<div align="center"><!--sizeo:7--><span style="font-size:36pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b>▐▓▒░</b> acekard 2 Review <b>░▒▓▌</b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></div>
<b>Manufactured by:</b><a href="http://www.acekard.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.acekard.com/images/logo.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<b>Also known as:</b>ak2
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/Name.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/Name.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<i>Proof that i have an acekard 2</i>
<b>Review contents</b><ul><li><a href="#Official features list">Official features list</a></li><li><a href="#Packaging & Contents">Packaging & Contents</a></li><li><a href="#Card Design">Card Design</a></li><li><a href="#Graphical User Interface">Graphical User Interface</a></li><li><a href="#Additional Features">Additional Features</a></li><li><a href="#Game Compatibility">Game Compatibility</a></li><li><a href="#Homebrew Compatibility">Homebrew Compatibility</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">Conclusion</a></li></ul><i>A 2GB Japanese Kingston Micro SD and Bliss' k10 firmware was used in this review .</i>
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<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->▐▓▒░ Official features list: ░▒▓▌<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b><a name="ofl"></a>
____________________________________________________________<ul><li> Perfect Compatibility. No need to convert, No need to flash.</li><li> Write save file directly to TF card. No more save type selection.</li><li> Auto patching DLDI. Run homebrew programs without convert.</li><li> Support Soft-Reset. Support Download play. Support Wi-Fi.</li><li> Support SDHC microSD card. No maximum file limit.</li><li> Support any brand of microSD. No slow down.</li><li> Support Action Replay. Built-in editor.</li><li> Low power consumption. Long playing time.</li><li> Easy operation. Support pad and touch screen control.</li><li> Multi-languages. Support Customize Skin.</li><li> Support launch slot-2. Support expand package.</li><li> 4 level brightness adjustment.</li><li> Support reading text files, listening mp3 and watching movie.</li></ul>‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾<a name="Packaging & Contents"></a>
<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->▐▓▒░ Packaging & Contents: ░▒▓▌<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--> </b>
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The acekard 2 comes in a little plastic blister-like package with a thin piece cardboard folded inside which has a very brief manual inside in English and Chinese and a features list on the back again in English and Chinese. The packaging hardly looks like it protects the AK2 during transit.
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/Acekard002.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/packagingfront.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/Acekard003.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/packagingback.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0009.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/manual.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/Packagingscattered.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/Packagingscattered.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
The AK2 is packaged with a free micro SDHC card reader. It is made totally out of plastic (including the connector) and is infamous for arriving DoA or dieing out. But it works great (when its working) and is quite fast.
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0008-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/readerbottom.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0006-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/readertop.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<i>Bottom & Top</i>
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0004-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/readerfront.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0003-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/readerback.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<i>Front & Back</i>
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0005-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/readerside.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/Cardreaderinserted.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/Cardreaderinserted.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<i>Side & Micro SD inserted</i>
‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾<a name="Card Design"></a>
<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->▐▓▒░ Card Design ░▒▓▌<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>
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<i>This card was purchased in February, there may have been changes to the hardware with the latest batches</i>
One of the first things you can see about the AK2 is that it has a slight bump on the reflective label which something protruding out of the shell, it doesn't affect the card when inserting/ejecting the card. The card inserts into the DS quite smoothly and sits inside flush. The AK2 has no teeth protecting the contacts it makes it easier to damage the contacts but as the contacts are not covered, they are easier to clean. The card is held together by 5 clips around the card (2 on each side and 1 on the top). The overall build quality is okay but other cards which are held together by screws instead of clips are a lot more sturdier. The card feels like it wouldn't break if you threw it at the wall.
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0002-1-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/cardfront.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0008-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/cardback.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<i>Front & Back</i>
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0007-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/cardstop-1.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0001-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/cardsside.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<i>Top & Side (50c coins were used to hold the card up)</i>
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0001-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/dsback.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0002-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/dstop.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
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<!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b>▐▓▒░ Graphical User Interface ░▒▓▌</b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
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Unlike most modern flashcards the AK2 can boot into the DS Menu (this is taken as a pro by some people and a con by others). If you don't want it to boot to that menu you can always switch the boot mode to Automatic in the DS settings but it will still require you to press a button on the "Health and Safety" Screen.
