R4 Card – Should You Buy One?

If you’re contemplating whether to buy an R4 Card, the answer is yes. Owning an R4 Card comes with several great advantages, one of which is the ability to play any Nintendo DS game you desire. A huge selection of games is available for the Nintendo DS family, and with an R4 Card, you can even install emulators to play retro games from consoles like Gameboy, Gameboy Color, NES, and Sega Genesis.

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The Popularity of R4 Cards

R4 cards have maintained their popularity online, even after Nintendo discontinued the DS in 2013. These cards continue to sell rapidly, especially those that come preloaded with a variety of ROMs. With Nintendo having sold 154.02 million DS consoles worldwide, the Nintendo DS family stands as the best-selling handheld console of all time, with a library of over 2028 games. All these games can be played on an R4 Card, making these cartridges incredibly popular globally.

Types of R4 Cards

The R4 Cards I review here are clones, the most popular versions being the R4 Gold Pro, R4 Lite, and R4 White Dual Core. Despite their different names and colors, these cards are essentially the same. You can even interchange the firmware among them without any issues. In the US, the R4 Gold Pro cartridge is the most popular, likely due to the perception that “gold” signifies superior quality.

Compatibility and Usage

A common question is whether R4 Cards work on various DS models like the DSi, DS Lite, 3DS Lite, or the new 3DS XL. The answer is yes; these R4 Cards are compatible with all DS and 3DS consoles. However, they cannot play 3DS ROMs, only DS ROMs. While I won’t provide links to download DS games illegally, it’s easy to find these ROMs through a simple Google search.

Legal Considerations

It’s important to note that R4 Cards are illegal in many countries. For instance, in the UK, it’s illegal to sell them but not to own one. Similarly, selling R4 Cards is illegal in Japan. If they are illegal in your country and you wish to comply with the law, it’s best not to purchase one. However, enforcement is typically lax, especially for personal use.

Emulating Retro Games

One of the significant benefits of an R4 Card is the ability to emulate retro consoles. Emulators for Gameboy, Gameboy Color, NES, and Sega Genesis are available and work well on the R4 Card. However, the Gameboy Advance emulator doesn’t perform as reliably. The Sega Genesis emulator is better, although it may have some screen-fitting issues. Emulators for Gameboy, Gameboy Color, and NES usually work seamlessly.

Some recommended emulators include:

• jEnesisDS for Sega Megadrive (Genesis)
• NesDS for NES and Famicom
• NeoDS for NEO GEO
• snesDS for SNES
• GameYob and Lameboy DS for Gameboy Color and Gameboy

Addressing the Time Bomb Issue

A term you might come across is the “time bomb” feature in R4 Cards. This isn’t a literal bomb but a built-in limitation that makes the card stop working after a set period, usually around five years. This feature is intended to encourage users to purchase new cards. However, you can easily bypass this by setting the date back five years in the card’s settings.

Setting Up Your R4 Card

Setting up an R4 Card is straightforward. Follow the link provided on the card or its package to download the necessary firmware. Format your micro SD card and upload the firmware files. Create a folder for your DS ROMs (naming it “Games” works well) and ensure you have fewer than 300 DS games on the card to avoid performance issues. The R4 Cards support 16GB micro SD cards best, even though they can technically handle 32GB cards.

Recommended DS Games

For those planning to download DS ROMs, some must-have games include all the Pokémon, Zelda, and Mario titles available for DS, as well as “The World Ends With You,” “Animal Crossing,” “Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars,” “Geometry Wars,” and the Kirby and Contra series. “Dementium: The Ward” is a noteworthy addition for those who enjoy horror-themed games.

Selling R4 Cards

If you’re considering selling R4 Cards, my advice is don’t. Major online marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, Amazon, and Mercari strictly prohibit the sale of these items, and getting caught will result in a ban. Some platforms may even ban you for life.

The Ultimate Gaming Setup

For an enhanced gaming experience, consider the following setup:

• DS Lite + R4 Card + EZ-Flash Omega
• Clear Case Shell for DS Lite + R4 Card + EZ-Flash Omega

A word of caution: Replacing a DS Lite case can be tricky and might result in damage if not done correctly. For a helpful tutorial, you can find many videos on YouTube, although I’m not affiliated with any particular video or creator.

In conclusion, an R4 Card is a valuable addition to any Nintendo DS enthusiast’s collection, offering extensive gaming options and the ability to play a variety of retro games. However, be mindful of the legal implications and the risks involved in selling these cards.