Best flashcart for 3DS?

[SylverReZ]

But, just a question. Why you don't mod your 3DS?

The question that you should be asking yourself is: Why not?

Older flashcarts are starting to make a resurgence in the community, with plenty of new ideas emerging from other developers to revive them from the grave for modern use. For example, the DS-Linker/N-Card carts, which only operated with the DS and DS Lite consoles, had a limited no. of games supported (excluding larger ROMs), whilst having a tendancy of its internal battery leaking. However, TWiLight Menu++ can now be loaded as a kernel replacement, providing greater support for GBA and DS games by allowing for a larger DLDI driver. The battery parts are not harder to find, considering them being the same used in digital wrist watches, can be found for cheap.

The Gateway 3DS, although is over a decade ago since its release, can be quite useful if say you wanted extra storage from slot-1, which saves you from installing them to the HOME Menu, filling up the rest of the SD card.

 

[AlamosIT]

The question that you should be asking yourself is: Why not?

Older flashcarts are starting to make a resurgence in the community, with plenty of new ideas emerging from other developers to revive them from the grave for modern use. For example, the DS-Linker/N-Card carts, which only operated with the DS and DS Lite consoles, had a limited no. of games supported (excluding larger ROMs), whilst having a tendancy of its internal battery leaking. However, TWiLight Menu++ can now be loaded as a kernel replacement, providing greater support for GBA and DS games by allowing for a larger DLDI driver. The battery parts are not harder to find, considering them being the same used in digital wrist watches, can be found for cheap.

The Gateway 3DS, although is over a decade ago since its release, can be quite useful if say you wanted extra storage from slot-1, which saves you from installing them to the HOME Menu, filling up the rest of the SD card.

I agree. I own something like 10 flashcarts from the last 15 years.

But the question was for the person who wrote the post, because seems that their only purpose was to play DS/3DS games, much easier and cheaper simply modding their 3DS.

 

[SylverReZ]

I agree. I own something like 10 flashcarts from the last 15 years.

But the question was for the person who wrote the post, because seems that their only purpose was to play DS/3DS games.

I've suggested for them to get a Stargate 3DS. That is the only flashcart still in stock that can do all of those at once that doesn't involve exploits (i.e., proprietary CFW or downgrading). There's very little interest in 3DS flashcarts nowadays as most people would say, but makes for a good collectors item. I guess if you don't want the hassle of messing with CFW then you can do that.

I believe that the OP's problem has been solved already.

 

[3DPiper]

But, just a question. Why you don't mod your 3DS?
My daughter said she doesn't want to. She just wants to play some older DS games. Her version still has the removable shells.

I have my own 2DSXL from Japan that is modded and I enjoy playing classic games on it (mostly Metroid type, I am a simpleton haha).

Note: I ordered a R4iGold3DS from https://www.r43ds.org/ (the other links from http://www.r4ids.cn were either dead or sold out) but it never came in. Is it safe to order one from Ebay? It's been a month!

 

[The Real Jdbye]

I've had an AceCard3DS X since like 2017-2018 (I don't remember exactly, time moves too quickly these days) and it runs perfectly as as a DS Flashcard and it's hella easy to flash the 3DS with it too if you wanted to do that eventually, just a lot of steps but I had mine all flashed and good to go in like 45 minutes.

Ace3DS and Acekard are 2 different companies, completely unrelated.

I know this is subjective, but without modding your 3ds what is the best flashcart to get?
The official wiki seems to be outdated.
This thread says get a R4iGold3DS.
Others point to the EZ-Flash Parallel (has better compatibility with Poke backups) or even the Sky or Stargate.
?

Arguably, the best flashcart these days is no flashcart at all. Because they aren't needed with TWLmenu++ and they increase battery drain. Personally I still like to keep my DS and 3DS games separate, so I like to have the DS games on a flashcart. The issue is good DS flashcarts are hard to come by nowadays, since they aren't being made anymore. All the ones still being sold are crappy R4 clones with timebomb (and the EZFlash Parallel, which isn't a lot better)

But, just a question. Why you don't mod your 3DS?
My daughter said she doesn't want to. She just wants to play some older DS games. Her version still has the removable shells.

I have my own 2DSXL from Japan that is modded and I enjoy playing classic games on it (mostly Metroid type, I am a simpleton haha).

Note: I ordered a R4iGold3DS from https://www.r43ds.org/ (the other links from http://www.r4ids.cn were either dead or sold out) but it never came in. Is it safe to order one from Ebay? It's been a month!

Don't know why she would say no to having every DS and 3DS game for free but OK.

 

[Deleted member 731084]

There is absolutely no reason to buy a flashcart unless you're using a DS or DS lite. You get such a better experience with Twilight Menu. There are DS games like SM64 DS or Metroid Prime Hunters that I wouldn't play anywhere else, since Twlight Menu can make games widescreen and also make games aware of 3DS hardware (circle pad full analogue movement, c-stick aiming, gyro aiming and dedicated scan button in MPH). nds-bootstrap, the backend of Twilight Menu has almost perfect compatibility now, and in fact makes most DS games aware of the 3DS's WiFi connection if you're gonna use anything with online capabilities.

And open_agb_firm can do GBA perfectly, though on a n3DS mGBA is usually fine too (and has save states).

BUT if you must have one, you should get the Ace3DS X.

