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Which DS Card is Right for Me?

 

Attribute	R4 SDHC	DSTT	Acekard 2i	EZFlash Vi	M3i Zero	Cyclo DS iEvolution	Supercard DSTWO	R4i 3DS
Superior Build Quality	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Games / MP3 Switcher Interface	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Accepts SDHC (4GB+) Cards	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Nintendo DSi Compatible*	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Nintendo 3DS Compatible*	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

* Known to be compatible up to Nintendo DSi 1.4.3 and Nintendo 3DS 3.0.0.6 firmware (the latest released firmwares at time of last page update). If Nintendo releases a newer firmware, do NOT upgrade to this firmware unless you're 100% sure the card will be compatible.

We get e-mails often asking about what the differences between the cards are, as well as what people mean by 'fake' cards and 'bricking' DS consoles. This page is permanently on the NDS-Gear website in the hope that it will inform our customers and the public about the different DS cards on offer as well as the situation with regards to 'real' and 'fake' cards.

R4 SDHC v2.10T

The R4 SDHC is a modified version of the R4v2. All its functions are very similar to the R4v2 except with one crucial difference: It is able to accept Micro-SDHC cards and can take up to 32GB of memory. Although slightly slower than the R4v2, the bootup time for the R4 SDHC is still pretty fast. It is not the 'original' R4 adapter, but is made by some of the same development team. The original R4 adapter ceased production in 2008, and this is its direct (and authentic) descendent.

Compatibility: DS and DS Lite
Pros: Good performance and reliability, Quick loading times, Takes up to 32GB memory.
Drawbacks: No obvious drawbacks - a good all-rounder.
NDS-Gear's Recommendation: For users who want a good overall performance adapter, at a good price ("The Jack of All Trades"), for the DS or DS Lite.

DSTT

The DSTT is effectively a slightly less featured but just-as compatible version of the R4v2. You will notice slightly slower loading times, but compatibility is still good on the card and NDS-Gear are able to offer support. The DSTT has a list-format user interface, making it ideal for playing homebrew applications/games only without multitasking. It is also able to take up to 32GB of memory. However, infrequent (but still there) official support means it may not be compatible with the absolute latest games.

Compatibility: DS and DS Lite
Pros: Cheapest card that can take 4GB+ Micro-SDHC cards
Drawbacks: Infrequent software updates (although still updated periodically) mean it may not be able to play the absolute newest games.
NDS-Gear's Recommendation: For DS card beginners who would like a no-fuss card to play DS games that aren't necessarily the newest.

EZFlash Vi

If you own a Nintendo 3DS / DSi, the EZFlash Vi card is a good solid card (unless splashing out on the top of the range Supercard DSTWO / Cyclo DS iEvolution, of course). The EZFlash Vi tends to pride itself on being a very solidly made card at a lower price bracket. It is a very sturdy card and is quite reliable as well, a good happy-medium choice for the enthusiastic homebrew user.

Compatibility: DS, DS Lite, DSi and 3DS
Pros: Rock-solid and works on all DS platforms. No different software needed for a 3DS - it just works!
Drawbacks: Lacks the insane number of features of the Cyclo iDS / Supercard DSTWO / M3i Zero, but is a beautifully made, sturdy card.
NDS-Gear's Recommendation: For users who have a 3DS or will be upgrading in the future. Rock-solid, high memory capacity, and 3DS/DSi compatible.

R4i 3DS

The R4i 3DS used to be called the R4i SDHC - which was the first compatible DSi card for the R4 brand. Originally did not work in 1.4-compatible DSi consoles but new iteration of card is completely compatible, and promises to be a very good and inexpensive DSi option! The newest version of the R4i, named the R4i 3DS, also works with 3DS consoles and can be upgraded (check first before updating though!) to newer firmware versions via WiFi.

Compatibility: DS, DS Lite, DSi, DSi XL and 3DS
Pros: All-round, cheap card that is 3DS / DSi compatible
Drawbacks: Not as feature-rich as more advanced cards like the M3i Zero, Cyclo DS iEvolution or Supercard DSTWO.
NDS-Gear's Recommendation: A good first time cost-efficient card for 3DS / DSi users or for people who want to see if they like the homebrew scene.

