but if the firmware needs an update for every few roms that get released, how's it any different than patching?
Exactly... so it uses cleam dumps so what? But the cart still needs to patch them.
[/quote]
Actually, the question should be "So the cart needs to patch them, so what?". The reason clean dumps are useful is that they can run on any OS, they are
very easy to use....and MOST importantly, download play works for non-flashed DSs.
Costello has every right to be skeptical of the Acekard, since not much solid information has been released that isn't chinese. He isn't saying that its going to suck, or even that he's expecting it to suck --- he's just saying that it probably (not definitely) isn't going to be as good as the feature list makes it seem. No card is ever as good as the feature list, not even the DS-X for all its hype.
Also, you have to try to understand what the carts are being reviewed for. The score basically takes into account game compatibility, ease of use, interesting features, homebrew support and a more vague 'cool factor'. If you don't look at the price (and you get a perfectly functional unit), then the DS-X really is the best cart on the market for the vast majority of users based on these categories. Other than the price, my main gripe with the DS-X is that it seems to have far too many nonfunctional units, although that may be overblown. Of course, that 'cool factor' could have helped with the review score as well, since the DS-X has excellent support, flashy interfaces/websites, no Engrish and over-all looks and feels like a solid product. Also, the 'cool factor' would vary for everybody, obviously not everybody will give the same product the same reviews. Don't underestimate it...it really made a difference in my decision to buy an M3. When you see reviews for the competition's product saying things about how hard it is to put in and how it bends pins and seems like its going to snap in your hands, it makes an impression on you.
Eh, sorry about the rant. The Acekard is looking good to me, although the change of file systems seems pretty wierd. It should bring some good competition for the DS-X if it works even 80% as well is its supposed to.