Hacking Advice for a Flashcart? Which to purchase?

[GVmex]

Hi there, I've just found out about this site and have read a few reviews on the Flashcarts out there.
The thing is I'm new to this whole DS Flashcart stuff, and I'm not exactly sure which to get. I'd be looking
for a good quality cart I suppose. I don't know how all of this stuff works, so I'd appreciate your help
if you have a moment to spare.

Key factors of what I'd like on the DS Flashcart:

- Slot 1 on a DS Lite. (You know, for a DS Cartridge) No DSi compatibility needed.
- Won't die due to internal batteries or something
- MicroSD/MicroSDHC compatible (I don't like onboard memory)
- User friendly (Not too complex use)
- Able to play DS ROMs, as well as non-DS ROMs such GBA. (If possible)
- And various features such as support for sleep mode, etc.

Not sure if a DS Flashcart can play GBA, games, but if one could I'd like that. I think I read somewhere about
an expansion? Don't know what that is, but if it lets me play GBA games on a DS flashcart, that'll be great.

Also I'm not sure if I need to purchase something separate for the flashcart to hook up to the computer?
Just not sure how I would download things to a flashcart, or a MicroSD for that matter. I've never used
any of these before. I saw some pictures of products coming with a USB Firmware writer, and a MicroSD/SDHC
USB card reader. I don't know if those come with the DS flashcart or not.

Now, as I stated before, it doesn't have to be DSi compatible, I own a DS Lite and I'm not going to be upgrading.
I'm not too concerned about buying a pricey flash cartridge if I need to. As long as the quality of the flashcart
is good and will last, I don't mind spending the money.

So, if anybody has recommendations for me, or could just shortly explain a thing or two, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks.

 

[benjaminlibl]

You need a USB reader for the SDHC. Some flashcarts come with USB readers, some don't. It isn't extremely important, as those are pretty cheap. Each cart would have a different firmware, which you need to download and put on the SDHC. Roms, music and the like also go onto the SDHC.

From what I read, it seems like you're not too interested in extra features like real time save or real time cheats, so I think the AK2i is good enough for you. It's inexpensive and can do most of the things you need, excluding playing GBA roms. I think there aren't any that can do that at the moment. Setting it up is extremely easy and the menu is pretty simple to use.

 

[elixirdream]

for GBA games you need to have a slot2 rom expansion device

EZ3in1 is one of them

if you are looking for a flash cart that play games only ak2.1 or i is the best choice
if you are looking for features like real time saves, slow motion and etc you can always give m3 or cycloDS a try

personally i would recommend ak2.1 over every other flash cart

 

[GVmex]

You need a USB reader for the SDHC. Some flashcarts come with USB readers, some don't. It isn't extremely important, as those are pretty cheap. Each cart would have a different firmware, which you need to download and put on the SDHC. Roms, music and the like also go onto the SDHC.
Ohh okay, I wasn't sure about the details regarding how the SDHC would work and such, appreciate you telling me that.

From what I read, it seems like you're not too interested in extra features like real time save or real time cheats, so I think the AK2i is good enough for you. It's inexpensive and can do most of the things you need, excluding playing GBA roms. I think there aren't any that can do that at the moment. Setting it up is extremely easy and the menu is pretty simple to use.
Yeah I'm not really interested in those extra features or anything. The AK2i sounds good then, thanks for the suggestion!

for GBA games you need to have a slot2 rom expansion device

EZ3in1 is one of them

Ah okay, guess I'll have to get the expansion then. Wasn't sure if they could play on DS flashcarts.

QUOTE

if you are looking for a flash cart that play games only ak2.1 or i is the best choice
if you are looking for features like real time saves, slow motion and etc you can always give m3 or cycloDS a try

personally i would recommend ak2.1 over every other flash cart

Yes, I'm only looking for a flashcart that just plays games really, so the AK2i is sounding good. Not going to need all these extra
features, or even cheats really for that matter. Thanks for the recommendation. =]

 

[benjaminlibl]

Just be sure to buy from a reputable dealer so you can change it if anything goes wrong. AK2i sometimes has faulty carts that have contact problems. I've experienced this myself, so be careful.

 

[Ryukouki]

oops edited

What benjamin said. It's essential! Sometimes Customer services suck and ur stuck with your dead card.

 

[GVmex]

Just be sure to buy from a reputable dealer so you can change it if anything goes wrong. AK2i sometimes has faulty carts that have contact problems. I've experienced this myself, so be careful.
Bleh, yeah I've had issues with an Action Replay cart when I first got it earlier this year. Ended up having to buy a new one in the end. =/
Thanks for the heads up, I was thinking about purchasing one from modchipcentral.com? Before I purchase I'll end up checking all of the
other sites listed on the acekard website, to see if there are any better options.

QUOTE(shadowhunter93 @ Aug 6 2009, 10:28 PM) oops edited

What benjamin said. It's essential! Sometimes Customer services suck and ur stuck with your dead card.

Mmhm, found that out the hard way with Action Replay unfortunately.

 

[Satangel]

I would recommend the AceKard2 for this.
It's build quality is amazing, I never had any problems with it.
The features all work very good and it has an excellent team behind it.
It can play multimedia files with Moonshell perfectly, has cheat support, responsive menu's, ....
It's well worth the extra money if you ask me.

You can buy it from here for example:

http://www.colourful-zone.com/Store/produc...products_id=218

That's a great webshop, with great support and I've heard nothing but good things about it.

 

[TheWorldEndsWith]

I would recommend the AceKard2 for this.
It's build quality is amazing, I never had any problems with it.
The features all work very good and it has an excellent team behind it.
It can play multimedia files with Moonshell perfectly, has cheat support, responsive menu's, ....
It's well worth the extra money if you ask me.

You can buy it from here for example:

http://www.colourful-zone.com/Store/produc...products_id=218

That's a great webshop, with great support and I've heard nothing but good things about it.

They have pretty good price..
how fast is the shipping?

 

[cngamemart]

here's another choice,wish that could help you,thanks

 

[pgamer]

i am also not sure if DSTTi is better than AK2i or not?

 

[Satangel]

I would recommend the AceKard2 for this.
It's build quality is amazing, I never had any problems with it.
The features all work very good and it has an excellent team behind it.
It can play multimedia files with Moonshell perfectly, has cheat support, responsive menu's, ....
It's well worth the extra money if you ask me.

You can buy it from here for example:

http://www.colourful-zone.com/Store/produc...products_id=218

That's a great webshop, with great support and I've heard nothing but good things about it.

They have pretty good price..
how fast is the shipping?

3-5 working days.

 

[benjaminlibl]

i am also not sure if DSTTi is better than AK2i or not?

No. Just, no.

 

[NintendoLover64]

i highly recommend M3 DS Real ive had it for like half a year and it hasn't failed once

 

[ConJ]

i am also not sure if DSTTi is better than AK2i or not?

No. Just, no.

LOL. I agree. No.

This is where I got my Acekards from - http://www.dealextreme.com/search.dx/search.acekard

You might have to wait a couple of weeks, but I think they have the best prices on the net.

 

[Maz7006]

Im sure the above posts have already recommended and given you the right answer. IF you want more in depth reviews though go to http://gbatemp.net/index.php?dynamic=8

 

[engamemart]

here's another choice,wish that could help you,thanks

m3i zero good purchase and easy to use. very cheap to purchase.