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/Acekard031.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/ndsbootscreen.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
The AK2 shows a clock and a calendar on the top screen, nothing else is shown on the top screen other than the clock and calendar through out the whole menu. On the bottom screen you can select whether to access your micro SD or boot what ever is in your slot 2. You can also set 1 shortcut. The entire menu is fast and responsive and the entire menu can be navigated effectively with the stylus.
<i>Touch screen navigation in the cheat menu is only available in Bliss' menu</i>
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0002.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/topscreen.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0006.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/menumemoryselection.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
The menu can be viewed in 2 ways<ol type='1'><li>With icons (4 items are displayed at a time)</li><li>Without any icons (10 items are displayed at a time)</li></ol>You can switch between the 2 display modes by simply press "SELECT" on your ds.
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0003.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/selectionlisticons.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0005.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/selectionlistnoicons.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
The AK2 has a start menu similar to the start menu in windows, from here you can access:
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0004.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/startmenu.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a><ul><li><b>Copy</b> - Explains itself</li><li><b>Cut</b> - Explains itself</li><li><b>Delete</b> - Explains itself</li><li><b>Paste</b> - Explains itself
</li><li><b>Patches</b>
Here you can: <ul><li>Enable/disable patches globally for DS Download Play, Soft-Reset and Cheat/Action Replay.</li><li>Enable/disable Autorun , when enabled it automatically boots the last thing that you have launched previously (on start up you can override autorun by simply holding "B").</li><li>Choose which cheat database file you want to use.</li></ul><a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/GlobalPatches.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/GlobalPatches.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
</li><li><b>System Options</b>
You can set the follow options:<ul><li>Interface Theme - Basically you can change themes here.</li><li>Interface language - The AK2 has support for multiple languages.</li><li>Brightness - The brightness level in the menu can be changed</li><li>Show file(s) of type - What file types to show, it can be toggled between NDS(.nds), NDS + SAV(.nds + .sav) and ALL ( shows all files)</li><li>Trim ROM when copying</li></ul><a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/SystemOptions.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/SystemOptions.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
Pressing "Y" will bring you into Advanced Setting
Here you can:<ul><li>Show Hidden files - Enables/disables whether to show files that are set to hidden</li><li>ROM Name in List - Toggles how to show the items in the menu. You can set it to Normal(simply shows it as its file name), Hide ROM Ext. (Shows the file name except hides the file extension eg .nds) or Internal Name ( shows the preset name of the rom )</li><li>Scroll Speed - Toggles the speed that you scroll in the menu. 3 speed levels (Slow,medium and Fast).</li></ul><a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/AdvancedSettings.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/AdvancedSettings.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a></li><li><b>Properties</b>
From the properties you can see the:<ul><li>File name</li><li>File size</li><li>Last change</li><li>Game code
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/Properties.jpg" target="_blank"></li></ul><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/Properties.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<i>You can also access Properties from the menu by pressing "Y" on a file</i>
Pressing "Y" from here will bring you into Rom Info
You can Enable/Disable or set to default (sets to what ever is set in patches menu) Download Play, Soft-Reset and Cheat/Action Replay patches for the certain game
Pressing "X" in the properties menu will create a shortcut .
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/Patches.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/Patches.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
</li><li><b>Help</b>
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/Help.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/Help.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<i>Power off button only available on Bliss' firmware</i>
This shows you what the buttons do and there is also a Power off button which obviously powers off the DS.</li></ul><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9VF1roBs3HI&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9VF1roBs3HI&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
<i>A very brief demonstration of the menu</i>
‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾<a name="Skinning"></a>
<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->▐▓▒░ Skinning ░▒▓▌<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>
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One of the things that make the acekard 2 stand out is its GUI, its GUI can be skinned very easily as there are programs that help you and about every part of the GUI can be skinned. There are a total of 26 pictures that make up the GUI. A lot of objects can be moved around.
