This question is about the one and only original R4 DS from 2007-2008 which box is labelled with the URL http://www.r4ds.com/ . It is not about any of the later Flashcards from other manufacturers under the same "R4" brand which are labelled with different URLs.
I recently acquired one of the original R4 cards used-complete-in-box, more as a collectible than for practical usage. However, the cartridge casing is black rather than white, and the chinese text on the box is missing, which is different from how the R4 packaging is/was presented on the official website. The URL on the box however is the original one, and the cartridge itself has no URL printed on it, just like the original.
Also, the official website states in an FAQ, which was last updated in mid-2007:
Q: What colors are available from the R4 Adapter?
A: We are currently manufacturing White cart for first batch stock, we might consider other colors soon.
So, did I get a later batch of the R4, which uses a black casing and does not have the chinese text on the box, or is it a 1:1 clone that is able to run with the original firmware?
Again, this is less about practical usage and more for collecting reasons. I just want to know what I got.
I recently acquired one of the original R4 cards used-complete-in-box, more as a collectible than for practical usage. However, the cartridge casing is black rather than white, and the chinese text on the box is missing, which is different from how the R4 packaging is/was presented on the official website. The URL on the box however is the original one, and the cartridge itself has no URL printed on it, just like the original.
Also, the official website states in an FAQ, which was last updated in mid-2007:
Q: What colors are available from the R4 Adapter?
A: We are currently manufacturing White cart for first batch stock, we might consider other colors soon.
So, did I get a later batch of the R4, which uses a black casing and does not have the chinese text on the box, or is it a 1:1 clone that is able to run with the original firmware?
Again, this is less about practical usage and more for collecting reasons. I just want to know what I got.