Which Card to buy| Attribute | R4i Red | R4i Gold | R4v2 | R4 SDHC | DSTT | EDGE | EZFlash Vi | Acekard 2i |
| Extra-Fast Loading |  |  | | | | | | |
| Superior Build Quality | | | | | | | | |
| Games / MP3 Switcher Interface? | | | | |  | | | |
| Accept SDHC (4GB+) Cards? | | | | | | | | |
| DSi Compatible? | | | | | | | | |
Works on DSi firmware 1.4 ? | | | | | | | | |
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 created for customers 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.
R4v2
Meet the 'original' first generation adapter on the market. Although the R4v2 is the granddaddy of DS cards, it still has the quickest bootup time due to its simpler and more efficiently written software. The R4v2 DS cards is also very cheap and reliable. However, the R4v2 can only take 2GB Micro-SD cards or below due to hardware limitations. In many ways, the R4v2 is the 'true' original cartridge for the DS / DS Lite.Compatibility: DS and DS Lite (Not DSi)
Pros: Very cheap, and fastest loading time of any adapter in existence!
Drawbacks: Only takes up to 2GB Micro-SD memory cards.
Recommendation: Perfect for DS/DS Lite users who don't play more than about 15-20 games at once. Incredibly cheap, too!
R4 SDHC
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.Compatibility: DS and DS Lite (Not DSi)
Pros: Good performance and reliability, Quick loading times, Takes up to 32GB memory.
Drawbacks: No obvious drawbacks - a good all-rounder.
Recommendation: For users who want a good overall performance adapter, at a good price ("The Jack of All Trades").
EDGE DS
EDGE DS adapters were always designed with strength in mind - the cards are extremely robust, and even though failure rates on the R4v2 are amazingly small, the EDGE DS cards are extremely sturdy and unbelievably reliable (Currently the most reliable card on the market). Although it costs more, the quality and support that comes with these cards are the main reason they're desired by many of our customers - and they also accept SDHC cards which make it the most reliable upgrade from the R4v2 for a Nintendo DS or DS Lite. Did we mention that they also come in an incredibly beautiful packaging that makes them ideal gifts?Compatibility: DS and DS Lite (Not DSi)
Pros: Beautiful packaging making it ideal for gifts. Incredibly reliable and easy to use for music as well.
Drawbacks: More expensive than other standard DS/DS Lite adapters.
Recommendation: For users who want a rock-solid card, ideal as a gift, with massive memory capacity. The best all-rounder!
DSTT
The DSTT is effectively a slightly less efficient but just-as compatible version of the R4v2. You will notice slightly slower loading times, but compatibility is still good on the card. 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.Compatibility: DS and DS Lite (Not DSi)
Pros: Cheapest card that can take 4GB+ Micro-SDHC cards
Drawbacks: Game-list style interface is not as good for playing music/movies as other cards
Recommendation: For users who would like an easy to use gaming adapter for a DS/DS Lite that has high memory capabilities.
R4i-SDHC (Red)
R4i-SDHC is the first Compatible DSi card for the R4 brand. R4i-SDHC firmware is still work in progress but the developmental team has been working hard and continously making improvements. Contains many features that are not seen in any other R4 card.Compatibility: DS, DS Lite, and DSi (Compatible with all 3!)
Pros: Good stable card with many new features not seen in other R4 cards. Up to 32GB memory is also a great boost.
Drawbacks: Firmware is still work in progress but showing great promise.
Recommendation: A good 'Jack of all trades' card for the Nintendo DSi at a good price.
R4i Gold Edition
R4i Gold Edition uses more advanced manufacturing techniques (SMT Integrated Circuit instead of bonding method). This makes the R4i Gold Edition easier to update and possibly give better compatibility in the future with new DSi firmwares and/or games.Compatibility: DS, DS Lite, and DSi (Compatible with all 3!)
Pros: Good, stable card with potentially better compatibility in the future (New DSi firmwares etc) than the R4i-SDHC (Red).
Drawbacks: Software does not contain some features available to the EZFlash Vi and Acekard 2i.
Recommendation: A great all-round card that is DSi compatible, with better future-proofing than the R4i Red version.
Acekard 2i
Acekard 2i is the first DSi card and 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 card with dual memory capability, meaning it can use a micro SD/SDHC as a memory and also has internal NAND memory.Compatibility: DS, DS Lite, and DSi (Compatible with all 3!)
Pros: Unique functions and features not available on other DS/DSi cards. Contains internal built-in memory for faster processing.
Drawbacks: Spring-loaded cartridge
Recommendation: For users with DSi who are looking to take advantage of the many features of the Acekard 2i as well as playing homebrew games.
EZFlash Vi
Finally, if you own a Nintendo DSi, the EZFlash Vi card is the one for you. There are several Nintendo DSi-compatible cards out on the market, but the most reliable to date is the EZFlash Vi which also has the fewest problems with new games. The software written for it is simply the best available at present - and it's backwards compatible with both the Nintendo DS Lite and the Nintendo DS!Compatibility: DS, DS Lite, and DSi (Compatible with all three!)
Pros: Rock-solid and works on all DS platforms. No different software needed for a DSi - it just works perfectly!. The team are fast in providing firmware update such has the dsi 1.4 firmware update. For furture dsi firmware update it is garanteed that the team will be up to speed in providing solutions for their card.
Drawbacks: DSi compatible cards are typically a bit more expensive.
Recommendation: For users who have a DSi or will be upgrading in the future. Rock-solid, high memory capacity, and DSi compatible.
With the above said, however, since every card you can buy 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.
Hope to hear from you soon,
PlanetPlaza Support Team.
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