Top Screen:
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/upper_screen.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Calendar/Clock:
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/clock_colon.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/clock_numbers.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/day_numbers.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/year_numbers.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Bottom Screen:
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/brightness.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/card_icon_blue.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/folder_up.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/lower_screen.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Cheat Menu:
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/arrow_down.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/arrow_up.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/cross.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/folder_minus.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/folder_plus.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/tick.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Start Menu:
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/menu_bg.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Loading Status:
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/progress_wnd.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/progress_bar.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Buttons in Menus:
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/btn2.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/btn3.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/btn4.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/spin_btn_left.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/spin_btn_right.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Tittle:
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/title_bg.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/title_left.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/title_right.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YNSD8ljIKgQ&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YNSD8ljIKgQ&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
<i>A quick demonstration on what you can do with <a href="http://www.acekard.com/acekard/download/AceKard_skin_editor_V1.01.rar" target="_blank">this skinning program</a></i>
There is also another great skinning program made by Dan Taylor which can be found <a href="http://www.acekard.com/acekard/download/AK_Skin_Edit_Dan_v10.zip" target="_blank">here.</a>
Skins can be downloaded at skin.acekard.com
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<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->▐▓▒░ Additional Features ░▒▓▌<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>
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<b>Multiple Save Slots</b> <i>Only available on Bliss' firmware</i>
With this feature you can have more than 1 save which is very useful for games such as Pokemon where you only have 1 slot to save your game.
You can also backup/restore your saves here.
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0007.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/menusaveslots.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<b>Cheats/Action Replay</b>
The AK2 has built in cheat support, the cheat menu can be accessed by pressing "X" while a game is hi lighted. The AK2 supports ".dat" and ".xml"(.dat is faster than .xml) databases which can be found <a href="http://cheats.gbatemp.net/" target="_blank">here.</a>
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0008.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/menucheats.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<b>Integrated GBA Expansion Pak Support</b> <i>Only available on Bliss' firmware</i>
You can launch GBA games (with a GBA expansion pak of course) through the menu without needing any extra software like GBAExploader.
<i>I cannot post any further information or pictures as I don't have a GBA Expansion Pak</i>
<b>Soft-Reset</b>
Soft reset works for most games. The button combination for soft-reset is L+R+A+B+Down
<b>Auto-Run</b>
When enabled it automatically runs the previously launched file on start up. (Holding "B" on start up will override auto-run)
<b>Multiple language support</b>
The menu can be viewed in English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, French, Italian, German, and Spanish.
‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾<a name="Game Compatibility"></a>
<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->▐▓▒░ Game Compatibility ░▒▓▌<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>
____________________________________________________________
<i>A 2GB Japanese Kingston Micro SD and Bliss' k10 firmware was used in this review .</i>
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> = Works <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->✗<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> = Doesn't Work <!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->✗<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> = Problem<ul><!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> 7 Wonders of the Ancient World
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Advance Wars - Days of Ruin
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Advance Wars - Dual Strike
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Animal Crossing Wild World
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Bomberman Land Touch 2
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Brothers in Arms
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Brain Age 2 - More Training in Minutes a Day
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Call Of Duty 4
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Clubhouse Games
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Custom Robo Arena
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Drawn To Life
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Elite Beat Agents
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> EA Playground
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> FIFA 08
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles - Ring of Fates
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Geometry Wars: Galaxies
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Harvest Moon DS
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Jump Ultimate Stars <a href="http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=71630&hl=koma" target="_blank">Patched</a>
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Lost In Blue 3
<!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->✗<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> LOL - <!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->Download play doesn't work which is needed to play this game<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Mario Kart DS
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Mario Party DS
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Matchstick Puzzle
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Metroid Prime Hunters
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Meccha Taiko no Tatsujin DS 7 tsu no Shima no Daibouken
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Nintendogs: Labrador and Friends
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Pokemon Diamond
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Pokemon Pearl
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Pokemon Ranger
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Explorers Of Time
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Professor Kageyama's Maths Training
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Professor Layton and the Curious Village
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Rayman Raving Rabbids
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Rayman Raving Rabbids 2
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Rune Factory - A Fantasy Harvest Moon
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Rondo of Swords
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> River King - Mystic Valley
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Some Brigner <a href="http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=78947" target="_blank">( Patched )</a>
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Star Fox Command
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Super Dodgeball Brawlers
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Sonic Rush Adventures
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 2
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> The Sims 2 Pets
<!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->✗<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> The World Ends with You - <!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->Patches must be disabled for it to work<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Theme Park
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> The Simpsons Game
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Trauma Center Under the Knife
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Trauma Center Under the Knife 2
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> WarioWare: Touched!
