the Rumble Pak from the Lite shell to the Phat shell, you'll notice that there's a bit of sticky residue giving the Lite shell a bit more reinforcement (it's also held together by a small screw). This means you'll have to give it an extra pull to remove the Lite shell, after you've removed the screwdriver.

<a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPPhatLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPPhatSmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPPhat2Large.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPPhat2Small.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPPhat3Large.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPPhat3Small.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

Unlike the Lite Rumble Pak shell, the Phat Rumble Pak shell takes a bit of work to insert and remove.
The Phat Rumble Pak shell fit flushly, like the Lite shell does.

<a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPPhatInsideDSPhatLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPPhatInsideDSPhatSmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPPhatInsideDSPhat2Large.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6RPPhatInsideDSPhat2Small.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

<div class="reviewbreak"><a name="g">Additional Features</a></div>
 <a name="g1">auto-DLDI Patching</a> 
The R6 Gold has a handy feature called auto-DLDI patching. Older Slot-1 flashcarts, and all Slot-2 flashcarts, require you to patch Homebrew games so that they'll boot up on your
flashcart. The R6 Gold does not require you to patch any Homebrew file, as it does it automatically. This feature saves you time and effort (though DLDI patching doesn't take much time or effort, I might add).

<a name="g2">Blue LED</a>
The R6 Gold also has a blue LED light on the back of the cart.
The LED lights up and blinks while you're using your Nintendo DS. When in sleep mode, the LED turns off.
It's a neat feature, but it also drains a little bit of power from your Nintendo DS.

<a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6BlueLEDLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6BlueLEDSmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

 <a name="g3">Cheats</a>
If you've set up your R6 Gold properly, you'll have the option of using cheat codes.
If you have the 'USRCHEAT.DAT' file present on your Micro SD or SDHC card, simply by pressing X before selecting a ROM to boot, you'll pull up a cheat menu for the game.
Select what cheat options you want to enable, then boot up the game and enjoy playing...you filthy little cheater!

<a href="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6CheatMenuLarge.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/R6CheatMenuSmall.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

<a name="g4">Media</a>
If you wish to view images, text files, listen to music, or watch videos you just select the 'Moonshell-R6.nds' file from the menu.
Moonshell, a media player-type application for the Nintendo DS, will boot up.

 <a name="g5">Motion</a> 
The R6 Gold has a built-in motion sensor. The R6 Gold's motion sensor works well; the sensor responds as it should.
This is probably the feature that makes the R6 Gold flashcart stand out among the other Slot-1 flashcarts.
The Neoflash team even integrated motion into the flashcart's GUI.

Nintendo has never released a Nintendo DS game that requires a motion function; however there are quite a few homebrew games that do require motion function.

I've tested the motion feature with the homebrew game 'Marble', and I found it to work perfectly and I enjoyed it quite a lot.

The motion feature makes games more interesting and fun!

 <a name="g6">PassMe</a>
The R6 Gold will allow you to boot up any Slot-2 device (GBA game or flashcart).
Simply run the R6 Gold without the MicroSD card inserted and you will come to a menu that allows you boot the Slot-2 device.

<div class="reviewbreak"><a name="h">Conclusion</a></div>
To be honest, the R6 Gold doesn't stand up very well compared to most Slot-1 flashcarts on the market.
Sure, it offers built-in motion and near-perfect homebrew support - but that barely makes up for its poor quality.

The boxing isn't so bad, it's quite what you'd expect from a flashcart's box. It's plastic and flimsy, like most other flashcart boxes.
It comes with a Rumble Pak (fit for both for a Nintendo DS Lite or regular Nintendo DS) and a Micro SD/SD reader.
Freebies are always a good thing!

The actual R6 Gold cart is flimsy and cheap. It's held together by plastic clips - the team should have added a screw for reinforcement. It is good that there are no protruding chips, but it's still a tough fit inside your Nintendo DS slot.

Setting up the flashcart is really simple - it's a task of formatting your Micro SD or Micro SDHC card and then just dragging 'n'
dropping the files to your card.

The flashcart's GUI is pretty neat. You're not able to skin it, but it integrates motion into it - which is cool feature.

I'm impressed that the ROM compatibility is that high, seeing how as commercial ROM support was not originally intended to work on R6 Gold flashcarts. The Download Play results were quite impressive, too, I will add.
Homebrew support was near-perfect, from my testing.

Loading ROMs is extremely slow! Waiting long moments for a ROM to load up is not pleasant.

It's got most features you'd expect a Slot-1 flashcart to have, and the built in motion feature (which makes it stand out from any other Slot-1 flashcart on the market).

The R6 Gold doesn't stand up to the other Slot-1 flashcarts currently on the market. For less of the price you pay for an R6 Gold, you could get a flashcart like the CycloDS.
I recommend the R6 Gold to those who want excellent ROM compatibility (yet are patient with loading times) and those who would enjoy using the flashcart's motion feature.

Pros
+ Motion integrated into GUI
+ Decent ROM compatibility
+ Decent Download play support
+ Package includes freebies (SD/MicroSD reader and Rumble Pak)
+ Homebrew Compatibility almost perfect
+ auto-DLDI patching
+ PassMe feature
+ Motion feature

Cons
- Flashcart only available in white
- Cart is flimsy
- Extremely long ROM loading time
- Cannot skin GUI
- No soft-reset feature
- Expensive

<div class="reviewbreak"><img src="http://gbatemp.net/up/award_bronze.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></div>
External Links:
- <a href="http://neoflash.com/" target="_blank">Official Neoflash Website</a>
- <a href="http://www.neoflash.com/forum/" target="_blank">Official Neoflash Forums</a>

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Where to buy?:
<img src="http://jph.gbatemp.net/ic2005logo.png" border="0" class="linked-image" />
- <a href="http://www.ic2005.com/shop/product.php?productid=60&cat=5&page=1" target="_blank">IC2005</a>

This review was written for GBAtemp.net ONLY. The article and all included photos are property of GBAtemp.net
If you see this review on any other site please let me know via e-mail - JPH [@at@] GBAtemp [.dot.] net

Review R6 Gold

Banned!

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