Flash Carts: A Guide to What to Avoid and What to Buy

You should post pics of what a genuine R4 comes with. Like the box and the micro sd card reader.

 

Genuine R4:

http://shoptemp.com/product_images/z/532/G034__25442_zoom.jpg

This is everything my R4 came with too, down to the blue case for the actual cart and the silver and black generic flash drive shaped MicroSD card reader.

 

The link is messed up.

Mine came with all of that but it was missing the CD. Someone already set it up for me though.

 

The forum just adds "?romulation" to certain links, I can't fix that no matter how many times I delete it. Mine didn't come with a CD either, but you don't need it at all. I think it just has the base firmware or something on it. Either way, with the Wood firmware out now, the original firmware doesn't matter.

 

The original firmware is better than the one for the DSTT. Some games just wouldn't run on the DSTT.

Wait. Should it have come with one of those mini CDs? A regular one wouldn't fit in there.

 

The CD doesn't matter. Don't worry about it.

 

I can verify that the r4i-sdhc v 1.4 is a good cart, we use a 4gb kingston sd, the firmware is updated often, plays most games very well. I have very few issues with this cart, that being said i have two more clone r4 carts that are worthless! an r4 original clone, and r4i no v1.4 no sdhc. I also have a acekard 2i, no issues love akaio, not as user friendly for noobs, but well worth the learning curve, i will buy both the r4i-sdhc and acekard 2i again.
I am interested in trying out the cyclods, do they have a cart for dsi? I would also like to recommend that people post the sites they purchase genuine carts from, this gives others a reference when shopping.

 

Opinion on both carts has been noted, so their spots in "Fine" and "Must Buy" (respectively) will not change.

There is no DSi compatible CycloDS sadly, but the next best thing (that is also $10 cheaper) would be the Supercard DSTwo. It comes with many similar features and has only needed one single firmware update for game compatibility since the cart released. That update was only needed because of a special save for Jam with the Band. It also comes with many great extras, and that wonderful GBA emulator that has a 3rd party update that greatly increases its quality.

 

I have a CycloDS and I love it. Does anyone know how to use the realtime saves/loads? The option is always greyed out.

Sorry for the off-topic

 

I can't really tell you since I don't own that particular cart. If nobody replies here, you could always make a topic asking.

 

I think you hold the Y button SELECT when booting the game. Then it will create the RTS save file. But it's quite big so make sure you have room.

I found the answer.
http://cyclods.theta.in/wiki/RTS#How_do_I_use_it.3F

 

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for.

 

M3i SDHC
M3 Upgrade

Those are M3 clones.

http://www.m3adapter.com/News_Events.htm - first article.

And the website says

for M3i Upgrade.

I think it is better to avoid. Clones are *mostly* better to avoid, though.

EDIT: Oh and add M3i Upgrade to the list.

 

With little to no info on how well the carts actually work, I've been forced to follow procedure and add them to questionable carts until more info is present.

Added to M3 Questionable Carts:

- M3i Upgrade
- M3i SDHC
- M3L

I found the bottom one on the site mentioned in that quote.

EDIT: Made an update to the first post with a common sense warning about 3D carts that are bound to start appearing in troves with the addition of the soon coming 3DS.

 

Maybe add this site to avoid:

http://www.3dsmodchips.com/

 

another site to avoid, they are cloned edge carts
http://www.edgei-ds.cn

 

Yeah, add sites.

And add EDGEi to avoid, website says why.

 

Cleaned up the first post a bit and added the "Sites to Avoid" section.
Any other sites that need to be added (only pertaining to flash carts) will be added upon notification.

Edit: Tiny update to the first post. Let me know if any updates are required due to the new DSi firmware or anything.

 

UPDATE: Theres a new Flashcart out.
Gbatemp's review.
http://gbatemp.net/t255571-ismart-premium-review

Pokemon Black and White warning for it.
http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=255510

 

The issue was actually already fixed by the iSmart team.

http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=255576

As GBAtemp gave it a bronze star, I'll give the iSmart Premium the OK for having, but not a must buy by any means.