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Worms Open Warfare 2
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass</li></ul>
‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾<a name="Video Test"></a>
<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->▐▓▒░ Castlevania: DoS Intro Video Test ░▒▓▌<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>
____________________________________________________________
<i>A 2GB Japanese Kingston Micro SD and Bliss' k10 firmware was used in this review .</i>
<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cgljLYV1hag&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cgljLYV1hag&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rb4Q0XLhl34&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rb4Q0XLhl34&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
<i>AK2 on the left and DSTT on the right. You can sync (manually) the 2 videos if you want.</i>
As you can see the Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow intro played at a very low frame rate on the ak2, while it played perfectly on a DSTT with the same micro SD.
The acekard team have released a Beta version of 4.08 loader (it uses an entire new engine). There is no lag in this intro video with 4.08.
‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾<a name="Homebrew Compatibility"></a>
<!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b>▐▓▒░ Homebrew Compatibility ░▒▓▌</b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
____________________________________________________________
<i>A 2GB Japanese Kingston Micro SD and Bliss' k10 firmware was used in this review .</i>
The acekard 2 has automatic DLDI patching so you don't have to manually patch home brew individually for them to work.
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> = Works <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->✗<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> = Doesn't Work <!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->✗<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> = Problem<ul><!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Colors!
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Comic Book DS
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> DS LCD Tester
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> DS Cube 1.3
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> DS Notes
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> DS Organize 3.2
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Flickbook
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> GBA Exploader 0.57
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> M3 Sakura Beta V2 (.NDS Version)
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> MoonShell 1.71
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Morning timer 1.2
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> NitroTracker 0.3
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Pocket Physics 0.6
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> ProteinDS
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> SandScape
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> UA Paint 0.99b
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> World of Sand</li></ul>‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾<a name="Conclusion"></a>
<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->▐▓▒░ Conclusion: ░▒▓▌<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>
____________________________________________________________
Out of all the budget cards I'd say the ak2 is one of the best cards in its class with its fast and responsive GUI. It lacks the features that the high-end cards have such as real-time save, real-time cheat, etc. But if you don't want to spend a bit more for those features, the ak2 is a great choice.
<b><!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->Pros:<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b><ul><!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Auto DLDI patching
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Great game compatibility
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Beautiful and responsive GUI
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Comes at a very low price
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Multiple language support
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Built-in cheat support
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Supports Micro SDHC
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Integrated GBA Expansion Pak Support</li></ul><b><!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->Cons:<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b><ul><!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->✗<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> High Failure Rate 5-10% of acekard 2 die within 2 weeks. <i>Statistic from <a href="http://www.ozmodchips.com/acekard-2-p-131.html" target="_blank">OzModChips</a></i>
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->✗<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Castlevania: DoS Intro video lags</li></ul><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->
<b>Score:</b>8/10<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
<div align="right">By Swip</div>
Please criticize this review and point out any mistakes
<b>Manufactured by:</b><a href="http://www.acekard.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.acekard.com/images/logo.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<b>Also known as:</b>ak2
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/Name.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/Name.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<i>Proof that i have an acekard 2</i>
<b>Review contents</b><ul><li><a href="#Official features list">Official features list</a></li><li><a href="#Packaging & Contents">Packaging & Contents</a></li><li><a href="#Card Design">Card Design</a></li><li><a href="#Graphical User Interface">Graphical User Interface</a></li><li><a href="#Additional Features">Additional Features</a></li><li><a href="#Game Compatibility">Game Compatibility</a></li><li><a href="#Homebrew Compatibility">Homebrew Compatibility</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">Conclusion</a></li></ul><i>A 2GB Japanese Kingston Micro SD and Bliss' k10 firmware was used in this review .</i>
‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->▐▓▒░ Official features list: ░▒▓▌<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b><a name="ofl"></a>
____________________________________________________________<ul><li> Perfect Compatibility. No need to convert, No need to flash.</li><li> Write save file directly to TF card. No more save type selection.</li><li> Auto patching DLDI. Run homebrew programs without convert.</li><li> Support Soft-Reset. Support Download play. Support Wi-Fi.</li><li> Support SDHC microSD card. No maximum file limit.</li><li> Support any brand of microSD. No slow down.</li><li> Support Action Replay. Built-in editor.</li><li> Low power consumption. Long playing time.</li><li> Easy operation. Support pad and touch screen control.</li><li> Multi-languages. Support Customize Skin.</li><li> Support launch slot-2. Support expand package.</li><li> 4 level brightness adjustment.</li><li> Support reading text files, listening mp3 and watching movie.</li></ul>‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾<a name="Packaging & Contents"></a>
<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->▐▓▒░ Packaging & Contents: ░▒▓▌<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--> </b>
____________________________________________________________
The acekard 2 comes in a little plastic blister-like package with a thin piece cardboard folded inside which has a very brief manual inside in English and Chinese and a features list on the back again in English and Chinese. The packaging hardly looks like it protects the AK2 during transit.
