[REVIEW] AceKard R.P.G. - 8G PRO Opzioni

[Evrain]

AceKard R.P.G. - 8G PRO
[ English Version | Versione Italiana ]

Quick Links
Homepage: www.acekard.com
System Updates: GbaRL.it Download Archive

Our thanks to Acekard Team and their outlet BambooGaming.com for the sample provided.

A long time has passed since the first Slot-1 design was unveiled to scene sites: after the first, awkward attempts, every major manufacturer has opted for this format, releasing more and more perfect units, free of problems and pre-processing steps. Obviously, we've now come to the point where adding new features is extremely difficult, if not impossible.
Many of you are already aware of Team Acekard, whose curtain call was a Slot-1 solution, called AceKard+, although its popularity wasn't too high. Now, after 10 months worth of development, they're back, taking the scene by storm with an atypical flashcard: the AceKard R.P.G.

Introduction & Features

The acronym in the name stands for Real Play Gear, meaning that this product, in the manufacturer's intentions, is aimed towards maximum simplicity for unexperienced users, as well as full flexibility for hackers and more expert developers, with solid support to both games and homebrew code.

At the time of this review, the flashcard is not yet available for purchase: the sample we've been given by the AK Team, even though fully completed and stable on the hardware side, is having its packaging still being defined. Those aspects will be further developed through our review.

For now, let's take a look at the declared features for this card:

• Dual Memory System: an internal high-speed NAND memory chip with a capacity of 8 Gbit (1 Gbyte) and a dedicated slot for external microSD/TF memory card
• SDHC Support: the latest evolution of the Secure Digital standard allows for storage medias up to 8 Gbytes to be used with the R.P.G., leading to massive amounts of space
• Full Compatibility: 100% support for Clean Dump, no need for external patchers
• DLDI Autopatching: homebrew code will be automatically patched with the relevant DLDI driver, making its use immediate and hassle-free
• PassCard: the card doubles as a third generation PassCard device, useful for booting Slot-2 flash cartridges
• “Quick Exchange” Technology: games, programs and saves can be swapper between NAND and microSD card without resorting to a PC
• Auto Save Type Detection: the game/homebrew's save type is automatically determined, although the user can set a different size if he so wishes
• U-Disk: the NAND chip can be used as a flash drive, using the on-board mini USB connector (USB 2.0)
• Auto Trimming: games are freed of redundant data when copied to and from the NAND flash
• Open Source OS: the system software, easily skinnable and with full touchscreen controls, can be freely modified via the publicly released source code (a copy of which is hosted in our own File Archive)
• "Write Balance" Technology: the NAND memory life is extended via a smart management of read/write operations
• Direct savegames backup: instead of relying on battery-backed RAM, savegames are stored in the internal EEPROM, then written to media as the console is switched back on

That's not the end of it: the above list, which applies to retail units, is expanded with upcoming features, such as multiple saver files and Action Replay cheating support. Indeed, the card's features have impressed us, due to being the first adding peculiar characteristics to the one now common to flash kits: we're talking, for example, of its dual memory system and full OS-based file management, along with the open sourcecode.

Update - 24/02/2008: we can confirm how those promises have been kept in full. The open-source philosophy, along with the manufacturer's dedication, noticeably lengthened this list. Now AR cheats are fully supported, along with user-created shortcuts, DS-Linux can now take advantage of both data storages and, particularly impressive, the EZ V 3-in-1 is supported straight out of the box, even automatically patching most GBA games. Something we weren't expecting, we have to admit: it's the first time we witness such a powerful system software.

On paper, this is a high-end dev kit, easy to use and with special features geared towards hackers and programmers alike. Is that the truth? We'll soon find out.

[Evrain]

GUI & System Software

Examining the R.P.G. system software is not an easy task: it's somewhat of a stretch, to point out merits and flaws, especially since the latter, to an average programmer, are a matter of editing the sourcecode, compiling and copying the custom nds file; same goes with any missing/desired feature. Therefore, we'll simply take into account what the end user will find upon switching on his/her DS.

First thing first, you'll be greeted by the Zelda theme, with a Triforce in the background on the top screen and a Windows-like "Start button" on the lower left corner.
Both screens are used: the top one shows a calendar, digital clock and the user's nickname, strikingly similar (okay, almost identical) to the DS's own dashboard. The fact that your nickname is shown is another giveaway of how everything is based off the aforementioned libnds, which allow for directly interfacing with the DS firmware data.

On the bottom screen, three icons are placed in the free corners: from top-left and clockwise, you can find the current path and a "parent directory" button, a brightness selector which will actually be effectve only on aDS Lite or a DS "phat" unit with revision 5 hardware, an activity indicator which will flash whenever something is read or written from/to either memory. The overall feel is of a true operating system, which the AKmenu, in fact, is.

Just press the START button: this is the first time we've been presented with such a range of options. The selected file (folders are not yet supported) can be freely managed, you can view its save type, change the card's system settings, show more info on the file/folder/"disk" and take a peek at the User Manual, with a breakdown of each button's function.

The file list is on the bottom screen, which turns out to be pretty standard, icon based and with them pulsating when selected: when at the disk selection screen, you can either explore the on-board NAND, the microSD when inserted and boot whatever is inserted into the DS Slot 2, be it a game or a traditional flashcard, doubling as a third generation PassCard.
For each game/homebrew, the filename and associated icon are shown. Pressing X or selecting "File Info" or "Saver Type", a dialog box will show in-depth information and the option to manually select a save type. Tap the icon to run the selected file, or drag the stylus across the screen to scroll the list: beware, this function is so sensitive you'll be forced to use small movements, or the selection box will move up and down faster than a Ferrari, resulting in you getting back to good 'ol D-Pad in no time.

Now, only .nds and .sav files show up in the browser: this is why music, text files and the like are not supported out of the box. The software update found on the manufacturer's website comes in two flavors, with or without Moonshell 1.71b, which allows for the aforementioned files to be used on the DS. All retail units will ship with it, without risking your average John Doe wondering why he can't do what's advertised on the feature list.

Dulcis in fundo: file management. The AceKard team wasn't happy with dual memory, it seems, adding another absolutely unique feature. The first four options in the START menu read as follow:

• Copy
• Cut
• Delete
• Paste

No mistake, these options do what they're supposed to do. Copy, move or delete files with just a tap of the stylus, without having to use a PC. Only downside, this applies strictly to games/homebrew and savegames, unless it is added in future system updates/custom versions. Neverthless, it can be useful, even just for swapping savegames with your friends. We put this feature to the test with the above mentioned 120 Mbytes of pure music madness called Elite Beat Agents, with a transfer time of just 60 seconds, 1,75 Kbytes/sec average speed and even auto-trimming (if enabled in the System Settings screen), which worked flawlessly. Some early adopters of the unit spoke about files becoming corrupted after being copied/moved, probably due to the OS being an early build, as our unit showed no problems at all. Not bad, not bad at all!

To sum it up, this is an affordable system software, essential but different from the others. The absence of MoonShell from our unit was a noticeable flaw, but with its inclusion in all retail units this is a virtually nonexistent issue. The real deal is how heavily it can be customized, even down to the card's inner functions, including those compatibility related: download the source, familiarize yourself with DS development and you're ready to fix bugs, add features or just mess with the graphic layout. Yup, it's as easy as it sounds, as confirmed by iDeaS developer Lino.