Hacking The "Which flashcart to get?" Info Thread

[tk_saturn]

Hi,

I'm a complete noob when it comes to flashcarts. I want to play roms on my NDS, what exactly do I need?

I have a NDS lite and an original "phat" NDS. I have no interest in playing NDSi games. I'll be using them both just to play multiplayer games like Bomberman and Metroid Hunters.

I understand that if I go for the newer flashcarts I'll need a microSD card an adapter with a cardreader so I can write the ROMS to it.

I'm looking for something cheap, what would you recommend?

It really comes down to memory card capacity. If you are fine with MicroSD cards which are 2GB or less, then a 1:1 R4 will be fine. They are just $6 from ShopTemp and include a MicroSD card reader.

If you want to use MicroSDHC (upto 32GB) cards and never plan to get a DSi or DSi XL then get the Acekard 2.1. It doesn't come with a card reader.

If you want the option of later getting a DSi or DSi XL, then get the Acekard 2i. Like the Acekard 2.1 it doesn't come with a card reader.

All 3 carts use the same Acekard based interface which is generally regarded as being both the best and easiest to use. The Acekards will use AKAIO, while the R4 will use Wood. It's important you only buy the linked R4 and not an R4-SDHC/ R4i etc as Wood doesn't work on them, only those R4's such as the one from ShopTemp.

I have a guide which will introduce you to the R4/ Wood and tell you how to set it up here
I have a guide which will introduce you to the Acekard/ AKAIO and tell you how to set it up here

There is no cart which can run DSi games in DSi mode. All DSi enhanced games will run in 'DS Mode' regardless if it's a DS Lite/ Phat/ DSi.

 

[Dionysus]

My M3Real is really Epic i had it for a few years and it still works, used to have an 8GB but yh stuff happened now i end up with a lame 2 GB - going a lil off topic now..getting hot and sweaty, under pressure ahhh well now back to the advise ummm yeah sooo get a m3i zero as its updated version from m3 Real

P.S just because i am mentally ill doesn't mean u can criticize the way i talk

 

[NDS_Noob]

Do you need to play many game? Like 20 or more?

20 or More ----> Acekard 2.1
20 or Less ----> R4

Keep in mind these carts are budget carts. If you need more functions (Real-time save, real-time guide, etc.) you should consider EZ-Flash Vi, Super Card DSTwo

I'll probably be playing less than 10 games. It seems the R4 suits my needs =)

QUOTE(tk_saturn @ Aug 23 2010, 08:08 PM) It really comes down to memory card capacity. If you are fine with MicroSD cards which are 2GB or less, then a 1:1 R4 will be fine. They are just $6 from ShopTemp and include a MicroSD card reader.

If you want to use MicroSDHC (upto 32GB) cards and never plan to get a DSi or DSi XL then get the Acekard 2.1. It doesn't come with a card reader.

If you want the option of later getting a DSi or DSi XL, then get the Acekard 2i. Like the Acekard 2.1 it doesn't come with a card reader.

All 3 carts use the same Acekard based interface which is generally regarded as being both the best and easiest to use. The Acekards will use AKAIO, while the R4 will use Wood. It's important you only buy the linked R4 and not an R4-SDHC/ R4i etc as Wood doesn't work on them, only those R4's such as the one from ShopTemp.

I have a guide which will introduce you to the R4/ Wood and tell you how to set it up here
I have a guide which will introduce you to the Acekard/ AKAIO and tell you how to set it up here

There is no cart which can run DSi games in DSi mode. All DSi enchanced games will run in 'DS Mode' regardless if it's a DS Lite/ Phat/ DSi.

Thanks, I'll be purchasing a R4.

My next question was going to inquire about a noob guide to setting up you NDS to use a flashcart - I'll be OK thanks to your guide.

 

[gozu]

Hi guys

I have a DSi and I play DS games only. (don't care about gba or dsi enhanced games)

What is important to me is compatibility. I don't care about cheats.

Money is not an issue. They're all cheap anyways.

Which card is best for me if I want to play 20+ games?

which card is best if I want to play less than 20 games?

Where can I buy this in France?

 

[trumpet-205]

Hi guys

I have a DSi and I play DS games only. (don't care about gba or dsi enhanced games)

What is important to me is compatibility. I don't care about cheats.

Money is not an issue. They're all cheap anyways.

Which card is best for me if I want to play 20+ games?

which card is best if I want to play less than 20 games?

Where can I buy this in France?

You would want Acekard 2i. It works on DSi and it is perfect for any number of games.