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/Acekard002.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/packagingfront.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/Acekard003.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/packagingback.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0009.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/manual.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/Packagingscattered.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/Packagingscattered.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
The AK2 is packaged with a free micro SDHC card reader. It is made totally out of plastic (including the connector) and is infamous for arriving DoA or dieing out. But it works great (when its working) and is quite fast.
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0008-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/readerbottom.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0006-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/readertop.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<i>Bottom & Top</i>
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0004-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/readerfront.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0003-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/readerback.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<i>Front & Back</i>
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0005-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/readerside.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/Cardreaderinserted.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/Cardreaderinserted.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<i>Side & Micro SD inserted</i>
‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾<a name="Card Design"></a>
<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->▐▓▒░ Card Design ░▒▓▌<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>
____________________________________________________________
<i>This card was purchased in February, there may have been changes to the hardware with the latest batches</i>
One of the first things you can see about the AK2 is that it has a slight bump on the reflective label which something protruding out of the shell, it doesn't affect the card when inserting/ejecting the card. The card inserts into the DS quite smoothly and sits inside flush. The AK2 has no teeth protecting the contacts it makes it easier to damage the contacts but as the contacts are not covered, they are easier to clean. The card is held together by 5 clips around the card (2 on each side and 1 on the top). The overall build quality is okay but other cards which are held together by screws instead of clips are a lot more sturdier. The card feels like it wouldn't break if you threw it at the wall.
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0002-1-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/cardfront.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0008-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/cardback.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<i>Front & Back</i>
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0007-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/cardstop-1.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0001-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/cardsside.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<i>Top & Side (50c coins were used to hold the card up)</i>
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0001-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/dsback.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0002-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/dstop.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾<a name="Graphical User Interface"></a>
<!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b>▐▓▒░ Graphical User Interface ░▒▓▌</b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
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Unlike most modern flashcards the AK2 can boot into the DS Menu (this is taken as a pro by some people and a con by others). If you don't want it to boot to that menu you can always switch the boot mode to Automatic in the DS settings but it will still require you to press a button on the "Health and Safety" Screen.
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/Acekard031.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/ndsbootscreen.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
The AK2 shows a clock and a calendar on the top screen, nothing else is shown on the top screen other than the clock and calendar through out the whole menu. On the bottom screen you can select whether to access your micro SD or boot what ever is in your slot 2. You can also set 1 shortcut. The entire menu is fast and responsive and the entire menu can be navigated effectively with the stylus.
<i>Touch screen navigation in the cheat menu is only available in Bliss' menu</i>
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0002.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/topscreen.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0006.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/menumemoryselection.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
The menu can be viewed in 2 ways<ol type='1'><li>With icons (4 items are displayed at a time)</li><li>Without any icons (10 items are displayed at a time)</li></ol>You can switch between the 2 display modes by simply press "SELECT" on your ds.