Acekard 2i

Acekard 2i was the first ever DSi card and is widely considered to be one of the best DSi cards on the market. As the Acekard software is open source, it has many unique features that are only available on the Acekard 2i. The Acekard 2i is also one of the only DS/DSi cards with dual memory capability, meaning it can use a micro SD/SDHC as a memory and also has internal NAND memory. This effective functions as extra flash memory to make loading times and internal processing a lot faster. With the newer software updates, the Acekard2i can also play DS/DSi games on the new Nintendo 3DS console. The Acekard has also not not changed hardware types since release (unlike for example the M3i Zero's GMP-Z003 model) so are very consistent with their support and don't have models that drop out of support.

Compatibility: DS, DS Lite, DSi and 3DS
Pros: Contains build-in NAND memory to function as RAM and cut loading times, while increasing reliability.
Drawbacks: Spring-loaded cartridge
NDS-Gear's Recommendation: For users with 3DS / DSi who are looking to take advantage of one of the fastest and most reliable loading times due to the Ak2i's built-in NAND memory.

M3i Zero

The M3i Zero is the card that many early DSi / 3DS gamers most anticipated. The reason for this is simple - the M3 team historically make the most sturdy cards with the best software, usually at an higher cost but worth it. It is the oldest of the "established advanced cards" and has a unique ability to update itself via a separate USB cable, hoping to make it more future-proof.

Compatibility: DS, DS Lite, DSi, DSi XL and 3DS
Pros: A solid DSi / 3DS card with a unique upgrading cable to try and make it future-proof. Software part-designed by chief designer of Moonshell!
Drawbacks: Update mechanism uses external cable, a little more complex than other cards but may be more future-proof as a result.
NDS-Gear's Recommendation: The M3i Zero is the oldest "advanced 3DS" card on the market (more established than the DSTWO / Cyclo iDS), is rock solid, and the interface is silky smooth. Recommended for advanced users who have used homebrew for a while and require a feature-rich, unique card.

Supercard DSTWO

The Supercard DSTWO is one of the latest DSi and 3DS compatible offering from the famous Supercard team, who intensely focused their efforts on preparing this card for Nintendo's newer handheld consoles. A unique feature is the legacy GBA / NES / SNES support where nostalgic gamers can even play backup copies of older console games. The Supercard DSTWO is extremely solidly built, comes in a lovely velvet-like lining box, and is the only DS card to date that offers this legacy support for older console games.

Compatibility: DS, DS Lite, DSi and 3DS
Pros: Very solid development team, quick to release updates - and the only card in our lineup that supports GBA and NES / SNES emulation!
Drawbacks: No known weaknesses
NDS-Gear's Recommendation: For hardcore gamers that are looking for a superior quality card that can also play older Game Boy and NES / SNES games. An excellent all-round card!

Cyclo DS iEvolution

 

The Cyclo DS iEvolution is one of the newer DSi and 3DS compatible cards available from NDS-Gear. It is an extremely solid card that comes in beautiful packaging. The card also has a DSi-enhanced mode which takes advantage of the faster hardware on DSi's, something currently unique to the Cyclo iDS. The Cyclo DS team are rather well known for providing excellent support and only releasing what would be known as top-of-the-line, premium cards onto the market. Their latest offering for the Nintendo DSi and 3DS consoles does not disappoint in the slightest, and the beautiful box it comes in makes the Cyclo DS iEvolution ideal as a gift.

Compatibility: DS, DS Lite, DSi and 3DS
Pros: One of the most solid and beautifully presented DS cards on the market, ideal as a gift, rock solid with great support and compatibility.
Drawbacks: No GBA emulator like the Supercard DSTWO, but more solidly built and looks nicer as a gift.
NDS-Gear's Recommendation: For homebrew gamers who are interested in the best card they can possibly get for their DS / DSi / 3DS console, who don't really play GBA games.

 

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With the above said, however, since every card you can buy on NDS-Gear is individually tested prior to sending, there is no worry regardless of which card you buy - simply compare your options and decide what you'd like! :-) Please contact us if you require any further assistance.

All the best,

The NDS-Gear Team