Review R4 SDHC

[FlashX007]

Before I copy this over I must say it is an old review and I used a terrible format for it but I have gotten better ever since. To also clear things up this is not the only thing made by M3. You have R4i SDHC or R4 RTS and etc. If you think about it the flashcarts are really M3 Simply.

<b>Review: R4 SDHC</b>
<img src="http://www.kickgaming.com/images/large_images/r4-ds-sdhc.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Reviewer: Shard/Flash

<b><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Packaging & Contents<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>

<img src="http://www.gamekool.com/images/r4ds/R4_SDHC.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

1X R4 Revolution SDHC
1X Slot-1 Cartridge Case
1X microSD card reader 2.0

Packaging is simple and alluring. Great design and offers a lot of detail. Small yet safe and secure packaging. Everything is protected and kept inside of the box using a plastic tray.

<b><u>Features:</u></b>
-2nd generation storage device (no booting tool required)
-Flush fitting Slot 1 card
-Uses MicroSD card, FAT16 or 32
-Supports up to 32GB Micro SD Card
-Supports any MicroSD card speed with no lag in game
-Supports clean ROMs, drag and drop
-Compatible with all operating systems
-Built in PassCard
-Automatically detect save type
-Save directly to MicroSD card, not to onboard chip
-Supports Moonshell and other homebrew. Open I/O interface
-User friendly skinnable interface. Touchscreen or button operation
-Supports rumble pak and memory pak
-Supports the WiFi game, DS Rumble Pak, DS Browser
-Supports changes of the background of Operation Interface
-Support Skin DIY by setting background and font colors on Main Menu and Game Menu manually and automatically
-Supports 4-scale-lightness adjustment ( DS Lite only )
-Supports the Soft Reset
-Moonshell 1.6 support Software Reset function( Press START key back to the R4 menu)

Nice features and frequently updated and used firmware. Truly 100% compatible because this is the official R4 made by the M3 Team which are known to make M3 DS Real and M3i Zero. Firmware is frequently updated.

<b><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Setting Up & Using<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>

<b>Part 1: Installing</b>

This R4 is not a clone. It is official and approved. It is manufactured and made by M3 and is promised to be fully working and kept up to date. The website used to get information and firmware updates is <a href="http://r4rts.com" target="_blank">r4rts.com</a> . You can download the latest firmware there which is maintained and updated each time they update their own flashcarts. Once you navigate through the website simply download the latest firmware and extract then drag and drop to root of your microSD card. Simple and easy installation. If you want to style up and personalize your flashcart you may download skins which I will go on later through the review.

<b>Part 2: Getting ROMS, Homebrew, etc.</b>

Everything is about average in compatibility but to be sure get patched ROMs to make sure they work. Trimmed or patched files may cause a problem. Now you can personalize your flashcart and its firmware by moving over your games, homebrew, music, movies, etc.

<b>Part 3: GUI/OS</b>

Simple and easy to use interface. Nothing hard to understand and the settings are basically easy. You have 3 choices or icons when you first load and boot up your flashcart.

These icons represent games, moonshell, slot 2 flashcart. When you go into the middle icon you are directly sent into moonshell and moonshell is entirely different. It is used for movies and music so no point in going over that because you can check it out and navigate very easily.

I however use a different multimedia flashcart for my movies and music so I did not pay attention to this.

When you select the first icon which is games you have 2 screens. Top shows the folders and files and bottom shows the information and settings. Navigate through and get to your games. Also if you wish to maintain your files and remove some but do not wish to go over to the computer simple push X and you will have the option of deleting.

Controls:
D-Pad: Navigate
L: Brightness 1-4
R: Do Not Know
X: Delete
Y: Cheats
A: Start/Select
B: Back
Select: Change skin
Start: Back to front menu

Games:

(bottom)
Internal ROM name
Final revise: info here
ROM.nds
D-Play(Download Play): ON/OFF

Cheats:
(top)
navigate and select cheats with A/B

(bottom)
Select All Select None

ON
OFF
Instant Code

Game Disable Cheat Enable
Save & exit Discard & exit

<b><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Performance<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>

I had no problem so far with the game and the homebrew and etc. Unfortunately I disliked the navigation and the button controls and etc. It is too simple for my taste but it is worth it for people with tight pockets so I thank kickgaming.com for cheap prices. However the booting and loading are slow. This is a part of a M3 Team manufactured product so the performance is guaranteed customer satisfaction for which I am satisfied.

<b><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Additional Features<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>

<b>Multimedia Support:</b>

This is meant for games and homebrew however it also uses moonshell so yea it supports multimedia play and experience. I suggest you get latest version of moonshell if you wish to try out this feature. I will link you to everything you need to start up on when using this flashcart as I did.