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0003.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/selectionlisticons.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a> <a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0005.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/selectionlistnoicons.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
The AK2 has a start menu similar to the start menu in windows, from here you can access:
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0004.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/startmenu.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a><ul><li><b>Copy</b> - Explains itself</li><li><b>Cut</b> - Explains itself</li><li><b>Delete</b> - Explains itself</li><li><b>Paste</b> - Explains itself
</li><li><b>Patches</b>
Here you can: <ul><li>Enable/disable patches globally for DS Download Play, Soft-Reset and Cheat/Action Replay.</li><li>Enable/disable Autorun , when enabled it automatically boots the last thing that you have launched previously (on start up you can override autorun by simply holding "B").</li><li>Choose which cheat database file you want to use.</li></ul><a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/GlobalPatches.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/GlobalPatches.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
</li><li><b>System Options</b>
You can set the follow options:<ul><li>Interface Theme - Basically you can change themes here.</li><li>Interface language - The AK2 has support for multiple languages.</li><li>Brightness - The brightness level in the menu can be changed</li><li>Show file(s) of type - What file types to show, it can be toggled between NDS(.nds), NDS + SAV(.nds + .sav) and ALL ( shows all files)</li><li>Trim ROM when copying</li></ul><a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/SystemOptions.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/SystemOptions.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
Pressing "Y" will bring you into Advanced Setting
Here you can:<ul><li>Show Hidden files - Enables/disables whether to show files that are set to hidden</li><li>ROM Name in List - Toggles how to show the items in the menu. You can set it to Normal(simply shows it as its file name), Hide ROM Ext. (Shows the file name except hides the file extension eg .nds) or Internal Name ( shows the preset name of the rom )</li><li>Scroll Speed - Toggles the speed that you scroll in the menu. 3 speed levels (Slow,medium and Fast).</li></ul><a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/AdvancedSettings.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/AdvancedSettings.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a></li><li><b>Properties</b>
From the properties you can see the:<ul><li>File name</li><li>File size</li><li>Last change</li><li>Game code
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/Properties.jpg" target="_blank"></li></ul><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/Properties.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<i>You can also access Properties from the menu by pressing "Y" on a file</i>
Pressing "Y" from here will bring you into Rom Info
You can Enable/Disable or set to default (sets to what ever is set in patches menu) Download Play, Soft-Reset and Cheat/Action Replay patches for the certain game
Pressing "X" in the properties menu will create a shortcut .
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/Patches.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/Patches.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
</li><li><b>Help</b>
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/Help.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/Help.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<i>Power off button only available on Bliss' firmware</i>
This shows you what the buttons do and there is also a Power off button which obviously powers off the DS.</li></ul><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9VF1roBs3HI&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9VF1roBs3HI&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
<i>A very brief demonstration of the menu</i>
‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾<a name="Skinning"></a>
<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->▐▓▒░ Skinning ░▒▓▌<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>
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One of the things that make the acekard 2 stand out is its GUI, its GUI can be skinned very easily as there are programs that help you and about every part of the GUI can be skinned. There are a total of 26 pictures that make up the GUI. A lot of objects can be moved around.
Top Screen:
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/upper_screen.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Calendar/Clock:
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/clock_colon.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/clock_numbers.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/day_numbers.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/year_numbers.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Bottom Screen:
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/brightness.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/card_icon_blue.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/folder_up.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/lower_screen.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Cheat Menu:
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/arrow_down.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/arrow_up.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/cross.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/folder_minus.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/folder_plus.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/tick.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Start Menu:
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/menu_bg.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Loading Status:
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/progress_wnd.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/progress_bar.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Buttons in Menus:
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/btn2.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/btn3.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/btn4.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/spin_btn_left.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/spin_btn_right.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Tittle:
<img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/title_bg.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/title_left.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/gui/title_right.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YNSD8ljIKgQ&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YNSD8ljIKgQ&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
<i>A quick demonstration on what you can do with <a href="http://www.acekard.com/acekard/download/AceKard_skin_editor_V1.01.rar" target="_blank">this skinning program</a></i>
There is also another great skinning program made by Dan Taylor which can be found <a href="http://www.acekard.com/acekard/download/AK_Skin_Edit_Dan_v10.zip" target="_blank">here.</a>
Skins can be downloaded at skin.acekard.com
‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾<a name="Additional Features"></a>
<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->▐▓▒░ Additional Features ░▒▓▌<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>
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<b>Multiple Save Slots</b> <i>Only available on Bliss' firmware</i>
With this feature you can have more than 1 save which is very useful for games such as Pokemon where you only have 1 slot to save your game.
You can also backup/restore your saves here.
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0007.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/menusaveslots.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<b>Cheats/Action Replay</b>
The AK2 has built in cheat support, the cheat menu can be accessed by pressing "X" while a game is hi lighted. The AK2 supports ".dat" and ".xml"(.dat is faster than .xml) databases which can be found <a href="http://cheats.gbatemp.net/" target="_blank">here.</a>
<a href="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/DSCF0008.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/swipp/Review/thumbnails/menucheats.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
<b>Integrated GBA Expansion Pak Support</b> <i>Only available on Bliss' firmware</i>
You can launch GBA games (with a GBA expansion pak of course) through the menu without needing any extra software like GBAExploader.
