Review R4i Gold Review

[RoMee]

<div align="center"><img src="http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af43/RoM-ee/reviewheading-1.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></div>

<u><b><!--sizeo:4--><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Introduction<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b></u>

In this review I will compare the new R4i Gold v2.0 to the old R4i Gold v1.4.
Now I know what most of you are thinking, but this R4i Gold team was the first to break Nintendo’s 1.4 firmware, so they deserve a little credit. Also, R4 clones are always in the top 5 of most sold flash carts.
Not all R4 gold is the same and many people has been asking me, “what’s the difference”? This is my attempt to answer some of those questions. There’s more than a few R4i Gold out there so I’ll just concentrate on the top 2

<b>Note:</b>
Due to issues within the admin, R4iGold has become to different companies. r4ids.com and r4ids.cn.
r4ids.cn is still selling and supporting the R4igold v1.4, while r4ids.com, now sells and support the R4igold v2.0
For my review I will be using this: <ul><li>DSi XL v1.4.1</li><li>DS lite</li><li>Trenscend 8GB micro SDHC class6</li><li>SanDisk 8GB micro SDHC class2</li></ul>I will highlight the R4iGold v1.4<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro--> RED<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
And R4iGold v2.0 will be highlighted <!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->BLUE<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

The v1.4.1 fix is available for the <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v1.4<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->, and you can download it <a href="http://filetrip.net/f12925-R4ids-gold-V1-4-1-upgrading-progame-1-0.html" target="_blank">here</a>
This won’t work on the <!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v2.0<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->



<u><b><!--sizeo:4--><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Packaging & Contents<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b></u>

Both contained the same contents <a href="http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af43/RoM-ee/PIC_0007.jpg" target="_blank">Spoiler</a> <a href="http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af43/RoM-ee/PIC_0001.jpg" target="_blank">Spoiler 2</a><ul><li>USB Micro SD Reader</li><li>Wrist Strap</li><li>R4i cartridge case</li><li>R4i cartridge</li></ul>Both R4i Gold feels solid, it’s pretty close to a commercial cartridge, except of the two groves on the sides. The micro SD slides in and out flawlessly, and it’s not spring loaded. You will notice that the PCB for the <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->R4i Gold v1.4<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> is <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->RED<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->, and the PCB for the<!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro--> R4i Gold v2.0<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> is <!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->BLUE<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->. <a href="http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af43/RoM-ee/PIC_0022.jpg" target="_blank">Spoiler</a>
Other than the different color PCB, they both look and feel exactly alike. <a href="http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af43/RoM-ee/PIC_0003.jpg" target="_blank">Spoiler</a>
I had a hard time ejecting the <!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->R4igold v2.0<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> , it always seems to get a little stuck about half way out, it was not like that with the <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->R4igold v1.4<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->. So with that, the <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v1.4<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->, takes this round

<!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v2.0<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->....0pts
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v1.4<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->....1pts


<b><!--sizeo:4--><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><u>Listed features</u><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>

-The world's first host system to support the DSi upgrade to V1.4
-Compatible with all DS editions of different kinds of language
-Supports DSL / DSi / LL / XL
-Supports Action Replay cheat
-DLDI auto-patching
-Support SDHC (Micro SD 4G,8G,16G,32G)
-2nd generation storage device (no booting tool required)
-Flush fitting slot 1 card
-Uses MicroSD card, FAT16 or 32
-Supports any MicroSD card speed with no lag in game
-Supports Clean ROM, drag and drop. Works on any OS
-Built in NoPass
-Automatically detect save type
-Save directly to MicroSD card, not to onboard chip
-Supports Moonshell and other homebrew.
-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 2.02 support Software Reset function( Press START key back to the R4 menu)

They both list the same features, but R4ids.com claims their new<!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro--> R4i Gold v2.0<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> runs and loads games faster,
better compatibility with micro SD and games, and lower power consumption. So we will see if it's true or not.
After Nintendo’s v1.4.1 firmware, the <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v1.4<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> team release a fix that made their cart compatible.
While as of this writing, the <!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v2.0<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> is still not compatible with Nintendo’s new firmware.
So another point goes to <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v1.4.<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

<!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v2.0<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->.....0pts
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v1.4<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->.....2pts





<u><b><!--sizeo:4--><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->GUI<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b></u>

<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v1.4<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Like most R4, you’ll have 3 icons, GAME, MULTIMEDIA, and SLOT2 <a href="http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af43/RoM-ee/PIC_0035.jpg" target="_blank">Spoiler</a> <a href="http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af43/RoM-ee/PIC_0051.jpg" target="_blank">Spoiler 2</a>
Top screen has the R4iGold logo. Game menu offers a few option.
Enable cheats: turns on or off cheats for selected rom
Download play: enable/disable download play
Soft reset: enable/disable soft reset
5 save position, this is a pretty cool features, gives you 5 (easy to access) save for those games that don’t offer multiple save. <a href="http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af43/RoM-ee/PIC_0039.jpg" target="_blank">Spoiler</a>
Overall I really like this simple but effective interface, not the fastest when scrolling through games but it works..

