Acekard 2i Details

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.

Download Acekard 2i Firmware / Acekard 2i Software from NDS-Gear.

Want to read more detailed information about this adapter? Check out the NDS-Gear Review of the Acekard 2i.

Still not sure which card to buy? Check out our handy Card Comparison Guide.

Buy Acekard

The Acekard 2i card is the first DSi and 3DS compatible card introduced by the long-standing Acekard team. The card is available from NDS-Gear, who are a preferred supplier of genuine Acekard products. The Acekard 2i enables users of Nintendo handheld consoles to not only play games, but listen to their favorite music and watch videos on their DS / DSi / 3DS. The Acekard 2i can can also be used to view documents such as PDFs and eBooks. In short, NDS-Gear highly recommends the Ak2i as an all-round solid performer.

The Acekard 2i was first released in the year 2009. The software for it is quite frequently updated and it also boasts being the first DS card in the world to have its software officially listed as open source. This is a great achivement by the Ace kard team and should not pass without comment.

AKAIO Firmware

The official version of the Acekard 2i firmware has a competitor - a group of Acekard enthusiasts who have used the open-source nature of the Ak2i to create a firmware for the Acekard 2i which is arguably even better than the original! Called AKAIO, this Acekard 2i firmware a step above what even the official team have done (no small feat!), and is now the firmware of choice for nearly all Acekard 2i owners. NDS-Gear provides the AKAIO firmware for download on our website, which is also officially endorsed by the Acekard team.

Using the Ak2i

Simply buying an Acekard 2i card on its own is not sufficient to run it - it is designed to work with a Micro-SD memory card inserted into the card, which you can also buy from NDS-Gear when you purchase your Acekard - simply select your desired amount of memory from the drop-down menu before clicking 'Add to Cart' (in 2GB, 4GB, 8GB or 16GB flavours depending on how many applications / media files you wish to play on your Acekard 2i). It's that simple!

When you Buy Acekard 2i from NDS-Gear, you will notice that the build quality is excellent, and with the quality assurance mechanisms in place at NDS-Gear including individual card testing and tracked US delivery, the slim chance of a faulty card is virtually knocked down to zero. It is of paramount importance to us that our customers are able to buy with confidence.

Acekard 2i and AKAIO Firmware

The Acekard 2i requires the Acekard firmware (either the official firmware or the AKAIO firmware) in other to operate. The Acekard software must first be copied on to the Micro-SD card via a computer. This can be done quite simply using drag-and-drop. All other files (such as multimedia audio/video files) and homebrew games are also transferred this way. After completing the transfer, the micro-SD card can be disconnected from the computer and slotted back into the Acekard 2i.

It is also worth mentioning that the Ak2i was the first DSi card to be updated to support the Nintendo DSi's 1.4.1 firmware (they were beaten by a few days during the 1.4.2 / 1.4.3 firmware update by the Supercard team who manufacture the more expensive but amazing Supercard DSTWO) and are generally held in high regard by the DS community.