Acekard 2i

Acekard has high compatibility thanks to AKAIO. Buy it from above link, as Shoptemp ships it to anywhere . Shipping is free.

If you plan on playing 20 or more games then get a 8gb microSD, otherwise get 4gb. Bundle them when purchaseing Acekard. Make sure to get premium flashing if you have DSi upgraded to 1.4.

 

[zzhou]

My old trusty DSL is dying on me. I want to buy DSI and this is a proper time to pick a new flash card. On DSL I used R4 (and G6 Lite - but that was a long time ago).
The reasons I am not sure if I should buy R4i is:
1. Not sure if R4i is compatible with most games.
2. I hate going through hoops with YsMenu installing.

I would consider Acecard2i but I am not sure if I will be able to migrate my old saves.

What flashcard supports more games (i.e. Bowser inside story)? Is it possible to migrate saves from R4 to Acecard?

 

[zzhou]

1. Probably compatible with most, but it is missing a few big games and a lot of newer releases.
2. I completely agree.

You should buy the AceKard 2i, it will accept your saves as is. It definitely has higher compatibility, so nothing to worry about.

Ok, it's on the way

 

[CWaffles]

So I'm considering getting the Supercard DSTWO. I currently have an Acekard 2i which works fine on my DS Lite and my DSi. Been reading alot about the Supercard DSTWO and was curious if you guys thought it is a worthwhile upgrade to the Acekard 2i? Thoughts?

 

[trumpet-205]

So I'm considering getting the Supercard DSTWO. I currently have an Acekard 2i which works fine on my DS Lite and my DSi. Been reading alot about the Supercard DSTWO and was curious if you guys thought it is a worthwhile upgrade to the Acekard 2i? Thoughts?

Do you need to play GBA game on your DSi?
Do you need real time save/guide/cheat?

If yes on either question then get a DSTwo, otherwise stick with Acekard 2i.

 

[CWaffles]

Do you need to play GBA game on your DSi?
Do you need real time save/guide/cheat?

If yes on either question then get a DSTwo, otherwise stick with Acekard 2i.

For the most part I play on my DS Lite so GBA isnt an issue. Dont necessarily need RTS/Guide/Cheat, but dont have any objections to it either. Just from all the reading I've been doing about the DSTWO it seems as if its the "next step" in the evolution of flash cards so it's grabbed my interest.

 

[RupeeClock]

Do you need to play GBA game on your DSi?
Do you need real time save/guide/cheat?

If yes on either question then get a DSTwo, otherwise stick with Acekard 2i.

For the most part I play on my DS Lite so GBA isnt an issue. Dont necessarily need RTS/Guide/Cheat, but dont have any objections to it either. Just from all the reading I've been doing about the DSTWO it seems as if its the "next step" in the evolution of flash cards so it's grabbed my interest.

If you're just looking to be able to play DS games, then honestly you go for an R4DS or Acekard 2i.
The R4DS with Wood R4 installed will play most games without flaw, but with a 2gb microSD limit, and no DSi support. It IS a bargain however.
Acekard 2i is similar, but it has that DSi and SDHC support.
DSTwo has the integrated processor that can do the best SNES emulation of any flashcart though, and with an open SDK you can expect some better emulators to maybe show up in the future.

If you're interested in being able to play GBA games on your DS Lite, then you should think about getting an EZ Flash 3in1.
It's a Slot-2 expansion for Slot-1 cards, it lets you load GBA roms from Slot 1 and play them on the 3in1, with flawless compatibility.

 

[Velotix]

Hello....

After having over 60 DS games that are now cluttering up my room I'm looking to get one of these Flash Cart things.... I attempted research but found out it was all years old and didn't really help me now...

So... Which One should I get? I plan on backing up all my games so something that can play a lot of games is a Plus.

Some sort of cheating device that accepts Action replay codes is not needed but would be nice to have too...

I also am low on cash for now so 30 bucks or less would be nice....

I think that's it for now. I'll probably ask more questions once I get some suggestions.

 

[jurassicplayer]

Hello....
After having over 60 DS games that are now cluttering up my room I'm looking to get one of these Flash Cart things.... I attempted research but found out it was all years old and didn't really help me now...
So... Which One should I get? I plan on backing up all my games so something that can play a lot of games is a Plus.
Some sort of cheating device that accepts Action replay codes is not needed but would be nice to have too...
I also am low on cash for now so 30 bucks or less would be nice....
I think that's it for now. I'll probably ask more questions once I get some suggestions.