<b>Back up Roms</b>
Batman - the Brave and the Bold - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Call of Duty - Modern Warfare Mobilized -<!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro--> PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->…but there’s noticeable slow down during combat when using a class 2 micro SD
Castlevaina- Portrait of Ruin - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->…also had issues with class 2 micro SD
Contra 4 - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Drawn to Life - The Next Chapter - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Elebits - The Adventure of Kai and Zero - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Grand Theft Auto - Chinatown Wars - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Mario Kart - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Meteos - Disney Magic - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Tales of Innocence - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

<b>Homebrew</b>
Epic Caveman - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Meteora - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Plant vs. Zombies - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

<b>Emulators</b>
Lameboy
-Wario Land 3 - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
-R-Type - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
-Bionic Commando - Elite Force - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
jEnesisDS
-Comix Zone - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
-Ristar - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
-Vectorman - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->


So far this <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v1.4<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> has pretty good compatibility and smooth game play when using a class 6 memory card, but with a class 2, game play suffers from some minor slowdown.


<!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v2.0<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
With this being the new version of the R4iGold, it’s not at all what I expected. The interface reminds me of the older R4s. <a href="http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af43/RoM-ee/PIC_0059.jpg" target="_blank">Spoiler</a> It opens up to 3 icons, GAME, MULTIMEDIA, and SLOT2. And the top screen has a calendar. <a href="http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af43/RoM-ee/PIC_0056.jpg" target="_blank">Spoiler</a> The game setting don’t offer much option, all that is available is:
Press (y) to enter cheats
Press (X) to enter rom settings
- Download play - enable/disable download play
- Cheats - enable/disable cheats
- Soft Reset - enable/disable soft reset
<a href="http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af43/RoM-ee/PIC_0075.jpg" target="_blank">Spoiler</a>
Pressing (select) no longer changes skins, instead it displays saves
I was expecting a lot more. As this is supposed to be the new version.
What it did well is with it’s game compatibility. The R4iGold did not have any issues with the slower micro SDHC memory card and all games ran great

<b>Back up Roms</b>
Batman - the Brave and the Bold - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Call of Duty - Modern Warfare Mobilized - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Castlevaina- Portrait of Ruin - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Contra 4 - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Drawn to Life - The Next Chapter - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Elebits - The Adventure of Kai and Zero - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Grand Theft Auto - Chinatown Wars - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Mario Kart - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Meteos - Disney Magic -<!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro--> PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Tales of Innocence - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

<b>Homebrew</b>
Epic Caveman -<!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro--> PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Meteora - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Plant vs. Zombies - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

<b>Emulators</b>
Lameboy
-Wario Land 3 -<!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro--> PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
-R-Type - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
-Bionic Commando - Elite Force - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
jEnesisDS
-Comix Zone - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
-Ristar - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
-Vectorman - <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->PASS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

<b>GUI</b>
The <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v1.4<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> has more options, a nicer looking interface and a better overall feel to it.
The <!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v2.0<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> feels out dated, with very few settings/options, making it a little boring
So another point goes to <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v1.4<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

<!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v2.0<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->.....0pts
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v1.4<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->.....3pts


<b>Performance </b>
The R4iGold v2.0 finally gets a point. It didn’t have any problems with games or micro SDHC.
While the R4iGold v1.4, needs at least a class 4 or 6 to run it’s games
The R4iGold v2.0 did performed better

<!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v2.0<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->.....1pts
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v1.4<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->.....3pts


<u><b><!--sizeo:4--><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Conclusion<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b></u>

The <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v1.4<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> is a good cart, it has a nice GUI, good compatibility, and good build.
The <!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v2.0<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> is also a good cart, with good compatibility, but it needs to change its GUI to make it more appealing. With no fix for Nintendo’s 1.4.1 firmware, I can only use it in a DS lite, making it feel like I was playing my old R4, on my old DS lite.