 

[Deleted member 702243]

nds bootstrap is far from having perfect compatibility yet

 

[SylverReZ]

Note: I ordered a R4iGold3DS from -snip- (the other links from http://www.r4ids.cn were either dead or sold out) but it never came in. Is it safe to order one from Ebay? It's been a month!

Yes. eBay has always been safe for years, and in-case something goes wrong you can get a refund. DO NOT ORDER from R43DS or shady marketplace sites that advertise 'R4' cards, they are a scam. Please do a chargeback with your bank if you can.

The last batch of R4i+ 3DS/DS cards from R4iDSN were faulty and would not boot games from the Wood R4 kernel. It's possible to use TWiLight Menu++ as a replacement but you'll miss out on the real-time save features.

I would consider sticking with the Ace3DS+ or R4i-SDHC DEMON cards.

Arguably, the best flashcart these days is no flashcart at all.

The better quality flashcarts are the ones that use less power consumption, much like with the Acekard 2i. But in the grand scheme of things, there's no 'true' or 'better' flashcart solution as many of the teams behind them have since dissolved, and since then dozen or so clones from previous-gen carts vary a lot over quantity over quality.

 

[Deleted member 731084]

nds bootstrap is far from having perfect compatibility yet

There's less than 10 retail roms that don't play, minor problems excluded: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LRTkXOUXraTMjg1eedz_f7b5jiuyMv2x6e_jY_nyHSc/edit?gid=0#gid=0

 

[Deleted member 702243]

There's less than 10 retail roms that don't play, minor problems excluded: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LRTkXOUXraTMjg1eedz_f7b5jiuyMv2x6e_jY_nyHSc/edit?gid=0#gid=0

enjoy pokémon battle revolution and pokémon ranch, somehow

 

[Deleted member 731084]

enjoy pokémon battle revolution and pokémon ranch, somehow

next you're gonna tell me i can't use a pokewalker

 

[Technicmaster0]

There is absolutely no reason to buy a flashcart unless you're using a DS or DS lite. You get such a better experience with Twilight Menu. There are DS games like SM64 DS or Metroid Prime Hunters that I wouldn't play anywhere else, since Twlight Menu can make games widescreen and also make games aware of 3DS hardware (circle pad full analogue movement, c-stick aiming, gyro aiming and dedicated scan button in MPH). nds-bootstrap, the backend of Twilight Menu has almost perfect compatibility now, and in fact makes most DS games aware of the 3DS's WiFi connection if you're gonna use anything with online capabilities.

And open_agb_firm can do GBA perfectly, though on a n3DS mGBA is usually fine too (and has save states).

BUT if you must have one, you should get the Ace3DS X.

Have you ever used a DS flashcart? If yes: which one?

 

[Deleted member 731084]

Have you ever used a DS flashcart? If yes: which one?

An Acekard 2i, a DSONE clone (reballed the psram myself), two DSTTi clones, an Ace 3DS X, an Ace3DS clone and a Parallel that I got for the meme. My first one was an M3DS Real but I lost it along the way. Still looking to add an Acekard RPG to my collection!

Is that enough cred?

 

[SylverReZ]

An Acekard 2i, a DSONE clone (reballed the psram myself), two DSTTi clones, an Ace 3DS X, an Ace3DS clone and a Parallel that I got for the meme. My first one was an M3DS Real but I lost it along the way. Still looking to add an Acekard RPG to my collection!

Is that enough cred?

DSONE clones, relatively simple to fix by reballing the PSRAM with a hot air station, but nobody seems to realize this. Another tip you could follow, is by adding epoxy around the edges of the PSRAM to secure it to the board.

Ace3DS X and Ace3DS+ are clones based around the R4iLS afaik. Difference between the two is that the Ace3DS X has two flash chips; one for NTRboothax firmware and the other for DS cart firmware. Switch is to power cycle between them. The Ace3DS+ is not to be confused with the OG Ace3DS, that is a DSTT(i) clone.

 

[kijetesantakalu042]

DSONE clones, relatively simple to fix by reballing the PSRAM with a hot air station, but nobody seems to realize this. Another tip you could follow, is by adding epoxy around the edges of the PSRAM to secure it to the board.

SylverReZ is obv the best flashcart, just look at him.

 

[SylverReZ]

SylverReZ is obv the best flashcart, just look at him.

The flashcard guy with good advice.

 

[Deleted member 731084]

DSONE clones, relatively simple to fix by reballing the PSRAM with a hot air station, but nobody seems to realize this. Another tip you could follow, is by adding epoxy around the edges of the PSRAM to secure it to the board.

Ace3DS X and Ace3DS+ are clones based around the R4iLS afaik. Difference between the two is that the Ace3DS X has two flash chips; one for NTRboothax firmware and the other for DS cart firmware. Switch is to power cycle between them. The Ace3DS+ is not to be confused with the OG Ace3DS, that is a DSTT(i) clone.

I actually lied, I didn't need to reball it. I set my my soldering iron to way too freaking hot and just hit the IC at the edges. I was surprised it worked too, but it hasn't failed psram self-test once since, and I test it every time I use it.

But also, I don't use it much, because it gets stuck in my n3dsxl Slot 1. I use the Ace3DS X with TwilightMenu++ as data storage for sharing content between my DSi and 3DS, and I guess my ak2i would be the fallback if I don't need that feature set.

I do want the RPG for historical value, but I've never seen even a single one show up on local ebay in the past few years...