<b>Cheat Support:</b>

Supports Action Replay cheats or usrcheat.dat. You can get the latest cheat files which usrcheat.dat is recommended when downloading over <a href="http://cheats.gbatemp.net" target="_blank">here</a> but be sure to navigate to temp section to get the latest and last release of cheats.

Cheats can be maintained and updated manually which I will go over from now on. Obtain cheat code editor over <a href="http://filetrip.net" target="_blank">here</a> .

<b>Skinning Support:</b>

Supports skinning or getting better or personal made skins. You may get a variety of skins over <a href="http://filetrip.net" target="_blank">here</a> but just simply navigate through to find them. Easy to navigate and find so no problem there.

<img src="http://i41.tinypic.com/6o0d45.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<b>micro SDHC Support:</b>

As the name says it is supported and available. Supports 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB.

<b>DLDI/Homebrew Support:</b>

It is maintained and updated by M3 as such even if it is an official R4 flashcart it offers more compatibility. As such yes it supports automatic DLDI patching and homebrew support. Tested very few and all worked with no errors.

<b><u>Videos:</u></b>
<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Do4dmDzhCrQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Do4dmDzhCrQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Do4dmDzhCrQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Do4dmDzhCrQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Do4dmDzhCrQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Do4dmDzhCrQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Do4dmDzhCrQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Do4dmDzhCrQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

<b>Conclusion</b>

I must thank kickgaming for supplying me with yet another very satisfactory flashcart. I compliment them on having strictly no clones offered and sold in their website because at first I thought this was a clone but I later found out it is an official M3 made flashcart for R4's. It is made and maintained by M3 as I said and overall satisfactory for those with tight pockets and big stomaches. KickGaming offers incredible pricing for their items and this is very worth much worth it. If I was not experienced in flashcarts I would probably have to say R4 is the best affordable flashcart because they will always keep it simple and easy for everyone's tastes. However with technology progressing new features are available and as such I am one who looks forward to the most features in what I use. Recommend this flashcart and R4 for 100% compatibility and easy to use and maintain.

<b>
Pros:</b>
+ Frequently updated and maintained firmware
+ Simple and Easy
+ Cheap
+ micro SDHC support
+ Official flashcart
+ Made by M3 Team
+ Great packaging and design/features
+ moonshell/multimedia support

<b>Cons:</b>
- Not many features
- Does not insert & stay without force
- Better flashcarts
- Loading/Booting
- GUI/OS

<b><u>Award:</u></b>
I will award all R4's bronze ribbon even if they are pretty good because they are just out of date even if they are frequently updated now. Other flashcarts are still better for those with tight pockets and offer more features. In my opinion I would rather save for something good and worth it instead of something cheap and unreliable because not all R4's are perfect it may get worn out and break.

<b><u><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Links:<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></u></b>
<a href="http://www.kickgaming.com" target="_blank">http://www.kickgaming.com</a>
<a href="http://www.r4rts.com" target="_blank">http://www.r4rts.com</a>
<a href="http://cheats.gbatemp.net" target="_blank">http://cheats.gbatemp.net</a>
<a href="http://www.filetrip.net" target="_blank">http://www.filetrip.net</a>
<a href="http://www.simplymods.com" target="_blank">http://www.simplymods.com</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/pokebattlecenter" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/pokebattlecenter</a>

 

[kolosus]

I was wanting to get one of these carts. But first I have to ask. Does it support Wood R4? Can you get Wood to boot up on this cart by renaming the launch file? I'm aware that the R4 King is a DSTT clone and you can use the official firmware by simply renaming the "dstt.dat" file into r4king (no extension). Something along those lines possible on this cart? As you mention the os/gui is seriously lacking on this flash cart and if Wood could be booted on this cart then the utility of it would increase immensely.

Thanks for your time.

 

[RupeeClock]

I was wanting to get one of these carts. But first I have to ask. Does it support Wood R4? Can you get Wood to boot up on this cart by renaming the launch file? I'm aware that the R4 King is a DSTT clone and you can use the official firmware by simply renaming the "dstt.dat" file into r4king (no extention).

Thanks for your time.

Any R4 clones that are not 1:1 clones of the original (no SDHC, no DSi support) won't support Wood R4.
If I were you I wouldn't buy an R4 SDHC, instead I'd buy an Acekard 2i, it should be much better, and it has its AKAIO firmware which is very close to Wood R4, maybe better.

 

[kolosus]

Thanks for the fast reply. I've been reading the forum for weeks but I just had to register for the previous post. Too bad it wont boot wood. That would've been cool. The reason I was looking into this card is because of the extremely nominal price and the sdhc support. I guess I'll have to get a acekard...

 

[FlashX007]

To be honest since your looking to get something I recommend EZ Flash Vi. It has more features and new firmware. Acekard2i is good but in my opinion you can do better with what I suggested. Don't get a flashcart because it supports SDHC. All the good ones do anyway. I think both are affordable but if you are tight get AK2i. It is cheap.