Out of these 2 carts, the one to get is the <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v1.4<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

<b><!--coloro:#800080--><span style="color:#800080"><!--/coloro-->Update:<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b>
The<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro--> R4i Gold v1.4<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> has been busy at improving their product/kernel, the <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->R4i Gold v1.4<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> is now a really good flash cart to buy.
The two big addition is the support of <!--coloro:#006400--><span style="color:#006400"><!--/coloro-->YWG<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> and his <!--coloro:#006400--><span style="color:#006400"><!--/coloro-->WOOD<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> firmware the other is a new GUI that will let you boot WOOD directly from the official menu.
The New GUI has not been released yet, and when it does I will update this review

As for the <!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->R4i Gold v2.0<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->, they have not updated their kernel at all, but they do have YSmenu available, but it's about 2 month old, I have not tested it yet.
When I do, I will post the result here. I can not recommend the <!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro--> R4i Gold v2.0<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> due to it's slow updates and lack of support.

The <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->R4i gold v1.4<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> team is very active and is constantly working to improve their flash cart, The <!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->R4i Gold v1.4<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> is clearly the better cart

Final Score
<!--coloro:#0000FF--><span style="color:#0000FF"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v2.0<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->.....1pts
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->R4iGold v1.4<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->.....3pts

Again, I want to thank <a href="http://www.r4ds-ds.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.r4ds-ds.co.uk/</a> for the samples. Please check them out. They offer free shipping and and competitive prices.

 

[yellowbeen]

Which one can support WOOD R4?

 

[Another World]

the r4ids.cn site has an exclusive deal with YWG to produce their own fork of his firmware with each release. in turn he is making an official r4idsn version, as they are owned by the same company.

i do not know if the "v2" by the .com site can run the wood firmware but i can tell you that they do not have official support from YWG.

from what i was told by the r4ids.cn team the r4i gold v2 is the r4 ultra (acekard oem, designed by acekard with a menu coded by acekard) packaged in the original r4i gold box. because it is an acekard design it will run the cracked/hacked version of akaio (1.5?) which is available for download on their site. keep in mind that this version can not be updated with the latest loaders.

-another world

 

[Etalon]

There's one point I still don't really understand.

What's the difference between R4 Gold (Shoptemp) and R4 New (Blue Box).

Both have their own Wood (?), both come from the same company (?). Both work with 1.4.1 and will get future updates (?).

Which one of these DSi-Wood-cards is better now?

 

[RoMee]

There's one point I still don't really understand.

What's the difference between R4 Gold (Shoptemp) and R4 New (Blue Box).

Both have their own Wood (?), both come from the same company (?). Both work with 1.4.1 and will get future updates (?).

Which one of these DSi-Wood-cards is better now?


Yes, there is a difference. They are not the same. R4iDSN's old version uses nor-flash and r4ids gold uses serial-flash.
EDIT
The latest version seems the same as r4i gold. I will know for sure when I get my copy of R4idsn and test it myself
I'll probably post a review for it

No, they do not share the same firmware, but have the same compatibility
both will work on 1.4.1
and both is from the same company

They are overhauling the GUI to work with wood
here's some screen shots of the video player
QUOTEThe music player's skin is below and the lyric is showed on the bottom screen according to the music's rhythm.
The control panel of video playback is the same as that of the music player's.

 

[Etalon]

The blue GUI looks indeed nice. -- But I think most people will get one of these only for Wood.

What's the difference between NOR and NAND flash for the user - if there is any?

I'm just asking that because I think a lot of DSi users (including myself) would like to test Wood. But it's not really obvious which of this both cards is "better" or "newer" or whatever.

 

[RoMee]

I got this from the R4idsn team

You should require the latest version.
The latest version seems the same as r4i gold.

they just sent me the R4iDSN to test for a review, so I'll know more once I get it
I'll have their new GUI and features to test it on, so it's looking pretty good for R4i gold(R4ids.cn) and R4iDSN

 

[RNorthex]

I have the .cn flashcart, bought it like a year ago, it was good back then too, just not many updates
now, it simply runs everything, though had some problems making the wood firmware run on it, it works indeed
i'm not using wood much, the normal kernel just works just fine

 

[Etalon]

Does the R4i Gold (R4ids.cn) have a window or bulge in the shell?

 

[yellowbeen]

Does the R4i Gold (R4ids.cn) have a window or bulge in the shell?

No, there is no window or bulge in the shell.