I would suggest either an AK2 or a R4 from shoptemp as either could easily play the DS games you currently have. If you are planning to place ALL of your games on one microSD rather than using a computer to change files every now and then (which would be the case if you went with an R4 from shoptemp), the best bet would be to use an AK2 or an AK2i as either can support microSDHC meaning you can get up to 32GB of space (theoretically? The largest mSDHC I have ever seen is 16GB).

Pricewise, these carts are among the cheapest, but are a part of the better quarter of the flashcarts (the R4 only recently because of the WoodR4 kernel by Yellow Wood Goblin). An R4 from shoptemp costs only $6, AK2i at around $15, and the AK2 at around $13. If you have a DSi, then the cheapest solution would be to get an AK2i.

I believe most, if not all, flashcarts support cheats and those are available online (for the flashcarts I have suggested, they can use usrcheat.dat).

 

[Velotix]

Ah, Cool. Thank you very much.

I think I'll pick up the AK2I because I keep hearing of these constant updates...But that they're not from the official team...

I know I should probably go to the AK2 board for this but how would I get that....Er....Thing.... Just download it and put it on the Card? I really only plan on playing my DS games on it nothing to fancy but constant updates sound nice.

Guess I'll go get the AK2I. Thank you very much.

 

[jurassicplayer]

Keeping an AK2/AK2i updated is extremely easy and for this, I will refer you to the amazing tutorial here:
http://gbatemp.net/t218103-updated-n00b-gu...up-your-acekard

 

[Lt. Brannigan]

So this thread has been very helpful to me in many ways, and it has narrowed down my choices to two flash carts. and also help with good places to get the stuff from. But There are still questions that I need answered (Perhaps for the billionth time) before I decide. If it matters I have the original DS

What I want is to simply play my backed up DS games and have the option of using cheats. I don't need anything fancy, I just want something that has a high compatibility rate.

So out of the R4 and Acekard 2.1. which of these would be a wiser investment? I do realize the difference is only a few dollars, but I value input over rash decisions.

And finally my sister has a DS lite and I was considering getting one for her as well, hopefully that doesn't really require anything special.

Also I would like to add I did try doing some comparing on the the two but most of the relevant data was 2 years old (For the R4) and nothing that was of any current value. But this board has helped me and been very informative I just need a final knowledgeable word on the matter.

 

[tohmao]

I wish I saw this thread along time ago, then I would of got a different flashcart regardless of the price. I have a R4i SDHC and was debating to get a CyclosDS Evolution. Thanks for the guide.

 

[RupeeClock]

What I want is to simply play my backed up DS games and have the option of using cheats.
So out of the R4 and Acekard 2.1. which of these would be a wiser investment?
My sister has a DS lite and I was considering getting one for her as well.

For you, I think the best option would be is to buy a pair of R4DS with 2gb memory, and install Wood R4 firmware on it.
That'll play DS games with an excellent compatibility rate, and will allow you to use cheats. Nothing fancy.
Two R4DS with Two 2gb microSDs will cost you just $26 + free shipping over at Shoptemp. ($6 R4DS + $7 memory)

However, the Acekard 2.1 would also be good, but only if you feel it's necessary to have more than the R4's 2gb limitation.
AKAIO firmware is also very good, although right now it's not as up-to-date as Wood R4, I think an update is probably around the corner due to a major rom release.
Acekard 2.1 is just $12.95 at Shoptemp.

Anyway, if you want somewhere to buy either, Shoptemp is definitely the right place, they've got fair prices and good free shipping.

 

[Lt. Brannigan]

For you, I think the best option would be is to buy a pair of R4DS with 2gb memory, and install Wood R4 firmware on it.
That'll play DS games with an excellent compatibility rate, and will allow you to use cheats. Nothing fancy.
Two R4DS with Two 2gb microSDs will cost you just $26 + free shipping over at Shoptemp. ($6 R4DS + $7 memory)

However, the Acekard 2.1 would also be good, but only if you feel it's necessary to have more than the R4's 2gb limitation.
AKAIO firmware is also very good, although right now it's not as up-to-date as Wood R4, I think an update is probably around the corner due to a major rom release.
Acekard 2.1 is just $12.95 at Shoptemp.

Anyway, if you want somewhere to buy either, Shoptemp is definitely the right place, they've got fair prices and good free shipping.

Awesome thank you, so very much for your fast and courteous response. The 2gb limitation is no real problem for me as I somehow ended up with three MicroSD cards. I am getting me a couple of R4's.

 

[spankius]

Just ordered an r4 sdhc from shoptemp with the premium set up service.
Will this be able to run the snemul?
Previously had an r4 but the memory card messed up and it still works but i am not able to add anything new to it.