Hacking New to 3DS flashcarts, need advice

[lonesome_killer]

I don't currently have a 3DS. I would like to get a 3DS XL. I saw the thread that said I would need firmware 4.5 or less.

(1) Is this true? I really wanted the Zelda 3DS XL

(2) If it is true, then is the information in this thread still current?
http://gbatemp.net/threads/where-to-get-a-firmware-4-5-or-below-3ds-xl.352360/
(need serial numbers ending in SW12XXXXXX X)

(3)I had a DS flashcart. Can you still have multiple ROM's on 1 flashcart or can you only have 1 game at a time?

(4) I would like to be able to play online. If I understand correctly you cannot currently play ROMs online, only original retail games? Playing online wouldn't be a big deal for me.

(5) Which flashcart would you recommend? I read the flashcart comparison chart and they all seem the same?

 

[kyogre123]

You can do a trick to have the Zelda 3DS XL in 4.5, however it involves buying two 3DS XL (Zelda XL and one in 4.5). You have to interchange the shells of the 3DS.

Gateway is the safest card.

R4i, 3DS Link are copying Gateway work but they got a problem in the process that is causing an (apparently) unfixable error in all their users' 3DS, so it's no more "the cheap alternative".

 

[Ryukouki]

I don't currently have a 3DS. I would like to get a 3DS XL. I saw the thread that said I would need firmware 4.5 or less.

(1) Is this true? I really wanted the Zelda 3DS XL Yup, it's true.

(2) If it is true, then is the information in this thread still current?
http://gbatemp.net/threads/where-to-get-a-firmware-4-5-or-below-3ds-xl.352360/
(need serial numbers ending in SW12XXXXXX X) Information is still current and you're not gonna be able to grab a zelda 3DS XL with the appropriate firmware.

(3)I had a DS flashcart. Can you still have multiple ROM's on 1 flashcart or can you only have 1 game at a time? As of right now, 3DS games are one game per SD card, with expansion for multi-ROM arriving on most parties at a later date, MT-card having available right now.

(4) I would like to be able to play online. If I understand correctly you cannot currently play ROMs online, only original retail games? Playing online wouldn't be a big deal for me. No online play, you'll get an error code saying that you're not close enough to the router. Even if you're next to it.

(5) Which flashcart would you recommend? I read the flashcart comparison chart and they all seem the same?
At this point I would recommend the Gateway 3DS, but I would wait a little bit longer on your purchases and let the dust settle, and by dust I mean let more information come to light about the bricking of other flash chips.

 

[lonesome_killer]

You can do a trick to have the Zelda 3DS XL in 4.5, however it involves buying two 3DS XL (Zelda XL and one in 4.5). You have to interchange the shells of the 3DS.

Gateway is the safest card.

R4i, 3DS Link are copying Gateway work but they got a problem in the process that is causing an (apparently) unfixable error in all their users' 3DS, so it's no more "the cheap alternative".

Where is there information on changing the shells? I'm thinking I should just buy a regular 3DS XL since they are cheaper anyway.

What about MT cards? I have heard of them but see no reviews or info on them? Do they use their own software or copied from Gateway?


What are reliable stores to buy flashcarts from?

 

[Ryukouki]

Where is there information on changing the shells? I'm thinking I should just buy a regular 3DS XL since they are cheaper anyway.

What about MT cards? I have heard of them but see no reviews or info on them?

Shell swap guide :

http://www.ign.com/wikis/nintendo-3ds/3DS_XL_Shell_Swapping

 

[lonesome_killer]

Shell swap guide :

http://www.ign.com/wikis/nintendo-3ds/3DS_XL_Shell_Swapping

Thanks, but screw that noise! I'm not taking my 3DS apart lol.

Also, I added 2 more questions.

Does the MT card use its own software, or does it use Gateway's and is susceptible to the bricking?
What are reliable stores to buy flashcarts from?

 

[Ryukouki]

Thanks, but screw that noise! I'm not taking my 3DS apart lol.

Also, I added 2 more questions.