<i>I cannot post any further information or pictures as I don't have a GBA Expansion Pak</i>
<b>Soft-Reset</b>
Soft reset works for most games. The button combination for soft-reset is L+R+A+B+Down
<b>Auto-Run</b>
When enabled it automatically runs the previously launched file on start up. (Holding "B" on start up will override auto-run)
<b>Multiple language support</b>
The menu can be viewed in English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, French, Italian, German, and Spanish.
‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾<a name="Game Compatibility"></a>
<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->▐▓▒░ Game Compatibility ░▒▓▌<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>
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<i>A 2GB Japanese Kingston Micro SD and Bliss' k10 firmware was used in this review .</i>
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> = Works <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->✗<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> = Doesn't Work <!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->✗<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> = Problem<ul><!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> 7 Wonders of the Ancient World
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<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Lost In Blue 3
<!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->✗<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> LOL - <!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->Download play doesn't work which is needed to play this game<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
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<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Matchstick Puzzle
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<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Meccha Taiko no Tatsujin DS 7 tsu no Shima no Daibouken
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<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Pokemon Diamond
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<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Pokemon Ranger
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<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Rune Factory - A Fantasy Harvest Moon
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Rondo of Swords
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<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> The Sims 2 Pets
<!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->✗<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> The World Ends with You - <!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->Patches must be disabled for it to work<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Theme Park
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> The Simpsons Game
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Trauma Center Under the Knife
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Trauma Center Under the Knife 2
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> WarioWare: Touched!
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Worms Open Warfare 2
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass</li></ul>
‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾<a name="Video Test"></a>
<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->▐▓▒░ Castlevania: DoS Intro Video Test ░▒▓▌<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>
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<i>A 2GB Japanese Kingston Micro SD and Bliss' k10 firmware was used in this review .</i>
<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cgljLYV1hag&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cgljLYV1hag&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rb4Q0XLhl34&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rb4Q0XLhl34&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
<i>AK2 on the left and DSTT on the right. You can sync (manually) the 2 videos if you want.</i>
As you can see the Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow intro played at a very low frame rate on the ak2, while it played perfectly on a DSTT with the same micro SD.
The acekard team have released a Beta version of 4.08 loader (it uses an entire new engine). There is no lag in this intro video with 4.08.
‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾<a name="Homebrew Compatibility"></a>
<!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><b>▐▓▒░ Homebrew Compatibility ░▒▓▌</b><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
____________________________________________________________
<i>A 2GB Japanese Kingston Micro SD and Bliss' k10 firmware was used in this review .</i>
The acekard 2 has automatic DLDI patching so you don't have to manually patch home brew individually for them to work.
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> = Works <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->✗<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> = Doesn't Work <!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->✗<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> = Problem<ul><!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Colors!
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Comic Book DS
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> DS LCD Tester
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> DS Cube 1.3
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> DS Notes
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> DS Organize 3.2
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Flickbook
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> GBA Exploader 0.57
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> M3 Sakura Beta V2 (.NDS Version)
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> MoonShell 1.71
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Morning timer 1.2
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> NitroTracker 0.3
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Pocket Physics 0.6
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> ProteinDS
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> SandScape
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> UA Paint 0.99b
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> World of Sand</li></ul>‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾<a name="Conclusion"></a>
<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->▐▓▒░ Conclusion: ░▒▓▌<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>
____________________________________________________________
Out of all the budget cards I'd say the ak2 is one of the best cards in its class with its fast and responsive GUI. It lacks the features that the high-end cards have such as real-time save, real-time cheat, etc. But if you don't want to spend a bit more for those features, the ak2 is a great choice.
<b><!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->Pros:<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b><ul><!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Auto DLDI patching
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Great game compatibility
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Beautiful and responsive GUI
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Comes at a very low price
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Multiple language support
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Built-in cheat support
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Supports Micro SDHC
<!--coloro:#008000--><span style="color:#008000"><!--/coloro-->✓<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Integrated GBA Expansion Pak Support</li></ul><b><!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->Cons:<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b><ul><!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->✗<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> High Failure Rate 5-10% of acekard 2 die within 2 weeks. <i>Statistic from <a href="http://www.ozmodchips.com/acekard-2-p-131.html" target="_blank">OzModChips</a></i>
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->✗<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> Castlevania: DoS Intro video lags</li></ul><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->
<b>Score:</b>8/10<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
<div align="right">By Swip</div>
Please criticize this review and point out any mistakes