Does the MT card use its own software, or does it use Gateway's and is susceptible to the bricking?
What are reliable stores to buy flashcarts from?

From what I have seen and heard, the MT is actually an original team. You're in the United States, so automatically you're gonna want to buy from realhotstuff.com.

 

[lonesome_killer]

From what I have seen and heard, the MT is actually an original team. You're in the United States, so automatically you're gonna want to buy from realhotstuff.com.

What do you know of the MT cart? I Google'd reviews and see nothing.

 

[Ryukouki]

What do you know of the MT cart? I Google'd reviews and see nothing.

From what I know, it has the ability to play multiple ROMs on one SD chip, and is currently working on improvements to support all of the latest games. It is not a Gateway clone, and in terms of things like build quality, I heard it's okay but not the greatest. More on the lower to mid tier budget.

 

[kyogre123]

What do you know of the MT cart? I Google'd reviews and see nothing.

It only supports games that have an update lower than the firmware your 3DS is using. Lacks a lot of functions already present in Gateway, its only advantage is that it supports multiple roms in the MicroSD instead of one at a time.

 

[lonesome_killer]

It only supports games that have an update lower than the firmware your 3DS is using. Lacks a lot of functions already present in Gateway, its only advantage is that it supports multiple roms in the MicroSD instead of one at a time.

So I would only be able to play games that require firmware 4.5 or earlier? Do you think this is something that can be fixed soon? Or better to go with Gateway?

 

[kyogre123]

So I would only be able to play games that require firmware 4.5 or earlier? Do you think this is something that can be fixed soon? Or better to go with Gateway?

I would say it is better to go with Gateway since they are about to release an update that will support multiROM and three of the currently unsupported games that require a special save method.

MT-team also promised an update, but this team is not reliable since they guaranteed a lot of features from launch but they only achieved the MultiROM feature.

 

[lonesome_killer]

Ok thanks so much for the answers. I will go out shopping tomorrow for an old 3DS lol

 

[Technicmaster0]

I would say it is better to go with Gateway since they are about to release an update that will support multiROM and three of the currently unsupported games that require a special save method.

MT-team also promised an update, but this team is not reliable since they guaranteed a lot of features from launch but they only achieved the MultiROM feature.

Although I'm really happy with my MultiROM card. I don't really use my GW currently.

 

[lonesome_killer]

Ok I got a 3DS XL with the right serial number. What should I do to make sure that I don't accidentally update the firmware? Should I wait to use it until my flashcart comes in?

 

[Saturosias]

Ok I got a 3DS XL with the right serial number. What should I do to make sure that I don't accidentally update the firmware? Should I wait to use it until my flashcart comes in?

Open up internet settings, immediately back out, and set Parental Controls on all internet-related options, DS Download Play, (and disable the by-default child-protection thing if you want).

I suggest not inserting a retail game you don't know has a <=4.5 update either, you can check the firmware on each game at http://3ds.essh.co/ . Of course, the easiest solution is to just wait for the flashcart to come in, but I suggest setting up Parental Controls on internet/DS Download Play settings regardless (though you have to remove the internet restrictions in EmuNAND once that's up and running, so you can do it before or after getting the card, your preference).

 

[Master X]

I would say it is better to go with Gateway since they are about to release an update that will support multiROM and three of the currently unsupported games that require a special save method.

MT-team also promised an update, but this team is not reliable since they guaranteed a lot of features from launch but they only achieved the MultiROM feature.

Gateway has been promising 5.1 support for how long now?

 

[Armadillo]

Gateway has been promising 5.1 support for how long now?

Never. They've never promised 5.1 support.

"- Are you working on supporting 5.x and 6.x 3DS systems? Yes, we have still not given up hope to support these consoles. But please be patient."

Looking into it/not giving up hope, is not a promise of 5.1 support.

 

[Kupie]

Gateway has been promising 5.1 support for how long now?

Playing my "Link between Worlds" for months now, can confirm it works on b1 firmware of Gateway... with a bit of work, of course.